Kirsten woke up groggily the next morning, half opening her eyes. Wincing as the day light set in, she rolled over to see that Sandy was already up. Dragging herself out of bed, she looked in the mirror, groaning at her blood shot eyes.

Doodle takes dad's scissors to her skin…

"Feels bad the morning after, don't it?" Sandy said, appearing in the doorway.

"Gee thanks for pointing that out"

"You know that I love you right?"

Kirsten looked at her husband's serious face, suddenly feeling slightly uncomfortable.

"Of course. I love you too"

"I just don't want you to react to this in the wrong way…" he began, moving closer to her.

"What are you talking about Sandy?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I've booked you in for rehabilitation. I think you have a drinking problem."

She stared in shock at him, not believing what she was hearing.

"You WHAT? Are you crazy? I swear to God Sandy I am not leaving this house…" she exploded, shouting at him.

"The boys and I have all agreed. I'm sorry honey…but you don't have a choice. Your going whether you like it or not"

Kirsten shook her head, gripping onto the table in front of her to steady herself.

"You can't just send me away. I won't go"

Sandy put a hand on her back, rubbing it gently. Kirsten pulled away, tears in her eyes. The truth was; she knew she had a problem. She had known for ages. The first time she began drinking vodka instead of wine. The first time she had began to enjoy drinking by herself. The first time she spiked her juice in the morning… she had known. She was a failure. She was an alcoholic, just like her mother was. She was ruining her relationship with her sons. She was ruining her marriage. As much as she wished that she could just drink away her life…she knew that all she would end up doing was ruining the lives of those who loved her. Seth was living proof of that.

"Please Kirsten. We love you, and we're all so worried. We just want to help you…" Sandy whispered.

Kirsten took a deep breath, putting her head in her hands. As she sobbed, she knew that this had to happen. She needed help. She wanted her life back.

And when she does relief comes setting in…

Sandy held her from behind, listening to her soft sobs.

"It's ok…It's all going to be alright…"

Kirsten turned in his arms, so she was facing him. Wiping her eyes, she nodded her head slightly.

"So when do I leave?"

Sandy smiled, hugging his wife close. He was so glad that she had agreed. He really didn't want to have to drag her there kicking and screaming.

"Tomorrow. I'm so proud of you. I know you can do this. The boys and I will be here to support you every step of the way."

"I know. I'm so sorry Sandy. For everything…" Kirsten began shakily.

"It's ok…it's ok" He brushed her tears away with his thumb, and then kissed her softly on the lips.

"I love you" he breathed.

She bit her lip, not sure whether she was glad she was getting help…or upset at the fact she needed to be helped.

"Don't worry. It's all going to be ok" Sandy said, noticing his wife's expression.

She nodded, gulping back the lump in her throat.

"Have I ever told you how much I love you?" she said, smiling.

"Yeah I think it's been mentioned…but I must say…I do like hearing it"

Kirsten laughed slightly through her tears, hugging her smirking husband tightly. Something inside both of them clicked. Something that assured both of them that everything really was going to be ok. Like it or not…Kirsten was going to get help. The sooner that she got back to her old self, the sooner things could go back to how they used to be. Sandy now had a new found inspiration. Just when he felt like he should be giving up…things got better. Now, he would be able to concentrate solely on being there for her. On supporting her. He hoped with all he had that there fighting days were over. God how nice it would be to have a conversation that didn't end in an argument. He looked into Kirsten's eyes, and knew instantly that she was thinking the exact same thing.

"I'm so sorry Mom" Seth said timidly, entering the room.

"Oh it's ok. This is my fault" she said, letting go of her husband, and embracing her son. "I'm sorry for doing this. I'm sorry for putting you through hell. For putting all of you through hell."

"We're proud of you. Aren't we Ryan?"

Ryan poked his head into the room, wanting to leave the 'real' Cohen's alone for a bit.

"Your damm right we are" he said smiling slightly.

She let go of Seth, now hugging Ryan tightly. God she loved them all so much.

"I'm not going to let you down." She said, turning to face them all. "I promise you that I'm going to do this. I'm going to do this right."

Sandy smiled at his wife, his eyes slightly watery. He looked at their sons, and realized that both of them were getting teary as well. Kirsten really did have a knack for making men cry! Or maybe it was simply the fact that they all loved her so much. Yeah, he was pretty sure it was the latter. At the moment she was putting on a brave face, but he could tell she was waiting to break down.

While she hides the scars she's making underneath her pretty clothes…

"Come on…let's give your mother some space for a minute ay?" he said, ushering the boys out of the room.

She smiled gratefully at him as he kissed her lightly on the mouth, before closing the door behind him. As soon as the door closer, she felt herself letting go. She'd been holding it all in, so the boys didn't see her like that, but now, all she wanted to do was cry. Sandy winced from outside the door as he heard his wife cries. He'd give her a few minutes to be alone…but then he was going back in. He hated listening to her cry.

---

Sandy tapped on the door 10 minutes later. Kirsten hadn't emerged yet, and he could still hear her sobbing. He was worried…worried that she might be doing something stupid. When there was no reply coming from the room, he walked in, his heart breaking as he saw her sitting on the floor against they're bed, knees pulled up underneath her.

She sings:
Hey baby can you bleed like me…?

"Oh honey…"

He sat beside her, rubbing her back with one hand, and wiping at her tears with the other. He felt as though his heart was bleeding right now. He just wanted to take away her pain. He just wanted to fix her. No one should have to go through this…especially not Kirsten. She was too much of a nice person. She was too beautiful…

"I love you" he said with emphasis, as a tear slid down his face.

She tried to get the words out, but she couldn't. She was crying too much right now. Sandy knew how much she loved him, and how sorry she was. She was pretty sure he didn't want to hear her apologies again. Instead she sat there, resting her head on his chest. He stroked her hair lovingly, holding her body as it trembled.

Seth entered the room silently, hearing his mother's sobs from the next room. As he approached them timidly, his father nodded at him, letting him know that it was ok. Seth dropped to his knees, taking hold of his mother's hand. He held it tightly, smiling as she turned to look at him. She had to do this. If not for herself…then for the people around her.

As horrible as it sounded, she could go no lower anymore. From here on…things could only get better…and somehow, deep down inside her, she could already feel things changing. She had a great family to support her, and she was so thankful for them. She was going to get better. She was going to fix this…they all were.

C'mon baby can you bleed like me?

A/N Well that's it people. I really wanted to wrap this story up, so i kinda hurried and ended it. Anyway, thanks to everyone who reviewed. All of your comments were great...so thankyou. You guys rock! Luv LoZa xoxo

Lyrics in this chapter and story titleis from Garbage's song "bleed like me"...so all credit goes to them for the inspiration.