Disclaimer: I own nothing related to the OC.
A/N: I'm back. Yes I had a wonderful time but now I can write a lot! Yay! Actually it's been awhile, but whatevs. I felt as though I wasn't getting the proper amount of reviews.
BY THE WAY…IT'S THE LAST CHAPTER!
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Kirsten lay on the couch with her legs on Sandy's lap while Ryan occupied the leather chair and Seth and Summer cuddled on the ground. The group sat around in sweatpants while eating Chinese, looking over last minute notes for the next day.
"Let's take a break," Sandy suggested, setting his papers on Kirsten's stomach. She was half-asleep. After two weeks of therapy she still was exhausted after her sessions. She picked at the Velcro straps of the brace and tossed it onto the floor and allowed herself and her Mooshu pork to get comfortable on the couch.
"But Sandy, tomorrow is the trial, those three can take a break but I cannot live with my father anymore, much less the step-monster!" Summer was extremely tense about her situation. She was mostly afraid that they would lose and she would still have to live with her dad.
"Summer, there's like, no chance you guys will lose," Seth told her grabbing the papers from her hand and flipping them upside down.
"COHEN!" she smacked him and grabbed the papers back, continuously hitting him on the back of the head with them. Sandy and Ryan chuckled in amusement as Kirsten tried to grab the papers from Summer's hands.
"Come on you guys, either take a break or work, but don't fight about it," Kirsten told them, handing Summer her papers.
Seth began flipping through his cell-phone. There wasn't any point to Ryan or he working; they wouldn't be able to do anything in trial. He came across his photo album. Summer, Ryan giving him the finger, Modest Mouse, The Walkmen, Alex, and then he stopped. He semi-remembered taking the picture of his mom asleep in the hospital. It was the first day that they were able to see her. She looked really bad.
"Check out this picture," Seth handed his mom the phone. She glanced at it for a moment.
"God, I've never looked that bad in my life!" she exclaimed putting the phone down beside her as Sandy picked it up.
"Those weren't your best days," he looked at her and examined the picture closer, "Actually, that was the first day you were in the hospital." She looked at him wide-eyed and then back down to the paper. She looked over towards Summer. She looked super-stressed out. Kirsten maneuvered herself onto the floor next to her and put an arm around her neck.
"Don't worry sweetie," Kirsten reassured her, "It will be fine!"
"If you say so," she shrugged, setting her head on Kirsten's shoulder, "I believe you."
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Summer Roberts felt tears rush to her eyes. The whole court process had been a blur.
"Neil Roberts, I sentence you to 10 years in jail and 2 years on parole with supervised visits at your daughter's discretion." Summer had smiled after that one.
"I grant custody of Summer Roberts to her step-mom, Lucille Roberts."
Summer wanted to faint. She looked over at Kirsten who was looking down at her feet. She knew that this was going to kill Kirsten. She hated to be self-centered, or self-involved, but she knew that Kirsten loved her a lot. She loved her a lot more than the step-mom did for one thing.
Summer looked back and made eye-contact with Seth. His face was completely pale. Summer then looked over at Sandy. He looked completely shocked. She could see the pain in his eyes. She knew that he hated losing cases and this was no exception.
Summer buried her head in her arms and felt hot tears pour onto her arms. She knew that the step-monster would do something to make her life miserable once again. She started feeling claustrophobic, even though the courtroom was huge. She suddenly stood up and bolted for the door.
Sandy went after her. He found her with her head buried in her knees in front of the courthouse. He watched from a distance for a second. He could tell even from her back that so many emotions were running through her body at the moment.
"You'll still see us all the time Summer, you won't be far away," Sandy sat down beside her and rubbed her back, "You are welcome to be in our house anytime you want to be in it." Summer rested her head on his shoulder,
"I've never really had a real family. I mean my dad and my mom split up when I was little. They took it to court. I don't really remember it but my grandpa told me that it was really bad and messy. I never really got the chance to hang out and get to know my mom. Then she died and…oh god this all sucks," Summer rambled to Sandy. He put his arm around her and squeezed her.
"If anything goes wrong, give me a call, stop by, whatever," Sandy told her, "I know the past couple months have sucked for everyone…but we'll make it through."
Summer smiled gratefully and started to stand up. Right as she got up she noticed the step-monster coming out of the courthouse doors. Sandy put an arm around her and they started towards the step-mom.
"Ready?" the step-monster asked uninterestedly, "Get whatever crap you need to and be home. We've got to talk." Summer nodded and turned to head towards the Cohen's car. The rest of the court was beginning to come out.
"We just need to find Seth, Ryan, and Kirsten," Sandy told her, looking through the crowd. He saw Seth and Ryan following a hobbling Kirsten. None of the group really knew what to say.
"It really won't be too bad, we're like, less than a mile away from your house," Seth tried to cheer up Summer who looked like she was about to cry. It was at the moment that she finally broke a grin that her step-mom came hustling out of the courthouse.
"There you are Summer!" she called, looking all too flashy in her pink sweater and white pants.
"Hi," Summer looked at the ground.
"Well we should get going, you can get your stuff from their house later," she told Summer, motioning towards the Cohen family.
"Fine," Summer said quietly, "Bye you guys." Kirsten hopped over and gave Summer a hug, as did Sandy, Seth, and even Ryan.
"See you tomorrow," Seth called after her. She didn't even turn around as she slumped towards her step-mom's car.
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Kirsten woke up and hobbled into her closet. She pulled out her favorite pair of Juicy Couture sweat pants and a white tank top. She had physical therapy today. Just like about everyday. She finished getting dressed and hobbled her way towards the kitchen.
"Morning," Seth and Ryan both muttered as they continued looking at their favorite parts of the newspaper.
"Hey sweetie," Sandy walked over and kissed her on the cheek, "All ready for your physical therapy slash doctor's appointment extravaganza?"
"Never been more ready," she grinned, kissing him back. Seth just grunted.
"You guys take the Range Rover to school," Sandy tossed the keys to Ryan and Seth just grunted.
"Bye," Seth called towards his parents.
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Kirsten sat nervously in the waiting room. Sandy had left and was going to come pick her up whenever she called. Something felt different about today. It was a mix of worrying about her appointment and worrying about Summer.
"Kirsten, come on back to the x-ray room," the nurse called to her. She grabbed the crutches that she had leaned against the seat behind her and hobbled back towards the doctor's office. She took a seat on the table as the nurse followed her in.
Please remove the brace," the nurse told her. Kirsten did as she said without flinching. Her leg didn't even really hurt anymore. She took the x-rays and started fiddling around on the other side of the room.
"The doctor will be with you in a moment," the nurse left the room and Kirsten continued sitting. She knew that she wasn't supposed to bend her knee, but it didn't really hurt when she touched it or moved it around a lot. No one seemed to be coming in so she lightly began to bend her knee. It hurt a little bit but not a lot. She smiled.
She had a lot on her mind that day. All she could think about was her leg and Summer. She really hoped that Summer was going to be OK. She knew that inside Summer's step-mom was actually nice but Summer didn't seem to be convinced. Kirsten sighed and leaned back, hoping the doctor would be in soon.
The door opened and in popped her doctor, "Hi Kirsten."
"Hi, how are you?" she asked politely.
"Very happy about what I'm about to tell you," he told her. Kirsten smiled a little. It sounded like good news was headed her way.
"What's the good news?" she asked eagerly.
"Well, I looked at your x-rays, and I don't see why you would need crutches anymore," he explained, "It has healed very nicely. During your physical therapy you will practice walking and we'll see how it feels for you. You will still have to come for physical therapy and wear a brace for the next few weeks but you'll be walking at the same time!" Kirsten's grin was so big that the doctor couldn't help but grin with her, "I think you should head over to your therapist and begin from there. Please use your crutches to get over there though."
"Thank you SO much," Kirsten smiled, "For everything." She hobbled quickly away, eager to get to her physical therapist.
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Kirsten had called Sandy to pick her up, not telling him the good news. She walked slowly towards the front door and saw the BMW pull up. She started out the front door. She had a definite limp, but she was happy. Walking didn't hurt too bad, but her leg was sore and tingled whenever she took a step.
Sandy looked out the window of the BMW and suddenly saw his wife walking to the car. He grinned and opened the window.
"Walking?" he called out smiling, "Well good work partner." She reached the car, hopped in, and smiled at him, giving him a big slobbery kiss.
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Summer Roberts knocked on the front door of the Cohen's house at 2:15. She had skipped school and packed her things. She had some bad news.
Kirsten walked over to the door and answered it. Summer was standing in hysterics at the front door. Kirsten quickly grabbed onto Summer and gave her a hug,
"What's wrong sweetie?"
"I'm moving to New York," Summer answered, sighing. Summer glanced down and suddenly noticed Kirsten's state.
"Oh my God you're walking!" she smiled, instantly feeling tears fall again.
"Oh my God you're moving," Kirsten almost screamed, "You can't! I won't let you! No!" Summer squeezed her grip on Kirsten and the two ladies stayed in their position for a good five minutes.
"When are you leaving?" Kirsten asked quietly, hoping the answer wouldn't be too bad.
"Tomorrow," Summer practically whispered, "I came to tell you and then I have to tell Seth, get my stuff, and pretty much leave you guys." Kirsten felt tears coming to her own eyes as Summer spilled the news.
"You are ALWAYS welcome in this home," Kirsten reminded her, "If you ever need a place to stay, we're here."
"Thanks for everything," Summer continued her hug, "I love you so much." Kirsten felt more tears sting her eyes.
"I love you too Summer," Kirsten told her. The two went walking towards the kitchen.
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Seth and Ryan came bursting through the door, talking about the most random things as usual. Kirsten walked out to greet them. The boys stopped in their tracks as she limped over to them and pulled them towards the kitchen.
"Mom?" Seth asked puzzled, "What's with the walking?"
Kirsten grinned for a split second and then put her brooding face back on, "I had an appointment, and I'm doing well." As soon as Seth entered the kitchen the smile on his face dropped as a red-eyed Summer sat on a stool at the kitchen table.
"What are you doing here? Why weren't you at school?" Seth questioned, taking a tentative step towards his girlfriend.
"I have some bad news," she proclaimed, she let out a quick sob and continued, "I'm moving."
"To where? The numbered streets? I doubt it. Next door?" Ryan kicked Seth to tell him to stop.
"Not so much," she cried, "I'm moving to New York City." The room went quiet as Seth and Ryan took in the news.
"No," Seth began as he voice grew louder, "What are we going to do? NO!" Ryan put a hand on Seth's shoulder, who started towards the stairs, "You can't leave!"
Ryan and Kirsten stood silently in the kitchen as Summer raced after Seth. Kirsten felt tears coming to her eyes. Ryan put an arm around her as she buried her head into his shoulder and cried.
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"I have to say good-bye now Seth," Summer told him as she entered his room, "I hate to do it like this, but I don't think that seeing each other would be a good idea. I want to remain really good friends but I don't want to have a boyfriend right now and I really don't want to find out that my boyfriend has cheated on me while I am gone." Summer leaned over and kissed Seth on the lips.
"I love you Summer," he choked, "I always will. I'll miss you everyday, and I'll come to visit sometime."
"I love you too, and I'll miss you always," and with one last kiss on the cheek, Summer Roberts was out his bedroom door.
In the kitchen, she hugged Kirsten, Sandy, and Ryan one last time.
She waved as she left the house.
Her life would never be the same again.
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COMPLETE! Look out for the sequel coming soon…it will be Summer-centric!
Thanks for all the reviews and everything! Thanks sooo much!