Title: Standing on the Edge of Me
Author: Karleen
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Warner Brothers. I do not own The OC or any song (if there were) used in this fanfic. This was just written for fun.

Chapter 8 :: Chance On Love

Slowly, Seth began to regain consciousness but became slightly combative with the nurses. He was swinging his legs in the air, pulled out IVs and nearly pulled out his source of oxygen. One time the nurses even resorted to tying his hands to the bed frame. Summer became terrified but Dr. Michaels told her that it was 'normal' behavior for him to act that way because he was in so much pain, that he won't even remember that this even happened.

"He's not as bad when you're around." The nurse told Summer as she held Seth's hand as she watched him sleep.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"When you're here, he doesn't fight us. He lets us give him medicine, but when you're not around, it's a struggle to keep him from ripping the IV off his arm." The nurse said softly and walked to the door. "Would you like some tea or coffee?"

"No thanks, I'm all right." She said and gave her a nod. "I know you can hear me Seth, so please listen ok? I may not now how much pain you are experiencing but please try and cooperate sweetie. The nurses are just trying to help. They just want you to get better. I want you to get better because I need you to. I don't want to raise our children alone. Yes Seth, children... we're going to have another little one." She whispered to his ear. "I bought you something from home." She pulled out her laptop "Singin' in the Rain" she said and pressed start. "I thought you might like it." She watched but fell asleep halfway through the movie.

Seth shifted slightly and slowly opened his eyes to find Summer's head rested next to his hand. He smiled at the sight in front of him. He glanced at the laptop. He heard the unmistakable voice of Gene Kelly singing happily as he sloshed around the water puddles because he was happy. There were no raindrops involved in the room, but Seth felt a tiny bit of glee that flooded through him despite the pain that went through his body.

A song started to play in a low volume. "On Fire"- by Switchfoot

They tell you where you need to go
They tell you when you need to leave.
They tell you what you need to know
They tell you who you need to be.

His memory of the past few months suddenly rushed back in his thoughts as he pondered about how long he had been bedridden. The accident was sketchy in his mind. He wondered about that familiar voice that told him to not to let go, that she needed him, that his family needed him to be better.

But everything inside you
knows there's more than what you've heard
There's so much more than empty conversations
filled with empty words

Days later, the nurses noticed that he was breathing more rapidly than the respirator, on his own. He insisted that he be allowed to try breathing on his own. The nurse was hesitant but the doctor said it was ok to take the tubes out. He heard Summer, loud and clear. He wasn't going to let her down this time, he was determined to fight for his life.


And you're on fire
when he's near you
You're on fire when he speaks
You're on fire burning at these mysteries
Give me one more time around
give me one more chance to see,
Give me everything you are
Give me one more chance to be near you.

When everything inside me
Looks like everything I hate
You are the hope I have for change
You are the only chance I'll take

He was ready to breathe on his own. He was slowly recovering. Dr. Michaels suggested to transfer him to the Newport Institute for Rehabilitation. His broken pelvis slowly began to heal. He was allowed to use one leg to transfer in and out of a wheelchair. Summer was by his side everyday, whenever she could assist him.

It had been two months since the accident and he was doing better than expected. Especially after Summer confirmed that she was pregnant, he was even more determined to be able to walk again. The doctors at the facility agreed that his recovery was exceptional. They've never seen anyone who was as determined as Seth was.

Kirsten brought Sam in at his requests. At first, Sam was scared to get near her dad. She cried the first time when she saw him. Kirsten tried to explain that her dad was getting better everyday. Summer told her that he'd missed her hugs. So the next few times she visited her father, she went up to him slowly and climbed up on his bed. He eagerly smiled at her.

"When are you coming back home?." She said with a smile.

"Soon sweetie." He said as Sam gently climbed onto his bed carefully so that he could hold her.

He said as he rose up his bed to hug her. "Are you taking care of mommy while I'm gone?"

"Yeah."

"That's my girl." He said as they broke their hug.

"So are we a family now?" She asked innocently as her father stroked her hair identical to her mother's.

"What do you mean? We've always been a family." He responded a little bewildered by her question. Summer was getting coffee when she saw Sandy outside the hallway, ready to pick Sam up. She went back to Seth's room and told her that her grampa was waiting for her outside.

"What's wrong?" She asked him when she saw the confused expression on his face.

"She just asked if we were a family now." He trailed off.

"I told her, Seth." She admitted

"About what?" He said, but he knew what she meant.

"Us." She said as she held his hand.

"You did?" He said with eyes filled with glimmer. "But I thought you said... I mean we never really spoke about it."

"I know, but that was a long time ago. I can't lose you ever again. This.. This whole thing." She said and stopped herself from crying in front of him. "This is my fault."

"That's crazy. This is not your fault!" He said as lifted himself up to sit down and face her.

"If it wasn't for what I said, oh god..."

"Summer don't blame yourself. This, is not your fault ok?" She looked at him. "I am alive because of you."

"What?"

"If you weren't here everyday, talking to me, trying to make me hear you, trying to wake me up from stepping in the door to death... I heard you every time Summer. I fought to breathe because I wanted to fight for you." She held his hand.

"I almost lost you, even before the accident." She tried and looked away but he didn't let her.

"But you didn't... You would never lose me because I will never leave you." He said as he kissed her softly. "I know that people left you before and it scared you to depend on others. I love you, Summ and I know you do too. I would never dream of abandoning you and our kids." He wiped the tear off her cheek with his thumb. She kissed him back.

And I'm on fire when you're near me
I'm on fire when you speak
I'm on fire burning out these mysteries.

They gently broke the kiss off and Seth sighed. "This is not the setting I've dreamt of doing this. Considering the circumstance, I can't really kneel down but I just want to ask you one thing. Summer will make me the happiest man alive... and I mean that in all senses...and marry me?" He asked her.

I'm standing on the edge of me
I'm standing at the edge of everything I've never been before
And I've been standing at the edge of me, standing at the edge

"Yes." Simply replied and kissed him with her hands on his face. "I love you."

"I love you too." They were both so happy that they had smiles up to their ears. They've never been as alive as they were in this moment. They felt love as it were meant to be felt, all different emotions as one gigantic feeling. They took a chance on the feeling they had denied for so long. They took a chance on love and life and they succeeded.

I'm on fire when you're near me
I'm on fire when you speak
I'm on fire burning at these mysteries
you're a mystery

Song fades.

. e n d .

Seth and Summer are back where they belong, together :) I wouldn't have had it any other way. Thank you for those who read and reviewed this fanfic (especially the ones who reviewed chapter by chapter). I truly appreciate your thoughts and words, thanks a bunch.
-Karleen