I'm sorry this took so long. I couldn't figure out how to finish the chapter...and then Thanksgiving came, and with all the eating I just didn't have time, but here it is, I hope it was worth the wait.

Disclaimer: Uh, I don't own any of the characters.

"Summer, will you please hand me the tape?" Seth asked as he stood perched precariously on top of a chair.

"Maybe I should do this?" Ryan suggested. "Seeing as I'm the only one with all of my bones intact?"

"Way to rub it in," Seth muttered as he tried, unsuccessfully to hang up the sign welcoming his mother home up with one arm.

"Seriously Cohen," Summer said from down below where she was displaying all of the cards and baskets that had come for Kirsten and the rest of the Cohens. "Get down from there before you kill yourself. Cause that's exactly what we'll want. To have to go back to the hospital…" Seth sighed and hopped off the chair. After Summer nodded her approval to the hanging of the banner, she went back to the cards. Her stomach flipped slightly when she saw the return address.

Marissa.

She knew that Ryan had said that Marissa had sent a card to Kirsten. He had mentioned in passing that he had gotten into a little disagreement with her out on the driveway, and he also told Summer that he didn't blame her for not wanting to talk to Marissa. Summer had felt guilty about not talking to Marissa, she knew logically that she had every right to be angry with her, but it was also Coop. Her best friend since elementary school. And Summer felt like she should be supportive in some way. But then she would go with Seth and Ryan to the hospital and see the pain that Kirsten was still in, and she couldn't make herself forgive and forget that quickly. It had been a relief to know that Ryan had understood her reasons.

"Hey," Summer said. "I found Marissa's card. What should I do with it?" She looked up and both Seth and Ryan were staring at it.

"Open it and read it?" Seth suggested curiosity getting the better of him. Ryan nodded, and Summer slid her finger under the flap and pulled out the card. Her eyes scanned the message, and Seth impatiently tapped his finger on the outside of the card. "Out loud Summer."

"Right," Summer replied nodding. "'Dear Kirsten, I cannot even begin to say how sorry I am. I was being stupid and selfish and I put you and your family in danger. I don't know what I can do to make it up to you, but if there's any way that you could forgive me…tell me what to do and I'll do it. Again, I am so sorry. Marissa.'" Summer paused. "There's a note from Mr. Cooper too, 'Kirsten, I'm sorry for everything that has happened, and Sandy, I'm sorry for that day in the hospital.'" Summer looked at Seth or Ryan for some explanation and they both shrugged. "'I know that you probably want nothing to do with me or my family, but you are my oldest friend, and I don't know what I would do if I lost you. There has to be some way that we can make this better. I don't want to lose you guys as our friends. Kiks, I hope you can accept our sincere apology…Jimmy.'" All three were silent for a minute, before Seth reached down and took the card from Summer.

"I guess we should just throw it away?" He asked.

"No," Ryan spoke up. "You should at least give it to your dad. Let him decide whether or not to give it to Kirsten. That's not our call." With that, he took the Coopers' card and placed it underneath a basket where it was within reach, but it wouldn't be the first thing that Kirsten grabbed. "Let's finish getting everything ready."

"When will they be home?" Summer asked glad for the change in subject from Marissa.

"Soon," Seth answered. The doorbell rang and Summer and Ryan exchanged looks. "Last time I checked my parents did not ring the doorbell of their own house, so I doubt that it's them." He put down the balloon that he was blowing up and went to the door.

"Anna?" He asked when he saw the blonde standing on the other side. "Hey."

"Seth! Are you okay? I just heard what happened!" Anna reached forward to give him a hug. "How's your mom?"

"She's coming home today," Seth replied moving aside to let Anna in. "This is Ryan…and Summer."

"Are you guys okay?" Anna asked taking in Summer's broken leg.

"We'll survive," Seth said seriously.

"We're trying to get the house ready for Seth's parents," Ryan explained.

"Can I help?" Anna asked putting down her purse and shrugging out of her coat. "I'm sorry that I didn't come sooner. I was in Pittsburgh for the week with my parents. I heard about it as soon as I got back to school. I meant to come, but I just got so wrapped up in the school work I had to catch up on… Anyway, I'm so glad that you guys are okay."

"Thanks," Seth said grinning at her, and then grinned even broader at the jealous look on Summer's face. Summer was jealous? Summer was jealous! Seth wanted to do a dance right there in his living room, and would have too, if the consequences weren't so dangerous. The way that Summer was glaring, Seth figured that anyone who pushed her over the edge would pay dearly. "We have to hurry though, my dad is bringing my mom home really soon."

"Well, then it's a good thing I'm here," Anna told him smiling.

"Why is that a good thing?" Summer asked her eyes narrowing.

"We can get done faster if there's four of us," Anna explained slowly. "And you have a broken leg, and Seth has a broken arm, and I have two good arms and two good legs." She grabbed a balloon and began to fill it up.

"Oh yeah?" Summer said under her breath. "For how long?" She went to lunge at her, but Ryan placed an arm around her waist and pulled her back. Seth looked over at Summer who was clearly having what she called her "rage blackouts." Seth and Ryan had been forewarned about them, and now were witnessing one first hand.

"Maybe you should keep them apart?" Ryan suggested to Seth.

"Good call," Seth said seriously nodding.

Sandy helped Kirsten out of the car and watched her with her crutches for only a second before deciding that she wasn't ready to be trying to get around on those exhausting things, and scooped her up and carried her in.

"Sandy, I'm going to have to learn to maneuver on those things," Kirsten complained halfheartedly.

"Sweetheart, you're still healing from surgery, you have to take it easy this week, remember? You're not supposed to leave your bed." Kirsten pouted slightly and Sandy shook his head. "You are going to stay in bed until you are allowed out of it, do you understand?"

"Yes sir," Kirsten giggled slightly.

"Is that Mom giggling I hear?" Seth asked incredulously. "Mom doesn't giggle." Sandy placed Kirsten on the couch as she took in all of the baskets and the cards sent to her.

"She's still on a lot of pain killers," Sandy said under his breath to Seth. "She thinks a lot of things are funny that aren't."

"Ohh! Mini-muffins!" Kirsten exclaimed reaching for them. Ryan was quick to jump to his feet and grab the basket for her. She beamed and motioned for him to come down so that she could place a grateful kiss on his cheek. "Thank you sweetheart. Oh, they're chocolate chip too! Sandy! They're chocolate chip!" Sandy and his sons exchanged a look.

"Come on, baby," Sandy said scooping her up again. "We have to get you in bed." Kirsten nodded, but motioned to the baskets.

"But can someone grab the muffins?" Seth saluted and grabbed a few baskets and followed his parents up the stairs. Anna had run home, promising to be back later for the movie marathon that they had planned, and Summer was in the kitchen getting Kirsten a glass of water to put next to her bed.

"Sum! She's going to need milk instead," Seth called and Ryan grabbed some of the cards and hurried after the Cohens. Summer came up behind him and they walked in just as Sandy was tucking his wife in.

"The banner was beautiful guys," Kirsten said sincerely as Ryan handed her the cards, and Summer set the milk on Kirsten's nightstand. "Thank you so much."

"We're so glad that you're home," Summer told her smiling. She was amazed that she was over the Cohens' house welcoming Kirsten home. The Cohens' house. She had only been there for Newport parties with her father. Seth Cohen's house. It was unbelievable. And she wasn't talking to Coop. Or Holly. Or Luke. But instead she had planned a night at home with Seth Cohen, and his pseudo brother, and that Anna girl, who Summer was sure was a very nice person, but at the very moment in time, Summer wanted to kick her ass.

A lot had changed in a short time, and Summer was still struggling to wrap her mind around it.

Like why did she want to kick Anna's ass? So Anna liked Seth? It wasn't as if she was dating Seth or anything. It wasn't like she liked Seth…Oh God, she liked Seth. She liked Seth Cohen. She looked over at him as he doted on his mother, fluffing her pillows and making sure that she had the muffin basket close by if she needed it. She liked Seth Cohen. And she was okay with that.

"We are so glad," Sandy said leaning down to place a kiss on Kirsten's forehead. "But you should get some rest. We'll be downstairs if you need us." He ushered the kids out of the room and down the stairs.

"Dad?" Seth figured it was the best time to bring up the Cooper's card. Actually there was no good time, he knew that his father would not appreciate the gesture. Sandy Cohen was a forgiving guy, but not when it came to his wife or sons. Sons. Sandy's heart had stopped when Seth said that Ryan was hurt and treated in trauma. After only a week. Kirsten had been right about Ryan. There was something about him.

"Yeah Seth?"

"Mom got a card, from the Coopers….well Marissa and Jimmy anyway…and I just…we didn't know whether to give it to her, or throw it away…" Sandy sighed. He knew that they would have to deal with the Coopers, he was just hoping that he could put it off for a little bit longer.

"Where is it?" He asked. Ryan retrieved it from where he had put it and handed it to Sandy who quickly read it over.

"Are you going to give it to her?" Ryan asked softly.

"I don't know," Sandy said running a hand over his face.

"I suggest that you do it now, while she's in such a good mood," Seth suggested nodding seriously. "We should always have her on pain killers." Sandy fingered the card again. He knew that he probably should give it to Kirsten. But he didn't want her to get upset, and that was exactly what would happen if he gave it to her.

"Well, this place looks great," Sandy said changing the subject. He placed the card back down on the counter and smiled at the boys. "Seriously boys, and girl," he said nodding to Summer. "Thank you for doing this."

"No problem Mr. C," Summer grinned. "It was our pleasure."

"What do you kids have planned for the evening?" Sandy asked as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

"We're having a Japanese movie marathon," Seth said excitedly. "Anna, you remember Anna? She's coming over too." Sandy raised his eyebrows at this, and out of the corner of his eye saw Ryan shake his head in amusement. Sandy also caught Summer rolling her eyes at Anna's name and knew that his son was courting trouble.

"Well, that sounds nice," Sandy said. "I'm going to go catch up on some work, if you need me, I'll be in my office." As he walked away he heard Summer make some comment on Anna's impending arrival, and it was his turn to shake his head.

Oh yes, Seth was certainly going to be in trouble.

Sandy walked back upstairs a little while later to check on Kirsten. Her leg was propped up with pillows, and she was snoring slightly. She winced in her sleep, and Sandy sighed. He knew that despite the painkillers she was on, she was still in pain, and he wished he could do something, anything, to make it better for her. He placed a new glass of water on her nightstand, and pushed the hair that had fallen in her face back. He placed a soft kiss on her cheek, and placed the Cooper's card down on his side of the bed. Kirsten stirred and her eyes fluttered open.

"Hey," Sandy said softly.

"Hey," Kirsten replied.

"How are you feeling?" Sandy asked. Kirsten shrugged.

"I've been better," she said. Sandy reached for the bottle of painkillers and attempted to open the bottle with his broken arm. After watching in amusement for a few moments, Kirsten had pity on him and reached out and took the bottle herself poured one out into her hand.

"Here, baby," he said handing her the glass of water. He helped her sit up and she swallowed the pill and sighed as she leaned back against her pillows.

"Thank you, honey," she told Sandy tiredly. Sandy reached for the card and sat down next to his wife.

"A card came for you, from the Coopers…I didn't know if you wanted it. If you want me to toss it, just say the word," Sandy offered.

"No," Kirsten said holding out her hand. "I want to read it." Sandy placed the card in her outstretched hand. He watched her face as she read the card, and was disappointed when her face gave nothing away. She closed the card and placed it on the table next to her, and said nothing.

"Are you okay?" He asked gently.

"What happened? In the hospital? What happened? What was Jimmy talking about?"

"He asked me to represent Marissa," Sandy admitted taking her hand in his and interlacing their fingers together. "When you were still…when we didn't…" He closed his eyes and couldn't finish the sentence. Couldn't admit to her how close they had been to losing her, and how much that had terrified him.

"And you told him no, obviously," Kirsten said.

"I laughed in his face," Sandy told her. At this, Kirsten's face broke out in a small smile. Kirsten turned to look out the window and was quiet for another moment. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"I was just thinking about Jimmy's request…to forgive him…them. Him and Marissa. Marissa could have killed our boys, Sandy. She could have killed you! I don't know if I can forgive her for that…"

"And you," Sandy whispered picking up her hand and giving it a kiss. "We could have lost you. Do you understand how close we came to losing you?" He had tried to not show her how upset he had been, trying not to get her upset, he had tried to remain strong when he was with her, but he found himself suddenly beginning to cry, and Kirsten was surprised for a moment, and then wrapped her arms around Sandy, ignoring her body's protests, and held him.

"It's okay, you didn't okay? I'm here, I'm not going anywhere," she whispered. "Baby, it's okay. Sandy, baby, I'm okay." He gripped onto her pajama top and cried into her shoulders.

"We almost lost you," he kept repeating. "We almost lost you." He leaned up and kissed her on the lips and then on the cheek and then again on the lips, it was if he was reassuring himself that she was real and alive in front of him.

The next morning, Kirsten woke up with Sandy still holding on to her with his good arm, and she smiled slightly. She wondered if she could make it to the bathroom without having to wake him up. The painkillers had long worn off and her battered body ached, but she gently moved Sandy's arm and placed her broken leg on the floor and then reached for the crutches that were leaning against the wall near her bed.

"Where are you going?" Sandy's voice startled her.

"I have to go to the bathroom, and I didn't want to wake you up," Kirsten answered. Sandy got up and went over to her side and helped her to her feet. They slowly made their way to the bathroom.

"I'll go get you some breakfast," he said.

"No, I want to eat breakfast downstairs with the boys," Kirsten replied.

"Honey…"

"I don't care, Sandy, I want to eat breakfast downstairs with the boys," she answered adamantly. "I have no idea what's going on with their lives and I want to talk to them."

"How about we eat outside? That way there's not as many stairs and you can get some fresh air and talk to the boys?" Sandy offered.

"Fine." Sandy gave her a kiss on the cheek and left her momentarily to tell the boys to take their breakfast outside to the patio. Sandy was happy to see that Ryan was eating the cereal out of the box like Seth did. It meant that maybe Ryan was finally getting settled there, with them. He knew that Ryan's acclimation into the Cohen house was disrupted by the accident, and he wasn't entirely sure if Ryan was comfortable around them yet, but the disgusting eating of the cereal out of the box was a sign that he might be getting used to being there.

"Oh, and get yourselves a bowl, your mother will think that you've turned into heathens while she was in the hospital," Sandy requested hurrying back up to the kitchen, before he left, he saw Ryan reach for two bowls and place one in front of Seth who made a face.

Sandy helped Kirsten get settled outside and they were joined a second later by Ryan and Seth.

"How are you feeling today?" Ryan asked as Kirsten took a sip of her coffee. Kirsten shrugged.

"Better, I guess. And you?"

"Hey, Seth, come help me in the kitchen," Sandy suggested and he and Seth disappeared into the kitchen. Kirsten rolled her eyes, she and Sandy had talked about how she wanted to talk to Ryan a little bit more about everything and how he was dealing with it. But Sandy could have been a little less obvious about it. Smooth, Kirsten thought. Real smooth, Sandy.

"I'm okay," Ryan said shrugging. "I wasn't as bad as you…"

"Well, no, but you were still banged up," Kirsten replied. "I just want to be sure you are okay."

"I'm okay…." Ryan mumbled.

"How's school?" Kirsten asked. She could see that Ryan was uncomfortable with talking about the accident, and she wanted to keep him talking.

"It's okay. Hard."

"Well, you haven't been in school in awhile, right? It was bound to be tough to go back," Kirsten pointed out.

"Yeah," Ryan said scuffing his foot against the concrete.

"Do you like your classes?"

"They're okay."

"Just okay?" Kirsten asked with a small smile. Ryan nodded. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for your first real week of school." Was Kirsten apologizing to him? Seriously? Ryan shook his head.

"Don't apologize, please," he stated not looking at her. "You have nothing to apologize for." Kirsten reached over and placed a hand over his.

"I'll stop apologizing for nothing, if you will," she proposed. Ryan looked up at her and nodded with a small smile.

"I'll try," he offered.

"That's all I can ask," Kirsten replied letting go and leaning back against the chair.