Author's Note: Well, it's been a while! But I'm back. I am not a medical doctor and I don't know very much about injuries so please excuse my lack of knowledge there. Enjoy the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone expect Kirsten and anyone else you don't recognize.

Chapter Seven: Tears and Smiles

Sunshine's POV:

As soon as Petey pulls the car to a stop, I quickly get out and rush into the emergency room.

Mrs. Bertier is sitting in one corner, Gerry's arm around her. Gerry looks up as I rush over to him.

"Sunshine, it's bad. She broke a few bones but those heal. However, her knee was crushed under the horse." He quietly says.

"Oh god." So she was horse back riding. Doing the one thing in the world that she loved.

Gerry looks at his mother, "Mama, Ronnie's here."

"Ronnie, Kirsten has been asking for you." Mrs. Bertier says, "Please, go see her. Maybe then she can get some sleep." She wipes away a few tears.

"Mama, I'm gonna take Sunshine back to see her, okay?"

"Please."

Gerry leads back to Kirsten's room, where only a curtain separates her from the next person. Her beautiful chestnut hair is spread on the pillow and there are so many wires connecting her to the machines. Her left leg is encased in white plaster, as is her right wrist and foot. Her face is a mess of black and blue marks and her left eye is swollen shut. I bit back a cry and then sit down next to her, taking her left hand in my hand. It's so small.

"The doctors have been trying to get her to rest but she won't. Talk to her, Sunshine, maybe she'll listen to you." Gerry whispers.

I push back her bangs out of her face and gently kiss her temple, "Kirsten, it's me."

"Sunshine? Is that you?" she whispers, opening her good eye.

"It's me, sweetie."

"Don't call me sweetie." She says, "I've been waiting for you to get here. How's Figment?"

I look at Gerry, who says, "Kirsten, he's fine."

"Thank God."

"Kirsten, you need to get some rest." I say.

"Will you stay?"

"Of course." I say, kissing her cheek.

"I love you…." She whispers as she closes her eye and her breathing starts to deepen.

"Ronnie, I'm gonna take Mama home. If anything changes, please call me."

"I will." I say.

Gerry quietly leaves and I lay my head down on the bed. Thank God Kirsten is okay.

Kirsten's POV:

For the past three weeks, I haven't had a moment to myself. Sunshine's been here everyday, even more than my mother. And then, of course, there's the football team, the volleyball team, my friends from the barn, Mama's friends from church and the list just goes on and on.

But today, I get to go home. I'm using a wheelchair and will be for a few more weeks and then it's crutches, a cane, and then my own two feet.

"Good morning." Sunshine walks in, carrying a bouquet of roses.

"Morning, Sunshine." I say, taking in a deep breath of the roses, "They smell wonderful. And they're beautiful."

"Just like you." He says, smiling.

"Ronnie, we all know that I am not beautiful. At least not like this."

"Yes, you are." He says, leaning over to kiss me.

"Good morning, Kirsten." Mama says as she walks into the door. Sunshine quickly pulls away from me but still holds my hand.

"Morning, Mama."

"Good morning, Mrs. Bertier."

"Good morning, Mr. Bass. Are you all ready, Kirsten? Gerry is waiting with the car."

"I am. Sunshine, will you get a wheelchair?"

"Of course." He says. He helps me into the wheelchair and then begins to wheel me out of my home for the past three weeks. Some of the nurses stop to say good-bye and I thank them. I will be here everyday for physical therapy to get my knee working again but I am determined to get back into the saddle.

I spot Gerry waiting with the car and he and Sunshine help me in. When we finally get home, Gerry carries me into the living room, which is where I'll be staying for a while. Mama makes me comfortable and I spot all of the cards and balloons and stuffed animals that people have sent me. My favorite is a horse stuffed animal from Figment. I know it's not really from Figment but instead Sunshine but it makes me smile. He can always make me smile.

End Chapter Seven.

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