Warning: This chapter contains lots of mush and a dash of angst.

Thanks so much for all the reviews. I'm sorry I didn't get to reply to them all but I've been bogged down by work. Please don't feel that I don't appreciate them because I really do.

We're nearing the end guys. After this chapter we have two more chapters and then an epilogue. It's really sad (at least for me) but I'm reaching the end of my plan :( and I've already stretched it out as it is.

Chapter 14

Summer was laying her head on Seth's shoulder and watching cheesy cartoons when the phone rang. It had taken a few moments for Seth to actually gather the energy until he was able to remove himself from under her, and grab the phone that was wailing away on the coffee table.

Summer muted the TV and watched him lazily as he answered the phone. She'd been over a lot lately, now that she was back together with Seth, she never left his side. She was trying her hardest to be there for him and to stick with him during all of this. She grimaced as her gaze flittered over the pile of last night's dinner. She shook her head and returned her attention back to Seth.

She immediately perked up when she saw the expression on Seth's face turn from tired to awake, his eyes widening.

"Okay dad, I'll be right there." he said before hanging up the phone.

"We have to get to the hospital." he managed before hurrying off to collect his shoes.

Summer sprang up from the sofa. "Is Ryan okay?"

"Yeah he's fine, we just need to go, now." he said, jumping around on one leg to put his shoe on. "I'll tell you more on the way there."

She nodded and began looking around for her shoes.

xxx

Ryan picked nervously at a loose thread in the blanket covering his legs, avoiding Sandy and Kirsten's eyes. There was an awkward air surrounding them, taunting them.

Sandy didn't like awkward silences and he felt angry with himself for not being able to relieve the quietness around them. He was usually so good at filling in gaps in conversation.

He racked his brain for something to talk about, it shouldn't be that hard.

Bingo.

"Oh, Seth's on his way. I'm sure he's probably bringing Summer with him, the two are almost inseparable these days,"

Ryan looked up at him and gave a small nod.

He sat up straighter in his bed and Sandy immediately leaned forwards towards him, concerned.

"Are you comfortable? Would you like any water?" Ryan shook his head and settled down again. Sandy leant back in his chair, embarrassed, and began again the process of thinking what to say

"I have some good news. The doctors say you're doing so well that they're thinking of releasing you later this week." he smiled as Ryan perked up at that. Truth be told, he and Kirsten were planning on having Seth there when they told Ryan this, but he was pleased he'd said it by the look on Ryan's face.

Kirsten gave him a small frown before relaxing her face into a smile and continuing for him. "You'll still need to go to therapy but we feel you'll be better off living at home and working with the therapist as an out-patient."

She rubbed a soft hand on his knee and was pleased that the flinch she received wasn't as sudden as usual.

A soft smile played on Ryan's lips and Sandy grinned at him.

The smile suddenly froze on Ryan's lips and Sandy frowned, confused at the sudden change.

"I thought you didn't want me to come home." Sandy felt a chill run through him. It was a statement not a question and he directed it straight at Kirsten.

She looked up at him, her eyes wide in shock. It wasn't like Ryan to say something so bluntly like that.

He watched her with two cautious eyes and she wavered under their gaze.

Sandy could see the tell tale signs of her eyes filling with tears.

"Kid, we talked about this. That man was lying. We both want you to be a part of this family. We love you, just as much as we love Seth." He spoke slowly and moved so that Ryan's eyes were on him.

Ryan shook his head slightly and he took a quick glance behind Sandy at Kirsten. It was clear that Sandy was not the person he needed to hear this from.

He moved aside a little to give her room. "Right, Kirsten?" he prompted.

"Right, of course. I promise you Ryan, there is no way we wouldn't want you to come home." her words were choked and they made Ryan look even more confused.

"But I'm trouble. All I do is bring trouble to you." he looked between Sandy and Kirsten and they frowned.

"What was the last bit of trouble you brought us? Cos' kid, I don't even remember what it was." Sandy asked making sure that Ryan was listening.

Ryan gave him a strange look. "The kidnapping." he stated and Sandy shook his head.

"Kid, that wasn't your fault. Unless you asked to be kidnapped?" his attempt at humour failed and Kirsten gave him a small glare before resuming her attention on Ryan.

"Ryan, like Sandy said. The kidnapping was not your fault. It was my father's fault and the men's faults for listening to him and carrying what he was saying out."

Ryan watched the two of them with thoughtful eyes.

There was a pause and for a minute, Sandy thought that maybe Ryan finally understood.

"I burnt down your model home." Another statement and Sandy looked at Kirsten, flustered.

"That's in the past, kid. Plus, I seem to remember that Luke was involved and I wouldn't be surprised if it was more Luke's fault that yours." he shook his head, that may have got Caleb riled but he and Kirsten had gotten over that little incident a long time ago.

Ryan shrugged and looked away.

"Ryan, do you trust us?" Sandy looked at Kirsten, shocked. He couldn't believe that she'd uttered the words he'd been trying to keep at the back of his mind. Of course Ryan trusted them, didn't he?

Ryan looked nervous under the spotlight and began squirming in the bed.

Sandy noticed the bones that clearly stood out under his pale skin. They'd managed to improve Ryan's weight but he was still so thin and always looked so frail, totally unlike the Ryan that he used to watch chasing a football down the pitch.

"Do you?" Kirsten prompted and Sandy noticed Ryan's breathing start to escalate and he began shaking slightly.

Kirsten moved closer to him.

"Have we ever given you a reason not for you not to trust us?" She asked and lifted his chin up, so he was forced to look at her.

"No," he said quietly and she nodded.

"I promise you that you can trust us. We love you. I'm sorry that we haven't told you that enough, but you know we're not the mushiest family in the world." he smiled and Sandy gave his wife a mental pat on the back.

He came forward as well. "There is nothing you could do that would make us want you to leave. You're part of this family now, through all the good times as well as the bad times." he rubbed Ryan's shoulder.

Ryan ducked his head, embarrassedly.

"We're here!" The three looked around to see Seth barging into the room, followed by a rather sheepish Summer.

Of course it would be Seth to break up the little moment they had been having.

"You alright buddy?" Seth asked, obviously commenting on the red flush in Ryan's cheeks.

Ryan nodded and gave him a smile.

"So, can I break the big news?" Seth asked eagerly and Sandy chuckled.

"Sorry son, I beat you to it." he laughed as Seth frowned.

"See Summer, I told you this would happen. That's why we had to rush…"

Sandy smiled as his son began rambling away about how unfair it was.

He noticed Ryan shooting him little glances and he couldn't help but to feel happier than he had done in a long time. His family was finally beginning to get back to normal.

TBC….

Thanks for reading.