Author's note: Hey everyone, so sorry its taken so long, I've had some health problems with my diabetes. I was just released from the hospital on Friday actually,and hopefully will stay that way, though there is a chance I'll be going back on Monday, all depends on the test results:( Anyway, sorry its a little short but I hope you enjoy it:)

Chapter eight

A Second Chance

Caroline didn't know how long she stayed there, though she couldn't have cared less. Some might say, this was no way to spend a birthday but she didn't care. She was with her brothers and that was all she wanted.

"Caroline?" Caroline's head lifted from the stone and she opened her eyes to look towards the voice, Ally gave her a grim smile, "You alright sweetie?"

Caroline ran her hand over her cheeks and realized the tears were finally stopping, she sat up and faced Ally, "I'm alright, I just wanted some time."

Ally nodded, "I can understand that."

"I'm sorry if you went all the way to the house, I should have called you," Caroline said wiping away a stray tear.

Ally shook her head, "I didn't go to the house, and I kind of figured you would be here, your mom told me last night that she was going to let you stay home today."

Caroline sighed, "Everyone knew that but me."

Ally smiled, "Well yeah, it wouldn't be considered a surprise otherwise."

Caroline shrugged, "I kind of ruined it anyway, I asked to stay home before she could tell me I could."

Ally smiled, "You weren't planning on going to school today no matter what, were you?"

Caroline perts her lips and nodded, "I just couldn't take it-not today."

Ally nodded and put her arm around the young girl's shoulder, "You know, your mom also told me about the art school that you've been accepted to next year. It sounds really promising for you."

Caroline shrugged, "Yeah-but I'd give it up in a second-," she couldn't bring herself to finish her sentence.

Ally nodded, understanding.

Caroline sighed and ran her hand over her face again as she pulled something out the pocket of her brother's sweatshirt. Ally took a quick glance and smiled as she saw the twelve year old place the two rocks, one for each brother, on top of the headstones.

Giving into a grim smile Caroline stood up brushing off her jeans and as she did, she turned to Ally, "Okay, where are we going?"

Ally smiled and stood too, "Like I said, it's a surprise."

Caroline sighed but gave into a small smile once again as she followed Ally down the small hill and out of the cemetery.

Since they were walking Ally didn't hear her cell phone vibrate in her purse.

Slowly the world came back into focus for Tyler, his eyes slowly opened and a large dark blur swam in front him yet again. He closed his eyes again, willing them to focus on something-anything.

"Tyler?" that voice was not the voice that Tyler had expected to hear, it wasn't Brian who was standing over his bed as it had been for the past four days. No this voice was different-more-familiar, "Tyler, can you hear me?"

Biting the inside of his lip weakly, Tyler slowly managed to open his eyes; he blinked a few times before the person standing over him came into focus. He managed a small smile when the blur finally made a real shape and the face came into focus, "Dad?"

Charles smiled, a small tear of relief rolling down his cheek, "Yeah, I'm right here son, I'm right here," Charles hadn't realized how much he had missed being a father to his children until he had thought he had lost Tyler, he wasn't about to waste his second chance at being there for him.

Tyler's eyes slowly scanned the room; no one else was there, not even Brian. His father was there alone. Tyler turned his eyes back to his father, "Where's Brian?"

Charles sighed, "When I got here and he knew that you were in family hands he said that he was going to get home. Don't worry Tyler, he and I talked for a good ten minutes and he and his family are going to come see you in a few days."

Tyler sighed, "Dad, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him, he saved my life, more than once in that tower."

Charles nodded, "I know the whole story son, Brian told me everything-about finding you in the stairwell and pulling you along. He told me how much of a fighter you are-I'm proud of you son."

Tyler managed a small smile, "Thanks dad."

"Tyler!" Both father and son turned towards the door at the sound of the voice.

Tyler sighed, "Hey mom."

Diane was by her son's side in a matter of seconds and almost strangled him in a hug, "I can't believe you're alive, my baby's alive!" she repeated over and over again.

"Mom that might change if you don't stop strangling me," Tyler choked out through his rough dry throat.

Diane released him fast, "Oh, I'm sorry baby!"

Tyler blinked several times with a smile, trying to stay awake, "Carline-Ally-where are they?"

Diane sighed, "I've left Ally three messages, her phone must be on vibrate, I didn't tell her why, but I told her to get to Saint Marks hospital as fast as possible."

Tyler looked confused, "You didn't tell her?"

Diane shook her head.

"Why?" Tyler asked but before his mother could answer he went into a full coughing fit. It lasted almost five minutes, his face turned a bright red since he couldn't breathe, the only thing the doctor and his parents could do was pat him on the back, trying to break up whatever gunk was left in his lungs from the collapse. Finally able to drink some water, which nearly stopped the coughing completely, Tyler fell back against the pillows, exhausted, but not too exhausted to repeat his question, "Now, why didn't you tell them I'm alive?"

Diane smiled and ran her fingers through Tyler's messed up hair, "Sweetie, what kind of birthday present is it, if it's not a surprise?"

Seeing what his mother was trying to do Tyler smiled, he liked the idea of surprising his sister. With that thought repeating in his mind, Tyler fell asleep once again.