RYAN'S POV

I was happy to see Mike and Becca getting along. His personality can sometimes be overpowering but he's a genuinely good person and I'm glad she has one more shoulder to lean on if she needed to.

"So you've been packing my girlfriend full of junk food huh?" There were empty chip bags, candy wrappers, and soda cans littered around the room.

"You bet. Oh, and she knows all the rules to almost every sport now. You're welcome bro," Mike announced excitedly while Becca gave me wide eyes and a smile.

"I don't remember all of it! Mike, I told you if you talked slower I'd be able to comprehend but you just kept going!" They both gave each other a look and suddenly snapped back to the TV where a beer commercial was playing. Then they started laughing at the exact same time before doing a cheer and knocking their Pepsi cans together... what the hell?

"This commercial is so funny man. It's been on like twenty times since we started watching," Mike explained.

"Yeah, so we started a tradition," Becca laughed. It was so good to see her having fun again after this long week and a half.

"You are too cute," I tell her and join her on the bed, sitting right next to her and stealing some of her drink.

"How was school?"

"Boring. I brought all your homework though but it looks like you're having too much fun for that."

"No, I probably should do some homework. I've been slacking off too much." I rolled my eyes – slacking off... no way.

"Then that's my cue to leave. I'll see you laters babers," he said after kissing Becca's cheek loudly.

"Laters babers?" I ask, or more like make fun of.

"Yep! See ya!" He disappeared and left the room a mess for me to take care of.

"So you're getting along with Mike more," I started.

"Yeah. We talked about a lot of stuff after Landon called me... hey! Landon said something on the phone but didn't explain. He said you had to tell me if you wanted me to know." I know exactly what she was talking about and I didn't want to tell her, but she had a right to know if it would bother her a lot.

"It's not that big of a deal babe..."

"It sounds like a big deal." She looked at her hands; her happy mood my brother got her in now vanished.

"Okay." Becca looked up quickly with a small smile that I knew would disappear with what I was about to tell her. "Landon got hurt because Kirk was trying to shoot at me, but he jumped in the way so that I could help you." Her eyes got wide and she froze up. "It's all okay though hun – everything turned out."

"Landon jumped in front of you? What if he died!?"

"Babe breathe," I pulled her into my arms and stroked her wavy hair; thankfully she took her braid out earlier. "He's okay. We're all okay." She wasn't hooked up to any monitors anymore but I knew they'd be going berserk if she was.

"Yeah but how could he do that to me!? I mean I don't want you to be hurt either but..." she was at a loss for words and just broke down in tears. "Why did he do that?"

"He said that you would be sad if he died, but it would kill you if something happened to me." That only made her cry harder so I held her as tightly as I could without hurting her.

"He's s-such an-an idiot," she said between sobs and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"I know babe. Stop crying now, everyone's fine." It took her a few minutes but she eventually calmed down.

"Doesn't he know what that would have done to me!? Or Bentley!?!?"

"Becs, relax okay? You can yell at him later but for now let's talk about something else." I reached down and yanked up her backpack that was exploding with books and papers. "Want to get a head start?" She nodded sadly but smiled when I brought out my homework too... there was no way I'd let her withstand this torture alone.

---

Becca and I ate some ordered in Chinese food which was way better than the options the cafeteria had and skyped my parents and Landon for a few hours. Becca sure did let him have it about sacrificing himself and it was quite entertaining to watch. He was truly the most amazing friend with everything he's done for us two and I'd never be able to repay him...

We were now snuggled up in Becca's hospital bed. Depending on how she does overnight, Dr. Kellar says the possibilities of her going home tomorrow are high so she's so excited about that. It was past ten and I was ripped from my own thoughts when Becca's soft voice floated to my ears.

"Ryan?"

"Yea baby?" I felt her move impossibly closer to me.

"I'm happy." Those two words made me so joyful that words couldn't even begin to describe it.

"I'm glad Becs. You're such a strong and astounding person, you deserve nothing less."

"We can be happy now."

"Babe, I'm always happy with you." I kissed her cheek and felt the trails of tears there. "Are you okay?" She nodded and kissed my chest over my shirt.

"I love you."

"I love you more, beautiful."

REBECCA'S POV

I slept better than I had since I was a little girl and my mom read me to sleep. Ryan held me tight and gave me sweet kisses whenever I woke from a nightmare and he never let me go. Even now I was lying awake, looking at his handsome face and wondering how I ever got so lucky. Without him by my side I knew I wouldn't have made it through everything. He kept me strong, he was my rock.

Dr. Kellar whisked in and woke Ryan in his path, but he said I could go home if I took it easy. Then he winked at Ryan to keep their little shower joke going from a few days ago... boys are dumb, even the smart doctor ones. Anyways, I was ecstatic to get home and truly relax. Spending endless amounts of time with Ryan, Landon, Alex, and my friends was going to be so amazing.

Ryan was planning on going to class this morning but talked me into letting him stay since I'd be released earlier if he was here. It was almost noon and that's when I'd be absolutely free!

"Ten more minutes," Ryan counted down with a smile. He'd picked up the mess from Mike and me and was now sitting on the bed with me pretty much staring at the clock. I noticed he's been texting almost all morning but he's probably letting his parents know that we're on our way and telling everyone when they can come visit us... I guess even Johnny has been bugging him about how I'm doing – what a sweetheart.

"Alright, no use making you kids wait any longer. I signed your release forms and you're good to go!" Dr. Kellar stated over joyously the second he opened my door. "It was a pleasure to meet both of you but I hope I don't see you anytime soon alright?" I laughed at his lame joke and slowly stood up with Ryan's help.

"Let's get home babe," Ryan said and swept me off my feet as soon as they hit the sidewalk. He carried me to his trusty red truck and let me scoot in through the driver side. Man did I miss this.

---

Without being aware, I must have dozed off in the truck because when I opened my eyes I only saw Ryan as he carried me through the front door.

"You can stay sleeping baby, we'll go to my room," he said softly.

"No I want to see everyone." Ryan still brought me up the stairs and took a sharp turn into my room.

"SURPRISE!!!"

I looked around at all my new family members and friends with the biggest smile on my face. All the Bradley's, Hannah, Will, Kate, Mason, Bentley, and Landon were in my room and there were decorations all around. Balloons filled the ceiling and new pictures of all of us together were taped to the walls. There are flowers covering every surface and get well soon cards scattered about.

"Everyone's glad you're back Becs," Ryan whispered in my ear and gently set my feet on the ground.

Happy tears flowed down my face. These people were all so amazing and I can't begin to imagine my life without them – I loved each and every one of them more than I ever thought possible.

"Welcome home," Ryan said and I'd never heard truer words. Home.