A New Life: Sequel to Amber

Chapter 40

Amber's POV

I had finished lunch and Christy and I were now out shopping at Michael's. We found the same frame thankfully and now we were just looking around. "Ooh, just had an idea Amber. Want me to buy some fake flowers and make you a flower crown? Those are still popular, right?" Christy laughed and I laughed with her.

"Yeah, they are still. That'd be so fun! Can we?" Christy smiled and nodded. She took my hand and started to run towards the flower section. I laughed as she dragged me along through the busy store. We bought tons of supplies and colorful flowers. She paid for it all and we brought it back home. We each made each other a flower crown and crowned ourselves.

"You look absolutely beautiful, Amber." Christy smiled and laughed a little. I laughed with her.

"Not nearly as beautiful as you, Christy." We both laughed again. I started to remember earlier. Dad falling. I remember the fear that echoed through my body. I remember his scream. It showed how terrified he was as he body plummeted to the ground. And the crack when three of his bones snapped. I remember sitting there, crying. I had crawled over to him and saw such agony in his eyes. Everything was flashing back and it was horrible. So, so horrible.

A tear slowly trickled down my cheek. I shook my head slightly and sat down. Christy's smile faded and she sat down next to me on the couch, pulling me into a comforting hug. No words were spoken, she understood. I could tell she was in pain too. Emotional pain that is. Closing my eyes, I took a steady breath through my mouth and out my nose. I did this over and over, trying to prevent the threatening panic attack. My tears were silently falling onto Christy's shoulder. No sobs escaped my lips, just the occasional deep breath as the tears soaked the shoulder of Christy's shirt. She gently rubbed my back as she hugged me. "Ch-Christy? C-can we see him? Please?"

Christy nodded. "Yeah, of course. You want to go now?"

"Please." I sniffed and wiped away my tears. We got up and went into the car. We drove in silence, neither of us knowing what to say. Christy broke the silence after about ten minutes.

"Amber, don't forget your flower crown is still on." I laughed and took it off.

"Thanks for telling me. I did forget." Christy smiled and nodded, her emerald green eyes focused on the road ahead of her. I could see moisture at the bottom of her eyes, she was fighting off crying. It must be so hard for her too, the man she loves is in so much pain. The rest of the car ride remained in silence. Thankfully, Christy had pulled herself together and hadn't cried at all on the way to the hospital.

We walked into the front entrance and were told Dad's room number. We walked there in silence still, neither of us having anything to say. We got to the door and Christy opened it. I stepped inside. Dad and Rhett were talking, but looked up when the door opened. Dad was so pale and wrapped in many bandages. A warm smile spread across his face when he saw us. "Amber! Christy! You came back! How are you guys?" He outstretched his good arm and I hugged him.

"Hi Dad. I'm alright. Thanks. What about you? Are you in much pain?" I hugged him gently as I spoke. His arms both wrapped around me tightly and he smiled.

"Yeah, but I'm alright. Promise. Talking to Rhett has helped. He keeps my mind off the pain and gives me something to laugh or smile about. Just like you and Christy. Thank you so much for coming. It was a very pleasant surprise." He smiled and gently messed up my hair. I laughed a little.

"You're welcome. I just had to come. Christy and I were having so much fun, but then I remembered that you're here and I needed to see you again. I'm sorry I didn't see you so much before. I was blaming myself when I should have been with you instead. I'm so sorry, Dad." Dad's eyes looked sad and he hugged me again.

"Shhh... Amber, sweetheart. First off, don't blame yourself. Please. What happened, happened. No one needs to go around saying it's their fault. It happened and blaming yourself won't help at all. It only makes everything worse, sweetheart. And secondly, it's alright. You were upset. Rhett was here for me, so was Christy. I'm okay. Don't you fill that beautiful mind of yours with sad thoughts about me. Especially not when there's nothing to worry about. I've just got a concussion and a few broken bones. No biggie. Amber, I fell off part of a mountain, I could be way worse right now, but I'm not. I'm okay. And I'm getting better. Just remember this, whenever you're going through hard times, every second that goes by is a second closer to when it'll all be over. You'll get through everything eventually. Healing takes time, I'm going to be here for a little while, but don't worry, I'll be home before you know it. I'm always going to be there for you, Amber. Always. I promise you that and I'm a man of my word. Don't you worry about me. I'm just fine." He smiled and squeezed my hand gently. I smiled back.

"Thank you so much, Dad. That really helps a lot. I'll try not to worry. I love you so much. Thank you. You've made my life infinitely better than it would have been if you weren't a part of it. You give me a reason to smile when I see my dad, not cower in fear. You hug me and kiss my head instead of slapping and kicking me. You cook for me out of the goodness of your heart instead of making me serve you and forcing me to eat stale bread and warm water. Peanut butter was a delicacy in my old life, but every once in awhile, I could have some. And peanut butter still is here, but the reason here makes me laugh. It still is because you've usually eaten it all before I can even get to it. You've done so much for me, and even though I've been through a lot, even when I've been with you, I'm still the luckiest girl in the world because you are my dad and you love me. I could never, ever thank you enough for all the good you've done for me. I remember on the first day I met you, I was a little afraid. I didn't know if I should trust you, but I did and that was the great decision of my life. Thank you, Dad. Thank you so much. You've made my life better than I ever dreamed possible. You are incredible and I love you with all my heart. Forever and always."