Ow. My head hurts, and so does my leg, and my ribcage. What even happened? My eyelids feel heavy, but I manage to open them. It takes me a moment to realize my neck is stiff and a wailing siren fills the air. "Ma'am, can you hear me?" A paramedic asks me as he shines a light in my eyes.

"Yeah."

"Good." The woman says, putting the light away. "Can you tell me your name?"

"Andy Parker." I tell her simply as questions fill my head. I open my mouth to ask her something, but she cuts me off trying to find an emergency contact number. Apparently, my phone was destroyed. Mason's number is the only one I have memorized, so I give her that one. "What happened?"

"A driver was on his phone and ran a red light. He hit your car, and you were pinned in." She informs me as she calls for an eta from the driver. "We'll be at the hospital in a minute. Don't worry, Andy. You'll be okay."

A few moments later, they're pulling the gurney out of the ambulance and into the hospital where doctors rush around me. I find out that I have a minor concussion, a fractured leg, and a bruised rib. From what I understand, it's not that bad considering the state the van was in. I lay in a sterile, white room. "We called your brother. He's on his way." The nurse tells me grumpily.

"Please, tell me someone let him know I'm not seriously hurt." I ask her, and she just looks at me with a raised eyebrow. "You know what I mean. Obviously, I'm not in critical condition."

"Honey, a concussion and a bruised rib are pretty serious." She sasses me. "I don't know if they told him or not. The receptionist is in charge of calling people--not me." I start to fidget uncomfortable from the itchy gown. "Do I need to have them sedate you? Or are you going to stop wiggling around?"

"I'll stop." I promise her, already wishing I had a less grumpy nurse. Nevertheless, she tells me to get some rest. The heart monitors constant beeps fill the room. Other than that, everything is eerily quiet. My eyelids start growing heavy from the pain medication they have me on, but I keep myself awake.

Shouts wake me up, and I look around confused about where I am for a moment. "Let me see my daughter or I will sue this hospital for everything it's worth." I hear someone shout, the voice sounds familiar, but I doubt he would ever say anything like that. John bursts into the room a moment later, looking rattled. "Thank goodness, you're okay." He sighs when he sees me.

"What are you doing here?" I ask him in surprise. My voice doesn't sound bitter, just tired. Tired from the medication and not wanting to deal with John. "Did you come to tell me I should have been more careful when I was driving?"

"Andy," He sighs, and I realize that's the first time he's ever referred to me as that. "If you must know I was worried about you. Also, they needed a parent to come sign some of the forms."

"You were worried about me?" He looks at me with bags under his eyes.

"Of course, I was worried. All they told me on the phone was that you had been in an accident." John sits down in one of the room's chairs, and for the first time, he looks defeated--broken. "I'm sorry about what I asked you to do."

"Am I hallucinating? Or did you really just apologize?" I wonder, but John just nods. "What made you realize you were wrong?"

"Stacie." He pauses, noticing my expression. "I know you don't like her because I remarried, but she makes me want to be a better person." I bite back a sarcastic comment, not wanting to risk something else happening. "After you stormed out, she grilled me until I told her what happened. She made me realize I was wrong to try to use you like that."

"I-I-I forgive you." I stutter the words out, but there's still a tension in the room. He has something much larger that he still has yet to apologize for. Baby steps, though. I guess it would be selfish to expect him to suddenly apologize for making the past years of my life miserable. Silence continues to linger until it's broken by another round of shouts from the hallway. "That's probably the guys." I sigh and shift around uncomfortably while I wait for them to barge in.

Mason and Luke are the first ones to run in, and both of them look me over in panic. I can barely make out a word either of them is saying from the speed they're talking at. "Are you okay? What happened?" Are all I'm able to decipher from their mouths. I open my mouth to cut them off, but John does it for me, which I give him a glare for. "She's fine. The doctor said she has a minor concussion, a fractured leg, and a bruised rib."

"Plus, my phone gave me a black eye before it flew out the window." I add on with a small chuckle, but grab my rib from the pain that a small chuckle causes. "Sorry, I can't really laugh at the moment."

"Thank goodness. All we were told on the phone is that you were in a wreck." Mason tells me with a relieved sigh. "How are you feeling?"

"Bruised and a bit miserable. Under the circumstances, I'm doing all right." I tell him with a small smile, and I turn to Luke expecting him to say something. He just stays silent as he watches me intently. "Can I have a minute with Luke?" I ask John and Mason, who nod before leaving the room. "Luke, are you okay?"

"You scared me." He tells me with a ghost of a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. "I'm glad you're okay though. I was really worried for a bit there."

"There's way you're getting rid of me that easily." I tell him with a smile and extend my arms to him. "I need a hug right about now." Luke just shakes his head and chuckles at me, but comes to give me a hug nevertheless. "I'm sorry for scaring everyone like that. They wouldn't let me call anyone while they were checking on me, and my phone is pretty much destroyed." I whisper into his shoulder as both of us refuse to pull away.

"It's not your fault." He whispers as he pulls back and kisses my forehead. "The rest of the guys probably want to see you too." Luke turns to go get them, but I grab his hand to keep him here for a moment longer. "What's wrong?" He questions, obviously having noticed my worried look.

"Nothing." I pause and take a deep breath as I whisper. "I love you."

He smiles at me and gently kissed my forehead. "I love you too."

When the guys came in, my head started to spin from all the questions. "I'm fine. I promise. I just have to stay here for a couple days and have a boot for a few weeks."

"Wait, so you'll have to wear the boot on your birthday?" Ashton questions, and I nod sadly. "That doesn't sound like much fun."

"Trust me, Ash. I've had worse things happen to me on my birthday." I tell him with a small laugh. "Anyways, on to happier topics. What should we do to make this boring place interesting, since I'm stuck here for the next couple days?"

"Oh, no. Don't you start getting any ideas, Missy." The cranky nurse scolds me as she walks in with a tray of fresh bandages and a few needles. "You're going to be in that bed until the doctor says otherwise."

"Aw. Nurse Annie, you're no fun." I complain with a slight giggle as the boys all roll their eyes and imitate her behind her back. "Do you ever do anything other than violently stab patients with needles? Anything that normal people find fun?"

"No." She tells me as she peers at me over the rim of her glasses. "Now, I'm sorry, everybody. You're going to have to leave. Andy needs her rest, whether she likes it or not."

Michael just looks at her with a childish begging face. "Five more minutes, Nurse Annie?" The guys and I all join in, and she watches us with a raised eyebrow and amused expression. "All we ask if for a few more minutes."

"Nice try, but maybe tomorrow." She chuckles as she shoos them out. Luke manages to stay behind a second longer and gives me a quick kiss before she start shouting at him. "Not in my hospital. Out you go, mister."

"Bye, guys. Don't forget the escape plan!" I shout as the door shuts on them. "You know, Nurse Annie. I don't think you're as bad as you seem."

"Now what gave you that impression?" She sasses back as she prepares to insert the needle into my IV.

"Because, you must have become a nurse for some reason. I'm officially making it my mission to find the heart under all that tough love." I manage through the yawn.

"Whatever you say." She laughs as I drift off to sleep. "I'll see you when you wake up."

. . . . .

"Don't be a bully, Luke. Please?" I beg through the phone, and I hear the rest of the guys joking around and shouting in the background.

"If Nurse Annie finds out she'll try to kill me again."

"She didn't try to kill you, Luke. A glare can't kill someone." I tease and laugh at my ridiculous boyfriend.

"No, but fear can."

"Luke, I'm serious. Please, be the amazing boyfriend I know you are and bring me some real food?" I pout my lip and wait for his reply. "Or would you rather I have Jackson come in here and lecture you until you agree?"

"Ugh. Now you're being the bully." Luke laugh echoes through the phone. "I'll bring you some food."

"Yay!" A loud clunking noise comes from the phone, and I laugh when I realize Luke must have dropped the phone. "Sorry, I just got really excited."

"I should have expected it." He laughs and pauses for a moment. "We'll be there soon. I'll see you then." His voice drops into a whisper as he continues. "I love you."

Unfortunately for him, one of the guys hears it and it echoes through the car. Shouts of "We love you, Andy," "I love you more than Luke," and even a "Candy forever," come from the his side of the phone.

"You're all idiots." I chuckle as I shake my head. "I'll see you guys soon." I hang up the phone with a smile. "Mason and the guys are on their way."

John nods, but his eyes look distant as if his mind is elsewhere. I squirm around in my hospital bed uncomfortably. The past few days I've been stuck here, John has frequently visited, and he seems to be serious about wanting to make things better between us. "I have to leave soon. It's going to be a long day at the office. Don't forget to think over what we talked about." He sighs as he stands up and stops in the doorway for a second. "Goodbye, Andy. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodbye, John." I force a smile as i wave at him. I keep thinking over what we talked about earlier. A part of me screams to say yes, if the rest of the band agrees that is, but the other half whispers to consider what could happen. Luke and the guys coming into my room is what pulls me from my thoughts. "Thank you." I whisper gratefully as Luke hands me a bag of food. "You have no idea what kind of a tragic excuse they call food here."

"I'll take your word for it, love." He chuckles as he kisses my temple.

"Andy, when are you getting out of here? It's not the same without you!" Michael whines and falls into the chair John was just in. "It's not the same hanging out with Mason."

"Hey!" Mason shouts in reply. Everyone in the room laughs, but we all know we're merely teasing.

"Don't feel hurt, Mason. It's kind of inevitable that I'm their favorite twin." The jokes continue on, but my mind takes me elsewhere. Unfortunately everyone seems to notice, but it's quickly forgotten with a pitiful excuse.

"Andy, Andy?" Ashton calls as he waves a hand in front of my face. "Are you almost ready? John is coming back to sign your discharge papers soon." I look up and notice the room is empty except for Ashton.

"Where did everyone go?"

"They went to go back to the studio for a bit." Ashton rests his elbows on his knees and looks at me intently. "Andy, is something wrong?"

"No, not really. I mean--I don't know, Ash." I sigh and rub my temple. "John and I had a conversation earlier, and it's been giving me a lot to think about."

"What about?"

I bite my lip and debate whether or not I should tell him. Although, I know Ashton is one my closest friend of the guys. "He offered me a contract."

"I'm sorry, what?" Michael questions reeling back in shock.

"John offered my band and I a record deal with his label, and I'm scared."

"Why?"

"'Why not' is the better question. He and I have had a troubled relationship, and we're just now getting onto good terms with each other." My voice goes away for a moment. "It's taken us years to even speak to each other in a polite manner. What if--What if taking a deal like this destroys that all again?"

I barely manage to look at Ashton, and his eyes are full of pity. "Andy, do you really think that would happen?"

"I would love to say that it wouldn't, but I know John. He always puts business first. Especially when it comes to me, he never thinks about his daughter, but what would be best for his business. I'm worried if I accept his deal, and it comes down to protecting me or enforcing a contract. I'm scared he would chose the contract every single time."

"Andy, I--" Ashton starts to speak, but the guys and nurse Jackson interrupt.

"Alright, missy. Are you ready to get out of here?" Jackson questions as he takes out my IV and disconnects the wires.

"But that means I won't get to see you all the time-- so no. You're sass and wit are what give me joy." I rest my head against my pillow and pout. "Can I at least follow you on social media? I have a feeling you're gold online, just like in person."

"Of course, darling. I'm going to miss my favorite patient." He smiles at me as he continues to disconnect me from the machines. "But John is signing the paperwork, so you should get ready to leave."

"Thank you for everything, Jackson." He just smiles and ushers all the guys out of the room, but I ask Luke to hang back for a minute. "I need some advice. Hypothetically, if I was offered a record deal with my band, but it could be harmful on a relationship. Do you think I should take it?"

Luke stands still for a moment. "Are you talking about John?" I meekly nod, and Luke sits at the end of my bed. "Andy, to be honest, I don't think I can be much help. Personally, if you think it will be harsh on your relationship with him, than I don't think you should do it. Although, it's also a decision you should talk over with your friends and maybe your mom, since it will affect them too."

I nod. "Thank you."

"For what? I just gave you my opinion." Luke replies with a chuckle.

"Because you're always honest with me, and I appreciate it more than I can explain." I pause for a second before continuing. "I love you."

"I love you too." He whispers as he stands up. "Come on, I'm sure you're ready to get home."

"You have no idea." I tell him with a chuckle as we head out. "So how has the last of the album gone?" I ask the guys as we all walk out to the van.

"We actually finished the second to last track today!" Calum tells me excitedly. "I have the last couple songs on my phone so you can listen."

"I can't wait to hear it." I tell him with a smile as I climb into the van. "I can't even begin to explain how good it feels to be out of there." I sigh as I lean back in my chair.

"We're glad to have you back, Andy." Ashton laughs as he ruffles my hair. "Even I have to admit that it's weird without you around."

"Yeah, if I'm being honest. I missed you dorks." The guys all laugh, and I turn around to notice Calum wiggling his eyebrows at me. "Do I even want to know, Calum?"

"I was just thinking that you probably missed Luke more than the rest of us." He pauses with a smirk on his face, and I wait for him to continue. Nevertheless, he and the rest of the car stays silent.

"Am I missing something? Why did everyone go quiet all of the sudden?" I look at everyone in turn, but they all stay silent. "Really, guys? No one is going to talk?" I stare down Michael, and watch as he tries his best to avoid me. "Come on, Michael. You can't avoid me forever."

"Sorry, Andy, but I can't tell you." Michael replies crossing his arms and avoids looking at me.

"It's okay, love. You'll find out soon." Luke laughs and kisses my temple. He wraps his arm around my shoulder, but I squirm and glare at him.

"I hate surprises. You know that, and so do the rest of you guys." I shake my head and ignore their constant chuckles and jokes. "Ugh. Sometimes I wonder why I put up with you guys."

"Because we're awesome, and you know it." Calum shouts from the back seat.

"Whatever you say, Cal." Mason pulls the car into the driveway, and I notice another car parked in front of the house. "Why is there another car here?"

"Oh, Stacie brought by a second car since you're going to be back. That way if one of us is out and the other still needs to go out." Mason shrugs from the front seat as he puts the van in park, and we all climb out. Something still seems off about the whole thing, but I ignore it as we walk into the house, and all I hear is a bunch of shouting.