<Dallas's POV>

Two weeks. Two weeks later and Skyler had been home a total of about three times. The three times she came home she had black makeup all over her face, the scent of smoke stuck to her clothes, and the smell of alcohol in her breath. Not to mention the assortment of purple bruises all over her jaw, throat, and collarbone.

I thought I knew pain. From my experience I thought pain was the feeling of getting stabbed outside of Buck's by angry soc's. No, this is pain. Pain is knowing the one you love is overly reckless. It's watching a good person- a mother- turn into a monster that never comes home and is always high. It's noticing that Tibby may not have a mother. It's the feeling of missing the real Skyler Elizabeth Hills.

The only thing soothing my pain at the moment is knowing Soda is coming home today. Chris is so excited and Pony practically dying to see his older brother. I can tell Darry is thankful as well.

As I sit on the living room couch with Tibby bouncing happily in my lap, Chris scurries around the kitchen. She's been cooking a giant dinner all day. Practically using all the money she owns to buy food and nice drinks. The last of the food comes out of the oven into her hands and onto the table where several glasses and plates are set up. Two-Bit turns on the radio in attempt to calm her down. It doesn't work.

<Chris's POV>

I make sure everything is clean and in its place. Now all I have left to do is fix myself up. At the moment I'm just in jeans, a white shirt, and converse with my hair tied up in a lazy bun. I've got my old reading glasses on so I could read recipes. Before I can run upstairs to change Steve grabs my wrist. "What Steve? I'm running out of time," I snarl. Taking a deep breath I apologize to Steve for snapping.

"It's fine, I just have to talk to you," Steve says, leading me into the corner. He speaks just above a whisper. "You haven't seen Soda after the whole burning from the bombs incident."

"Ya, so what?" Steve takes a deep breath.

"It's kind of hard to look at, all of his skin is still kinda deformed and there are a lot of scars," Steve manages to get out. My hand rubbed Steve's arm that is gripping his crutch.

"Thanks Steve, but I'm sure I can handle it," I say smiling. He smiles and then is about to say something when all of our ears perk up. The sound of soft footsteps comes from the porch.

My heartbeat can probably be heard from a mile away. The glasses that sat on my nose now clatter to the floor. I don't know if I should move or not. Soon I realize I'm glued in place. Paralyzed with excitement. Pony slowly walks to the door way
as is swings open slowly. Everyone stands still except for Tibby who is clueless and Josh who is just waking from a nap in his crib next to the couch where Dally is is sitting. Soda's eyes skim all of us carefully. His bag hits the floor with a clunk. "Well, do I get a hello?" He asks smirking. The tips of his lips crinkling his pink scabbed skin. Pony yells happily and wraps his arms around his brother. Small droplets of tears stream down both brothers faces. Soon Darry has his arms wrapped around his younger brothers. I still stand across the room, wanting to move, but finding myself incapable. My fists grab the end of my white t-shirt in excitement. The boys pull away from their hug and Soda's eyes lock with mine. His beautifully colored eyes captivate me and I'm sure this feeling in my chest is the thing I long for the most. I want it even more then Soda or Dally. I desire this feeling of happiness, and I want it all the time.

We stand speechless for no more than a second. Suddenly all my energy rushes back into me. I sprit towards him. Jumping over the couch like a little kid trying to reach a puppy.

Soda opens his arms and I jump into them and wrap my legs around my husbands waist. My fingers grasp desperately at my husbands back. Finally, after months of waiting, my lips slide gracefully onto his. Everyone else disappears. Theirs cheers for us fade into the distances of time itself. My whole world suddenly revolves around this one man. This man clad in uniform that I adore to every extent. I am hopelessly and helplessly in love with him. As our lips pull apart small jumbled words leave my lips along with tears of pure joy. "Sodapop Curtis don't you ever leave me again."

"I promise I won't," he mumbles back with his eyes closed and arms wrapped around my back, holding me up to his chest.

"I love you, I love you so much," I mumble, my tears becoming stronger. "I just knew I'd see you again."

"I know, and I love you to." My cries take over my speech so I become quiet. Soda lets me down, but I still hold his hand possessively. He hugs Johnny, then Two-Bit, then we walk with conjoined hands over to Steve.

"Good to see you again," Steve mutters. The three of us pull into a tight hug.

"Oh yeah, and by the way Lena will be here tomorrow," Soda tells Steve happily. He replies with a nod.

"Finally we're all together again," I whisper. The two of them agree with me. The three of us stand there for a while. Just listening to each other's breathing. Finally we pull away and Soda leads me with him over to Dally who is now standing with Tibby and smiling.

"Hi buddy," Dally says with a permanent smile. Soda smiles back.

"Hey, so this is Tibby," Soda mumbles and he rubs her head. She giggles and grabs Soda's finger. "So where's Skyler at?" Soda asks. I freeze and wait for Dally's answer nervously. Soda doesn't know what's happened.

"Oh I would love to know as well," Dallas says sarcastically. I cringe and then rescue Soda.

"I think there is one person who wants to see you," I whisper, pointing to Josh in his crib. With wide eyes and a silent mouth Soda's grasp leaves mine and he tip toes over to the crib. His arms reach down and pick up the small baby boy. My heart throbs. He finally gets to meet his son. More tears well up in my eyes.

Josh looks happily at Soda like he does to everyone else. Soda brings Josh to his chest and holds him tightly. For the first time in a while, I see Soda begin to tear up. Father and son finally united.

<Soda's POV>

As soon as my son is in my arms I hold him tight to my chest. I feel the tears slip down my face and I don't care. My baby, that I made with the one girl I love. "I've waited so long to meet you," I whisper into his small ear even though I know he can't understand me. "I'm sorry I wasn't here, I love you," I continue. Josh's small hand grabs my cheek and a tiny smile spreads across his face.

Chris places her small hand on my shoulder and rubs softly. "I talk to him about you all the time," she informs me. I smile approvingly.

"He is so beautiful Chris, I'm so happy to meet him," I start, "and I'm sorry I wasn't here when he was born," I say disdainfully. It will be a regret for the rest of my life that I wasn't there for the birth of my first child. Chris shakes her head while stroking Josh's face.

"It doesn't matter, you're here now," she mumbles. Just when you think everything is going well something has to go wrong. Skyler barges through the door. I am shocked by her appearance. A ton of black eye make up, crazy hair, and stumbling all over as she walks in. The smell of beer and smoke clinging to her clothes. Not only that, but there is an empty syringe in her pocket. Chris moves closer to Josh and I. Tucking Josh closer into my shoulder I prepare myself for what's about to happen.

"Darry I need- oh wow that's a lot of people, oh wait a minute SODA!" She shouts drunkinly. Dallas hands Tibby to Chris quickly.

"And I'm out," he says, walking out of the house without further notice.

"When did you get back?" Skyler asks, not even acknowledging that Dally just left because of her or that her child is here.

"Today, just now," I say quickly. She nods then holds her head as if just that tiny motion made her nauseous.

"Well glad you're alive, oh and before Chris brings up the subject calmly, I almost slept with you best friend, oops, people make mistakes, Dally would know about that one," Skyler mumbles quickly. Wait Steve and Skyler got it on. Everything pieces together now in my mind.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Chris ask rhetorically.

"Oh sweetie a lot of things," Skyler says sarcastically. For a small second I see a flash of regret and sadness play across her face. But it is quickly distinguished.

"Don't oh sweetie me," Chris snarls, handing me Tibby so I'm holding both babies, "we have your baby because my brother is so mental right now because your fucking up your life, and he cares to much about you! You're missing your child grow up! I don't care if you date my brother anymore I just need you to get your shit together or leave!" Chris demands. Skyler looks sadly at Chris.

"I know Chris, I know, and you're right, but I really need Darry, it's important," Skyler pleads, finally taking this seriously.

"Fine," Chris snarls. Darry leads Skyler into the bathroom away from the rest of us.

<Skyler's POV>

As we settle in the bathroom I get right to the point. "Darry have you ever been obsessed with something before?" I ask distracted. Darry nods slowly.

"My first shovel, we had dozens of holes in our backyard for weeks," he says laughing. Of all things in the world, a younger Darry fell in love with a fucking shovel. I smirk a bit but then it falters.

"You see I have a similar problem, there are dozens of holes in my skin, but they're minuscule and had liquid injected in them," I mumble pulling out the empty syringe from my pocket. Darry widens his eyes in shock. "I'm addicted Dar, and I don't know what to do," I explain holding in tears. Darry takes my small hands in his large ones. My pale skin a shocking contrast against his tan hands.

"Skyler, you have to stop."

"But this is what Dally wanted, he wanted me to get my spark back," I plead. Darry sighs disappointed.

"I don't think this is what he meant Sky," Darry explains. I wipe the single tear that fell down my face. "Maybe if you talk to him. You two can make amends," Darry suggests. I smile slightly and nod my head.

"One more thing, how much can what I was injecting in my body shorten my life span?" I ask.

"With the amount you've been doing, a few years maybe, considering the smoking as well," Darry informs me. I cringe a bit then force another smile.

"I should probably try and talk to Dallas right?" I ask cringing. Darry nods slowly. Sighing I exit the bathroom and walk outside under the angry glare of Chris. Luckily, Dallas decided to just wait outside the house and smoke on the porch steps.

Cautiously I sit down next to him, my head spinning. "This is where I refused to tell you my last name," I say in a whisper. Dallas angrily blows smoke from his lips.

"I know," he answers coldly. I drop my head.

"Look Dallas, I'm trying-"

"No Skyler, you are not trying so don't even say you are. You are being immature and do not call me Dallas, it's Dally," he snarls. I glare at him and clench my fists until my knuckles are white.

"I'm doing exactly what you wanted! I'm getting my 'spark' back," I yell at him. Dallas rolls his eyes.

"No you aren't getting your spark back, you're killing yourself," he snaps. The funny thing is, he's right.

"You think I don't know that? Why would I want to live in this hell hole people call earth? I've lost everything! I've already shortened my life by ta few years, might as well keep going!" I yell. Dallas's face becomes even more pale and he squeezes his eyes shut. For at least a minute he is silent and then finally he screams. Angrier than I have ever seen him.

"I WISH I HAD NEVER MET YOU! I WISH YOU JUST DIED! YOU FUCKED MY LIFE UP AND I WISH I NEVER SAVED YOU THAT DAY! I SHOULD HAVE JUST LET THE SOCS RAPE YOU AND THEN YOU WOULD KILL YOURSELF AND I COULD STILL WALK AROUND MY DAMN TOWN AS THE SAME GUY I WAS OVER A YEAR AGO!" Dallas screams. My heart stops and then drops. I'm afraid I may loose Dallas for good, but I'm even more afraid that he'll love me again. Anger fills me up after the shock leaves my mind.

"You know what, FUCK YOU DALLAS WINSTON!" With power in my step I strut away from the argument on to the street.

A/N I'm having such writers block lately and it freaking sucks so follow me on insta I guess @elizabeth.reads

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