It's been three weeks since homecoming and Carter broke his leg. He's gotten his cast and getting pretty good a getting around on his crutches.

Will and I talked and I apologized for overreacting about Ellie and everything.

The first two weeks of October have past and it's already getting really cold outside. I've fully broken out all my sweaters and cardigans. The leaves have begun to fall and it looks beautiful outside.

Connor officially moved out and into an apartment with Lena. Harper and Sky have moved in.

"So Carter, you're birthday is tomorrow, what do you want to do?" Dad asked at breakfast Friday morning.

"Not like I can do much" he said and gestured to his leg. "But it would be great if we could invite over the guys and Remi and just watch Will's game."

Dad laughed. "Alright. We'll invite over the guys and I'll make some burgers. I know it's not quite the nineteenth birthday you imagined, but it'll be great, okay?"

"Yeah Dad I know" he answered shortly and got up.

I tried to help him but he refused any help. And they call me the stubborn one.

Remi walked in and kissed Carter as he was heading to the stairs. She was the only one ever allowed to help him or else he got mad. He even got mad at her sometimes, but she never let it bother her.

"I'm gonna call Will" I said and got up from the table.

Usually the boys would come over and eat breakfast with us but ever since the accident, they haven't came on game days.

"Hey snowflake, what's up?" He said.

"Just wanted to call." I said.

"How's Carter?" He asked.

I sighed and punched my brow. "Physically he's fine and recovering great. Emotionally, he a pain in the ass. He's adamant on doing everything by himself, he's as stubborn as ever, he's just mad."

"Snowflake, you have to remember he's absolutely destroyed because he can't played. He hasn't been injured like this before and it's his senior year."

"I know he just worries me sometimes. He only has four to six weeks left in his cast then on to physical therapy. His next doctor appointment is next week."

"Okay well I have to go, I love you." He said.

"Yeah I have to go too. Love you, Will. Bye"

"Bye snowflake" he said and ended the call.

I went back into the finish room and grabbed my plate. I cleaned it and put it in the dishwasher.

I grabbed my backpack from my room along with my phone. I hopped back downstairs. I got in the back of Remi's car. Remi drove as Carter pouted out the window.

"What are we doing for your birthday tomorrow, babe?" Remi asked him. He turned to her with a smile.

"You and the guys are coming over and we're watching the game. You can bring your family. I think the Erickson's and Gray are also coming."

"Sounds perfect. Are sleepovers allowed?"

"Only for you because you're special" he smirked and reached over and squeezed her thigh.

***

"Carter, get up. We have things to do before tonight and you're coming with me." I yelled at him through his door.

He took last night pretty hard. We lost and he was not too happy about it.

"Go away, I'll only slow you down." He called back to me.

"Carter don't be an idiot and get your ass out of bed. I'll buy you food from Riley's. I get an employee discount now." I offered.

"I'll be out in a minute" he told me.

Bribing him with food almost always works.

Carter was out in a couple minutes and he crutched down the stairs, which almost always scares me.

"Where are we going anyway?" He asked.

"Shopping for the party. I have to get a few things with Dad and I was already on my way to the store"

He groaned. He kind of hated shopping. "And way do I have to come?"

"You get to pick out your cake or cupcakes." I said

I got him into the car and drove him to Riley's first and foremost.

"Hey Justin" I said as I walked up to the counter. "Where's Chantel? I thought she was working today"

"Called in sick. What do you want?" He asked.

"Carter wants a bacon cheeseburger, medium fries and drink and I'm actually good"

"Got you, Cor. With the discount, that's $6.27" I handed my card. "I thought you'd be working today." He said as he swiped my card and pushed some buttons.

"It's Carter's birthday and we have some stuff to get done" I explained.

"Okay well happy birthday Carter. Your food will be out soon" Justin said as we went to a table.

We talked until his food came out. Then he ate and we left. We went to the store I grabbed a cart and Carter crutched beside me.

I pulled out my phone and looked at my grocery list. Dad needed me to get some burger seasoning and a couple of bags of chips. I let Carter pick the chips.

"Okay we need some decorations"

I pushed the cart in that direction. Carter stopped me.

"Decorations? This was supposed to be a small thing with a couple of families. There's no need for decorations." He said.

"Carter it's your birthday. I'm at least getting you balloons. Your girlfriend sure would appreciate it for her Instagram page"

He sighed. "Okay fine, but for Remi only"

I smiled and went to the balloon section. I grabbed the number balloons, a one and a nine. That was all that he would let me get despite my desperate attempts.

Next we went to the bakery. Carter picked out the cake he wanted. It was a cookie cake. We ended up getting a second one just in case.

I grabbed some candles and we had everything we needed. I remembered I ran low on tampons and I was supposed to start soon. I ran and got those while I waited on the line to move up.

We checked out and we headed back home. We were gone for like two hours, three hours max.

I carried everything inside. Bandit almost knocked the cookie cakes out of my hands. Carter went up to his room to rest before everyone came to our house.

I think Will said he'd call him when he went to eat lunch with the boys. It should be around that time there.

Remi got here early to help with anything and cheer up Carter before everyone got here.

"He's sleeping" she informed me and hopped up on the counter. "Do you need any help?"

"No I think I'm good. Dads grilling burgers. People should start showing up within the next hour. You should wake Carter up in about thirty minutes"

"What?" She whined. "Why do I have to? He's a pain in the ass to wake up" she complained.

I pointed at her with the box of candles. "Hey you're the one who chose him. You get to wake him up." I shrugged.

She rolled her eyes at me, but I could see her smile. She loves me.

Thirty minutes later, I forced Remi to go wake up Carter and make sure he's ready.

The doorbell rang and I was on door duty. I got flashbacks from when I first met Will.

The Erickson's were on the other side. I hugged them all and got to hold Ryan.

Micheal went outside to see Dad. Kenzie and Grayson were playing with Bandit outside. Which left Karla and me inside.

"How have you been?" I asked Karla.

"Never better. Ryan took his first steps the other day. He needs help most of the time though" she said.

"Aww good job, Ryan" I cooed and tickled the tiny tummy. "He's getting so big"

"I know. Sometimes, I want him to stop growing"

The doorbell rang again. I kept Ryan on my hip and answered the door. Logan was on the other side.

"Do you and Will have a child I didn't know about?" He joked.

"No, this is actually his little brother Ryan" I told him and side stepped down he could walk in.

"He's a cutie" he said and played with him a little bit.

"Karla, this is Logan. He's the quarterback this year. Logan this is Karla, Will's mom." I introduced the two.

They shook hands. "Nice to meet you. I've seen you play but it's nice to put a face to the name" Karla said.

"I'm not as good as your son but I try"

"Well thank you"

Carter and Remi walked down the stairs. Their lips were a little pink and swollen. I knew it was a bad idea to let her wake him up.

Soon more of the guys got here. Connor, Lena, and Coop all showed up. The pregame activities began. There were bets flying around everywhere.

The only ones not here were Harper and Sky. They were just coming over from her sisters house not too long ago. They should be here already.

The party was going great. People were watching football inside and outside. A few of the guys grabbed some beers.

Will hadn't gone in this game but him and the regular quarterback usually switch out after half time.

"Coco, Con, Coop come here please" Dad said. He led us to his office.

"Dad is everything, okay?" Connor asked.

I could see the tears welling up in his eyes. "Um" he voice broke. "Harper and Skylar were in a car accident. They got t-boned. Don't worry they're fine but their in the hospital."

I gasped and covered my mouth with my hand. "Oh no." My eyes brimmed with tears seconds from falling.

"Delilah called and said they both have whiplash and Harper has a mild concussion. They're keeping Sky overnight for observation since she is so little."

"Oh no, the little nugget is probably so scared right now. Dad we have to go see them" I said.

"I know and we will, but they're doing fine and it's Carter's birthday. Delilah is there with them. I've made a deal with her to call me every hour to check up on them."

"But we have to" I argued.

Connor put his hand on my shoulder comfortingly. I let the tears slip down my face.

"They probably wouldn't have let us in anyway, Coco. We're not technically immediate family." Connor explained.

"Sky is not alone. She has her mom and her aunt with her."

"I promise they're fine" Dad told me. "Now we have guests, so let's go." He said and ushered us out of the office.

I quickly wiped my face and took a deep breath before walked back to everyone.

Logan walked up to me. "Are you okay? You look a little shaken up"

"I'm fine, everything is okay" I said. I tried to make myself belief it too.

"Okay."

I went outside to find Ryan and play with him for a little bit. He never fails to make me smile.

Dinner was ready and everyone went to grab a burger.

"I'll take Ryan while you go eat, Cora" Karla said.

"Oh it's okay. I got him. You go eat. I'm not that hungry right now anyway."

"Are you sure?" She asked me.

I smiled up at her. "Yes, go eat" I told her again.

She agreed this time and went to go grab a burger.

Everyone ate and yelled at the tv and cheered when we scored or when Will went in. I never thought I'd be happy when another player was too hurt to continue, but there I was wishing that JB was too hurt to continue.

I know JB since he's in the frat and this guy was the sweetest and wouldn't hurt a fly. I felt bad for wishing his shoulder was in too much pain to continue.

The game ended and Will won. We were all so happy. It was time for Carter's present.

We all went outside to see a brand new car sitting in the driveway. I don't know who brought it but it was here.

"I know you can't drive it right now, but it's here for when you can. As long as you share with your sister" dad said. "Happy birthday Carter"

He hugged Dad.

A little while later everyone went home, except Remi. We could finally go see nugget and Harper.

We all got into our cars and drove to the hospital. The closet one is in the next town, but that's where Delilah lives anyway.

We told the nurses that we're Skylar Ellis's family and they let us in.

"Carter!" She squealed as soon as we walked through the door. Her voice woke up Harper and Delilah.

He laughed and crusted over to hug her. Dad immediately went to check on Harper.

I hugged Sky last. "Hey nugget, I'm sorry I couldn't come earlier." I told her and laid in bed with her.

"It's okay. Your here now" she said happily.

The best part is other than a couple bruises the two of them seemed just fine. That is a blessing.