A/N: Firstly, I want to apologize about the wait—this last week has been cRaZy for me. Secondly, thank you all for your fantastic reviews. Enjoy!

"We're home!" Sarah announced loudly as she turned onto the dirt driveway and parked.

Amber sighed silently. Sluggishly, she opened the door and stepped out of the vehicle. Her grandparents, who had oddly enough stuck together throughout the whole ordeal, and Adam's family, who hadn't even so much as mentioned the former feud between their daughter and her, immediately greeted her. She pasted another smile onto her face, but truth was, she was exhausted. Even though she spent the last two days in the hospital sleeping, she felt like a kid who had stayed up all night and now couldn't catch up on sleep.

"Welcome home!" Her family shouted together.

They swarmed her with hugs and smiles and she let them, feeling more and more ready to make a run for the house to escape all the love. She would admit it; she had enjoyed all the love and concern that oozed from her family at first. People caring for her, people waiting on her hand and foot—being the center of attention in a non-negative sort of way was nice… but now she was tired of it. It was annoying, angering even. She wasn't the type of girl who needed that mushy nonsense, and she definitely had her fill of it to last her a lifetime. Or until tomorrow, whichever came first.

"I'm fine." Amber practically snapped in response to her aunt Kristina's question on how she felt. She caught her mom's eyes and quickly added, "Thank you."

No one seemed to notice how tired she was, how over the whole doting she was. Even Drew, whose spidy senses normally picked up anything, seemed oblivious to her discomfort.

Camille slipped an arm around her shoulders and led her into the house. "Dinner's on the stove, your favorite of course. It's about time we get some real food in you, none of that hospital crap."

"Crosby and Julia said they'd all come by in a bit, so, I don't know, you up for a game of cards?"

"Thanks, uncle Adam, but I'm really tired… I think I'll take a nap…" She didn't make eye contact as she slipped past the bodies of people and went to her room, shutting the door behind her.

Her bed felt like heaven as she flopped onto it, too tired to take off her shoes or pull the covers over. She let her eyes close for a second, and the next thing she knew, someone's hands were shaking her awake.

"Amber get up, dinner's ready and everyone's here."

It was her brother. She wanted to punch him. "Leave me alone, will ya?" Amber asked, turning into her stomach.

He must have surrendered because she heard the door close. She had almost drifted back to sleep again when the door reopened and hands were, yet again, shaking her back into reality.

"Amber, sweetie, it's time to wake up now." This time it was her mom. Punching her might not be such a good idea.

"'m tired." The teenager responded, muffled severely by the pillow underneath.

Sarah smiled. "Honey, you've slept so much these last forty-eight hours I thought you went into hibernation." She shook her shoulders again. "Come on…"

"Fine." Amber grumpily sat up and rubbed her eyes. She saw her brother standing next to her door, tossing a ball back and forth. Her eyes widened as a thought hit her. "Oh my God… we missed Drew's tryouts."

Sarah whipped her head around, looking at her son. "Shit. Shoot, I mean shoot! Drew… I'm so sorry!"

"It's fine." He shrugged as if it were no big deal.

"Maybe it's not too late, maybe someone will drop out and they'll need another player."

Amber nodded. "Yeah, or maybe Uncle Adam could talk to them. He still has an in with that team, maybe they'll give you another chance."

"It's fine," Drew assured again, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "Who wants to play a dumb sport anyways?"

"Sweetie…"

"I'm going to go eat." Drew said as he walked out of the room.

Amber sighed. "I'm sorry, this is all my fault."

"Will you stop apologizing? You're sounding like a broken record." Sarah patted her hand. "Drew will be fine, we'll figure something out."

Amber nodded. "Sure…"

"Anyways, before we go in there and get attacked by family members, I just wanted to give you something." Sarah pulled a box out from her pocket and handed it to her daughter. "It's not much, but…"

Amber smiled as her gaze fell upon the silver charm bracelet. "Thanks."

"I know it doesn't really match all your black, blood, and spikes jewelry you typically wear, but, I just couldn't handle it if something were to happen to you—"

"Mom," Amber interrupted. "I love it."

Sarah waved her off. "Let me finish. I couldn't handle it something happened to you and my last words weren't I love you. If my last words were screams of anger… I couldn't live with myself. So," she wiped away a fallen tear. "As long as you wear this, my last words will always be I love you."

Amber looked at the single charm on the bracelet. The three words etched onto the heart made her smile. Her mom was so cheesy. "Thanks mom."

The mother smiled back and pulled her into a hug. "Have I told you recently how much I love you?"

"Only eighty-nine times before they wheeled me into surgery and a couple dozen times before we came home. I think it's lost its meaning."

"Shut up."

The end. I hope you've enjoyed this story. I wasn't sure how I was going to end it but I didn't really have the time to continue it. In any case, it's been great to have you as my readers. You guys are awesome. If I write anymore "Parenthood" fics, I hope to hear from you!