(Yay I have a good idea for once!)

-

Abby normally kept her copper hair pulled back in a loose braid, but today it was completely down. She smiled at Ryker.

Quite a long time later, 8 years to be exact, 36 year old Ryker was cleaning his hunting rifle on the dining room table, his hands covered with oil and grease from the supplies. Hunting season was just around the corner, and like always, he still held the kid excitement for getting yet another deer. This would be the first year Ryan expressed interest in going as well, so Ryker was sitting near the boy and teaching how to clean the gun. It was a beautiful fall day out, perfect for some target practice afterwards. Pyper had always liked shooting targets but she had never wanted to kill a live animal- to her, deer were too much like horses.

Abby grinned at Sophia. She held Rue for her while she mounted. "Take him around as much as you want. You ready?" She asked. Sophia nodded and walked Rue away. After a few minutes of warming up, Rue was in an easy canter when all of a sudden he took off. Abby screamed and Sophia pulled back on the reins. "Sophia!" Rue collected himself for a jump, clearing the fence. Sophia lost balance when Rue his the ground. She flew over his head as Rue fell, his body flipping and crashing over Sophia's legs. "Sophia!!" Abby ran over, grabbing Rue as he thrashed to his feet. Eventually he stood and Abby tied him to the fence before crouching beside Sophia. "Oh. Oh baby are you ok?" Tears came to her eyes

Ryker pointed out the small parts of the gun to Ryan, his eyes gentle as he helped the boy get each screw. A second later he heard a gut-wrenching scream from Abby. Ryker was out of his seat and bolting towards the door in under a second, his face twisting with horror when he got out the door in time to see the accident. He ran over there, dropping to his knees on the ground by Sophia's frail body and crumpled legs. "Oh- no ... no..." He whispered. Since it could easily be a back injury, he grabbed a phone and called 911. "Don't move her-" He said in a strangled voice to Abby, hanging up after the call was over. "You'll be safe soon, sweetheart, hang in there..."

Sophia gently moved Sophia's hair out of her face. "I should've told her to slow down. I should've ran out there sooner. Or ridden Sun so I could catch Rue. " her breathing was fast because of the rush of adrenaline. "Ryker is she going to be alright?" She grabbed Rykers arm and buried her face in his chest.

Ryker shook his head, putting an arm around Abby and staying right near Sophia. "You can't change anything. If there's one thing I've learned it's to never regret the past. It's already happened. All you can do is learn from it." He murmured quietly, hearing the wail of sirens as ambulances pulled in. "She'll be okay, Abby. Don't worry. Don't worry." He repeated, stepping back and gently pulling Abby with him as the paramedics rushed in, pulling the neck brace on Sophia before lifting her into the ambulance. Thankfully, there was room for two people, and Ryker and Abby climbed in as the small girl was rushed to the hospital.

Abby winced and more tears fell as the sirens became louder. She looked at Sophia and managed to hold in a cry as the paramedics loaded her in. When Ryker pulled her in, she numbly followed. She pulled her legs to her chest and leaned against Ryker. "I'll call my parents and tell them to get the kids. Ryan should be able to watch everyone until they get there. " she pulled out her phone and called her dad. "Dad. Get the kids please. There's been an emergency but I don't know if I can exactly tell you right now and keep my composure. Just... please " she hung up after a brief agreement and the sound of his voice yelling to her mom. She gave a weak smile and shoved her phone in her pocket. Abby resumed her place against Rykers side and watched the paramedics move.

Ryker nodded, not saying anything, but internally? He was freaking out. He didn't know what was going to happen, or if his precious daughter would be okay, and he didn't know if he'd survive without Sophia. The mere thought of her dying made him want to die. However, he was staying strong for Abby. "If they need help, Martin can go over." He said quietly, squeezing Abby's hand. "Everything's going to be okay, okay? No matter what happens." He stated quietly to her, his gaze meeting hers.

"I'm not going to say any of the what ifs that I'm thinking..." she looked back up at Ryker. "But what if- no. No what ifs" she looked back at her feet, her eyes closed and her hands over her knees. One of the paramedics started to rush his movements which freaked Abby out. She gritted her teeth as the other one felt for Sophia's heartbeat again. Abby looked over at Ryker. "I wish there was more we could do to help her"

"Stop thinking the what ifs. We need to cross bridges when we come to them." Ryker said firmly, hiding his haunted expression from her, fear spiking at his chest. "Me too." He whispered, clenching the fist that wasn't gripping onto her hand.