Jackie remains in the hospital for the next week. When the doctor is finally ready to release her, the decision of where to stay comes up.

The logical solution is to stay at her mom’s. I help Mrs. Winston get everything set up in the downstairs guest room. It will be easier than having to carry her up and down the stairs all the time. Her brothers make a temporary ramp to help get her wheelchair inside the house.

I am met with no resistance when I request to temporarily move in to help with her physical therapy. This is what I have been going to school for, and Jackie is proud to boast that she will be my first patient.

Jackie and I talk and decide that we are no longer just friends. We are officially a couple and everyone knows and is happy for us. I even get approvals from all the brothers … and sisters.

As she heals at home, I start hunting for an apartment near the university that is handicap friendly, since it will be a while before she will be able to walk. She still has a long road of recovery ahead of her, but she will have me by her side.

“What are you doing?” she says as she wheels her chair closer to me.

“Hey, you’re getting pretty good with that.” I encourage her.

“I have a great therapist.” She smiles. “What are you doing?” she asks again.

“Looking for apartments. I think I found one that will work. It has all the handicap features and it’s close to the rehabilitation clinic that I will be working at.”

“Oh, good. I will be so happy to get these casts off.”

“Just a few more weeks. The doctor said he would take them off before we have to leave for school. Then the real fun begins,” I tease her.

“Are you talking about therapy or sex?” she asks.

“Both!” I smile, giving her a wink. “I’m glad you’re up. I wanted to talk to you about something.” I get up and wheel her over to the living room.

“Sure, what’s up?”

“You want to lie down on the couch?” I ask her.

“Uh oh, is it a serious talk that I have to lie down?” she asks.

“Yeah, it’s kind of serious,” I say before lifting her out of the chair and sitting down with her on my lap. “Comfy?” I ask her as I give her a quick kiss on the lips.

“Yes. What’s going on?” She laughs.

“I want to talk about that night at the beach when we had the argument.”

“Oh, I guess we haven’t really resolved that yet.”

“There’s nothing for you to resolve. You were right, I do have some issues with drinking that I need to deal with. Most of it has to do with my dad. He’s been an alcoholic for as long as I can remember. I just never realized that maybe I was headed down the same path.”

“What does that mean?” she asks me.

“It means that I’m done. No more drinking. Seeing you in that hospital bed, fighting for your life, all because someone decided to drink and drive—it’s unfair. I can’t even look at the stuff now.”

“The family feels the same way. Mom declared no more alcohol in the house. I think she even joined the local chapter of MADD.”

“Well, I don’t feel I need to join AA, but I did join a support group for kids of alcoholic parents.”

“I’m so glad to hear that,” she says, hugging me. “Thank you.”

“I’m the one that should be thanking you.”

“For what?”

“For loving me and never giving up on me. I’m so glad that you’re my Cinderella. I love you.”

“I love you too, Prince Charming.”