Thanks to Scouse for the Beta! Sorry I was a little late with the post. I had almost forgotten I promised an update on Saturday. Sorry its Sunday now. Here it is I hope you like it.

Chapter 16

The doctors told me I would be able to go home on Friday. I am so ready to get out of here. I guess that means I have one more day in this place.

Ashley has not left my side this entire week. I am so lucky to have her in my life. Right now, she is sound asleep in the bed beside me, and I am just watching her sleep. Leslie and Jessica have been here everyday after school, however they will not be here tomorrow. They are going to be home all day tomorrow packing for the move. I can't believe that I'm going to be able to see them everyday now.

Billy and Sarah are still here as well. They hang out with us in the hospital room most of the time. We do however make them leave some times so they can experience the boredom called Palatka.

The nurses had me up walking yesterday for the first time. It hurt really bad. Ashley did make it a point to make fun of my butt in one of those hospital gowns. I hate those things. At least I do not have to wear one anymore now that I am able to get up and move around, Ashley helped me change into some regular pj's.

Ashley stirring beside me brought me out of my thoughts.

"Hey. How long have you been up?" She asks while wiping the sleep out of her eyes.

"A little while. I was just thinking." I give her a peck on the lips.

"So how long do we have before everyone starts showing up again?"

"Not sure." I snuggle into her "Why? You want me all to yourself today."

"Always." I lean in to kiss her but right before our lips touch we are interrupted.

"Excuse me Ms. Carlin. You have some visitors."

"Um... okay" I wonder who it could be since everyone I know and talk to just walk in. "I guess just send them in."

To say I am shocked would be an understatement in every sense of the word. Ashley and I are lying in bed together staring at my grandfather and step-grandmother standing in the doorway. I have not seen them since my father's funeral.

"H... hello" I am so nervous that they are going to reject me too. Ashley is just staring at them trying to figure out who they are.

"Hi Spencer. May we come in?" My step-grandma Carla asks.

"Sure come in." I look at Ashley "This is Grandpa and Carla. They are my dad's parents." Ashley nods. "This is Ashley..." no reason to beat around the bush "my girlfriend."

Neither of them says anything. They are just staring at us with their mouths open. I think Carla is trying to figure out her next question. She has always been the smarter one. Before she can ask a question, I ask one instead.

"How did you know I was in the hospital?"

"Um... um... your sisters." She finally asks her question "you're gay?"

I shake my head yes and grip Ash's hand tighter waiting for the outburst of hate. It never comes though. They sit down and the next question out of her mouth was completely unexpected.

"So... um... how long have you two been together?" Wow!

"Almost four years" Ashley answers for me since I'm still adjusting to the shock of their reaction.

"So you are very serious"

"Very. We..." I cut Ashley off and finish her sentence for her.

"Love each other very much."

They get up and walk over to us. I flinch as soon as she reaches for me. She stops her movement and says, "I was just going to give you a hug." I just nod.

They both give me a hug. Carla whispers in my ear that she loves me no matter what. I am speechless. They both sit back down. I can see another question forming on her lips that she wants to ask me.

"What exactly happened?" She scratches her head "I mean Paula is in jail again. Your step-father is dead, and you are in the hospital." Talk about having a lot to explain.

"Short answer to all that would be I'm gay." Ashley snorts at that answer. "Do you have a little while? It's sort of a long story."

I tell them about my stepfather beating me and going to jail. I leave out the part about him raping me. I really didn't want them to know about that. I also tell them about Paula's side of the family how they reacted to the news. Lastly, I tell them about Paula disowning me, and the attack that caused me to land here.

I look up at them and met with tear-stained faces.

"We wish we would have known what was going on. We could have helped..." I stop her.

"It's okay because I have Ashley, and she's helped me out a lot."

"Well you have us now too." I smile at that. I can't believe how big my family as gotten just this week alone.

After that talk all the tension that was in the room drained away. We talked about many things that have happened over the last year. I told them about going to college and studying to be a social worker. We also told them about the engagement and the wedding. They even said they would love to come.

After about an hour they leave saying that they will be in touch. When the door closes, I turn to Ash and we both have the biggest grins on our faces. I pull her to me and kiss the breath out of her.

"I can't believe my dad's parents just showed up like that and that they accept our relationship"

"Me either"

Our conversation is interrupted by a knock at the door again. Billy and Sarah are here again.

"How is the second cutest couple ever, doing?" Second?

"I think you mean the cutest." Ashley says as she pulls me into her.

"Whatever." They sit down "What have you been up to today?"

"The grandparents visited"

After a view moments we explain everything that transpired throughout the day.

I am going to tell Ashley when we go home.