Kim couldn't believe how lucky they got. She just wished Tam's ankle would heal already. Would it take six months like it did for his father? She hoped that GOD would be kind and let Tam recover sooner. She PRAYED that GOD would touch Tam.

"Kim," Chris said putting an arm around her, "He's going to be alright."

"I know," Kim said, "Honestly I am just so grateful to you and to Ellen and much more so to GOD."

"I'm so proud of you," Chris said, "You're adjusting so well to this new world."

"Well," she said, "I'm from a world that's so different for all that you are. Now I'm in a world that knows all about what you are."

Chris kissed her.

"It's funny," Kim said, "I am so blessed because I almost died. I got a second chance."

She sighed.

"I wish my parents had gotten a second chance."

"Hey," Chris said, "Your parents are in heaven."

"But one girl in the supermarket told me if someone isn't a Christian they go to hell," Kim said letting her tears fall.

Chris kissed her tears away.

"She's an idiot," Chris said, "Nobody who raised a child as kind and as good as you will end up in hell."

"So she's wrong?"

"She's definitely wrong," Chris said, "It says in the bible that-"

"What's a bible," Kim asked.

Chris paused. He knew Tam didn't know much of American things but sometimes he forgot Kim was still learning too.

"It's a book of GOD," Chris said.

"GOD wrote a book," Kim asked.

"No," Chris said, "The Holy Spirit empowered men and women to write books of the bible."

"Oh," Kim said nodding in understanding.

Before they could continue the conversation the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Kim," Lara said, "It's me"

"Hey Lara," Kim smiled, "How are you?"

"Hao's in the hospital."

"What? What's wrong," Kim asked.

"She needs to have her appendix out. When she gets out of surgery I'll bet she'll want to see Tam."

"That's not possible," Kim said, "Tam's ankle is swollen and he has to keep it elevated for 10 days. I'm sorry. I know Tam would love to see her."

"Could you guys carry him in?"

"I'm sorry," Kim said, "He just had an infection drained today. Is Hao going to be okay?"

"The doctor said it's a common procedure... that she will be in pain for awhile but she's going to be alright."

"I'm glad she'll be okay," Kim said.

"Can she talk to him on the phone?" Lara asked.

"Of course," Kim said smiling, "and I'm sorry Tam can't come but-"

"No need to apologize," Lara said, "I just want what's best for my daughter."

"I know," Kim said, "and I just want what's best for my son."

Chris went to check on Tam and found him still fast asleep. He came back just as Kim was saying goodbye to Lara.

"What was that all about," Chris asked.

"Hao's in the hospital. Appendix."

"Oh," Chris said, "That's an easy operation."

"How do you know," Kim asked.

"I had my appendix taken out when I was in 3rd grade," Chris said, "I was out of the hospital in 2 days."

Kim smiled. She was glad Hao would be alright.

"Chris," Kim asked, "Lara asked me a few days ago that if anything happened to her could we take Hao."

"How do you feel about that," Chris asked.

"Well your opinion is more important," Kim said.

"I'm going to stop you right there," Chris said, "You and I are equals. My opinion doesn't matter any more then yours does."

"But Thuy always said-"

"You mean the would be murderer? I don't care what that son of a bitch said," Chris interupted.

"Well," Kim said, "As long as Tam is alright with it I think it would be great."

"So do I," Chris said, "But nothing's going to happen to Lara."

Kim nodded.

"I know," she said, "She's just being careful."

Tam woke up.

"Mommy," he called out, "Daddy"

Chris and Kim both came into Tam's room.

"Hey buddy," Chris said, "How did you sleep?"

"Good," Tam replied, "Can Hao come here?"

Kim stroked Tam's hair.

"Hao got a little sick buddy," Chris said.

"Can we bring her chicken soup," Tam asked.

"She's in the hospital," Kim said gently, "She'll be there for a couple of days."

"Can I see her," Tam asked.

"I wish you could sweet boy," Kim said, "but you need to keep your foot elevated. You can see her in two days when she comes home."

Tam frowned but didn't argue.

"Okay," he said, "Can I have some ice cream?"

"Sure," Chris replied.

He carried him to the kitchen and put him in one of the chairs elevating his foot with another one. He gave him some ice cream. It wasn't a lot because it was almost time for dinner. But Tam eat it without complaining that it was too little.

Two days later Hao came home. Immediately she wanted to go to Tam's apartment.

"Hao," Tam exclaimed, "I missed you."

"I missed you too Tam," Hao said, "Why didn't you come visit me?"

Tam showed Hao his ankle. It was still swollen.

"I can't use that foot for 8 days now," Tam said.

"That's got to hurt," Hao said.

"It does but it feels better now that I see you."