Lisa had been home for a week and was ready to start physical therapy. At the moment she required the use of a wheelchair as she hadn't had therapy on her legs yet. Ella walked into the living room after becoming a bit suspicious. She knew her stepmother was dreading physical therapy.

"Where's your physical therapist?" Ella asked.

"I canceled," Lady Tremaine said.

"What? Why?"

"I didn't feel like it."

"If you don't have physical therapy then you won't recover."

"I know that. Do you think I'm stupid like you?!"

Ella sighed, "forget it," she started to walk away.

"Wait," Lisa said in a bit of desperation. Ella returned, "I'm sorry. I've never needed so much help before and I find it humiliating. Plus it's incredibly painful."

"If I call and reschedule, will you keep the appointment?"

"Yes," Lisa answered.

"If you want, I can be here during the session. Just let me know."

"What if I can't walk again?"

Ella sat down and took the woman's hand, "no matter what, you will always have us."

Lady Tremaine broke down and Ella held her as she cried, "thank you," she choked out. Everyone knew that the woman was scared and that she'd be emotional during her recovery. There was no guarantee that Lady Tremaine would ever walk again. While they never said it to the woman, the thought terrified her family too.

Lady Tremaine decided that she didn't want anyone around during her session. After, she was exhausted, "would you like me to help you to your bed?" Ella asked.

"If it's alright, I'll just sleep here."

"That's fine," Ella said. She helped her stepmother lie down on the couch and covered her with a blanket. She was asleep in seconds. After her fourth session, Lady Tremaine's physical therapist asked Ella to join them. She walked in and saw a walker in front of her stepmother. The therapist stood next to the older woman and Ella watched as her stepmother pulled herself to her feet. Ella smiled, "wow, that's wonderful."

"Hold on," the therapist said.

Lisa took small steps towards Ella. When she reached her, the blonde hugged her stepmother, "I told you it would all be alright. I'm proud of you, mother." That was the first time Ella had called her mother. The therapist helped Lisa back to the couch before leaving. "I hope you're proud of yourself."

"I am, but I'm too tired to express it."

"Well, I think you have earned the right to take a nap."

"Ella, you called me 'mother'."

"Yeah, I did." Ella smiled at her stepmother and the other woman gave her a teary smile in return. "Do you want to take a nap on the couch?"

"Yes," Lisa answered, "I'm too tired to walk to my room. I think that's too far right now."

"Do you need help with your legs?"

Lisa tried to lift her legs, "a little."

Ella helped her stepmother, covered her up, and left her to rest. For the first time in a month, it looked as if things could get better.

The next day, Ella walked over to where her stepmother was on the couch, "lunch is ready. Would you like to eat in here again?"

"No, I'll try the table." Lady Tremaine grabbed her walker and slowly pushed herself to her feet. She groaned from the effort and discomfort, but she made it. Ella remained at her side the entire way to the table and helped her ease herself onto a chair so she didn't land hard. After lunch, Ella helped her stepmother lie down in her bed on the first floor. They had taught the woman how to use a cell phone so she could call for help if she needed it.

Later that week, there was a knock at the door. Ella went to answer it. She returned to the living room with Marco. He took off his hat and bowed his head, "Lady Tremaine." The woman gave a slight smile and wave. "So, Ella, what was it you wanted me to look at?"

"This grandfather clock," Ella showed Marco over to the clock, "Thomas wasn't sure if it could be fixed. He said if it can that he and Jacob could take it to your shop."

"I'll take a look at it and let you know."
"Thank you," Ella said, "would you like something to drink?"
"No, thank you."

"Mother?"

"I'm good, Ella."

"I'm going to finish up in the kitchen."

Ella left the room and Marco started looking at the clock, "you appear to be doing better," he said to Lisa without looking at her.

"I'm slightly better, yes."

"It's nice that you and Ella have a better relationship."

"Yes, it is."

"I don't want to disturb Ella. Could you let her know that the clock can be fixed, but I'll come here to fix it? I don't want it to break more."

"Sure, I can do that. I'd show you out but I've walked too much today."

"That's alright," he said, "take care."

The next day, Marco went over to work on the clock. Lisa was seated on the couch and Ella was on the phone.

"Ella, what's wrong?"

"Alexandra got sick at school and someone needs to pick her up. Everyone else is working and I need to stay here with you."

"I'll be fine for a few minutes."

"I need to take her to the doctor."

"Ella," Marco chimed in, "I'll be here for a while. If your mother needs anything, I can get it for her."

Ella looked at her mother who gave the okay, "thanks, Marco." Ella ran out the door.

"Thank you," Lisa said, "but when you're finished, you can leave."

"I was telling the truth. It will be a while." Marco noticed Lisa grabbing her walker, "do you need something?"

"I'm just going to refill my water."

"How do you plan to carry it back?" Marco stood and took the glass, "relax, I actually know how to make water," he joked. Lisa smiled at Marco. When he returned to the glass, Lisa thanked him and he went back to work.

"I think it's amazing how you are able to make and fix things."

"Thank you," he said, "I guess I've been doing it for so long that I find it normal."

Both were slowly realizing that they were enjoying each other's company. Marco constantly thought of asking Lisa out, but always decided against it. He was worried that she would say no because he wasn't a rich guy with a title. What he didn't know was how little that mattered to her.

After finishing the clock, Marco decided to just go out on a limb and ask Lisa out. "Listen, Lisa, I was wondering if when you're feeling up to it, would you like to go to dinner with me?"

"You want to take me to dinner?"

"Well, we could have dinner here or at my house."

"I don't understand why you'd want to have dinner with me."

"It can be more like friends having dinner if you want."

"I'm a villain."

"So was Regina. Now, look at her."

"I don't know. Not because it's you, but because I already accepted a date with another man."

"Oh, but you questioned why I'd want to date you?"

"You're a hero and he's a villain."

"Well, it's an open invitation." He walked out looking sad and feeling as if he'd been punched in the gut. Lisa felt terrible for hurting the first true friend she'd ever had.