Three days after her surgery, Della was more with it. Everyone had decided to wait to visit until she was more awake. Perry did call them every day to update them. Ken was the first visitor. "Well, if it isn't the troublesome Mason couple," he said with a smile. The man walked over and kissed her cheek before handing her flowers. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired and board," she said. "How's Joy?"

"She feels a lot better now that this is all over."

"Perry told me everything. I'm glad it's over and she can move on."

"Speaking of moving on," Ken said. "I actually asked Perry to call me when you weren't so drugged up so that I could talk to you. Perry told me that he knows how much I love Joy and I hope you do too."

"I do," Della said with a slight smile.

"I know things got off to a rough start and I know there have been some difficult moments in your past. Joy loves and respects the two of you a great deal. I do too. You see, I would like your blessing to ask Joy to marry me. I know she's only going to be twenty-one, but I've never been more sure about anything in my life."

"Ken," Della looked at the man. "My daughter is stubborn, opinionated, passionate, sensitive, and protective."

"I know," he said, "trust me."

"Well, if you know all of that and still want to spend the rest of your life with her, then you have my blessing."

"Thank you," Ken smiled.

He looked at Perry, "well," the lawyer said, "you've always been pretty indecisive so if you're that sure about this then you have my blessing too."

Ken breathed a sigh of relief, "I've gotta say, I wasn't too sure you'd both say yes."

"Well, our yes doesn't matter," Perry said.

"It matters more than you think."

"How are you going to propose?" Della asked.

"Now that, I'm not sure about," Ken said.

"Like I said, indecisive," Perry smiled.

"Well, I'm going to go figure this out," Ken leaned in and kissed Della's cheek. "Be good," he teased.

Perry and Della said goodbye and ken left. "I know I was against this relationship at the beginning," Perry said, "but I love that they're together. He's really good to her."

"I know," Della said. "They're perfect for each other."

"I know another couple who is perfect," Perry said with a smile.

"Gee, I wonder who that could be?" Della smiled back. Perry stood and kissed his wife. "Oh, that's right," Della said before kissing her husband again.

The next day, Perry left at Della's insistence to get a shower and take a nap in a bed. The woman was shocked when her daughter walked in shortly after Perry left. "Hi, sweetheart," Della smiled. "This is a wonderful surprise."

Joy leaned down and kissed her mother's cheek. "How do you feel?"

"Stiff and bored."

"Stiff and bored or stiff as a board?"

"Funny," Della said, "and both."

Joy took Della's hand with her left one. Della didn't feel a ring which meant that Ken had yet to figure out how to propose. "I'm sorry you got hurt. I feel kind of responsible."

"Don't," Della said. "You didn't choose any of this."

Joy felt her eyes begin to water, "I love you so much, mom."

"Oh, baby," Della motioned for her daughter to hug her. Joy gently hugged her mother. "I love you too."

Once Joy had calmed down, she reclaimed her seat, "I spoke with your doctor. When you're discharged, you're going to need a lot of help, so I'm going to stay with you guys until you're back on your feet."

"You don't have to do that."

"I want to," Joy said.

"What about Ken?"

"He's a big boy. He can handle being alone. Besides, I already talked to him. He's fine with it."

"Thank you," Della said softly. She spent a week in the hospital before being discharged. Della could walk with the aid of a walker, but she needed a wheelchair if she had further to go. Ken still couldn't figure out how to propose. He wanted it to be special, but private. He was going over to Perry and Della's that night for dinner with them and Joy. The ring was in his pocket. It was always in his pocket. He was very quiet at dinner.

"Ken!"

"What?" he turned to look at Joy.

"What's with you? You're like a thousand miles away."

"I don't know. I'm just frustrated I guess."

"Why? Is it because I'm staying here? You said you were fine with it."

"I am," he said a bit agitated. "I'm perfectly fine with it. I just, I don't know. Do we have to do this now?"

"We might as well. I'll just complain to my mother anyway."

"You drive me crazy," Ken said in frustration.

"Why?"

"All I want to do is make you happy and make everything perfect. I want you to have everything because you deserve everything. I've had a ring burning a hole in my pocket for over a week because I can't figure out the perfect way to propose to you. I'm so hopelessly, passionately, and madly in love with you that I've been going nuts trying to plan the perfect proposal. Now, I can't even surprise you because I just blurted it out."

Everyone was quiet for a moment, "you know, you could try to propose now? I mean, that sounded like a proposal. If it was one, I have an answer for you."

"Really?"

"Yes," Joy said.

"What is it?"

"I just said it. Yes," she smiled. Ken was a bit shocked. "So where's this ring that's been burning a hole in your pocket?"

"Oh, right," he said. Ken stood and walked over to the side of the table where Joy was sitting. He got down on one knee and placed the ring on her finger. The two kissed and smiled. Perry cleared his throat to remind the couple of their presence. The newly engaged couple stood and hugged Perry and Della who congratulated them. With the past behind them, they could now focus on their future.