This is a filler chapter. You know the routine, R&R! Enjoy!

Chapter 40

Kobe's POV

I knock on Julia's door. She doesn't respond so I slowly open the door and see that she's sleeping. I walk in and close the door and sit down beside her and touch her cheek. She opens her eyes and turns and looks at me and smiles. "Hey, I'm surprised to see you here. What about the restraining order?"

"I can't worry about that right now. I had to see you." I smile and continue touching her cheek.

"But your parents-"

"I'll worry about my parents!" I tell her cutting her off. "How are you feeling?"

"Horrible! I'm paralyzed from the waist down. I can't feel anything below my waist and it sucks already."

"Be grateful you're alive." I remind her.

"But I'll be in a wheelchair the rest of my life!" She cries.

I smile and put my hand on her shoulder. "That's ok. Some people spent their whole lives in wheelchairs and went on to live normal and happy lives."

"It still sucks." She pouts.

"Again, be grateful you're still alive. Your boy wasn't so lucky."

"Are you mad that I was with him?"

"I was, I felt really betrayed. But he's dead now so I'm going to let it go."

"I'm sorry Kobe." She turns away. "I can't help but feel like it's my fault."

"What do you mean?"

She looks at me and she now has tears in her eyes. "How am I still alive while Dustin is dead? It's not fair!"

"That's not your fault. He only died because he overdosed."

"I was doing the same thing he was..."

I raise my eyebrow. "When did you start doing drugs anyway?"

"I was so upset with my parents and your parents that I just wanted something to calm my nerves." She notices me glaring at her. "I guess that was stupid, huh?"

I nod. "Very. Did you learn your lesson?"

She nods. "Boy did I! I'll never touch drugs again!"

"What about alcohol?"

Julia chuckles. "Well I can't promise that."

"Can you at least wait until you're 21? You know, when it's legal!"

She thinks for a minute. "Fine, I'll wait until I'm 21."

"Good. By the way, Shannon's here. Do you want to see her?"

She nods. "Sure, why not?"

I smile at that. "I'll go get her." I'm glad I got an apology out of her for the whole Dustin thing. I'm also really happy that she survived that crash. I hope she's serious about leaving drugs and alcohol alone.

Shannon's POV

Kobe came out and told me Julia wanted to see me. He came out at the right time because his dad showed up to pick him up. As he's getting yelled at, I head to Julia's room. I knock on the door. "Come in." She says. I open the door and walk in. "Hi..."

"Hi..." This is a little awkward.

"Well don't just stand there, come on in and sit down!" She orders.

"Ok..." I do what she asks. "So how are you feeling?"

"Like shit! But as Kobe said, I'm grateful to be alive."

"That's good." We stare at each other in silence.

"I miss you…" She pokes out her bottom lip.

I hug her. "I miss you too. I hate it when we fight!"

"I'm sorry for giving you a black eye."

"I'm sorry for trying to make you look bad in front of Kobe."

"All is forgiving!" She smiles.

"So when are you getting out of here?"

"Hopefully within the next few days."

"Are you going home or are you going to stay with Uncle Stan?"

"It hasn't come up yet, but I think I'm going to go home. Dad still lives with Grandma and Grandpa plus he has Eli to take care of and has a new girlfriend. I don't want to be a burden."

"You won't be. But home is probably best. Dad and Ms. Wendy said they were going to have wheelchair ramps installed so you can get around the house."

"That's good. So are you living there full time now?"

I shake my head. "I'm over there a lot because I babysit the kids."

"Better you than me."

"It's not so bad. They're awesome! You should get to know them and your brother Eli as well."

She shrugs. "I guess I'll have more bonding time with him now. Daddy will love that." Julia rolls her eyes.

I nod. "He probably would love it if you also gave his new girlfriend a chance too."

"Baby steps." She smiles and the two of us began laughing. "I'm glad you came to visit me and I'm glad we squashed everything."

I hug her again. "Me too. Let's not fight again, especially not over a boy!"

"Deal!" We shake on it and hug once again. I'm glad we worked things out, she's more than my cousin, she's my best friend. I really missed her and I hope we never fight again.

Stan's POV

I'm rearranging my old bedroom getting it prepared for Julia. I'm hoping once she's released from the hospital, she'll come live here. Susan is keeping Eli company downstairs while I finish up. I decide to go downstairs and check on them. "How's it going?" I ask her as I see her putting Eli in his crib.

"He just went to sleep. Why are you so sweaty?" She asks.

"I was rearranging some things for Julia." I take her hand. "Would you mind if she lives here?"

She laughs. "Why would I mind? She's your daughter."

"Yeah, but I know you two didn't hit it off so well at first. I just want to make sure you're comfortable with the idea."

"Again, she's your daughter. Plus she's going to need all the help she can get."

"I agree."

"Are you sure she wants to live here?" Susan asks.

"I don't see why she wouldn't. She's better off here than with Wendy and Cartman."

"After seeing them in action at the hospital, you may be right." She thinks for a moment. "I have an idea."

"What?"

"How about you and your kids move into my place? I'm sure your parents want their house back. Plus there's a bedroom and bathroom on the main floor. That will make it easier for Julia to get around." Susan suggests.

"That's a nice gesture, but-"

"But what?" She cuts me off.

"If we live together I would rather it be a home we bought together. I moved into a house that Wendy bought and you see I got screwed on that."

She puts her arms around me. "Stan, I'm not Wendy. I wouldn't leave you and your kids homeless. Besides, we can save to buy a home together even while you live with me."

"I need to get my life together. I need more money so I can buy a home for my family. I want to be the breadwinner, that's what a real man should do."

Susan sighs. "So what would you like to do to make more money?"

"I want to start my own catering business." I shrug. "I've catered some events for friends and family members and they paid well. I would love to make a career out of it. But everything costs money which I'm lacking right now."

"Let me help you. I would love to see your dream become a reality."

That's a really nice gesture, but I'm not sure I can do it. "Let me think about it, ok?"

She nods. "Take your time. In the meantime, I'm going to give you a homework assignment."

"What's that?"

"I want you to write out a business plan. That's step one to starting your business." She winks.

I nod. "I can do that."

"Great!" She smiles. "I'm going to go to the store, really think about what I said." She kisses me. "I love you."

"I love you too." She leaves. Can I really make my dream of starting a catering business come true? I really don't have the money to get started. Maybe I should take Susan up on her offer. I'm so confused, I'm not sure what to do. I know that I need to provide for my kids and we need a home. I have to do it…