As usual, R&R! Enjoy! :-)

Chapter 42

Cartman's POV

Julia was released from the hospital today. Wendy and I picked her up and are going to help her adjust. "We're here!" Wendy announces waking Julia up.

"Finally! I can't wait to sleep in my bed again!" Julia smiles. I get her wheelchair out of the trunk. Then I pick up Julia and gently set her in it. Wendy pushes the chair in the house. "I love the ramps, thanks guys! But how am I going to get upstairs?"

"Cartman had stair lifts installed too." Wendy tells her. "We're trying to help give you as much independence as possible."

"Thank you. I really appreciate that." She takes her chair to the stairs and tries out the stair lift. "I like this!"

"I'll be up in a minute to check on you!" Wendy yells after her.

"Ok!"

Wendy hugs me. "Thanks again for doing this for her!"

"No problem. Like you said, you want her to be as independent as possible."

"She can get up and down the stairs on her own, but she'll need up getting food, bathing, and getting dressed."

"You can help her bathe and get dressed."

She smirks at me knowing why I said that. "Plus Shannon said she'll help when she's here."

"That's true."

"So we'll basically have another child to take care of…"

"This is where she needs to be Wendy." I kiss her.

"I know. I just hope that she doesn't revert back to her old ways."

"She's in a wheelchair. It will be hard for her to get around without one of us knowing about it." I remind her.

"That's true. I'm hoping now we can repair our damaged relationship."

"She's coming around." I smile. "She's even warming up to me."

"I'm so happy about that!" She looks down. "I feel guilty for being so hard on her."

"You weren't that hard on her. She was being a rebellious teen."

"Yeah, but I've said horrible things about her and wanted her out of the house."

I hug her. "It's in the past now. This is a new beginning for all of us."

"You're right. We have one more obstacle to face then it will truly be a new beginning." She kisses me. "I'm going to see if Julia needs anything." She heads upstairs. I'm really glad things are getting better between us and Julia. This is all we wanted, was a nice peaceful house. I just hope things continue on a positive note from here. However, like Wendy said, there's one more obstacle to face…

Stan's POV

"I think that's the last box." I tell Susan as I bring in a box of maybe Eli's toys. It's official, we've moved in together! Eli is staying with my parents so Susan and I can have some alone time.

Susan hugs me. "Welcome home, honey!" She smiles.

I smile back. "Home…that feels great to say that about a place that isn't my parent's house."

"All you have to do is get the kids and OUR home is complete!" I look away. "What's wrong?"

"Julia isn't coming…"

"Aw, really? I was hoping she would."

"She feels more comfortable with Wendy and Cartman. I have to respect her wishes." I admit, I'm a little hurt because it feels like she chose Cartman over me, but I'm going to let it go.

"I'm so sorry Stan. Maybe she'll change her mind later."

"She's not! I know my daughter. She's stubborn like her mom." I put my arms around Susan. "There's something I want to ask. I want to ask now before I lose my nerve."

She cocks her head to the side. "Ask me what?" I get down on one knee. Susan covers her mouth and lets out a squeal. "Oh my God!"

I pull a ring out of my pocket and hold it one hand and take her left hand with the other. I look up at her. "Susan Wilson, will you marry me?"

"YES! Yes, I will marry you!" She begins to cry as I put the ring on her finger. I stand up and hug her.

"I can't wait to make you my wife! You've been great to me and to Eli! You have no idea how happy you've made me! I don't know what we would do without you!" I start crying with her. I wipe my eyes. "Damnit, I said I would stop being so emotional!"

She laughs. "Tears of joy baby!"

"So I guess we have to start planning."

She squeals again. "YES!"

"It can be anything you want, you deserve it!"

"Oh honey, we can to the court house!"

"Really?"

She nods. "I only have my parents and a few close friends here. Everyone else is all over the world so there won't be many people attending on my side."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, besides you said you wanted us to save for a house. How about instead of spending money on a large wedding to impress people, we use that money as our down payment?"

I love the way she thinks. "As long as you're sure that's what you really want."

"I don't need to go into debt to become your wife." She pulls me into a kiss. "If I could, I would marry you right now!"

I chuckle, then I clear my throat. "There is something I want to ask you, and it's a serious a question."

"Sure, what is it?"

"I was wondering, when we get married and if I get custody of Eli, would you like to adopt him?"

Her eyes widen. "You're serious?"

I nod. "I mean you're the only mother he knows. I think it's past time to make it official."

She hugs me very tightly. "Of course Stan! I would love to!"

"We have a lot to celebrate, I'll go out and get some champagne!" I turn to leave, but she stops me.

"You can get the champagne later. Let's go upstairs and celebrate." She winks. I nod and follow her upstairs.

Kyle's POV

As soon as I arrive at work Monday morning, I see Cartman smirking at me. "What?"

"You have a surprised waiting in your office." He informs me.

"Cartman, I don't have time for games! What's in my office?"

"Go in there and see."

I growl and roll my eyes. I walk in the office and I see Stan. "Get out!"

"Dude, I need to talk to you."

"I don't want to hear it DUDE!" I say mockingly. "Now get the hell out of my office before I call security."

He sighs. "Has it really come to this between us Kyle? You being so rude to me and threatening me? Where did we go wrong?"

"I told you to keep that slut away from my son! She's corrupted my innocent child!"

Stan laughs. "Innocent child? You sound like you're talking about a 5 year old. He's 17 and he chose to come around Julia."

"Your daughter is nothing but trouble! She's a drug addicted slut and a murderer."

He glares at me. "Murderer? Julia dint' kill anyone!"

"Dustin…"

"He OD'ed on drugs, that wasn't Julia's fault."

"Yeah, well she got off easy by being paralyzed!" God, how I wish she would've died too. "Reality is going to set it when she goes to court."

Stan looks confused. "Court?"

I smirk. "Wendy didn't tell you? Bebe is pressing charges against Julia. She has a strong case, and I'm representing her." I tell him proudly.

He shakes his head. "That's biased! You're out to get my daughter!"

"I'm out for justice! Now what the hell did you come to my office for?"

"I was going to talk to you about a lawyer for my custody case, but never mind! I'll find my own damn lawyer without your help!" He walks towards the door.

"So now you're going to have a hissy fit? You're such a child! Grow up already Stan!"

"You need to grow up! You're out to hurt a 17 year old because you're mad that your son likes her! Get over it already dude!"

"Once your daughter is behind bars where she can't hurt my son or anyone else again, I will!"

"Then you're in for a fight!"

I roll my eyes. "That's not a threat coming from you!" He leaves out slamming the door behind him. I don't care if he's mad. I'm doing this for my son's benefit. I'm not going to sit back and let Kobe suffering the same fate as Dustin.