The nurse returned with a doctor followed by my mom and Max. The doctor placed an x-ray up on the board in front of us.

"Oh honey, I'm glad you're awake." said my mom before hugging me.

"Now as I was saying Ms. Parker, You're daughter's ribs aren't broken but two are severely bruised and one has a small fracture, so no strenuous activities or sports for a few weeks. The stitches on her cheek will dissolve on their own in a few weeks but she may have a scar. We'd like to keep her here until the Iv had finished, then she's free to go home with you." said the doctor.

"Hear that kid, you gonna be okay." said Max trying to be supportive. "Thank you doctor."

"Yes thank you." said my mom while shaking the doctor's hand. She then turned to Max and said "I can wait here with her if you need to head home or anything."

He kissed her so tenderly and said "I do not mind taking the two of you home my love."

The hours seemed to tick by slowly as I watched my mom and Max continue to be all lovey dovey in the corner of the room. It was cute but at the same time nauseating. She is my mom after all.

When the nurse finally came to remove the empty Iv it was three in the morning. I was so tired that I fell asleep in the car on the way home and Max carried me to my room. I could hear him and my mom whispering about something as he carried me up the stairs but I couldn't seem to concentrate on it and only got bits and pieces.

I remember Max saying "You need to tell her."

My mom said "I'm not ready, everythings moving too fast."

"She'd be safer if Marco or David tur…..."

"not yet." my mom interrupted

"I love you and I want to be with you for eternity."

"I'm not ready to tell her Max. She'd only freak out."

When I woke up again; mom and Max were gone and the room was dark. I could see the curtains from the balcony doors blowing in the wind and a figure standing on my balcony. I panicked at first, but then I realised the figure was smoking a cigarette.

"How is she?" I heard Marco whisper. and realised they must both be standing out there.

"Max said she'll be okay in a few weeks." I heard David reply.

"David? Marco?" I questioned before I flicked on the lamp next to my bed but when I looked back at the balcony it was empty.

"I must have been imagining things." i thought to myself as i flicked the light back off and drifted back to sleep.

Mom and Max wouldn't stop fussing over me for the next week, it was starting to get annoying, on the evenings that mom had to be at the bake shop she had Max stay with me. The two of them wouldn't even let me get my own drink of water. Max kept treating me like a fragile baby deer. By the end of the week I finally got annoyed with both of them and snuck out while my mom was waiting for Max to come over. They decided to have a date night at the house so that i wouldn't be alone.

I was still super sore and my bruises were still an ugly yellow brown colour so I decided to just go down to the water and sit on the beach instead of being in public. The sand was cool on my feet and the waves were relaxing. After a quick walk in the water I sat in the sand and just listened to the waves crashing on the shore. I wasn't sure how long I had sat there before Macro appeared in front of me.

"Hey babe, what ya doing out here all alone?" He said as he crouched down in front of me.

"Mom and Max are driving me crazy." I said "I can't even get myself a glass of water."

"You wanna get out of here? maybe go for a ride? " he said pointing to his bike.

I had just reached for his hand when my mom shouted "Devin?! Devin, where are you?"

"I guess not." he said as he pulled me to my feet.

"Rain check?" I asked

"Sure." he said before placing a gentle kiss on my none injured cheek, he noticed I was wearing the matching earring to his and smiled before giving me another peck on the cheek. He walked me back to the house then hopped on his bike and drove off, sending sand flying everywhere while shouting with excitement. i smiled and shook my head before opening the door to the house.

Devin!?" my mom shouted again

"I'm here mom." I said as I walked into the house.

"Where were you? Why didn't you answer me?" she said with a hand on her hip.

"I went for a walk on the beach. You and Max are smothering me mom."

She sighed before saying "I'm sorry honey, I just worry about you, it's not safe." She brushed my hair back and tucked it behind my ear and that's when I noticed the big shiny rock on her ring finger.

I grabbed her hand and said "Mom? What's this?"

She sighed and looked at Max with a huge smile on her face. "We wanted to wait until you were feeling better to tell you sweetheart." Max said as he walked towards us.

"Max asked me to Marry him and I said yes." she said while looking at him with love in her eyes.

I knew I must have looked shocked because she quickly said "Now honey, I know you're probably thinking we are moving too fast but……. I'm not getting any younger and Max makes me so happy; He makes me feel like I am the only woman in the world."

The only thing I cared about was her being happy. My father had made her so unhappy, I don't remember her ever looking as happy as she does at this exact moment in my whole life.

"Oh mom." I said as I pulled her into a hug. "As long as you're happy then I'm happy for you."

I let her go and hugged Max next. "Just promise you won't break her heart." I whispered in his ear.

"You have my word Devin, I will love her for eternity." he whispered back.

Mom cooked an amazing supper to celebrate my approval and the three of us spent the evening talking about their wedding ideas and watching movies. Max and I even got into a popcorn throwing fight. I soon realised that I had become very fond of Max. He was becoming the father I always wanted but never had. My own father was a complete asshole who only ever noticed or cared about me when I was in trouble or embarrassed him in some way. But Max was a sweet and kind man and he treated me like I was his own precious daughter, he actually cared about me like a parent should. But most importantly he made my mother smile and the light come back into her eyes. For the first time in my life, It felt like I had a real family.