You have to stay a few days longer.

"Ah yes, Tim..." he said, taking a quick glance as his clipboard before giving you both the bad new, "Unfortunately you'll have to stay in for a few days longer I'm afraid. Just until we're certain those ribs are well enough mended. But don't worry, you'll be as good as new in no time, and it's only an extra two or three days. I'm sure the rest of your family will take good care of 'Mrs. Connors' until then."

Getting the impression this was coming, seeing as you'd been pretty much lain in bed for the last week while Stephanie had at least been up and walking around, you thanked Saunders and watched as he turned and left, before assuring her, "You'll be alright. Dad and that'll make you feel welcome...well, you know, as welcome as possible given the situation." before adding with a jokey smile, "Anyway, at least you're getting out. I'm stuck in here with this God awful hospital food for another two days at least!"

Still looking rather worried however, Stephanie replied, "I know, it's just...I don't know...I guess you're like my only friend now - as pathetic as that sounds. I'd feel a lot more comfortable about all this if you were there with me."

"Well it's good to know you find me pathetic!"

"I didn't mean you were pathetic..." she quickly retorted, before realizing you were just teasing, "Oh, you know what I mean."

"I know. I'm just messing," you told her, your relationship having developed now to the point where you could kind of make fun of one another. "Anyway it'll be fine. The only thing you'll really be missing out on for those couple of days is the chance to witness my awesome Xbox prowess, as well as the most extensive collection of action movies you've ever seen!"

"Wow. It really does seem like a party a minute at your house, huh?" she laughed, tales of your sad teenage existence seemingly having done the trick.

Though you couldn't exactly be certain if she was laughing with you or at you, it was nice to see her smile...both Stephanie (whose company you had grown to enjoy these past few days) as well as the face she now wore - finding the sight of your smiling mother to be rather comforting, in a strange sort of way.

"Hey, don't knock it till you've tried it!" you told her, laughing along yourself.

Having at least eased her mind a little, the rest of the day was spent pretty much giving her the run down on your house and what she might expect to find there - witnessing a little more of her slightly sarcastic yet cheeky personality coming through. Heading then to bed, you couldn't help but think about this new chapter in your life that was fast approaching as you drifted off to sleep, wondering how well exactly Stephanie was going to fit into her new role, and if indeed the rest of your family would be as willing to accept her as you were.

The following morning seemed to fly by as no sooner was Stephanie up and dressed in clothing previously brought in by your father - clothes that had once belonged to your mother and made her look even more the part than that unflattering green gown ever had - than it was time for her to go, leaving you alone again for the first time in almost a week.

"Don't worry, Tim. It'll be your turn in no time," you dad assured you as he helped Stephanie carry her things (the doctors having allowed her to keep a small collection of personal items she kept in a small sports bag).

"I know. This hospital room can't keep me forever," you replied, trying to stay positive.

"I'll see you soon then Timbo," Stephanie said, giving you a slightly awkward hug (as well as your first nickname of sorts), adding with a smile, "I'll be waiting with baited breath for the grand tour of that DVD collection of yours."

"Sure thing. And don't you go peeking till I get there!"

Promising jokingly that she wouldn't, then putting on a brave face for what was essentially the first day of the rest of her new life as 'Jennifer Connors' - your mother - Stephanie then took a deep breath, pushed open the door and was gone.

Without any company, the next couple of days went by rather slowly for you,, and you found that although you no longer had the constant reminder of your mom's **** sitting next to you or the occasional awkward moment when neither of you quite knew what to say to the other, you did honestly miss having Stephanie around, finding her to be, although somewhat guarded (understandably so), kind of laid back and cool, and a lot less intimidating than you thought she might be. Though she was of course no replacement for your mother, you were at least glad she seemed like someone you might actually be able to be friends with, not some crazy bitch lady or weirdo or anything that you couldn't actually relate to. Most of your time was spent wondering what was happening at the house and how she was settling in, as well as what friends, other family members and neighbors might make of her when they met her - and whether they'd see through her or not. Really she was being thrown completely in the deep end, especially after having barely escaped **** and having woke up in someone else's body and in someone else's life. If you thought lying to everyone was going to be tough for you, you couldn't even begin to imaging how much harder it would be for her.

A few times your dad would swing by for a brief visit to fill you in on how things were going (not wanting to leave Stephanie alone for too long). Apparently things were going "okay" according to him. She was very grateful still for everything, remaining polite to everyone and doing her best not to get in anyways way. Mostly it seemed she kept to herself, not really yet knowing how to interact properly with the rest of the family - and them similarly not being exactly sure how to interact with her either - spending a lot of time alone in your parent's bedroom, which had now unofficially become 'her' room. This news didn't come as much of a surprise to you if you were honest and you couldn't really blame her, wondering to yourself if your return would really make any difference either, or if things would still be as weird, even after your time spent together.

You also received a visit during those couple of days from your best friend Randall, as well as your girlfriend Allison (who had been with you in the car and had fortunately managed to escape unscathed), which was a welcome distraction. It was also a little strange though too it had to be said, seeing as they were completely unaware of the whole situation with your mother and Stephanie and you had to straight out pretend like your mother hadn't really died and that everything was normal. Though you had had a small dress rehearsal at this with the nurse a couple of days ago, this was much different - seeing as these were basically the two people you were closest to in the world (other than your family). Allison, you had been going out with now for about four months and was one of the hottest, smartest girls you knew, while Randall had been your best friend since you were both like five. Now though, you felt a weird sort of separation from them as they sat there trying to cheer you up, little realizing just how serious the car crash had been.

As awkward as that was though, you also got some good news just after they'd left, Dr. Saunders informing you that it was finally time for you to go home, seeing as your ribs were now very much on the mend.