You return to the house and find your mom there.

After being dropped off at your house, and having decided that this was what you were going to do first thing tomorrow, you headed inside and got somewhat of a pleasant surprise when you heard your mom's voice talking away inside (although it did admittedly take you a second or two to realize who it was, Stephanie's tones still being somewhat unfamiliar).

"Don't worry, everything will be just fine," you heard her say as you quickly made your way towards the voice that was coming from the kitchen, "The two of us just need some time apart. But that doesn't change how we feel about you guys. This family isn't splitting up."

"Splitting up? Who's splitting up?!" you asked, mishearing the end of the conversation as you shot into the kitchen to see your mother sitting there at the table, talking with Tabitha and David.

Spotting you and looking up from the table, your mother (dressed in another one of Stephanie's outfits - this time a tight white tank top that showed off both her belly and her belly piercing as well as a pair of loose white sweatpants) broke into a happy smile as she stood up from her seat to greet you. "Tim? I'm glad you're back. I've missed you," she said, pulling you close and squashing you against her large breasts.

"I uh, I missed you too, mom..." you replied, trying to ignore the feeling of her chest against yours, happy to see her of course, but having many, many questions. "But where have you been? Why haven't you been home? And what's this about splitting up? You and dad aren't getting a divorce are you?"

"No, sweetheart," she told you, breaking the hug and looking at you softly, "We're not getting a divorce," adding with a chuckle, "I don't think we can anyway, seeing as technically we're not actually married anymore."

"Then what's going on?"

"Come sit down and I'll explain," she said, heading back over to her seat, explaining as she did that, "I'd hoped to have caught you all at the same time, but unfortunately you were out when I got here, so I've already talked to your brother and sister about it. Guys, do you maybe want to give me and Tim some space while I fill him in."

"I guess," your little brother shrugged in his usual half caring sort of way as he stood up from the table.

"Okay, mom," Tabitha chirped a little more agreeably, as the two of them headed past you out the door, leaving just you and your mother alone.

Heading over to the kitchen table yourself and grabbing a chair next to your mother, you sat down and said, "Let me guess, you're not staying are you?" getting the feeling from the look on her face and what you'd heard when you'd first walked in, that that was exactly what she was about to tell you.

"I can't get anything past you, can I?" your mom giggled, her gorgeous face looking all the more beautiful when she was laughing (this quite possibly being the most relaxed you'd seen her since the transplant). "The truth is, Tim, as much as me and your father have tried to make this work out and act like everything is okay between us, the simple fact is; it's not," she told you, finally admitting something you'd long suspected, "This thing... what happened to me, it's all been such a huge upheaval for all of us, and in all honestly your father is having a much harder time coping with it than anyone else. I mean I don't blame him really, and I know deep down he still loves me, it's just that right now he can't seem to get past my outer appearance, and quite frankly, the two of us pretending like everything is fine and going on as normal just isn't fair on anyone.

"Now I spoke to him earlier on while you were out, and I've just spoken to Tabitha and David there, and we've decided it would be best is if I give him some time and some space to come to terms with everything and he does the same for me. So, for the next wee while I'm going to stay at Stephanie's house, which is where I've been these last few days."

Though you had of course figured this part out for yourself, hearing that she was leaving to move in there permanently (at least that's what it sounded like for the moment) was somewhat of a shock, especially after what had happened last time. "You're gonna stay there? But what about..." you began, your mom clearly aware of what it was you were going to say next.

"I know, sweetheart. Last time we were there I got a little down, but I've realized now that it's best just to accept who Stephanie was and move on. I can't change what she did for a living. All I can do is make the best of the life she gave me, so there really is no point dwelling on the past," she told you, sounding a lot more level headed and pragmatic about thing now, those last few days alone seemingly having done her the world of good. "She had a lovely house and it'd be a shame to let it go to waste. Of course it does need a bit of redecorating to make it feel a bit more...homey, but that'll just give me something to occupy myself with. Seeing as I won't have you screaming kids running around all over the place to distract me."

"But, I mean...we could come to," you said, not liking the idea of your mom moving out one bit, or being stuck in that strange house all alone, "You know, to help you out. To make sure you're okay and not on your own all the time."

"That's real nice of you, sweetheart, but I'm not sure Tabitha or David wouldn't share your enthusiasm for that." This was probably true, the two of them still being a little more stand offish around your mother now than you were, and would probably be very **** to actually move in to 'the Porn Cave' as David once jokingly called it.

"Then just me then! I can help you. I can move in with you for a bit..."

"You really are a great son, Tim, do you know that?" she smiled, placing her hand atop yours, clearly finding your eagerness to help her rather heartwarming. Unfortunately though, that still didn't stop her answer from being, "But I'm afraid you can't. You have to stay with your father. Legally he's your sole guardian now, and even though I am still your mother, we do have to obey the law.

"But that doesn't mean you can't come visit," she quickly added, "And that doesn't mean I won't visit here either," breaking into another amused little giggle as she told you, "Besides, I won't be completely alone. I've got Pescara for company remember?"

This made you also chuckle a little, recalling the cat that you'd both discovered at Stephanie's house and the affection it seemingly had for your mother.

"I know this isn't ideal, Tim, but it really is for the best. Till we can get things sorted."

Reluctantly agreeing with this, recognizing that it probably would be better for both your mother getting used to her new self and your father coming to terms with the fact that his old wife is no longer around if they were indeed apart for a while (even though the idea did make you feel a little wary), your mom gave you another hug and the two of you spent the next twenty or so minutes chit chatting about things; about your time spent at the beach and her time spent in her new house, until she once again called Tabitha and David back in when she realized she'd best get going.

"Do you have to leave right away?" you asked as she got up from the table.

"I'm afraid so. You're father said he'd be back by five and it'll probably be best if I'm not here when he returns. I don't want to rock the boat or anything. The whole point of me going to stay at Stephanie's...I uh, I mean my place, is to give each other some space. I don't want to outstay my welcome."

Though trying to convince her that she wouldn't be, not really liking the way she was describing the house as if it was no longer her own, your mom was not to be moved on this, instead telling you all that she'd be back to see you all soon and that once she got Stephanie's house in a more respectable state, that you'd all be welcome to visit (which provoked a groan and a roll of the eyes from David). And with that she left, giving you all a big hug and once again telling you not to worry, before heading out the door and getting into the very flash looking red BMW outside, the sight of which caused you to chuckle.