Joe stopped at his parents’ room and realized they were still out. He left a note letting them know Frank was being released the following morning. He wrote that he’d see them at breakfast the following morning before heading to the hospital.

After leaving the note under his parents’ door, Joe headed up to his room. He was ready to crawl into bed and sleep for a week. He got to his room and as he put his key in the lock, he noticed a piece of paper folded with his name on it taped to the door. He pulled the paper off and opened it. The note read:

Joe pulled his key out of the lock and moved down to Callie’s door. He knocked on the door and said, “Callie, it’s Joe. Let me in.”

“Coming,” Callie said from inside.

A moment later the door opened and Callie ushered Joe in. He saw Nancy and Ned sitting on one of the beds. He turned as Callie closed the door and asked, “What’s going on?”

“I’m glad you’re here,” Callie said.

“Is something wrong?” Joe asked. “Your note was a bit vague.”

“I didn’t want to give it away,” Callie said.

“What?”

“Me,” a voice said from behind him.

Joe recognized the voice. It belonged to Vanessa Bender, his girlfriend from Bayport. He turned around quickly and saw her standing by the bathroom door. He took a step toward her and she ran to his arms.

“Oh, Joe.”

Joe got his voice back and asked, “What are you doing here?”

“I heard about the explosion and had to come,” Vanessa said keeping a tight hold of Joe. “I was finally able to get a flight out a few hours ago.”

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Joe said.

Joe leaned back and looked at Vanessa. Her hair hung over her shoulders and she was wearing a short blue dress with thin straps. “I guess you already met Nancy and Ned.”

“We got to talk while we waited for you,” Vanessa said. “By the way, how’s Frank?”

“He’s all right.” Joe smiled. “He’ll be released in the morning.”

“Wonderful,” Callie said.

“Why don’t we leave them alone?” Nancy suggested.

Ned nodded and the two of them left the room with Callie.

Once they were alone, Joe pulled Vanessa close and held her tight. Joe said, “You don’t know how much I missed you.”

“I missed you just as much.” Vanessa gave Joe a kiss on the cheek. She pulled away and they sat down on the bed before she continued. “When I heard there was an explosion on the cruise ship, I thought I’d never see you again.”

“I had the same feeling for a little while, but everything turned out all right.” Joe looked at Vanessa. “I love you so much. I don’t usually show it, but I do.”

“I know you do. You might not say it all the time, but I know how you feel about me.”

Joe hugged Vanessa again and held her tight. She meant the world to him and Victoria was nothing more to him but a passerby. Vanessa was the girl he loved and would also be the only one. Joe felt good having Vanessa in his arms when he had felt so bad. He knew things were looking up and could only get better for everyone he cared about.

Frank would be getting out of the hospital the following morning and then they would be heading home. Nancy and Ned finally set a date for their wedding and would be making arrangements for their future. Joe knew everything would work out for everyone, including himself.