**Chapter 15: A New Lease on Life**

Two months had passed since Ashley's emotional reunion with her mother, and a lot had changed. Ashley had been discharged from the hospital and was now living with her mother, trying to readjust to life outside of the hospital's walls. She had been prescribed medication to help manage her schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and while it wasn't always easy, she was slowly starting to feel like herself again. Ashley had also started back at school, which had been a bit of a challenge. Her grades had suffered a bit, but with her mother's help, she was slowly getting back on track. Her mother had been a godsend, helping her with her homework, cooking meals, and just being there to listen when Ashley needed someone to talk to. One of the best things that had happened to Ashley since her discharge was getting a dog. Her mother had surprised her with a little ball of fluff named Paws, and Ashley was immediately smitten. Paws was a small, fluffy terrier mix with a big personality, and Ashley loved her to pieces. She loved taking Paws for walks, playing with her in the park, and just cuddling with her on the couch. As Ashley sat on the couch, Paws curled up at her feet, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. She was still struggling with her mental health, but with her mother's help and support, she was slowly starting to feel like she was getting her life back on track. Ashley's mother came into the room, a cup of coffee in her hand. "Hey kiddo, I brought you a cup of coffee," she said, setting the cup down on the coffee table in front of Ashley. Ashley smiled, grateful for the small gesture. "Thanks, Mom," she said, taking a sip of the coffee. Her mother sat down beside her, putting a hand on her knee. "How's school going?" she asked, concern etched on her face. Ashley sighed, feeling a bit frustrated. "It's going, I guess," she said. "I'm just having a hard time keeping up with the work. I'm not as focused as I used to be." Her mother nodded understandingly. "It's okay, sweetie. You'll get there. You're just getting back into the swing of things. We'll work on it together, okay?" Ashley nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude towards her mother. She knew that she was lucky to have her mother in her life, and she was determined to make the most of it. As they sat there in comfortable silence, Paws suddenly stood up, stretched, and let out a loud bark. Ashley laughed, scratching Paws behind the ears. "I think Paws wants to go for a walk," she said, smiling at her mother. Her mother smiled back, standing up. "Let's take her for a walk. It'll do us some good to get some fresh air." Ashley nodded, standing up and grabbing the leash. As they walked out the door, Paws bounding ahead of them, Ashley felt a sense of hope that she hadn't felt in a long time. She knew that she still had a long way to go, but with her mother and Paws by her side, she felt like she could face anything.