Twilight belongs to SM. I own Grace and her mother. The story line is completely my own.

Hope you enjoy!

Chapter one:

'Don't worry, Gracie, you look wonderful,' Mum said, looking over at me and squeezing my hand that was already tightly in hers. I couldn't help it, I was meeting my Father for the first time so of course I was nervous. What if he doesn't like me? What if he doesn't want me? Mum's really counting on this, I know she is.

'We're here, ma'am,' the taxi driver announced. I tried to see the house past Mum but couldn't make much out.

'How much?' Mum asked, I took my hand back so she could get her purse. I unbuckled my seat belt and grabbed the strap of my black satchel.

'Twenty six dollars,' he replied, I glanced at Mum to see her reaction. She didn't look surprised as she took the money out and handed it to him. He was a fairly normal looking man, pale with balding grey hair and a pot belly; he reminded me of Grandpa Sam. The obvious difference was that he was American and Grandpa is definitely British, he says long over complicated words that make him sound intelligent and wise. Not that he isn't intelligent and wise…he's just getting on a bit, well, that's what Mum says.

'Thank you,' Mum said to the man.

'Thank you,' I repeated and we both climbed out of the back of the taxi. The driver didn't get out to help with our cases so I helped Mum best I could. It bothered me that he didn't help but then he didn't know how sick Mum was, she smiled tiredly at me in reassurance, like she could see the irritated accusation in my eyes. I shut the boot and he drove off without a moment to lose. 'I have them, Mum,' I told her, picking up two cases that you couldn't pull.

'You're a good girl, Gracie,' Mum said, appreciatively. I smiled to myself as I struggled to the front door of the red wooden bungalow. My stomach was aching in anticipation and fear. Mum stopped next to me as I put the cases down and looked up at her. 'Smile, baby,' she said, 'Everything will be okay.'

I knew Mom's knuckles would ache if she knocked so I did it before she could, pretty loudly too, I hope he won't be mad at me for knocking too harshly. I knew it bothered Mum when people did it back home. I stepped back, wanting to give Mum the floor as I practically hid behind her.

'Coming,' shouted a deep male voice, I was now completely behind Mum as the door swung open. I could just make out the sight of a man in a wheelchair.

'Hello Billy,' Mum said, I could hear the smile in her voice.

'Ashley,' he said, shocked. 'What…what are you doing here?'

'I need your help, Billy,' she told him, stepping aside so I was in full sight to the man. He was older than I thought he would be but that made him look kinder, gentle even. He had long black hair and skin darker than mine, his face beheld the laughter lines of his life and two big brown eyes that I could recognize immediately; I saw them every time I looked in the mirror.

It was as if Billy knew instantly, and in the few long seconds of his realization, I thought he was going to shut the door but his face never stopped looking…surprised, shocked; uncertain. I glanced at Mum, worried, she didn't look at me though; she was staring at Billy.

'Billy,' she said, pulling him out of his thoughts. 'I'll explain everything,' she told him, promised. He looked up at her, the same look of bewilderment in his eyes but nodded, he cleared his throat and looked at our cases that I now wished I'd hidden. Perhaps we should have asked to stay instead of barge in like this, Mum always knew what to do though; she was sure it was okay but from the look on his face, I was beginning to doubt her for the first time in my life.

'Come in,' he said gently, wheeling himself backwards and gesturing for us to come inside. I let Mum go first, knowing she needed a seat soon. I struggled with my cases as I dragged them inside and left them near the door, I closed it for Billy and turned to look at Mum. 'Would you like a drink? Something to eat?' Billy was glancing between Mum and me, I knew she was going to decline; she always felt it to be more polite but she hadn't eaten since this morning and sweet tea should hopefully see her through till I was able to make her something.

'Tea would be mostly appreciated,' I smiled gently at him. 'Thank you,' I added when he moved to the kitchen. Instead of going to Mum, I followed him; he got the mugs out of the cupboard and feeling the need to assist, I put some more water in the kettle and put it on to boil.

'You're certainly keen to help,' Billy commented, looking up at me with a new expression, I wasn't sure what to call it.

'I- s-sorry, I just,' I stammered. He laughed softly.

'I wasn't saying it was a bad thing, kid,' he spoke. 'Teabags and sugar are in the cupboard behind you,' he told me. I knew I was blushing badly, Mum often told me she couldn't tell what with my skin being darker than hers' but from the slight upturn of Billy's lips, I knew he definitely saw. I turned around and kneeled to look in the cupboard, spotting the opened box of teabags, I took two and brought the sugar out to put on the counter.

'Would you like one?' I asked Billy, I turned to see him lost in thought. I glanced up at Mum who was now standing behind him.

'Billy, perhaps we should talk,' Mum said, he turned to look at her and nodded. He followed her into the sitting room while I waited for the kettle to boil. I can't imagine how odd this must be for him, I always knew I had a Father though I never had intentions to meet him. He, however, didn't know about me and if it wasn't for Mum's illness, I doubt he'd ever have known. I made Mum's tea first, black with three sugars; I took it to her. They were waiting for me so I quickly made my own tea, black with one sugar because I was too shy to ask Billy if I could use his milk. I walked back to the living room and anxiously perched on a turquoise coloured armchair. 'Billy, this is Grace,' Mum said to him, he was looking at me again so I looked down at my tea, my blush no doubt still glowing; I felt hot all over.

'Our daughter,' he said.

'Yes,' Mum confirmed. 'I know this entire ordeal will put you out completely Billy, and if it could have been avoided, it would have been,' Mum told him, I glanced up to see him looking at her with confusion and possibly irritation.

'Why now?' He asked, 'Why not before? I.'

'Oh come off it, Billy,' Mum interrupted, I saw the look of sheer exhaustion in her eyes, and I knew she wanted to rub her temples. 'You had just lost your wife, you had Jacob to raise on your own, it wouldn't have been fair,' she said, he sat quietly, I hoped in understanding. 'Not to mention we're still pretty much strangers,' she said, smiling at him.

'Strangers with a daughter,' he mused, though not in an amused way. It was sad, about his wife. Mum told me a few weeks ago, she explained everything to me in the way she was about to explain to Billy.

'It wasn't good timing, and I don't know…I just, got used to raising her on my own, I didn't see the need to complicate things,' she told him, 'I'm sorry if you feel like you've been unfairly shut out,' she added.

He scoffed dryly, 'That's one way to phrase it.' I felt almost gleeful that he was upset, not in a cruel way but he was unhappy that he didn't know me. He wanted to be my Dad. 'If you were so content before, why are you here now?' He looked at Mum, his eyes piercing, no doubt curious too.

Mum took a long pause, a heart clenching pause that made me want to cry, my chest tight and aching. 'Because I'm dying, Billy,' she said eventually, her head raised as she looked him in the eye. 'I've been battling cancer for 3 years now with every hope I would get better,' she said, I wanted to cross the room and pull her into a tight hug. 'But a few weeks ago I was told that wouldn't be the case,' she continued, swallowing each word with difficulty. 'My parents are too old to take care of Grace and…and I couldn't bear the thought of her being fostered,' she told him, her voice falling into a whisper.

'I'm…I don't know what to say,' Billy said, lost for words.

'That's alright,' she said, smiling at him. 'I know this is a lot to come to terms with but…but she really needs you, I really need you,' she said, her desperation came through with each syllable.

'Of course, of course,' Billy muttered quietly. He took a minute before he asked his next question. 'How long?'

'Just under three months,' she told him, I blinked, freeing a tear that I tried to hide subtly by pressing my chin to chest and letting my hair fall down in front of my face. My throat was clamming up with something thick as I focussed on breathing in and out calmly through my nose. The silence wore on so I glanced up again to see Billy staring at me, his eyes were sad. I looked over at Mum who was watching Billy carefully, she met my eye though and sent a small smile my way; I sent one back though it was more like a miserable pressed lip gesture. 'If you don't have the room, we can stay in a hotel.'

'No,' Billy interrupted, turning back to her. 'Here is fine, I have plenty of room,' he told her.

'Thank you,' she smiled. 'I've already been looking at the high school, I was thinking we would check it out in the week,' she said.

'On reservation?'

'No, in the town,' Mum replied.

'Okay,' he said quietly.

'We can have a look at the one on reservation if that's your preference,' Mum told him, she had said something about school here. Something to do with him being Native American and how the tribe tended to be schooled on reservation. I wasn't Native American though, it didn't seem appropriate.

'If you would like to that is up to you, I don't mind,' Billy told her, I felt relieved at that. I would surely stick out in a Native school. My skin was just as dark but my hair was most likely an odd sight and I knew I wouldn't ever dye it; it was the same colour as Mum's.

'Okay,' she said.

'Would you like to unpack?' Billy asked hesitantly, looking at our cases near the door.

'If we're done talking,' smiled Mum. 'I'm ready for bed,' Mum scoffed to herself, standing up. She finished off her tea and took the mug back to the kitchen, I followed after her; placing mine on the side as I took the mug to wash it. Mum put her arm around my waist and pulled me closer to her, placing a kiss on the top of my head. 'Thank you,' she whispered.

'It's okay,' I replied. I placed it upside down on the draining board and took a few sips of mine, leaving it on the side next to the kettle to drag my cases to the room Mum was being led towards, she was pulling her case again. Billy didn't hover, he left us to it, no doubt going to procrastinate. I knew he would struggle having to adapt to me, Mum said that sometimes he might come across a bit hostile but it wasn't my fault. I hoped he wasn't, that he wouldn't be, I've never been very good when it comes to anger. Mum is never angry with me, I don't do anything to upset her. The last time I was shouted at was in math class in Year 7 and I cried. 'I can do this,' I told Mum, 'you should lie down, or maybe have a bath, I'm sure Billy won't mind,' I suggested.

'Thank you,' Mum said tiredly, she pulled the covers up and took off her coat and shoes before getting under the covers. I lay down next to her, singing 'Give me Love' quietly until she fell asleep. I rolled off the bed and looked down at the cases on the floor, I can't recall which one my laptop is in but I think it's the Winnie the Pooh one.

After unpacking all of our clothes into the small wardrobe and draws, I put the suitcases in the corner and put my laptop on the bedside table next to Mum. I pulled the blanket up to her shoulders and made my way around to the bedroom door, I turned the light off and pulled my phone out of my back pocket as I ventured out into the living room. Billy was in the kitchen on the phone, I knew it was rude to eavesdrop but I couldn't help it; I tiptoed over and stood in the doorway, his back was to me.

'I can't explain over the phone, Jacob, just come home,' he said, Jacob was my brother. He's 24 I think, that's what Mum told me. I wonder how he'll deal with me, I hope he's kind. 'Yes, I understand that you're busy but I need you to come home, it's important,' Billy stressed. I walked closer into the kitchen and took a seat at the table, the noise made Billy whip around; we regarded each other, his face uncertain and mine patiently. 'Good, I'll see you soon,' he said before hanging up, 'It's impolite to eavesdrop on other people's conversations,' Billy told me though there was no heat to his words. I knew I was blushing again.

'I'm sorry,' I told him. 'Is…is he nice?'

Billy seemed to hesitate before he wheeled closer to me and put his hands in his lap, his head tilted slightly; he graced his lips with a gentle smile and his eyes became as kind as they could. 'Jacob is nice,' he told me, 'stubborn and foolish sometimes but very nice.' I smiled in response.

'Can I help you with anything?'

'You're a very helpful and polite young lady,' he told me, I wasn't sure how to respond to his compliments. 'Your Mother is a very good woman,' he added.

'The best,' I replied immediately.

'I can't imagine how hard this is for you,' he told me, his voice quiet and eyes now full of sympathy. I went to reply but no words came out, I had nothing to say; nothing that would do justice to just how hard it really is. I didn't want to cry though, not today. Mum would get sad if she knew I'd been upset.

'Is it just Jacob?' I asked.

'No,' he said, complying with my silent wishes to not talk about my mother's inevitable death. 'I have two other daughters,' he said, two older sisters; now that is exciting. I always wanted sisters when I was growing up, that was until I realised Mum was the best sister I could have. 'Rachel and Rebecca, they moved away for College,' he told me.

'Does Jacob go to College?'

'No, he lives across town with his girlfriend and her family,' he told me.

'Why doesn't he live here?'

'I wish I could give you a simple answer,' he sighed, 'I suppose he is becoming a man now, needs his freedom.' I knew this was a touchy subject. Possibly something that made Billy sad and I didn't want to make him sad.

'How old are Rachel and Rebecca?'

'Rachel and Rebecca are twins, they're both 28. Rebecca is married now to Solomon, Rachel lives with her boyfriend here in town. He's called Paul,' he explained. My older sisters were 13 years older than me, nearly double my age. I hope they like me too. 'I should ring them too,' he said to himself.

'I'll leave you to it,' I told him, picking my phone up from the table. 'Would it be okay if I had a bath?' I asked.

'Of course, the bathroom is next to your room,' he told me.

'Thank you,' I said, I gave him a parting smile and made my way to the bathroom. There were towels inside already but Mum had bought new towels for me so I collected them from the bedroom, leaving my phone in there and went into the bathroom. I considered taking a shower as Billy had a large shower he could take his chair into but I felt too achey and tired so I opted for a bath.

It took just over 10 minutes to fill the bath with hot water, I waited patiently; sitting on the lid of the toilet. I took my clothes off, folding them neatly and then took a few minutes to lower myself into the hot water. It was nice, having my muscles relax slowly; the steam felt good too. I was practically falling asleep in the bath when I heard a knock at the door, a harsher knock than mine. I listened intently as Billy answered the door to who I assumed was Jacob. I wished I wasn't in the bath now so I could listen in, just to hear how he deals with the information but then again, if he reacted badly; I wouldn't like to be there. I washed my hair with the shampoo that was on the side and conditioned it afterwards. I soaked for a few more minutes and then eventually climbed out of the bath and took the plug out. I listened intently but was only greeted with silence so I got dried and wrapped the towel around myself. I collected my clothes and ducked out of the bathroom into my bedroom, Mum was still asleep so I changed into my pyjamas as quietly as possible, in the dark too. I found my brush and raked through my hair until it was free of tats.

I wasn't sure what to do after that. I couldn't wake Mum up, she needed the rest so I sat on the edge of the bed, unsure. I didn't want to go out there if Jacob was still here, he and Billy might not want me lurking around but then I didn't want to hide away in here either. After a few more minutes of listening to nothing, I took my phone and my pink Skull headphones and made my way to the living room. The kitchen door was shut so I made myself comfortable on the turquoise on red pattern sofa and put my headphones on, I kept my volume on low as I listened to Taylor Swift. 'Shake it off' was becoming one of my most listened to songs and I couldn't help it, it made me feel giddy and want to get up and dance. At a time like this, it was nice to feel like that.

I went onto Facebook and scrolled through my newsfeed, stopping at each individual status of my school friends to see if they were posting anything interesting. I liked a picture of Beth and commented 'beautiful' on it. It took her mere seconds to like the comment and reply with 'not as beautiful as you, I miss you so much already.' I told her I missed her too and changed the song to 'heal this heartbreak' by JLS.

I didn't notice I wasn't alone until a tall man with russet skin and short black hair stood near me in my vision, I pulled my headphones off immediately and looked up at him. He was staring at me, I wasn't sure whether he looked nice or frightening as he just stared, his features blank for a few long seconds.

'Grace, right?' He asked. I nodded, his jaw relaxed as he took a seat on the sofa next to mine. I stopped my music playing on my phone and put it down, gripping the end of my pyjama top; nervous. 'I'm Jake,' he told me, 'um…your brother.' I did my best to smile at him as nicely as I could, he smiled back; his eyes did that melting into gentle brown pools that Billy's seemed to do. 'So…um,' he said.

'You're a lot taller than I thought you'd be,' I told him, knowing he wasn't sure what to say to me. Billy chuckled from behind us, wheeling up to sit in the middle.

'He used to be a weed once, believe it or not,' Billy told me, smiling deviously as Jacob rolled his eyes and sat back into the sofa, a smile tugging on his lips.

'Mature,' he muttered. I grinned at him. I can tell we're going to get along, all three of us.

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