It was here, with my mothers garden surrounding me, with the suns rays gently kissing my skin, with the small breeze calmly blowing the fresh smell of lilacs in my nose as I sipped my ice tea, with my over-sized german shepard at my feet, that I had made my decision. I put my forearm over my head in an attempt to sheild my eyes as I dialed a familiar number in the sleek, black phone i held in my hand. It took two rings for Charlie to answer. It took two minutes to explain to Charlie what I had in mind. And it took two seconds for Charlie to say yes.

"One more thing dad" I said, before he had a chance to hang up.

"Yeah, bells?" Charlie and I, were not too close but it always made me happy hearing his nickname for me.

I glanced down at Bear, who looked up at me with sad eyes.

"Can i bring my dog?"
_

"Mom...mom...MOM" I was currently in the Airport of Arizonia, ten steps away from my gate, being suffocated to death.

I made a feeble attempt to detach my moms death grip from around my neck, and she cried into my shoulder. It was no use. I was going to miss my flight.

"Mother..." I began "It takes four hours to fly to Seattle, an hour to fly to Port Angeles, and another hour to drive to Forks. Would you get off of me so I can start this journey"

"But" she blubbered into my shoulder "I'm..gunna...miss ...you so...much" I didn't show it, but i knew i was going to miss her too.

"Theres phones, planes, webcams, and email, I will see you again, you know" i stated putting emphasis on the 'will'

Just when I thought my esophagus was going to shatter, my mom let her iron grip loose.

Wipeing her mascara ridden face with her hands, she took a deep breath.

"I don't want you to think you aren't allowed to come. This isn't a couples trip, it's a family trip. You don't have to move in with your dad just because Phil and I are doing some sightseeing"

I gave her a dulll smile.

"I know, I know. But I don't want to put my senior year on hold, plus Charlie deserves this. I know he misses us, he misses having a family, and a daughter, he has to be lonely." I stated

It's true. I could hear it in his voice. I could hear that he was empty. I would talk to him on the phone once a week, and when I would say I have to go I could feel the diasappointment seeping through the reciever. And everytime I would inform him of a new accomplishment, whether it had to do with school, or sports, I swear I could hear him grinning from ear to ear. I didnt know much about Charlie, but I knew he loved me.

My mom took my hands in hers

"Take care of him, Bell" then she gave me a tight hug "I love you"

"Love you too" I peeped

When she let me go, I waved to Phil who was standing a few feet away

"Seeya kiddo, call us when you get there" He bellowed

I never saw Phil without a smile on his face, he was great for my mom.

I made a quick turn for the gate before anyone noticed I had tears in my eyes.
_

I finally understood why my mom had looked at me like I had twelve heads when I came down the stairs in shorts this morning. Apparently Washington is cold. And I resent the fact that I had to find this out while I stand outside of Port Angeles airport in rain soaked Vans, shorts that were boardline underwear, and a big black hoodie. Just as a soccer mom drives by me, her tire splashing in a knee deep puddle, which resulted in me getting the eqvialent of a small pond thrown at me, I see Charlies police cruiser drive up. Running over to get my bags, he gave me a quick hug.

"You look a little wet" he said, smirking

Looking at him with serious eyes, I thrown him a sarcastic smile and a head nod

"Yeah, dad, a little"

Soon we were doing 65 down the highway, with the heat on full blast.

"So, uh, how's Renee?" Charlie offered

"Mom's great, still crazy, but great"

"How's her...engagement?" You could hear the awkwardness leaking out of his voice. Charlie was never good talking about relationships, so him having to talk about his ex wife's engagement to another man was his own personal hell.

"Phil's great, shes happy"

We sat in silence.

"So Bells" Charlie glanced at me through the corner of his eye "I have a surprise for you"

The smile he had plastered on his face told me it was something he thought was just amazing

I opened my mouth to question him but before i had a chance to say anything Charlie said in an exciting tone

"I got you a car"

It was mine turn to be speechless.

Charlie continued

"Well its actually a truck, yaknow the kind with a bed in the back. Yep, I bought it off of Billy Black. You remember him, don't you? We would go fishing together. He has a son Jake. Jakes the kid you beat over the head with a rock because he tried to kiss you. Back to the truck though. It's old. Like really old. Ugly too. It's a faded dark red color. Its got some scratched and dents. Runs like a champ though." He looked at me, still smiling.

I took a minute before I spoke

"You bought me an old, ugly truck?" I said questioningly, raising my eyebrows

He looked at me before giving a hesitant "Yeah" the fear that i might be dissappointed with his gift was all over his face

Flashing a genuine smile, I leaned over and kissed his cheek

"Thanks dad"

He didn't look at me the rest of the drive, didn't say a word etheir. He just stared at the highway with a content look on his face.