"What do you mean we're moving?" The tiny brunette placed a hand onto the inwards curve of her waist, stubbornly standing in the way of her father. "We're not moving." Miley continued, "No. We can't, I won't. I have friends. I have school. I have Lily, and Jesse. Dad, I have Hannah!" Forgetting it was a secret, she practically screamed her words, tangled up in her frustration. Luckily enough, the last three words went unheard. The place was empty, apart from the man stood before her. She looked up at the tall rock-star she called a parent, and sighed. "Dad, please. California is my home."
"Tennessee is your home." Robbie corrected his daughter in a cool, calm tone. It was extremely rare for the elder male to raise his voice, and that became extremely annoying after seventeen years.
"So, we're moving back to Texas?" Miley complained in a huff, her comfortably situated hand falling to her side. As much as she loved Crowley Corners, she preferred LA. Good old Los Angeles. Maybe it wasn't her place of birth, but it was definitely the place that she belonged. Where her heart resided. Home.
"We're not going to Texas, darling. We're going some place new." That famous wide smile spread across his face, and he walked past the fierce teenager, throwing the last of their bags into the back of the pick up truck. A much larger truck was parked behind their car, already filled with furniture and the rest of their belongings. "Lima Ohio."
"Lima? Ohio?" Miley repeated, stuttering slightly as she tried to find the right words to follow. "Why Ohio? What's so important about Ohio, that you're willing to ruin my life?" Typical Miley; ever so dramatic.
"The girl of my dreams." Robbie replied without changing his chirpy tone. He turned to look at his little girl with another of his wide, bright smiles. Unusually bright; genuine happiness. Something she knew she couldn't stand in the way of. "Come on, Miles. You can be Hannah anywhere in the world, not just Hollywood. If Jesse loves you, he'll find a way to make the distance work. Jackson's college will be closer. Lily will be moving with us, and you two can attend a new school..."
Before Miley could speak, bring up the fact that it was mid-semester, he answered her anticipated question. "Emma, the girl, she works at a high-school called William McKinley. I can easily get you girls in. It won't be a problem, I promise."
He'd thought this through. Every little detail, every thinkable situation – he'd figured it all out. It was something he truly wanted, and Miley wasn't about to ruin her fathers chances at finally moving on. Since her mothers death, he'd had very little luck at dating, let alone settling down.
"Okay." The seventeen year old finally caved, her defensive front crumbling easier than usual. It was those damn brown hues, and that hill-billy charm. It got her every time. "So, her name is Emma?" Miley lightened the mood as a smile of her own began to form. "Is she worth it?"
Robbie nodded slowly, and held out his arms toward her. "I hope so, bud."
She made her way over to her father, wrapping her arms around his cushioned stomach. He'd done so much for her; she owed him this, at least. As he embraced her with a tight hug, resting his stubbled chin on top of her head, a sense of comfort washed over Miley. "Then... let's go."
