A/N: Three years ago… here's more of Bella/ Ellie's back-story.
The three girls sat on the steps as their parents argued. The young ones clung to her, his angry words scaring them all…
"You honestly think you're taking my baby girl with you? You don't even work! How are you going to support any of them?"
Renee brushed his concerns away. "We'll get by. We always do."
For once, he was standing firm. "Well that's not good enough. I won't let you drag my baby around like you have with Ellie and Shelley. They deserve more!"
The trio crawled up the stairs as Renee's voice pitched higher. To distract her sisters, Ellie made a tent, filling it with their favourite toys and held them close, filling their heads with tales of happy endings…
She heard the door pull open and sat up slightly. He stood in the door, his eyes alert. Spying Ellie awake he crept over and sunk on his haunches.
"Hey sweetheart. I'm sorry you had to hear all that." His eyes swept over the dry tear tracks on his daughter's face. They travelled back to Ellie's, but saw only acceptance.
"Where's mom?"
"She's in the kitchen."
"Do you still love her?"
He gave a heavy sigh. "I'll always love my daughter's mother."
She didn't understand what he meant.
