"Hello." A rough grumbly voice said from the other side of Isabella's line.

"Hey there," Isabella said nervously.

"Isabella?" He asked sounding surprised but also a little nervous.

"Yeah, can you come over?" She asked.

"Um… sure," He said nervously.

"Thanks, I just want to talk to you face to face," She said.

"Alright, I'll be right over."

"Thanks, see you when you get here," She said.

"See you then." He said and they both hung up.

"Okay get ready," She said nervously as someone knocked at her bedroom door.

Isabella went and opened it. "Hey Isa," Adam said.

"Hey Adam, what's up?" Isabella asked.

"Well Vanessa is coming over," Adam said blushing.

Isabella blushed realizing how awkward this is. "So is he."

"So, do I get to know more about this he?" Adam asked.

"Well, his name is Buford Van Stomm, he has a rough reputation but when you really get to know him he's actually a pretty great guy. I've… actually never told anyone about that crush before." Isabella said

"Why not?" Adam asked.

"It's a little embarrassing." She said red as a tomato.

"Why? He's a boy you're a girl these things happen," Adam shrugged.

"Well, I guess so."

"Yeah it's a good thing," Adam said.

The doorbell rang. Adam walked to the door to find a muscular boy with a buzz cut and a skull shirt. "Who are you?" The boy asked confused.

"I'm Adam Garcia-Shapiro who are you?"

"Buford Van Stomm, Isabella told me to come over."

"Oh, right, I'll go get her."

He headed back to Isabella's room. "Buford's here."

Isabella got up and brushed her hair. "How do I look?"

"You look perfect." Adam said.

"Thanks bro," She said hugging him and going downstairs. "Hey Buford," She said blushing.

"Hey Isabella you wanted to see me?" He asked looking her up and down.

"Yeah, there's something I want to talk to you about."

"Okay what is it?" He asked as she sat down beside him.

"Well, I sort of," Isabella rubbed the back of her head red as a tomato just trying to find the right words.

"What are you sick?" He asked concerned.

Isabella shook her head, "No, I..."

"You what?"

"Like you." She finally managed to say scooting closer to him. "As, more than a friend."

"You do? I thought you and Phineas..." He said blushing.

"Well, with him, it seems like that would just be a horrible idea with how obsessed he is with those projects of his." She said. "That's literally all he ever even thinks about."

"So you really like me?" He asked hopefully.

Isabella nodded, "Yes, really do."

"Because I like you too I just never thought I stood a chance," He said.

"Well, you definitely do." Isabella said putting a hand on Buford's leg. "So, Buford, would you go out with me?"

"I would be honored," He said smiling. Isabella smiled widely and leaned into to kiss him. Buford leaned down and kissed her. She closed her eyes melting into the kiss, I was absolutely perfect.

"Wow!" Was all Buford could say when they separated.

"Yeah." Isabella said smilingly wider than possible.

"Yeah, what?" asked Adams voice from the door

"Adam!" Isabella said bright red.

"What?" He asked innocently.

"We were having a moment!" Isabella whined.

"Oh well then I'll just go," Adam said and then remembered that he was supposed to wait out front for Vanessa so she knows where to go anyways so he headed out there. He waited nervously.

Sure enough, she came in no time. "Adam!" She said running up.

"Hey Vanessa!" Adam said nervously.

She stopped right in front of him blushing deeply. "Hi Adam."

"Hi, safe trip?" He asked walking her to the door.

Vanessa nodded, "Yeah, thank you for inviting me over."

"It was my pleasure," Adam said honestly.

"However, what I didn't know when I invited you is that my sister had invited someone over at the same time." Adam warned.

"Oh? Well based on your reaction it's her boyfriend right?" Vanessa asked.

"Well, it looks like it just became that way." Adam said awkwardly.

"Well then we should try not to bug them," She said.

Adam nodded, "Maybe it would be best to go somewhere else."

"Well come with me I have an idea!" She said offering her hand to him.

Adam took it trusting her maybe more than he should. She led him away to a black car down the street. "Get in," She said opening the passenger side door.

He got into the passenger side and she got into the driver's seat. "Nice car." He said a little surprised.

"Thanks it was Mom's but it was well taken care of and modified over the years," She said.

"So, where are we going?" Adam asked.

"Well, I know a spot where we could talk or we could just talk in here whichever," Vanessa said.

"Let's see that spot then." Adam smiled.

"Okay," She said driving to a park about three blocks away and stopping. They got out and she led him to a bench hidden by a circle of lilac trees. "This is my spot," She said.

"Wow." Adam said. "It's nice, not exactly the kind of think I was expecting though."

"What do you mean?" Vanessa asked.

"It just doesn't seem very you." Adam said honestly.

"Well there's more to me than you think. Plus when you're stressed or need to think it helps to be in pretty place," Vanessa said motioning him over to the bench.

Adam took a seat with a smile, "I'll keep that in mind."

"You should," She said sitting down beside him.

"So, anything in particular you would like to talk about?" Adam asked.

"Well, yeah actually," She said.

"What is it then?" He asked.

"Well how do you feel about me?" She asked carefully.

Adam was red enough to attract airplanes, "Well, I sort of, like you."

"Like as a friend?" She asked.

"Like... as a girlfriend." Adam admitted nervously.

"Really, even though I'm older than you?" She asked. Adam nodded nervously. "What if I said I felt the same way?"

"Then I would be extremely happy and probably kiss you." He said hopefully.

"Then you should kiss me now," She said. Adam leaned in and kissed her lips. It felt good, no it felt great as her arms came up and around his neck. Adam smiled into the kiss wrapping his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him.

She smiled into the kiss moving as close as she could get without sitting in his lap. "That was truly amazing." Adam breathed once they separated.

"Yes it was," Vanessa said happily.

"So, are we together then?" Adam asked.

"I would not have kissed you otherwise," She said.

"Good." Adam smiled still holding her close.

"I'm glad I found you," She said.

"I'm glad I found you, too."

"Really?" She asked.

"Yes, really." He nodded.

"So dinner?" She asked.

"I would like that, but I'm not sure it would be okay with my mom and sister." Adam said.

"Well, why not ask?"

"I… never got either of their numbers, we'd have to go back to ask." Adam admitted kicking himself for that fact.

"Well then again this is your first dinner with them," She said.

"Some other time perhaps?" Adam offered.

"Yeah that works," She said.

"Tomorrow?" Adam asked.

"I'd like that,"

"I'll call you then, I promise." Adam said.

"Okay, come on, I'll give you a ride," She said.

"Sounds great." Adam said standing up and helping her up.

"Thank you," She said.

"You're welcome." He said as they went to and got in the car.

She drove them back and stopped in front of his house. "Thank you, Vanessa." Adam said giving her another but shorter kiss.

"It's no trouble," She said smiling.

"So, is this goodbye then?" Adam asked, "For now?"

"For now, but I'll see you soon right?" She asked.

"Of course." Adam said.

"Good," She said giving him a quick kiss.

"See you later." Adam said getting out of the car.

"Yeah bye Adam!" She said winking.

"Bye Vanessa." Adam said winking back as she drove away.

He walked right into Buford who was leaving. Buford was surprised to find himself right against the wall. "Listen here bucko; you better not do anything to hurt my sister in anyway. You got it?" Adam said threateningly.

"Yeah I would not dare, has anyone ever told you that your deceptively strong?" He asked.

"Yes they have, I've also been in four different martial arts since I was five so know that no matter how tough you think you are. I could undoubtedly take you and will if you do anything to her."

"I won't hurt her. I swear!" He said.

"You better not." Adam said letting him go.

"I won't, but man are you strong!" He said.

"Thanks, remember that then. You're free to go home or wherever you were headed now."

"Right I'll see you and her tomorrow for the pool party?" He asked.

"See you then." Adam said as if nothing just happened though he was now wondering about this pool party having not heard about it.

He shut the door as Isabella came down the stairs. "Isa, what's this about a pool party?" Adam asked.

"Oh we figured it would be a nice way to introduce you," Isabella said.

"That sounds like a great idea, but I wish I had known earlier." Adam said.

"Why?" Isabella asked.

"Then I would have invited Vanessa. I could always call her though."

"Yeah, by the way where did you go?"

"We figured we should let you and Buford be alone so she took me to this nice little spot in a park that she likes." Adam explained.

"Aw that's sweet," Isabella said.

"Yeah, we got together by the way." Adam smiled.

"Adam that's wonderful!"

"Yeah, I feel a whole lot better now thanks to her and I think she does, too." Adam said happily.

"Well that's great!" Isabella said.

"What about you and Buford." Adam asked.

"We got together," She said happily.

"Good, then I threatened him for the right reason." Adam said happy for his sister.

"You what?" She asked.

"What? I wouldn't be a good brother if I didn't." Adam said simply.

"Well I guess," She said.

"Like you're not going to do the same thing with Vanessa."

Isabella blushed "Well, yeah I am," She said.

"See? So, what's for dinner?" Adam asked.

"We don't know yet," Isabella said.

"Well, I made sure it would just be us for our first dinner together." Adam said.

"I know, but we don't know what to make," Isabella said.

"Well, what do you usually like?" Adam asked.

"Chinese," Isabella said.

"That works." Adam smiled.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"We could have Chinese food for dinner." Adam said.

"Order in?" Isabella asked.

"Unless you would rather a different way." Adam said.

"Can you cook it?" She asked.

"Yes I could." Adam smiled, he loves cooking.

"Have you ever before?" Isabella asked.

Adam nodded. "Yes I have."

"Yes! Can I help?"

"Sure!" Adam said liking the idea of cooking with his new sister.

"Come on then!" She said excitedly.

Then headed into the kitchen and set to work and had dinner done quickly "That was fun." Isabella smiled.

"Yeah we make a good team," Adam said.

"That's good; we are brother and sister after all." Adam said but it felt weird coming out of his mouth.

"I know it's weird," Isabella said.

"We'll get the hang of it." Adam promised.

"Yeah I know," She said.

"Hey Mom!" Adam called.

She came in and gasped at the food. "You guys made this?" Vivian asked.

"Yeah!" Isabella said proudly.

"Well, you guys did a fantastic job!" Vivian said impressed.

"Well tell us how it taste's" Adam said.

Vivian nodded and they all dished up plates.

Once all dished up, they sat down and began eating. "This is amazing!" Vivian said impressed.

"Thank you!" Both her kids said.

"After dinner I have something for each of you," Adam said.

"Oh yeah, that's right." Isabella said remembering he mentioned that in the car to the mall.

"What is it?" Vivian asked.

"I'm not sure exactly." Adam repeated.

"Guess we'll find out," Vivian said.

"Yes we will." Adam said continuing to eat, "By the way, I realized that I never got either of your phone numbers or the home phone's."

"Oh well we should fix that," Vivian said.

"Yeah, that's a little important." Adam commented.

"Well after dinner we can fix that," Isabella said.

"Alright." Adam nodded. "Also, Mom, Vanessa and I got together."

"Congratulations!" She said.

"So am I… with Buford." Isabella hesitated unsure of her reaction.

Vivian choked on the water she was drinking. "R...really?" She gasped out regaining her breath

Isabella nodded awkwardly. "Yes, really."

"I always thought you liked Phineas."

"Well, I did but it seems like a bad idea with how addicted he is to his projects. He's a good friend but… not so much a boyfriend."

"Thank goodness you realized that," Vivian said.

"You thought that?" Isabella asked surprised she didn't talk to her about that then.

"Yes, but you seemed to like him so much I did not say anything," Vivian said.

"Well, I really am glad I realized that though." Isabella said honestly.

"Me too," Vivian said.

"As am I if what I've heard is true." Adam said.

"It is," Isabella said.

"Then it's a good thing you choose Buford." Adam said.

"Yeah it is," She said happily.

"Well, as long as you two are happy, I'm happy." Vivian said.

"Thanks mom," They said.

"I would love to get to meet Vanessa though." Vivian said.

"Well, you will tomorrow," Adam said.

"Perfect then, she sounds really nice from what I heard though." Vivian said.

"She is," Adam said as they finished the yummy dinner. "I'll be back," Adam said heading upstairs. He came down with two envelopes and handed them to the respective owner. "I was told to give you guys these."

"Thank you," Vivian said. She opened her own envelope and a ring fell into her lap, but not just any ring. "My wedding ring?" She said shocked. She picked it up looking at it finding it surprising that he even still had it after all these years.

"He valued that," Adam said.

"I can't believe it." She breathed.

"Yeah, he missed you," Adam said.

"Mom, why did you and Dad split up?" Isabella asked.

"He was too concerned with other things," She said.

"What do you mean?" Adam asked confused.

"He had the wrong priorities and I could not handle it anymore," She said.

"It never seemed like that to me." Adam said.

"Maybe he changed over the years, but he did not when you two were babies," She said.

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that but he truly did miss you." Adam said.

She nodded sadly and took out a piece of paper from in and unfolded it.

Dear Vivian,

First of all let me start by saying what you probably already know the young man delivering this to you is your son. Second if you are in fact getting this letter I have died how I do not know but that is the truth. I have instructed my lawyer to give this to Adam to give to you in the event of my death or disappearance. Now before going on I must say that I have never stopped thinking about you and Isabella since I last saw you both and although I may not have been the best companion I do love you both dearly. Now as you know since I have died you are Adams legal guardian as we established before going our separate ways which means that what he does from here on is entirely up to you if you do not want him with you he can always go to live with my brother Charlie in North Carolina, I know he will understand but I do not think you will say no I have been wrong before though. It is my dearest hope that he and Isabella can be real brother and sister. It may be too late but I hope that they will both forgive us in time. Again I would like to say that I still do and always have loved you and Isabella and wish we could have had some time together. Hopefully you are willing to take Adam in if not simply give Charlie a call he still has the same number.

Yours forever,

Sergio Garcia Shapiro

Vivian's hand went to her mouth as she read it over.

"What?" Isabella asked.

"Are we allowed to see each other's?" Vivian asked Adam.

"Yeah," Adam said.

Vivian handed the letter to Isabella.

Isabella began to cry a little as she read it. "I might have to wait a while to open my own." She said honestly wiping her eyes.

"I understand," Adam said.

Isabella sat her own and Vivian's down. "So, the phone numbers."

"Right, let's get that done," Adam said.

They got all three numbers in his phone and visa-versa. "Good?" Adam asked.

Isabella just stared at her unopened envelope in front of her. "Going to open it?" Adam asked

Isabella hesitated but said, "Yes," while slowly opening it. Out fell a small golden locket. She was surprised but it didn't have any particular significance that she knew of so she moved onto the letter for now.

To my dearest daughter Isabella,

First of all let me tell you what you probably already know if you're reading this letter my name is Sergio Garcia Shapiro and I am your father. Now as I am sure Adam and Vivian have already told you your mother and I decided to get a divorce not long after you two were born. We each took one of you and went our separate ways.

I would first like to say how very sorry I am that I was never a part of your life and now since you are reading this letter I will never have the chance. I want you to know that I really do love you and your mother with all my heart but we had been fighting a lot and your mother and I agreed it was the best, for both of you If we simply went our separate ways.

Inside this envelope there should be a small silver locket. It used to belong to your grandmother and her grandmother before that it is given to the oldest female of the children and grandchildren which in this case because of the divorce means that this is now yours take good care of, it has been in our family for the last sixty years. Again never forget that I always loved you and your mother.

Love,

Your father,

Sergio Garcia Shapiro

Isabella started to cry again putting on the locket. No one knew what to say so they just let her calm down which took a while. "What happened to him?" Isabella asked

"There was a car accident." Adam answered.

"A car crash?" Vivian asked.

"Yeah, he had major internal bleeding and several concussions. I'm not sure on the exact details because I was only told by a doctor over the phone at about two in the morning." Adam explained sadly.

"So, you did not get to see him?"

Adam shook his head, tears welding up in his eyes. "Not since he left at about six the afternoon before that."

"I can't imagine..." Isabella said.

"It was extremely difficult; I had basically completely shut down until I was sent here." Adam said.

Vivian got up and hugged him. Adam returned the hug crying and Isabella could tell he had been holding that in for a while. She certainly could not blame him for that though so she just let him let it all out. "I should have been there," Adam said.

"You couldn't have known that was going to happen, Adam." Isabella reminded.

"I should have been there when he died!"

"As nice as it would have been, it couldn't have been done." Vivian reminded her crying son.

"It's not fair," Adam said.

Vivian knew that was likely just the official story though but she couldn't tell them otherwise. "I know, none of this is fair."

Adam just kept crying. It was well over an hour before he started to calm down. "It's okay," Vivian whispered soothing as he actually started to drift off to sleep exhausted from all the crying.

"No it isn't." He croaked drifting off. Seconds later he was asleep. Vivian laid him down on the couch and just let him sleep.

"Poor Adam," Isabella said.

"Yeah." Vivian said sighing.

"Mom, what was dad so focused on?" She asked.

"Just stuff with his work." Vivian answered vaguely.

"What did he do?" She asked.

"He was a lawyer." Vivian lied knowing that's the official explanation to what he does. She hated lying to her kids more than anything but she can't tell them the truth.

"Well, that is a tough job," She sighed.

"Yes, it unfortunately is." Vivian said. If they only knew how difficult his real job was, not to mention dangerous.

"So we're leaving him here?" She asked.

"Or we might be able to take him up to his room." Vivian said judging it and the likelihood of accidentally waking him up through trying.

"How?" Isabella asked

"Carry him." Vivian shrugged.

"Okay you want head or feet?" Isabella asked.

"I'll take head." Vivian said moving there.

"Dang," Isabella said. Isabella sighed taking his legs and they got him up to his room in an extremity lift. As soon as they sat him down, Adam rolled over and kept sleeping

Vivian looked at the clock then her daughter. "You should probably go to sleep, too."

"Okay mom," She yawned.

"Good night, Mija." Vivian said giving her daughter a hug.

"Good night Mom," She said. She kissed her mother's cheek then headed to her own room. Vivian turned kissed Adams cheek and left.