-SavingGrace579- Thanks for commenting and trust me Brooke has a lot to come clean about and she'll have no choice, it'll be "life or death" ;)

-Jackie- Thanks a lot! To be honest I don't even know where I'm going I just let my fingers type :)

I woke up to Avery's screams and without hesitation, I ran to her room with Jared right behind me. I rushed to her side and her arms immediately wrap around my neck, soaking my shirt with her tears.

"What's wrong sweetheart did you have a bad dream?" I asked soothingly rubbing her back. She pulled away and wiped her eyes dry as she shook her head.

"No, I just forgot where I was and I got scared," she said sheepishly.

"Oh Princess," I said wiping her eyes again and kissing the top of her head, "you're safe, your Uncle Jared and I are just down the hall," I tried to reassure her.

"I know mum I just forgot we moved," she said, frustration clear in her voice so I left it alone but still held her tightly. After a couple of minutes Jared reached over and rubbed her arm smiling.

"I know what'll make you feel better," he said with a mischievous smile.

"What?" She asked eyeing him curiously.

"Starts with a P and ends with cakes," he teased and she gasped before jumping from my arms to Jared's with a huge smile on her face.

"Pancakes!" She exclaimed.

"Yes, lets go make some."

"Ok!" She shouted. As soon as he put her down she took off out of the room full of energy as she headed downstairs towards the kitchen.

"I've got her why don't you try and get some more rest," he sympathized looking into my tired eyes.

"You sure? She can be a handful sometimes-"

"We'll be fine Mama Brooks," he said cutting me off and I gave him a look of disapproval.

"Never call me that again," I replied with disgust clear in my voice. He just laughed it off as we both exited her room and stood in the hallway. "Maybe I should pick out some clothes for her today and-" He cut me off by picking me up bridal style and carrying me to my room, "Jared Cameron!" I yelled.

"Brooke Cameron!" He yelled back mocking my voice and accent, completely amused. I giggled as he continued to bark orders in my voice and make funny faces. I glared at him as he tossed me on my bed like a was pillow. "Now get some rest short stuff before I drug you, I don't want to see you downstairs for another two hours," he said sternly making me pout.

"Jared," I whined.

"She's my niece and I want to spend some quality time with her to make up for not being there," he said sincerely and I smiled.

"She already loves you."

"Good, because I love you both now get some rest," he said and before I could respond Avery ran in the room looking like she was wired on candy.

"Come on Uncle Jared lets make pancakes!" She yelled.

"Ok lets go, hop on," he said bending down and her eyes lit up again as she jumped on his back. I couldn't help but smile as they left the room with her giggling all the way. It made me happy that they now had this time together. Now that they were gone I was left alone with my thoughts. I decided I just wanted to sleep, plus I'm pretty sure Jared would actually drug me. I shuddered at the thought before lying back and pulling the covers over me.

Jared

I sat at the table eating pancakes with my beautiful niece. She was scarfing them down like she was one of the pack and it made me especially proud to be her uncle.

"I'm done can I have another?" She asked sweetly and I smiled at her before placing two more pancakes on her plate. I watched as she grinned from ear to ear, she had the same smile as Brooke. Suddenly my front door opened and then closed only to seconds later reveal Paul. He entered the kitchen with a grin on his face but quickly dropped it when he spotted Avery. Man they looked alike, I can't believe everyone bought that story that she was just some random guy from Australia's. She stopped eating and looked up at Paul and smiled.

"Hi I'm Avery and I'm six," she introduced and we both smiled at her friendliness. I think it's cute that she always says her age when she introduces herself.

"Hi Avery I'm Paul, your accents pretty cool," he complimented.

"Thanks, me and mum are from Australia." He weakly smiled at the mention of Brooke, she didn't seem to notice as she continued on talking. "Me and Uncle Jared made pancakes, you want some?"

"I'd love some," he said as his eyes grew wide.

"Here, sit beside me," she offered and he smiled again before taking a seat next to her as I grabbed him a plate and fork. I handed it to him and then Avery clumsily put some on his plate.

"Yummy I love pancakes," he said quickly taking a bite.

"Me too! They're my favorite!" She practically screamed and he laughed.

"Cool what a coincidence," he joked and I chuckled nervously. Yeah that was a coincidence alright, I mean it's true anybody could love pancakes but you see where I'm going right? He's obsessed with them and she's obsessed with them, they're actually related and wait why am I narrating this again? Anyways I watched on silently as they talked and Paul told her jokes making her giggle happily. I knew Brooke would be mad but they were bonding so easily and it made me think that both Paul and Avery had a right to know, but it however wasn't my decision.

"Did you know my mum when she use to live here?" She asked and he noticeably stiffened up but nodded anyways.

"Yeah she was awesome and absolutely beautiful," he gushed.

"Really?"

"Yup, and she always wore two curly pigtails in her hair," he said before grabbing two curls from each side of her head and tugging them making her giggled at his description. I found myself smiling at the two of them before hearing footsteps approach the kitchen. I looked up to see a completely shocked and nervous Brooke appear, I knew she wasn't going to go back to sleep.

"Mummy!" Avery yelled happily.

"Avery!" Brooke yelled back the joy noticeable in her eyes.

"Look I made a new friend Paul," she said excitedly.

"I see," Brooke mumbled and her and Paul exchanged a slight smile. She quickly looked away, though his eyes lingered a bit longer. Last night at the party Paul imprinted on Brooke which was going to make things even harder. I also know another secret that was going to probably piss Brooke off but I'd wait until she was really comfortable before I let it slip. I know she was still hurting and didn't want him in Avery's life but this imprint wasn't going to let her get away. She walked over gracefully and took a seat next to me.

"He said he knew you when you were little," Avery's voice squeaked.

"That's true."

"He also said you always had piggytails," she giggled and Brooke couldn't help but smile which made me and Paul smile, man I loved my little sister.

Brooke

"That's right, grandpa didn't know how to style little girls hair," I responded.

"Well what about grandma?" She asked.

"Baby don't you remember? Grandma lived in Australia," I reminded her and she looked to be in deep thought as Jared and I exchanged a glance.

"But they were married," she challenged.

"Yes they were."

"And they loved each other," she stated.

"Yes they did," I whispered hoping her questions would stop there, but I was unfortunate.

"Then why did grandma live so far away?" Her question was innocent enough but tears still filled my eyes at her hurtful question. The memory of my mother leaving us when I was eight because my dad pushed her away hit me hard. They had a huge fight and she left, she wanted to take us with her but dad wouldn't allow it. Am I doing that to my daughter? Is it right for me to keep her from Paul just because he hurt me? "Mum?" Her voice rang interrupting my thoughts. I realized I was stuck in my memories and sucked back my tears as I tried to smile at her.

"Yes love?"

"Did I make you sad?" She pouted and I reached across the table and held her small hand in mine.

"Of course not, when you think about it grandma and grandpa are just like the Queen and King I tell you about in the story," I told her and she thought about it for a moment.

"But instead of the King leaving the Queen the Queen left the King?" She finally answered making Jared and Paul look at me confused but I just kept my eyes on her proud that she was very bright for her age.

"Exactly," I praised.

"But mum if they loved each other why would they stay so far away?" I bit my lip as I racked my brain trying to quickly think of an answer. It was hard being that the subject of my parents marriage was difficult for me to talk about. Though here I sat at the age of twenty-three trying to explain to my six year old why her grandparents loved each other but didn't live together. It was these trying moments where I wish I could opt out as the adult and just simply reply I don't know ask your granddad. But then what example would I be setting for Avery?

"Av, sometimes when two people love each other- well they- Grandma-" I trailed off stuttering as I tried to contain my emotions. I quickly put a smile on my face deciding that changing the subject would clear me from saying something stupid. "You know what? How about you go pick out your favorite outfit and I'll run your bath and we can go visit grandpa?"

"Ok!" She yelled all previous thoughts forgotten. She jumped out of her chair and hugged Jared. "Thanks for making pancakes with me," then she ran and hugged Paul and my heart immediately ached, "thanks for becoming my new friend Paul."

"Thanks for being mines Avery," he said and she smiled at him again before running upstairs to her room. I sighed rubbing my aching eyes as Jared rubbed my back.

"You ok?" He asked knowingly, our parents relationship was a touchy subject.

"Yeah it just gets hard when she asks questions like that, I never know what to say," I tell him.

"She's a very bright girl," Paul chimed in.

"Thanks," I said avoiding all eye contact with him as I stood up to leave.

"Brooke I was hoping we could talk," Paul begged more than asked which stopped me in my tracks.

"We don't have anything to talk about," I quickly respond turning to look at him which unfortunately made my heart flutter.

"I know I hurt you-"

"Hurt me?" I asked sarcastically cutting him off, "you practically destroyed me but don't worry. In the end it wasn't me who missed out it was you," I raged losing my temper with him as he stared at me with a confused expression on his face.

"Missed out?" He repeated and I immediately shut my mouth before I said anything else incriminating and left the kitchen, in a hurry to get away from my past.

After Avery had her bath she put on some blue jeans and her pink hello kitty shirt with matching pink flats. Her hair was uncontrollably curly so I just put a pink headband around the front to keep them out of her face. I then myself got dressed in some jeans a white tank top and flats and then we headed back downstairs where Paul and Jared sat.

"Can I borrow your truck for today?" I asked Jared nicely whilst batting my eyelashes.

"Yeah sure I can ride with Paul to um- work," he stuttered which I ignored.

"We're going to see grandpa!" Avery enthused.

"That sounds like fun bug," he said before hugging her. He handed me the keys as she went over to hug Paul. "Don't wreck my baby, hey wait! don't they drive on the opposite side in Australia?" He questioned with wide eyes.

"Maybe," I winked at him and he frowned as I took Avery's hand and left. Dad didn't live that far away, I called to let him know we were here. He told me he'd be at the lake in the woods behind his house fishing. I led Avery through the woods that I practically grew up in with Jared. Man we did some bad things out here, plotting against people and even lighting a few trees on fire. Hey don't judge us, we were kids and it was almost always Jared's fault. I spotted dad in the clearing sitting on the deck with Billy and Charlie his best friends, fishing away.

"Grandpa!" Avery yelled as she ran into his awaiting arms and I just smiled at the sight making my way towards them.

"Hey Brooke it's good to see you again," Charlie said.

"You too Charlie," I said giving him a quick hug. I then waved at Billy which he returned.

"Sorry I couldn't make your party I was working," he apologized.

"You still a cop?" I asked.

"Yeah I'm the sheriff now," he said proudly and I gave him a pat on the shoulder.

"Congratulations!"

"Thank you. So you met my daughter Bella right?"

"Yea she's pretty cool."

"Good, I hope you two can become friends she doesn't have many," he said with a worried expression and I nodded in understanding. Avery hopped over towards us with a huge smile on her face.

"Hi I'm Avery and I'm six," she said making him chuckle.

"It's nice to meet you I'm Charlie, did you come here to fish?"

"Well I don't know how to but I can learn," she expressed eagerly.

"You sure can, here let me show you." I watched as they walked closer to the dock with Billy and I smiled before going over to dad and hugging him.

"She's just like you Brooke, confident and excited about everything but she definitely has Paul's determination," he said and I stiffened at his words, slightly frowning.

"Dad-" I started but was cut off.

"When are you going to tell him?" He asked me annoyed.

"I don't plan to," I responded back just as annoyed. He looked at me with disappointing eyes before looking back at Avery and sighing.

"Don't be selfish Brooke I didn't raise you to be that way," he said and I looked at him in disbelief.

"How am I being selfish?"

"You're making it about you instead of your daughter," he hissed.

"I am not!" I didn't want to yell or argue with him but I was slowly losing my patience with this whole subject. I decided not to tell him so everybody should just live with my choice. Avery is my daughter and I will protect her no matter what, so if that's what being selfish is then hell yeah I'm selfish.

"Don't be like me," he whispered startling me and making me look at him surprised at his now softer tone. "I made your mother leave because of a fight we had and I regretted it every day since."

"Dad?" I all but whispered surprised he was actually talking about mum.

"How did you feel those few years without a mother?"

"I didn't like it," I slowly answered, "I was depressed at first because I didn't have a mother to shop with or do my hair or talk to about boys with." I spent every other day mad at her and then my dad, too young and confused to understand who's fault it was.

"You eventually moved down there with her but Jared was still here without a mom how do you think he felt?"

"Probably like he was missing something," I responded.

"Which is probably what Avery's feeling though she hasn't mentioned it yet," he said and I sighed knowing where he was going with this.

"We're fine dad I take care of Avery and she's a happy and healthy little girl," I replied confidently.

"I didn't say she wasn't you have done a great job being mom and dad but she does eventually need her dad."

"We don't need him!" I growled trying to keep it down so I wouldn't alarm Avery.

"There you go being selfish again." I just groaned tired of talking about this with him. "It's not about you it's about Avery, you and him don't need to be together he just needs to help you raise her."

"She doesn't need him," I replied tired and refusing to say anything else. He grunted crossing his arms and rolling his eyes.

"You're just as stubborn as your mother but you're grown so do what you want." I nodded and started to walk away. "But just remember this, she's going to want that guy that'll interrogate her boyfriends, see her off to prom and most importantly walk her down the isle. When that day comes, if she finds out that you've kept it from her, your relationship might be the one to suffer." He was right and it seriously pissed me off, I was trying so hard not to cry. All this time I thought I was protecting Avery but am I really depriving her? "Now go on and go hang out or something, I've got Avery for today," he said dismissing me.

"Ok I'll pick her up before dinner."

"Just call first," he said and with that I proceeded to walk away and over to Avery to say goodbye. I stopped again as dad called out to me, "I love you Brooke that's the only reason I'm being tough on you, don't keep that little girl from her father cause you didn't like it when I kept you from your mother."

"I love you too dad," I said ignoring the feelings that bubbled up in me and finally walked away. I tapped Avery on her shoulder as she held onto a fishing rod staring at the water enthusiastically.

"Look mommy I'm fishing," she said excitedly.

"I see baby you're doing great," I told her and she giggled, "I'm going to go run some errands, you stay with grandpa and fish and I'll pick you up later ok?"

"Ok mummy I love you."

"I love you too Princess," I said before kissing the top of her head and saying goodbye to everyone else.

I hurried back to the truck, got in and cried. I cried because I was so angry and hurt by Paul yet my heart kept tugging towards him and on top of that my dad had a good and valid point. Avery should have a dad but I'm just scared he'll turn her away too or hurt her. Then It hurt to talk about mum and dad's relationship, he practically just took the blame when he said I didn't like it when he kept me away from her. I wiped my eyes and took a breath as I texted Emily who told me to come over. I arrived there in about fifteen minutes and she was already standing by the door. She opened her arms to me and I hugged her immediately crying again as she rubbed my back soothing me. Once I was calm we went in the house and painted each others nails as she caught me up on all the gossip. She told me she was with Sam and Leah practically hated her and she felt so bad about it but she had never been more happier in her entire life. After we finished talking I helped her cook a big meal that she said she cooked almost every night for the guys, all I could think was how broke someone would go cooking all this food. We sat everything out and waited for the guys to come. I decided to go pick Avery up so she could eat too but as soon as I got up all the guys piled in at once and they all wanted to converse with me.

"I should go get Avery from dads, I'll be back," I promised them trying to escape.

"Brooke wait!" Jared practically screamed getting everyone's attention. I stopped and looked at his panicked face.

"What's wrong?" I asked confused.

"I'm sure dad will feed her," he lamely suggested making me roll my eyes.

"Come on Jare you remember dads cooking, I want my child to actually enjoy what she eats." I smiled at him but Jared's look of terror made my heart speed up and I immediately got panicky. "Jared?"

"Look Brooke don't freak out ok," he said which immediately made me freak out.

"Why don't you want me to pick Avery up?"

"Because she's not there," he said and my heart instantly dropped.

"Where is my child?" I yelled and he didn't respond. I ran for the keys to his truck but he grabbed my arms stopping me from going anywhere.

"She's safe and I'm going to tell you so just calm down." He tried to sooth me.

"Calm down? That's my daughter! Where is she Jared?" I yelled angrily and he immediately looked at the floor with guilt.

"With Paul," he finally said and before I could stop myself I slapped him across the face. He held his cheek in pain looking at me in shock and then at Sam. I stormed off towards the door and as soon as I opened it Paul walked in holding Avery's hand as they laughed. I immediately grabbed her away from him and pulled her into a hug as tears fell down my cheeks.

"I'm so glad you're ok," I cried.

"I'm fine mummy," she said gently, "after fishing I played catch and hiding go seek with Paul all day. It was so much fun mum." I was pissed as I listened to her. I know my dad had something to do with this but I can't believe Jared went along with it.

"Brooke I'm sorry to have scared you but she was completely safe I promise," Paul said and I glared at him.

"With you? What do you even know about kids?" I said glaring harder into his eyes and he looked remorseful.

"Look I know you're still angry with me and you have every right to be, I was just hoping you could try-"

"Try what Paul? to forget the things you've said to me and the way you treated me?" I yelled cutting him off.

"I was wrong and I know you may never forget but I was hoping that maybe you could find it in your heart to forgive me. Then we could maybe start over by becoming friends like me and Avery, right Av?" He said focusing his eyes on her.

"Yeah!" She said happily reaching out to fist bump his outstretched hand but I gently pushed her back and away from him.

"Stay away from her," I growled at him and everyone was quietly watching as I glared at his sad eyes one more time, "and stay away from me." I grabbed her hand and pushed pass him making our way to Jared's truck. I couldn't help but cry as I drove us home, I was just so angry. I didn't want Avery to see me like this but it was uncontrollable. "Maybe we should go back to Australia," I thought out loud.

"No mum! I love it here and I really like Paul," she wined as tears now filled her eyes. My heart broke as I listened to her and more tears fell down my cheeks. "He said he's really sorry for whatever he did," she cried.

"You're too young to understand Avery," I told her and she pouted silently the rest of the way home while I mentally decided that we were going back to Australia. I should have listened to Brandon because he was right, I wasn't ready for this. Once we got in the house I ran up to my room and started packing immediately. I threw in enough clothes for a few days and then went to Avery's room, packing some of her things. I went downstairs to see her crying, she spotted the bags in my hands and her eyes grew wide as she cried even harder.

"Mummy please no! Lets stay!" I kneeled down to her height and held her hands in my own. The look she gave me was breaking my heart into pieces. It's so hard to make decisions like this when they effect another persons life as well.

"I know you're sad right now-"

"Cause I want to stay! Paul said he's sorry mummy please just forgive him!" Before I could say anything else Jared bursted through the front door and spotted the suitcases.

"You're leaving?" He asked. I didn't respond and he looked between Avery and I before walking over, "you just got here Brooke."

"It's hard," I whispered not meeting his eyes.

"You knew it was going to be!"

"No not this hard! Especially with you and dad going against my wishes!" I yelled. He grabbed my hands and looked me in my eyes.

"You know how to make this easier," he whispers and I shake my head no.

"I can't! I won't!" I cried and he held me tight as Avery hugged me around my waist, "I'm still not healed over this, but I swear I thought that I was."

"I know sis and it's because you've been raising Avery," he explains, "you haven't had the time for just you."

"What do I do? I want to be better for her and for me." He pulled away and gave me a sympathetic yet determined look.

"You need to take some time for you," he answered.

"No," I said ending the conversation.

"Brooke-"

"I have a child and my life revolves around her, I decided to have her so I don't get to take time off," I replied offended.

"You could have a mummy trip," Avery chimed in.

"Yeah and I could watch Avery," Jared says agreeing with her and I looked at him like he was crazy. "I'm perfectly capable of watching my niece," he said offended as he rolled his eyes.

"I can't abandon my responsibilities as a mother," I tell him as I grew wary of the conversation.

"No one is going to judge you," he says reassuringly, "everyone knows you're a great mother, look how amazing Avery has turned out." I thought about it and sighed as more tears fell and I slid down the wall landing on the floor. It was silent as I sat there trying to take back control of my emotions and finally make a decision.

"I want to talk to her and see pictures of her everyday," I finally said and Avery jumped up and down happily as Jared smiled down at me. He then took a seat beside me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder letting me lay against his. A small smile formed on my face as Avery sat in my lap.

"Do you want me to tell you a story mummy?" She asked and I nodded.

"I'd love that Princess." She cleared her throat before beginning.

"There once was a Queen by the name of B. Elizabeth-"