AN: Okay, so go ahead and kill me. This chapter is TWO WEEKS LATE!! gahhhh!! Anyways there's some important stuff to discuss here. Numero Uno: I have changed the title of this story to... Vulnerable! Also I will have real chapter names!! yayyyy!! On top of this chapter being late it's also short. sigh. All dedications at the bottom... now read. I'm serious 123 go! :)

Song for this chapter: Vulnerable by Second Hand Serenade

Disclaimer: I'm obviously not Stephenie Meyer, if I was I would be able to meet deadlines, but I can't. sigh.

Chapter 3

Claire POV

"Drew! Come help me move this box!" I called from my old room. Today was the day Lily and I would officially move into Quil's house. I heard someone come up behind me, and I turned around, expecting to find my best friend.

"Claire, please don't do this," my mother begged as soon as I faced her. The way she looked at me, eyes full of love and concern, made me second guess myself.

I shook my head sadly. "Mom, I just need a break," I whispered. "Please understand." I desperately needed her to understand where I was coming from.

"I think I do understand a little," she admitted. Immediatly, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. "No mother wants to loose both of her little girls though," she murmured, tears spilling out of her eyes.

Moving quickly, I ran to put my arms around her. "This isn't permenant," I promised. "Lily and I just need time."

She nodded, and after disentangling herself from my embrace, left the room.

"Claire?" Quil's voice sounded from just outside the door. He walked into the room, and my heart began to pound wildly.

"Hey." I smiled at him, though I was sure it didn't reach my eyes. "Can you help me move this box?" I could tell he wanted to question me about my mood, but he didn't push it, and for that I was greatful. After many tear filled nights I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't let anyone see me cry; talking about the recent converstaion with my mother would surely bring on the waterworks.

"Sure, sure," he murmured. He picked up the box I had been struggling with for over an hour easily with one hand. I glared at him, and he chuckled as he grabbed another box and waltzed effortlessly out the door and down the stairs.

The rest of the day passed in the same manner. All of us "kids" would struggle with numerous boxes then Quil would come in and grab them without a problem and toss them in the back of his truck. I soon found myself at Quil and Embry's small house unpacking boxes.

I was unloading my books onto the shelves Quil had built when I heard the front door open and slam shut. Curious, I walked out of my room and into the hallway.

"Uncle Jake!" I yelled, throwing myself at the tall, handsome, dark skinned man standing just inside the doorway.

"Hey there Claire-Bear," he chuckled, wrapping his arms around me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"What? I can't come home and visit my family?" Mock hurt spread over his face. "I haven't been home in forever! I missed you guys! Plus, Dad told me we were having a famous La Push bonfire tomorrow night." Ah, that was why he was here. Aunt Emily's cooking.

"I'm so glad you're back!" I couldn't get rid of the stupid smile that had spread across my face when I'd first layed eyes on him.

"Jacob! Hey bro!" Quil called as he sauntered through the back door.

Uncle Jake dropped me and ran to embrace to Quil in a brotherly hug.

"Um, ouch," I complained. I looked up at the tow men who'd been the closest thing I'd had to a father figure, talking animatedly. They looked like little kids. "Hello?" I tried calling their attention to my current position on the floor, but they continued to ignore me. Realizing they weren't going to help me, I huffed and pulled myself to my feet. "Alright guys, I'm going to keep unpacking." No response. I rolled my eyes at their immaturity. Knowing this would only get worse when Embry got home, I decided to go get Lily from Andrew's house. She'd never been one for physical activity so I'd let her stay at Drew's while I unpacked. "Bye kids," I called as I skipped out the door. That got their attention.

"Wait! Claire, where are you going?" Quil asked, jogging up behind me.

"Oh! Now you care! I'm going to get Lily," I replied cooly.

"Can I go? Please?" Jacob asked, bouncing on his heels. I wondered, briefly, where he'd picked up that habit.

"Sure thing, Uncle Jake."

"Yes!" He pumped his fist in the air and ran to his old 1996 Voltswagon Rabit.

"Why are you so excited?" I giggled.

"Because, I get to see Drew and Lily," he smiled. "I practically raised those kids," he murmured with a faraway look in his eyes.

"There'll be time for reminiscing later," I sighed in impatience.

"Yeah, you're right," he smiled at me again. I'd always loved his smile; it reminded me of dawn breaking over the horizon.

I situated myself in the front seat and we took off to Andrew's house. The ride was filled with mindless chatter about school, life, and Jake's new life in Alaska. I found myself telling him about the divorce and moving in with Quil. Soon enough we pulled into Drew's driveway.

Lily's head appeared in the window and her face lit up.

"Uncle Jake!" She bolted out the front door and sprung into his arms.

"Lily!" He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.

I chuckled and leaned back against the car. Andrew appeared in the doorway, strolling casually towards us. Then his eyes landed on Jacob.

"Jake?" He blinked quickly. "Is that you?"

"Sure is, little man!" Jake replied walking towards him to engulf him in a hug. Drew pulled away from him and jogged over to me, his eyes glistening with excitement.

"Hey, Claire," he extended his arms towards me. I smiled and stepped into his embrace, breathing in his familiar scent of the ocean and Axe soap. He'd always provided comfort for me. He kissed the top of my head, tapped the tip of my nose lightly, and bounced back over to Jake.

"As great as all this reunion stuff is," I began, clearing my throat to get everyone's attention, "but, I'd like to see Dad before he leaves." He'd told us soon after we'd moved out that he'd be moving to New York. My mind strayed back to that horrid night from two weeks ago.

Flashback

"I'm so glad we worked everythingout," my mother sighed as she pulled my sister and I closer.

"Since we're all together," my dad began hesitantly. "I want to tell you girls that I'm moving to New York."

My first instinct was to go into shock, but instead I chocked out, "Why?"

"Well I can't stay here," he said as if it was obvious.

"But that's all the way across the country," Lily whispered through the tears that threatened to spill out of her cocoa colored eyes.

"I know, but it's for the best."

End flashback

I hadn't realized the tears I'd been trying so desperately to hold back had overflowed from my eyes until I felt too-warm arms wrap around me.

Leaning my head against Jake's chest, I began to wipe away my tears. I mentally kicked myself for showing this weakness.

"If you want to see Daddy we need to go now," Lily murmured.

"I'll wait in the car," Jacob promised.

I stole one last glance at the safety and comfort of Drew's house and walked quickly over to my old home. Using the key under the flowerpot I let myslef and Lily in.

Dad came down the stairs with his bags just as we entered, but promptly dropped them when he saw us. He ran and embraced us. This shocked me; my dad isn't nor has he ever been an emotional man.

"You know this will all work out in the end," he whispered confidently in our ears.

We both nodded. "I know Daddy. I trust you," Lily responded.

"I know I haven't always been the best dad to you two, but I want you to know that you girls are the best thing that's ever happened to me."

He was right. He hadn't always been there, but regardless he was my dad. Love and respect for my dad swelled in my heart. I could only hope that he would continue to be the same man he was right now.

"I'll miss you girls," he whispered before kissing our cheeks and picking up his bags. "Goodbye girls. I'll see you soon," he paused for a moment before adding, "I love you."

We told him the same and watched hom drive off before climbing Jake's car. I waved goodbye to Andrew as we drove by and we sped towards Quil's house. Our house.

The ride was silent except for the occasional sniffle from Lily.

As soon as the car came to a stop at the familiar faded house I leapt from my seat, eager for the comfort Quil provided.

He came out of the house to greet us, and I jumped into his arms and cried. I couldn't believe I was showing this weakness again. I heard him mumble something to Jake, Embry, and Lily before carrying me inside. Warmth engulfed me and I realized Quil had layed me on his bed and wrapped his arms around me. "Thank you," I choked out. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Anything for you," he whispered against my hair. "Why don't you take a nap?" he suggested. "You look exhausted."

"Will you be here when I wake up?"

"Yes," he chuckeld.

I began to drift off to sleep. I thought I heard Quil whisper, "I'll be here forever."

But it was probably just my imagination.

AN: On top of this chapter being late it's also short!! Thanks to everyone who reviewed and my beta BEtwilightLOVE. Now I have two questions for you:

1) Do you want Claire to find out about Quil in the next chapter or do you want me to stretch it out a bit further?

2) Do you want the Cullen's to make a guest appearance in this story?

Alright kids, it's all up to you!! So... go press that pretty lavender button! Now! 123 go!

yours forever.

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