Bella's POV

The morning after the funeral I get up super early to try to decide what to wear.

"Mama!" Amelia comes running in and starts bouncing on the bed.

"Come on Mel, stop bouncing."

"No Mel. Amelia." She says Amelia really slow like I'm dumb. She's only 3!

"Sorry Amelia, stop bouncing! Which shirt do you like better?" She points to the baby blue one and I think what the heck? Why not take advice from the 3 year old?

I grab her off the bed and carry her to the kitchen to make her breakfast.

"Wow Bella you look um wow. You know this is a garage, you know mostly guys? I don't think you need to look that um… hot."

"Amelia picked it." I defend myself. "But I don't want to look like I'm trying to slut myself into a job."

"Slut yourself? Is that really a thing?" Now he's cracking up.

I throw a spoon at him and he starts laughing even harder because Amelia scolds me for throwing things.

"Seriously though? Do I look that bad?" I try again.

"You look good. I just worry about you. The guys that work there are all good guys though. Well except for maybe Paul. Watch out for Paul. Oh and I have to work today so my dad will keep Amelia. He doesn't mind keeping her once you get the job either."

"If." I correct him.

"You'll get the job Bella. Paul for whatever thinks you're good for it and he's second in charge over there. You're good."

I still have about an hour before I have to go so I sit with Amelia while she watches some super lame kid show and draws picture after picture.

Finally it's time to go and she kisses me goodbye and Jake hugs me and wishes me luck. It's a short drive and it's even closer to my house. My parents' house, Amelia's house. Jake is trying to convince me to move in with him and Billy but it's so cramped.

I park and then walk in slowly. I've had jobs before but it never really mattered before. But now I have a little girl to support. And while I know there are people that want to help us I don't want to need help.

"Bella, you made it. Good first step. Come on back and I will introduce you to Sam, the owner." Paul greets me as soon as I walk in. What a jerk.

"Sam this is Bella, Jake's Bella with the kid." He tells this total hottie and it takes me a minute to focus.

"Um, not Jake's Bella. Just Jake's best friend." I mumble.

"Well not Jake's Bella nice to meet you. I'm Sam obviously. Paul told me about you. Just got into town, need a job. Pretty sure you can read, type, do basic math and pretend to like everyone seem to be your qualifications." He laughs as I glare at Paul. "So if you want the job it's yours. The pay is decent I think. $13 an hour. The hours are 8 am to 6pm Tuesday through Saturday. with an hour lunch. I know you have a little girl so let me know if something comes up. I get that kids get sick and all that. I'm flexible as long as you work hard. Good?"

Sounds awesome.

"Definitely, when can I start?" I ask.

"Well we need you as soon as possible so just as soon as you can make plans for your little girl."

"She's taken care of. So tomorrow?" I try not to sound too eager but I really need to money but he just laughs and says that's fine.

"Thank you so much. Both of you." And I feel like a giant weight has been lifted off me and I can't wait to get home to tell Jake and Amelia. Not that Amelia will really care.

I stop on the way home and use some of my last $1oo to buy Wendy's as a celebration. Maybe that's not a celebration to some people but I really love Wendy's.

"So when do you start?" Jake asks me as soon as I walk in and he takes the food from me.

"Tomorrow!" I'm so excited.

"So the shirt paid off?" He laughs but I put on my hurt face and he starts apologizing over and over until I start laughing.

"Wendy's!" Amelia comes running in and grabs the food from Jake.

She really is so much like me.

"So Jake, I'm thinking once I get my first check we will probably move back to the house." He gives me that sad puppy dog look. "It's only a 20 minute drive and Amelia will be staying here during the day so it's not like we won't see you."

"Bella, I just don't know if you're ready. You've been good so far but this is all new. What if she wakes up with a nightmare? You don't know her favorite song. You don't know what foods she'll always eat if she's in a picky mood."

"Then tell me! She's my daughter Jake and you knew from the minute you called me about my parents that this was the plan. I need your support Jake. I need you to tell me all her little issues and her favorite things! Not tell me I'm not good enough!" I'm screaming at him and then I just break down crying and I can't breathe.

"Bella, settle down! I'm sorry, it's OK please just settle down." He's holding me as tight as he can and I slowly regain control of my breathing. "I'm so sorry Bella. I just worry about her just like I worry about you. I don't want to let either of you out of my sight if I don't have too. Your parents were like second parents to me. Your mom was the only mom I had for the last 10 years. Bella, I'm so sorry. I just don't want to let the two of you go. You're a good mom already and you're only going to get better. I love you Bella and I will tell you all her issues and her favorite things. And you know if you need me anytime, even in the middle of the night you can call and I will come."

"I'm sorry I yelled at you Jake. I'm so sorry I never thought about you losing my parents too. You're not going to lose us I promise. I love you too."