I had been living with the Cullen's for several days and was beginning to feel more comfortable, though Edward still bothered me, he always seemed to know what someone was about to say before they said it, and more then a few times I had caught both Carlisle and Edward watching me as if I were a particularly infuriating puzzle that neither could solve. Still the day came that I knew would come but had been dreading all the same. "You, could stay here you know." EJ said sensing my mood. He took my hand and turned me to face him my heart raced, I wanted to stay, to freeze this moment and live in it forever, and feeling the heat of his hand enveloping mine the fight to leave was a thousand times more difficult. I could see it very clearly, like a page out of a fairytale. The dream was made of gold and sunlight, the perfect dawn to a perfect eternity, I wanted that future to be with EJ and his strange and lovely family, but my life had never been a fairytale. I pulled my hand from his and turned. I didn't want him to see the tears welling in my eyes. "You'd be happy here," he said his voice shaking ever so slightly "I would keep you safe." I knew he would that in his arms I was safe but who would save my mom? If I was gone that meant he would turn on her I couldn't let that happen. No I needed to go.

"EJ, " I said as calmly as I could "I have to go." I turned toward him

I could feel him start to protest but I held up my hand "Your family is amazing and I will always be grateful for everything but I am needed at home." I said, EJ tensed knowing who would be at home waiting for me. "It isn't always that way." I said defensively.

"HE WHIPPED YOU!" he screamed shaking with rage

"Yes," I whispered

"HOW COULD YOU GO BACK THERE?!"

"I don't expect you to understand." I whispered as a million violent memories raced through my mind.

"I DON'T UNDERSTAND! HOW COULD YOU? DO YOU LIKE LIVING WITH THAT MONSTER?"

"Monster," I whispered, it hadn't always been this way. There was a time when Dad was happy, when he doted on me, called me his perfect princess. But those days were long gone, still I would wait on bated breath to see if my Dad would ever return. Hope can be a vicious thing. "I have to go." I said more resolved this time. He looked at me fear and anger raging in his eyes. I looked up at him "Please?" I said and stood on my tiptoes to brush my lips against his.

After a few minutes he calmed down some. "Edward and I will drive you home." He said before striding angrily out the door.

The short drive back to my house was tense and awkward. I looked out of the window, watching the forest race by, and clutching the bag of clothes that Bella had given to me from her own closet, she seemed all to happy to be rid of them. I felt a little awkward about taking them but she had insisted. Edward pulled into the driveway and I moved to get out but he raised his hand, I looked to EJ confused, but he was staring at Edwards face, intently. Before I could say anything Edward nodded, and EJ sighed visibly relived. He got out and walked around to open my door "Thanks" I mumbled. He made to walk me to the door but I stopped him "I'll be alright," I said nervously I didn't want to make EJ mad again but I couldn't risk pissing my Dad off again. Guessing my thoughts EJ tensed, grinding his teeth together. I needed to get inside quick before something happened so I gathered as much cheer as I could and jumped up and kissed him squarely on the lips, before I turned and jogged to my front door calling "See you at school" over my shoulder.

Once inside I let the smile fall from my face. I raced upstairs to throw my goodie bag under my bed before finding Mom. "Mom?" I said walking into the kitchen but she wasn't there. I took the stairs two at a time "Mom?" I called a little louder. Hesitating for only the briefest of moments I pushed open the door to their bedroom. I sighed with relief she was sound asleep. I pulled the cover up over her shoulder and kissed her forehead "I'm home Mom." She shifted in her sleep, I smiled and walked back down to the kitchen to make dinner, deciding to make my Dad's favorite meatloaf and green beans, hoping that the treat would help win me some forgiveness.

He never came. All night I waited in my room for the sound of him stumbling up the stairs, but it never came, and Mom never woke. I eventually I made my way to the window and eased it open. I grabbed the blanket off my bed and climbed out of the window, and sat down on the roof and looked up at the rarely seen sky. I sighed and thought of my days with the Cullen's. Everyone was so kind, Bella had cooked EJ and I breakfast every morning, though never eating herself, I had asked her about this several times trying to figure out if she was vegan, or vegetarian, but I could never get a straight answer out of her. After watching how she doted on EJ after several days I realized that the fondness I had originally seen her express toward EJ was more maternal then lustful which made me relax some when I saw EJ regard her in the same way. The dynamic between the three men was even more interesting, EJ often looked up to Edward and Carlisle as if both were he father. I asked about it several times but didn't get far, only that EJ had lost his parents in a car accident, and that he had been sent to live with Edward who, barely in 18 at the time, did not feel he could care for EJ properly and so had asked if Carlisle would help raise EJ. I shivered and wrapped the blanket more tightly around me. I knew that there were still family I hadn't met Alice seemed to be a favorite along with Esme, Carlisle's wife. It was a mix matched bunched but all seemed to love one another fiercely. I leaned back against the window and stared up at the sky. For the first time I felt at peace, hopeful even though this hope was new and strange, as it was not yet tainted with dismay.

I woke with the sun the next morning, trying to remember how I'd gotten back inside. I stretched and winced, still sore, and dressed quickly. I had missed three days of school during my sojourn at the Cullen's and didn't want to miss anymore school. I checked in on Mom who was still fast asleep before I left, the meatloaf in the fridge still untouched from last night. I stopped just outside the door when I remembered my bike, I had left it in EJ's car, I was going to have to walk to school. I grabbed my backpack opting to carry it by the handle, and started toward school. I didn't even make it to the end of the block when a familiar CRV pulled up next to me. "Need a ride?" EJ asked laughing I hopped in. "Feel like ditching?" he asked

I laughed and shook my head "We missed three days already!" I said

He smiled and ran his fingers down my jaw "I bet I could think of a few reasons to miss four." His voice husky

"I bet you could," I breathed both laughing and wishing like hell I'd give in.

"Are you sure? There's a meadow I know, we could…"

I laughed and leaned forward kissed him "I bet you know a thousand places." I giggled "But" I dragged " we really should go to school." I kissed him again.

He nodded "As you wish my lady." He winked at me.