Hey everybody!

It's me again. Now, I know I told you I would update once a week, and I want to apologize for the lack of updates. I got a new job and I am still getting use to it.

So here's chapter one! I really do hope you will like this fiction. I've worked on it for years and I promise it's worth the read.

Thank you again to my beta FictionWriter91, you're awesome and I love your style.

And a special hello to my friend Mopargirl, thank you for your support, I love your stories too!

Enjoy your reading!

Pavs.

Chapter one: Looking at the sky, I see a new home

[Gabrielle]

Never in my life would I say that things couldn't get worse. Never again. I was looking at the landscape through the car window as it glided along, hitting the odd bump in the road. I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket and didn't have to look to know it was Mathieu. The two weeks after my mother's funeral had been hell on earth. and then, my ''father'' asked me to join him in his office for a talk.

What's better than sharks waiting for their share of the will? A father that waited a little more than 22 years to tell me he had adopted me to protect my mom's honor, that's what. The conversation we'd had under that tree made so much more sense now. I could understand why he'd done it, and somehow, it made me hate our family and lifestyle even more.

I had spent my entire life wondering why I felt like I didn't belong, why my mother thought I looked so much like my father, and why I always felt like I was being lied to. I inadvertently passed a hand over my thigh and gnashed my teeth. There were consequences to living in a world that didn't want anything to do with you, where you never feel like you're good enough. My habits weren't common knowledge, and I intended to keep it that way.

The car stopped, and I went to the notary's office with the firm intention of getting out as soon as possible. I had had enough of this painful legal process and thought that after the funeral, I should be left alone. Mathieu came in a few seconds later and offered me an apologetic smile.

''I am sorry you had to come back here, and I realize it won't change the fact that we didn't tell you the truth…'' said Mathieu before I interrupted him.

''Was there any problem with the will, selling the property, or the transfer of money?'' I asked.

''No,'' said the notary before looking at Mathieu.

Great. Another secret.

''Then why am I here?'' I asked.

''Mr. Lacasse asked me to do some research and paperwork and…'' the notary started before Mathieu took over.

''Your father is here, and he wants to see you.''

I stopped breathing.

''If you sign these papers, he'll have your legal custody. I understand that you already are of age but…'' Mathieu tried to explain, but I wasn't listening to him, not really.

I got up and went in the waiting room. Meet my father and leave? I looked out the window with the impression that time had stopped. Maybe it was for the best. I wanted to travel, but this city… I looked at the buildings with nostalgia and knew I already had made a decision. A crazy one, but everything was reminding me of my mother and this life and…I could feel the need to leave. Like I knew deep down that it was the right decision.

Nothing here felt like home, not since my mom had passed. I could forgive Mathieu, but I still wouldn't be staying. I heard someone approaching and turned around.

The man in front of me was tall and looked like he wasn't the kind of man you'd want to be mad at you. His black hair was dripping from the snow, and his dark brown eyes gave me the impression that they'd seen much more than they should have. They were the same color as mine. It was the only physical trait we had in common. The hair, I had mine brown like my mom, and I was definitely smaller than him.

''You're Gabrielle?'' he asked with a deep voice that made him even more intimidating if it was possible.

''And you are my father,'' I answered, He nodded.

''Barney," he said, extending a hand.

I shook it briefly while he stared at me openly, giving me the impression he was asking himself if any of this was real.

[Barney]

He saw she was getting nervous and smiled at her. She seemed to relax a bit, and he looked her in the eyes. All the insecurity, the pain…she shouldn't have had to go through such hardships in her life, let alone at her age. He felt a wave of paternal love flooding him and knew he wouldn't let anything happen to her. Never again. He would help her get through it, like any good father would. He should have been there, and he would have if he'd known. He wasn't one to run away from responsibilities.

''Thank you for coming to get me,'' she said, and he raised an eyebrow, surprised by her words.

''It was the only thing to do,'' he replied honestly.

''Not everyone thinks that way, so thank you,'' she said before offering him a sincere smile.

He felt his heart warming. She had a beautiful smile, and he hoped she'd never lose it again. She seemed very mature too, all things considered. The office door opened, and Mathieu walked towards them. He looked at Barney, and Gabrielle could see a flash of anger in Barney's eyes.

''Please, take care of her,'' he simply stated, and Barney nodded, giving Gabrielle the feeling it was the only way for him to remain polite.

Mathieu did take his daughter away from him after all. He turned to Gabrielle and hugged her before wishing her good luck. Her adoptive father left then, and a tear rolled down the young woman's cheek. Barney put a hand on her shoulder, and she looked at him with a surprised look. She then hurried to wipe her tears and looked down as if she was expecting to be admonished.

Barney ground his teeth as he understood her reaction. She wasn't used to being taken care of, not like that. He felt like he was seeing himself a couple of years ago when his own father told him that emotions were excuses for the weak.

''You good?'' he asked, and she looked at him again with such relief that Barney felt his heart tighten.

She nodded, and he held the door to the notary's office for her. They signed the paperwork and left.

[Gabrielle]

The taxi stopped in front of the hotel, and I could see the by the look on Barney's face that he wasn't expecting this.

''Mathieu insisted,'' I explained.

An employee came to greet us at the door and looked at Barney like he shouldn't be there. I cleared my throat, and he snapped out of it, stepping aside to let us pass.

''Sorry about that,'' I said.

''Don't worry about it, kid. This is a…nice place?'' he said, looking around him with a mixture of exasperation and disdain on his face.

I couldn't stop myself from laughing.

''I'd say they're overdoing it, but with that echo they'd hear me from outside,'' I said, and he laughed too.

We went on the elevator, and I smiled. He didn't look like anyone I'd ever met. We got to my room, and I started packing.

''We don't have to leave now. You can take your time if you need to,'' he said while he was looking at my bottle of whisky.

''Thank you, but I think I'm ready to go now. It's kind of weird considering the fact that we just met, but still, I could use a fresh start, '' I said, taking the bottle to make myself a drink.

''That bad huh?'' he whispered, and I sighed.

''Look, I am not good at talking about this kind of stuff, or at all, but I'll try.'' I said before putting my now empty glass down. ''My mother was the only one keeping me here. Mathieu tried, but after this I… This family is killing me. I think they killed her too somehow. The good part of her, I mean. I don't want that happening to me.''

I could see the concern in his eyes, but I was just not ready to get that personal yet.

''All the memories I have of her are tainted by them. I…I don't want to end up like her. I loved her, and I know she loved me, but I can't be her. And I think she wouldn't want me to be either. Plus, I want to get to know you. If it's ok with you, of course. She always told me that I looked like my father, I just didn't know it was you.'' I added, and he smiled.

[Barney]

He was about to tell her that he'd tell her whatever she wanted to know before he stopped himself. He couldn't tell her, not yet. He would—it was obvious she'd been lied to way too much— but when the time was right. Not here, not like that.

''I can't tell you everything will be perfect, but I can promise you that I'll do my best,'' he told her. ''And well, I guess time will help.''

She looked satisfied with his answer, and they both got up to take her things and leave.

.

They arrived at the plane, and Gabrielle couldn't stop herself from staring.

''It works you know?'' Barney commented in a mocking tone.

''Oh, I am not judging. I am admiring, '' she answered, and Barney smiled. '' This is amazing. Where is the pilot?''

''Right here,'' Barney said while opening the door.

''Wow. That's awesome,'' Gabrielle said, clearly impressed.

Barney laughed thinking about all the complaining he got from the boys when he had bought Santa.

''So, how do you fly this thing?'' she asked while sitting in Lee's seat.

He looked at her with a smile and started to explain every step to her.

[Gabrielle]

I listened to him very carefully, trying to memorize each step. I couldn't hold back a smile, thinking that it was the first time my upbringing, or even the fact that I was a woman, wasn't mentioned. Barney had just been happy to share his knowledge with me.

I felt something deep down inside me wanting to trust him. It would take a lot of work, but maybe it would be worth it. Barney finished his explanations, and I looked at the sky. My head was empty of thoughts for the first time in years. I was going home. I didn't know what it would be like or what would happen next, but it would be home nonetheless.