IZZY'S POV

Since Charlie doesn't start work in Mystic Falls for over two weeks we've decided to take our time traveling down. It'll be nice to reconnect with him. I've been living with him since March and I haven't made any effort to be a daughter to him.

"You okay, Bells? You're awfully quiet over there." Charlie - I have to start calling him Dad- pulls me from my thoughts.

"Yeah, Dad. Just thinking about all I've put you through. I am sorry. I'll try to be a better daughter. And no boys will ever get between us." I lean my head over against his shoulder. He tenses slightly before sighing softly.

"You don't need to apologize, hun. If anything I should. I wasn't around enough. We never had any real time to reconnect. The time I spent when I was home was drinking and watching the game. So I guess I'm sorry for not being there for you." Dad shrugs as if it's nothing but I can tell by the mistiness in his eyes that this is hard for him.

"You're here now and that's what counts. You've picked up your roots to make sure I moved on properly. Thank you, Dad." I blush slightly.

"Well, you're welcome. So this is a new start for both of us." He nods to himself.

"Speaking of which, I want to go by something else. I'm tired of being Bella, the human doormat. I want to change. Remember the phase I went through in my early teens? I want to do that." I brace myself.

"You mean when you went goth and forced everyone to call you Izzy? When you went all rebellious on your poor mom? He chuckles.

"Exactly. I want to be someone that nobody messes with. I'm stronger than I thought I was. I want to look it as well." I smile remembering the days when I snuck out and got piercings and all that.

"Alrighty. Let's have some daddy-daughter bonding. When we get to Mystic Falls, we'll go shopping for your new look. That sound good?" He chuckles.

"Thank you so much, Dad. I knew you'd understand." The rest of the trip was spent bonding and learning about one another. It's pretty cool to have a cop as a Dad. I never knew he was trained in Seattle and busted a drug ring.