Isabelle was completely in shock about what had just happened between her and Sweet Pea. He'd confessed his love for her, which in her opinion was uncalled for and could have just been a way to get her to stay. She wasn't sure how to respond so she ran. Isabelle soon ended back up at her house, and nervously crept in the front door. Everything looked like it had gone back to normal, the coffee table had been cleaned up, the holes in the wall covered with pictures hanging in front of them.

"Mom?" she called out, and a scent of bacon wafted from the kitchen and to Isabelle's nose.

"In here!" came her mother's voice.

She turned the corner into their small kitchen to find her mother flipping pieces of bacon in a pan, but Rick was nowhere to be seen.

Everything had gone back to normal, not a word was spoken between Isabelle and her mom about Rick, and she went about minding her own business and not getting in his way over the next couple days. One morning, she had been awakened by a text from Sweet Pea.

'Can I take you for coffee?'

Crap. She had been avoiding him as well as she could, not going out in public much and not replying to his 'Hey,' messages.

Isabelle wasn't really sure where she stood with Sweet Pea now, but it was time to talk. She definitely had recurring feelings for him and decided that it was time to admit it, but hopefully that wouldn't worsen things.

She hastily typed back agreeing to meet with him, and was soon met with a 'Pick you up in 10.'

Isabelle flew out of bed and pulled on a pair of ripped jeans and topped it off with a red plaid shirt hanging over a camisole, and scraped her messy blonde hair back into a bun.

Soon enough Sweet Pea was in her driveway and she bid goodbye to her mother, ignored Rick and made her way out to where Sweet Pea idled his engine.

"Morning," he smiled, handing her a helmet.

"Hi". she returned the smile. She had to pretend that she was okay.

Isabelle clipped her helmet on and climbed on the back of Sweet Pea's bike, grabbing his denim vest on the sides and noticed the two of them were matching in plaid. She stifled a laugh as they pulled out of the driveway and headed down the road.

They soon approached Pop's, parked and made their way inside and picked a booth.

The pair sent their orders away with a waiter, Sweet Pea for a black coffee and Isabelle for a tea with milk and a sprinkle of sugar.

"I wanted to talk to you about the other day." Sweet Pea said before they could fall into an uncomfortable silence.

"There's nothing to talk about, Pea. Everything's fine at home."

"Yeah till the next time Rick doesn't get his own way, takes a swing at you or your mom and you end up back at my door." Sweet Pea shot back.

"I won't come back to your trailer if that's what your worried about." Isabelle replied, rubbing her eyes as if she had a headache.

"Isabelle, I'm worried about you. I want you to come back to my trailer, it's safer there. It's safer where he can't touch you." he replied, but quickly silenced and thanked the waiter as he brought back their tea and coffee.

The waiter left, and Isabelle had her chance to reply.

"Do you want me to just abandon my mother, Sweet Pea?" she asked, astonished and wrapping her cold, shaking hands around the warm mug of tea.

"No, your mother will be fine. I've been there, I know that you're the reason Rick gets set off, and maybe that would happen less if you're not around."

"Are you saying I'm the bomb that could hurt my mother? Because if so, that's low, Pea."

"Then I guess I'm low to the floor, Iz. Look, you know what happened with me years ago, and I'm done letting you live what I did. I couldn't escape. I'm giving you the opportunity to escape." Sweet Pea sighed, throwing his offer on the table as he sipped his coffee. He slid his fingers across the table guiding a set of house keys, the keys to his trailer.

Isabelle stared for a minute, observing the rings that entrapped his large fingers, each one with different meanings and not just to deliver a harder punch in a fight.

She knew he was right, deep down. She took a sip of her hot tea, her eyes still on the keys that sit before her. Isabelle thought about it, she really did. She wanted to stay with Sweet Pea, but would her mom be safer with her gone?

"Tell you what, Sweet Pea. Even though it's none of your business, I don't want to live with my mother and Rick, but I can't just freeload at your trailer. That's not fair to you." Isabelle finally spoke, seriousness in her voice.

"I'll help you get a job, to pay rent." Sweet Pea offered, leaning forward on his elbows on the table.

Having exhausted all other options and putting up enough of a fight, Isabelle finally pulled the set of keys from the middle of the table.

"Fine," she sighed. "I'll come live with you." it was for her mother's safety, not hers. It was her mother that mattered, not her. She kept reminding herself.

"Thank you, Iz." Sweet Pea rubbed a hand over his face.

"I don't know why you're thanking me, I'm not easy to live with." Isabelle grinned playfully, taking another sip from her tea. "How will I get my stuff to your place?"

"We can take my truck. Don't worry about it, I'll

wait outside if you need me." Sweet Pea shrugged.

"Can I finish my tea first?" she raised a brow.

"You and your tea. Yeah, go ahead." Isabelle watched as a lazy smile appeared on Sweet Pea's perfectly shaped lips, and she observed his eyes as he gazed out the window of the diner. Why he was protecting her and willing to become roommates was beyond her. Things hadn't exactly ended nicely between them, but that would have to be discussed later.

After many more sips of tea and coffee and some small talk about where Isabelle could put her stuff, the two paid the waiter for their hot beverages and rode back to Sweet Pea's trailer, switching out his bike for an old beat up truck that he had been working on. It didn't work the greatest, but it would do the trick.

The two soon pulled up in front of the small house Isabelle called 'home'.

"You stay here, I'll be right back." Isabelle instructed, hopping out the passenger door.

"Just yell if you need me." Sweet Pea nodded, throwing a quick salute for good measure.

Isabelle rolled her eyes and took off inside, not hearing her mother or Rick around. She quickly grabbed a back pack and an her old art bag, tucking in folded shirts and pairs of jeans, some underwear and bras and books, her skincare products, and her laptop charger. Isabelle grabbed her wallet that contained the little money she had to her name, her pair of running sneakers and finally, her yoga mat and healing crystals. After three loads of items were taken to the truck, she returned to write her mother a note, but found her seated on the back deck.

"Mom? I didn't know you were home. I'm going to stay at a friends house for a few nights, okay?" Isabelle said through the screen door.

"Whatever, see you when I see you." her mother waved a hand dismissively. Suddenly Isabelle had no regret in leaving.

She heaved herself into Sweet Pea's truck with a sigh and rubbed a hand over her face, hoping to seem tired rather than upset to Sweet Pea.

"Got everything?" he asked, pulling away and down the road.

"Yeah, I've got it all." she replied, and leaned her head against the window.

"I'm sorry you had to do this, I'm just glad you're going to be safe." She eyed her arms where the glass had been. All was left were healing lines of red, the bandages having been removed a couple of days ago.

"Let's not talk about that anymore, Pea." Isabelle declared, pulling her sleeves back down over her arms.

"Fair enough. So, now for a job search. Have you thought about Pop's?" he asked, glancing sideways at the girl.

"Me, a waitress? Not sure if you knew, I'm clumsy." she laughed, and Sweet Pea joined in.

"You're right." he chuckled. "Remember the time we were down at Fangs' basement and you slipped down the stairs, landing on your ass with your beer spilt all over your face?"

Isabelle's eyes widened and she laughed harder. "Hey! That was Fangs' fault. He tripped me!"

"If that's what you claim, Princess." Sweet Pea retorted, and it was then that Isabelle and he had slipped back into their old ways. It felt like they had never left one another's side.

Silence fell upon them soon as they carted Isabelle's belongings inside and into Sweet Pea's bedroom. He had already cleared a section of his closet and some drawers, hoping she would eventually give in and come stay with him.

While they unpacked, Isabelle sighed.

"Pea, we need to talk about us." she turned to him as he hung up one of her sweaters in his closet.

"Well, you already know how I feel about you." he shrugged, placing the hanger on the rod.

"Are you sure you weren't just saying that to get me to stay with you?" she asked, refolding a pair of jeans and sticking them inside one of her designated drawers.

"I'm positive, Why would I lie about that?" Sweet Pea came to stand in front of her, and pulled her wrists until they were both seated on their now shared bed. "I'd like to know how you feel."

"I've never stopped loving you, Pea, you were my first everything." she shrugged. "But do you want to get back together?"

"I really do." he replied, meeting her gaze.

"Then let's work on it. We can start over brand new, have dates and be open and most importantly, spend time with each other." Isabelle decided.

Sweet Pea cupped her face in his large hands, pulling her in for a kiss. "Anything for you, Iz. I won't fuck up this time."

Isabelle sighed against his mouth, giving in as he pressed sweet, soft kisses upon her lips.

It was then she knew for sure, their spark hadn't really burned out.

A/N: fluffy and romantic!! hope you enjoyed! xo B