Hey Guys! So finally I'm updating a story. Dedicated to Mak for her birthday! I hope I still have the ship writing ability. I wrote this during Choir. R&R and enjoy! Hugs.

The day wasn't as nice as it had been lately. It was raining on the verge of pouring. This meant Bill didn't go for his usual morning jog. Instead he got up to read and maybe even answer the growing file that was his email inbox. His niece had been staying with them for a week now and in another week she would begin school for the first time in Vermont. Bill didn't realize how difficult Malia staying with them would be. He didn't know the first thin about taking care of a 15 year old girl. He thought about this as he logged in and automatically deleted the junk folder in his email. Bill figured all he could do was try his hardest to understand was Malia was going through; though she probably wouldn't think so, he'd had his fair share of hardships too. He clicked away at the junk in his inbox that had unfortunately gotten past the filter. As he was deleting these messages he came across one message that wasn't junk, but it caught his eye. It was from a "John Smith", but this wasn't what had surprised him, the subject of the message was Jack. Bill immediately clicked on the message. The email read:

Bill,

Hope everythings alright. I have something urgent to discuss with you, but I need to speak with you in person. Meet me tomorrow at the Boatsmen Cafe, don't tell anyone where you're going, not even Karen.

Jack.

PS-Erase this. You know what to do.

And Bill did. But before erasing it, he looked at when the message had been sent, yesterday. This meant he'd have to meet Jack tonight. As much as he didn't want to, he'd have to come up with a significant lie to tell Karen. He didn't bother checking any other messages, he was too busy pondering what it was Jack wanted to talk to him about.

He needed coffee. Bill got up and walked downstairs to the kitchen, where he became surprised again. Malia was sitting at the table.

"Hi Uncle Bill," she said in a cheerful tone, but Bill could tell something was off.

"Hey, what are you doing up so early?" he asked her.

"I didn't feel like sleeping. I thought you'd be running," she informed her uncle.

"Are you kidding? It's pouring outside," he said.

"Aunt Karen says you'll always run rain or shine, her theory was you were already old and running, so being wet, old and running wasn't going to change anything," she said.

Bill's mouth opened in that I'm-slightly-offended kind of way.

"Her words, not mine," she smirked.

"Whatever. So why didn't you want to sleep?" he inquired.

"It's not that I didn't want to, I guess I just couldn't," she said, her previous smile disappearing.

"Is something bothering you?" he asked.

Malia gave no answer.

"Malia, honey you know you can talk to me," he told her.

"I know. I'm just not sure what is bothering me. And that's exactly what's bothering me."

Bill gave out a laugh and smiled, "wow, you are my niece. So confused, and confusing."

"Uncle Bill..." she trailed off.

"What is it?"

"Um...can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"Have you ever met my dad?"

Bill had to admit, he hadn't been exspecting that. He swallowed hard and looked his niece in the eyes.

"Yes."

"What is he like?"

"Your mother could answer that question better than me," he stated.

"But I can't ask her," she replied.

"Why not?"

"It would upset her."

"I promise it wont. She just wants you to open up," he informed her.

"Okay."

"You can call her later okay?"

"Okay."

"I'll make breakfast. Go wake up your Aunt Karen," he said, beginning to grin evilly.

"Are you giving me permission?"

"That exactly what I'm doing," he winked.

Malia went upstairs and Bill began breakfast. The next thing he heard was Malia running down the stairs followed by his not so jolly wife.

"Not funny. It's not even 8 yet," she was shouting.

Bill laughed and Malia stood behind him, like she did when she was younger.

"I loathe you both," she grunted.

They ate breakfast, which Karen did very reluctantly.

"I'm going to go get dressed," Malia told them, then ran upstairs.

"So why is Malia up so early?"

"She couldn't sleep."

"I see."

"Yeah, but I think it's going to be okay."

"Good. Now let's get to what's most important," Karen said.

"And that would be?"

"How I'm going to kill you and Malia."

"And with that note I'm going to get dressed as well," Bill said.

"Fine. I loathe you though," she said.

"I love you too honey."

Bill kissed her.

"I guess I could forgive you."

Bill was about to head upstairs, then he turned around. "By the way, I have to go meet an old friend at 7 tonight."

Karen looked puzzled, "what old friend?"

"Not someone you'd know," he said, becoming nervous. Bill knew the trick to a convincing lie was to keep simple.

"Okay, maybe you can pick something up for dinner."

"Sure," he smiled then went upstairs, hoping this wasn't going to blow up in his face.

It's sorta short. Let me know what ya think!

Update of Hello and Not Goodbye is coming soon Palmer.

Much Love