I'm ready to go by early next morning. I've been packed and ready for a week.

"What does the letter say to bring?" Charlie asks as he drags out another very ugly, old suitcase from his room. "I don't remember it saying anything when I skimmed it."

I take another quick glance at the letter but like before, it says nothing about what I have to bring with me, or what my duties are, or what to expect when I arrive. I know what career letters look like; they made us read through quite a few in school to prepare us, but all the examples I've read were heavy on the details of the job. This one has absolutely nothing.

"It doesn't say a thing."

It's confusing, but it doesn't really matter. I've never needed many clothes and we've never had that much money to buy knick-knacks. Nearly everything I own fits without too much trouble into the suitcase and I zip it up with a huff.

"There. All done."

Charlie runs his finger over the edge of the suitcase. "I didn't realise how little you had."

"I didn't pack up everything, I still have a couple of clothes I thought you could donate."

"It's not that, Bella." He pauses for a long while, his eyes almost sorrowful as he stares down at it. With a careful hand he unzips it again and picks up a few of my items: jeans, toiletries, converse shoes. "There's nothing in here of any valuable. Nothing to remember me or your mother by. It's all just... so worthless."

"I don't need anything to remember you by. My memories are much more valuable than any keepsake."

"Tell me that again in the future when you need some old rings to pawn off to pay your gambling debts."

"I'm sure I'll be able to pay off my own gambling debts, thank you very much," I laugh, although my smile feels forced.

I'm going to miss him so much. He's my rock, and the only one in the whole world who I can talk to about my true self. My fears for the future and my doubts. I'd be content with being able to speak to my doe while in human form if it were possible, even if all she does is worry about every sound made and talk about how great leaves and fruit taste.

"I'm really going to miss you, Dad," I mumble, taking his hands off my suitcase so I can hug him again. "I don't know if I can do this without you."

"Of course you can, kiddo. You're strong." He hug back is tighter than ever but I don't even care if it leaves bruises. "You promised to call every day too, remember?"

"I don't know if I promised that but I will." Actually, now that I think about a maid might not be able to use her owner's personal line and we were instructed to not bring cell phones. "Or try to."

"That's a promise, then," he insists. I simply nod my head in agreement.

"Let's get your luggage into the car then. Don't want you to miss your ride."

I help him load everything into the cruiser before getting in and buckling up.

According to my train times printed on the career letter, I have a midday one out but we just sit in the car not moving.

"I went out to the jewelers early this morning." Charlie says and opens the glove box. "Glad I did now that I see you don't have much else."

"Oh, Dad. You didn't," I say as he pulls out a long, thin black box.

My eyes water when he gently hands it to me. With a little trepidation I open the velvet box and release a small gasp upon the sight of the long, delicate chain lying inside. I'm not much of a jewelry sort of girl, but it's beautifully feminine, gorgeous, and much too expensive for someone on his salary.

"You know I didn't... I love it. Thank you so much."

Charlie's a proud man of little means and I know this wasn't an easy purchase for him, so I tamper down any thoughts of protest that cross my mind. I pick it up softly, so very carefully, and drape it over my left hand. The gold is wonderfully cold. At the very end of the chain I notice hangs a small pendant: stag antlers.

"Now, I know you're not a boy," Charlie starts when I pick up the pendant to examine it closer. "But I saw the antlers and thought of you. My daughter, the beautiful doe. I bought it so whenever you saw this you'd remember how proud I am of you. No matter what you decide to call yourself."

I give him a wet kiss on the cheek and ask him to put the necklace on me.

"It's beautiful," I say softly when I glance at my reflection in the car's mirror. The chain elongates my already slim neck, giving it a graceful outline. "But I may not be able to wear it at work."

He shrugs. "I just wanted to give you something. I don't expect you to wear it all the time."

But I will.

The platform for the train leaving town is modestly crowded with families saying goodbye to their children, tourists, and the general public. Thankfully I don't see Mike anywhere in the crowd and didn't hear from him this morning. Luckily for me since I would've had to conjure up a lie to avoid him.

Maybe he got picked up personally.

As a maid there's no way I'd have the luxury of someone coming all the way to my small town to bring me to Forks in a limousine or car, although I've been generously given a chauffeur for the ride directly to the manor from the station after I arrive.

I stand with my suitcase in one hand and Charlie's hand in my other as we wait for the train to roll in. The butterflies are going crazy in my stomach, and there's way too many people here which in turn is making me slightly tingly, dizzy, and nauseous but I push that far, far down. I can't run away from this now. Both Charlie and I could get into a lot of trouble if I did and I'm not willing to risk his safety for my own fears of the unknown.

Things might be great, I try to reassure myself again. A new chapter in my life. A fresh start.

At a quarter to one, the train finally pulls into the station and I let go of Charlie to clutch at my suitcase with extremely sweaty hands. It almost tumbles out of my grip through the wetness of my palms alone. A single whistle sounds out from the train after all the departing passengers get off.

"All aboard!" the station master calls out. "The W8 express line heading straight to Forks' station!"

"Bella, wait," Charlie murmurs before I can take a step towards my train. "You have to remember..."

"To call everyday. I'll try, Dad."

"Not that," he whispers, leaning in uncomfortably close so others can't catch our words. "Don't ever switch forms. You don't have the privacy of the forest there. There's no protection. I'm not Police Chief there in case anything goes wrong, so don't risk it at any time even if you think you're safe. When you come back for the holidays you can head back down to the Reservation to switch but not a moment before."

"I won't, Dad," I whisper just as softly. "I can't control her anyway, I wouldn't risk my future on her."

He nods solemnly and takes a step back, ushering me to get on the train before it leaves. Without hesitation I drop my suitcase to step forward and hug him one last time.

"I love you," I say softly. "I'll call you all the time if I can. I promise."

"I know you will. I love you too, kiddo. Also call me if this Cullen character even looks at you the wrong way. I'll set him straight."

With only a single look back to him I drag my suitcase onto the train and find an empty row of seats to wait out the long journey to Forks. As the train pulls out of the station I catch a glimpse of Charlie, fat tears rolling down his cheeks, waving goodbye from the platform in my general direction.

He can't see my through the window panes so trying to wave back would be in vain. I try to settle back into my seat and not think about him, not think about how alone he'll feel when he drives back to an empty house and orders in pizza after pizza for dinner. Not think about anything except my destination.

Forks. My new home.