Thank you all for your reviews! Many of you wanted one chapter and then many wanted two chapters. I decided to go with two only because I would have time to right so much information by tomorrow. I didn't realize how much info there would be. In my mind it didn't seem like a lot. And I'm going out of town tonight so I wouldn't be able to finish such a long chapter! So here you go! One more chapter till Ana gets to see Christian again!

Enjoy!

"Where do we even start?" I asked, standing in the center of my room. I couldn't help to stare at all the books I left behind. They were new, old, antique and everything in between. I kneeled down on the floor and went through my treasures. Smiling, at the only good memories that came out of being in this house, I grabbed a book and caressed the bind

"Ana, come on, we need to hurry." Mom was searching under the bed, my dresser, behind the nightstand, in my closet. She even tapped on the wood floors to see if there was anything hollow, a possible hidden place in the ground to place five million dollars or a clue to it.

"It probably isn't here." I said, watching as she trashed my old room.

"I know, but we have to try. Or at least make it seem like we're searching. Jack wants this."

"I thought you wanted it?" I asked.

She paused what she was doing and looked at me. "I…I do. I want it for you and me. And Jack."

"Mom…" I paused at what I said and her mouth slightly opened. It was the first time I called her that out loud. "Um...Do you even love him?"

"Of course I do." She answered too quickly, which told me she was lying. I knew she didn't love him, not really anyways; she just didn't want to be alone. And I couldn't blame her, but she could have picked a more descent person. I didn't press her for more information though. I just nodded my head and let the topic of discussion go. "Well, it seems as if this room is empty." She sighed. "Let's go check the others."

"Hey, I have one more question." I wanted some real answers from her and since Jack isn't here to say anything, it's the perfect time to ask. She turned from walking out the door and stared in waiting. "Why do you need me? I mean really….no excuses. Jack isn't here."

She came closer. "Ana, Bob…"

"Why do you keep referring to him as Bob…and not my father?"

She let out a sighed and walked across the room and sat on the bed. "Ana, there is something I need to tell you."

"Well tell me than."

"Bob…he isn't your father."

"What do you mean?" I started to shake my head. It didn't make any sense, he was the only male figure I could remember.

"Your real father died when you were only two. He was on his way home from work and was hit by another car." Her eyes began to water. "He was everything to me. And when he died, I felt like I lost half of my soul. You were the only reason I had something to live for."

"And Bob, when did he…"

"I met Bob when I was nineteen, you were three, about to turn four and he loved you right away. It was so sweet and unexpected. I was really surprised at how much he loved you…" Her hand started to shake as she touched her throat. "But I was even more surprised when I found out he started to…abuse you." She reached and grabbed my arm, pulling me to her. I gasped at the shock and her face when I saw tears pouring down. "Pl…Please, you have to…to believe me. I would have never left you with him if I didn't think you would have been safe."

"Why did you…leave?"

"Bob and I fell out of love. He was very much into his drug business and left no time for me. So….I left. I didn't have a job, I didn't have my own car, I didn't have my own money, I didn't have anything. I had to start over and I couldn't bring you a long for that. You needed food and shelter. That's why I left you with him."

"But, you never came back."

"I did once. I came to see how you were. I peeked through the window and saw you reading a book." She sighed and wiped the tears from her eyes. "I'm so sorry Ana. I didn't mean for things to turn out like this."

"It's okay." I could spend my whole life being mad at her, but what good would that do. I understand the reasons she did what she did. She wanted me safe. How could hate her for that?

"You're important to me Ana. And I am so sorry for everything." She pulled me into a hug. I stiffened at first but then sank it. After a few seconds I let my guard down and wrapped my arms around her.

"Come on. We need to keep looking." I said as she started to let me go. She nodded and stood up with me. We walked out of the room and on to the next. "So why did you need me?"

"As I said to you before, Bob has been drug dealing for a long time. Once you entered his life, he immediately became attached to you. He loved you, spoiled you, cherished you…before he lost his mind, and became the drug user instead of the dealer, the money he made…" She looked at me and smiled. "He had been saving it for you. Of, course that probably isn't the case after he became cruel, but that money was for you." She sighed. "If there are any clues to where it's at, he left them with you."

I froze in mid walk. She couldn't be serious.

"Any luck!" Jack yelled.

"No." Mom responded. "Not yet."

"Well hurry up. It has to be here somewhere!" Jack was starting to get frustrated.

I continued to walk, trying not to get distracted. That money was supposed to be for me? That was illegal money, I'm not too sure if I would even want it. I was gathering so much new information today, I was getting a headache. "Ignore him." I told her.

"It's hard to when he keeps yelling like that." She chuckled a little and I couldn't help but to smile.

"Where did you wanna-uff!" I tripped over my own foot and fell on the floor, landing on my hands and knees.

"You okay?" She bent down to help me up. I reached for her hand and as she took she immobilized and I had to look at her in question. "That necklace…" She said.

"Yeah…you gave it to…me remember?"

"Yes…" She said as she caressed it in her hand, feeling the edge and the outline. "I remember." She let the piece of jewelry go and helped me to my feet. "Come on."

We searched the rest of the house from top to bottom. We didn't find anything. Well they didn't find anything that was worth helping them find the money, but I did. I found so many of my books. There were a lot on my room and I had gotten a bag to pack them. I also found some in the restroom I used and the family room. Overall there were fifty books I had left behind and I was determined to take them with me, to add to my growing collection. I think I was the only one who walked out with a smile on my face. Well, my mom smiled because I was smiling. It was Jack who was pissed, but oh well, who cares about him right?

"Are you two sure you searched hard enough?" Jack said as we drove out of the subdivision.

"Yes, Jack. We did. There's always his business building, just relax."

"How can I relax when there's so much money lying around?" He shouted.

"Excuse me Jack. Not to be rude or anything….but…would you mind being quiet? I'm trying to read." Jack was annoying and even though my mother has made some pretty bad mistakes in life, she deserved someone better then him. I turned the page of the current book I was reading, The Silver Chair.

"I'm sure you were of no help, Ana." He gritted out through his teeth. "You seem to be perfectly content with your books. We didn't bring you a long for that crap!"

"These are not crap!" I yelled back. "They are priceless, they're imagination, adventure, a form of art that people possess." I slammed my book closed in anger. "You think money will make you happy? Is it pleasurable?"

"Hell yes, I do." He said with confidence.

"Well you got another thing coming." I said, clenching my fists. "Happiness is just and emotion, an emotion that doesn't last. And pleasure? Pleasure is nothing but something that makes you feel good, but it quickly disappears as well." I inched closer and watched as his eyes flicked to me and then back at the road. "Money and that much of it will make you crazy; consume your soul….Look at you. You don't even have it yet and you're already a lunatic." I said.

"Carla, I love you, but your daughter is…driving me into madness."

"Ha…" I retorted as I leaned back in my seat and opened my book, to continue reading. "I thought you were already there."

Jack, hit his wheel and then slowed down the car, pulling over to a stop. I was so ready for whatever he had to say. After being with him for four months, I knew how he would react and I knew how far to push him. I've learned to develop a backbone and an attitude being around him. You had to if you wanted to have the upper hand, not to mention survive his crazy ass mood swings. "Jack, just calm down, don't let her get to you." It was the first time my mother spoke since Jack and I started our bantering.

He ignored her and turned in his seat. "You are so lucky you are the daughter of the love of my life, or I would deal with you in…another matter."

"Are you threatening me?" I challenged.

"That is enough, Jack! What the hell do you plan to accomplish by acting this way towards her. Knock it off and leave her alone or I'm cutting you out of the deal!" I think Jack and I both had shocked looks on our faces. I didn't know she had it in her to yell like that. Jack looked back at me and I just gave a smile that said 'I just got away with something and you didn't'. He was mad, at what who knows. He could be mad at me for being a brat or my mom because she stood up for me and even threatened to cut him loose of any of the money. "Drive." She demanded.

He complied, but not before he got the last word in, telling me to be quiet. I paid no attention as I continued to read my book, intentionally blocking him out of all thoughts. The road back to the apartment was long and boring. I heard Jack mention that tomorrow we would be coming back to search Bobs abandoned building. Bob. I'm still a little shocked that Bob isn't my dad. And I'm saddened that my real one is dead. I wish I could have got to know him. I don't even remember anything about him. Of course I was only two when he died, but still. You would think I'd have a few suppressed memories. I'll always have thoughts about him and maybe sometime in the future I will ask my mother for all the answers. As of right now, it's left to be dealt with other time. I wouldn't want Jack to get more upset with me for bringing up my mom's dead lover, or whatever. Now that I think about it, Bob, Jack… Maybe mom is trying to find the perfect replacement for my biological father. I mean it does make sense. I just wish she would see that she doesn't need a man to make her happy.

"I'm hungry." I suddenly said as I set aside my book. "It's been a while since we've last eaten."

"We aren't stopping." Jack responded firmly.

"You know what, I'm hungry too." My mom said. "Come on, Jack, stop somewhere so we can get something."

"I said no."

"So…" I started, "You're just going to make us starve? It won't kill you to pull over….look there's a sonic right there…You don't…even need to get out of the car."

"Fine." He said. "If it will get you to be quiet."

"It will indeed, because I'll have a juicy burger in my mouth."

He pulled in the area as he muttered, "Such a smartass."

After twenty minutes of nagging and complaining, I finally got my burger and started to devour it. The grease felt amazing and taste made the buds on my tongue sing 'Hallelujah'. It was divine and the fries only added to the deliciousness. And the Dr. Pepper, well that washed it all down, the carbonation and the sweet taste of the syrup made me say 'Mmmm', to the point where Jack threatened to take the food away. He was such a buzz kill. He continued to drive as he finished his food and I started to drift off to sleep. The food was making me crash out and I welcomed it for the rest of the ride.

I was had then been thrust into a dream.

"Daddy!" My younger self went running into my dad's arms, well Bobs. It felt weird. I was observing the dream from a distance, like watching the past.

"There's my big girl!" He picked me up and swung me around, kissing my cheek and then sitting me on his lap. "How are you this morning, princess?"

"I'm good daddy, I had a dream that you slayed a dragon!"

"Well that's great." He smiled. "I bet I did an amazing job."

"Oh, yes, you did." I giggled and hugged him tightly.

"Here you go Ana." He pulled away from me and turned me in his lap, opening his hand he revealed the gold locket. "Remember when I told you I was fixing it, making it better?"

I nodded in amazement, wide eyes, looking at the beautiful necklace.

"Well I finished making it better." He said as he put the locket around my neck

"It looks the same, daddy."

He caressed my chin with two of his fingers and said, "It may seem that way now. The outside of it is gorgeous, beautiful, and elegant, but most of the time it's the inside that matters." He smiled at me as I held it in my hands. "Just like you, Ana. Beautiful on the outside, but so pure and magnificent on the inside."

"You think so?"

"I know so." He said, touching my nose. "Now, why don't you go upstairs and get dressed. I'm taking you to work with me today."

"Ana, hon, wake up." My mom shook me gently and moved the hair from my face. "We're back." I lifted myself up from the seat and stretched out my stiff body. "You can sleep one you get inside. It's been a long day." I nodded in agreement and force my opposing body out of the car and turning to grab my bag full of books. I dragged myself in the building, up the stairs, and into the apartment. I was was about to close the door when Jack decided to say something before I disappeared for the rest of the evening.

"Don't forget, Ana. We're heading back tomorrow, to check the other building."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know." I said, shutting the door behind me before he could retort a smartass remark. I set down my bag and emptied it, piling all the books next to my others. It made me smile seeing how many I had. It was perfect. I knew that as long as I had my books, I would remain sane and content with the life I had.

I stood up and walked over to my bed, throwing myself on it and take a deep breath. When I exhaled it, I closed my eyes. I let my thoughts run wild, thinking of everything I knew about my life. Bob, the man I thought was my dad turned out not be my dad. My real dad is dead and I have no way of ever get to knowing him. My mom, who I thought had abandoned me for selfish reasons, actually left because she wanted me to be safe and not have to fight for food or shelter. She didn't know he had abused me, causing her to feel worse. I lost count of how many times she's apologized. And Jack, well he's the asshole I always thought he was. There has been nothing to prove otherwise. He's not even worth thinking about. I quickly discarded him and thought about the three people, I loved, should have love but never got to, and shouldn't have loved. Should I have ever loved Bob? He's the most confusing of them all. I had memories of the time we spent together. I remember when he was so happy, he'd do so many things for me; take me places I wanted to go. I remember him buying me new dresses whenever I mention I was getting tired of my old ones. He'd make me breakfast, take me to school. And then mom left and he completely changed. I didn't know what happened. This whole time I thought he turned to drugs when he lost his business….but maybe he turned to them because mom had left and maybe…just maybe I was a reminder and he had started to resent me.

It could be anything and I was never left more confused about him then now. And the crazy thing is, even after he had abused me I still held on to the good memories. That is what I chose to remember and despite all of the bad, I still loved him.

I opened my eyes and wiped away my tears. Placing my hand on my chest I felt the locket and I reached into my shirt and took it out. I sat up on the bed and removed it from my neck, examining it closely. The dream I had in the car popped into my mind and although I cannot recall it word for word I did remember what he said "The outside of it is gorgeous, beautiful, and elegant, but most of the time it's the inside that matters."

"The inside is what matters." I whispered to myself. "I never could open this thing." I placed my thumb nails in the crease and tried to open it. Not budging a bit, I furrowed my brows and held it away from me as I tried to open it again. ""Let's see…" I grounded out, "What is in here!" I kept tying with my nails but it just wouldn't open and I ended up breaking one of them. Dammit!

I got up and put my locket under my pillow. I opened the door quietly and made my way out and over to the kitchen. The small living room was empty and the door to their room was closed. I tiptoed into the kitchen and grabbed a pair of scissors from the drawer. I silently rushed back to my room, closed the door, and then locked it. "Okay, you stupid locket…." I said as I walked to the bed. "You are going to open, whether…" I grabbed it from under the pillow and placed the scissors in the crack, separating the two sides, "You like it…" I grunted. "Or not!"

This thing just did not want to open. I tried every side and every angle. I stabbed at it, I tried to cut it, and even punched it. There was nothing else I could have tried. It wasn't going to open anytime soon and I was getting tired of using the scissors. My hand was hurting and I even had red marks from the handles. Out of frustration and pent up anger, I threw it across my room, making it hit the edge of the dresser. It then landed on the floor….

But it was opened.

I jumped off the bed and raced to the piece of jewelry, grasping it with my fingers and caring back to the bed. I sat down at examined the locket, which was empty. "You have got to be kidding me." I said in exasperation. I knew what I was dreaming wasn't a dream, it was a memory. I didn't know how to explain it but I knew. There was something more to this locket then what it seemed. I touched the inside, which was a soft black piece of fabric. I looked closer, touch all around the edge. The area where the two sides of the locket connected; there was a thicker piece of the material. I took it in between my nails and pulled it lightly. As I peeled it back, white words appeared. Mom was right, he did leave the clues with me and I had it right here in my hands. I've had it the whole time, right here.

I read the words and knew this was something I had to keep to myself. I didn't want Jack to know about this and I didn't want him to have that money.

I placed the fabric back over the locket and shut it. Putting it back around my neck, I hid underneath my shirt and leaned back into bed, letting the words play out over and over until something came to my mind.

'My dear precious Ana, everything you could ever want lies within your childhood.'

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