Chapter 2

(B's Pov)

Never Going to Be My Dad

"And in sickness and health…" I sighed restless, shifting in the light blue dress I was wearing.

"I do." Renee's voice rang through my ears as I looked up at her and her new husband, Phil Dwyer, kiss the bond of commitment.

I smiled sadly at them, wondering if that kiss felt anything, more or less, that it did with Charlie. Sighing once more, I followed the guests and other bridesmaids to the reception area.

Ten years ago, Renee and Charlie divorced and Renee and I moved here to Phoenix, Arizona. When I was thirteen years old, Phil and Renee met at the library were Renee worked at the time. Two years later, I sit in a circled table on the edge of the party, celebrating Renee's big day.

Phil was an ok guy. He was a retired Navy recruit and reminded me somewhat of Charlie. I liked him, though it really didn't matter if I did or not. As long as Renee was happy, I didn't care.

An hour into the reception, my Aunt Betty made a toast towards her beaming sister. Soon after, more than half the room had made some type of toast or comment about the happy couple in the front of the room. Then some chick, Abby-I think-handed me the microphone. I stared at Renee and Phil for a moment, seeing the way they reacted, seeing, and feeling the love radiate off the both of them. I flicked a soft brown curl from my eyes and cleared my throat. "Phil…" I stated grabbing their attention. "I just wanted to say I'm very grateful that you found my mom making her happy in ways I haven't seen her in years, making her seem younger than her years; creating a better person. I'm glad she chose you for her one and only, Phil…" tears were brimming mine and Renee's eyes by now and my voice was cracking in spots. "Mom..." I made eye contact with her and sighed, "We've had it rough the past ten years but I'm hoping with the new addition to the family it'll change." I paused wiping my eyes slowly, careful not to smudge anything underneath. "And…I'm hoping I'll be able to find someone to share the amount of love that radiates off the two of you tonight. I love you, guys. Phil…welcome to the family." I cheered and took a gulp of the nearest champagne glass.

"Thank you, Bella," Phil said gratefully. "I'm honored to be you new dad."

I chocked on the bubbly drink in my hand. New dad? Where the hell did that come from? I thought incredulously. I nodded slowly and forced a smile on my face as I chugged the rest and snatched another goblet.

Two hours later

New dad? I thought staring at my reflection in the mirror. Honored to be your new dad…the saying played in my mind over and over again through the entire reception. Honored to be your new dad…did I want him as my new dad? No! Charlie is my father! "I will never call Phil my dad nor my father. Charlie will always have that title…" I vowed right then and there.

I continued staring at my face in the mirror. My heart-shaped face was as pale as it was whenever I was five-years-old. My big brown almond eyes were surrounded with my thick black eyelashes. That same piece of curly mahogany hair fell in my face once again. For the wedding I had curled my hair in the small rich ringlets and bunching them up on the top of my head with a small silver tiara holding them in place.

"Bella?" Phil's mother's voice came from the other side of my in-bedroom bathroom door. "Phil and your mom are about to leave." She announced knocking on the door slightly.

I furrowed my eyebrows "Where are they going?"I asked slipping the tiara off my head and unclamping my hair from its death grip.

"Their honeymoon, sweetie," She clarified sounding confused at my question.

"Oh yeah. Forgot about that," I said pulling my dress off and slipping on some black short-shorts, a small red belly tank, and some black fluffy slippers. "Sorry Anne," I said opening the door looking down at the small old woman.

She smiled sweetly, her frail hand grasping mine. "You looked so beautiful up there beside your mom, darling." Anne said as we strolled slowly out my room and down the stairs. "Oh and you will find that kind of love."

That confused me. "What do you mean by that?" I asked making our way down the stairs and towards the foyer.

"You were hoping to find the same kind of love as Renee and Phil has…and you will." She said shaking slightly as we came towards the crowd. "I can see it…you and a young handsome boy…deeply in-love with one another."

I quirked an eyebrow at her faraway look. "Anne?" I shook her hand lightly. "Anne?"

She blinked her eyes a few times before looking at me, with tears in her aged eyes. Her small frail hand let go of mine before lightly touching it to my cheek. "I'm so sorry, Bella. I really am." I was about to ask what she meant, but she immediately yelled, "George! Come on, Dear, we must be on our way!" With one last remorseful look she left me in the crowd of people and walked into the warm night.

"That. Was. Confusing. As. Hell." I muttered to myself while dodging in between relatives and friends, trying to get to Renee and Phil. Once I reached them, I wrapped my arms around both of them. "Congrats newlyweds! I'll see you two in a month!"

Renee stared at me for a moment "You're excited about this whole month long thing aren't you?"

"Hell's yeah!" I exclaimed laughing and nodding really fast. They both stared at me for a minute longer before I added seriously, "anything seriously expensive or irreplaceable will be bubble wrapped and in my closet. I swear!" They laughed at my logic.

After Renee gave me the rules and regulations to my parties she was positive I was going to have. The guests left as did Phil and Renee; I went up stairs with bottle water and some grapes. Popping MySpace onto my windows I made a huge bulletin saying:

~Party at Bella's!~

Bring friends!

Foods!

Drinks!

And be at my place at 6:30!

Be ready for music and some underage drinking!

Tina and Ray would have a kick out of that! I then logged on yahoo and e-mailed my main hommies; Tina Peterson, Rachel-Ray-Blake, Ethan Hugh, Robin Peterson, Adam Thunders, and Emma Battington. They were thrilled that the party was going to be huge bash!

By mid-night, they were all clued in and I was completely tired. I put my computer to sleep and slouched into my squishy bed mattress. Just before I commanded my dark conscious to take me away, I whispered as I do every night, "I love you Daddy. Never forget that…"