Bella's POV

"Are you sure you want to go kiddo? You can still change your mind." Phil asks me one last time at the airport. I know he's not trying to change my mind, he can just tell that I'm really, really nervous.

"I'm sure. I'm just worried about it all. What if they hate me? Or what if they try to keep me there forever? What if they try to force me to start school there?" I ramble off a bunch of questions.

"Bella they will love you and they are not going to keep you there or make you start school. You know Charlie and I talked about it. He's not happy about you homeschooling but he knows that as far as you see it I'm your father and I get to make those decisions. You're 15 kiddo. Even if he tried to take you at this point a judge would see he had no involvement and that you want to be with me. Don't stress and remember with the ticket I got you all you have to do is book the flight and it's already taken care of. I gave enough cash for probably a month but here is an emergency credit card and if you need more just let me know OK?" He answers all my questions and more.

"What if you are not in Houston when I want to come back?" I ask him and he says the ticket is good to go anywhere.

"I love you Phil." I tell him and he tells me he loves me too as I get in line to pass the gates into the part where he can't come.

"Call me when you get there kiddo." He calls as I pass and I know he watches me until he can't see me anymore.

It doesn't take nearly long enough to get to Washington and as I step off the plane my heart is racing. I get my bags and look around for my dad but I don't see him and I start freaking out and planning on using my return ticket now when I see Leah. Seriously? Your long lost daughter returns to you and you send your step daughter to pick her up?

"Leah!" I yell to her and she smiles and walks up to me.

"Your dad wanted to be here but he got called into the station just as he was about to leave and Sue got called into the hospital a couple of hours ago to deliver a baby. Sorry." She tells me and I feel better but still a bit annoyed.

We drive home and Leah goes on and on about all the fun we are going to have and she's so excited for me to her friends and on and on and on and I just smile and nod. This is going to be a long… however long I can handle it.

Once we get to the house her brother, Seth comes out and they help me carry my bags up to my room.

"Your dad should be home soon so I'm going to go start dinner. Make yourself at home OK? I'm really glad you're here." She tells me before she walks downstairs.

I unpack a few things and put them in the drawers she showed me and then change clothes. It's a lot chillier here than it was when I left Houston. After I'm done I lay down thinking I will just rest a minute and then be nice and help her with dinner.

I guess I fall asleep because when I wake up the room is dark. I walk downstairs and Seth is at the table doing homework and Charlie and Sue are watching TV.

"Hey Bella, Leah put some dinner in the microwave for you, we didn't want to wake you." Seth tells me as I walk down then both Charlie and Sue jump up to greet me saying how sorry they are that they couldn't be here earlier.

"Oh it's fine, I obviously wasn't much company." I tell them and Seth smiles at me. "I'm just going to reheat whatever my dinner is." Sue walks back into the living room but my dad follows me into the kitchen and stands there while I uncover and reheat my chicken and veggies and then he hands me a roll.

"Um thanks." I tell him and he follows me to table. This is getting weird.

"So Charlie," he looks at me funny but I don't care, "what am I supposed to do all day while everyone is at work or school?" I ask him. "Also why did you walk out on me and my mom?"

"Well um OK. You can do whatever you want during the day. Phil had mentioned you do your school work online if you want to work on that. I guess since you can't drive… you're pretty much stuck here during the day unless you want to walk to town; it's only about a block away. Then Leah gets home around 2 and Seth an hour later. I took off next week so we can do whatever you want then." He looks hopeful and I know we're both thinking the same thing, if I stay that long. "And Bella I didn't walk out on you and your mom. We decided together things weren't working out and I let her keep the house. I grew up here and I've always wanted to come back. Then she made it impossible for me to see you but I know I should have fought for you and I'm so sorry."

I'm crying into my dinner so I push it away suddenly not hungry. My whole life has been a lie and the one person I want to yell at about it is dead.