Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.

Beta'd by HollettLA.

"Riders on the Storm"

Chapter Seven: Baby Girl

Kylie POV

Hearing a thump and then waking with a start, the sun shining through the half-open curtains nearly blinded me.

But I wore a smile and nothing else apparently.

Squinting, I leaned up on my elbows and looked down to my naked body covered by the sheet. "Hey," I rasped, trailing my leg up Gio's. Last night was like a dream, and I thought I was still asleep . . . that's how amazing I felt; that's how happy I was. I sighed and melted down next to him.

He hummed, smiling wide as he rolled over. "Did I wake up in heaven?" His legs tangled with mine.

I snorted. "Cheese . . . that was cheesy."

Gio just shrugged, still staring at me.

"Um—bet I'm a mess." Self-conscious, I wiped under my eyes, noticing my fingertips black with mascara, and I knew my hair was all over the place. He kept pulling on it last night, not hard, but firm enough so that it was intense—something like that.

He reached to pat down my hair. "You're beautiful."

I smiled, always a fan of cheese and slumped low. "I love you." I doubted that I'd ever get tired of saying that.

"I love you, too." He kissed me and I was fast to deepen it and scoot on top of him. I couldn't get enough. It was like I was starved and Gio was a big slice of cake. Actually, it was like we picked up right where we left off, only with a lot more privacy.

Since we left the party last night, it felt like the last three months just disappeared. We went for coffee and talked and talked, and then we came back here—to AJ's.

The rest . . . my God.

Gio started kissing along my neck and weaving his hands into my hair as he sat up and took me with him. But then we heard voices, and I paused. "Did your brother come home last night?"

Gio wasn't deterred, grunting a response as his thumb found my clit. I gasped, arching my back and welcoming his mouth on my chest. He groaned, his finger leaving my pussy, palming both my tits in his big hands.

Now this was heaven.

"Get 'em," I sighed.

"Um . . . guys?" AJ knocked once. "You up?"

We made eye contact and smiled. "Yeah?" Gio asked and I pushed him down. He fell back. I kissed along his chest, loving how taut his abs got.

"Can you come out?" AJ asked. He sounded weird as he jiggled the locked handle.

"We're, uh, kind of busy," he was laughing, his stomach trembling, "—oh shit!"

I took Gio deep into my mouth, sucking vigorously and massaging his balls.

"Now." AJ had a stern tone.

Gio grasped my shoulders, stopping me. "What—"

I shrugged, still smiling. "Go see what he wants. I'll be here." I collapsed to his side.

He grinned, leaving the bed and grabbing a pair of sweats. "Put something on so my brother doesn't get a peek." He threw his shirt from last night at me. "That'd be the highlight of his morning, but then I'd have to knock him one."

I giggled, draping it over my shoulders as he left the room.

Then I leaned back and sighed for a minute, wanting so badly to talk to my mother. We used to be closer before I met Joe. I was immature and couldn't handle her disapproval. So, instead of talking to her, I ignored her . . . was a raging bitch to her.

Sitting up, I looked for my purse. When I found my phone, I saw that it was dead. "Shit." I looked for Gio's because I had to call my parents—to at least tell them where I am. Last night, I thought about calling and didn't. I was scared they'd ask me to come home.

I didn't find his phone, but I found a pair of socks and put them on before I looked for my underwear.

Hearing the door creak as it opened, I smiled and turned, only to frown.

My father stood in the doorway, wearing a face as hard as stone. It scared the hell out of me, and I took a step back. "Um . . ." I held the shirt closed even tighter.

"Get dressed." He wouldn't look at me. "We're leaving in five minutes." He left the room.

I let out a breath, hoping my heart rate would slow down.

Quickly, I ransacked Gio's duffle and put on a pair of his sweats. Then I just put my bra on underneath the shirt I was already wearing and tied my hair in a knot. I made sure to find my dress and Mom's shoes.

With all my stuff on my lap, I waited out the five minutes. I had one left, and I hoped Gio would be coming back to the room.

But he didn't.

Feeling embarrassed, sad, and scared, I left AJ's guest bedroom and entered his small kitchen. "Hi," I whispered, lifting my head to see my brother and Aro here, too. Gio was sitting on the kitchen counter, holding his head.

Everyone wore a frown . . .

"Let's go." Dad was the first to leave.

I looked to Gio. "What happened?"

"Now, Kylie," Sonny said, holding the door open.

Uncle Aro grasped my hand and escorted me to the door. "I'm sorry, hon . . . Give it time to cool down. It'll be all right."

"What will?" I had no idea what was going on.

"Fuck this." Gio hopped down from the counter. "Dad, can't you say something?"

He shook his head. "I'm sorry, no. One of you should have called instead of sneaking off."

Gio scoffed. "This is bullshit. You don't have to go—not if you don't want to. I'll take you home later."

"She does," Uncle Aro said, "if you two ever wanna continue this." He waved a finger, looking down to me. "Get home—your mom will be there. It'll smooth over."

"Okay," I agreed. My mother always said I could trust him.

"Excuse me?" Sonny left the door to block Aro from me. "Who the fuck are you to dictate shit about our family? You're always involved. Step off."

Aro pushed Sonny out of his face. "Watch yourself." He pointed. "Go."

Sonny looked to me.

"I'll be out in a second," I whispered, hugging my stuff to me.

Sonny continued to stare, going from Gio to me, and he looked like he was about to take a swing at Gio. Then Uncle Aro grabbed his jacket and forced him out. It was kind of funny. My brother is so big, but Aro is bigger, and Sonny looked like a little kid. "Skip, come get this." He pushed Sonny.

"Get in the fucking car!" Dad shouted.

"Always gotta ride me!" Sonny bitched, righting his clothes.

Gio and I laughed and then turned to each other. "It'll be okay." He rubbed the back of my neck.

"It will be." AJ handed me his coffee.

I took a sip and handed it back. "Thanks."

AJ winked, leaving the room.

"I'll call you later? Maybe we can see a movie?"

I giggled. "Tonight, I was supposed to be on a plane . . . to Hawaii."

"Regrets?" He raised a brow.

"None whatsoever." I hopped up to kiss his lips.

"Kylie Marie!" My father's voice made me jump.

"I should go," I whispered, backing away.

Gio walked me out to the car, but then carried me when he saw I wasn't wearing shoes. I giggled as he placed me inside. Then I frowned when I caught my father's stare in the rearview mirror.

The ride home was a quiet one. No one said a word, and I wanted to ask Sonny for his phone, so I could text Damion or Mom. Tensions were high, and I needed to know what was happening. The way Dad was looking at me—he was so angry, more so than he would be for me just not coming home on time.

When we pulled into the garage, Dad and Sonny left the car, leaving me to do my walk of shame alone.

Mom greeted us at the door. She wore a smile until Dad pushed past her. Sonny kissed her hair, going for the kitchen.

And I stopped at the doorway, expecting the worst. Dad is hardly ever upset with me. He never yells at me. Growing up, if I was in trouble with my father, I was in even more hot water with Mom. She never lets me get away with anything.

"Did you have a good time?" Mom grinned, ushering me inside.

"What . . .?" My face crumbled and I burst into tears. I didn't know if it was relief or what. I just started crying.

"Oh . . . what happened?" She closed the door behind me. "Why is your father in such a mood?" She took the things out of my hands. "Are these mine?" She snatched her shoes away.

"Yeah." I sniffled.

She let out a low growl but recovered quickly. "I get it." She tossed the shoes onto the floor. "Your father had to be the big, stupid hero, and you didn't need saving."

I shrugged, wiping my nose with my sleeve. "I don't know. I was so happy . . ."

"And your father and brother messed it up." She nodded. "I told him you were fine. I had a feeling you were at AJ's," she laughed. "Katie told me Peto was staying there instead of her place. I may have kept that from your father," she whispered.

I nodded. "Thank you."

"But you're okay?"

"Hindsight . . . I guess." I cracked a smile.

"Good." Mom wiped my eyes. "Why don't you go take a bath and then get some sleep?"

"Okay," I whispered, turning away from her.

"Kylie . . ." She let my name hang there.

When I looked back to her, I acted on instinct. I pulled her in for a hug and held her so tight. "I love you . . . and thank you. I may not say it often—but, yeah. I love you."

Mom chuckled, rubbing up and down my back. "What did Peto do to you?"

I laughed, too. "He made things right. I don't need to think when I'm with him." She knew what I meant.

She leaned back to hold my face. "I love you, too, baby girl."

"Mommy, I'm so sorry," I was crying again. "I didn't mean—well, I—I don't know. I'm sorry for being a—a—I was so mean to you, and I love you so much, and I—I—"

"Stop." She hugged me tightly again. "You're okay. We're okay . . . all right?" She rubbed my back.

I leaned away, sniffling and nodding.

Mom let me go, smiling widely. "Gosh. I'm so happy we have nothing to do now."

"All that money." I winced, thinking about it for the first time.

She rolled her eyes. "The man who owns the banquet hall owed your father a favor—don't worry about it. That's . . . that's the least of anyone's problems." I had a feeling she was lying. "Who cares?"

I nodded. "Sorry."

"Oh . . . just elope next time. No, I don't mean that," she laughed. "Go, take a shower and . . . I don't know. I'll talk to Dad." At that moment, Sonny left the kitchen with a plate of eggs.

"You fucked up last night." He stuffed his mouth. "Dad was going insane—this one was passed out." He nudged Mom with his shoulder. "She drank herself silly."

"Go watch TV." Mom pushed him.

"I'm goin' to sleep," Sonny said. "I haven't slept yet, neither has Dad, so expect him to be cranky."

Mom palmed her forehead. "Everything'll be fine. Just—you go shower, and you go nap. Sleep here, don't go home." She looked happy. "I'm just glad you're all home."

"Dame's here?" Sonny asked. "Where is he? I thought he was staying at my place." He covered his face and laughed into his hands.

Mom shrugged. "Sleeping in his room. He stumbled in a few hours ago. What's so funny?"

Sonny barked out a laugh. "He couldn't seal the deal with Cindy Lou-"

"Who?" Mom and I asked in unison.

"That-" He waved a hand. "That stunad li'l thing from across the street."

"Sonny!" Mom slapped his bicep. "Her name's Margaret."

"Whatever." Sonny shrugged. "With the big eyes . . . she looks like one of those things from Whoville."

I stuck my finger in my mouth and gagged. "Why is Damion talking to the Virgin Mary?"

"Oh shit . . . that's even worse." He shook his head. "They call her that at school, don't they?"

I nodded. "She used to stare . . . at Gio and me when we'd make out. She's just weird."

Sonny quirked a brow. "That's right up Dame's alley."

"You guys are so mean. She's a nice girl," Mom said.

"I don't have a problem with her," I defended. "She just...keeps to herself...She doesn't like me either, called me a whore once...in not so many words." I furrowed my brow, trying to remember.

"Whoa." That had Mom's attention. "Why would she do that?"

"I wouldn't join her virgin club, where they wear the rings and pray all the time." I bit my lip, since I'd called her a name first. "I was in like...the ninth grade? Even back then I knew I'd like sex. I mean, promising to stay a virgin until marriage? Be realistic."

Mom had her lips pursed as she thought about it.

"Hey!" Sonny shouted. "There's nothing wrong with being a virgin. You should have joined her club."

"Oh, yeah. I bet you love virgins," I giggled.

"That's enough," Mom said.

"I don't . . . sluts are more fun and virgins cling."

"The both of you are horrible." Mom looked back to Sonny. "Do you have to be this disgusting this early in the morning?" She grinned, and I hadn't seen her this happy in months.

"It's not without effort." He kissed her cheek.

"Besides...you want Maggie with Dame? She's seventeen, and he's twenty-four. I'm eighteen, and Joe's twenty-five . . . Hypocrites," I coughed into my fist.

"It's dif-fer-ent!" Sonny boomed down the hall. "He'd hit it and run. You were going to marry that fuck."

I turned to give my brother the finger, and smiled all the way into my bedroom. Dad was angry. But things would go back to normal. We'd all be a happy family again soon.

"Excuse me?" Damion was laying face down on my bed. "Your room is down the hall." I kicked his foot. He was fully dressed, his beautiful suit crumpled and wet-looking. It was destroyed. "Awww, I loved this suit," I said.

He groaned, and I got a nose-full of rotten liquor stank.

"P.U!" I waved my hand. "You stink, bro."

He rolled over, covering his face. "I'm in your room?"

"Yeah." I placed my purse on my desk. "How much did you drink last night?"

"A lot . . . too much." He covered his face with a pillow. "Oh my God!"

"What?" I asked.

"Oh. My. God!"

"What!?" I shouted.

He groaned, fisting my pillow and holding it tightly to his face, trying to suffocate himself.

"Stop that." I tried to pull it away and he let me.

"I wanna die…What did I do last night? Holy fuck." He held his head.

I chuckled. "Just take some Advil. You'll live." There was a gun in his waist. "Um…Dame?"

"Oh. My. God!"

I shook my head. "Why's that in my bed?" I pointed to it.

"What...? Oh…" He hid it with his shirt. "Shhh. Just—I don't know. You never saw that shit…Oh. My. God."

"Can you stop saying that?" It was annoying to say the least, and I'd seen guns before. Joe always carried one, so do Sonny and my Dad, and every other older male I've ever known. It wasn't shocking. I guess it's a guy thing, but I never expected Damion to walk around with one.

Then I became wary, watching him wince and groan into my bed. "What happened last night?"

"I'm going to hell."

"In a hand basket..." I laughed. "But, what'd you make out with Maggie or something?"

"That's her name," he spoke to himself. "No, not that . . . Oh my God."

"Spit it out," I giggled. "Do you like Maggie?"

"No," he rasped. "I mean, I don't know...Shhh, I'm trying to remember everything...fuck! I didn't skankify your friend, okay? Relax."

"Dude, she's not my friend...I think she's Mom's friend-"

"FUCK!" He hit himself in the face. "I scared the fuck out of her last night, all because I only saw what I wanted to."

"Maggie?" I asked.

He didn't confirm or deny. "I said that out loud?"

It was my turn to say, "Oh my God."

He blew out a large breath, calming some, but his bouncing leg gave him away. Damion was nervous about something. "You were at AJ's, right?"

I sighed, sitting next to him and grabbing my stuffed bear. "Yeah . . . with Gio, not AJ." I poked his butt.

"Quit." He smacked my hand. "Never touch a dude's ass. And thanks for clarifying . . . it's all so incestuous. Who knows? You could have been with AJ. We're like back-country hicks who marry their cousins, only none of us are truly related . . . Oh. My. God. Oh—"

I hit his ass again. "Idiot. Of course, I was with Gio."

"I was kidding . . . not really. Did Dad and Sonny burst your bubble?"

"Pretty much," I said.

"That sucks."

I nodded. "But last night was magical." I missed Gio already. "We talked for hours, made love for hours—"

"Hours? Now, that's impressive." He grinned.

"We had breaks in between." I hit him with Mr. Fluffy-Fluff, my bear.

"So, when's the wedding?" he laughed. "Ow—" Damion winced, holding his head. "Christ . . . just leave me here. Go chill in my room."

"We didn't talk about a wedding, but . . . we talked about me going to Texas. Hopefully—I don't know. Maybe I can find a job and take night courses until I can go full-time next semester, if they even let me in."

"Sounds good . . . Dad already settled it with the university. You're still accepted—just gotta register, which you can do online—"

"What do you mean?" His words raised a red flag. "Why would Dad . . ." I slumped my shoulders. "Between last night and this morning . . . when would Dad have spoken to the university? How'd he know? Gio hasn't told anyone yet."

"Oh fuck...Forget I said anything—"

"No." I jumped from my bed. "Dad was counting on me not getting married, wasn't he? He had some plan or something?"

Damion groaned. "Shut up. You're fine. You and Gio are back on track . . . You don't have problems. I have problems. I have issues . . . Oh. My. God." He pulled his hair.

I cringed in place, ready to throw a tantrum, I got so angry. "I can't believe—"

"Oh, Kylie, for fuck's sake—" Damion farted and then laughed. "Duuude . . ."

I kicked him right in his ass and stomped from my stinky bedroom.

Mom and Sonny were talking in the kitchen when I passed them to get to Dad's office. He was reading when I walked in, but he didn't look up at me, so I slammed his door to get his attention.

"Can I help you?" He still wouldn't look at me.

"I'm here." I placed my hands on my chest. "Look at me."

"Leave my office—"

"No!" I shouted.

"No?" Dad cocked a brow, folding his arms across his chest, and he finally looked at me.

I didn't expect that reaction, and my anger slightly ebbed and was replaced with sadness. "You had some plan . . . to make sure Joe and I didn't get married?" I asked.

He nodded. "And if that didn't work . . . " He banged his book down. It made me jump. "I would have taken . . . a more drastic measure." I didn't know what that meant. "You're eighteen!" he barked. "What the fuck do you know about being married or sex or men?" He shook his head. "You're a little girl—"

"I'm a woman!" I shrieked.

He nodded. "And that's how you carry yourself?" He snorted, picking up his book.

I reached for it and took it away. "I'm not finished yet!" I was so angry, and most of all, heartbroken. My father doesn't know me, doesn't see me at all. "Carry myself? What do you mean . . .?" I spluttered as tears filled my eyes.

He stood from his chair and came around his desk to tower over me. I shrank back and was surprised when he handed me a tissue. "Your mother and I didn't raise some loose girl—"

"What?" I felt defeated and I hated him.

"I knew you and Peto would leave together." Dad sat back on his desk. "I didn't expect you guys to run to the first available bed."

"I'm not a loose girl," I whispered. "Joe was a mistake and—"

"I don't want to know anymore. Go wash your face." He looked to the floor. "I expect things from certain people, and I didn't expect that from you."

I sobbed quietly, but wouldn't leave. "Daddy, I—"

"Bella!" He called for my mother.

"No," I whimpered, reaching for him. He didn't pull away, and for that I was grateful. "You don't understand. We made love, Daddy . . . It was beautiful, and I don't regret that one bit. I love him, more than anything—"

"You were still engaged to Joe less than twelve hours ago, Kylie." He looked to me. "Who are you trying to fool here?"

"The past three months . . . they're a blur. I know I put you and Mom through a lot—"

"What's going on?" Mom poked her head in, and Sonny was behind her.

"I have work to do," Dad said.

I looked over at my mother and cried out, trying to form words, and needing her to help me.

She entered the room, closing Sonny out. "What's going on?" she asked again.

"I-I'm—" I swallowed, shaking my head. "I'm sorry—I just." My head whipped to my father, half-enraged but mostly sad. "I'm not—how can you say that? Call me that?"

"Leave it alone, Kylie. It's done. Just leave my office, please." He focused on the book in front of him.

"What's going on?" Mom rubbed my back.

"I have shit to do," Dad said. "Your daughter won't leave me to it."

"Her daughter?" I whimpered. "I'm a whore, so now you can't acknowledge me? I'm not your daughter anymore?" I hollered at the top of my lungs. "How, Daddy? Explain this to me. I've been with Joe and Gio—two people who I had committed relationships with—"

"Shhh." Mom placed a finger over my lips. "Don't say anything more. You don't owe him an explanation—"

"Like hell she doesn't!" Dad screamed. "If she's going to carry herself like some ho—"

"What?" Mom shouted, rounding on my father. "Did you call her that?" She kicked his chair, so he faced her. "Answer me!"

"I never called her that—"

"Bet you implied it." She nodded, but looked to me. "Did we ever tell you kids how we met?" Mom was smiling.

"Bella, don't be cute. She's not marrying Joe, she pulled some stunt, and it's over. Whatever. Can we move the fuck on?" he asked. "She'll go to Texas in the spring, and everything will be the way it should be."

"We met at Cousin Alice's house—" Mom turned to me. "I was so drunk . . . and your father was so hot—I hoped and internally begged," she smiled wide, "that he'd come home with me . . . Your disgusting uncle hit on me first, but your father gave me a ride home—"

"Enough," Dad said.

"What's so horrible about it, Edward?" Mom spoke with her hands. Then she turned back to me. "He took me home and screwed my brains out." She shrugged. "And I had only met him . . . a whopping hour earlier." She folded her arms on her chest. "Who's the ho?"

"Don't talk like that," Dad whispered. "You're not—"

"But she is? Our daughter is?" Mom jerked a thumb, and I couldn't believe it. She was putting my father in his place. I had never seen that done by anyone before. "Oh . . . I probably shouldn't tell her about how I got pregnant at sixteen. Or about Charles Swan and his nickname for me, huh?" She seethed in his face as tears began to stream down her cheeks.

"Mom . . ." I hated that she was so upset.

"Bella," Dad whispered, trying to grasp her hand. "Baby, stop—"

"Say it again . . . fucking think it again, and you'll have to sleep with one eye open. My daughter is none—you hear me? None of those things!" She got in his face.

He stared out the window.

"Can you give us a minute?" she asked me.

Shocked and with wide eyes, I nodded and stumbled out of the room. I couldn't imagine how much worse it could get—what they didn't want me to see.

"I knew they met at a party, but—" Sonny shook his head.

I just stared up to him, still crying my eyes out. "I'm not a loose girl."

Sonny pulled me into his arms. "I know you're not. Dad gets upset, he says some shit—he doesn't mean it."

I sniffled and nodded. "He does. Daddy hates me, and now I made him and Mom fight—"

Sonny chuckled. "They fight all the time—about some stupid shit, too. Don't worry about it."

I sighed, leaning away and wiping my eyes. "I did this . . . I just—Sonny, Gio leaving hurt so much, and Joe was there. I-I—It seems stupid now, and I don't know how I can go back to Gio so fast and leave Joe . . ." I took off my engagement ring. "I guess I never loved Joe…Can you give this to him?"

Sonny stopped my hand. "Keep it as a souvenir. That way, when you're about to make some stupid mistake, you can look at it and remember."

"What?"

He shook his head. "I'm sure he doesn't want it back, and I sure as fuck don't wanna see him."

"Be kind to him. This was my fault—"

"It wasn't." He pinched my cheek. "I know you're in this rush to grow up—'cause you're a woman and whatnot, but don't be. Go to Texas, party, get into trouble, but not too much." He waved a finger. "Don't think I won't go down there."

I giggled, feeling a little better.

"I'm sorry." He placed his hand on his chest. "I may have given Joe that push to propose."

"Push?" I asked.

He pursed his lips. "I thought—well, it doesn't matter what I thought. It's done and we should move on."

"I didn't have to say yes," I whispered. "You know, like Katie did. She didn't have to—"

"That's completely different."

"It's not." I held his hand. "You probably thought you did the right thing, and Katie's stupid if she thinks or thought Raul was a better man than you. She should have opened her mouth if she wanted you back. She didn't, and you were just trying to make her happy—by bowing out."

He shrugged, slightly shaking his head, and I waited for him to respond to my words. He never did. We stood in the hall as a silence loomed. "Promise you'll forgive Dad? He's stubborn and he gets angry, and he says shit he doesn't mean. He'll apologize, which is also monumentally hard for him." Sonny chuckled. "Hear the man out, though."

"I'm not mad at him." And I truly wasn't. For some reason, whatever anger I felt had disappeared, a feeling of sadness replacing it.

"He was wrong. He knows it and will admit it . . . Just give it time, okay?"

"Right." I rasped, clearing my throat. "I'm pissed at myself—the back and forth…? I hate that I was so mean to Mom when all she did was try to help me. Dad…well, he didn't do anything but support Mom. He never said I shouldn't marry Joe. He had more of a problem about Joe and me dating…When I came home, told them we were getting married, they didn't comment at first. Then Daddy congratulated Joe…I don't know. Maybe Mom hated the idea, but Dad seemed happy for us."

"They were afraid of losing you," he whispered. "They'd forbid you, and you'd run away—like you did. When you showed up with Joe that one night, I was just about to go look for you. Mom called me crying. Dad—he was already calling the troops."

I groaned. "I can't leave the house without them knowing where I am."

"You don't understand, and maybe it's because no one told you. It's dangerous out there. It's not my place to tell you anything, but bad things can happen to you if you're not protected. You understand? You could get kidnapped, murdered, raped—God forbid—because of something that has nothing to do with you. You could be used against us—any one of us. Why do you think you and Mom have drivers, protection? It's not about being overbearing. We're involved in something—it's something." He looked away from me. "It has nothing to do with them being controlling—so to speak."

I laughed. "Oh, come on."

He still wore a frown. "I'm not kidding, and I hope—pray to God you never have to see some shit . . . Hold on to your youth. I didn't have a choice—I had to grow up a lot earlier than any of my friends did. Dad did good—shielding you from so-fucking-much. Sometimes I resent it—wished he took the same care with me. But whatta ya gonna do?" He smiled. "Over time, we learn—we don't make the same mistakes we did before."

"All right…" I didn't know how to reply to that.

"I learned this a long time ago. They're not assholes or tyrants. They just want what's best for us—their children—and will go through hell or high water to help us, even if we don't agree at first. Cut them some slack and accept it. I'm going to be twenty-eight, and they're still in my business—they treat Dame and me like we're babies, too, mostly Dame..."

"But it's my life—"

"That's right. It is." He nodded. "But it's hard to watch someone you love make mistakes—watch them be hurt. You were hurting something awful these past few months. You'd smile and light up around Joe…but you weren't happy. And instead of dealing with your heartache or shutting down like us regular people, you put your all into your engagement…I don't know your reasoning. I do know that you used Joe—just like he used you—along with every excuse in the book to make your actions seem like the right ones. But you knew…"

"When I thought Gio cheated on me, I wanted to hurt him. Then after… I wanted to die—"

"Don't say that." He rushed out. "Don't you dare say some shit like that just because of some cat—Gio or not. Maybe Gio's your soul mate. Maybe you two will live happily ever after. Maybe youse'll date through college and then realize it's not working out. We grow up. We grow apart sometimes, too. I don't know, but remember… if it doesn't work out with Gio, then that just means youse weren't meant to be. If you love something, let it go. If it comes back…it's yours. You know? There's a million guys out there…but you don't need one to be happy. And us—Dad and me—hell, Mom and Dame, too. We'll never like any fucker who's trying to take you away from us. No one will ever be good enough. If you're happy, though, we'll respect your decision."

I just shrugged, trying to absorb his words. "Daddy probably hates Gio now."

"Dad loves Peto." He grinned. "Just give him some time. That's all. Fuck, Aro hates my ass sometimes, just because I was with Katie for however long," he laughed. "But it's cool 'cause I respect it. I can understand where he's coming from. Deep down, Aro loves me, too. Blood relation or not, we are a family. You know?"

I bit my lip, dancing from foot-to-foot. "It's because of the other family—the thing? Can you tell me, um, how—"

"No," he said. "That's not important."

"It is. I have so many uncles . . . and none of them are related to us—"

He spoke over me. "Bottom line, you have to make yourself happy before you can make anyone else happy. Understand?"

"Being with Gio—" Just the thought made me smile. "It's right. We love each other. We've always loved each other."

"That's great." He nodded. "I'm happy for you both, but Gio's going back to school, while you'll be here until the spring. It'll be hell. Just try to focus on yourself during that time. Get your head right. Try to figure shit out for yourself, and don't be a bitch to Mom anymore. That shit—that's just unforgiveable."

"I apologized. I feel horrible—"

He put his hand up to stop me. "Try to learn from this, okay? We all make mistakes. We all do shit, and then during the light of day—when shit is clear—we realize our screw ups."

I blew out a breath. "Oh, yeah…Um," I remembered something, "what happen to Dame?"

He raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

"He just—he's beating himself up over something. I've honestly never seen him like that before. It goes beyond a hangover."

Sonny waved a hand. "Don't worry about that lunatic. Whatever it is…he'll be fine. We all had a little too much to drink last night. That's all I know."

"Yeah," I said. "Thanks for…you know, being nice to me."

"That's what big brothers do." He hugged me again. "I know how Dad feels, I mean…" He kissed my hair. "I used to change your diapers." He chuckled, backing away.

I scoffed at nothing and slapped his bicep. "You're so gross."

"It's true. You're our baby, and it's hard—being a man, knowing the thought process of other males. We're pigs, and like I said, no fucker will ever be good enough."

I rolled my eyes. "Not every man—"

"Yes, every man." He nodded. "Sometimes, I wish you were a lesbian, but bitches be crazy too."

I grimaced because he ruined it. He sounded smart, giving me all that great advice. "Um—"

"Human beings are fucked up in general. Keep that shit in mind." He waved a finger. "I beat Joe's ass last night—"

"What?" I was surprised. "Why?"

"For screwing around with Carli…that shit happened before you took off with Peto, and that shit don't fly. I told Carli to stay away from him—sent her a text last night, and she told me to go fuck myself," he laughed. "Bitches are crazy."

I had nothing to say to that. "I need a shower."

"I need sleep." His eyes widened. "Mom invited people over for dinner."

"Who's coming?" We started to walk down the hall and stopped at the door to Sonny's childhood bedroom.

He started to undress, kicking off his shoes. "Um, Uncle Carlisle and Alex. I think Eddie's coming to stay with us because they're going on vacation. I don't know." He tossed his shirt into the hamper. "Before we scooped you up, we had breakfast with Aro, and Dad was running his mouth..."

I frowned. "We're watching the twins, too?" Every time they're here, they go through my things, and they're too freaking loud. I used to do the same things to Sonny and Damion, though—hanging out, lingering near their rooms, and trying to be cool by association before they'd kick me out.

"Fuck no. Dad would go out of his mind." He chuckled. "Oh, Amelia is coming through, too."

"Who?" I asked.

He paused, tongue-in-cheek. "Dad's buddy, Luke? He has a daughter—"

I nodded. "I met him and Elena last night."

"Amelia isn't Elena's daughter. Their kids are younger than you. This chick is from a previous relationship or something. I don't know. She's twenty or twenty-one, and I think . . . I'm pretty sure they're trying to hook her up with Dame."

I furrowed my brow. "You don't think Dame and Julie will get back together?"

He shrugged. "I hope not. I can't stand her."

"And then Maggie?"

"I think that was a one-time thing, and I highly doubt it got physical."

"Me too," I giggled.

"Dame was fucked-up. I'll be surprised if he remembers...He spoke more last night than he has in the last six months combined, weird shit, but hilarious. Last time he got crazy drunk, he blacked out, woke up on the lawn when Mom wanted to run the sprinklers," he laughed. "That crazy fucker." He stopped talking.

"Tell me," I urged.

"We'd gone somewhere, but then there was a misunderstanding...Dame got arrested," he whispered. "Meanwhile, they only held him for twenty minutes at best...Then, when he was released, he was still drunk, but wanted to celebrate. He drank for like two days straight, and then I just dropped him off in front of the house. Guess he never made it in."

"Wow." I wondered how much alcohol that would take, probably bottles or something. "Does he always drink like that?"

"That control freak?" He snorted. "No, Kylie. Every once in a while, people need to drown their sorrows. He gets drunk like once a year, and Julie did break up with him yesterday."

"Right," I whispered.

"Dame hooking up with Amelia would be beneficial." He crossed his fingers and showed them to me. "Let's hope for the best."

"Beneficial?"

He plopped onto his bed, sighing. "I've been told to keep my hands off unless I plan to put a ring on it, you know?"

"What does that mean?"

Sonny waved a hand. "Sometimes it's easy to forget you're my baby sister. Pay me no attention."

"Okay." I shook my head.

"Close my door."

I did as he said and left his doorway.

Since Damion was still in my room, I grabbed a pair of pajamas and went to take a bath. I stared blankly at the tiles while the water ran. My mind was empty. I couldn't think about any more, and I needed to relax.

I wanted Gio.

The hot water soothed my over-sexed muscles as I eased myself down.

I smiled then—because it was the good kind of pain.

With the water off, I was able to hear the lock on the door being jimmied. Mom came in with a butter knife to sit on the toilet.

"You okay?" I whispered.

She blew out a breath. "Me? I'm fine . . ." She sat back.

"Cool." I blew some bubbles away from my face as I remembered some of the things she said in Dad's office. "You didn't have Sonny at sixteen." My voice was barely above a whisper.

"No, I didn't have any baby at sixteen." She looked to me. "I had a miscarriage, which was for the best, actually."

I nodded, knowing about Charles Swan, Uncle Emmett's dad who had raised her. "What did Charles call you?"

"A whore every chance he got . . . for getting pregnant at sixteen, but it was really because of what Grandma did . . . having an affair and having me." Her eyes looked glazed over as she pointed to herself. I knew Uncle Emmett and Mom didn't have the same dad, but I didn't learn about the affair my grandmother had until a couple of years ago.

"So . . . I come from a long line of sluts?"

She beamed at me. "Thank God, you have my sense of humor."

"Thanks for defending me."

"I'll defend you until the day I die . . . I told you, I just need to know where to stand to be behind you." She placed my dirty clothes in the hamper. "I know being a teen wasn't easy—" She frowned.

I felt horrible so quickly again. "Mom, I was spoiled. You and Dad gave me anything I wanted—you guys still do."

"But . . . you didn't get to spread your wings like you brothers did."

I grinned. "That's why Texas is perfect, and I've never even been there."

She blanched at my words.

"We won't live there forever." I shot up. "I mean—"

"No . . . Regardless of what goes on between you and Peto, you have your own life to live." She had glassy eyes. "I'll miss you like crazy. But we'll visit, too." She reached to hold my hand. "I want better for you. That's what my problem was. I love my life—have loved every second I've spent with your father. Having you and your brothers, being blessed, but I always wanted more for you, all of you. There's a whole world out there—" She stopped when Damion opened the door.

"Sorry." He backed away with his hand down his pants.

"There's six bathrooms in this house," Mom said under her breath.

"And no one ever knocks," I grumbled, glad he could only see my head.

"Anyway," she sighed, "we had some great times, and some horrible and confusing and scary times too." She sucked in a breath. "I didn't want that for you. With Joe . . . you might have gotten all of that and more."

I nodded.

"I know you're a woman." She kneeled to the ground to get closer. "But you were about to be faced with a reality that . . ." Mom just stopped talking.

"A reality that…?" I urged her to go on.

"Well, you're not now. We'll take things day-by-day." She nodded, patting my forearm. "And Daddy, he knows . . . he knows better, but he's the one who can't face reality. I can't make more excuses for him. He just—he still sees you as this little thing running around stealing cookies and cursing up a storm," she laughed, making her fingers run around on my arm. "He's blind, but don't believe for one second that he doesn't know how wonderful, how beautiful, and how grown you are."

"You think?" I swallowed thickly.

"I know . . . He loves you so much, and he just can't imagine his baby girl doing what you told him you did." She shook her head. "I can't believe you told him that."

"I can't believe you yelled at him like that."

"Like what?" She put on an innocent face.

I giggled. "I had so much fun last night, and I just wanted Daddy to know that it wasn't just sex. Gio and I are in love—we love each other," I sighed. "I really did have an amazing time last night."

She raised a brow. "I bet you did, wild woman."

I covered my huge, cheesy smile.

"Let me see it." She pulled my hand away. "I haven't seen that in a long time."

I nodded, not able to contain my happiness.

"Do me a favor?" she asked.

I meant what I said earlier; I knew I put my parents through a lot over the last few months. "Anything," I promised.

"Listen to Mom next time?"

"I'll do my best," I said.

"Thank you." She bent low to kiss my hair.

"I really am sorry. I never meant to hurt you. You just—you didn't want me marrying Joe, and instead of…facing you about it, I wanted to avoid you. But like other things I did—other stupid things—hurting you just hurt me more."

Mom nodded. "I thought you hated me. I tried to figure out what I'd done wrong—"

"You didn't do anything," I whispered. "I was wrong. And I could never hate you." I started crying again. "I can't pick an emotion and stick with it." I pointed to my face.

Mom smiled. "It's okay. Just feel however you feel and know that you can always talk to me, even if I don't agree with you. We have to keep talking." She grabbed my hand.

"Is Daddy still mad?" I asked.

"He realized he made a mistake. He's apologetic…I want you to talk to him. After your bath, go to him."

My stomach tied in knots. "I—he's never been angry with me before."

Mom grinned. "You always had him wrapped around your finger. But you have to talk this out—see this through. You can't forget what he said, and you can't not talk to him. You two will never move forward…and trust me, your father can hold a grudge for a while."

"Are you guys okay? I'm sorry you fought."

She laughed. "We're fine, and you guys will be too. No worries."

"Okay."

Mom left while I continued to soak in the tub and steel my nerves. I want my father to see me as an adult—a woman, a sexual being—but it's weird, not only for him. I'm not Daddy's little girl anymore.

I felt uncomfortable and unsure of myself. I didn't know how I should act, or what I should say, but I was going to find out.

Edward POV coming up next!

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