A/N: I started getting bored with this story, but after going back and re-reading some of it I remembered how much fun writing this story had been. So, now I'm inspired again and plan to update more regularly. Thank you to everyone leaving reviews and motivating me to keep going.

"Pocahontas, wake up."

Pocahontas groaned and rolled over. She and John had stayed out late after Philip's party the night before and she had planned on sleeping in that morning.

"Pocahontas," Nakoma said more aggressively. "You have a phone call. Get up."

Pocahontas opened one eye and looked up at her cousin. She was holding the cordless phone out to her. Pocahontas sighed and took it from her. She took a moment to wake up and then put the phone up to her ear.

"Hello?" Despite being tired and still in bed, she managed to make her voice sound like she had been awake for a while.

"Good morning, daughter."

Pocahontas' eyes flew open and she sat up. "Dad? I haven't heard from you in forever. How have you been?"

"I'm fine," he replied. "But, I'm afraid this isn't a pleasure call."

"What do you mean? Is something wrong?"

"I hear there is. Kocoum called me this morning to tell me you're dating a boy whom he thinks he bad for you."

Pocahontas rolled her eyes and lied back down. This was so not worth waking up for. "Kocoum doesn't know what he's talking about. John is a great guy. I don't know what Kocoum's problem is."

"Pocahontas, I don't have time to argue about this. I trusted Kocoum to look after you and if he doesn't approve of this boy, then maybe it's for the best that you don't see him."

"No! Kocoum doesn't get to control my life. And you don't get to just call me up after not contacting me for months and try and tell me what to do."

"Pocahontas-"

"You're busy, dad, remember? I don't want to keep you." Pocahontas hung up the phone and tossed it on the floor before rolling over and going back to sleep.

XXX

"That was some party last night," Aurora said, picking up the plastic cups left on the kitchen counter. She dropped them in the almost full garbage on the floor at her feet then looked over at Philip. He was sitting at the table, staring at a leftover beer can from the party.

Aurora walked over to him, picked up the can and threw it away. Philip looked up at her, but then lowered his head. Aurora sat down and put a comforting hand on his arm.

"Are you all right?" she asked.

"Being the son of rich parents sucks."

Aurora thought about telling him the grass wasn't greener on the other side, but decided that probably wasn't what he wanted to hear right then.

"Philip, I know it must hurt to have your parents miss your birthday, but forget them. All of your friends showed up last night to celebrate with you. Your parents will have to live with guilt, but you can't let it get to you. You are surrounded by people who love you and want to be around you. Focus on that."

Philip stood up and started cleaning. "That's easy for you to say; you have the perfect family."

Aurora resisted the urge to laugh out loud. "That's not true. My mother and I fight all the time. No one has the perfect family. That's why God gave us friends; so we can have people to escape to."

Philip gave Aurora a half smile. "Thanks for trying to cheer me up."

"That's what I'm here for." Aurora stood up. "And, uh, speaking of friends; Eric is passed out in the upstairs bathroom. You should probably take care of that."

XXX

Belle sat awkwardly next to Adam at dinner, trying to avoid eye contact with him. She hadn't spoken to him since the party, but tonight was the night of the dinner with her dad and they didn't want him to know anything was wrong, since she was still trying to get his approval.

"Adam, I'd like to start out by thanking you for saving Belle that day," Maurice said.

"There's no need to thank me, sir. I did what anyone would have done in my situation."

"Still, my daughter is the most important thing in my life and I don't know what I would do if something happened to her."

Adam glanced at Belle, then looked back at Maurice. "I feel the exact same way about her."

For some reason, hearing that seemed to surprise Belle's father. But then he gave Adam a small smile. "I misjudged you, Adam."

Adam nodded. "Most people do. I know there are rumors spreading around about me and I understand your hesitation in letting Belle date me. But, I assure you, sir, that Belle is safe with me."

"Nonetheless, I'm sorry for what I've said to and about you."

Belle gave her father a wary look. "What are you getting at, Papa?"

"Adam has clearly shown he is different that I originally thought and I was wrong before. Adam, if you truly care about my daughter, then I no longer disapprove of you dating her."

"Thank you, Papa!" Belle got up and hugged her dad.

"Please continue to take care of her, Adam."

"I will."

The phone rang then and Maurice excused himself. Belle turned to face Adam and smiled at him. Adam, however, looked completely serious.

"Belle, I'm really sorry about last night."

Belle glanced over at her father. He had his back to them and was talking quickly about something Belle didn't understand.

"Let's not talk about that now, okay?"

"We have to talk about it soon. I've been feeling so bad about what I did."

Belle narrowed her eyes at Adam. "I don't want to talk about it now. Please drop it."