Two Months Later...

"Leah, Jake, hurry up!" I called as I put my last bag in the car. Today was the day. I was moving and into my new home in Beacon Hills. Nothing was scarier than moving out of my own element, but I was grateful to have Jacob and Leah come with me even though I didn't want them to have to leave their homes too. They calmly and in their own way explained to me that coming with me would also mean a fresh start for them. Of course Billy, Sue, and Seth were sad to see them go, but they understood and so did the pack.

"Alright, Ava don't get your panties in a knot," Leah says as she brought out her duffle bag. I punched her lightly on the arm.

"No need to discuss my underwear in front of everyone, Lee," I pouted.

She shrugged her shoulders and threw her bag into the back seat.

"Hey!" Jake shouted. "Don't just throw your crap in there! That's my baby!"

"Jacob please, it's just a car, I think you'll get over it."

"No Leah, it's not just a car..."

I was brought out of their bickering by a hand on my arm. I turned around to see my mom looking at me with sad eyes.

"Do you have everything you need sweetie?" She was starting to get teary eyed and I took deep breaths so I wouldn't cry.

I nodded. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure I have everything. If not, I'll just have to do without."

She sighed. "Okay love." There was a slight pause and the next thing I knew, I was wrapped up in her arms and I instantly hugged her back.

"Oh baby I'm gonna miss you so much."

"I'll miss you too much," I whispered not trusting my voice at its normal octave. I didn't want to leave my family. That was the last thing I wanted to do but I had no choice.

"This is the last thing I wanted for you. I wanted you to find a guy, fall in love, marry him, give me grandbabies. I wanted you to be happy, on your own terms; I didn't want to decide who you were supposed to be with."

Yeah and whose fault was that? I wanted to ask, but I resisted. Before I could say anything, she continued.

"Well maybe you can have that, with Derek."

I clenched my teeth and nodded curtly. "Yeah, maybe."

"Ava," I heard, and looked up to see my dad with that stolid look on his face. I hate that look.

"Yeah dad?"

His features change and he has a look of sadness and a hint of regret. He says nothing as he pulls me into a hug. I hug him back and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I was going to miss him so much. Even though he' caused me so much grief these over the last couple of months, he was one of the people that I would miss the most. As a little girl, I've always revered him and at some point I had to come to the conclusion that he was right, I had no choice. I would marry Derek, even if I didn't want to.

"I love you baby girl."

"I love you too daddy."

When we finally pulled away, he had a guilty yet, embarrassed look on his face.

"What?" I asked.

"There was one minor detail that I'd forgotten to mention before.'"

"And what minor detail was that?" I asked again in a more hesitant 'where are you going with this?' voice.

"I told Derek where the house would and I gave him a key, so he can check on you from time to time."

I paused. I am reeling with this information. I can't believe he would do that without asking me first, or hell at least telling. But at the same time, I'm not shocked to say the least. I mean come on, he arranged my marriage, doing this wouldn't be that far of a stretch.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, opened my eyes, and let it out.

"Dad..."

"I know sweetheart, I know what you're going to say. But can you blame an old man being concerned for his only daughter's safety?"

I gaze at him.

"Dad you know I can take care of myself," I challenge. "And even if that were the case, you know I'm not going to be alone; I have Jake and Leah with me."

"I know baby." Guilt written all over his face.

I sighed.

"You really should have told me before."

"I know."

Of course I was uncomfortable with the idea that a man I don't know just entering my house whenever he pleases, even if he's gonna be my husband in the future. But for some odd reason it made me feel... safe.

I shook my head. Of course I was safe. I had 2 of my best friends with me and there shouldn't be anything precarious about Beacon Hills, right?

"Ok," I drew out, not knowing what else to say. Certainly my dad didn't think that I would go ballistic just because he wanted to keep me safe.

"That's it? Just ok?"

"Yeah, just ok."

He breathed a sigh of relief and pulled me in for another hug.

"Ava?" I gasped and tightened my hold around my dad as I heard the familiar voice. I let go of my dad and turned around to see Micah standing right in front of me.

This shitty day couldn't get any shittier than this.

I know, I know! Please don't kill me! I know it's been 2 years since I've updated this story. It's just that there has been a lot of stuff going on in my life and I have decided that I will not let this story sink and fail because I just love it and the concept so much. I hope that you guys enjoy this chapter and there is another one coming soon. And I don't mean in 2 years I mean in like 2 weeks lol. See ya!

TTDH