Chapter seven

Kaleb's point of view

Some girls I've easily kept. Before I was also the one getting rid of them. I would catch, get what I want, and then get rid of them. Nessie was different. No matter how hard I tried to forget her she always came up. No matter how hard I tried to get her for myself my attempts were useless. She always went back to Jacob in the end. Jacob would always take her back.

I couldn't be happier for them. Honestly.

Then Megan came along. She was just supposed to just be a distraction. She was hot and she knew it. I knew I screwed up any chance of a friendship. With anybody. I agreed to marriage just to shut her up but I prayed I would never get down to the alter. Thank God I called it off when I decided to leave. I wouldn't be able to handle that women.

And then there was six year old Grace Isabelle Black. My destined imprint. That I am running from I must add. At first I thought she would actually be my child. From what I heard I have no right to claim her as my own. She's a Jake made over.

I knew I couldn't run from her forever. We were bound to cross paths eventually. But Jake, Nessie, and I all made a silent mutual agreement. She was way too young. I mean, Nessie had Jake but he was a better man than I was. I would break Grace's heart in the future. I was born a leaver.

Plus, Jake and I would constantly argue over who trumped who. It just cause friction between all of us even more.

So not I sat in a bar on a double date with Jordan and Isabelle. Somehow the idiot charmed her. Meaning, I begged her to give him a chance so he would stop bugging me. She agreed but only for my sake. Just I owned her one big favor. I hate owing people.

Since I would be a third wheel Isabelle (still hurts to say her name) set me up with some random, hopeless romantic chick named Natalie. Back story was that the boyfriend went off to college and she caught him in bed with another woman. I've never really been in her shoes. I'm mostly in the other shoes. More like the boyfriend catches the girlfriend in bed with me. Sometimes the husband. Yes, I have had plenty of those moments. You don't want to be in those shoes.

The "outing" as I like to call it was going nowhere. Unless you count Natalie crying more and more with every drink she has. Isabelle was actually enjoying Jordan's company, and the kid was actually being normal! I was bored. All I wanted to do was sleep or shed my human skin and two legs and switch it for fur and four legs. Either sounded perfect for me right now.

I looked over at Isabelle. She was pretty. Okay. She was gorgeous. I could see myself happy with her or a girl like her. But I know I can hurt her in the end if anything ever happens. Which it won't. I'm just not…interested in anybody. They say you can't run from an imprint. I was going to try though. It's best for the both Grace and Sage.

Isabelle caught my staring glaze and blushing, winking at me. She smiled and I smiled back. I threw a look toward Natalie, who sat at the table passed out, and mouthed, "You so owe me."

"I know." She mouthed back.

"You know, I really think we should get home. I don't think Kaleb's date can handle any more fun." Isabelle said. I don't think I've ever been so happy in my life.

"You really know how to pick them, dude" Jordan joked.

Thing is I didn't pick her out. She kind of was thrown on me.

I've got to give it to him though. He was acting like a gentleman. Something I never thought he would do. It was clear the wolf life wasn't for him. He shouldn't be a wolf. He's the only one of us that has actually phased and killed a human, beating what Sam had done. I hate to see who he loses his temper on if he wasn't a wolf. Being one of us was a good and bad thing for him. It worried me when his next blow up might be.

I carried Natalie back to our car that got us from point A to point B. We had to work to pay it off but it works. Isabelle and Jordan lingered behind us. I sat my drunk date in the back and hopped up front to drive. I don't trust Jordan behind the wheel just yet. I've seen him drive. It's not so pretty.

Here I go again acting like the parent.

"I had a fun night tonight." Isabelle said after I drove off.

"Me too." Jordan said. I didn't say anything. If I did I would be lying.

"So…both of you say you're from Washington. Why did ya'll leave?" I have to admit it. Her southern drawl made her kind of cute.

A pain shot in my chest. It was like a thousand knives twisting inside of my chest. They wouldn't stop. It hurt so bad that I couldn't help but cry out in pain, making the car swerve violently.

"Kabe? Are you alright?" Jordan asked, placing a hand on the wheel to keep the car from wrecking.

I think I'm going to be sick. No wait. I am going to be sick.

I pulled over. Before I could barely get the car in park I was out the door, upchucking everything in my stomach, which wasn't much to begin with.

"Did someone have too much?" Isabelle asked after I was finished.

I sat there, starring at the ground. The pain in my chest was turning into a familiar feeling. I breathed heavy, not really ready for answers. Or answering.

"Yeah…I guess I did." I breathed. "Maybe you should drive, Jordan."

"But I thought-"

"Just drive the damn car, Jordan!" I shouted, cutting the punk off. I know he didn't deserve it now because he was trying to change but my patience was gone.

I made my way to the backseat but Isabelle stopped me. "Are you sure you're really okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?" she asked.

"I'm fine." Hah! That was a lie.

I sunk down into the backseat and watched Jordan drive. What brought this on? This was getting worse. It's like every time I look at a girl or think about home an achy pain that was already in my chest gets worse. I can't really move on.

Maybe because I don't want too.

I don't remember falling asleep until the car door opened and I fell out, hitting the ground hard.

"If I didn't know better I would say you did have one too many." Jordan commented. If I wasn't half asleep I would make him regret saying that.

"Where are we?" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.

"Home. Or at least as good as it's going to get."

Oh yeah. Jordan and I were able to find a house and a job. It seemed we were staying in this small town longer than I planned.

"Oh." Was all I said as I got out. "You dropped them off?"

I unlocked the door and stepped though. This wasn't home but it has to be good enough. We weren't really welcome at our original home and I'm pretty sure we can't crash at Jake's house. So this might as well be it.

Jordan was talking about something but it seemed distant to my cars. The pain…It was still there. It would always be there unless I didn't make my way over to where Grace was. But then what? Jake would order me away the moment I step on his doorstep. He wouldn't let me see her. He wouldn't let me anywhere near Grace, Sage, and Nessie. So I might as well stay here and feed my useless alter ego.

I was such an idiot. I'm running from my fate. I could be like Jake. He intended to kill Nessie but ended up locking eyes with her. Now they're living happily ever after. I've always envied that happily ever after. I wanted to take Jake's happily ever after away from him. I wanted his life. I wanted his girl. Now…I just want to get to the after part. There was no way I was getting the happily ever part.

I have a long time to go. I could be like Jordan and try every possible way to die. Well, not every possibility. I would never hurt my brothers and try to hurt one of their imprints. I'm not that selfish. I couldn't do that to Kyle and Kierra.

Kyle and Kierra…my little sister understood to a point. My little brother knew but disagreed. I say I wouldn't kill myself but I won't be there for my siblings when our "father" suddenly wants to be back in our life. He tells Kyle that he's changed. He's married. We have more half siblings. He wants to get to know Kierra and make amends with us. And then my brother's in court over fighting for custody.

And I'm not there. Shows how much of a hypocrite I am.

I closed my eyes, willing everything to go away. What I wouldn't give to be on some stranded, stupid, deserted, paradise of an island. I could be far away from things I won't screw up. I'll be far away from people so I won't screw up their lives. People won't expect me to do anything right. I don't have to run from my fate. I might get that happily ever after.

Yeah right! I'm not that stupid.

~~~~~~ Forever ~~~~~~

Grace's point of view:

I spun myself around in the spinney chair that was in Momma and Daddy's bathroom. Sage was lucky he was able to get away with being in the garage with Daddy.

"Momma! Hurry up!" For a half vampire, she's slow.

"I am. I just can't remember where I put the scissors." She said, crawling around in the bathroom. "Stop spinning or you'll fall."

I stopped, watching her go back to looking and then started spinning again.

I always liked their bathroom and wondered why me and Sage's can't be as grand. The way the lights were dimmed were pretty. Plus I liked sneaking into their closet and trying on Momma's shoes and jewelry. She always finds out where I'm at but she was never mad. She sometimes dressed up with me.

"Where could I have put those scissors?" Momma mumbled to herself.

I giggled and then put my hand over my mouth to hide it. What she didn't know was that I had Sage forget where she puts them. I knew she was going to cut my hair today.

Momma raised her head and gave me one of her looks. "Grace Isabelle, where are the scissors." She asked.

"I don't know." I shrugged.

"Mmmhmmm…will you know if I tickle it out of you"

Suddenly she was by my side, tickling me. She ran her finger up my spine, knowing that was my main tickle spot. I remember I use to hate it as a baby. She, Daddy, and Sage do it all the time. I still hate it anyway.

I laughed and squirmed till my long wet hair was all over my face and I was hot, sweaty, and tired. I leaned against Momma and breathed heavy. "They're…" I breathed. "They're over there."

Momma got up and went over to where I pointed. She grabbed them and I scrunched up my nose, pouting. Momma spun me around to face the mirror and I saw us. I always thought my mother was beautiful. She was different than my friends' mothers. Daddy says she's the most beautiful creature he's ever seen. He also said that me and my brother get our sharp features from her.

"You know, when I was a little girl I use to love having my hair brushed. Aunt Rose would spend hours combing through my hair to make it shiny." Momma said as she ran a brush through my hair gently.

It made me fall asleep and I hate that. "If I didn't have to be still I would like it." I pouted.

"You can't always be on the go, my sweet. Sometimes it's best to sit back and relax a little every now and then." She said, running a finger across my cheek. I have a feeling she's talking about somebody else other than me. "But you've always been like that."

"I still am."

"Sometimes I wonder where you get your energy. Could I have some?"

I blinked, looking at my hair, knowing my mother had boundless energy. She could do anything. Her and Daddy. But I realized I said something I've never even admitted before. Not even to Sage and I tell him everything, "Sometimes when I don't stay still it helps me keep my shield in."

I could feel it now. The pain against my skull as I kept focusing on keeping it in like Uncle Jasper and Grandma told me too. She says she imagines hers as stretching a rubber band. I couldn't do that with mine so I imagined me pulling something in to keep it away from a fire so it wouldn't get burned. I hated seeing my family in pain so I try my hardest. But the longer I keep it in the worse my pain becomes. Sometimes it hurts so bad that I accidently let it slip. I feel better but not when I see Daddy tensing up or Grandpa backing away.

Then there's Momma and Sage who are immune to it in general. Until I push it to cause pain. I've only meant to do it when I was upset, angry, scared, or I just feel like playing with it because it gets my mind off of the pain. I don't mean to hurt people. I try not to. But sometimes it hurts too much to try.

So whenever Sagey erased my memory when I asked for a little sibling, I pushed it at him. I was already hurting, I really want a younger sibling, and I hated when Sage did that. I only meant it for him only. Not Momma and Daddy also.

I saw Momma tried to hide it but I heard her. She always stays strong for us and that scared me more. I lost all control and that made Daddy worse. We've seen him lose it but he's always ran away the moment he felt any pain. And that was when Sage and I were younger. He's had it under control now so it was easier for me to be around him. But I've never seen him look at me and my brother with hate in his eyes. It scared me that he wasn't my daddy anymore.

Sage and I ran up the stairs, him leading the way but I couldn't help but stop. Momma didn't notice me. She was focused on this wild man that looked like my daddy. And then I saw him grab her, yelling things I her that I knew Daddy would never say. He said words that I knew Daddy would never say in front of us. Blood was all over him. The smell made me sick.

Sage yanked me forward and we ran to Daddy's office. I didn't want to go there but Sage said to trust him. Being my brother I did. But I was so scared. Outside we saw Daddy fight Momma and I accidently let my shield out even more. I saw that man look up at us with some type of rage. He tried to hit Momma but she dodged it. It looked like he was coming after us.

I couldn't watch anymore. I ran to Daddy's chair and crawled in it, letting my tears fall. Sage crawled next to me and wrapped me in a hug, saying Daddy wouldn't come after us now. I knew we were going to be in trouble but I didn't care. I just kept thinking how much Daddy was going to hate me and how he tried to hurt us. That wasn't my father. It wasn't supposed to be him.

Momma came in after that. I saw the tears in her eyes but she didn't let them fall. She said daddy loved us more than anything. I didn't know how much I believed that anymore. I was terrified of that man that claimed to be my father. If he can do that what else could he do? Momma carried us to her bedroom. I remember curling up next to my brother and falling asleep.

Then the day after Daddy apologized but I was already scared of him. I refused to get anywhere near him. I saw that he wanted to cry; and Sage could feel my horror. Even at school he ranted at how much he hated Daddy and he would never be like him.

I was pulled out of my memory by hearing something drop on the floor. I saw Momma bend down and pick up the brush. I've rarely seen her drop stuff and I was six and a half years old.

"Momma?" I asked, worried something was wrong with her.

"I was just being clumsy. I'm sorry. Can you hold you head up higher please, my love?" she showed me but I couldn't help but spot the wetness of her cheeks.

I heard the scissors going to my hair and then started cutting. I knew it was only a trim but I hated sitting still. I grew restless easy.

I felt the push against my hold. So I gripped my hands into fist like I see Daddy do. It was hurting so bad so I paid attention to Momma's humming. I was so close to tears but I didn't want to upset my mother even more. For some reason she was crying enough.

"Are you excited about going to Washington for Thanksgiving?" Momma asked.

I shrugged. I was excited to see my aunts and uncles. I was excited to see Grandpa Billy and Grandma Sue. I was excited to see Papa and Nana. I couldn't wait to see my Daddy's uncles like Uncle Paul and Uncle Quil. I couldn't wait to see my cousins. So I guess I was a little excited.

"I know Sage is excited to see Channing. He won't stop talking about her. It gets aggravating." I said.

"He is Mr. Flirt isn't he?"

I agreed. Sage and Channing were close. I was fine with it before but now I didn't like it. She was pretty. She was seven. That was too old for my brother. He was my Sagey. Nobody was going to take him away.

After a while of Momma cutting, drying, and brushing my hair she spun me around. "There. See? It wasn't that bad. Now your hair is smooth and shiny. You look beautiful. It probably feels lighter too."

I nodded but wished I didn't. My head pounded so bad it brought the tears back to my eyes. It hurt so badly. And the horrible smell that made me sick wasn't helping. But that wasn't the thing that was upsetting me.

"Momma, are you sure you can't have another baby." I asked, spinning around to face her.

She pulled me into her arms and carried me over to her bedroom, sitting down in one of the chairs. I let her hold me like I was little again and she ran her fingers through my hair, playing with the hairs on the back of my head like she does to help me relax. Some of the pressure decreased.

"No, sweetheart. I can't" she answered, kissing my forehead.

"Why?" I thought.

"Because…you and your brother are our miracle babies. I couldn't imagine my life without the two of you."

"Well can't you and Daddy at least try?"

Momma laughed. "It's not that easy. Your daddy and I love both of you so much. Is Sage that boring?"

I giggled. My brother was amazing. My total opposite but that just seemed to sync us together even more. Rebecca and Zeaden are the same way but it seemed me and Sage had that unique "twinergy." It was different than any of the others. That was what Aunt Rachel says anyway.

"Can I at least hope?" I asked. I wasn't putting this to rest.

"Of course."

I liked the idea of having a little brother or sister. Sage was younger than me but we were twins so it didn't count. And I know Momma and Daddy are still upset over the baby we lost. I remember Sage and I were too. We still are because that was one family member we haven't met yet and he or she didn't get to enjoy our crazy family. Was that why we were called miracle babies so much?

I got a whiff of the blood and vampire smell and wanted to throw up. I knew Sage and Momma went hunting early in the morning while Daddy and I were still asleep. I had wished I went but now I'm glad I didn't.

"Do you want to see what your father and brother have gotten into?" Momma asked.

I was about to lose control of the feeling again. My head felt like it would explode. So I closed my eyes, burying my head in Momma's chest, despite the horrible smell I usually love. Stupid blood. Stupid Sage for wanting to go hunting.

Momma got up and almost sat me down if I didn't grip the top of her dress and lock my legs around her small waist. I knew I was acting like a baby but I didn't care. I even let out a whimper to help my case.

I closed my eyes as I felt Momma carry me somewhere. I felt her lay me down in my bed, saying she would be right back. I could feel a warm rag cover my eyes and I sighed. That felt better.

"Mommy," I begged, "don't go."

"I'll only be away for a few minutes. I need to do something right quick." She whispered, kissing my forehead.

I wondered what Momma was doing. I had to wonder about a lot of things because I started to cry out in pain and pull at my hair. I need to release it! But what if I hurt Daddy again? What if this time he hurts us? I knew how sad he was whenever Sage and I are scared of him. I don't want to hurt anybody. Not anymore. Not even a brat at my school who I really hate. Not even Marco.

Well…those two wouldn't be so bad but still!

"Grace? Sweetheart, you can release it. Daddy phased." Momma said.

I looked at her, tears close to my eyes, to make sure it was okay. She nodded yes with a smile and I shot up, wiping the unshed tears away, excited. I focused all my energy on that single pain and pushed it away. I let everything fall into that fire. I felt it release. I could feel it flowing out of my body and into the air.

I smiled, feeling better. I hopped from my bed and ran to Momma, wrapping her in a hug. "I love you, Momma. You're the best mother in the whole wide world!"

Momma laughed. "I love you too, my sweet. You're the best daughter in the whole wide world. Now I'm sure Sage is worried about you."

Sage…I could feel he was worried about me so I ran down the stairs and to the garage. I saw my brother sitting on the floor, arms crossed. His hair was a mess and he had grease on his cheek. You could definitely tell he was working with Daddy.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked.

"Uh-huh."

"Good, because you made me quit spending time with Daddy." My brother pouted.

"Oh, Sagey, we can still play with him."

"But we were working on his car though."

I cut my eyes and batted my eyelashes, knowing my twin would cave. As his sister it is in my rights to manipulate him. He's never been able to stay mad at me. I was the same way with him.

"I'm so sorry, bubba."

He caved, patting my hand. "It's okay, sissy."

We giggled. We haven't used those nicknames in months, thinking they were too immature for that now that we were almost seven. But I missed us calling each other this. I dare anybody to call my brother my special name for him.

"Go get cleaned up, because now that I'm feeling better I'm bored." I ordered.

He huffed. "Yes, master."

I smiled triumphantly and was about to leave when Sage stopped me, grabbing my hand. "Gracie? Have you been having the dream?"

I bit my lip. I didn't want Momma and Daddy to die but I can feel them being worried about it. That something might happen. I know they're always going to be scared when we're away, but I feel as if something bad is about to happen.

"Not lately. You?"

"No, not yet." Sage said, looking away. "Come on. This is aggravating me."

I had no clue what was aggravating him but followed him inside. Momma walked down the stairs, laundry in hand, and my brother ran to over to her, tackling her. I saw that he ruined Momma's dress with the oil. I yelled at him but Momma just smiled and said she didn't like the dress anyway.

After Sage washed up and changed clothes, we sat outside the patio against Momma's wishes and waited for her to get lunch ready. I was impatient, switching my left arm to my right to prop up my head on. I continued to huff constantly and swing my legs. I even hit Sage a few times by accident…a few times.

"I can't see why you don't notice anything." I told my typical boy brother.

"Grace, you only got you hair cut a few inches. It isn't a big difference. The only thing I notice is that you hair kind of shines purple in the sun."

"Really!?" That was so cool…until my stomach growled and it went to the back of my mind. "Go tell Momma to hurry up."

"You've got two legs and we all know you've got a mouth that you never keep shut. You go tell her."

I looked at my brother, angry until Momma's voice came into our minds. "If the two of you are so hungry maybe you can come inside and help me."

We knew that it wasn't a suggestion so we walked into the kitchen. Momma was wearing a different outfit but she looked pretty in anything. She turned around to look at us. "I think we need to eat inside." She said.

"Why?" Sage and I asked together.

"Because your faces are flushed and it's too cold outside for the two of you." She put her hand on our cheeks and we jumped back from the shock of the warmness. "See?"

"Fine." We mumbled. Momma handed us our plates and drinks and we headed to the dining room.

As we sat and ate I saw Momma looking out the window. "Sage? Where did your father run off to?" she asked.

"He said after you asked that he was going to check up on the pack." He said with a mouthful of his sandwich. Momma flashed him a look. He should know better. She taught us manners. I couldn't help but giggle and she even shot me a look. Sometimes Momma doesn't joke.

"Can he hurry up though? What's so special about the woods and the pack?" I asked. I couldn't help it. I miss my daddy.

"He also has to take care of them too, Gacie. That's one of the many things he does."

I huffed. I always wondered what it would be like to be a wolf and be in a pack with Daddy. Aunt Leah was the only female wolf and she says she catches a lot of slack from the boys. I guess she had to fight for her position because Daddy said she used to be one of the people he went to for help. If I was a wolf would I have to fight for my position? Would my uncles give me slack about being a female wolf? What about my cousins if they ever phase? Would Rebecca phase? Channing? Uncle Jared and Aunt Kim's daughter Evette? Why was it so rare for a girl to phase?

I never really asked Daddy what it was like to be a wolf or be Alpha. I know if anything happened to him Daddy's second in hand would take over the pack. I wonder how he would handle that. Daddy always says he hates being away from us. Was being a wolf and having a family that bad?

Momma dropped her sandwich on her plate. "Speaking of your father…Jacob Black! Don't you dare!"

Momma got up and ran to the kitchen. Sage and I decided to follow her just to be nosy. When we got there we saw a muddy wolf trying to come into our house. He got the front part of his body in but his shoulders got stuck.

"Are you mad, Jake?!" Momma exclaimed as she tried to get Daddy from coming into the house more. "One, get out of this house. You're not coming inside as a wolf! Two, you're dirtying up my floor in which I had just mopped! Three…Get off the deck!"

I laughed at how Daddy looked at Momma and whined. She crossed her arms, not budging, and surely wasn't going to cave.

"Well, if you're so hungry then go phase and come inside." She said. I could tell she was reading Daddy's mind. She only does to us when we're hiding something and Daddy hates when she does it when he's human.

"I told you so." Sage whispered close to my ear. "We don't need a puppy when we've got Daddy."

That was so true.

Obviously wolf Daddy heard that and it seemed to make things funnier. He stretched down to where the front part of his body was to the floor, making the door to our deck stretch, and he shoot his tail, sticking out his big tongue. When he saw us laughing he started to move his paws like a normal dog does when it's excited. He looked at us excited and bent his head down for us to pet. We laughed even more. Well, me and Sage did. Momma just glared at our wolf even more.

"You've got your puppy, my loves." Momma said, turning to look at us.

Daddy growled at Momma and she couldn't help but laugh. We ran to him and scratched his head like he wanted us to. Afterwards we wrapped our arms around his neck. I buried my head in his shaggy fur and smelt his woodsy sent. Me and Sage have a little bit of it to but we also got Momma's lavender smell too. A weird mix.

"I love you, Daddy." I mumbled, my voice muffled by his fur.

"Me too." I heard Sage say to.

Daddy made a weird sound from his chest and it made us laugh. I liked having Daddy as a wolf sometimes. But I also liked having him as a human. It's easier to talk to him like that. But I know for some reason he can't stop phasing. I've heard him and Momma argue over that when they were talking about us.

We moved back to Momma so Daddy could back away. When he did his shoulders hit against the door. He stepped forward again and then backed up only to hit it again, this time making the house shake.

Daddy saw Momma's glare and shrunk down. My brother and I could only stare wide eyed at what was happening.

"Uh-oh." Sage whispered. "Daddy's in trouble."

"Yes, Sage. Daddy is in trouble."

Poor Daddy.

~~~~~~ Forever ~~~~~~

It took forever-in my book-for Daddy to get unstuck and back to human. But for some reason that only made Momma even madder at him.

I had to pull my shield in so Daddy could be around us. After that Momma made him mop the entire kitchen, wash off the deck, and repair what he broke of the backdoor. I was angry. I didn't see the big deal and I really needed to ask him a question.

Now Sage and I sat in his office. He sat at his desk doing some work while Sage and I read. I figured now was the best time to ask him my question.

"Daddy?" I asked.

"Hmm?"

Only half his attention. Darn it. "What's it like to be a wolf?"

Daddy's hand froze and Sage's face shot to me. Both seemed shocked that I had asked that. Especially Daddy. I didn't understand why. Momma and Daddy said we could ask them anything. Then here is my anything question.

"Um…Gracie, what brought this on?" Daddy asked.

"I don't know. I was just wondering." I shrugged.

Sage asked the next question. "Is it cool?"

"Some of it."

"How?"

"I have a lot of people that rely on me. We have to do things we might hate. I have to be away from the two of you and Momma."

"Well, what's cool about it?" I asked.

Daddy smiled at me, the same smile Sage uses. "Not being a vampire."

"So does that mean we'll eventually turn into wolves?" Sage asked.

"Maybe. Maybe not. When you're older maybe. A lot older. When you hit that age me and your mother decide on, we'll talk more about you being a wolf." Daddy said. "In the meantime, though, you have to deal with being my spoiled rotten, giggling, amazing son and daughter. You think you can handle that?"

Sage and I both nodded yes, agreeing. A lot older meant a long time from now.

"Good." Daddy said, looking relieved or he did it to make us laugh, "Don't ever grow up too quick. Being older isn't that great."

I took his word for it. Being a grownup was overrated.