Bella is still berating herself when they get off the plane. Ariel seemed fine the rest of the flight, but Bella was able to recognize the tension in her shoulders.

How could I forget she hates flying?! Bella thinks angrily to herself. It's the reason Charlie started spending the part of the summer month with us in California! Every summer, the girls would spend a month with their dad. When they were 3, their mom tried to take them on a plane. Ariel freaked out, refusing to get on and threw a major tantrum. She wrapped herself around one of the chairs in the waiting area and screamed bloody murder anytime their mom got to close. They ended up being escorted out of the airport.

After that, their mom would drive them up to Forks at the beginning of the month, and their dad would drive them back to Phoenix at the end of the month. That went on for years until they turned 13. That year Bella begged their dad if they could spend the month somewhere sunnier. So that year Charlie took the month off work and they spent the summer taking a road trip along the California coast. Since then, they've spent one week in Forks before taking a two week road trip, just the three of them.

It was during this year's road trip that Bella brought up the idea of moving in with Charlie.

"Bell, you hate Forks," Ariel said with a look. "You only spend the week there because you know dad can't take more time off."

"No," Bella corrected. "I hate the constant rain." She shifted onto her stomach on the bed. "And I stay because I know you like it," she said much quieter

"I don't think that's changed in the last week," Ariel pointed out. She either didn't hear the second part, or chose to ignore it.

"I can live with it for two years," Bella said gruffly, looking away.

"What brought this about?" Ariel sat on the bed next to her.

"I just," Bella paused to gather her thoughts. "It's something I've been thinking about since mom started dating Phil." Ariel's eyes scrunched in concern.

"Bell-"

"Just let me explain," Bella interrupted. She turned pleading eyes onto her sister. "Please Ari?" Ariel sighed and nodded. "I know mom doesn't mind us being around. But I also know that she loves Phil and doesn't get to spend nearly as much time with him as she wants because he travels and she can't." They sit in silence for a moment.

"We only have two years of school left," Ariel started slowly. "Do you really want to start over someplace new, where you don't know anyone? Two years before we do it again with college? We'll be out of mom's hair soon enough. You don't need to make yourself miserable over it."

The conversation was dropped at the time, but Bella didn't give up. When it became clear Ariel wouldn't move for their mom, Bella started bringing up their dad. Ariel had always been closer with Charlie than Bella had been. Heck, Bella's sure she wouldn't call him Dad if Ariel didn't. It wasn't until their mom revealed that she and Phil were engaged a month into the school year that Ariel caved. She refused to switch schools in the middle of the semester though. Hence they were moving during the winter break.

"Dad!" Ariel's shout draws Bella out of her head. Her sister grabs her arm and pulls her into an almost run.

"Good to see you girls," Charlie says when they get to him. Ariel lets go of Bella's arm and her bright red rolling suitcase to hug him. When it's her turn, Bella offers a one armed hug, her other arm occupied with her large yellow duffle bag. "Is that all you two brought with you?" Ariel rolls her eyes.

"Dad, we've been sending stuff to you for months," Ariel reminds him. Mostly books Bella thinks. And clothes. The few months before the move had given them time to prepare rain appropriate wardrobes.

Charlie chuckles and ruffles their hair. Bella really hopes he won't be doing that often. He leads them out of the airport and to his police cruiser. Bella makes a mental note to start looking for used cars for sale asap. She had already planned on getting a car, she'd been saving up for years, but the sooner the better. As Ariel pointed out several times to try and dissuade Bella, they're going to be the new kids in a small school. No need to stand out more by being dropped off by the sheriff.

"How was your flight?" Charlie asks once they are all piled into the car. Bella has shotgun.

"Fine," Ariel answers.

Bella wants to turn around and glare at her because no it was not fine. Ariel almost had a panic attack! But she can't turn around because that would let Charlie know something was wrong. Clearly Ariel doesn't want to talk to Charlie about it, or at least not right now. So Bella will leave it.

They pull out of the airport parking lot in silence. Bella hates it. Normally, Ariel would try and catch up with their dad or sing along to the music. Now she just stares out the window, quiet.

"Hey dad?" Bella asks. Charlie hums in acknowledgement. "Did you make us hair appointments for tomorrow?"

"Sure did! After your doctor's appointment, Ariel."

"Thanks dad," Ariel responds with a smile. Bella is worried they will lapse into silence again. She doesn't have to worry long.

"What are you two going to do with your hair?" Charlie asks.

"I'm debating between a new cut, or a new mix of colors," Ariel answers.

"I'm just getting a trim," Bella says.

"Come on Bell," Ariel whines. "You should do something interesting with your hair for once!"

"I can't pull off crazy styles like you," Bell shoots back.

"We are identical twins!"

They argue over it for most of the drive. It's nice.