You're worthless.

No one wants you.

No one will ever want you.

You're going to be alone forever.

The voice swimming in my head sounds like Charlie. It's interesting because that's where I'm going- to Charlie's house. It's not my house. It's never been my house. A house is for someone who belongs somewhere.

I'm not sure why I'm heading that way. It's not like I have a good reason to go. Alice has been lending me her clothes. Esme has been feeding me. I don't have to go back to that hell-hole, but that's exactly where I'm going, nevertheless.

I feel a bit possessed. I've been driving around aimlessly for the past hour. I didn't go to class earlier. I thought I was going to go to class, I was walking in the right direction to go to class, but then I walked back towards my car and drove away.

I needed time to think. In the past hour I've decided I must be crazy. That's the only answer I've been able to come up with. I must be mentally unstable. It would explain why I'm so weak. It would explain why I'm depressed all the time. Frankly, I would like to have that excuse. It would be so much easier to blame all of my problems on a clinical disease, than to admit the truth.

When I role into the crumbling driveway, I park my truck, hop down, and stride purposefully towards the faded wooden door. I think about using the key under the mat, but I don't. Instead I knock several times and wait.

He probably isn't home. He's never home this early, but why not give it a shot? I have nothing to lose. I've already been kicked out; what more can he do?

The door jerks open unexpectedly. A putrid smell floats from the living room, a disgusting blend of vomit and body odor. My eyes fix on the skinny man standing before me. My father is not nearly as big as I remember him. I used to think he was larger than life. Now...now he's just a scrawny little man.

"You're probably surprised to see me," I say.

"Knew you'd be back sooner or later," he mutters.

"I'm not staying, Charlie. There's something I need to tell you."

His squints at me. "And what's that?"

"I have hated you for as long as I can remember," I start, my voice low. "You have hurt me in so many ways. You've never been a dad, and you never will be."

Sputtering, he takes a small step in my direction. "You listen here, girlie-"

Determined to be brave, I stand my ground. "It's weird, but I don't hate you anymore. You're not worth that much of my energy. In fact, I forgive you."

"I don't need your forgiveness," he snarls.

"I know. This is for my benefit, not yours."

I quickly walk back to my truck. A shuddering breath escapes me when I'm safely back inside the cab. I look over at my dad one more time before driving away. The miserable sneer he was sporting is gone. As I back out into the street, I see nothing more than a tired soul.

It's raining when I get back to school. I barely make it back before the last bell rings. There's no point in going in, so I sit out in my truck until I see kids start to pile out. Butterflies are fluttering around in my stomach when I step out into the light mist. Putting my hood up, I wait for a familiar mess of black hair.

It takes a bit, but I finally manage to make him out in the crowd. Our eyes connect almost instantly. I don't expect a warm welcome, which is fine because that's not why I'm here. It isn't like I expect everything to be okay between us after I ran away. Everyone, even Emmett, has a limit.

Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I slowly walk across the wet pavement. We meet at the bottom of the steps. "Hi," I murmur.

He looks at me blankly. "Hey."

"Do you need a ride home?" I ask.

Snorting, he looks away, shaking his head. "I'm surprised you came back. I thought I was going to have to walk home."

I flinch. "I shouldn't have run off. I'm sorry."

"Yeah, me too."

Dread coils around my heart. I don't want to fight with him. "I know you're mad. You have every right to be."

Suddenly he closes the distance between us, his eyes searching mine. "Why did you leave?"

I mesmerize the slope of his nose, the shape of his expressive eyes. "Because I'm a coward," I whisper when I can speak past the lump stuck in my throat. "It's easier for me to think you're using me than it is to believe you really care."

"Why? Why is it easier? Have I done something to-"

"Dont," I say fiercely. "You've been amazing. I'm just...broken."

"Do you think Jessica was telling you the truth?"

His tone demands an answer. "No," I reply softly. "I wasn't thinking clearly."

Towering over me, he stares me down. "I wish you were able to trust me."

Not able to keep eye contact, I turn my attention to his square jaw. "I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing," he commands.

I hear him sigh. A few seconds later he moves past me.

I watch him make his way towards my truck. I follow him, numb and confused. Sure, I offered to take him home, but I didn't think he would take me up on the offer. A big part of me was sure he wouldn't want to have anything to do with me.

I'm pulling out onto the main road when I find the courage to ask, "What happens now?"

"We go home."

"Home," I murmur.

"Yes, home " he says, a hint of amusement in his deep voice.

"I didn't think you would want me to stay at your house after this morning."

"Love doesn't work that way, Bells."

My foot hits the brake without my permission. We slam forward, and I press on the gas as soon as I can make my brain function again. I glance in the rearview mirror, thankful that no one's behind me. "You said 'love'."

"I did," he says, the epitome of calmness.

"You-" I clutch the steering wheel. "You love me?"

"What do you think?"

I realize he's not going to make it easy for me. He's been so supportive, so sweet. It's about time I return the favor. If I don't open up, I'm going to lose him. If there's even a slight chance I can repair what I broke, then I'll do it. "I don't think it matters," I say, "it won't change the fact that I'm in love with you."

His breathing deepens. "Pull over."

As soon as I shift into park, he's leaning into me, cupping my face. "You love me?"

"How could I not?" I choke out.

"This might come as a surprise, but I'm in love with you too," he informs me.

"About this morning-"

"We don't have to talk about it anymore."

"No, you deserve more from me, Emmett. I swear, I'm trying. I'm really trying."

Tucking my hair behind my ears, he smiles at me. "I know you are."

"Please, don't give up on me," I beg under my breath.

He shakes his head. "Never. You're stuck with me."

"I'm going to give Jessica a piece of my mind tomorrow," I mumble.

Laughing, he runs the back of his hand down my cheek. "It's about time."

A few seconds pass in silence, then, "I went and saw Charlie."

Scooting back, he looks down at me, surprised. "You saw your day today?"

"We had some things to discuss. Well, I had things to discuss; he listened."

"Did he hurt you?" he asks, searching my person for injuries.

"No, he didn't."

He sighs. "That's good. If he hurt you, I-"

I place a finger over his lips. "I know. Again, I'm sorry-"

Copying my move, he quiets me with a gentle finger. "I know." Smiling, he kisses me. "Let's go home."

Breathless, I turn the key in the ignition. "Sounds perfect."

Linking our hands together, he leans his head back against the headrest. "This is only the beginning, Bells."

What a beautiful thought.

A/N - Anyone who has read my other stories know how weird I am when it comes to endings. I'm never sure how to end my stories. I'm feeling like this is the end for now. I've really enjoyed reading every comment. It has been awesome!