Remedy

Memorium

"I mean, it's not like you have to go to school." My father spoke up from across the island.

I gave him a playful smile. "Well will you look at that. The chief of police is encouraging his daughter to ditch school. You are such a good role model, dad." I spoke with a giggle as I packed my books in my bag.

I had already missed out on three weeks of school. Even if I only had a few months before I graduated, I still felt like missing even a couple of school days would be like I missed a whole topic.

"I don't say this often because it's hardly ever true but your father is right." Helen spoke as she appeared beside me and threw her arm over my shoulder. "We just got you back and now we have to lose time we could spend catching up with you to something as unimportant and ridiculous as school."

"Okay, it's official, I have the worst parents ever." I spoke as I zipped up my bag.

Quite frankly, I don't know why I didn't take this opportunity. Because I knew all too well that I didn't want to have to go to school and face the Cullens. I didn't want to face Emmett. I had said goodbye to him. And that's where it was supposed to end. Why did he have to come back here? I thought I made myself very clear. I had moved on.

I mean I have moved on and that is exactly why I need to go to school. I need to show him that my life doesn't revolve around him.

"Hey, we're cool!" Helen spoke as she moved over to refill my dad's coffee mug. "Right Phil?"

My dad nodded firmly. "Oh we're so cool, we're chill."

I giggled.

Helen shook her head at him. "Okay, I take back my words, I'm cool. Your father isn't. I mean I am the one who talked him into letting your friends throw a party for you on a school night."

My dad frowned at the plastic cups and pieces of food and confetti and all the other decorations that were still all over the place.

"Yeah, I'm not so sure that was a good idea after all."

"Dad, don't worry about it." I spoke. "Dylan and the others promised that they would come over later after school to help clean up."

My dad nodded. "I guess that's alright." He trailed off and shared a strange look with Helen.

Helen just quickly looked away and turned to face me.

"So Sophie, you haven't told me if you met any cute guys at the University of Milan."

I quickly blushed and looked away.

"Helen!" My dad scolded her.

Helen picked up the newspaper and shoved it in his face.

"We're having a girl talk. It's none of your business."

My dad pushed the paper away

"Um... yeah. It is definitely my business. Sophie is my little girl and she always will be."

I wanted to laugh. Mostly because I suddenly pictured my dad meeting Alec. Not that it would ever happen but I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like.

Would he like him? Would he approve? I mean Alec can be a bit much. He's definitely not like... Emmett.

"You know maybe we should second guess this whole you moving so far away thing. How will I protect you from stupid boys?" My dad asked genuinely concerned.

"I'll be fine, dad." I sighed.

Helen rubbed his shoulders. "Yeah, Phil, Sophie is a big girl. Besides she learnt from the best on how to handle boys." She joked.

My dad looked at me. "About that, kiddo. Um... I hear the Cullens are back and you'll probably see Emmett in school today and... well... um... I just want to make sure-"

"I'll be fine." I told him. It honestly sounded like I was trying to convince myself.

My dad and Helen shared another strange look.

"Honestly." I continued. "You guys don't have to worry about it."

Helen looked at the ground. "Um... Sophie, that is not what we're worried about."

She looked at my dad again as if urging him to speak but my dad remained silent. He looked... sad.

"Is everything okay, guys?" I asked in concern.

Helen seemed to give up on my dad. She took her hands off his shoulders and tucked her short dark hair behind her ears.

"Um... Soph. Your dad and I were talking and we think we should... um... do something special tomorrow."

I furrowed my brows in confusion.
"Like what?"

This time it was my dad who spoke. "I was hoping that we could visit your mom's grave. I just realised that it was her birthday last week and well... I don't know... I just want to honour her in some way. That's if it's okay with you."

I was taken aback. My dad doesn't know that I know that he still visits my mother's grave all the time. I thought that he would stop after Helen but... well he loved my mother, he really did.

I just couldn't help but feel guilty for keeping the secret that she was still alive from him. But it was honestly for the best. They have both moved on and they are both happy.

Of course I wonder what it would be like if they reunited but that's just one of those things that I know can't and shouldn't happen. I forced a smile at him.

"Of course. I... I think she'd love that too."

"But if you don't want to-" my dad started. "I'd love to." I told him. "We should do it. The three of us."

"Oh..." Helen started. "I wouldn't want to intrude on such a private occasion."

"I want you there." My dad spoke as he took her hand in his.

I nodded. "Totally. We both want you there."

Helen smiled. "Okay, then I'll be there."

"I should head off to school." I spoke when I looked at the broken coocoo clock that hung on the wall. Again I couldn't help but smile as I remembered how it had happened.

There were all these little memories that reminded me that this was my home. Where I had grown up. How could I leave?

Especially after Nina's warnings. I didn't want to listen to her. She could have been playing mind games with me. I had no way of finding out if she was being genuine without getting her in trouble.

I turned to leave the room when I remembered something that had been bugging me.

"Hey, were either of you in my room by any chance?" I asked.

"No. Why?" Helen asked.

I shook my head and waved it off. "Nothing, it just feels like some of my stuff is missing."

My dad rose his brows at me. "Really? Was anything moved around?"

"Yeah, seems like it but it's probably nothing. Maybe I just forgot where I put things."

"Well maybe if you'd clean your room from time to time." My dad spoke.

I giggled. "Yeah, cool parents don't tell their kids to clean their rooms. I'll see you guys later."