Renée.

“Finally!” I stretched, as the airplane came to a final stop. After a long, almost four-hour flight from Jacksonville, Florida, I had finally arrived in Forks, Washington: The state where my daughter lived.

Stumbling off the plane in complete exhaustion, my eyes finally found their way to the person who was waiting for my arrival; my ex-husband, Charlie Swan.

Charlie, almost timidly, walked over to me, offering to hold my– rather large and ridiculously many– bags.

“It’s great to see you, Charlie,” I smiled warmly, moving aside and allowing him to grab the large, black duffle bags from the area on the floor where I had dropped them.

“Same here,” he returned the smile, “The cars right out. Shall we get going?”

I nodded, and followed behind him as he led the way. Excitement began to build up inside me, threatening to overflow, as he opened the door of his police-cruiser for me to sit. I was terribly eager to see my daughter, Bella’s, surprised expression when I showed up on her and Charlie’s door step. It had been several months since we had last seen each other, and I missed her amply. She was my only daughter, after all. My sunshine, as the saying went. We had lived together for 17 long years. I was too used to her company to live a day not missing her.

Charlie and I sat in absolute silence since he had first revved his car to life. That was to be expected, of course. He had never been much of a talker when we were together, and now that we were not, well…he was even less of one. I asked him before coming here if he minded picking me up from the airport, since I was a little short in the financial department, and he obliged. What was more was that he offered his own residency, assuring me that I could sleep there, instead of staying at a hotel nearly an hour away from them in Port Angeles. That took me by surprise.

“But where would I sleep?” I asked curiously over the phone. I was elated by the idea, but also concerned. Concerned because it would be awkward living together, as ex’s.

“You could sleep in Bella’s room. I’m sure she would be just as exited to sleep with you,” his voice sounded happy enough, “or you could also bring a sleeping bag.”