I chuckled as the three guys were singing along to the song on the radio. Honestly, I liked the song and all three guys sounded amazing, but they were acting like children. This behavior was something I expected out of Cody, but not from Luke and Alex. Madison danced in her seat to the song while Cody and Luke were dancing in their seats around me, knocking into me here and there.

"YOU LIEEED." Everyone in the truck screamed at once, even Madison, which made me jump. I honestly wasn't expecting it. Sure, this song had a bit of screaming in it but I didn't expect everyone to scream the lyrics at once.

Luke noticed I jumped and he gave a small laugh as he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into him like a caring father would, "Sorry, Avery. This is the kind of stuff you need to get used to."

"It's fine. I was just off in my own world when all of you screamed." I replied, the song ending.

Madison clapped, "Ooh! Play another Silverstein song!"

Before Alex could respond, Madison grabbed his phone from the drink holder, unlocking it, and going into his music. She went to the next song, which started out with screaming. I made a mental note to download Silverstein when we got home. Cody ran his hand through his hair, trying to fix it up from the head banging he had done, "I didn't peg you as someone who liked good music, Madison."

Madison turned around in her seat to pinch Cody's cheek, "There's a lot you don't know about me, kid. Alex and I met at a Real Friends show that I went to by myself because no one would go with me."

"Which Real Friends show? Alex has seen them a lot." Cody asked as he swatted Madison's hands away from his face.

Madison leaned her head on the headrest, "The one at Zydeco a couple of years ago. I wasn't going to miss my faves."

"Mads, turn around before you get carsick." Alex said as he tugged on Madison's arm to get her attention. I imagine trying to get a drunk girls attention is a lot like trying to get a two year olds attention, which is hard. Madison rolled her eyes but obeyed, turning around and sitting in her seat correctly. Cody leaned forward, "Wait, your favorite band is Real Friends?"

"Yup! I've seen them seven times AND met them three times. A friend from high school introduced me to them." Madison replied as she drummed to the fast beat of the song on her legs.

Who is Real Friends? I haven't heard of them before. Maybe Luke played a couple of their songs for me on the way here. Luke pulled his arm from around me, making me realize he had been holding me for a few minutes without my body protesting or freaking out about physical touch. Maybe my body knows he's my only family and has accepted him. Cody folded his arms across his chest and leaned back into the seat as the song ended, "I don't believe you."

Madison picked up Alex's phone again and went through his music before stopping on a new song, ending the random song that had just started. The new song was a slower song, but it was nice. I leaned my head down on Luke's shoulder. I had a very eventful day. I was adopted, brought back into my family, and learned about my past. To say I was tired was a bit of an understatement. Luke reached his hand over and gently grabbed my hand, making a warmth spread through my chest. I could get used to this life. It's almost like something I've dreamed before.

After a while, I felt the truck stop and turn off. I didn't want to open my eyes. I was comfortable on Luke's shoulder. He sent this feeling of contentment through me, it made me happy. I didn't want to be separated from Luke for a while. I heard seatbelts clicking as well as doors being closed, but I wanted to stay with Luke. It was silent for a few minutes before I felt myself being lifted up into strong arms. I opened my eyes as Luke closed the truck door with his left shoulder.

"I can walk." I tried to say softly, surprised at hearing myself only mumble incoherent sounds.

Luke looked down at me and gave a smile, "Are you sure about that? You can't even speak."

I nodded my head, "Mmhmm."

Luke gave a chuckle as he continued to carry me. I lifted my head up off his shoulder as he started up the staircase. I was taken aback at how strong he was since he looked so scrawny. Then again he wore a leather jacket and a blue long sleeve plaid over shirt when he wasn't wearing the leather jacket, so I didn't exactly know his size. He could actually be muscular for all I know. He didn't look like the type that would work out or anything, so his strength took me by surprise. Luke walked into my room and gently set me on my bed, "Go back to sleep."

I shook my head as I sat up, "I wasn't asleep. Plus we have to watch Hobbit."

Luke chuckled again, shaking his head and sitting on the side of my bed, "You always preferred The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy over The Hobbit. We will start there instead of with The Hobbit, even though that's technically where the story starts and I can hear Vince telling me I have to read you the books first."

"Oh god. Was my dad a read the book before the movie type of person?" I asked, holding in a yawn.

"He was when it came to you. He loved it when you would draw a character from a book he was reading to you. Being able to see how you saw the character was one of his favorite things." Luke said, his smile seeming to reach up to his eyes as he talked about Dad. I leaned forward and grabbed Luke's hand, "I wish I could remember something about Dad. Seeing your face when you talk about him gives me this warmth."

Luke squeezed my hand, "Maybe being here with us will trigger memories deep in your brain. And when we find Vinnie, you two can make new memories."

If it has been twelve years since my dad went missing, his body never being found, and his case a cold case, I honestly don't have any hope that he could be out there. Since my wreck I have had a major obsession with death and murders. The doctors said it was something normal after what I went through. I even remember being put on suicide watch for a month because the doctors were afraid I would do something to myself. What I've learned with the obsession is that after a few weeks, maybe months at best, there is no hope. I knew deep down that my dad was gone. I knew I wouldn't ever hear his laugh or see his smile. I shook my head, "Don't say things like that, Luke. He's gone."

It was Luke's turn to shake his head. His eyes seemed sort of emotionless as he looked away from me, "He's still out there, Avery."

"Yeah, his dead body is." I said, cutting him off from saying anything else.

Luke turned his gaze back to me, his eyes seeming to have a red tint to them, "Don't say that! Your father is still alive, Avery! We are different than-"

"Stop it, both of you." Alex said, leaning against my door frame. "Luke, leave the room."

I rubbed my eyes to realize I was crying. I don't know when I stared crying, but I knew it was for Dad. Luke blinked a couple of times before getting up and leaving my room. When he was gone Alex came into my room, closing my door behind himself. He held his arms out as he sat down on the edge of my bed where Luke was sitting. My body reacted faster than my brain could process and before I knew it I was in Alex's arms, crying on his shoulder. Alex held me tightly, leaning his head down on top of mine, "It's okay to cry about him."

"He's gone, Alex. I'm never going to remember his voice, what he smelled like, the way he smiled, or how he laughed." I said through my sobs. Alex rubbed my back as he slowly started to rock us side to side. We stayed like that for a few minutes. When I could finally see through my eyes and breathe without choking on my tears I lifted my head to look at Alex. His dark blue eyes held worry, but they were still pretty. I wiped the tears from my eyes with the back of my hand, "Thank you."

Alex gave a smile, "You're welcome. Did you want me to sit here while you were hurting inside then leave you to cry alone? You might be a teenager, but to me you're still the little three year old that wanted to have constant snuggles. I am not going to let you feel any kind of pain alone."

I smiled back at Alex. This is what family is. What I had with The Kennedy's for the past two years wasn't much of family. Sure, we were a little broken and we could have made it work. But this is what you call a family, and I've only been here for less than twenty-four hours. I leaned in and hugged Alex tightly, "Thank you."

Alex hugged me back, a small smile on his face, "You are very welcome. Just know that I'm here for you whenever you need me. The same goes for Lucas, even if you piss him off."

A sheepish smile came upon my face. I knew I upset Luke talking about my father, but he didn't need to be in denial anymore. He needs to accept the fact his best friend is gone. Alex gave a sigh as he looked at me. He looked like a concerned parent and I knew he was about to tell me something I didn't want to hear, "Avery, you're going to forget what just happened between you and Lucas. Do you understand?"

I stared at Alex for a second, my mind completely blank. Wait. What did he just say? Alex gave me a smile, "Are you okay?"

I nodded my head, "Yeah. I blanked. What were we talking about?"

Alex chuckled, "How much of a nerd Vince was. He could seriously quote anything from the Lord of the Rings books at any given time. He used to tell you that you were actually an Elven Princess in a past life and came into this realm when you died."

I raised my eyebrow. The Kennedy's were a very Christian family. We would go to church on Sunday. We apparently stopped going on Wednesday nights after the wreck. They didn't want to overwhelm me. It was kind of weird because after the wreck I never thought of any kind of higher being. Was there really a God? I remember telling Seth this once but he had only rolled his eyes at me and left my room. Did I believe in anything before the wreck? It was kind of strange to think Dad had different beliefs, "Elven princess? What's a realm?"

"Well, there is a theory that there are different realms, or time lines, in the world. Like we are living in one but there are hundreds and thousands more out there. Vincent had gotten into those in around 2000ish. He would toss a book down and say it was real in a different realm." Alex said as he chuckled. I smiled. I liked hearing about Dad. It felt like he was sort of here with us whenever they talked about him. "You used to say you would marry Legolas. Kellin would get mad and say he asked you first."

"Who is Legolas?"

My bedroom door opened, causing Alex and I both to look at my door. Cody was standing there, his eyes darting around to the shopping bags still on my bed. Alex nodded his head out of the corner or my eye. Cody shoved his hands into his pockets, "Legolas is the main Elf in Lord of the Rings. He's played by Orlando Bloom in the movies."

I couldn't help but giggle. Baby me had a crush on Orlando Bloom? That's adorable. Oh, wait, a second. Did Alex say Kellin would get mad because he asked me first? "Wait, what did Kellin ask me?"

"He asked you to marry him, duh." Cody said as he came into the room. I rolled my eyes. There's no way Baby Kellin asked baby me to marry him. I shook my head, "I'm sure he did."

Alex shrugged his shoulders, "You don't remember. I had to buy a cake for your wedding. You told me it had to be chocolate or you wouldn't get married. I won't be forgetting that."

I shook my head again. Who would hold a wedding ceremony for kids, and buy them a wedding cake? Alex stood up, grabbing my hand and pulling me to my feet before pulling me out of my room and across the hall, one door down. He felt above the door frame before finding a key, sliding it into the doorknob and unlocking the door. I didn't know what room this was, but I had a strong feeling of butterflies in my stomach as well as chest tightness. I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes as I squeezed Alex's hand when he pushed the door open. I felt a tug on my hand as Alex tried to pull me into the room. I kept my eyes closed as I let Alex pull me. A scent engulfed me. It was a scent that I knew from my dreams, a scent I would randomly think about and could smell it strongly. It was the scent of an almond musk. This is my dads scent.