300 Days With The Alpha Beta Triplets
SCOOPS AND SMILES

Bella:

The day I had dreaded had arrived, and as the time for my flight drew closer, I knew I had to prepare myself for what I was about to face. I hadn't seen my father in months, and everything had changed since then.

"You'll be fine," Ryder said to me, throwing his arms around me from behind as I stared at the Alpha's men, who were loading my bags into the car trunk.

My hands grabbed his arms, and then I kissed his hands.

"I hope so," I said, trying to think positively about my situation.

The twins' voices trailed off behind us, and we turned around to see them walking out of the door with Hazel. They made their way towards us, causing Ryder to let go of me. Kai pulled me into a hug first, kissing my forehead.

"We will always be here for you, Bella, and once your dad says we can come over, then we'll be on a flight," he said, cupping my face in his hands, and I nodded at him.

He let go of me, and Finn grabbed my hand, pulling me into him. He wrapped his arms around me tightly, and I held onto him like I was holding on for dear life. Then he released me, causing me to gasp.

"I really hope to spend the holidays with you." When he said this, I stared into his eyes, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.

"Me too," I muttered, then I slipped my hands away from his and walked to Hazel.

I scoffed as I looked at her.

"If you do it, then this place won't contain us, Bella," she said, and I threw my arms around her, bursting into laughter. A laughter that let the tears in my eyes fall.

She pressed me into her body, and I held onto her for a while, until I looked up to spot my mother standing in front of the door with Alpha Fred.

"Mum," I called out, and then Hazel let go of me.

For the first time, I ran to meet my mother, throwing my arms around her. She wrapped her arms around me, and her hug felt safer than ever. I stayed there for a while before she pulled me away, cupping my face in her hand.

"Now, remember, if anything happens, I will be there for you. I love you," she said, tugging my cheeks slightly, and I chuckled.

I glanced at Alpha Fred, who had his hands in his pockets.

"Safe trip, Bell..." Before he could finish his sentence, I threw my arms around him. He hesitated before pulling his hands out of his pockets, then he patted my back.

I felt indebted to him for taking care of my mother all those years, and I couldn't imagine the work he had done behind the scenes to keep her sane after all those years of being abused.

"Thank you," I muttered, then I let go of him.

I walked away at once, waving at everyone until I got into the car, and the driver drove off.

**

After a few hours, the plane landed, and the Alpha's men unloaded my luggage while I took my time to walk out. I already knew that my father was outside, and it scared me so much. After a while of contemplating, I got up and made my way towards the door. As soon as I stepped onto the airstairs, I spotted him standing by two black cars, waiting for me with flowers in his hands.

For a moment, I paused on the airstairs, taking in the sight before me. I looked into his eyes, which looked exactly like mine. They were still the same, and he still had that eternal youth glow with his strong jawline that seemed to charm the women who aspired to be my stepmother. Those kind eyes, which I couldn't believe could have done what I'd heard they did. A sudden ache formed in my heart, and I began taking deep breaths to help me concentrate.

"Baby!" he screamed, walking towards me, but that didn't break the shock I was in until he reached the foot of the airstairs. "Sweetheart," he called out again with a smile on his lips.

I looked down at him, then tried to raise the corners of my lips, which curved into a smile in a moment. There, I did it; I told myself, then I quickened my pace down the stairs.

"Dad," I called out in a flat tone, then he pulled me into a hug, wrapping his arms around me tightly.

Those arms, which I had expected to feel cold, didn't. Instead, they gave me warmth. The same warmth they'd held

for years, and the one I had craved for eight months. It felt better than hugging Mother, or even the triplets, or Hazel. He was my father, and in his words, I was the best thing that had happened to him.

But how could he? The tiny voice in my head returned once more, and I pushed at his chest to free myself. He chuckled as he looked into my eyes.

"God, you've grown a lot in eight months," he commented, his eyes darting around me. "How many inches have you added? Oh, I cannot wait to replace out," he said, then he handed me the roses.

I brought them to my nose, hoping they would help me breathe easier, but they did little to nothing to ease the ache in my heart. I turned to him, forcing a smile onto my lips.

He walked me to the car, then he opened the front door for me, letting me get into the sleek black vehicle. Then he shut the door and got into the driver's seat. He turned on the ignition, and we drove off, following the car in front. As we left the airport, I tried to keep a clear mind, but I couldn't, so I focused on breathing. I looked at the road ahead, and when we reached town, he took a wrong turn, ditching the car in front of us, which made me glance at him.

"Dad, you missed the turn," I said, but the smirk on his lips told me everything I needed to know.

Next, he stepped on the gas, making the car speed up, which gave me a mini heart attack because I hadn't expected

it.

"Dad, slow down!" I yelled as I used to in the past, and this earned him a chuckle.

"I still got it," he said, then he slowed the car, glancing at me, and I tried to force a smile.

He noticed, and the smile on his face vanished.

"So, is there anything new in the Frost pack? I heard you found your mates."

"Yeah," I said, and then it occurred to me to ask about the guys coming over. "Speaking of mates, is it okay if they come around to spend the holidays with me?" I asked, and then the car came to an abrupt stop.

"We are here!" he announced, as though I hadn't just made a request.

I turned around to see that we were in front of Mr. Scoops and Smiles. It reminded me of the good old days as I stared at the giant ice cream cone logo, which had cartoonish arms and glasses. The cone grinned, holding a scoop with one tiny hand as if waving to welcome its customers.

"You don't have to remind me; I remember how you like your ice cream," he said, then he grabbed the door handle and opened it.

"Dad, didn't you hear what I said?" I asked, and he glanced at me.

"The answer is no, Bella. I want to spend time with my daughter, and the last thing I want is to have boys around the house," he said, and I scoffed.

"Are you kidding me right now?" I asked, and he shut the door, his eyes on me, brows drawn down. Then he crossed his arms. "Dad, you can stop trying to do the angry face because I'm serious." He released his arms and let out a sigh. "Bella, they will be with you for life, but I need to spend time with you. It's been eight whole months, and..."

"I know you want to spend time with me, Dad, but I need my mates, too. They make me feel safe. You exiled me from this pack, so I don't know why you're acting like everything is okay, and I just took some kind of vacation to the Frost pack!" My voice came out harsher than I'd intended.

"I didn't exile you, Bella, because if I did, you would be a rogue. That scent would follow you, and you wouldn't be able to step into this pack. It was fake, and I had to let you go to process Bonnie's death. I couldn't look at you the same, Bella."

"Then what has changed?" I asked, and he reached for my hand.

"She got a proper burial, and her parents were compensated. Everything has been taken care of, and I went to therapy, Bella. I did everything to move on, and I take it as a mistake, so I forgive you," he said, then I slipped my hands out of his.

I scoffed as I stared at him, and a bitter chuckle escaped my lips as I gave him a short, slow clap. "Round of applause for the father of the year," I said in a mocking tone. "Well, Dad, I hate to break it to you, but I

didn't kill Bonnie."

"What?" he asked.