"Miss, please refrain from sticking your head out the window."

I pulled back, giving the cab driver a sheepish smile.

"Sorry." I apologized, just a tad embarrassed. What was I, a dog? "I was just trying to get a clear shot and—well..."

I held up my camera in explanation and I heard the man chuckle—a deep, pleasing sound that warmed my insides.

"No worries." He said, and I caught his brown eyes crinkling in the rear mirror. They were wide and kind. "It'd just be a shame if such a pretty girl ended up road kill is all."

I cringed, imagining my limp body bouncing and banging against the concrete in too vivid detail.

That'd be one hell of a skid mark.

"Yeah," I agreed, buckling my seatbelt for good measure, "That would be bad."

But even as my sense of self-preservation prevailed, I still eyed the greenery outside the window longingly, and he noticed, shaking his head as if in disbelief.

"You must not be from around here." He surmised, and my eyes jumped to his in surprise.

"Why do you say that?" I asked, genuinely curious. I imagined most would assume because I was Native American I'd be from these parts.

His eyes crinkled again.

"Your attire isn't really appropriate for the weather for one," he stated, eying my t-shirt and jean shorts dubiously before continuing, "And you're filming the scenery. No one films a place like this except tourists."

I laughed. The man had valid points.

"I suppose not." I conceded, running my fingers over the edges of my camera absently. He met my eyes in the mirror, questioning without words. I didn't feel he was being nosy on purpose, he was just genuinely curious, and I decided to answer despite the slight twinge of my gut.

"I was from here originally." I revealed, watching carefully for his reaction before continuing, "But then stuff happened and my father and I moved to California. And now..."

I trailed and he bobbed his head knowingly.

"And now you're back." He finished and I nodded wordlessly. His voice seemed skeptical when he spoke next, "So why would you leave such an exciting place like that to return here?"

I shrugged, sobering suddenly as I fiddled with my camera lens.

"Because." I murmured, but didn't expound on my statement.

The man didn't question further, sensing I didn't want to discuss the matter any longer. We drove in silence for the next twenty minutes until he stopped in front of a familiar yellow-painted house. My heart leapt at the sight of it, and I was grappling for my bags and flinging open the door before the car even came to a complete stop.

"Whoa there Miss!" The cabbie shouted, but I barely heard him.

I was back.

After all these years.

I paid the driver and he left with a small chuckle and a wave of his hand, leaving me alone in front of the petite, but well-kept house.

A large smile blossomed across my face.

Finally.

I immediately began filming, making sure to catch every minuscule detail. Different flowers were planted in the garden, striking red and golds surrounding the perimeter instead of the purple tulips from my memory. The shutters were painted a dark, earthy green that complimented coloring of the house quite nicely, and the old willow tree out back was missing.

I frowned, momentarily upset at the tree's absence. It had held many childhood memories.

But you're here to make new ones remember? My mind reminded and the feeling passed as fleetingly as it had come.

"I wonder how much everyone has changed." I mused to myself, lowering the camera reflexively.

My eyes drifted to the dark-painted front door.

Only one way to find out.

I practically bounced up the old porch steps, giddiness and excitement keeping me from thinking straight as I flung open the front door without knocking and barreled into the house.

"Billy?" I called, eyes flitting around erratically. I was practically busting at the seams, biting my lip nearly hard enough to draw blood. "Jake?"

I dropped my bags at the door, wandering further into the house as I listened for signs of life. Was no one home?

Despite the changes to the outward appearance of the house, the inside remained exactly as I remembered it, all rich dark oak, and an unmistakable tribal vibe. I caught sight of a familiar picture on the curio cabinet, and my heart swelled nearly twice its size in my chest.

It was of Jake and I, cuddled together on a dinosaur blanket, chubby cheeks smeared with baby food. My index finger had a mind of its own, reaching out to trace the frame with a gentle touch.

'He had more hair than me.' I couldn't help but thinking, before moving on.

The old floorboards creaked beneath my sneakers, and I welcomed the noise. It was just too quiet in here.

"Rachel?" I yelled. "Rebecca? Anyone here?"

My feet led me towards the kitchen, the familiar tangerine of the walls jumping out at me and drawing me in. I didn't realize how hungry I was until I saw it.

And that's precisely when my stomach growled. Loudly.

"I'm sure Billy won't mind if I get a snack," I mused out loud, only to startle upon entering the room. Their refrigerator was massive.

I admittedly made quite a ruckus as I scrambled about—banging cabinets and slamming drawers—and was mildly surprised the neighbors didn't come to investigate the noise, before deciding it was probably for the best.

I'm sure at the moment I strongly resembled a starving bum.

I found a peach at the bottom of the refrigerator and shoved it in my mouth, holding it with my teeth as I continued to plow elbow-deep into food heaven.

Cake. Pasta. Chicken. Bread rolls. It was all here.

And it was all calling my name.

I pulled back with an armful of food, intent on devouring every last morsel when a small noise stopped me in my tracks.

"Sydney?" The familiar gravely voice shot straight through my body and I whirled around to see the man I once considered to be my second father.

The peach dropped from my mouth in a rather unladylike fashion.

"Billy..." I breathed, chest constricting.

He was older, with wrinkles around his mouth, and crows feet around his eyes. His hair was mostly grey and not the striking black I remembered, and he was in a wheelchair.

I frowned.

When did that happen?

"You could really give Jacob a run for his money in the food department."

It never occurred to me how rude it might have seemed to shovel through someone else's fridge until that moment, and I felt my cheeks burning at Billy's amused look.

"So that's the deal with the mutant fridge?" I asked, attempting to change the subject. He saw right through me, I could tell by subtle twitch of his mouth, but thankfully he played along.

"Jake and his friends all have hearty appetites, being growing boys and all." His smile stretched, "But enough of that, you'll see it for yourself. Come, I'll show you to your room."

I deposited the food on the counter, scurrying after Billy as he exited the room. I had to walk swiftly to keep pace with him, and couldn't help but think for a guy in a wheelchair, he sure did get around fast.

He stopped before the third door on the left, turning his chair to look at me expectantly. I took the hint, walking past him to twist the knob.

The room was small, but cozy. A fluffy bed with blue blankets took up the entire left side of the room, while a desk and sliding closet took up the other. In the center was a large window containing a window seat with numerous pillows.

It was perfect.

"Well?" Billy asked from the doorway, and it was then that I noticed he had yet to enter the room. His posture was rigid, and although he was smiling, his dark eyes held question.

He's nervous, I realized, and a bordering manic smile stretched across my lips.

Same old Billy black.

I raced towards him, enveloping the man in an enthusiastic embrace that nearly knocked him off his chair.

"I love it." I assured him, and his answering chuckle tickled the hairs on my forehead.

"Welcome Back Sydney."

A/n: This is just a teaser to see if anyone is interested. Jacob, along with Rachel and Paul will debut in the next chapter. Please review, I'd love to hear from all of you!