After avoiding everyone in Georgia's house for a week, I finally determined I need to get out of the bed, get a much needed shower, and face the fact that I'm on my own now. Dad is gone and my laying in bed, denying this, isn't helping me. I've missed classes. Fortunately, Hunter and Aiden have been turning in my work - that I didn't do - for me. They're doing everything to keep me on track.

I've binge watched Vampire Diaries and The Originals, despite that I've watched both in their entirety several times. I cried when the characters died, reliving my own misery. Wishing that, like the characters, my dad could come back to life.

Georgia and Cade have helped me press charges against Adam. As hard as this was for me, I know it was double for Georgia. Adam has done so much damage to his family. He doesn't appreciate the people who love him and want him to change his ways. Aiden held my hand, as did Georgia, when I talked to the police. My heart broke for all of us.

Today, I have to say goodbye to my Dad. We are laying him to rest here in California, instead of home. Georgia has taken care of all the arrangements and he will be laid in the Bradford's mausoleum in the cemetery. Georgia insists that is where he belongs.

"Family is who you chose to be in your life. A family is about love and respect, appreciation and friendship. Blood doesn't fit in that equation. You and Ben are one of us now." Georgia said to me, when I fought her on the burial.

She's sent the plane to Arizona to pick up Fran and a few of Dad's friends. She's housing everyone, dealing with the cost of the burial, the memorial, and she has insisted that I move into the house with her and Jim until I've got my feet under me again. I don't know how I can ever repay her for everything she's done for me.

Walking to the large bay window, I look out at the lush green yard and the chop of waves in the distance. We're in for quite a storm tonight. That's okay, the gray clouds match my mood. I have no choice today but to put on a fake face and deal with saying goodbye.

I don't know how to do this. I don't want to be around people. I don't want to hear how sorry they are, I don't even know what to say to these people who want to politely ask if I'm okay. Do I tell the truth or lie and say I'm fine?

Stepping into the hot shower, with water pounding down on my stressed out body, I leaned my arms against the wall, and resting my forehead to my arm, finding myself numb inside. I've cried for a week, I don't have anything left in me to cry out. I feel hollow, empty.

I just need to get through the day. Drying off, I brush out my hair, brush my teeth and make myself look human again. I don't bother with makeup, I don't wear it that often anyway. Besides, why waste the time on it when I'll just cry it off. Pulling out the black dress Hunter brought me and the borrowed black heels from Colby, I pull my hair back in a long tail and take a long look at the reflection of someone I don't recognize in the mirror.

The dress is a little big here and there, I've not eaten well and have lost weight. The shoes feel foreign to me. I don't usually wear heels, I've rarely had an occasion to wear them. My life has revolved around school and the diner. Neither place is conducive for high heels.

Turning away from the stranger in the mirror I look around the luxurious room I've holed up in. The soft comfortable bed, bigger than any bed I've ever slept in, the soft cool sheets that feel like a silk hand against my skin. The large fireplace and loveseat meant for quiet nights to read and relax.

This has all been offered to me. No strings, no conditions have been required. Georgia feels guilty and is kind enough to set aside her own pain to help me through mine. I know my being here is a hard reminder of what her son has done. Still. Georgia is willing to share her world with me.

It's all so much. Aiden has spent every night with me even though I don't talk. He's offered me selfless support and love, when he's mourning his own loss, fighting for the life he is determined to have. It's a world I don't come from.

My life has changed, turned, spinning on its axis. I feel like so much has gotten out of my control. Something that normally doesn't happen to me. I've always been in control of my emotions, my life. When surprise problems have happened to me, I've been able to navigate through and come out on the other side fine. Not this time. I feel like there's no coming out of this.

Determining I look the best I can, I head downstairs to the kitchen. It's strange, the first time I was here, it was overwhelming how huge this house is. Today, I feel claustrophobic. The walls are closing in on me. Following the maze of hallways, I stop in the doorway of the kitchen, looking at the wife of the man who killed my Dad. The last person I want to deal with.

"I thought a good breakfast would help all of us get through this morning." Chloe didn't turn from the stove as she spoke. She didn't even look at me. "I'm sorry about your father, Riley. Losing a parent is very difficult. I'm sure you've already been told by Georgia that you've been taken in by the Bradford's."

It's only then Chloe looks over her shoulder at me. She looks tired. Her eyes have dark shadows under them, her skin looks pale and drawn. It's evident that this whole thing with Adam has taken its toll on her.

"I'm sorry about what's happened with Adam. I'm sure this isn't easy for you." Trying to put myself in her shoes just isn't working for me. So my words are empty of emotion and empathy.

"Adam deserves everything he gets." The cold statement hits it's target. She's not sad to see Adam go to jail. Turning off the stove, she finally faces me. "I'm probably the last person you want advice from, but I'm going to offer you it anyway. Go home now. Bury your Dad in Arizona and run as fast as you can from the Bradford's." She flattened her eyes on top of the island counter and looked directly into my eyes.

Regret and sadness fill her eyes but like me, there's no tears left. She's accepted her fate as the wife of a criminal. She's willing to face all those who will say she could have done something to change this outcome. But she's done grieving for herself.

I believe Chloe feels what she is suggesting is in my best interest. I believe she wishes she made different choices in her own life. But her choices aren't mine, her life can't be fixed through mine.

"I love my son, and I want him to be happy but he doesn't understand what it's like from our side of his world. Riley, no matter how much Aiden loves you, and I do believe he does, you will always be an outsider." This unfortunately is the truth.

I don't come from a background of money and power. I don't know what it's like to be followed around by the press and pursued by those wanting my attention. I'm a mouse, hiding in the shadows just trying to survive with as little damage to my heart as possible.

In that, I believe Chloe and I are alike. She tries to stay out of the spotlight where her husband has longed to be. She has survived because she hides, but she hasn't really lived either. Maybe that's where we differ. I don't want to just survive anymore, I want to live. Aiden made that change for me.

"If you stay, you will always be under scrutiny from the press, from those with money who have never wondered if they can afford groceries. They will accuse you of being with Aiden for his name, his money. You'll be called a gold digger, a ladder climber, a fool. It will chip away at you until your self esteem is gone." She is describing what happened to her. Not what will happen to me. She believes this is who I am. She thinks she knows who I am. Does she? Is she right?

"Other women will throw themselves at Aiden and you will have to accept his mistresses as a part of this world. I'm telling you to go because I was you. I didn't come from money and Adam fought his father for me, just like Aiden has for you. Adam vowed he wouldn't be his father, that I was his world. He knew it was hard on me to adjust but he pushed me to marry him, telling me if I signed a prenup, his father couldn't fault our marriage. I believed him. I was wrong. He turned into the man he despised." She projected her life, her outcome and misery, onto me.

Maybe she's right. Maybe it will happen just as she said and Aiden will turn out just like his father. I don't believe that. Aiden has Blake, that's his idol. He's the man that Aiden has strived to be. I learned who I am through my father. A man just as amazing as Aiden's Blake. No I don't believe it will happen as she says.

I won't have her telling me to go because it's the easy route. Easier for her, sure. Facing the woman whose father was killed by your husband can't be easy. But that's going to be her choice not mine. I have more self worth, more self respect than that. I love Aiden. Even with my world turned inside out, I know that.

"I'm not you and Aiden isn't his father. I know you mean well, but you don't know what you're talking about. If you knew Aiden at all, you would know he loves me, he is adamant that he's never going to be like Adam. Adam was never his idol, Blake is. If you saw this, you would understand him better. You would be willing to do everything you can to ensure your son's happiness. Comparing your life to mine, expecting the same results, you only lessen your opinion of yourself and Aiden. If you want what's best for him, support him, love him, and respect his choices." There wasn't any emotion in my voice. No heat in my words, just simple advice for her to accept or disregard.

"I can't agree more." Georgia walks in, she's obviously heard our conversation. "I'm disappointed in you, Chloe. I expected more from you, because you can relate to Riley. I thought we had dealt with your reservations about this relationship with Aiden."

Chloe looked away, obviously ashamed of getting caught. "I'm just trying to make sure Riley knows what she's in for. You never had to fight for your place, you never had people talk about you behind your back, belittle you for not growing up privileged."

Georgia's loud sarcastic "Ha!" Said everything. She wasn't accepting Chloe's version of her world. Georgia, I know, has dealt with her name, her face and all of her family in the spotlight from her birth. I read the gossip columns, I know her husband was an embarrassment for her. Georgia rose above it.

"I have fought for everything I have. And I made my place in this family and led it. I have considered everyone in this family. I have loved and respected each one. Do not lecture me on my family and my life. I have been through more than you can imagine and I rose above it. Riley will do the same as Aiden's wife." Georgia's chin rose, her proud, angry face spoke volumes. This woman was not to be messed with.

Chloe set the spatula aside looking from Georgia to me. She'd just received one major verbal slap down from the woman who can cast her out.

"I'm sorry if I offended you, Riley. I'll leave you two to talk." Chloe hurried out, not wanting to get her butt chewed further.

Georgia sighs, her obvious resignation over Chloe's behavior has tired her. I don't know how she does it. She's been through so much just in the short time I've known her. And there's so much still to come.

Sitting down on the tall stool at the island, Georgia takes a long look at me. "How are you, honey pot? This is a hard day to face."

Nodding, I join her and sit across from her. "I don't know. Tired, lost, a little scared. Alone."

Reaching over the counter, she takes my hand. "You aren't alone. You won't be, not in this family. Now how can I help you get through today?"

It's a question I don't know how to answer. What I need she can't give me. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Anything you need, honey. I'll answer what I can." She's been an open book about everything and honest. Even knowing it's going to be hard to say, harder to hear, she's been upfront with me.

"I guess I don't understand why you want me here. Why are you doing all this for me? You aren't standing by Adam, and he's your blood, but you chose to stand by me when I pressed charges against him." It seems odd to me that she's willing to do all this for me but nothing for him.

"Adam has been falling down a slippery slope for years. He's hurt his wife, his son, and me. I can't continue to stand by while he hurts someone else." It was just that simple, yet none of this is simple. "You aren't responsible for Adam and Aiden's falling out. Or my stepping back from helping him. I'm doing this for you, not because it's easy, lord knows it's anything but that. But because it's the right thing to do. You love Aiden, I've seen it first hand. And he loves you. He grew into the man I'm very proud of, because of you. Riley, it takes great strength to stand up for the right choices. They aren't usually the easiest choice, but they are what's right."

"Do you think I should do what Chloe said? Should I walk away?" Her opinion means something to me. I respect Georgia and I want her opinion.

"I think you need to make this choice for yourself. I will say that if Aiden means what I believe he does to you, then you will have to face down anyone who opposes it. Aiden has the world on his shoulders right now. He has to have surgery. There's no combine, no draft for him, unless Matthew can work a miracle. I don't doubt that Matt can do it, but I know it's not going to be easy for either of them. Aiden has a long hard road ahead of him, he needs you to be his rock, his moral compass. And you need him." Georgia looks worn out with so much on her plate.

"I want to be there for him. I want to help him and make something with him, a future." I admit I have no idea what to do for Aiden but I'm willing to try. "I don't know how a healthy relationship works. My mom left us when I was small. I don't remember her."

"Mmmm. I suppose that can be good and difficult for you. Sometimes it's better to not know and make a relationship that's right for you, than one based preconceived notions of how it should be. I trust you and Aiden will figure it out." Georgia sounds like she's experienced both ways. I wonder what kind of amazing life she has led to be this wise.

While Grandma and the girls took care of Riley this morning, Blake and Matt went with me for testing. I already know what to be prepared for. I won't be playing ball for a year minimum. I need surgery on my shoulder and then I've got a long road of rehab in front of me if I want to even try for a team next season.

It sucks but Jake and Grace gave me the news straight. I trust them to be honest with me and I trust Blake and Tyler to get me back in the game when I'm ready. I know I'm not there now no matter how badly I want to be.

"Okay, Aiden." Jake comes in with a specialist he asked to help me. "So your MRI's show exactly what we thought. You need surgery."

"How soon can we do it?" I know the sooner I get it done the sooner I'll be back on the field.

"Next week. I've got you on the schedule. There's no guarantee that you'll play again but if you follow your rehab and do everything you're told, Matt?" Jake looks up at the excited gleam in Matt's eyes as he strolled in.

"I've got a team. They want to rebuild. They know it's going to take time and they are working on putting the right people in place. Aiden, they're willing to put you on the practice squad for the year after next. It's not a guarantee but it's your foot in the door. You have the surgery, do the work and you can work your way up." He seems to think this is my only option.

He's probably right. Matt and Blake have never steered me wrong. And I don't have a lot of choices. Nodding, I hesitantly agree. I'll work my ass off and when the time comes, I'll prove I can do it.

"Where? Which team?" The question came out and Matt looked at Blake before he gave me anything.

"Arizona. We figured if Riley chose to go home, you'd be there too." Blake rubbed his chin before his hand landed on my shoulder. "We can be there in a couple hours if you need us." And that wraps it up.

It's a glimmer of hope in what has been a very dark week. Riley has to deal with her father's service, all those final arrangements that Grandma has a hand helping her with. And she has another year of school left. Will she want to stay here or leave? Will she just want to escape the media when she realizes how crazy it can get?

And it will. Grandma was being gracious about Riley staying at the house but she was also protecting her. Word is out now about dad's antics with the company and now the accident that killed Ben. They've been following me for days. Even Mom has taken to Grandma's house. It has the best security next to Blake's place.

Riley hasn't gone out all week. She's been sheltered by Grandma and the family, keeping her out of the public eye for her own good. Today she'll be exposed and the questions, the accusations will rain. I don't know how she's going to handle it.

"I need to talk to her about it. Grandma asked her to stay at the house for a while and if I've got a year before I go active, Riley will be done with school and... I need to run it by her first." I won't make the choice for her. We're a team now. We'll do this together.

"Speaking of, Georgia should have Riley about ready. We should get going. The memorial starts in an hour." Matt reminds us what today is.

We went back to the house, moving at snail speed up the cliffs as the media crowded around the front gate. It was near impossible to get through them without hitting one of them. It was a good thing we've got limos for us. I hate trying to drive through these fools.

Riley was somber and ready. Wearing her black dress and shoes the girls loaned her for today. She doesn't speak loud or much as we filed out the back door to head down to the beach.

Grandma set up the service here. He'll be moved to the family plot at the cemetery after but here on our private beach, we're secluded and out of the media's eye.

Chair are lined on sand, and as each of the girls step down they remove their shoes to walk through the white sandy beach. Riley looks around at everyone as they follow us. The family is all here minus one. The Segler's, Drake's and Staffords. The Eldren's, Tucker's and McConnell's. And the Bradford's, we fill the seats with a scattering of friends of Ben and Fran.

Riley is a rock. She's sad, humble and kind as she greets everyone, thanking them for being here. She keeps her head held high, and doesn't shed a tear.

I refuse to leave her side. I'm worried about her. I know for days she hasn't stopped crying. I held her at night, crying in her sleep and did what I could to comfort her. Today she's numb. That's what Grandma said. She's tired and overwhelmed with grief and can't cry anymore. Grandma seems to understand better than I do.

Mom is here with Emma and Isabelle. They keep her surrounded, and she doesn't say a word. Not to me, not to Riley. Although I feel the tension there, and fear mom said something to my girl. Today isn't the day to fight over it.