You can let go now daddy
Wind blowing on my face and the sidewalk flying beneath the bike. A five year olds first taste of what freedom's really like. He was running right beside me his hand holding on the seat. I took a deep breath and hollered as I headed for the street. You can let go now daddy. You can let go. I think I'm ready to this on my own. It's still a little bit scary but I want you to know I'll be ok now you can let go.
Bella closed her eyes and sighed. She remembered the best memory of her human life. She never wanted this memory to fade. Flash back: Bella was five and it was the last week of her summer vacation Charlie said he had a surprise for her that morning. When Bella got up Charlie led her outside and said "Bells I decided that it's finally time for someone to teach you to ride. I want you to be a free woman. Don't be afraid. I'll be right beside you. Are you ready to try?"
Bella nodded and said "Just let me get dressed daddy."
An hour later Bella was pedaling down the sidewalk. After a while Bella took a deep breath and said "You can let go daddy."
Charlie smiled and said "Alright if you're sure Bells."
Charlie let go and Bella sailed down the sidewalk. She felt free and grown up until she crashed into a bush. Charlie ran over to her and said "Are you ok? I should have held on a little bit longer. I'm so sorry."
Bella wiped the tear from her cheek and said "After lunch can I try again?"
Charlie nodded and said "That's my brave girl. Now what do you say to some ice cream? I'm so proud of you Bells." End flash back
Edward sat next to Bella on the couch and said "Bella what's wrong? I can't read your thoughts. I thought you'd be willing to let the shield up for me."
Bella sighed and said "Nothing is wrong. I'm just trying to keep certain memories from fading. I didn't think you'd want to see them over and over again. They are just special moments between me and Charlie. There's one of our wedding and then there is one that is a little bit more personal. That's the one where Charlie taught me to ride a bike."
Edward said "Bella I think it's time for us to renew our vows. We've been married for how many years now? I think it's a least four."
Bella nodded and said "It's been four wonderful years since Charlie gave me to you. I love you Edward."
Edward sighed and said "Do you want your dad at the ceremony? Bella I'm inviting my family. I have no problem with you inviting Charlie."
Bella smiled and said "Ok I'll give him a call."
I was standing at the alter between the two loves of my life. To one I've been a daughter to one I'd soon be a wife. When the preacher said who gives this woman daddy's eyes filled up with tears. He kept holding tightly to my arm until I whispered in his ear. You can let go now daddy. You can let go. I think I'm ready to do this on my own. It's still a little bit scary. I want you to know I'll be ok now daddy you can let go.
A few weeks later Bella stood beside Charlie. She was waiting for him to put her hand in Edward's. When the time came for him to give Bella to Edward Charlie froze and wiped a tear from his eye. Bella saw this and said "You can let go. You gave me to him once and he's been prefect for four wonderful years. Yes I'm afraid but it'll be ok."
Charlie sighed and said "I'm so proud of you Bells. You've always been brave. It's just hard for me to let go. I know you'll be ok Bells."
Bella sighed and said "Daddy I can do this on my own but I'll always love you."
It was killing me to see the strongest man I ever knew wasting away to nothing in that hospital room. You know he's only hanging on for you that's what the night nurse said. My voice and heart were breaking as I crawled up in his bed. I said you can let go now daddy. Your little girl is ready to do this on my own. It's going to be a little bit scary. I want you to know that I'll be ok now daddy you can let go.
A year later Bella was sitting in a chair beside Charlie's hospital bed. She wished that she could cry. It broke her heart that the one person who had made her strong would soon leave this world. Edward sat next to her holding Renesmee in his lap. Then a nurse said "Mrs. Cullen I need to talk to you. Charlie is getting worse. He's barely clinging to life right now."
Bella fell to her knees and then she said "What can I do?"
The nurse said "Mrs. Cullen he's holding on for you. Let him know that you're ready for him to pass on. It's the only way to end his pain. I'm so sorry."
Bella went back into the room and saw that Charlie was awake. She motioned for Edward to bring Renesmee over. Renesmee said "Grandpa I can read now can I read to you?"
Bella smiled sadly and said "Nessie honey grandpa Charlie is too tired for a long story why don't you read this."
Bella handed Renesmee a small card that had a small verse on it. Renesmee slowly read "The puddle becomes a pond and they form a strong bond. The pond then joins the stream and has a wild dream. The stream becomes an ocean wave but it doesn't forget its roots. Though it can stand on it's own it still blows a kiss with every ocean mist."
Charlie smiled slightly and said in a weak voice "My little Nessie. You're just like your mother. I love you so much."
Later that night Bella had Edward take Renesmee home. She wanted to spend one more night with her dad. After both of them had left the room Bella climbed on Charlie's bed. Her eyes burned with tears that she couldn't shed.
Charlie lifted his frail hand and wiped her eye. Then he said "Don't cry Bells. I'm not going away just yet. I made the mistake once of letting go before you were ready once. I'll be right here Bells."
Bella choked back a sob and said "Daddy please let go. I'll miss you but I promise that I'll be ok."
Charlie sighed and said "I love you Bells. I don't want to let go unless you're ready. The last time I did you got hurt. I don't want to frighten my baby girl."
Bella took her hand and wiped a cloth across Charlie's forehead. Then she said "Shh. I love you to daddy. I always have and I always will. I'm ready to accept what is happening. I mean it daddy please let go."
Charlie hugged Bella one more time before he passed away. When Bella went home that night Edward was waiting for her. He took one look at her red rimed eyes and said "He let go. I'm so sorry Bella. I'll go tell Nessie you can go sit down somewhere ok. I love you Bella."