45

Ben's goofy grin returns, and his eyes brighten at the sight of my baby girl.

I watch her descend the stairs with a red face, and he's quick to offer his hand to help her down the last few steps. This fucking dude.

"You look absolutely breathtaking, Ang. I'm the luckiest guy ever."

She giggles and looks up at him through her lashes. "Thanks, Ben."

Bella comes downstairs with Alice following close behind and introduces herself. "Treat her right and I'll put a good word in for you down at Volturi."

Ben shakes his head. "Thank you, but I'm not dating Angela to get an advantage. I'll happily remain on the waiting list and slap dough until I get the call." He looks down at my daughter in a way that makes my stomach hurt. "Besides, every now and again, I get an order for a ridiculous double garlic pizza and get to see the pretty girl who picks it up."

I think Bella just melted. I know Alice, who's standing at the top of the stairs wi her hand over her heart, did. Angela is eating up every word that comes out of her date's mouth.

I don't think we're dealing with puppy love here. I'm screwed.

Bella kisses Angela's cheek and tells them to have a good time. I follow them to the door, wanting more than anything to stop them. I want to tell them I changed my mind. That she can't go.

Cold, tingling fingers tangle with mine, and Bella leans her head on my shoulder. "She's gotta grow up sometime, Edward."

I get choked up as Ben opens the door for my little girl and makes sure her dress doesn't get caught in the door of his vintage Mustang. They're laughing about something as he pulls out of the driveway, and he doesn't drive like a fucking idiot.

Watching the taillights disappear around the corner is bittersweet for me.

"I know." I sigh.

But I don't know. I didn't feel like this when Alice brought Jasper home. Maybe it was because she had just turned fourteen, and I wasn't ready to let her have a boyfriend, let alone an immortal one.

Gianna and I agreed they could date, as long as it was in a group setting, until the girls turned sixteen. Looking back, I'm wishing I would have changed those ages.

Forty sounds a lot better than sixteen right now.

"She's going to be fine, Edward," Bella whispers and squeezes my hand.