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I love Bella, and her parents by association, but I have to say my parents' visit is a lot more lax than both of Renee and Charlie's.
Dad arrives bright and early and gives Mom shit about leaving her car in the dispensary parking lot. He's genuinely surprised and curious about Bella, and they spend a lot of time talking about his transition. How he was able to cope and keep his profession once he was changed.
He and Mom spend a couple days spoiling the girls and getting to know my vampire, and before they leave, he takes me out for a drive away from prying ears.
"She's perfect for you, Edward."
"I know."
He turns to me, one eye on the road, the other on my face. "When Gianna did what she did, your mom and I thought you'd never get over your prejudice of our kind. You put on a strong façade, but it was obvious you weren't a fan."
I swallow thickly and nod because there's no point in lying to my father.
"We thought you'd never open your heart to someone else either."
"I never thought I would either. I had written off women and decided to focus on the girls because I didn't want to get hurt again, and then …"
"And then your mate showed up on your doorstep and turned your world upside down." He grins. "I remember when your mother came back after her three-day burn. I remember how I felt the second I saw her again for the first time. As the years pass and my memory of my human life fades, I hope I never lose that moment."
I smile because I never questioned the bond between my parents. Growing up, even when things were tough, they stuck together and made it work. I grew up witnessing the love they had for each other, and when I was old enough, I tried to find that same happiness. I'll never regret Gianna and the years I wasted with her because, without them, I wouldn't have the two first loves of my life. Alice and Angela made me a better man, and I'd do it all over again a thousand times if I had to.
"And to think," Dad continues. "Both you and Bella fought that connection. I couldn't imagine how difficult it was for the two of you."
"I'm not going to lie. It was hard. We both felt something the second I opened my front door, but I was worried it was just in my head, and Bella didn't want to force me to make a decision about my future." I run a hand through my hair. "We've discussed things, and we're going to talk with the girls, but I've made up my mind. When the time is right, I'll suffer the three-day burn in order to be with her forever."
Dad pats my shoulder. "And you'll never regret that decision, son."