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"What about you, Dad?" Alice asks. "I know how against EL you were before Bella. I'd imagine things are different now that you're together."

Bella squeezes my hand and nods for me to answer freely.

"I plan on being changed once both of you are. We aren't in any hurry unless circumstances change. I'm not getting any younger and anything could happen."

"But that doesn't mean you need to reconsider anything about your choice, Rabbit," Bella adds. "We'll figure out things as we go, but we wanted to see where the two of you stood when it came to being changed or not."

The girls nod.

"And this isn't the last time we'll have this conversation. Opinions and time can change things, and we'll stand by you guys either way." I reach out and take both their hands. "Ultimately, it's your choice, and you shouldn't take anyone else's feelings into account."

They nod, and Alice is the one to break the tension. She shakes her arms out and stands. "Okay, enough with the heavy. I'm tired of watching movies, and Angela cheats at board games."

"Do not!" Ang cries.

No one comes to her defense, and Alice rolls her eyes. "Does anyone want to go to Cora's for drinks? Tonight is a two for one, and Angela has a paying job now, so it's on her."

Angela argues, but Bella pipes in. "It's my treat." She looks over at me. "Wanna go hang out with kids for a couple hours?"

Not really.

I'm kind of tired from our talk, and I spent most of my day at the office. I'd rather climb into bed and love her a little while the kids are out. But then, I remember these moments are fleeting. There will come a time when they don't want to spend as much time with us. When they go off on their own.

"Let's do it." I kiss her nose. "I'm really thirsty."

We drive separately from the kids, and Bella holds my hand while she drives with the other.

"How do you feel?" she asks softly as we follow Ben's Mustang.

"Honestly?" She nods. "I feel like I can finally breathe a little easier. Knowing that they both have intentions of becoming vampires some day makes me actually look forward to the future."

"And what about Alice's plans to get married right out of high school?"

I swallow thickly. "She'll be an adult, and what's the point of waiting if they're proven to be mates?"

Bella laughs. "My, my, Edward. You've grown so much from the man I first met."

I kiss her palm. "It's all because of you."