Dear Bella,
Our daughter is one and more perfect than we ever imagined she would be. She loves everything she encounters, whether it be a ball, a dandelion she found in the grass, or a stranger that passes; everything is deserving of her smile.
She is as beautiful as she is funny, with her fangs growing in before any other teeth. I call her my little vampire even though her four front teeth are finally beginning to make an appearance. I noticed I have begun saying mine instead of ours when referring to Bo. I'm not sure how it happened, nor if I like it. I suppose it's just something that happens with time.
With time… my least favorite two words ever put together that everyone seems to think I need to hear, over and over again.
Everyone gets a laugh over Bo's fangs, so we both dressed up like vampires for Halloween this year, even though I'm sure you would have picked out something cute and squishy. My mother came along, taking pictures every step of the way. Your dad declined, saying he took an extra shift since Halloween night brings out more mischief than any other night of the year. I believe he used it as an excuse not to go with us.
He has kept his distance from Bo and me. I think it hurts too much to see her, for she looks just like you. I think he see's what he had and what he is missing all in one, and he isn't sure how to handle it. I have faith he will heal enough to be there for Bo. I won't rush him and will allow him to get there in his own time, without hard feelings when he does, over how long it took to get there.
Emmett thinks I need to get out and meet people, though everyone respects my wishes and isn't pushing. My mother seems to understand better than anyone else, perhaps because she lost Dad, even if it wasn't as soon as I lost you. Maybe it was harder for her because they had more time together, maybe it's harder for me because we had so many firsts we'll never get to be experience. Maybe it's all the same and so different at the same time.
What I do know is I will never love again the way I loved you.
Love,
Your Edward
I apologize for being a couple of days late with the chapter, I promise it wasn't intentional and I have multiple chapters written for the future. I ended up getting appendicitis and went for surgery Wednesday evening. Better late than never, right?! As always, a huge shout out to Fran for all she does for me.