I opened the front door after work, surprised that Bo was home alone, when most nights Chris was here with her, doing homework or helping her prepare dinner if I was late. She sat on the couch with a carton of pistachio gelato, staring glumly at the replay of a game on television, so consumed in thought that she hadn't even heard me enter.

"Bo, is everything all right?"

I knew something was bothering her by the troubled look on her face. Wanting to help, but knowing she had to be willing to open up to me on her own, I waited, pry, allowing her to come to me when she felt comfortable.

She shook her head and continued with her treat.

I ordered Chinese on my way upstairs to shower and was back down in time to get the takeout and carry it into the living room where she still sat, looking sullen. After a second helping was scooped, she finally spoke.

"Chris wants to go to school out of state."

"Does he?" I asked, my heart skipping.

I knew there was a chance she would be leaving for college, even one on a different coast, though I had hoped she wouldn't be farther than a few hours' drive.

"I applied to the state college; I don't want to go anywhere else. They have a great program in my field of interest, and it wouldn't be so far from home."

"You need to do what is best for you- not for Chris, or even me, if that is of concern."

"Partly… I don't want to leave you by yourself."

"Bo, I have work and your grandfather, Uncle Em, and Aunt Rose. There are projects around the house that I've been putting off for years. I have plenty to do here and people to keep me company. You don't have to worry about me. I'm the parent, remember?"

"It's not just that. I have scholarships to consider. I actually want to go there; I've never had interest in going to California."

"Is that where Chris is going?"

"He just told me today that he was accepted and wants to me go with him. He said he knows that with my grades I could go wherever I wanted and that it would be easy enough for me to attend with him. He wants to get an apartment and live together instead of staying in the dorms."

"What do you want?"

"Not that … not yet, anyway."

"You still have a few months to decide."

"I've already decided."

"Decided?" Holding my breath, genuinely wanting her to decide for herself what she wanted.

"I don't want to go anywhere else, and it doesn't hurt that I will only be three hours from home. Chris was upset but said we would have breaks together and could make it work."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing yet. I don't want to break up, but I don't see how it will work. We will both be meeting new people and experiencing new things. We are bound to grow apart, and though it hurts me to think about all that, I know after graduation, we will have to flourish in our own ways."

"Whatever your decision, you have my support."

"Thanks, Daddy."

I watched a tear escape, and she wiped it away before it could descend. I got up and kissed the top of her head, leaving her alone with her thoughts as I went back upstairs. I couldn't help but be happy she wouldn't be too far away but was also sad for the hurt she was experiencing. The end of her first love was looming before her.

The next few months were a whirlwind of her senior year, finishing her exams, and going through her room, even though she would have the summer to do so.

Charlie, Emmett, Rosalie, and I sat in the second row, proudly cheering as Bo accepted her diploma, and shouting for Chris, who was still part of the picture. I observed him watching her with anxious eyes, both of us knowing what the outcome would be. I hurt for him; seeing the love he had for her, yet knowing it wasn't his choice to end things. Soon both he and my daughter would venture out into the world, only this time, each would be on their own.

She refused a graduation party, instead opting to attend everyone else's and having a small celebration at home with her family. We had a cake and gifts. I gave her a new laptop, Emmett and Rosalie gave her gift cards for the books she would need, and Charlie gave her a credit card in his name for anything she may need unexpectedly. She planned on bringing her bedding with her for a piece of home and didn't need much else.

Rosalie brought her shopping for some new clothes and running shoes while I sat with Charlie at home, drowning my sorrows with a few beers and pizza slices as we loaded her boxes into her car. I had wanted to drive her myself and help her settle, but she said it was silly when she was going to be driving her car. It hurt, but I allowed her to make the decisions, following her lead to keep things as easy as possible.

She had two nights left, and one was spent with Chris. I left that night, and for the first time, leaving them alone in the house. I sat with Emmett in a local pub, trying not to think of my now adult daughter alone in our home with her boyfriend, saying a final goodbye. I trusted her, and I trusted Rosalie, who had given her a women's talk after a few months of dating Chris. Mike came in an hour or so after we had arrived, and Emmett and I called him over, seeing him looking just as distraught as I was over our children leaving. It was Chris's last night, I had one more, so for that I was thankful.

"She's a good girl, Edward."

"Chris is a good kid, too."

We tapped our glasses and sat silently, allowing our thoughts to wander. Our children were grown, saying goodbye to one another, possibly for good. I had grown fond of Chris over the last couple of years, enjoying watching him grow into a man, one who was respectful and kind. No longer the rebellious pre-teen I had once known, the insensitive boy who had hurt my daughter. Bo was now the stronger of the two, leading the relationship as she wished. I knew Bo was strong; she would be okay; she would move on and be successful. I just hoped Chris could do the same without hurting too much.

Mike and I watched the clock, both of us waiting for the hour to hit eleven, when I had told Bo I would be home, and Mike would expect Chris shortly after. Emmett left before then, he and Rosalie had adopted a three-year-old boy a few months back, and he was eager to be home to put him to bed.

"I'll see you around." I bid Mike goodnight, paying my tab and leaving.

He gave me a nod and ordered another drink before calling it a night himself.

I sat in my car, seeing that Chris was still there when I got home, watching as the front door opened. He looked miserable; Bo had tears in her eyes as they held each other for a long moment. He gave her forehead a lingering kiss and got into his car across the street, giving me a wave as he left.

I walked to the house, Bo still standing in the doorway, watching his car disappear.

"Daddy." She cried, rushing into my arms.

She informed me between sobs that she and Chris had called it quits, more so agreeing with her rather than arguing about it. He was broken-hearted and insisted he would always love her, but she was determined she would not hold either of them back as they moved onto their new adventures.

I marveled at her courage, her strong will, and sticking to what she thought was right.

I held her for as long as she allowed, wondering when I would have the opportunity to do so.

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