Next week is Thanksgiving... That means Christmas is literally right around the corner. That is just frightening. I am so ill-prepared. I have a huge family and I have to buy so many gifts!

So, on my word doc, I'm up to like chapter six and the story is just flowing. I have a ton of homework, but I'm literally loving writing this story. It's so much fun. So, please enjoy!

Chapter Three

After meeting with Alistair dad and I went to Matthews beach. It was a rare sunny day in Seattle which made it the perfect time to have a picnic. We found a secluded spot with an amazing view of the water.

I helped dad sit out of his chair and onto the ground, then I unpacked our lunch. Dad looked out over the water and took a deep, longing breath.

"I remember coming here with your mother," He said, "And then you when you were little."

"I remember that too." I smiled.

I handed him his sandwich and laid out the metal tray of water drops. He looked all around the park, smiling as he remembered all the good times we had together. He sighed happily and started eating his lunch.

"When you were a small child, you'd run up and down the creak chasing the fish. You were so spirited, just like your mother," He smiled, "There was one time, where you actually jumped into the pond trying to catch one of the ducklings. You were soaked." He laughed.

I laughed along with him, "I don't remember that."

"You were very little when it happened. When I pulled you out of the water you just fought like a wet cat. Whew, you were a wild one." He chuckled.

"Well, that makes me not want children." I laughed.

He waved his hand dismissively, "Naw, you'll want some. I thought I didn't want kids, but, when I met your mother, she changed my mind."

I smiled, "I know I've asked a hundred times, but, can you tell me how you and mom met?"

He smiled back, "Do you have a video snap? Maybe, before you leave I could tell you stories and give you advice so you don't ever forget me."

"That's a great idea dad," I pulled out my phone, "I only have my cell phone, but I can transfer it to a video snap."

He inhaled, "She was eighteen and I was twenty. She was traveling with her friends, seeing the country. They just happened to blow through our small town after hearing about the black sand beach in La Push. I was on the beach with my friends when they pulled up in outdated hydro van that was just puffing out steam and screeching," he chuckled,

"My friends and I were watching them topple out of the car, then your mom walked out. Immediately, I knew I was going to marry her. I had never been bold before, but when she walked onto the beach, I jumped from where I was sitting and practically ran to her. Anyone else would have dismissed me, but your mother, she was different. When I approached her, I didn't think of anything slick to say to her, I just stood there, looking like a big goofball," he laughed,

"Oh, but your mother, she was such a saint. After an awkward minute, she flashed me the most beautiful smile I had ever seen and said, 'So, are you the beach police?' I had no idea what she was talking about, but, then I remembered that I was wearing my rookie uniform. Ugh, I was so embarrassed, I just laughed and turned to walk away. But, she grabbed my arm and from then on, we just hit it off. Three weeks later, we married and bought our house. We lived happily ever since then."

"I love that story," I said when I turned the video off, "We're so alike it's scary, I probably would have done the same thing, except I would have tripped."

"You certainly do have my ability to walk on a flat surface and fall."

We fell into a fit of chortles that disturb the birds nearby. When we finished our lunch, I packed everything away then helped my dad into his wheelchair.

"Before we leave, can we talk a walk around the strip?" He asked.

"Of course, dad." I would do anything he asked at this point. I would be leaving forever in a week, leaving before he passed. Every moment we had together counted.

He took in a deep breath of the fresh air, "I can see everything we did here. Every memory just as clear as the day it happened."

"I wish you were coming with me to Outerra, make new memories." I said solemnly.

He looked up at me and grabbed my hand, "I wish I was too Bells, but, you're going to go and live a fantastic life. Meet someone and just enjoy the new planet."

I chuckled dryly, "I sure hope so dad. I'm interested to see how this goes."

He nodded, "You aren't nervous, right?"

"A little. I think I'll be more nervous when it actually hits me that I'm going." I said.

"You'll be fine. You're going to conquer Outerra, what is it that Caesar said? I came, I saw, I conquered." He chuckled to himself.

"Well, I'm not planning on conquering Outerra, just making a life for myself."

"No, you'll conquer the planet. When you were born your mother and I always said you'd take over the world. We just thought you'd be taking over earth." He chuckled.

"Ha ha," I said, "It's starting to get dark dad, we need to get going."

He sighed, "Alright, let's get going."

I helped him in the car then packed away our stuff. When I got back into the car, I handed dad his nightly pain pill then pulled out of the park.

As I drove, I began thinking about the future and where I was headed. I was going to be completely alone on an entirely new planet. I've always had my dad, but now, I truly was going to be alone.

I took a shaky breath; it was definitely going to be tough. I wondered how many people were travelling to Outerra alone? Leaving their families behind to journey to a new world. To try and make a new life for themselves.

I looked over to my dad who was soundly sleeping in the passenger seat. It was going to be so hard to leave him. I know I was leaving him in very capable hands; Sue was loving and she deeply cared for my father, I didn't have to worry about his care.

And I knew my dad was a dying man, so, we had limited time anyways, but that didn't make it any easier…

Then again, I wouldn't have to worry about his funeral. I wouldn't have to worry about planning and buying everything. It was a bittersweet relief.

We got back to the house fairly quickly, I spent half of the drive thinking about this new endeavor I was getting myself into and the other half worrying about my dad.

I pushed my dad's wheelchair beside his door and helped him into it. He yawned loudly, stretching his arms up as I wheeled him up into the house.

"Ready for bed dad?"

"Mmm," he hummed, his eyes barely holding open.

I lifted him from the chair and carried him up to his room. I didn't realize how much weight he had lost until I walked him up those stairs. I can remember him carrying me up these stairs when I was young.

I laid him down in his bed and tucked him in. I kissed his cheek.

"Goodnight dad," I said.

"Night Bells."

The Next Morning

Before I left for work, I went into my dad's room, like I always did before I left. He was hunched over his bedside, puking into the trashcan.

I frowned, "Feeling sick, dad?"

He wiped his mouth with a tissue, "Just a little queasy this morning."

I pressed the back of my hand to his forehead, "Probably from your medication."

"Yeah," he said, "Do you have the video-snap? I wanted to take some video for you today."

I took it out of my pocket, "Here you go."

"Thanks. Now you get on to work and tell them you're leaving earth." He chuckled.

I giggled, "Okay dad, I'll be home soon." I kissed his cheek before getting up and leaving.

The entire way to work, I continuously thought over my plan of quitting. I know people would freak out when they heard I was leaving for Outerra. They probably wouldn't understand the decision.

Everyone in this town knew that my dad was dying. Before his illness overtook him, he served as a dutiful police officer. There were only eight official cops on the force in the town and everyone knew who they were.

Before I entered the building, I took a deep breath to settle my nerves. I walked up to the secretary's desk.

"I need to speak with Mr. Jenks."

"Okay, let me just make sure he's free." She said as she picked up the phone.

I waited for just a moment.

"Alright, go on back."

I nodded to her then walked into his office. He smiled, waving for me to sit.

"I've made my decision." I said, trying to come off as confident, but sounding nervous, "I'm going to Outerra."

He nodded, "I had a feeling you'd make that decision," he stood and extended his hand, "congratulations."

"Thank you," I said as I shook his hand, "I have to quit though."

He chuckled, "I figured, I'm sad to see you leaving us, but I know this is going to be such a big opportunity for you."

"I sure hope so," I sighed, "I have three weeks' vacation saved up and I want to use them today. I want to spend as much time with my father as I can."

"Understood. Just go up to finance and collect your last check. I'll give them a call."

I smiled at him and headed out the door to collect my check.

I thought this was a sweet chapter between a father and daughter. I was hoping to portray their really loving relationship, hopefully I did that.