My Best Friends Father

Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight, Pepsi owns Dr. Pepper, Levi's own Levi brand.

AN: I tried very hard for Jasper to think like a man. But since I'm not a man, I can only imagine how much I was off.

AN: Wow! Thank you for all the fantastic reviews! I am very excited at the positive response to my story. I hope you enjoy Jaspers point of view. And nope, not gonna tell ya' who 'the Major' is yet! J

Chapter 3

JPOV

I could see my daughter Alice's car in the parking lot of the café we were meeting at and parked next to her. I always enjoyed the time we were able to spend together; she had always been such a joy to me. I wondered what was going on that would pull her away from her job on such short notice.

I walked in and she waved from her table across the room. She had ordered me an iced tea; I noticed that there were only two drinks on the table, so the hope that Isabella, her best friend, would be here with her evaporated. Although why I had thought she would be here in the middle of her school day, I have no idea.

I was going to have to get over this fascination with my daughter's best friend. I was much too old for her, and she very likely only saw me as a father figure. I snorted to myself, like I'd be able to halt the feeling I had for her. I've been trying to ignore the attraction and interest I've had for my daughter's friend for…a while.

I remember watching as she looked for us after her college graduation ceremony a few years ago; watching as her eyes lit up when they connected with Alice and I. Her own parents hadn't bothered to show up, although she'd seemed extremely happy that Alice and I were there. The smile that split her face was beautiful; it was as if the sun had finally broken through the clouds. We'd gone to eat and she had opened her graduation gift from Alice, when I had presented her with the watch I had picked out, she'd had tears in her eyes.

I'd worried that she didn't like it until she'd thrown herself into my arms for a hug and thanked me with a kiss on the cheek. I remember breathing in her scent, holding her in my arms and having to force myself to release her. Since that day, I've worked hard, trying to see her as a second daughter; when I'm all too aware that she is most definitely not my daughter.

Of course, I'm attracted to her physically; she's an incredibly beautiful woman. She has an enchanting heart shaped face, beautiful brown eyes, and hair. She is also beautifully shaped, with gentle curves that would entice even the strongest most stalwart of men. Which admittedly, when it comes to Isabella, I am not.

But more important than her physical beauty; I've learned of the beauty of her character, spirit and soul. The love that is evident when she talks of the students in her class. Her compassion for people in general, the volunteer work she does, the desire to help anyone struggling. She's working right now to collect winter coats for kids at school who can't afford them.

Rubbing my hand over my face, I sighed. With all the care she gives to others, who takes care for her? Who holds her when the day catches up with her, or picks her up when she falls? Knowing Isabella, I'm pretty sure that would be daily. I chuckled to myself.

Her love of people is great, but she takes too much on herself. I know that Alice is concerned for her also. She's mentioned several times in the past few months that Isabella takes care of so many other people, but that she doesn't take care of herself. What would Alice think if she realized how much I want and need to be the one that takes care of and protects Isabella.

"What are you thinking about dad? You've been sitting there staring off into space, you were laughing and now you have a very interesting gleam in your eye. It scares me a little." She grinned at me and laughed.

I rolled my eyes and leaned back in my chair. "What's going on with you, what was the idea you wanted to talk over, honey?" Distract her! Get her talking, that'll take her mind off of me.

"Well, it's actually a problem Bella has." At the mention of Isabella I snapped to attention.

"What's wrong? Isabella has a problem?" Is she sick? Is it her parents? Is she in some kind of trouble? Did someone HURT her? I'll kill them. I'll rip them apart, and then I'll kill them. No, I'll make them sorry, then I'll rip them apart, and then I'll kill them. Alice interrupted my thoughts before they could get too out of control.

"Bella's apartment lease was up last week, but her new apartment wasn't vacant on time and won't be available for almost a month. She's been staying at a hotel, but she just can't afford to keep paying for that, not on a teacher's salary. Anyway, I was wondering if you had any ideas of a place she could stay. Maybe with one of your friends, the one with the daughter that's my age? I forget his name."

Oh hell no! There's no way I'm letting him anywhere near her. "I don't think Scott has room." My hands automatically clenched into fists. He wouldn't be getting within 100ft of her. Who else could she stay with? The guys may have space, but I'll probably end up killing one of them if he looks at her the wrong way. I want her with me, but I'm certain I wouldn't be able to stay away from her. I won't do that too my daughter. I'm not going to betray her trust in me by coming onto her best friend.

"Have you considered Esme and Carlisle?" I trusted my business partner and her husband.

"I already called Esme to check, but with Edward still in high school and Emmett and his fiancée Rosalie come home from college every weekend so she and Esme can work on wedding plans, they don't have the extra room right now." Alice snickered. "Especially since Carlisle and Esme are having Rosalie stay in the guest bedroom when she's there." She looked at me expectantly then asked, "What about your extra bedroom dad? I don't sleep there anymore."

"Alice, honey, I don't know if that's such a great idea. I have to be up and around pretty early, my house is a mess, I don't have any real food…" She cut me off before I could really get on a role.

"Dad, you know that I love you, right?" I nodded slowly, this can't be good. "I'm going to ask you a question and I need you to answer me honestly, okay? Keep in mind that I pretty much always know when you lie to me." She teased.

"Okay, shoot." I waited for her to go on.

"Dad, do you have feelings for Bella?"

What? "What?!" There is no way my daughter just asked me that.

"Do you have feelings for Bella?" She asked softly, quickly going on. "I don't want to send you running for the hills or anything, but if you do, I want you to know that I think it's great. Besides," she paused, "I think she may feel something for you as well." She watched me with a raised eyebrow and a slight smile.

I sat stunned; she thinks it would be great, no wait, Isabella feels something for me? I'd never even hoped that she would be interested, not with our age difference.

"You think Isabella has feelings for me?" I asked doubtfully.

"I think you've been aware of her for a while, am I right?" I nodded very slowly. "Why is it so hard to believe that she might think you're a hunk?" She grinned at my look of disbelief. "What? Do you want proof that she might be aware of you also?" She laughed, I didn't move, just kept looking at her.

She shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Don't tell her I told you this." I nodded when she didn't go on. "Do you remember a while back, about a year ago, when she and I visited you at one of your worksites and she fell?"

"Yes, I remember." I remember every time I'd seen Isabella in the past few years. "She went and waited in your car while you and I talked." I'd taken her hand to pull her back up. Her skin was warm and soft, like holding silk, but her grip had been strong. My stomach clenched remembering the shock I felt run up my arm, it had taken all my self-control not to pull her into my arms right there.

"It just so happens that she tripped and fell because she was too busy looking at you. Shirtless," she emphasized, "Her eyes were glued on you; she didn't look where she was walking and fell. She left because she was embarrassed dad. Although, I have to admit I don't get it, you look just like every other guy to me." Alice grinned and shrugged. "Guess it's a Bella thing." She said laughing.

"She fell because she was w-watching me work without a shirt on?" I stuttered over my words.

"Well that and your jeans. I'm not sure what about them exactly, but she just kept mumbling 'dear God those jeans.' I don't think she realized she was mumbling and blushing." Alice was enjoying herself. "Then she would shake her head and say it again." Alice was laughing at my smile now.

I took a deep breath before saying, "and you think it would be great?"

"Yes, I think it would be wonderful. You would be perfect together, and what's more I think you would be good for each other. I love you dad, I want you to be happy. And if she makes you happy then I want this for you." I slowly relaxed as I saw the truth in her eyes. I hadn't noticed how tense this conversation had made me.

"When does she need to move in? Do you both want to come over for dinner tonight? She could bring her things with her and save tonight's room charge at the hotel. It wouldn't be anything fancy, I'm thinking pizza."

"I'll have to check with Bella first, dad. We'll call you this afternoon, about the room and dinner." She hugged me as we got up to leave. "I love you dad, and I want you both to be happy. I really do love both of you." Shrugging she gave me a lopsided grin and ran to her car.

I walked out to my truck in a daze. The impossible had just happened. My daughter had just given her permission for me to get to know her best friend, on a personal level. I thanked God for the loving daughter I'd been blessed with and by some miracle had the opportunity to raise.

I don't remember the drive back to the worksite, but after nearly shooting myself with the nail gun I decided I needed to get out of the construction zone for both my safety and everyone else's. I decided to stop at the grocery store on the way home, we would be ordering pizza for dinner and I know that Isabella likes to have Dr. Pepper with her meals, I also picked up some general staples that I should've had in the house anyway. Since I rarely cook, I never worried about keeping the kitchen stocked.

After I'd put all the groceries away, I picked up the dirty clothes, and was starting on the dishes when the phone rang. I'd been waiting for Alice to call, so I snatched it up, answering on the second or third ring.

"Hello?" I waited, hoping it was Alice telling me they would be here for dinner. I'm going to have to get caller ID added to my phone service.

"Hello, Mr. Brandon. This is Isabella Swan; I'm a friend of Alice's." Her voice was soft and sweet. I smiled, chuckling to myself when she introduced herself 'as a friend of Alice's as if I wouldn't know who she was.

"Hi! I saw Alice at lunch today; we wished you could've been there." Well, I wished she could've been there. "What can I do for you?" I tried not to sound to as eager as I felt. I heard her take a deep breath before answering.

"Alice may have mentioned to you that I need a temporary place to stay until my new apartment is available. She thought you might be willing to let me rent one of your rooms for a week or so. I was just calling to see if that would work for you."

"Of course! I'd love to have you stay here if that helps you out. When do you need to be here? You and Alice could come over for pizza tonight if you haven't already had dinner." I hoped she didn't feel pressured to come to dinner, but I wanted her here, in my house. Tonight. I waited impatiently to hear her answer.

"I'll have to check with Alice, oh and what would you be asking for rent?" She would press this point. How to tell her I don't want her money without offending her or insulting her independence. As if I would charge her rent. I shook my head at the idea.

"Oh, I don't know, we can work something out, maybe you could fix dinner a few times while you're here and we'll call it even." She knew how much I hated to cook. I liked the idea of her moving around my kitchen, moving to stand behind her, kissing her neck, running my hands up her sides and around to rest on her stomach, pulling her back against my chest; I growled low in my throat at the image. I shook my head, bringing myself back to the conversation.

It sounded as if she had turned the phone into her shirt, "Alice your dad wants to know if we want to have pizza at his house for dinner." I heard Alice's laugh as she agreed, knowing I'd been planning to invite them to dinner since we met at lunch. "If he's buying, absolutely!"

"I heard her answer." I told Isabella. "So, I'll see you all in, what? About 2 hours?" Would two hours be enough time for me to get the house ready? I'd make it be enough.

"That sounds great, that'll give me enough time to pack up here, if you don't mind a new roommate tonight?"

That sounded perfect. I'd been imagining her in my home for so long; I was impatient for her to arrive. Focus, I told myself. "That sounds…perfect. Tell Alice to drive the speed limit. See you in a little while. Bye Isabella."

"Bye." She whispered.

An image of Isabella working at the kitchen table, smiling up at me as she shares a funny story about her class with me, comfortable in our home; flashed into mind. Taking things slowly is going to be a challenge.

This is my first fanfic. Constructive criticism greatly appreciated. Please Review. ;)