I don't think my love for my daugher has ever been in question. And it was depressing as hell sending her on the plane back to California, knowing I wasn't going to see her again until summer break. But I was really, really looking forward to having Bella back in my bed. I called her as I was leaving the airport and we met at my place an hour later, naked and tangled in the sheets ten minutes after getting home.

In the coming weeks and months we basically lived as man and wife. Sharing household chores, cooking together, making love into the early morning hours. But I didn't want to live as a pseudo married couple- I wanted to be a married couple. I wanted the world to know Bella was mine for eternity.

First things first.

The process of searching for the perfect ring was daunting. There were several that were close, but nothing was exactly right. Eventually, I had one custom made at J. Rankin - our local jewelers. The owner's son was a regular customer and gave me a great deal. I had the box tucked away in my closet, waiting for the right moment. It arrived on a hot and humid August evening. I'm not sure if I was sweating more from the heatwave or nerves.

We went to the beach. I was trying to recreate one of my favorite dates with her. We strolled the stretch of sand, both of us barefoot, the light summer breeze blowing her hair loose from her ponytail. The way the sunlight bathed her face, I'd never seen her look more beautiful.

We found a bench and sat down. The sun was beginning to set, the colors in the sky changing from blue to crimson. I started fidgeting and she asked if I was okay. I shook my head.

"What's wrong?" Her voice was thick with concern.

"Nothing; everything's fine. Really good, actually."

"You don't look so good; you're sweating buckets."

I tugged my damp tee shirt away from my chest and asked her to give me a minute. Then I took a deep breath before I began.

"I love you. I have since the very moment I laid eyes on you. There's no one more important in my life than you. I'm the man I am today because of you." I fished around in my pocket for the black box. With trembling hands I took the ring out and promptly dropped it into the sand below. I cursed as I fumbled around for it.

"Sorry, I'm a little nervous. Anyway, this is for you." Unceremoniously, I passed her the diamond infinity ring in white gold. She looked confused. "Just read the inscription."

I saw her smile as she read the three words aloud. "'Always my daughter.' Dad, it's beautiful but I'm a little confused here."

I smiled. "The thing is, I also love Bella. I want her to be my wife."

"Well, I think you just asked the wrong girl."

I shook my head. "If Bella's going to be a permanent part of my life, it means she'll be a permanent part of our lives. I wanted your permission first."

"Wh-what?"

"You heard me. I'm looking for your blessing. You and I, we're a team. I need to know you're alright with this."

Tears welled in her eyes. "Of course you have my blessing! Oh my God! You're getting married!"

"Well, she has to say yes first."

"There's no doubt she will."

I took the ring and slid it onto the ring finger of her right hand, knowing the left was reserved for someone else. Isabella held her hand out admiring the stones glinting in the sunlight.

"It's stunning. I love it."

"I'm glad you like it. I was hoping you'd go with me to pick out a ring for Bella."

Isabella smiled. "I'd be honored. Did Rosalie help you chose this one? It's gorgeous."

"Actually, I went by myself. I had this one made specially for you. You're a one of a kind daughter and only a one of a kind ring would do."

"I love you, Dad. So much."

"The feeling is most definitely mutual."

...

We went shopping the next day. Let me tell you, my kid has extravagant taste. Without fail, in every store she'd choose the most expensive rock. By the end of the third day, I found The One. Isabella agreed. I also have extravagant taste but Bella was worth every single penny. I tucked the ring away and wracked my brain trying to come up with the perfect proposal.

When we got home I noticed Isabella was rather quiet. She was on the couch, knees up, arms wrapped around herself as she stared off into space.

"You okay, kiddo?"

She shrugged.

"Is it...are you sure you're okay with—"

"Oh, God, Dad. Yes! I'm really happy for you that you've found Bella. It's just…it got me thinking."

I sat down beside her on the couch and encouraged her to continue.

"How do you know she's the one? And I'm not asking because I think you're making the wrong decision. I'm asking because...because…." Her head dropped down and she started crying. My arm went around her and I pulled her closer.

I already had an inkling of what she was going to say. I'd noticed that over summer break she'd been spending more time than usual with her girlfriends. Jake was still coming around but normally her time at home was strictly reserved for him and now it was shared, something I found odd. Isabella continued to cry.

"Ssshhh, sweetie. It's okay." She took a minute or two to collect herself. Before she spoke she swiped her fingers under her eyes in attempt to fix her smudged mascara. "Whatever you have to say, I'm not going to judge you. I'm here to listen and give advice if you want it. Okay? So what's going on?"

Isabella didn't look at me as she spoke, her fingers twisting around each other. "There's this guy... back at school. Garrett. He and I….we haven't done anything. Well, anything major, you know. But I like him and he likes me."

I raised my eyebrows in question because for her to be this conflicted, I was pretty sure this thing between her and him was probably more serious than 'like.' Isabella corrected herself.

"Okay, it's more serious than that. And... I don't really know how Jake fits into the equation now, because I love him, too. I do. But this thing with Garrett is...it's all so complicated."

She dissolved into tears again. I held her while she unleashed all the feelings of guilt she'd bottled up. This was eating her up inside and she was confiding in me. I needed to dig deep to give her amazing advice to walk her through this. There was no time for Google, Pinterest, or Tumblr. It was all on me.

"Fuck."

That wasn't exactly what I was looking for. Isabella gave a little snort.

"Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. Dad, what am I going to do?"

"I think you know what you have to do, honey." She shook her head.

"No, I don't."

"Do you know how I know Bella's the one for me? Because as soon as she came into my life, it felt right. I couldn't imagine myself with anyone else. She'll be sitting there, talking or reading a book or watching a movie and there's something in that moment that makes me go 'yeah! That's the woman I love!' And it's not like she's doing anything especially sweet or beautiful. She's just being, and I feel this overwhelming love for her in that very ordinary moment."

"But I love Jake in those ordinary moments, too. I can see myself being married to him."

"Can you see yourself not married to Garrett? Can you envision a life without him? You don't marry someone you can live with, you marry the person you can't live without."

My daughter still didn't looked convinced. I scrubbed my hands over my face and thought for a moment.

"Let me put it this way. If you're in love with two people, you should probably choose the second one because if you were truly in love with the first, there wouldn't be a second one."

Tears dripped from her eyes and she nodded. "I'm going to break Jake's heart."

I nodded, tears stinging. "Yes, you will."

"I've never broken up with anyone before. How do I...how am I supposed to tell him?"

"As gently as possible."

…

Two days later, Isabella broke up with Jake. There was a hole in the wall of her bedroom as proof - his fist, not hers. I always suspected some boy would break her heart; I had no idea it would be by her own hand. It didn't lessen the pain. They both cried, and at the end of the day vowed to remain friends. I knew that wouldn't be possible, at least not initially. There needed to be time to heal - on both their parts.

Isabella spent the last five days of August holed up in her room, bawling her eyes out. My daughter learned that even though you break up with someone, removing them from your heart is a whole different story. But new beginnings often start after painful endings, something I learned after Ally left us. Isabella would learn this lesson as well.

When I sent her on the plane back to California, Isabella told me Garrett would be picking her up at the airport. I hoped he knew what she had given up for him - a four and a half year committed relationship with a pretty decent guy. I prayed she'd made the right choice. I never wanted for her to live with regrets.

And at Thanksgiving, when I finally met the boy who'd stolen Isabella's heart away from Jake, it was a no brainer. Not only was she clearly smitten with him, Garrett was equally gaga over her. The Jacob Black chapter in Isabella's life had ended, opening up a brand new, unwritten future.

Mine, however, was closing in on a happily ever after. That is, if I could coax a yes out of Miss Bella Swan.

Alanna is more than a beta, she's a bestie. This story is possible because of the time, effort, and love she gives to it. I can't thank her enough xoxo

And to all of you, readers and reviewers - thank you ever so much. I've been getting review notifications but when I click the link, it says the review isn't found. Hopefully fanfiction will have this problem fixed soon and then I will be able to reply to you. Sorry if there's a delay.

There's one more chapter to go! See you next week.