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"OMG! Look at us!" I gasp when I spot a few pictures of us as preteens.
Ava and Tucker make fun of us as we flick through and find even more pictures of us. Bella looks just as beautiful, but I look a mess. I never realized it back then, but now, looking at the pictures, I can see the tattered clothes I wore and the constantly dirty hair. But even though my life was chaotic at that time, I'm still sporting a huge smile, and I know that's because I was with Bella.
Finally, we get to see some pictures of her now, with her grandparents, me, and some of the rest of the group. Ones that they've clearly gotten from her friends, as some of the pictures are from girls' nights I've never even seen before.
Then, on the back page, is a letter saying how proud they are of her.
This makes us all cry. Well, except for her dad, of course. I lean over and kiss her before handing her a gift of my own. It's a small, silver necklace with a heart-shaped pendant with an infinity symbol engraved on the back.
"Always and forever, baby," I say proudly as she leans forward, lifting her hair, so I can place the necklace around her beautiful neck.
I hear her father scoff. "Did you want to say something?" I can’t stop myself growling because even though I'm trying my hardest to be polite, this asshole is pissing me off.
"Always is kind of a big commitment, don’t you think?" he says coldly.
"Mike!" Bella’s mother snaps before her face changes, and it's clear she regrets it as she sinks into her chair and looks down at her feet, like it's suddenly the most interesting thing in the world.
"No, it's true. They hardly even know each other," her father says matter-of-factly.
"Dad, we do know each other. I've known him since forever, and I know he's my forever," Bella mutters in a soft and timid voice that sounds nothing like the woman I know and love.
"Mike, this is Nathaniel. She's known him since she was a little girl," her nana clarifies.
"Oh, the letter boy? Is that him? Still, they’re just kids and know nothing about the real world," he adds coldly.
"The letter boy? How could you not know who he was? I told you so many times!" cries Bella, getting up from the table and running inside with Ava right behind her.
"Well, with all due respect, SIR, I think it is you who does not know your daughter, so let me enlighten you," I snap, finally unable to bite my tongue any longer. My pulse starts racing, my heart is beating in my ears, and I can feel my fists clenching.Calm down; you can't lose it here. You especially can't lose it on your girlfriend's father by knocking him out and breaking his nose. No matter how much he deserves it, keep your cool!
"Your daughter is the most beautiful person I have ever met, and I don’t mean her looks, but her heart. She perceives the world as a magical place full of wonder, and she makes everyone around her see it the same way. She has an insane love for all animals and regularly has me stopping the car or has me running around in the middle of the night to rescue stray animals and keep them safe. She loves horror movies, even though they give her nightmares. She adores singing out loud, even though the poor girl is completely tone-deaf, but none of us care because it makes her so happy! She has the best grandparents and friends a girl could ask for. Ones who love her unconditionally and whom she loves in return. And let me tell you now, to be loved by Bella is better and more precious than being loved by an angel." I scold and stand up.
"And as for me, not knowing her, I know she loves pineapple but hates pineapple on pizza, that her favorite color is pink, and that her favorite movies are Disney movies. Even though she lies and pretends they’re not. I know that when she gets upset, a little red spot appears between her eyebrows that kind of looks like a rhino horn. When she's nervous, she twirls her hair," I smile, remembering all those moments. "But most importantly, I know that whatever happens, I love her, and she loves me. So no matter what, as long as we are together, we'll be happy." I look over at her parents, who are both speechless, and I realize it's now or never.
"And to think…" I add with a smirk. "I was so nervous about meeting you both today because I was going to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage. Although, after meeting you, I no longer give a fuck whether you give me your blessing or not!" I see her father's face morph into anger, but I continue anyway, sick of trying to be polite. "I AM going to marry your daughter one day. I AM going to make her happy. And I AM going to make it my life's mission to make sure she knows how much I love and admire her until my last breath. So that she will never again spend another moment feeling forgotten and unappreciated by those who are supposed to love her."
I hear clapping behind me and turn to see Ava standing there with the biggest smile on her face. And then there’s Bella, who is standing next to her and has tears streaming down her face. "I love you more, baby. Now and forever, I am yours," she sobs as I pull her into my arms.
"Are you going to allow thisboy…" he says, full of disdain, as if the word physically burns in his mouth "... to talk to us like that?"
Bella looks up at me briefly, and I'm sure she's about to slap me, but instead she just smiles before turning back to her parents. "Yes, Sir, because unlike YOU, he cares about me. Everything he said, while not exactly the way I would have, is exactly what I've wanted to say to you for the last fifteen years.''
She takes a step out of my arms towards her father, and seeing her finally stand up for herself fills me with an indescribable amount of pride. I know what it's like to feel trapped by your parents and how freeing it is to finally break free.
"You don't even know who I am because you've never cared enough to get to know me. And I'm sick of it! I may want you in my life; I always will, you're my father, but I don't need you anymore. I've found myself a real family…" she shouts, before turning and looking back at all of us. "Those people there are my real family. They are the ones who are there for me during my happiest and saddest moments. They are the ones who truly see me," she adds with a sad grin.
"Look at you. I knew letting you stay here was a bad idea. What happened to my quiet, polite daughter? What did these hooligans do to her?" her father sneers.
"They accepted, and loved me because of who I am. They accepted me, flaws and all. They didn't try to mold me into who they wanted me to be," she huffs, and I can hear how her voice is quivering as she speaks.
"Do you have any idea how exhausting it has been trying to be perfect for you? Hoping that if I say the right thing, or do the right thing, that one day you will find me worthy of love and affection? Do you have any idea how it feels to grow up and be made to feel unloved, unappreciated, and unvalued by the two people in the world who are meant to love you no matter what? No?! Because neither of you cared enough to listen. And I'm done!! You either want to be a part of my life or you don't. Right now, I don't care which you choose, as you bring me nothing but heartache and pain. I can't deal with the anxiety your presence brings. I can't cope with having to beg you for attention and affection any longer."
I see the tears streaming down Bella's face, so I reach forward and put my arms around her, letting her know that regardless of what happens, I'm right here for her.
"Isabella Williams," her father scolds, "this is not the time or the place for your hysteria."
"Not the time or place? Fuck you!" Bella fumes, and I can't help but notice the shocked look on everyone's faces.
"So when exactly should I bring this up? During the many phone calls we share? Wait, that doesn't happen, does it? Or maybe over our weekly dinners? Oh yeah, I don't get invited to those either, do I? I know, perhaps I should have penciled this in when I was in the city last? Scheduled an appointment with your secretary? Oh right, you were too busy then to see your only daughter too. Well, shucks, I guess this is the closest to daddy-daughter time we've gotten in a while."
