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“Yes. I’ve always loved her. But now, it’s… different—better—stronger, I guess. I can’t imagine my life without her and Brendan in it.”
He stared at me, and as the seconds ticked by, I felt sweat drip down my temple. A slow smile spread across his face.
Finally, he nodded once. “Good, then you have my blessing. You make her happy, and I’ll support you both. But don’t you walk away from her or ever hurt her again. Remember, she’s still my baby girl.”
Oh, thank God.
He shot me a wink, and my whole body relaxed as relief washed over me. I felt like someone had lifted a weight from my shoulders. I’d worried all week that he would tell me to go to hell. That I wasn’t good enough for his baby girl. That I didn’t deserve her. A long exhale left my mouth, but I knew I wasn’t done. I needed one more thing from Allen.
Before I could ask, Allen added, “I’m assuming you want Rose’s rings? Bella’s always said she wanted to wear them one day.” He stood but waited for an answer.
“Yes, I was hoping you’d be okay with me using them. Ashley made it clear that I would need them.”
He nodded. “I’ll be right back then.”
Allen left the living room and headed down a long hallway on the far side of the condo.
I was so thankful and relieved that the hard part was over. Well, I still had to ask Bella. I smiled, knowing that would be the easy part.
A minute later, he returned and handed me an old looking black ring box. I opened it and saw two rings nestled inside.
“Thank you.”
“Rose told me—before she passed—that I better keep these for you. Because one day you would ask for them.” He smiled, and a look of nostalgia crossed his features. “Since you were eight years old, she was sure you would marry Bella one day.”
I chuckled softly as the rings shone in the light. “My mom told me the same thing recently.”
My chest constricted as I recalled the conversation with my mother a few days ago, when I told her I planned to talk to Allen. I rubbed at the ache in my chest, regret sneaking up on me again for not doing this sooner.
“Bella’s right. You know that, don’t you?”
“Huh?” I blinked, focusing back on the conversation.
“You can’t let regret eat away at you. I’ve spent too many years with regrets, letting them control me and the choices I’ve made. I blamed myself for Rose’s death for many, many years. I should have forced her to the doctor before she got that sick, and then I let my issues affect the relationship I had with Bella. A relationship I’m still working on trying to restore. I guess what I’m saying is listen to Bella. Make sure the past doesn’t control your future.”
I swallowed and nodded. “Yes, sir.” I ran my hand through my hair. “Does Bella know that?”
“Know what?”
“That you blame yourself?”
He chuckled and shook his head. “No. She would tell me that’s ridiculous and I need to just let it go. I think I mentioned something to that extent when Rose first ended up in the hospital, way before she took a turn for the worse, and Bella just brushed it off, saying something about it being nonsense and how her mom was stubborn.”
“Sounds like Bella.” I smiled.
We continued to talk. It was nice to reconnect with him after so many years. I’d always seen him as a second dad growing up, since I spent many a night eating dinner at their house instead of my own. My four siblings could talk someone to death like my mom. It was loud, and at times overwhelming.
I walked Allen through my plans for the proposal before glancing at my watch.
“Wow, I’ve been here for over an hour. I probably need to be heading back.”
“Yeah, you don’t want to lie to Bella if she calls asking where you are.” He laughed. “I’m assuming she doesn’t know you’re here?”
“Nope.” I stood and followed Allen to the front door.
“Good luck. And I’m sure I’ll be seeing you soon.” He patted me on the back before I stepped into the hallway.
“Thanks again. For everything.”
