"Isabella Marie Swan." Bella walked across the stage, collecting her high school diploma. She took a moment at the end of the platform to move her tassel to the other side. She looked out at the audience to see Jacob, Quil, Seth, and Embry jumping up and down and shouting her name. Billy and Charlie, who sat a row in front of them smiled proudly at her and discretely wiped away their tears.
After the ceremony, Bella was swept into a group hug. "Thank you, boys." She laughed at the poster that they had made. "Congraduation! Nice play on words."
"It's more like they ran out of room on the poster board after making that 'C' so damn big." Billy came up to give Bella his own hug of congrats while Charlie held in a giggle.
"Dad!" Jacob whined, making a face behind the Swan's back as they embraced.
"Congratulations, sweetheart." Charlie mumbled his words into the crown of his only daughters head as he held onto her for dear life. He knew they were almost out of time, as her college career started early with a summer program on campus that kicked off in a few days. Bella made plans to spend her night at a party on the reservation. She'd finish packing up the next day and then he'd see her off at the airport that next morning.
"Don't hold on too tight, you might fuse together." The sound of Jacob getting smacked across the head brought a smile to everyone's face.
"Allow me to escort these hooligans off the premises." Billy laughed as he gave Charlie a quick goodbye nod. "I'll see you later at Harry's?"
"Sure thing." They went their separate ways, Bella and Charlie stopping off to have a celebratory lunch at their favorite diner. The chef whipped up a special pineapple pie, just for Bella.
They made it back home around five in the afternoon. Bella, after changing into some warmer clothes for the bonfire, made her way into the living room, where Charlie was watching baseball. She sat down next to him and rested her head on his shoulder. "Hey, dad."
"Hey. You headed out?"
"Not yet. I wanted to talk to you first." Charlie turned the volume down and turned to look at his daughter. "What's on your mind?"
"You and I, we never really talk about our emotions. We don't really feel the need to, but sometimes there are things that we just have to say. I'm eighteen and I've graduated high school, technically, my childhood is over. I don't want to end this chapter of my life without saying how I feel." She took her father's hands into her own and looked him in the eyes. The same chocolate brown colored irises looked back at her.
"Growing up with mom, It always felt like there was a piece of the puzzle missing. Mom never talked about it and I didn't ask because I didn't want to make her feel bad. I never disagreed with your decision to stay here. This place is your home and these people are your family. You take care of this tiny town. You have friends on both sides and you make sure everyone gets along. You worked your way up from beat cop to Chief of Police and you've maintained that position because you're great at your job. I just. . . I've never said it before, and I wanted you to know without a shadow of a doubt. I love you so much, dad. You are an honest and kind-hearted man, an amazing father, and I have and always will be proud to call you my dad."
"Bella. . ." They wrapped their arms around each other and held on tight as they cried. Charlie was overwhelmed.
Bella held back her tears and focused all of her energy on every part of that moment. The way her dad smelled, the sound of his awkward laugh, the paint on the walls, the faintest sounds of baseball in the background. She was choosing to leave this all behind, but she never wanted to forget this moment, her last moment with her father.