Okay, I will not be the least bit surprised if you all gave up on me and no one is reading this chapter because I am seriously a terrible person for not updating in over TWO MONTHS! I've just been so insanely busy. Between two friends getting married and a family reunion I've had zero time to write, but I finally managed to finish this chapter and I hope if anyone is actually reading this update that you guys like this chapter. The next update will be an epilogue, and I promise to do my absolute best to get it up ASAP. I've also been tinkering with an idea for another story, but I'm not sure when it'll be up or if you guys are even interested in it.

Anyway, thank you all for reading and your reviews/adds. Please let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Twilight.

Chapter Fourteen

Four Months Later

"I can't believe my baby's graduating high school. I feel so old," Camilla said as she fussed with Avery's hair, creating perfectly sculpted curls that cascaded down to almost her lower back. Since the accident, Avery hadn't cut her hair other than a slight trim and having bangs added to her hairstyle and it had grown like a weed. Avery laughed lightly as she looked at her mother's reflection in the mirror; however, she sobered up when she saw the tears in Camilla's eyes. "Pretty soon you'll be off to Northwestern, hundreds of miles away from home, and all on your own for the first time."

"Mom," Avery said softly and Camilla looked at her daughter's reflection. "I'm not going anywhere yet, and I won't be on my own. Seth will be there with me." Camilla let out a quiet laugh before she leaned forward and wrapped her arm around her daughter's shoulders and gave her a backwards hug.

"That's true, but I won't be," Camilla said as she pulled back and Avery turned her head over her shoulder and looked at her mother. "And your father's not exactly thrilled with your idea of getting an apartment off campus with Seth rather than the two of you living in separate dorms on campus," she said as she gently brushed Avery's bangs from her eyes.

"You told him?" Avery asked, her eyebrows shooting up as she shifted slightly in her seat. "I thought we were going to wait to break that news to Dad when Seth and I had everything packed in the truck and were about to leave." Camilla put a reassuring hand on her shoulder as she moved so she was standing in front of her.

"He caught me looking at apartments online," Camilla said with a shrug. "What was I supposed to tell him when he asked why I was looking at apartments in Illinois?"

"I don't know, but not the truth!" Avery said and Camilla laughed at Avery's panicked expression and the girl huffed as she looked at her mother. "Mom, it's not funny."

"Yes it is," Camilla said before she shook her head. "You've got nothing to worry about, Avery. I know that you think that your father still likes to think of you as that four year old little girl in pigtails who would sit on his lap every night while he read her a story, but after the accident and all that Seth did for you while you were recovering, he's accepted the fact that you're not that little girl anymore."

"Really?" Avery asked and Camilla nodded.

"Really," she said. "He may not like it, but he's accepted it. Besides, right now he's more focused on Alyssa and Michael." Avery laughed at that and Camilla smiled. Paul had loosened the reigns when it came to Avery and Seth, but his grip on Alyssa and Michael's relationship was tighter than ever before. A stiff knock sounded on Avery's bedroom door before it opened to reveal Paul who was dressed in a nice pale yellow polo shirt and black slacks.

"Everyone's here for picture taking before we head over to the school," Paul said. "Are you ladies just about finished?" He was proudly smiling as his eyes settled on Avery and she looked at her father with a small grin on her lips as, on still slightly weak legs, she stood. Like her sister, Avery still wasn't one hundred percent better since the accident, but she was at least walking on her own once again. She just couldn't run like she used to yet. Alyssa was still wearing a leg brace thanks to the final surgery she had had last week to remove the rod and pins the doctors had implanted to help her leg heal. Pretty soon she would be going to physical therapy and would be right as rain soon enough.

"I'm ready," she said as she smoothed out the soft cotton of the burgundy colored short sleeved dress she was wearing before she shuffled her feet around the chair Camilla had set up in front of Avery's long mirrored dresser and walked over to him. Paul sighed heavily as he looked her over before he scooped Avery up into his strong arms, holding her in a tight embrace. Avery smiled into her father's chest and wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him back just as tight.

"It feels like yesterday that you were only two years old and standing on my feet as we danced around the living room together," Paul said quietly into Avery's ear as his arms tightened slightly and Avery felt tears prickle the corners of my eyes. "Now, look at you," he said as he pulled back and held her at arm's length. "You look beautiful, sweetheart."

"Dad, I'm just graduating high school. I'm not getting married," she said through her teary eyes and small smile. Paul chuckled quietly before he kissed her forehead and sighed.

"As much as I hate to even think about it, Aves, we both know that that's next," he said, and Avery laughed as she rolled her eyes and her father lowered his hands from her arms.

"Seth knows better than to ask until we've graduated college and traveled a bit because until then my answer will be 'not yet,'" she said with a smile and both her parents laughed as Camilla settled into Paul's side. They just stared at her smiling for a few beats before Avery, feeling uncomfortable, laughed at them before she turned and grabbed her black gown, red sash, silver honor cord, and black cap from where they were laid out on her bed. "Seriously, guys, let's go. Everyone's waiting," she said as she turned back to her parents and three of them left Avery's room and joined the small cluster of people gathered in the living room.

"Mom, seriously, I'm not wearing the tie," Michael said as Emily tried in vain to secure the black tie around his neck. "It feels like I'm being strangled when I wear that thing."

"You'll be the only boy without one," Emily said her hands on her hips as she looked up at Michael, trying to be intimidating but failing miserable at the moment.

"Mom there are only six guys, including me, and I know four of them aren't wearing one," Michael said evenly and everyone in the room chuckled.

"Michael?" Alyssa asked from where she sat on the sofa and he turned around to look at her.

"Yeah, Lys?" he asked as he walked over to her and she gave him a sweet smile as she brushed her hair back from her eyes.

"Wear the tie," she said and everyone in the room busted into a fit of laughter while Michael's shoulders slumped and he walked back over to Emily who gave him a smile as he bent slightly so his mother could help him with his tie. Avery chuckled and shook her head, before her eyes scanned the room.

Of course Michael, his parents and siblings were there, as was Kayla and her parents along with Brady who was talking to Ryan about something with a broad grin on his face. Avery's grandparents were there chatting, but as her eyes swept around the room a couple of times Seth was noticeably absent, and her smile fell slightly. Sighing quietly she wandered into the kitchen, thinking maybe he was hiding out in there from the insanity that filled the main room. However, it was empty aside from all the bowls and everything Camilla had set out and prepped for the party that was to take place after the ceremony that afternoon. She was full on frowning as she walked over to the patio door to see if he was outside, but the backyard was empty. She sighed once more before she turned on the balls of her feet, fully preparing to grab the phone to call Seth and find out where he was, when she bumped into a familiar broad chest as she turned around.

"You look upset," Seth said as she turned her face up to his. "I thought today was supposed to be a happy day," he continued with a smile and Avery made to hit his chest, but Seth easily caught her hand before she could hurt herself.

"Where were you?" she asked him and Seth chuckled as he rubbed his thumb against her palm.

"Bathroom," he said slowly and Avery laughed at herself for even thinking that Seth was late or hadn't come. She honestly should have known better. "You look amazing by the way," he said softly as he raised her left hand from the space between their bodies and tenderly kissed the inside of her wrist, making her gasp quietly at the feel of his warm lips against her much cooler skin.

"Seth," she breathed softly as she shifted closer to him and he grinned. "Don't start something you can't finish," she whispered and he chuckled as he lowered her wrist from his mouth. It was then that she took notice of his outfit that afternoon; black slacks and a dark brown button up with the sleeves rolled and pushed up to his elbows. "You look nice," she said and he smiled at her.

"Thanks," he said and she smiled as he raised his free hand and gently moved her hair back from her face.

"Avery, where are you? It's picture time!" came Camilla's voice and Avery laughed while Seth chuckled.

"Let's go so Camilla can document this momentous day," Seth said and Avery smiled as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her back to the front of the house where everyone else was waiting.

In less than two hours, she would officially be a high school graduate and in two months she'd be off to college with Seth at her side; and Avery truly couldn't believe the turns her life had taken over the last year. However, there were very few things she would change if she could. She was happy, happier than she had ever been before, and that was saying something considering she had lived a pretty spectacular life up until that moment; and Avery could only hope that nothing would come along and pop the pure happiness bubble she was currently living in.

"I'm surprised your dad is actually letting you come with us to Seattle," Kayla said a week after their graduation ceremony as she sat on Avery's bed and watched Avery finish packing her bag for the weekend trip.

"I'm not," Avery said with a smile and Kayla raised a dark eyebrow.

"No?" she asked and Avery shook her head negatively as she tucked her toiletry bag into her small suitcase and Kayla laughed. "He does know that you're going to end up sharing a room with Seth and not with me, right?"

"He does," Avery said and Kayla blinked in surprise, which made Avery laugh as she looked at her friend. "He knows that Seth and I have been sleeping together ever since Mom took me to the doctor to get birth control last month. She forgot that my prescription was along with Alyssa's ibuprofen prescription and had Dad pick them up from the pharmacy."

"How is Seth still alive?" Kayla asked and Avery laughed as she finished packing the clothes she had already pulled out and zipped up her suitcase before setting it down on the floor and joining Kayla on her bed.

"That would be Mom's doing," she said and Kayla laughed, well aware of the affect an imprint can have on her shape shifter; even when he's beyond pissed off. "They had a talk and all is well." They shared another laugh before Avery gathered her hair over her right shoulder and started braiding the long locks. "Are you all packed and ready to go for tomorrow?"

"For the most part," Kayla said before she frowned slightly. "Did you pack a swimsuit?" she asked and Avery frowned.

"No," she said. "Should I?"

"The hotel we're staying at has an indoor pool and a hot tub," Kayla said. "I thought since we'll be there for week we could make good use of it, maybe even try out the hot tub."

"Sounds good," Avery said. "I'll actually be able to wear that new bikini I bought." Kayla laughed while Avery stood and went over to your dresser.

"If Seth sees you in your bikini before you leave the room, I doubt you'll make it to the pool," Kayla said and Avery laughed as she grabbed the red and white striped fabric from her dresser and shook her head before she put her suitcase back up onto the bed.

"I'll just have to make sure I'll have a cover up on before he sees me," Avery said and the two shared another laugh while Avery opened up her suitcase and tucked her swimming suit inside.

"Hell, you know what, I'll probably be lucky to see you all this weekend thanks to some of those strips of fabric you bough yesterday," Kayla said and Avery's face flushed a bit at her friend's knowing grin. "I swear you two are worse than Brady and me, and I've lost track of how many times Brady's told me he's walked in on you two in various precarious situations."

"Hey, you bought some stuff too," Avery said and Kayla laughed.

"True, but Brady and I have been together longer than you and Seth and he can control himself," Kayla said and Avery looked at her with a raised eyebrow as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Seriously?" she asked and Kayla did her best to keep a straight face, but after a second the girl cracked and the two girls shared a laugh before Kayla conceded that Brady wasn't all that in control. The girls talked for a little while longer before Brady stopped by at five-thirty and picked Kayla up from Avery's house to take her home.

When Kayla left, Avery took hold of the TV remote and set up roost on the sofa. The house was silent and for the first time in what felt like ages Avery was completely and utterly alone. Seth was patrolling that night, leaving Avery on her own since Ryan, Alyssa, and their parents were at the Uley's for dinner. In a little while she planned on raiding the fridge for a dinner of leftovers, which included a slice of the strawberries and cream cake that her mother had brought home from the bakery that day. She sighed as she laid back and turned on the TV, a smile on her face. However, her smile didn't last long when she heard the front door open.

Sighing heavily she narrowed her eyes and looked towards the foyer from where she laid. She heard the front door close and her narrow eyes widened when Seth walked into her line of sight wearing nothing but a pair of basketball shorts that hung dangerously low on his hips. She sat up then brushing her bangs from her eyes as she looked at her boyfriend, who in less than six long strides crossed the foyer and the living room to where she laid on the sofa.

"I thought you had to patrol tonight," she said and Seth grinned before he quickly sank down onto the sofa beside her.

"I am," he said and Avery quirked an eyebrow, a grin tugging at her own lips before she laughed softly.

"Really because I swear you're sitting in my living room with me," she said and he rolled his eyes.

"Don't be a smart ass, Ave," he said softly and she laughed fully as Seth wrapped his left arm around her and practically pulled her into his lap, causing her to drop the remote on to the floor. "Collin and Garret are covering for me for ten minutes," he said softly and Avery felt her heart start to race a bit in her chest as he pressed his forehead against hers. "I haven't seen in you in two days," he said and Avery felt slightly guilty. She'd spent the last two days doing last minute shopping with Kayla and having actual girl time with my girl best friend.

"Sorry," she said lightly. "Kayla's kept me pretty busy while we finished getting set for our trip." Seth sighed and Avery smiled as she ran her left hand along his bare chest before it made its way up to the right side of his face. "However, I promise to make up to you when we get to Seattle tomorrow."

"What do you have in mind?" Seth asked with a smile as he raised his forehead from hers to look at her, but Avery just bit her lower lip to keep her smile in check as she shook her head.

"You'll have to wait and see, but I know you'll really enjoy yourself," she said and Seth let out a soft groan before he leaned and caught her lips in a heated kiss. Avery swore she felt the fire in his kiss all the way down to her toes before he slowly pulled away, leaving her panting and wanting more of him. "Where are you going?" she asked breathless as he settled her back on the sofa and stood, adjusting himself as he did so.

"I've got to get back to my shift," he said and she blinked up at him in surprise. "Consider that as payback for all the thoughts I've now got floating in my head at that little comment. Now I'll have to put up with Collin and Garret's comments until the end of our shift because I know I won't be able to keep those thoughts all to myself." Avery's face flamed as Seth grinned down at her and she once again narrowed her eyes.

"You better keep those thoughts to yourself if you want to have any fun this weekend," Avery said as her arms made her way across her chest. Seth's face paled slightly as his eyes widened before he quickly nodded his head.

"Will do," he said fast before he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead, which made Avery smile as she uncrossed her arms. He pulled back from her and smiled at her. "Love you," he said softly and Avery laughed.

"I love you too," she said and with that Avery once again had the house to herself, but her thoughts were no longer on the mindless TV show playing in front of her. It was on the man that was currently running around in the woods as a sandy colored horse sized wolf.