Alright guys, here it is. The very final final final chapter!
As a parting gesture, here are responses to my amazing reviewers! YAY!
twilight luver95 - thanks, i always loved all the pillow fights!
theheartthroblullaby - :D
heathercullen - i'm just hoping it's not a long wait!
Seraphie17 - XD
Renesmee Cullen x - I know, but sequel! YAAY!
greenbuttonsx - Thanks a lot!
Inkinhart - again, thanks!
Twilightfan55555 - do write your own! I did it, and it's great! Lolz
Bam-ItsKellers - thanks, i do love hugs!
Veronicaloves05 - haha, no, thank you!
silly livy loves twilight - don't cry, i'm writing it soon soon soon!
Annabelle-Cullen - :D
FateBreaker7 - great advice, thanks. I am planning on doing a sequel, you guys convinced me, plus all my ideas and pictures won't go away unless i write them!
zia raine - Emmett will always BE Emmett!
et114141 - up on sunday, i hope...
Again, thank you all so much! I will post the name of the sequel when i think of it, i'm pretty bad with names. Or I'll post it, then alert you all using this story! Aren't I so clever *angelic smile*
Read on, my brave warriors!
Bella's POV
"Bella, just put it on, please?" Alice held up the startlingly short purpley-black dress and adopted her puppy dog expression.
"Why do I need to wear it? You can't see it under the robe anyway!"
"Pssh! Of course you can! Besides, we're all going out for a celebration afterwards, and you won't have time to change. Do you WANT your reunion with Edward marred by your poor fashion sense?"
Edward had graduated 2 years ago, and had left for a course in medicine in Chicago. He had always been interested in doctoring as well as music, and he had decided after college to pursue a degree. Of course, he was as upset as I was that it was so far away, but I knew it was an incredible opportunity for him, so I all but forced him to go.
He'd been gone for 4 months now, since the last time he'd visited. For the first few weeks I had been beside myself, worrying that he would meet some other Chicagoan girl, but Alice had laughed at me and told me not to be so stupid. Edward, as always, was conscious of my fears, and called me every day without fail.
I knew I had total faith in Edward, but it still didn't stop the little scared voice in the back of my head continuously voicing her doubts.
His course had practically finished now, and he was returning today.
I sniffed, ignoring the little flutter of nerves in my stomach. "Edward wouldn't care either way…" I said, sounding a little uncertain.
Alice snorted, "Believe me, Edward will care when he sees you in this. The robe will cover it for the ceremony, so you needn't worry about that."
I rolled my eyes, but gave in. I grudgingly took the dress into my room and Alice called out after me, "And put your new underwear on under it! I'll know if you don't!"
Really, Alice was taking it a little too far this time. I held up the dress and cocked my head a little…I did have to admit, it was stunning, and a part of me did want to surprise Edward by wearing it. I just wasn't sure if I could pull it off this time.
But again, Alice was nearly always right about these things. I went to my drawers and pulled out my new Victoria's secret underwear which Alice had bought for me on our last shopping trip. It was midnight blue, as was most of my favourite underwear, silky…yet completely terrifying.
I pulled it all on, keeping myself distracted so I wouldn't look down and start hyperventilating. I decided, instead of wearing high heels, to put on my blue converses. I didn't think my luck would hold out against me plus high heels. Alice giggled in delight as I walked hesitantly back out again, and clapped her hands. "You look absolutely stunning, Bells! Edward is going to die!" I was surprised she didn't even comment on my choice of footwear.
"Do you even remember you're talking about your brother here?"
She silenced me with a don't-go-there look and began to brush my hair. "What, no instruments of torture today?" I joked.
"Nope, we're going with natural. Plus, your hair curled slightly after your shower, so I don't need to do anything!"
She did my make-up for me, as she always did, then checked the clock. "Damn! We need to leave, come on!" I barely had time to grab my bag and graduation robes as she dragged me out the door.
Once we were in the car, I asked, "So, is Jasper coming?"
"Yep, he's taking time off from lawer-ing, and Rose is coming too." Jasper had carried on studying law, and Rosalie had begun work in a fashion magazine. Needless to say, she was rising pretty fast, already nearing yet another promotion.
I spotted Rosalie's red M3 convertible already parked outside, Emmett's jeep beside it, taking up almost two parking spaces. Rosalie was inside her car, at the moment trying to swat Emmett away as he leaned on her car. Rose was very protective of her M3, just as Edward was very protective of his Volvo. I was the only one allowed to drive it, and that was only on occasion. But he did let me put my feet up on the dashboard, something that would earn anyone else a one-way ticket to the sidewalk and a long walk home.
We pulled in, and Emmett boomed, "Ah, it's the squirts!"
Rosalie smiled as I jumped out and gave her a hug, "Rose, it's so good to see you! How have you been?"
"Great! Emmett and I have been apartment hunting, but that's about it. It's been tough, mostly because Emmett here decided that our apartment needs to have a fully equipped gym included." She rolled her eyes at her boyfriend, who shrugged.
"Hey, I need my workout. These babies don't stay strong without my 100kg weights, you know." He grinned at Rose, "And I know you live for these things." He flexed his giant arms, looking impressed with himself.
I laughed, "You know, Em, when did you last work out? Your biceps are looking a little…slack."
"What!" Emmett paled, poking his arm worriedly.
"Joking, Emmett, I'm joking!"
"Oh. Good. Slack is just not acceptable."
Rosalie sighed, "Anyway, Bells, looking forward to graduating?"
"Oh Rose, our little darlings are all grown up!" Emmett wiped an imaginary tear from his eye; he found teasing us because we were the last to graduate very funny.
"Haha, Emmett. And not really, I'm just glad to finally be finished."
"Out in the real world and all that," Alice added.
"Well, you'd better go in, looks as if they're starting." Rosalie laughed at my torn expression, "Don't worry, we'll stay and keep a lookout for Edward. I'm sure he won't be long."
I smiled and let Alice pull me inside, only half listening to her excited chatter. The butterflies were beating in my stomach again; since when had I been nervous about seeing Edward? At the thought of him the butterflies grew into giant butterflies, rising through my windpipe and into my throat.
"Gah!"
"What, Bella?"
"Nothing, nothing. Lead on." We took our seats and shrugged on our green robes and hats. Alice tilted hers jauntily to the side, and grinned at me. She gave mine a little tug so it sat a little higher on my head. With a satisfied nod, she turned back to the front. I noticed her twisting her fingers together.
"Alice…are you…nervous?!"
"What? No, of course not."
But her expression said otherwise. I laughed, this was beyond weird. Alice was never nervous. She rolled her eyes at my giggles, "Ok, fine, I am a little nervous. Only because I have to walk up there in front of all these people and I'm not completely happy with my outfit!" Of course. Alice frowned at me and looked around, "Wait, Edward's here!"
"Where?!" I whipped my head around, looking where she was, and she cackled.
"Made you look!"
"Alice, you nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"Why are you so nervous anyway?"
"I dunno…" I shrugged, "I just haven't seen him in so long. It's the separation and all that."
"Don't worry about it, Bells. You know Edward loves you, so there's no reason to be nervous about seeing him. And from what I know of him, he'll be just as nervous as you are. My advice: just flaunt it and he'll be dazzled anyway."
She was saved my snippy retort by the start of the ceremony. I hardly paid attention to the elected student speaker, my eyes trained carefully on my lap. I pulled my hair over my shoulders and hid behind it for most of the time, only looking up when Alice was called with the rest of the C's. I clapped along heartily as she skipped across the stage to receive her diploma, and there was loud cheering from the back of the hall. I twisted to see Emmett and Jasper standing up in their seats, whooping loudly and waving their hands in the air. Rosalie was clapping and waving. Alice gave them a cheeky grin and a wave before dancing off the stage to stand with the rest of the graduates. Edward wasn't there yet.
S was quite far down the list, so I had to sit and endure it as letter after letter filed across the stage. I was one of the last left when my name was called, and I stood up carefully, my nerves making me much more shuddery than normal. I managed not to trip over my long robe as I walked to stand by the stairs with about 5 other S's. Of course, I was last.
"Congratulations, Bella Swan!" I only dared to look up as I climbed the stairs to shake the master's hand and take the scroll of paper.
"Go Bella!" As I walked, more loud cheering erupted from where Emmett and Jasper were sitting, and I glanced over to see Edward there too, shouting as loudly as the other three, smiling at me widely.
I caught his eye and I could see their familiar twinkle, even from where I was standing, so far away. He waved and mouthed, I love you.
All my nerves slipped away, and I couldn't help but wave back at him. I held my head up and smiled at the master as he handed me my degree, and shook my hand.
"Well done, Miss Swan."
"Thanks."
I turned and waved at Edward again, then ran off stage, feeling like I was buoyant with happiness. Alice shuffled to stand next to me, and took my hand.
There was one Z, then the master announced our graduate class. We all shouted, grabbed our caps and flung them up in the air, Alice's rising the highest. I laughed as the caps rained down, and Alice hugged me tightly, squealing, "We did it, Bella! We graduated!"
I screamed too, exhilarated with excitement, bouncing up and down in a very Alice-like fashion. "I can't believe it!"
People were pouring in from the seats, searching out their favourite graduate. I spotted Emmett's head, towering high over everyone else. I pulled Alice over to them and she was immediately enveloped in a hug from Jasper. Rosalie screamed, "Well done guys!" and pulled me into a hug.
"Yeah, well done! You didn't even trip over or anything." Emmett grinned down at me, then snatched me from Rosalie, lifting me off the floor in a big bear hug. "Well done Bells."
"Em…can't breathe!"
He laughed, "Well, Edward's coming for you anyway, so I'd better put you down before he emancipates me." Rosalie raised a brow at him, "Yeah, I know, big word, isn't it!"
"Too big."
I searched for Edward's penny coloured hair in the crowd, but I couldn't find him. I nearly jumped out of my skin as a voice whispered from behind me, "Well done, my love."
"Edward!"
I turned and jumped on him, wrapping my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. He stumbled backwards a little and laughed, before hugging me back tightly. I buried my face in his neck, holding back tears. He chuckled slightly, his voice catching. "I've missed you."
I didn't reply, just sighed happily. Edward stroked my hair, twirling it through his fingers.
I kissed him, holding myself to him tightly, revelling in the sensation. Edward gripped me, moving one hand from my hair down to my hip, fingering the loose material of my dress. After a while I remembered where I was and pulled back hesitantly, taking a deep breath.
Edward chuckled, "4 months is far too long," he whispered.
I laughed breathlessly, a little dizzy, "Don't I know it."
He let me down, but kept his arms around my waist. Alice hugged him anyway, "Hey Edward!"
"Hey Al, well done."
"Thanks," she said modestly.
Emmett scoffed, "Right, now we're done with the whole 'reunion' why don't we blow this popsicle stand and have some fun!" Rosalie laughed and kissed his cheek.
Alice nodded, "Yes, Emmett, I was getting there." She cleared her throat, "Right, guys, hop in your cars and follow me!" She pulled off her robe and hung it over her arm, leading the way as we all made for the car park.
"So, are you going to take your robe off, or wear it for the rest of the evening?" Edward whispered in my ear.
I blushed, hugging the green robe closer to me, "Erm, I think I'll just keep it on, thanks."
"And why is this?"
I went even redder, and stammered, "Erm…because…well…" I gestured down at myself, "It's…just because, ok?"
He fixed me with his most persuasive stare, "Please take it off?"
I sighed, already caving, "It's really not that interesting."
"Then why are you being so…Bella about it?"
I frowned, trying to steel my resolve. "No."
"Please?" Edward drew me closer and bent, kissing the underside of my jaw, "Please, my love?"
I groaned, he knew I couldn't resist anything when he called me that. "Ok, fine." I took off my hat and threw it into his car, then quickly pulled my robe off and threw it after the hat. Quick and painless, just like a band aid.
Edward's eyes widened, and I smirked, despite my embarrassment. I twirled quickly, "See? Nothing interesting." I caught a few girls staring at me jealously, along with more than a few guys too.
I ducked into the car before Edward could react, and called over to Alice, "Al, could you pass me my jacket?" She giggled and threw it from her car, and I slung it over my shoulders. Edward was still standing outside. I poked my head out, "Come on, we're never going to get anywhere if you don't get in!"
He opened his door slowly and slid in, muttering, "You are too desirous for your own good."
OoOoOoOoO
After dinner, Alice led the way again to another surprise venue. Edward seemed to know what it was, which infuriated me. So, I had resolved to annoy Edward as much as possible whilst we drove.
I crossed my legs, linked my fingers together and sighed deeply. I turned to Edward and pouted a little, "Eddieee? Are we there yet?"
His lips twitched, "No, Bella, we're not."
"Ok." I looked back out the window, then asked again, 30 seconds later, "Eddie? Are we there yet?"
"No, not yet."
"Ok. Are we there yet?"
"No."
"Are we there now?"
"No."
"Are we there NOW?"
Edward sighed, gripping the wheel tighter, "No, Isabella, we are NOT there yet!"
I giggled, if he was using my full name it meant he was well and truly pissed off now. I stretched; raising my arms in the air and twisting my wrists, making them crack. Edward hated that sound, and his knuckles went white.
I yawned as loudly as I could, then went in for the kill, "Edward? Are we there yet?"
"NO!" He shouted, not looking at me. His mouth was turned down at the corners and he breathed deeply. I snickered and turned the radio up, singing along to a rap song as loudly and badly as possible.
By the time we arrived, Edward could've had steam coming out of his ears. He stopped sharply outside a brightly lit up building and opened the door, slamming it behind him. I giggled as he stormed over to the wall and stood against it in the darkness, his expression murderous.
Emmett came up to me, smirking, "So, what, did you stab dear Eddie with a pencil or something?"
"Now that's an idea…" I grinned at him, "So, where are we?"
"We, my dear, Bella, are going dancing!" Alice screamed, bouncing up from behind me.
My jaw dropped, "What?! Dancing?!"
Alice squealed, "Yes, and it's gonna be so much fun!" She laughed at my horrified expression, "Oh come on, Bella, it'll be great, I promise." She took my hand, grabbed Jasper's arm and tugged us both inside, followed by Rosalie and Emmett. Edward stumped along moodily, disappearing into the crowd as soon as we got through the doors. I gazed after him guiltily, was he really that angry with me?
I didn't have time to follow him, one of Alice's favourite songs was playing, and she pulled me onto the dance floor and we started jumping to the music, Alice shouting the words along with the song.
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na
So, so what?
I'm still a rockstar
I've got my rock moves
And I don't need you
And guess what?
I'm having more fun
And now that we're done
I'm gonna show you tonight
I'm alright
I'm just fine
And you're a tool, so
So what?
I am a rockstar
I've got my rock moves
"And I don't want you tonight!" Alice shrieked, Rosalie and me laughing hysterically. We struggled through the crowd to the bar, where the guys were sitting, all looking at us appreciatively. Rose giggled and sat on Emmett's lap. Edward still hadn't reappeared.
Another fast, more dancey song was playing, and Emmett pulled Rose and Alice up, "Hey girls, let's dance!" he cried, pulling them out into the crowd. Jasper followed, rolling his eyes at me.
I laughed and sat back, watching Rose and Emmett dance together. It was very…provocative, so I turned away and scanned the mass of people for Edward.
"Hey, looking for someone?" The barman said from behind me.
I looked round, "My boyfriend, actually," I replied; this guy reminded me of Mike.
"That's too bad. Can I get you something?"
"Erm…no thanks, I'm good."
"Well, if you need anything…don't hesitate to ask."
I left, feeling intensely uncomfortable, and sat down in a booth. There was still no sign of Edward. I stretched my legs out and sighed. The song changed again, to a slow one, and I sighed again. Where the hell had Edward gone?
I stood up, and suddenly Edward was at my side. "Oh!" I exclaimed, tripping over myself as I spun round. I fell straight into Edward, wrapping my arms around his neck and slumping against him.
Edward chuckled, "I leave you alone for 10 minutes, my love, and already you've decided to kill me?"
I wrinkled my nose and blushed, "Yes, actually, that was my plan, since you left me with that creepy barman over there." I put on my best angry face and he laughed.
"Well, my lady, I am sorry, can I apologize by asking you for a dance?"
I pretended to think about it, "Since you asked so nicely…"
"Good." He flashed my favourite smile and his green eyes twinkled. He released all of me but my hand and pulled me out to dance beside Jazz and Alice. Alice grinned at me and I barely had time to smile back before Edward had put his arms around my waist, claiming all of my attention.
He pulled me close to him and whispered, "So, do you think going dancing really was a bad plan?" He caught my eyes with his and I immediately forgot what I was about to say.
"Erm…well…it's not so bad, no."
He smiled crookedly and rested his forehead against mine. "Good, because I couldn't be enjoying this more."
"Mmm." I moved one hand up to play with his bronze hair, running it through my fingers, and he closed his eyes.
The song reached a more upbeat tempo, and suddenly he swung me away from him, twirling me round on the spot, making my hair fly in all directions. I laughed as he spun me back to him; I was very glad I hadn't worn high-heeled shoes.
I collided with Edward, still laughing, and he tightened his arms around my waist, pulling gently at the tips of my hair. "Have I told you how much I love your laugh?"
I calmed down at once, surprised by his change of mood. "No…not in so many words," I replied, in an equally soft voice.
"Mmm," he said vaguely, before surprising me again as he drew me off the dance floor out into the cold night air. I raised my eyebrows at him.
"Edward?"
"Sorry, Bella, I just…really need to ask you something." His arm was around my waist again, and I rested my arms on his shoulders, looking at him quizzically as he pulled something out of his pocket. It was shiny and silver.
"Here." He held it up so it caught the light, and I gasped. Edward was holding a little silver key. "Bella, I decided that I wanted to give this key to you. Not just because I want you to be able to come to my apartment when you want. No…Bella…" He swallowed, I had never seen him so nervous, "I was wondering…if you would…erm…" I stroked his cheek and laughed; his eyes blazed. "Oh, the hell with it. Bella, will you come and live with me?"
I nodded, speechless, even though I had guessed what he was trying to say. I gulped, "Edward, you didn't even have to ask! Of course I will."
I jumped up and kissed him, trying to convey everything I felt for him through that one gesture. His fingers traced my jawline, and he dropped his head to kiss the burning trail his fingers left behind. I gasped, Public Street…Public Street! I thought desperately, but my hands had ideas of their own. "Edward, we need to stop," I whispered, hating myself.
He nodded, kissed me one more time, then smiled. "It seems we got carried away…"
"…again." I finished for him.
"You wouldn't mind…moving in right away, would you? Say…tonight?"
My heart picked up again, and I nodded mutely, gazing into his eyes, smiling like an idiot. He shook his head and laughed, then turned, pulling me against his side. We walked back to the entrance of the club.
"So, what do you think Alice will do when she finds out?"
Edward shrugged, "It'll be good to see. She doesn't even know I was planning this, she's hardly seen me today."
I smirked at the idea of Alice ever being surprised at anything. I seriously hoped today would be the first.
As we walked, I toyed with the key I still held in my hand. Already, somehow, I felt very attached to this key, and I could understand why.
Edward and I slipped into a booth and I settled on his lap. Everyone else was still dancing, and Edward whispered, "This is going to be amazing, you know."
I smiled up at him, "What else would it be?"
SEQUEL COMING SOON! Can you all see how I've set it up! Haha, it's sure to be fun. I'm kind of stuck for ideas for drama, etc, so if anyone has any tips, I'd be glad to hear them!
And a final thank you to all those who supported this story, you've all made my year! Hoping to get the first chapter of the sequel out sometime before Sunday, or maybe on Sunday, since it's my bday then. I'm so excited! Bday special!
Love you guys!
Love, ATO xxx
