A/N: I do not own the Twilight series, just the paperback copies of it, all of which are as well read as Bella's copy of Wuthering Heights.

Sorry (not really) for making you all cry last chapter. So glad it got a good response!

This is part 2 of graduation day. Enjoy! Check my profile for links to see the girls' dresses as well as the restaurant. It's a pretty cool place.

Chapter 31: The Graduation Dinner

BPOV

Just under two hours after the ceremony, I arrived at Simon Pearce with my parents and Carlisle. My siblings came about fifteen minutes after us. While not limited in their speed by the presence of Chief Swan in their car, they had made a stop by home for my sisters to change into their dinner clothes. The hostess led us to our table and gave us the menus, also informing us that she'd be back with our champagne (Carlisle had pre-ordered the bottle) in a moment.

While we waited for my siblings, my parents gushed about how impressed they were with the restaurant, and how proud they were of my accomplishments. I spent a good portion of this conversation blushing, of course. Then I noticed my mom looking just past me with a grin. I turned to see what she was looking at, and saw my siblings walk into the restaurant. Renee had gotten very friendly with my sisters, especially Alice, who had been talking with her non-stop about wedding plans. It made me so happy that, at least for now, I could have both my families together.

As they walked through the restaurant, many heads turned to notice them. The four of them looked to be the cover shoot for a fashion magazine approaching. Alice came first, wearing a fitted, white minidress with a navy zebra print and belt. She was followed by Jasper, in a navy button down shirt and grey trousers. Rosalie was next, a knockout as usual, wearing a knee-length red faux-wrap dress with thick straps. Emmett was last, wearing a red button down shirt and black pants. They all looked like they belonged on a catwalk instead of a restaurant in Vermont. Carlisle fit right in with them, of course, in his black pants, white button down and emerald and white striped tie. I almost felt sorry for my parents, who, despite being dressed by Alice, still seemed slightly intimidated by all the beauty at the table with them. I understood, though... It's something that takes a lot of getting used to.

Dinner was absolutely delicious. I divided my time between eating and trying my hardest not to draw attention to Carlisle and my siblings slipping bites of food into the tiny ziploc bags I had provided for them. Every once in a while they were forced to actually take a bite, so that my parents wouldn't notice the ruse, and whenever they did, it took every ounce of self-control for me not to laugh at their grimaces. I felt sorry for them, really, because I knew they would have to regurgitate those bites after dinner, which would surely be unpleasant. But it was still rather humorous, after all, they were here at their own insistence, not mine. Alice tried to suggest a cake for desert, but I was quick to talk her out of it, and we ordered the Blue Moon sorbet instead, which was much easier to hide, and quite delightful for those of us who enjoy human food.

After all our plates had been cleared, Alice started bouncing in her chair.

"It's time for presents Bella!" She cried.

"Alice, I told you I didn't want presents!"

"Bella, this is no time to argue. I know you didn't want anything, but we all decided that this was too important an occasion to ignore. We all got you something very small to commemorate your first college experience."

"First?" Charlie asked.

"Well, sure, Chief Swan. She might decide to go on to graduate school," Jasper covered. Nice save, big brother.

"Ok, ok," I appeased.

"Great! I'll go first," said Alice, enthusiastically. She pulled a small black box with a pink bow on it from her purse and handed it to me. "I instructed everyone not to wrap the gifts so that we wouldn't have a big mess of paper," she explained with a wink.

I opened the box and found a small silver replica of Big Ben inside.

"This is a charm for your charm bracelet, Bells," Alice said. "Since you and I spent two terms studying in Scotland and England, I decided that your charm should reflect that trip. It was, after all, one of the highlights of your time at Dartmouth, and one of the best times of my life, being able to spend all that time with my sister," she said, rising from her chair to hug me.

Carlisle handed me his box next. Inside I found the charm was a silhouetted couple dancing.

"This charm, Bella, I chose because of the many times that you and I danced together while you were in college. We had the New Year's ball, the end of term dance in Scotland, Club Electra when you returned home, and our Sinatra picnic. These were some of my favorite moments during your three years at Dartmouth, and I'm so thrilled to know that we have an eternity of dances still ahead of us." He looked at me lovingly as he spoke.

Renee handed me her box next, and it contained a small book charm.

"Bella, you have always loved to read, and so I was not surprised at all to hear that you chose to study literature in college. I think it's wonderful that you were able to explore so many books and authors and poets that you never had before during these years, and that's why I chose this charm for you."

Charlie was next. In his box was a silver graduation cap.

"Bells, you have made me so proud in graduating from Dartmouth, especially the way you did it. You finished early, graduating with high honors, near the top of your class. You've always been a bright girl, but this has surely given me bragging rights in Forks for the rest of my life. I couldn't be any more proud of you for this." I was surprised to once again see my dad's eyes glistening with unshed tears. It touched my heart to see this man so emotional, and a few tears fell from my eyes as well.

Emmett handed me the next box, and I laughed when I opened it, finding a charm of two crossed cocktail glasses.

"Little sis, you have always been the most fun to have around of anyone I ever met. You make me laugh almost everyday. But of all the time we were here at Dartmouth, the funniest you've ever been was the night you turned twenty-one and we took you out for drinks. The great thing about having a good memory is that I'll never forget all the stories you told us that night, or the bright red blush on your face when Rose ordered you a screaming orgasm. Definitely my favorite night at Dartmouth!" Emmett laughed his usual loud belly laugh and several people turned to stare. I noticed Charlie was a little pale.

"It's a cocktail, Dad, just a name of a drink," I soothed. He seemed relieved.

The next box was from Rosalie. It held a silver disc, with the word "sisters" engraved on one side and "friends" on the other.

"Bella, you and I never got along all that well when we lived in Forks. Unfortunately, it took a horrible, life-changing event to make me get over my own issues and give you a chance. While I wish that event hadn't happened, I can't say that the results haven't been wonderful. Getting to know you, and having you really become my sister and my friend has been amazing. I can honestly say now that I'm glad you're part of our lives, of my life. I love you, sister."

I had tears freely flowing by the time she finished. That was surely the sweetest thing Rose had ever said to me.

"I love you too Rose," I whispered through my tears. She got up and we hugged each other tightly.

The last gift was from Jasper. He gave me a motorcycle helmet charm. I blushed immediately, thoughts of my most recently ride filling my head, and I quickly earned a raised eyebrow from Jasper and a laugh hidden by a cough from both Carlisle and Alice.

"Bells, I chose this one because you and I have had so much fun together out of our Ducatis. Back in Forks, we always had a hard time getting close to each other, but after all that happened since then, I don't just think of you as a little sister, but you really became my friend too. Getting you back on your bike was a sign that you were able to move on from the past and enjoy things that you used to, and that meant a lot to both of us, I think. Chief Swan, I know you don't like motorcycles that much, but I promise I make her take safety precautions and wear her helmet always. She's pretty amazing out there on the bike."

Charlie was still not convinced, and had been making a rather unpleasant face since I opened the charm. He didn't reply.

"Thank you, all of you. You did such a great job picking these charms, and they are all really special to me. I can't wait to add them to my bracelet when I get home.

This day was a long time coming, and I'm so glad we could celebrate it together. I want to thank you for all you've done to help me get to this point. Honestly, I could never have made it this far without you behind me. I love all of you very much."

"Ok, enough of the mushy stuff," Emmett declared, trying to lighten the mood and get me to stop crying.

"I think the man has the right idea," agreed Charlie. "It's getting pretty late, and I know we all have planes to catch tomorrow, so we'd better get back home. Thank you again, Carlisle, for dinner."

"It was my pleasure," Carlisle answered, before helping me out of my seat. He leaned over and kissed me gently before whispering in my ear. "Congratulations again, my beautiful fiancee. While I'd love to take you dancing again, I think I speak for all vampires present when I say we need to go home and take care of dinner."

I shuddered, understanding his meaning, and allowed him to lead me out the door. Holding his hand on the way home, I thought about everything that had happened on this day, and about just how amazing my family was. I never imagined I'd say this, but I'm a very lucky girl.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed that. Once again, I loved Charlie in this chapter, the way he kept oscillating between emotional and overprotective.

Next up: the gang heads back to Forks and the countdown to the wedding begins!!!