Graduation time. Last chapter at Barden :( I wasn't planning on updating this quickly, but I left the last chapter with an unfinished problem, so I decided to be nice. Plus I think I'm ready to get this story over with? I don't know lol. Hope you all enjoy :)

Chapter Thirty-Six

Jesse was having a problem. Graduation was in two days, and he really wanted to get his future living arrangements settled. He wanted nothing more than to live with Beca in LA and really start their lives together, but he could see it still upset her. He knew that she was still waiting for the other shoe to drop when it came to their relationship, no matter how many times he reassured her he wasn't going anywhere. Then again, he did walk out and told her he was done, which probably freaked her out more than she let on and pushed back whatever progress he's made over the past three years they've been together. That was one of the worst fights they've ever had, and he never wanted to have another one like it.

A month has past since they started talking to each other again, and they've only just begun to get back to normal. Jesse could tell Beca was anxious when he was around and a little colder than usual, and Beca could tell that Jesse didn't want to say the wrong thing that would make her upset. They saw each other as ticking time bombs.

Beca couldn't take it anymore. She didn't want this awkwardness, especially with Jesse. She knew he's been calling about one bedroom apartments in LA, she just wasn't sure if he still wanted to live with her. Beca had been doing her own research on apartments as well. Beca's dad had promised to help her out with moving to LA, especially since she not only stayed for a full year and got involved, she's graduating in two days and she's willing to admit she'll kind of miss Barden. He said he'd pay half the rent for whatever apartment she found, and if she was moving in with Jesse, they'd split the other half.

"I can't believe I made it to graduation," Beca said as she stood with her dad before the ceremony started.

"I'm proud of you, Becs. I'm so happy you decided to stay. It gave us a chance to get closer, and you've made such good friends here," he said.

"And I got to stay with Jesse," Beca sighed, glancing over at her boyfriend who was talking to some friends from one of his classes. "Hopefully I get to stay with him."

"Have you told him?" Beca shook her head 'no'. "You plan on telling him anytime soon? You're kind of graduating today."

"Always a comedian," she rolled her eyes. "I'm going to tell him today. I just hope he still wants to move to LA together. I found such a nice apartment."

"I'm sure it's a lot nicer since I offered to pay for half," Dr. Mitchell said with a smirk.

"Thank you for that, by the way."

"I said I would help you pay for LA if you stayed a year, and you stayed for all four years."

"If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't know I could be this happy without my music. I wouldn't have actual friends," she said and smiled at him. "I know it's taken a while for us to fix everything, but I really appreciate everything you've done for me."

"I'm just glad I have my daughter back," he said, his eyes glistening a bit as he hugged Beca. "I think it's time to take our seats."

"Looks that way. Have fun up there," she said, since he had to sit on the stage with the rest of the professors. "It's going to be a long day."

"Don't I know it," he sighed.

Beca wanted to stab her eyes out. She knew graduation ceremonies were long, but this was unbearable. At least in high school she was sat with her homeroom, so she had people to talk to. Here, she knew no one whose last name started with 'M', so she was stuck sitting there, twiddling her thumbs and counting down the minutes until the end.

"An outstanding member of your graduating class has been elected to give a speech this year," Dean Boland said. "This woman is one of the Barden Bellas, extremely involved on campus, and is graduating summa cum laude. It's my great pleasure to ask Stacie Conrad to come up to the podium."

Beca clapped and cheered as Stacie walked up to the stage and smiled at everyone. Beca was shocked to find out that Stacie was actually an extremely intelligent girl and somehow graduated with a masters in psychology in the four years she's been there.

"Thank you, Dean Boland," Stacie said. "Shakespeare wrote, 'There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyages of their life is bound in the shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat, and we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.' I think that this means that life is short and opportunities are rare. And we have to be vigilant in protecting them and not only the opportunities to succeed, but the opportunities to laugh, to see the enchantment and live. Because life doesn't owe us anything. We're graduating and entering the real world, and we're supposed to be ready for that. Now is the time for us to shine, the time when our dreams are in reach and possibilities, vast. Now is the time for all of us to become the people we always dreamed of being. This is your world. You're here. You matter. The world is waiting."

Everyone started clapping when Stacie finished. Beca stood up on her chair and cheered loudly, as did Fat Amy, who was twirling her cap in the air by the tassel. Stacie's speech really hit home for Beca, and she knew she couldn't wait any longer to tell Jesse her decision.

She waited impatiently as everyone was called up one by one to receive their diplomas, and she knew there were still special awards to be given out, but she didn't care. Beca got up and walked over to where she saw Jesse sitting next to some girl, and tapped on the girl's shoulder.

"Hi, I need your seat," Beca said to the girl who was sitting next to Jesse.

"I have to sit here, I'm an 'S'."

"Yeah, and I'm an 'M', we're practically next to each other," Beca said, impatience coloring her tone. "We have our diplomas already, doesn't matter where we sit."

"Why do you need to sit here?"

"Because it's on my bucket list to do inappropriate things with my boyfriend at a graduation ceremony," Beca said dryly and Jesse almost burst out into laughter when he saw the girl's face. "You mind?"

"There's something wrong with you," the girl muttered as she got up and traded seats with Beca.

"You miss me that much, huh?" he asked with a smirk. He expected her to come up with a witty remark, but as usual, Beca always has this way to surprise him.

"I found a two bedroom apartment in LA, and not in the crappy part of town. It's in a really nice area and the pictures look so pretty. We can convert the one bedroom into a studio so I can produce or you can compose, or whatever you want to make it into. We can even just keep it two separate bedrooms if you want that. I don't care, I just want to move in to this apartment. With you."

"We wouldn't be able to afford it," Jesse said, trying not to get his hopes up that Beca actually wants to do this, because this has happened before. This is how the whole fight started in the first place, because she went along with every idea he had until it became a reality.

"My dad is willing to split the rent and utilities with us, and we'll each pay half of the other half. We'll be able to save and not have to worry about not affording anything."

"What made you change your mind? You were so against this once I started really showing you everything."

"I know it's going to be hard, and we're going to be working shitty jobs for a while. I'm probably going to want to kill you at some points and you might leave at times because you just can't stand to be around me," Beca rambled and placed her finger over his lips to keep him from talking so she could finish. "I just want to know that you'll come back to me when you leave, and that you'll know I really don't want to kill you because I wouldn't know what to do with myself. I want to know that we can celebrate together when we finally move up from being some idiot's slave. I just want us to start our lives together, no matter how hard it's going to be, because knowing that I'll have you with me every step of the way doesn't make it seem that scary."

"You really want to move in together?" Jesse asked, a huge smile forming on his face as she nodded. "You realize we're going to have to find space for my massive movie collection, along with your record collection."

"I know. You realize I can't cook for shit, right? I'm not housewife material."

"I don't want a housewife," he said, pulling her close. "I want a super hot, music producing girlfriend, who will eventually become my wife."

"One step at a time, please," she said quietly as she looked up at him. "So, you want to move in with me?"

"Is that even a question?" he said with a smirk as he leaned down to kiss her. "Can we leave for LA tomorrow?"

"End of July."

"We're really going to start our lives together," he said, smiling brightly at her.

"Yeah, we are," she said, smiling back at him.

"Congratulations, Beca," Mrs. Swanson said as she hugged her.

"Thank you."

"How's it feel to be a college graduate?" Mr. Swanson asked.

"Strange. I'm not ready to leave."

"Never thought I'd hear her say that," Jesse joked, earning a nudge in his ribs from Beca. "What? It's true. You couldn't get out of Barden fast enough."

"Yeah, well. I found a few reasons to stay," Beca smiled.

"Have you figured out the living situation yet?" Shane asked.

"You weren't supposed to ask them that," Maxie whisper-yelled. Luke was standing next to her, which made Jesse scowl, but Beca punched him in the arm and told him to behave.

"Why weren't we supposed to ask that?" Brayden asked.

"Because Jesse said so."

"I found an apartment in LA for us," Beca said. "It's two-bedroom and it's in the nice part of town. My dad's paying half the rent so we can afford it."

"That's very generous of him," Mr. Swanson said.

"Yeah, well," Beca shrugged. "He didn't have to pay tuition or anything for me here, and freshman year he made me a deal that if I stayed for the full year and got involved, he'd help me move to LA."

"You were really going to leave after freshman year?" Maxie asked and Beca nodded. "Wow, that's crazy."

"I'm glad I stayed, though."

"Yeah, me too," Jesse said, wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Let me just get a picture of you two and we'll leave you alone!" Mrs. Swanson said as she pulled her camera out of her bag.

Jesse pulled Beca close and she rested her hand on his chest as they posed for the picture. Mrs. Swanson smiled at them and nodded, satisfied with how the picture came out. They said their good-byes and Beca and Jesse began to walk toward their friends when they were stopped.

"I'm so proud of you, honey," Beca's mom said, stepping in front of them.

"Mom? You're here?"

"Of course I am. I wouldn't miss your college graduation for the world."

"Is, um, he here?"

"No," she said, a sad smile gracing her face. "I thought it would be best if I came down alone. I know you don't get along with Jonathan, and I didn't want any problems since this is your day."

"Thank you, Mom," Beca said, oddly touched by what she said. "Thank you for coming."

"I know you're not a jewelry person, but I wanted to get you something that would remind you of this day and that you'd have forever," she said as she handed Beca a small gift bag. "I figured it was black, so you might like it."

"Mom, it's beautiful," Beca said when she opened the small ring box and looked at the black onyx ring that was surrounded by diamonds. "I love it."

"Oh good, I'm glad," she said. "I also got you a little something, Jesse."

"You didn't have to," Jesse said as he took the bag from her and opened it. "Thank you."

"I thought you could use a nice pair of cufflinks when you two have to get all dressed up nice for fancy parties in LA," Janet joked. "Plus, it's like a little thank you too for taking care of my daughter."

"No thank you necessary for that, I'd do anything for your daughter," Jesse told her.

"I'm so glad you have each other in LA. Are you moving in together?"

"Yeah, I found a place," Beca nodded.

"Bec! Bec!" Henry said, running over to Beca and Jesse on his little legs, with Shelia running after him. Beca bent down and scooped him up in her arms.

"Who's this?" Janet asked. "Is this David and Shelia's son?"

"Yeah, this is my little brother," Beca said, poking Henry's nose, making him giggle.

"Hello Janet," Shelia said politely. "I'm sorry, Beca. He kept screaming your name and ran once he saw you."

"I don't mind at all," she said, hugging the little boy close. "You missed your big sister, huh?"

"Bec!"

"Why does he say your name," Jesse pouted as he took Henry from her. "Jesse. Jes-se."

"Bec!"

"He's adorable, Shelia," Janet said. "Congratulations."

"Thank you. Where is, uh, your husband?"

"Back in Maine. I came down alone. I couldn't miss my daughter's graduation," Janet said, smiling proudly at Beca.

"Yeah, we're proud of the both of them," Shelia said, taking Henry from Jesse. "I'll see you two later, I'm going to go save David."

"If you two need anything while you're out there, don't hesitate to call," Janet said when Shelia let and grabbed Beca's hand. "I have to go, but I'll talk to you soon?"

"Yeah," Beca nodded. "Thanks for coming."

"Congratulations you two," she said, smiling at them before walking away.

"That was a surprise," Jesse said.

"That's for sure. At least she had the decency of leaving the bastard home."

"Beca! Took you long enough to get over here," Chloe said as she walked over with Josh, Aubrey, and Unicycle.

"You guys are here? Why didn't you tell me?" Beca said as she hugged them all.

"Wanted it to be a surprise," she shrugged.

"Where's my goddaughter?" Beca asked, looking around for Juliette.

"She's staying with my parents in LA. Just us and we'll be partying!" Chloe said, shaking her hips excitedly. "This ginger needs her jiggle juice."

"Parenthood has really changed you, Chloe," Aubrey said sarcastically. "So, you passed the pitch pipe on, I presume?"

"Yes, to Noelle, Laci, and Cassie. Its in very capable hands, don't worry," Beca assured her.

"Who's leading the Trebles next year?" Unicycle asked.

"Chris is gonna do it and a sophomore whose name escapes me," Jesse said.

"It's going to be a whole new world after this, you two ready?" Aubrey asked.

"Yeah, I think so," Beca said, lacing her fingers between Jesse's as she smiled up at him.

"We're graduated!" Fat Amy yelled out loudly as they walked down the stairs of the outdoor theater where most of the initiation parties are held.

"That was an awesome speech, Stacie," Jesse said as he walked over to the keg with her and Beca.

"Thanks. I was surprised they wanted me to speak," she shrugged.

"I didn't know you were smart," Noelle said. "You have that whole dumb look going on."

"Yeah, well," Stacie shrugged. "I like to fool people. I'm going for my PhD in LA in the fall, and I'm going to attempt to start a sex therapy thing for couples while I'm doing that."

"Why is everyone going to LA?"

"It's the place to be," Beca said and laughed. "It's the dream to move out to LA and try to make a life out there."

"Which we'll be doing together," Jesse said as he wrapped his arm around Beca's shoulders and kissed her temple. "Chloe's out there too, so is Bumper and Donald."

"Donald's why I'm moving to LA. That and I can be constantly tan there," Stacie explained.

"How did Chloe end up in LA? I thought she was still in Atlanta," Cassie asked as they all sat down.

"Josh had found a job that let him work less hours but he was still making a ton of money, and Chloe was able to get a job at a high school teaching English. Plus, I think her dad lives out there, so he watches Juliette when they're working."

"That's sweet. I can't believe you guys won't be here next year," Noelle said.

"I'll be around until you graduate," Miller told her.

"Great, I was hoping you'd leave," she joked. "Too bad Benji won't stay around."

"He applied for a few teaching positions in Chicago. His family wanted him home for a little," Jesse said as he looked over at Benji and Laci, who were isolated from everyone else and didn't look too happy. "He's taking it pretty hard too."

"It's scary having to move on from here," Beca said. "Making the wrong decision is like an actual problem now."

"You two have each other, it'll be fine," Cassie said.

"Yeah, you'll be that nauseating couple who gets married and it's all romantic because everyone knew it was going to happen and blah, blah, blah," Noelle said, making gagging noises toward the end.

"Only a matter of time, especially since you domesticated him by making him move in with you," Miller said.

"I didn't make him move in with me, asshole."

"Men are supposed to live on their own in a man cave for a certain period of time after college so they can find themselves."

"I swear to God, if you start going on about a rite of passage, I'm throwing my beer on you," Beca warned.

"That would be a waste of beer."

"I advise you to shut up."

"Fine, fine," he conceded as he stood up and pulled Noelle up with him. "Come on, let's go find more beer."

"I'm going to go find Chris," Cassie said, leaving Jesse and Beca sitting by themselves.

"You think we're ready for this? New city, new place, new jobs," Beca asked as she leaned her head on his shoulder. "It's a huge change."

"I think so. We'll have each other, that's what matters, right?"

"Yeah, that's all that matters," she said. She knew she meant those words too. As long as she had Jesse, everything would be okay.

So the LA crew will be Chloe, Josh, Bumper, Fat Amy, Stacie, Donald, Jesse & Beca.

I know many of you wanted them engaged by now (maybe even pregnant), but I feel like that would be too unrealistic. Like, I feel like they just wouldn't be that couple to get engaged at graduation because Beca would want to make sure they work outside of college. Which is why moving in was such an issue for her, and after weight the pros and cons (and plus finding that awesome apartment that would be super cheap to pay for since Dr. Mitchell offered to pay half), she decided moving in would be the best. That's how I logically made my decision of what she should do anyway lol.

Next chapter they're moving into LA. I was considering writing a sequel-ish type thing, but I feel like there's always too many expectations for sequels & I just really want to write like key moments of their lives in LA, kinda like how I did for this after they finished sophomore year (although those "key moments" turned this into an almost forty chapter story ..) Seriously, I've never had a story go on this long, so I really do cringe when I realize what chapter I'm up to. But, I figure I've gone this far, what's a few more chapters? I'd rather have everything in the same place.

So, I have up to chapter forty-two done. I refuse to go past 50 chapters on this story, so there's maybe only eight more chapters left. The last chapter will most likely be chapter 43 as long as it goes to plan. I just have to find the time to update since it's the end of the semester and I'm swamped with papers. Like, way in over my head with papers. Long papers too. So if there's a long update break between chapters, don't worry - they're done. I just have to stop drowning in term papers lol.

Leave a review, let me know what you thought. What you think life in LA is going to be like. OH! If anyone can guess where the graduation speech came from, I'll give you a preview of the next chapter. Thanks guys :)