A/N: Okay- I'm really sorry about the long wait- I started this chapter a really long time ago, but I got really busy. I had a concert (I said hi to Abra's namesake), and then a few large projects, and then before I knew it- my laptop went away for the summer! I'm going to attempt to keep on writing over the summer, and I will do my best to keep on posting, so we'll see how that goes, but now that I don't have 24/7 computer access, it's going to be a lot harder.

Chapter 36- Preparations

The last few days before June fourth were incredibly hectic. More and more people arrived on campus, and I could not help but remember these days three years previously, and my graduation from Columbia. Fortunately, though, the dorm keys were all different, and I knew exactly where both copies of mine were.

I was sitting in my room one evening, reading to Abra before putting her to bed, when I heard a knock on the door. I jumped up, startled, and peeked through the peephole. Outside my room stood a man I faintly recognized, though it was hard to tell with the peephole's distorted view.

"Who's there?" I asked.

"It's Carlisle Cullen." Said the voice on the other side of the door. Carlisle's voice. I breathed a sigh of relief and opened the door.

"Hi Carlisle. I wasn't expecting you."

"We were hoping to surprise you." He said with a grin.

"We?"

"Esme and I. Alice brought us here, but she and Esme decided to go in the elevator."

"The elevator? It-"

He cut me off. "I know. But they refused to listen. I think they wanted to see what it would be like to get stuck."
I raised my eyebrows. "Really?"

He shrugged. "I guess."

Just then, Alice and Esme burst out of the stairway door, holding a huge box.

Carlisle and I asked in unison. "What's that?"

Alice and Esme laughed. "Bella's present, of course." Alice answered.

I sighed. "Great."

Alice grinned. "It is isn't it!"

I frowned. "Oh well. Come in."
The box only barely fit through the door, and took up most of the table when they set it down there. Alice went upstairs to fetch Edward, and I picked Abra up out of her crib and set her on my lap. She fell asleep just as Alice, this time with Edward, walked through the door.

Edward grinned at me, and set a small box on top of the huge box on the table. I frowned. "Really Edward?" I asked in a resigned tone.

He nodded. "Really."

I looked around the room and noticed that Alice was bouncing up and down in a very curious fashion.

I looked at Edward and he rolled his eyes. "She wants you to open the presents." He whispered.

I nodded and handed him Abra. She smiled up at him and I got some scissors out of a drawer. I cut through the tape slowly, careful not to damage the box- who knew what I could use it for when I unpacked what was in it.

I opened the top of the box, pushed aside the packing peanuts and looked inside. I looked at Alice, my eyes huge, and she grinned at me.

I lifted out a long rectangular box and read the label. "Electric Piano Keyboard- Handle with care" I thought- only for a second- about not accepting it, but a piano, even just a keyboard of my own was something I had wished for my entire life.

I thanked Alice profusely, then picked up the small box Edward had set on the table and opened it. Inside was a beautiful carved wooden box, small enough to fit in my hand. I opened it, and inside was a little cow figurine, carved out of wood. I held it up, grinning and asked, "What's this for?"

Edward grinned back. "Just something I thought you or Abra might appreciate."

I looked at it more closely and nodded. "I appreciate."

He laughed.

I looked at all the Cullens, gathered around the table there in my room, and wondered how long paradise would last.

Edward noticed my pensive expression, handed Abra to Alice, and wrapped his arms around me from behind. "What is it?" He whispered into my ear.

I leaned into his chest and looked at all of them. "It's just- I want to thank you guys for being such a family to me."

Edward pulled me tighter into his arms, and kissed my hair, while Alice grinned and shook her head. "We wouldn't have had it any other way." And from the expressions on Carlisle and Esme's faces, I knew she was speaking for her whole family as she said that.

Esme smiled. "We're really excited to see you graduate tomorrow, too."

I grinned. "Thanks."

"And we were wondering if you'd like us to watch Abra during the ceremony, or do you have something arranged?" Carlisle asked.

"She was going to go to daycare, but I would love it if you would watch her. It would be so nice for her to be there, even if she has no idea what's going on."

Alice grinned, and bounced up and down as if she were Abra's age. "We'd love to watch her. It would be our pleasure!"
"Thanks."

"No problem!" Alice declared.

I looked at my watch. "It's getting past Abra's bedtime, and close to my bedtime, so I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow?"

All three nodded. "And I'll be here bright and early tomorrow morning to get you done up for graduation day!" Alice said, as she placed a now sleeping Abra lightly into her crib.

Esme rolled her eyes and grinned at me, and I shrugged my shoulders in resignation. "See you then." With that, Carlisle, Esme, and Alice left.

As the door closed, Edward pulled me gently to face him.

"Bella."

I looked up at his serious face.

"This sounds slightly parental," He grinned, then his face turned serious again. "But I'm really proud of you. You've inspired me with your hard work, and your unwillingness to give up your goals despite terrible setbacks. You are truly an amazing woman, and I'm really glad I know you. Thank you for being the person who you are."

We stood together in silence for a moment.

"I'm speechless- I really don't know how to respond-" I said, smiling up at him- confused, but utterly touched.

"Then don't" And he leaned down and kissed me slowly.

"Goodnight Bella, see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight."

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A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing- I really just want to get this chapter posted, so I won't thank personally. Sorry. And sorry also about the shortness of the chapter, but in addition to my strapped-for-time-ness, it seemed done!

Tell me in a review-

What is the best present you have ever gotten?