Chapter 37

I went to bed on Sunday night early. I was so exhausted; all that has been going on these past two weeks was very stressful, even if some of it was good stress. Mom had to work tonight, but managed to get tomorrow night off. She entered my room and tucked me in like when I was a little girl. "I will see you tomorrow. Don't worry I will lock up for you. Get some sleep, Sweetpea." She kissed me and walked to my door, turning the light off and then shut my bedroom door quietly.

I had already opened my bedroom window for Edward; we had our routine down pat. Edward was so quiet I never heard him enter, but felt him get into bed with me. "Whoa, Lily, your feet are cold," Edward said teasingly. "Ha ha, very funny!" I scowled in the darkness, which made him laugh. "How would you know if my feet are cold? You are still fully dressed."

He leaned over and turned on my blanket warmer and then stood up and proceeded to undress quite slowly, giving me a good show. I whistled and asked where my coin purse was, which made him act very silly, but he was still outrageously seductive. He was peeling off his layers and either tossing the garment aside or would swing it around his head before moving on to a new piece of clothing. When he was finally completely undressed, he jumped into bed with me and started to tickle me, making me laugh and squeal. "Edward...stop...ha ha...stop...please."

I took on a serious face and said, "Edward, I have been looking online today and I think I know where I want to live." Edward looked extremely intrigued and immediately stopped tickling me. "Where did you decide?" He turned on his side and rested his elbow on the pillow with his head cradled in the palm of his hand, gazing at me with real interest.

I traced my fingers over his well-muscled chest before i spoke. "Well, I was looking at vampire friendly places to live and somewhere near a university, if I decide to go. Anyway, I found Winter Harbor, Maine. It is near the mountains and forest and it is a little over an hour to drive to the University of Maine." He smiled and responded, "That is a beautiful area. I think that would be just fine. We can talk to Carlisle about it tomorrow."

I was about to say something else, but he started to kiss my neck, creating an immense mental fog. "Edward...is there somewhere..." His fingers were caressing the small of my back. What were we talking about? "Edward...we really need to talk about this..." I managed to pant out. "Uh huh...Yes...we really do..." he said in a deep husky voice in between kisses. After a few moments, all vestiges of conversation had been lost and passion and deep desire had won over.

After making love, I snuggled down and fell asleep in Edward's arms. Considering we were a tangle of limbs, I never noticed him leave before the sun had risen, but he had warned me yesterday that would probably be the case. I guess he must have needed to go hunting. His eyes were turning onyx, his patience waning and we would be in a cramped gymnasium filled with tons of people this afternoon. I know what it is like to be a human and be cranky, but being a hungry vampire in a room filled with...dinners on legs...would make me very cranky.

I stood in front of the full length mirror with my white and blue floral dress on, fidgeting, trying to smooth out any non-existent wrinkles. I turned to the side gazing at my own reflection. Once my hair had been put into place and sprayed with extra-hold hairspray, I started to put my red cap on. I slipped into my red gown, then placing on my white honor cord. It was so odd to see myself, at last, ready to graduate. I have been waiting for this day for so long, but I am suddenly getting this feeling of, "is this it?"

With the lights on, I see the long dark shadow of a woman stretching out across my wooden floor and snaking up the wall. I don't really feel like a woman yet. I feel the same as I did when I was 15 or even 10. At age 18, I am now married to a wonderful man, yet, I still feel like an adolescent, who still needs her mom and dad for support and guidance.

This was a strange moment indeed. I am glad that Edward isn't here to witness this spectacle of question and doubt that is running through my mind. I definitely don't want Edward to think that I am questioning my life as it is now or him being my mate. That isn't it at all. I just feel like, now that I am here, in this place and time waiting for my graduation ceremony, it just feels like any other day. I sort of expected something spectacular or amazing to happen.

I heard a rapping on my bedroom door. I turned my body around, a huge smile spread across my face after seeing my visitor. "Daddy!" I ran to him and threw my arms around his neck, kissing his cheek. "When did you get here?"

"I got here just a little while ago. Edward and Carlisle picked me up from the airport." Well that was a surprise. Edward never told me that he was picking dad up from the airport. "They did?"

"They wanted it to be a surprise for you. You are surprised right?" I hugged him tighter and kissed him again. "Yes, really surprised!"

"Here let me see my little girl." He motioned for me, with his finger, to turn in a circle, so he could see me in my cap and gown. "Wow, Sweetpea, you grew up right before my eyes. You are graduating high school today; you are soon to be married and then off to college. Where did the time go?" He had a wistful look enter his eyes and I couldn't help but tear up.

"Dad, why are you so nostalgic?" I was perplexed by his strange behavior. Honestly, I have never seen him like this before. "Honey, I almost lost you and the last time I saw you, you were injured." He hugged me tenderly like I could break into pieces.

"Dad, I am not that fragile." He kissed me on my cheek and turned to leave my room. "Your mom is waiting for me." He sounded like he was getting choked up and starting to cry, but his macho side was not wanting me to see his weak moment. I let him leave to keep his dignity intact. "You're more fragile than tanzanite."

A smile spread across my face. Without turning my body I answered, "Tanzanite?" Edward's icy hands spread around my hips, as he stood behind me. "Tanzanite is a stone that looks similar to an amethyst, but it is extremely delicate and can break with the slightest jarring or impact, just like you." I grinned and leaned in to his body. "Baby, you look lovely in your cap and gown," he said.

"Thank you for my surprise! Is that where you went to so early this morning, the airport?" I turned my body around and stared into his lovely eyes, which were still dark. "Yes, Dad, Carlisle and I made arrangements for him to arrive before sun up." It was so cute that he called my father, dad, especially when he is old enough to be dad's great, great grandfather.

"Edward, aren't you supposed to be getting ready?" He chuckled softly into my ear. He purred, "First of all, I have graduated high school many, many times before. The only thing that makes today special is you. Second of all, hello? I am a vampire. I could go home and get ready five minutes before the ceremony would commence and still make there on time."

We were interrupted when we heard the front door open and heard multiple voices coming from downstairs. After a quick kiss, Edward quickly and fluidly jumped out of my window. His landing was completely silent. I slowly headed downstairs to see all the Cullens, including Edward, and my parents, animatedly talking to each other about how wonderful it is that three of us Cullens or should I say, two Cullens and one Christensen are graduating today. Mom and dad never looked shocked at the mention of my being a Cullen. They looked excited and genuinely happy.

Just then, there was a knock at our front door. Jasper walked gracefully over and opened it. My grandparents and their nurse were standing just outside the threshold. Jasper welcomed them inside and their nurse helped them through the door. "Grandma, Grandpa! I am so glad you came!"

Grandma Bella tripped over her own feet, even with her cane in hand, and fell right when she walked through the front door. Jasper caught her, and her cane, holding on to her for a minute until he was sure she was stable. The nurse yelped and pulled her hand to her mouth in shock. Grandma Bella almost gave her nurse a heart attack. My vampire family just had smirks on their angelic faces, like they have seen this many times before. "Bella, you should really be more careful. You know how you get," Grandpa Tom said.

Esme excused herself and ran out to her car bringing up Alice and Edward's cap and gown. She asked them to change here at my house so we all can go to graduation together in a few cars. They quickly changed and we all were ready to go and get this ceremony over with. Dad said he booked a room at the best restaurant in town to have a party afterward. Apparently, he asked Mercedes and Jake to decorate the room for us.

When we arrived, the three of us went to where the other graduates were being herded. "Do you guys feel like cattle right now?" Alice and Edward smiled. "Yes, we wouldn't be here if it weren't for you, Lily." I felt so guilty, but they both seemed jovial enough waiting with me. It seemed to take forever while we waited for all of the family members and friends to take their seats.

We were all ushered to stand and wait in line behind a curtain on an elevated stage. There were only 100 of us graduating today. They didn't separate us by name alphabetically, like I thought, they separated us by size. Edward, being a Sasquatch, was way in the back of the line now, but Alice stayed with me with the rest of the munchkins. We both were so short, we went first.

When they called her name, Alice strode out onto the stage approaching a woman I didn't know; this woman was probably an administrator. She was holding out a diploma with one hand and reaching out with the other to shake Alice's hand. The woman instantly pulled her hand away, as if she had touched an open flame. She had shock etched all over her face. Poor Alice, her photo had been taken while the woman was making that awful face. Loud cheers and whistles had erupted from the bleachers above the stage. Apparently, even though the family has graduated from high school multiple times before, they still cheer on their loved ones quite exuberantly. Emmett and Jasper both were standing, whistling quite loudly.

It was now my turn. "Please...don't let me trip and fall off the stage." Sophie, the girl behind me, chuckled and said, "I think we all are praying for that." When I walked onto the stage, the lights were all turned off and there was a spotlight shining right on me. Immediately, the room felt like the heat had been turned on to boil and sweat was dripping down my back. Yells and loud whistles coming from my dad were heard the loudest. I could even hear Edward cheering for me, which made my whole day. I walked my way toward the woman and she was in the same position, handing me my diploma, ready to shake my hand. I smiled at her as my photo was taken. At that moment, I heard Mercedes scream out, "Alright, Lily!" Everyone started to laugh, and I strolled toward the edge of the stage, carefully walking down the stairs.

I took my seat next to Alice and we waited for a good 20 minutes for the rest of the class to get their diplomas. After his name was called, and Edward had walked out on the stage, Alice and I stood up and whistled for him. His crooked smile appeared and only deepened, when the woman gave the same reaction she had for Alice after shaking his hand. He walked to the edge of the stage and did a back flip off of it, landing steadily on his feet. A burst of excited cheers were coming from our class and the audience. He winked at Alice and I and then made his way to his seat.

All of the lights went off and then a video started playing showcasing the senior class. Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve started playing. Everyone cheered. There were photos of some of us in the parking lot, at football games, chorus performances and in the cafeteria, etc. There was a gorgeous close-up photo of Edward and the entire class exploded into screams for him. I looked behind me and he blew me a kiss. Alice had started a conversation with him, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. A video of me walking through the hallways during my office aide class came on the screen. It took a few seconds for it to fade into another video clip. The cheers were so loud that the music was drowned out. It startled me to think that someone was out there videotaping me without my knowledge.

The video finally closed with a panoramic photo of the entire senior class sitting together in front of the school, sitting on the stairs and on the lawn, all of us in our little clicks. This photograph was taken back in September. I really didn't want to be included because I didn't feel like I belonged yet. This photo was for all of the other kids who had spent the last four years together.

Thinking back to that day, all I remembered was that it got me out of my government class for a good 20 to 30 minutes. I had just moved here, so I sat off to myself as far away from other people as I could. Edward and Alice had sat down opposite me and a row above. Edward was sitting on a stair and he had Alice sitting just below him. She was leaning up against his chest and his arms were wrapped around her in a hug. They both were smiling, mostly because they had been sitting together, having a conversation. I had looked away from the extremely beautiful couple, wanting to know more about them and waited to smile for the photograph.

The whole senior class "aww-ed" as they gazed up at the huge screen in the darkness. As I gazed up at the screen with that photo displayed, I noticed that Edward had turned his head and had stared straight at me as that photo had been taken. I never even realized that he even noticed me that day. Alice had talked to me a couple of times during school, but Edward had kept his distance. It is funny how a photo can sometimes tell you more than you even notice in real life.

Alice took my hand and squeezed it. Tears welled up in my eyes and I started to sniffle. Sophie, the girl who sat next to me handed me a tissue. "Thank you, Sophie." I blotted at my eyes and nose hoping that I could find some composure. Looking like a blubbering fool was just way too embarrassing.

Eventually, Garrett Johnson, the valedictorian, stepped up to the podium and began his speech. "Principal Grant, faculty members, family, friends and fellow graduates, today is a day to be thankful and to be inspired. First we have so much to be thankful for. We have received a great education thanks to our fine administration and teachers. We are now prepared to move on and to take on whatever challenges come next in our lives..."

I started to think about what Garrett had just said. I am not entirely sure that getting a wonderful education has prepared me for becoming a vampire in the near future. How does one prepare for that anyway? I doubt there is any preparation; it is something that I just have to experience when it happens. My only solace is that Edward will be there for my change. I think my only worry is being alone when it happens or waking up alone.

"We can also be thankful for our families. These past four years have presented us with ups and downs and it is good to know that we all had our families supporting us along the way..."

Again, I am so thankful for my very large and very unorthodox family. I turned my head and looked up in the audience and saw my dad give me a wave and a thumbs up sign. Mom looked so full of pride and happiness. Esme and Carlisle both looked ready to burst with love. Grandma and Grandpa were so sweet as they waved. I panned my eyes down to see Edward looking at me with an intense stare. It seemed as if he could read my mind, but I am sure that this is not the case.

"Often on graduation day we look outside for role models, but I see them right here among us. I have seen that we do not have to look very far for inspiration and we each have the potential to make an inspiring contribution to others by being true to our core values and aspiring to lofty goals. When we leave here today, celebrate what you have accomplished, but look forward with an eye toward how you too can be the inspiration for others." Everyone started to applaud Garrett. I started to unconsciously clap, off in my own little world.

I missed much of the speech, but caught bits and pieces of it. It was making me think of my life and what goals I want to achieve for myself. I started to think about being married and what goes along with that. Mostly, I thought about starting a family and wondering how I deal with my parents during and after my change. I was thinking about some serious topics that I would need to have a family meeting about or at least talk about with Carlisle.

It was time for us all to place our tassels on the opposite side of our caps and a cacophony of voices and cheers could be heard. Most of the caps had been pulled off our heads and thrown up in the air, including mine. We were officially free, at least for the summer, until we moved on to various endeavors in the adult world.

Eventually, the lights went up and everyone in the stands was approaching us on the floor. Mom made it to me first and embraced me. "Honey, you looked so cute up there. I took so many wonderful photos of you, Alice and Edward." I looked around and saw Emmett and Esme helping Grandma and Grandpa over to where we were. It made me feel so grateful to have so many wonderful people in my life.

Mercedes and Jake had run over to us too, but before they could reach me, Edward had appeared and pulled me into an embrace. "You looked absolutely beautiful. I missed you the entire time I was away from you." Mercedes and Jake made it over to us and I hugged her. "Congratulations, Lily." She then embraced Edward and Alice, too. Finally, my grandparents along with Esme and Emmett made their way through the sea of people. After hugging both my grandparents, I shouted, "Let's go outside to get some fresh air." I felt really bad that my family with more sensitive hearing had to hear me shout. After a good 10 minutes had past, we all were outside breathing in fresh air. Back inside claustrophobia had begun to settle in and I didn't know I suffered from that. I started to pull my gown off and Alice and Edward followed suit. I walked up to Grandma Bella and Grandpa Tom. They were so cute dressed up. They had been holding hands until I had come up to them for hugs and kisses. Dad approached us and said, "I'm starving, let's go eat."

I walked over to Edward and whispered in his ear, "Baby, why don't you go as a family and do something fun or go hunting while we eat. I am sure I can buy you some time so you don't have to endure human food." He looked hopeful. "I will make excuses and apologies. I think I can buy you about an hour or two."

He kissed me with a fiery passion that was easily noticeable. I hugged each Cullen and made my way over to mom and dad. "The Cullens have some extended family members arriving soon and they want to meet with them. Unfortunately, their company cannot stay very long. They are making a stop here on their way to another destination. Edward said they will meet us in about an hour or two." Grandma Bella winked at me. Mom and dad just waved at them and we all readied to leave.

I blew Edward a kiss and then I piled into my car with my grandparents. We drove to the fine Italian restaurant in town that dad had told me to drive to. The streets were busier than normal because of the graduation ceremony, so I didn't talk much while I was driving. Having my grandparents with me made me extra cautious. We eventually pulled into the parking lot of the Italian Restaurant and I helped my grandparents make their way inside. We were escorted to a large room that had been decorated in our school's colors. Mom and dad were already there waiting. Mercedes and Jake had arrived with their families and were coming in behind us.

Grandma Bella and I ordered the mushroom ravioli, no surprise there. The funny thing was dad; he ordered enough food for three people. I frowned and then looked at dad with huge doe eyes. "Dad, where are you going to fit all of that food you just ordered?"

"What? The food on the ship is not that desirable. I want to make sure I get to eat decent food before I have to go back." He gave me a hurt look and then laughed exuberantly.

All of the grown-ups were talking with one another and Mercedes, Jake, his brother, Jeff, Mercedes' brother, Seth, and I were all talking. Mercedes and Jake were asking me where I was going to college. "Um...well I am not sure yet, but I think that Edward and I are going to attend University of Maine." Mercedes, true to her word, has kept Edward and I being married a secret. Jake smiled and said, "Mercedes, you and I should try to attend the same college. That would be awesome." He took her hand in a sweet gesture and then kissed it. Seth and Jeff both were snickering making vomiting sounds.

Mercedes turned to me and asked if she could see my ring. When I showed it to her she squealed and then whispered, "Lily that is so romantic. Every time I see your ring I still react the same way."

When our food arrived, I started to eat with abandon. I hadn't eaten breakfast this morning and I didn't realize I was so hungry. As I had a mouth full of ravioli and just taken a sip of my soda, mom was talking to dad and Mercedes' mom, Sharon. I didn't quite catch what they were talking about until I heard baby fly from her lips and then she said, "Lily honey, when do you think that you and Edward will start to have a family of your own? I want a grandchild." Grandma Bella and I both spit our food out. Mercedes started to whack me on the back as I started choking.

I managed to cough out, "Please excuse me. I need to clean myself up." I stood and started to walk toward the bathroom. Mercedes went with me. We entered the bathroom and turned on the water faucet and grabbed some paper towels to blot the front of my dress. "Lily, what was that all about? Don't you want kids? You already are married." What do I say; well my husband is a vampire, so technically, we can't have children!

I gave her a sad look and said, "I am not sure if we want to have kids, Mercedes." Her mouth formed a giant O and she reached her arms around me and squeezed tightly. "Well, you guys are young and I am sure that you both could change your minds in the future."

I smiled at her, "Thanks, Mercedes. I'm going to finish blotting out my dress and then pee. I will be right there in a minute. Mercedes squeezed my hand and exited the bathroom. I grabbed more paper towels and started to furiously blot at my dress again. For some strange reason I started sobbing uncontrollably. I really did want a child, Edward's child, but I knew that was not possible. I heard the squeaking hinge of the door and looked up into the mirror, staring at my reflection, trying to compose myself wiping at my eyes.

I was so busy trying to clean myself up, that I never saw who had entered the bathroom. Rosalie, Alice and Esme were all in the bathroom looking at me with sympathetic eyes. Alice handed me an identical dress to the one I was wearing. Rose fixed my face while Esme barred the door so nobody could get in. "Lily, Alice told us what happened. Do you want to talk about it?" I sniffled before I could utter a response.

"I guess I realized that I would like to have a baby." Rosalie smiled, but before she could say anything I said, "I want Edward's baby." Esme grabbed my stained dress and placed it in a large tote that she had been carrying. "Lily dear, we want to talk with you about this when there isn't a large audience and especially when Edward isn't around." I nodded in agreement and took in my appearance one last time after I had slipped into the new dress.

"Guy's, we are still eating." I looked at them with a concerned face. I knew they didn't want to be near human food. For me, being around a whole lot of blood would just gross me out, so I felt kind of guilty for putting them in this situation.

"Honey, we all wanted to be with you, so we will talk and if we have to eat, we will." Esme placed her arm around my shoulder and she proceeded to open the door. There were a group of women standing in line waiting to get inside the bathroom glaring as they entered. "What are you looking at?" Rosalie snapped at them. Each one looked away from her and then I could hear them all talking about her body and how she must starve herself to look that good.

Edward stood, smiling brilliantly as I arrived. He placed a kiss on my cheek and then whispered, "Are you alright?" I wondered if he heard us talking in the ladies room. I guess that I would have to tell him the truth if he asks. Just looking into his amber eyes made everything that was so overwhelming moments ago so much better. "I'm fine, sweetheart."

"Lily, you got the stain out. I suppose all of that blotting with warm water worked," Mercedes said, her eyes beaming at my appearance. I sat back down and continued to eat my ravioli listening to the conversations going on around me. Emmett was trying to get everyone to go bowling, dad wanted to take Carlisle and Mr. Mitchell fishing and Alice wanted to go shopping. Edward and I both simultaneously rolled our eyes. When we caught each other's eye roll we both started to laugh. "You guys are so cute together," Mercedes said.

When my cell phone started to vibrate, every Cullen turned their gaze in my direction, although they kept up their conversations. Grandpa Tom had garnered Edward's attention as my phone vibrated a second time. "Excuse me for a moment." I stood and walked my way out of the restaurant.

"Hello?"

"May I please speak with Miss Lily Christensen?"

Immediately I knew what this phone call was about. "Yes, this is she." I started to pace back and forth waiting for the news. To passersby, I probably looked extremely hyper.

"Miss Christensen, I am calling in regard to the arraignment for Mr. Jack Warner. I wanted you to know that it is not necessary for you to be there. However, you will need to be there when the actual trial begins, that is depending upon how he pleads, of course."

My mood had lifted when I was told that it wasn't necessary to go to the arraignment. Upon hearing the rest of the information my stomach felt sour and eating was no longer enticing or welcome.

"We will make sure to call you after the arraignment to tell you how it went."

"Yes ma'am, thank you," I said.

"Miss, do you have any questions that I can help answer for you?"

"No ma'am. I will be expecting your call later this week. Thank you."

I ended my phone call and stood there on the sidewalk.

"Lily, are you alright?" Dad was standing near me. I hadn't even noticed him approach me.

"I'm alright, Daddy." He hugged me tightly and then took my small hand into his large one. We walked back inside to join the celebration.

Dad pushed my chair in while I sat down. My plate had been cleared away, probably thanks to Alice and Edward. I could not have eaten another bite anyway.

I heard Jasper teasing Alice about the woman who handed Alice her diploma. I burst into laughter recalling her face, the phone call forgotten. Esme then spoke up, "Lily, you should see the other graduation photos for the others." She smiled deeply and Edward leaned in and whispered in my ear. "Almost all of our graduation photos over the years have some administrator shaking our hands with the same look of revulsion. It is quite humorous. Be happy that your first graduation photo will be normal."

We sat together for another hour while listening to Emmett argue the finer points of Call of Duty to Jake and Seth. "Are you ready to go home?" Edward was leaning into me and he had that sexy tone to his voice that he sometimes gets.

"I am taking Lily home," Edward announced. I walked over to my parents angling myself for a hug. Next, I turned to my grandparents and hugged them, too.

Jasper wiggled his eyebrows at Edward and then he said, "Don't you want dessert?" I was so stuffed. I said matter of factly, "I couldn't eat another bite Jasper, but thank you." I had walked back to hug Mercedes and she started whispering in my ear after she snorted. "Lily, call me later and I will explain what just flew right over your head." She gave me a knowing look and the light bulb turned on in my head and proceeded to blush a really nice ruby color.

Edward and I walked out to my car and I threw him my keys so he could drive. I sat in the passenger seat and breathed out a huge sigh of relief that this day was finally over and I could finally start my summer vacation.

I was going to spend these next few days relaxing and then it will be time to prepare for a wedding, a court case and an eventual move.