A/N: Thanks so much for all your wonderful thoughts.

Sorry for the late update. Went social distancing to visit the parents today.

Most characters belong to S. Meyer. The rest belong to me. All mistakes are mine.

** So, Stage 8 is officially the last stage of this story, but as one chapter, it's just way too long. So, it's being split into two parts. ;)

Stage 7: HS Senior for Bella, College for me:
(aka Bella's glory was on full display, and I wanted to kick my own ass).

The next time I saw Bella was a long while later and for a time period so short, it almost wouldn't even be worth mentioning if it wasn't for three exceptionally important details.

The first: It was her high school graduation.

"Edward, honey, welcome back to Forks!"

Mrs. Swan offered me a warm hug, and for a moment, I was back to the days when Emmett, Bella, and I were just kids, and between Mrs. Swan and my own mom's care, the three of us never lacked for affection or for a sense of security. Emmett and I hadn't gotten into Forks until late the previous evening. Therefore, as soon as my dad and I arrived at the Swan's house, the round of greetings ensued.

"Mrs. Swan, how are you?"

She pulled away, chuckling. "Edward, you're a twenty-two-year-old young man going into his senior year of college and interning with one of the largest architectural firms in Chicago. I think you can call me Renee now."

"Renee, then," I grinned, nonetheless feeling my cheeks burn.

She patted my cheek knowingly. "You'll get the hang of it."

Then, the chief approached and shook my hand.

"You can still call me 'Chief.'"

"Yes, sir, Chief."

We shared a laugh, and all the while my gaze flashed nervously toward the staircase.

"Welcome home, son," the chief said, patting my shoulder. "Look at you, a grown man, you and our Emmett." When his voice broke, Renee pulled him away with a gentle smile.

"Oh, Charlie, you act like we didn't just see the boys a few months ago in Chicago. We know they're grown men."

"I know, I know, but Edward here hasn't been home since he went away, and it's the first time we've got all three kids in one place again since the boys graduated high school. But it's not just that." Swallowing hard, he shook his head. "I can't believe my little girl is graduating high school today. My tiny, little Bella. Can you believe it, Edward?"

"No." Drawing in a deep breath, I exhaled it heavily, smiling despite the uneasiness in my stomach. "I'm finding it pretty hard to believe too."

"Seems like it was just yesterday that she was crawling after you two, calling after 'Et' and 'Em,' and now…" he trailed off, his gaze taking on a far-away, wistful look before he rallied with a smile. "Hey, do you remember that World Series Little League game when Bella was like four-years-old, and she ran onto the field right before your turn at bat and refused to head back onto the bleachers until you gave her a turn?"

"Yeah, I remember that," I grinned.

"And you went ahead and gave her a turn." Renee offered me a tender smile as if the event had taken place only yesterday.

"Yeah, and then when that little fucker, Newton," the Chief snarled now, "threatened to hit Bella with the ball, you threatened to shove the ball down his throat."

"And you, Chief, pretended not to hear me," I grinned.

"Hah!" the Chief shouted, and we all laughed.

"Yeah, she was a handful while growing-up," Charlie nodded, his tone nostalgic once again. "Thanks for being patient with her, Edward."

The smile withered from my face as the all-too-familiar sense of self-reproach tightened my gut.

"Oh, Charlie." Renee swatted her husband's arm. "Stop being such an old fogey; you're making poor Edward here uncomfortable."

"No, Renee, Charlie, it's not-"

"Edward, honey, are you sure you can only stay for the weekend?"

"Unfortunately, yes," I replied. "My internship begins Monday morning, so I've got to fly out Sunday afternoon to make sure I make it back on time."

"Aw, that's a shame. I mean, it's a great opportunity for you, but it's such a shame you're your first visit back to Forks will be so short," Renee said. "But Charlie and I want you to know how much we appreciate your making the long trip just for a weekend, and just for Bella's graduation. We know how busy your schedule is at the moment."

And there went the guilt again because it was a long-overdue visit.

"Renee, Charlie, I wouldn't miss Bella's high school graduation for the world."

An image invaded my mind of a twelve-year-old Bella, and of the crestfallen expression on her face when I lied about football practice to get out of going to her ice-cream birthday party. I'd pretended I thought she bought the lie because, at sixteen, the last thing I'd wanted was to spend an afternoon with a bunch of twelve-year-olds.

Again, I swept my gaze toward the staircase, remembering how Bella would always run up and down those steps.

"Is she…?"

"No. No, she's not here, Edward. She left early this morning with your mom for graduation practice."

"Oh, that's right," I nodded. "I forgot about graduation practice."

"Yes. So, we're all meeting over there. She still thinks Emmett came home alone last night."

"Wait, you mean she doesn't know I'm here?"

"No," Renee smiled.

I scratched the back of my neck. "Renee, I…uhm…I don't know if that's a good idea. Won't she feel blind-sided?"

Renee held my gaze for a moment before replying. "Oh, Edward, Bella's going to be thrilled to see you."

Another memory crossed my mind, this one of an almost-fifteen-year-old Bella on one of the last times I saw her.

'You fucking startled me.'

I drew in a deep breath and released it through narrowed lips, smiling weakly.

"I hope you're right."

OOOOO

Three years is a long time by any measure.

But when you're a teenager who's living far away from home for the first time, with your best friend to boot, and stretching your wings in a big city, time takes on a different meaning. Suddenly, there aren't enough hours for all the exploring, partying, playing, and occasional studying in between it all, that you need to do.

But time passes regardless of whether you're enjoying that time or not, and invariably, at some point, you reach a fork in the road. Do exploring, partying, and playing remain the priorities…or is it time to switch things up a bit? It happens to most of us, and like a poet which I studied in school once put it, which road you take makes 'all the difference,' even if at the time, you can't see where the road will lead.

So, after some campus and off-campus partying, after a couple of girlfriends, after a few visits to Wrigley Field, a few deep-dish pizzas, and a few strolls down the Magnificent Mile and by the river, I took the fork in the road that led me to honor rolls, to internships, and, though I didn't see it at the time, it led me back for a visit to Forks – to the small-town home of timber, and mountains…

…and of a young girl by the name of Bella Marie.

I won't lie here and say I thought of her often in those early days of college, but I did think about her. I'd hear a lot about her too; though not directly from the source. Her brother mentioned her a lot and spoke to her often. Then, there were the visits from her parents and mine, visits which, for one reason or another, she could never make. I suppose it was for the same reasons why I could never make a visit back to Forks.

But this was her high school graduation. This one was a big one, and, I suppose I was at a place where I was beginning to see what really belonged on that big blank canvas called Life.

However, after our final few interactions, I just hoped she didn't end up wishing I'd never shown up.

OOOOO

"Hector Arroyo!"

The football field at Forks High was decked out in navy and gold – Forks High colors – and streamers, balloons, and decorations galore featuring the Spartan mascot. It was a scene very different yet reminiscent of another one of Bella's graduations I'd once attended, full of antsy kindergarteners and just as anxious parents ready to mow one another down for the prime picture-taking spot close to the podium. While these kids weren't kindergarteners, they appeared just as agitated. And the parents – including the Chief and my dad – were definitely ready to mow one another down for prime podium-view retail.

Meanwhile, Emmett, Renee, and I sat just as impatiently at the bleachers.

"Want to play Rocks, Papers, Scissors?" Emmett joked next to me.

When I offered him a sidelong smirk, he chuckled. "Just kidding. I guess."

From our spot, throughout the ceremony, we'd only caught sight of Bella's back. But, as that year's seniors rose from their seats, filed their way up to the podium, and toward a waiting Principal Cullen, I wiped my sweaty palms off on my pants. Throughout the years, I'd seen pictures of her, so yes, I knew she'd changed a lot since the last time I saw her at Sea-Tac airport. But I had no idea what her reaction to seeing me would be.

'You fucking startled me.'

Despite my anxiety, I found myself snorting.

"What is it?" Renee asked beside me.

"Just remembering…she's always had a unique way of speaking her mind."

Renee chuckled knowingly.

"Alice Brandon!" my mom called out from the podium, and we clapped and whistled.

"Yes, she has," Renee replied after a few more names. "But youth will do that to us, won't it? We fearlessly say or show what we're thinking and feeling at the moment, which is usually a good thing – unless it gets us into trouble."

"Robert Garcia!"

"But then," she continued, "with time and maturity, we learn to temper our responses, which is also a good thing – unless it leaves us feeling as if there was so much more we wanted to say."

"Sienna Kirkman!"

Renee turned and met my gaze. "It's a Catch-22. The trick there is finding the right balance and the right time." Then, she turned back toward the stages, clapping heartily for all the names being called.

"John Michaels!"

"Renee, I wasn't a very good friend to Bella during her freshman year of high school. Actually, I wasn't a good friend to her for a while before that."

Renee chuckled softly. "You were both at different ages and stages – and very young. And you both still are very young," she said, turning her attention to me again. "The three of you have always had challenges, at every stage, and with every stage, those challenges are bound to change in intensity and difficulty, just as we as individuals change. Like I said, the trick is finding the right balance…and the right time to deal with those challenges."

"Kenneth Stewart!"

"Will you two stop yapping?" Emmett chided us. "There comes Bella!"

When we turned our attention back to the podium, a young woman climbed the steps to the stage. She walked confidently toward Principal Cullen, and when her name was called,

"Isabella Swan!"

-she forewent the typical handshake and threw her arms around the principal, making everyone laugh.

We clapped hard, whistled through our teeth.

"Yeah, Bella!" Emmett roared, while Charlie took picture after picture.

And then…Isabella Swan faced forward, eyes searching for her family.

We were pretty far from the podium up here on the bleachers, but even from this distance, the sight of her stilled my applause. I drew in a sharp breath because this wasn't the Bella I'd left behind. Neither was she the Bella I'd expected based on the glimpses I'd caught of her in pictures and social media.

When my applause resumed, I clapped so hard my palms ached. I whistled through my teeth. I shouted her name above the roar of the crowd.

"BELLA MARIE!"

She jerked back sharply, and the grin she wore evaporated. And then…a slow smile spread across her pretty…her beautiful face.

"Edward?" she mouthed.

The grin grew even broader as she waved her rolled-up diploma at me before swiftly untying it and holding it up.

"EDWARD!" she shouted. "EDWARD, LOOK! THIS ONE'S NOT BLANK!"

The crowd roared, and Bella laughed.

OOOOO

When the ceremony ended, the typical chaos ensued. Graduates hugged one another, then hugged parents, aunts, uncles, friends, etc. Amid that chaos, we finally spotted Bella on the field, encircled by a bunch of friends. There were some I easily recognized, such as Alice and Jasper, and Michael Newton's little sister, whose name I couldn't recall, but she looked just like him. Jake Black, a guy who'd graduated with Emmett and me, was part of the group as well, although I couldn't remember whether he had a younger sibling. He and I had never been that tight. There were a couple of others whom I recognized by face if not by name, and a couple who didn't look familiar at all.

"BELLA!" Emmett roared.

At the sound of his voice, Bella immediately looked over and broke away from her crowd, running headlong into her brother's chest.

"Ooh!" He chuckled heartily and lifted her into the air, and as she laughed in return, I took in the scene, not knowing it would become one of those moments on my canvas.

Because there before me was the second reason this short visit is worth mentioning:

Bella was all grown up.

And she was gorgeous. There was no way around it; no way to ignore it and pretend I hadn't noticed how her hair fell in dark wave after dark wave of shining silk. Her face was smooth perfection from the full lips that kissed her brother's face over and over to the curved eyelashes that brushed his cheeks.

But it was more than that; there was an energy that surrounded her amid that crowded football field, an energy that practically made her glow. It was an energy that had always been there, that spirit and fire and boldness and just plain old exuberance that had given her the reputation of precocious and sometimes overly curious as a kid. But now, it appeared to have multiplied exponentially and turned the advanced-for-her-age little kid into…an enchanting young woman.

So, I watched and waited with forced calm as she greeted her parents, then mine with similar zeal before she finally turned toward me.

She had the chief's eyes; I'd always known that on some level, the way you know facts that don't really interest you one way or the other. She'd inherited her father's brown eyes, like Emmett had inherited his mother's blue ones, and I'd inherited my father's green ones.

But the eyes that gazed at me at that moment, had they always sparkled that way?

What other thoughts ran through my mind as we walked somewhat hesitantly toward one another. When only a few inches remained, Bella stood on her tiptoes and slid her arms around my neck. In turn, I wrapped my arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground, exhaling and smiling into her neck.

"Bella…"

"Edward," she chuckled, "I can't believe you came!"

"I wouldn't have missed this for the world."

When she pulled back, I set her down.

"Not even for the most intense football practice?"

Yeah, of course, she'd known it was a lie. But God, I'd missed this girl's teasing.

"That was pretty asshole-ish of me, wasn't it?"

"Just a bit," she smirked.

Jesus, had those eyes always been so brilliant? Specks of gold and green caught the day's rare sunshine and exploded like prismatic shards of diamonds. I opened my mouth to say something – to this day, I'm not even sure what – but in the next moment, whatever it was became inconsequential, a trivial matter in the grand scheme of things because the third exceptionally important detail that made that short jaunt to Forks worth mentioning reared its ugly head.

In my periphery, a face appeared behind Bella. It buried itself against her neck. Then, a pair of arms encircled her waist from behind and pulled her against a man's frame.

Bella shrieked, but before I could reach over and dig my fist into the unknown, presumptive asshole's face, Bella's shrieks turned into peals of delighted laughter. She turned her face sideways, and her lips captured those of the presumptive asshole.

The third detail: Bella had a boyfriend.

And her kiss with her boyfriend went on and on…and on. For ages. For years. For eons.

Well, in hindsight, it was a handful of seconds. Then, the chief loudly cleared his throat, and Bella and the presumptive asshole – aka Jake Black – broke apart and faced forward.

"Sorry, Chief," Jake grinned and straightened, "just happy on my girlfriend's big day."

"We all are, Jake," the chief muttered as Jake moved around greeting everyone. He shook hands with Emmett, and they clapped one another on the shoulder. When he reached me, I may have hesitated just a heartbeat longer than acceptable before I reached for his outstretched hand.

"Hey, Ed, how's it going? I haven't seen you in years."

"Jake," I nodded. "It's going good, thanks. And you?"

"Hanging in there," he grinned.

Then, he returned to Bella and pulled her into his side.

"Are we all ready?" Renee smiled. "We've got a small party waiting at home. Bella, honey, are you done greeting all your friends?"

"Yeah, Mom," Bella grinned excitedly.

"Okay, let's be on our way then. With all of you graduating on the same day, we've got to stick to our party time slot!"

"Little sis, I'm driving your truck," Emmett said. "You want to ride with Ed and me?"

"No, I'm riding with Jake." She was still grinning and still pulled into Jake's side when she looked at me. "But I'll catch up with you both at home!"

"Sounds good," I smiled.

And as we all walked away, heading to our respective vehicles, I turned to Emmett.

"Bella's dating Jake Black?" I asked, the bewilderment thick in my voice.

"Yeah."

"The chief's okay with that?"

Emmett looked at me and chuckled. ". I mean, as far as any dad's okay with his kid's boyfriend, I suppose. Why wouldn't he be?"

"There's a big age gap there. He's our age. She's seventeen."

Emmett snorted. "She's less than three months shy of eighteen, Edward. Little Bella's grown up."

My expression must've conveyed my continued daze.

"Hey, I remember you were never too cool with Jake, but from what I hear, he worships Bella. Don't worry about it too much." And with that, Emmett patted my shoulder and sprinted toward the truck's driver's side.

OOOOO

"So, is Chicago everything you expected it to be and more?"

Bella offered me a playful smile.

"It's pretty good," I smiled back. "As for more than what I expected, I don't know about that. I think we all have lofty expectations when we go away, but-"

"Bella! Bella, come here!" Alice waved her over.

"Ooh! Hold on, Edward, I'll be right back."

Ten minutes later, we met up by the buffet table. We were in the Swan's backyard, and while everyone enjoyed themselves in all the ways people tend to do at parties, I could've spent the entire afternoon just catching up with Bella. Unfortunately, her time was in high demand.

"I can't believe you've graduated high school," I smiled.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Bella quirked a playful brow. "Did you doubt I would? I mean, I know we haven't spoken in a while, but-"

"No," I chuckled, "No, of course, I never doubted it. You've always been so smart, Bella."

"I believe the word you're looking for is precocious, also known as a-"

"Bella? Bella, honey, look who's here! Come say hi!"

"Oh! Hold on!"

Another fifteen minutes later, we met by the pool.

"So, Captain of the Swim Team, huh?" I said. "While taking all honors and AP classes, running school clubs, and apparently having a crapload of friends," I smirked, looking around the packed backyard.

Bella chuckled. "Yeah, I've kept busy, but from what I've heard, so have you, Mr. Future Architect of the great city of Chicago. Your dream come true, huh?"

"I suppose," I shrugged.

"Edward, your parents, and mine, of course, are so proud of you, of both you and Em."

"They're proud of you too, Bella."

"How would you know? You haven't been home in three years."

Smiling, she took a sip from the lone beer bottle the Chief had allowed her in celebration of her day. But there was an edge to her tone. It would appear every time we couldn't quite skirt around the fact that we hadn't seen one another…hadn't even been in touch in three years.

I leaned in closer to her so that she could hear me over the loud music. But honestly, I just wanted to be near her. That scent I'd merely gotten a hint of the last time that she and I had been together in this back yard now permeated the air around her – it was familiar yet new, soothing yet agitating.

"Bella, I was hoping we could-"

"Bella! Bella, baby, come take a look at this!" Jake called.

She looked at him and then offered me an apologetic grin.

"I know," I said. "You'll be back in a few minutes."

"Yeah," she chuckled. "Hold my beer for a bit."

Sighing, I watched her stroll over to Jake, unable to keep myself from checking out just how the perfection of her continued under the cap and gown, which she'd removed when we'd arrived at her backyard. Her hair was loose, but it didn't need any fancy hairstyles or decorations. As she walked, it cascaded in loose waves down her back. She wore a white, floral, sleeveless dress that was fitted to her waist and then widened at her hips, ending mid-thigh and showing off long, strong, and well-shaped legs. She was still lean – Bella had always been on the lean side. Yet, it appeared that years as part of the Forks High Swim team had given her a tight, athletic build.

When she reached Jake, he pulled her into his arms, and whatever he said made her laugh.

I looked away and drank Bella's beer.

"Having a good time?"

The Chief approached with two beer bottles in hand, handing me one.

I held it up in salute and gratitude. "I'm having a better time than I thought I would in some ways. Not so great a time in others."

On the other side of the backyard, Bella threw her head back and laughed heartily at whatever Jake said.

"Mm," the chief hummed. "Ain't it usually that way? The difference between expectations and reality."

"Yeah."

Now Jake laughed and pulled Bella into a bear hug.

"Is he good to her?"

The chief sighed. "Yeah, son. Yeah, he is. Otherwise, I would've hidden his body somewhere already."

We both chuckled.

"At least he's better than her first boyfriend, Sam Uley back in tenth grade. My God, that kid rode a motorcycle, dressed like a James Dean wannabe, and called Renee and me Mom and Pop. When I told Bella that if I ever saw her on the back of his motorcycle, I'd arrest him, she threw a fit. But you know how kids are. Can't tell them who they should or shouldn't be with." He side-eyed me. "Reminded me a bit of you and Emmett's turns with the Denali twins."

"You guys didn't like the Denali twins?" I smiled.

"Hmph," he snorted, and I laughed.

"Those two are still living at home, working odd jobs here and there. But Jake and Bella…the age difference worried me a bit at first, but, he's respectful with her, and he's respectful around us, and sometimes…you wish your kids would see what you do, but you can't see for them."

"Mm. How long have they been dating?"

"Since Christmas. He's pretty crazy about her, but can you blame him? My Bella has always been pretty amazing if I do say so myself. She was a special kid, and now, she's an amazing young woman."

"From the little I've been allowed to see," I snorted, "it sure seems that way."

The chief turned and faced me.

"Maybe you should keep in touch a bit more, son, and then, reality and expectations won't be at such polar opposites."

And with that, he held up his bottle to me and walked away.

A few minutes later, Bella finally returned to me, but with Jake in tow. They approached arm in arm.

"So, Ed, how's Northwestern treating you?"

"It's been good," I said. "And you, Bella? Are you ready for UDub?"

It was probably rude not to reciprocate with a question for Jake, but…I couldn't pretend that I hated the sight of him.

"So ready for it," Bella said. "I think I finally understand why you were so eager to get out of Forks, Edward, to experience new and exciting places. Though, I don't plan to go too far," she smiled. "At least, not for now. Who knows what the future holds?"

"Bella, you'd be successful whether you-"

"See, that's why I remained local," Jake cut in. "No point in getting out there when you know you're just going to return. I'm just fine with being a small-town guy. Did two years at Clallam Community, and now I'm taking a break and working at the coffee shop until I decide which way I want to go. Definitely staying in Forks, though."

"Ahh," I nodded.

Bella laughed. "Jake, that's where you lost Edward's interest. He can't respect anyone with no plans to leave Forks."

"That's not true," I said.

"Edward, you were always dying to leave Forks," she continued, still laughing but with that edge in her tone again. "I think Chicago was just an excuse, something you could claim familiarity with, but either way, you would've left."

There was a challenge in her gaze, an accusation.

"That's right," Jake nodded. "That's what Tanya went around saying after you broke up with her. Said you just dangled her along for over a year when you always knew you were going to leave." He chuckled.

I opened my mouth to tell Jake he needed to mind his business, but Bella beat me to it.

"That's not how it happened."

We both looked at her.

"Yes, Edward was always going to go, but he never hid it. If she didn't see that he was leaving anyway, no matter what she said or did, then she was the idiot." She paused, her chest heaving. "I was young, but even I saw it. I always knew he was going to leave."

For a few seconds, the three of us were silent.

Bella, honey!" My mom called.

"Excuse me," Bella said softly.

For one long moment, Jake and I glared at one another.

"You be good to her," I said.

He snorted. "Is that your version of the big brother talk?"

I shook my head. "No, not exactly. It doesn't change the fact that you better be good to her."

OOOOO

It was about ten minutes later when I realized I'd never given Bella back her lone bottle of beer – or rather my bottle since I drank hers. Scanning the back yard with no success, I went looking for her inside the house.

It was silent as I made my way through the kitchen and then further inward. But then…a series of murmurings reached my ears. It was the sound of two people whispering with one another, giggling…groaning.

"…upstairs."

"…if someone catches us, Bella? Ohhh…your dad…your dad would…"

I spun around and made my way out of the house as quickly and quietly as possible, then I slammed the beer bottle into the recycled garbage bin.

OOOOO

"Are you sure you have to leave already?" Renee asked.

"Yeah," I said. "I'm actually going to try to make an earlier flight tomorrow. I've got a few things I really should take care of before Monday morning."

"I understand," Renee nodded sadly.

Bella emerged from the house a few minutes later, followed a few seconds after that by Jake.

"Edward, are you leaving?" she asked when she saw me taking my leave from everyone.

"Yeah, Bella."

And yeah, part of me was furious with her – hurt and angry that I'd taken the long trip just for her, to attend her graduation, yes, but also so that we could have an overdue talk. And she'd spent half the day allowing Jake to paw at her.

But it was crazy. It was unfair.

Yet, there it was.

The bigger part of me, however, couldn't fathom spending another three years without her in my life, in any way, shape or form.

I took her hands in mine. "Yeah, I am. Look, I know you're busy, and I understand. It's your big day. You've got a full life and a bunch of friends who crave your attention, and a boyfriend who rightly worships you. And after how I treated you before I left Forks…"

"Edward-"

"Bella Marie…" In my periphery, I saw Jake a few feet away, watching and waiting. "Let me get this out before we're interrupted by Mr. Impatient over there."

She chuckled.

"Bella Marie, I was an asshole to you. The reasons are too many and too complicated to get into right now-"

"Bella!"

"Coming! Edward, that was so long ago."

"But it still counts. It still affects us."

"Bella!"

"Coming! Edward, we were just stupid kids, and kids outgrow one another; I do understand that now."

"No, Bella. That's not-"

"Bella!"

"She's coming!" I yelled at Jake. "Bella, we weren't just stupid kids. I mean, we were stupid sometimes, yes, but…" When I chuckled nervously, she grinned.

"You were a stupid kid – believing in zombies," she snickered. "I was the precocious one."

"Yeah," I snorted. "I was the stupid kid who believed in zombies. You were the precocious one who went down in Clallam County history for single-handedly stopping a Little League World Series game at age four."

"I was way ahead of my time," she said.

"You were."

We gazed at one another, smiling.

"Bella Marie…can we…can we begin again - a new stage of friendship? As equals this time?"

For one long moment, she looked up at me through those dark eyes that sparkled in the fading twilight. Then, she quirked a brow.

"Only if you have ice cream with me before you leave."

And that…was when I knew…

A/N: Thoughts?

** For those of you who didn't read the top A/N: Stage 8 is officially the last stage of this story, but as one chapter, it's just way too long. So, it's being split into two parts. ;)

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