A/N: Thank you all for your reviews and support! I hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 20: Obstinate, headstrong girl

~1 week later~

Ana sat at the vanity in her room, gazing at herself in the mirror as she fastened her diamond stud earrings into her ears. Even though she rarely wore makeup during the day, this morning her face was done up with pretty eyeshadow and liner to make her blue eyes pop, light blush on her cheeks to complement her skin tone, and pink lipstick on her lips. Her hair was in soft curls around her shoulders, which looked pretty alongside the lace green capsleeve dress and nude heels she was wearing.

Ana finished putting in her earrings, and for a moment just stared at her reflection, her nerves making her heart pound erratically in her chest. She took a deep, steadying breath, centering herself, but her mind, as it so often did nowadays, drifted to Christian.

It was her graduation day today, and while Ana knew she should be focusing on this day she had been working toward for three-and-a-half years, she couldn't help but think about what Leila told her about Christian only a few short days ago. He had actually flown down to Nevada in order to convince Jack to leave so he could bring Leila back home to her family. Not only that, but he had apparently bribed Jack with a penthouse apartment in New York City, and Ana couldn't even imagine how much that must have cost him.

He had apparently done all that for her.

Ana had been warring with herself all week. She really wanted to call up Christian to thank him for what he did, and countless times she had picked up her cell phone to do just that. But she always stopped herself because she remembered that he hadn't wanted her to know in the first place, and he might react badly if he knew that she did know. Also, she had no idea what she would even say to him if she did end up calling him...

Hi Christian! Thank you so much for rescuing my little sister from the predatory asshole I used to have a crush on and also for giving him your multi-million dollar apartment which I could never reimburse you for. Still wanna be friends?

But still, this was a very big thing Christian did for her, and she didn't want to go on just pretending she didn't know. She ended up being in a state of indecision and worry for days now, and with her upcoming graduation, this whole ordeal could not have happened at a worse time.

There was a knock on her door, pulling her from her thoughts, and Carla poked her head inside. She smiled when she gazed at her daughter. "Oh Ana, you look lovely."

Ana smiled at her in the mirror. "Thanks Mom."

Carla walked into the room and moved right behind Ana, gazing at her daughter's reflection in the mirror as well. "Are you excited for today?"

Ana took a deep breath before nodding with a grimace. "More nervous than anything."

"Oh darling, there's nothing to be nervous about," Carla chastised lovingly, brushing a hand over Ana's hair. "All you're doing is walking across a stage to accept a diploma. It'll be done before you know it."

"I know," Ana smiled. "It's just that I've been waiting so long for this day, it doesn't even feel real."

"Your father and I are so proud of you, sweetheart," Carla said, moving her hands down to squeeze her shoulders. "And I'm especially glad we're all here to celebrate your big day today."

Ana smiled, knowing her mother was referring to Leila. "Me too."

The doorbell suddenly rang downstairs, and Carla turned around, frowning in confusion. "Who on earth could that be?"

"Maybe Grandma and Grandpa came early for the party," Ana said, getting to her feet. Carla shook her head.

"They know it's not until this afternoon," she said. "We haven't even gone to the graduation ceremony yet."

The two of them walked out of Ana's bedroom and made their way downstairs. When they walked into the front foyer, they both saw who had arrived.

Kate had answered the door, and she was frozen in place as Elliot stood on the threshold of their house, looking casual and handsome in distressed blue jeans, tennis shoes, and a dark brown leather jacket. He had his hands shoved into his jeans pockets, and his eyes were fixed on Kate with an unreadable expression.

"Elliot," Ana said in surprise as Carla slipped away into the kitchen. "What a surprise."

"Hey Ana," Elliot looked over at her and smiled slightly. "Sorry for coming by without calling first, but I was in the area."

"No, that's totally fine," Ana smiled. "It's good to see you again."

"You too. Though I think I should probably get out of your hair. I can tell you guys are going somewhere," Elliot said, glancing at Ana's and Kate's nice dresses.

"Yeah, we are actually," Ana said, unable to help chuckling slightly. "It's my college graduation today."

Elliot's eyes widened in shock: "Oh! Oh my God, I… I didn't realize," he stuttered. "I-I mean… congratulations Ana, that's amazing! God, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to intrude on your big day…"

"It's fine Elliot," Ana giggled. "Some friends and family are actually coming over for a small get-together after the ceremony if you'd like to come by then. It'll be around three o'clock, and we're gonna have food and drinks and some music - it'll be a lot of fun."

Kate, who had remained silent throughout the conversation, shifted slightly on her feet, but didn't say anything.

A small smile lit up Elliot's handsome face. "Yeah, I think I will stop by. That is, um…" he hesitated, glancing over at Kate. "If it's alright with you?"

Kate, who had been gazing down at her hands, glanced back up at Elliot. She gave him a small smile as she crossed her arms protectively in front of her. "Of course it's alright."

Elliot nodded, smiling in relief. "Cool. Well I guess I'll see you all later. And by the way, Kate… you look really beautiful today."

Kate, who was wearing an a-line lavender dress, blushed and smiled at him. "Thank you."

The others said goodbye as Elliot left, waving at them before getting into his car. Ana and Kate stood together and watched him as he drove off into the distance, and Ana finally closed the door.

"Why did you have to invite him, Ana?" Kate said, her voice sounding distressed, and Ana looked over at her. "Now the party's going to be really awkward with him here."

"I'm sorry, but I think he just wants to clear the air with you," Ana said reasonably, unable to hold back her knowing smile. "He clearly came here to see you, Kate."

"No he didn't," Kate shook her head, still blushing as she avoided Ana's gaze. "He told us, he just happened to be in town, probably for his job. That's all."

"You seriously believe that?" Leila piped up from behind them, and Kate and Ana turned to look at her. She was wearing a cute navy blue crew neck dress, and was smirking at Kate with her hands on her hips. "I one-hundred percent guarantee he came here to declare his love for you, Kate."

"Oh shut up," Kate frowned as Ana giggled. "Don't we have to leave for the ceremony soon?"

"Yes we do," Carla reappeared from the kitchen with Ray in tow. "It's starting in an hour, and Ana needs to be there early. Plus, we need to find a decent parking space, so let's get going."

The girls all complied, grabbing their things and putting on theirs shoes. Ana made sure to go upstairs to her room and grab her garment bag with her graduation gown and hat before heading out the door with the rest of her family.

The graduation ceremony was long and drawn-out, which was to be expected. Ana and thousands of other WSU graduates were packed inside the stadium and sitting on folding chairs, and behind them were bleachers filled with friends and family. Once everyone was seated, they listened to over an hour of the Dean of Students and the commencement speaker drone on about what the future holds and how the class will undoubtedly go far in their careers. Once they started handing out diplomas, the graduates all began to line up by the stage, and the ceremony continued to drag on for what felt like an eternity. But when they finally read Ana's name and she stepped up onto that stage to accept her diploma, she felt the most amazing sense of relief and accomplishment.

I did it!

She heard her family cheering for her from the back section, and Ana had a big grin on her face as she walked across the stage and back to her seat.

The ceremony ended soon after the diplomas were passed out, and once the Dean ended his speech with a loud "Class dismissed", he was met with a resounding cheer and all the students moving the tassles on their hats to the left side. Some of the more exuberant students took their caps up and threw them up into the air, causing laughter to ripple across the crowd.

Everybody soon filed out of the stadium, and for the next five minutes or so, Ana wandered around searching for her family. Finally, she noticed Kate waving at her from beside Carla, Ray, and Leila, all of them grinning widely.

"Congratulations!" Kate squealed, and she and Leila practically bowled Ana over with a big hug.

"We're so proud of you sweetheart," Carla smiled, now pulling Ana into her arms.

"Thanks Mom," Ana grinned against her shoulder.

"Let's take some pictures," Ray said, holding up his camera.

For the next few minutes, they all posed for pictures together, Ana being sure to hold up her diploma for each one. Once they were finished, the five of them left the stadium and headed to the car, preparing themselves for the party happening at the house.

~A few hours later~

"Just try it, Leila."

Leila eyed the cup of light brownish soda in her hand with suspicion. "What's it taste like?"

"Drink it and find out," Ana said, crossing her arms while biting back a smirk.

"Something tells me it won't taste like ginger ale," Leila pursed her lips, giving the drink a little sniff. "Are you sure ginger beer isn't alcoholic?"

"We're sure," Kate said. "Just try it, you'll see."

Leila took a sip of the ginger beer, and after a moment her eyes practically bugged out of her skull. "Oh my God, it burns!" she cried out, covering her mouth while Kate and Ana laughed. "I hate you guys!"

Ana's graduation party was in full swing, with dozens of people, both family and friends, filling the Steele home. Ray and Carla were out mingling while their three daughters were currently in the dining room by the drinks bar, chatting with each other while trying all the different beverages. So far, Ana thought this party was a lot of fun… everyone seemed to be having a good time, but Ana couldn't help but notice Kate kept glancing toward the door as if waiting for a certain someone to arrive.

"I'm sure Elliot will come," Ana said to Kate, who turned to look at her. "He said he would."

"I know he said that," Kate muttered, looking away and blushing slightly. "But this wouldn't be the first time he just took off without warning. I'm trying not to get my hopes up."

Ana didn't say anything as she simply wrapped an arm around Kate's shoulders, giving her a reassuring squeeze.

The three sisters chatted with each other for about fifteen minutes as more people arrived, most of them approaching Ana to congratulate her on her graduation. Finally, a familiar face stepped through the front door, and Leila nudged Kate.

"Look Kate, he's here."

Sure enough, Elliot had arrived, still wearing the same outfit from earlier and with an envelope in hand. He gazed around the crowd of people, a rather nervous expression on his face.

"I think he's looking for you, Kate," Ana said, smirking at her sister, and Kate blushed once again. Elliot spotted the three girls before smiling and walking over to them.

"Hi Kate," he said, a little breathlessly. He was gazing at her like she was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen, and Kate went red before glancing down at her feet.

"Hi," she said quietly, glancing back up at him and smiling politely. "Glad you could make it."

"Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world," he said, still staring at her. After a moment, he cleared his throat and looked away toward Ana. "Er… I mean, Ana's graduation party I wouldn't miss. Congratulations Ana."

"Thanks Elliot," Ana said, her smile of amusement evident.

"Um… I got you this," he said, handing over the envelope he was holding. "It's not much, but it's the best I could do on short notice."

"You didn't have to do that, Elliot," Ana smiled, accepting the envelope. She almost wanted to laugh at how cute and flustered he was being. Kate would be an idiot not to take him back.

"It's no problem," he brushed off, reaching a hand up to scratch the back of his head.

"So, um… how's Christian?" Ana asked after a moment. She was trying to make conversation, but she was also curious as to how Christian was doing since he came back from Nevada with Leila.

"He's good," Elliot nodded. "He's in Chicago right now for some plastic molding company acquisition, so he probably won't be back for a few days. He told me to tell you congratulations on your graduation."

Ana stared at Elliot. "Oh," she said quietly, and she felt the color rise in her cheeks. "Um… tell him thanks."

While she was disappointed Christian was all the way in Chicago, she was touched and confused that he had gone through the trouble of telling Elliot to pass on his congratulations to her. Why didn't he call or text at least? Was it because he didn't want anything to do with her anymore? But if he didn't, why did he want Elliot to pass on a message from him…?

"Hey, so, Ana and I are just going to put this envelope on the gifts table," Leila suddenly said, grasping her sister's wrist. "C'mon Ana."

Before Ana could do anything, Leila had dragged her away across the dining room around a small crowd of people toward the family room, where the gift table sat. Once they were by the gift table, they could easily watch Kate and Elliot interact from a safe distance.

"Smooth, Leila," Ana said, putting the envelope on the table with the other gifts. "Do you think they suspect anything?"

"Oh shut up. Elliot obviously wanted to be alone with Kate," Leila said, crossing her arms as she watched the two of them. "I'll bet you ten bucks they kiss."

Ana watched Kate and Elliot too, and while she couldn't hear them from this distance, they were clearly having a serious conversation. Elliot had taken a step closer to Kate as he spoke to her, and Kate stared back at him, sadness and vulnerability shining through her eyes. She then said something, shaking her head before glancing down at her hands.

"D'you think she'll take him back?" Leila asked quietly, still watching the two of them.

"I hope so. Elliot's a good guy who just made a mistake," Ana said, also watching them. "And Kate's a forgiving person."

Elliot then said something else to Kate before taking another step forward. A moment later, he cupped her face in his hand and leaned in for a gentle kiss; Kate closed her eyes as she kissed him back, reaching forward to lightly grasp the lapels of his jacket.

"Oh my God," Leila gasped, exchanging an excited glance with Ana.

Kate and Elliot slowly pulled away from each other after a few seconds, their foreheads touching while Kate's fingers still played with his jacket. Elliot's hands went to Kate's waist, pulling her close, and the two lovebirds smiled at each other.

Ana's heart skipped a beat as she watched the two of them, a happy grin unable to help spreading across her face.

"Aww, they are so adorable together," Leila said happily, clasping her hands together. "I really hope they make it."

"Me too," Ana said sincerely. After a moment, however, her smile faded.

She realized in that moment that she wanted to talk to Christian. She wanted to see him and speak to him in person and thank him sincerely for what he did for Leila, despite the fact that he didn't want her to know about it. It was risky, and she had no idea what she was doing or how he was going to react, but she had to at least try.

For what she felt could potentially happen between her and Christian - what she wanted to happen between her and Christian - was definitely worth the risk.

Ana's cell phone suddenly began to buzz in her cardigan pocket, and she pulled it out to check the screen. She didn't recognize the number, but she answered it anyway.

"Hello?"

She listened to the person on the other end speak for a few moments before a huge smile broke out across her face.

A/N: Yay, so Kate and Elliot are back!

If you enjoyed this chapter, please review! Next chapter, Ana makes some real life decisions.