Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, I merely play in the sandbox. I do however, lay claim to my original characters: Ella, Adrian, Christine, Eldre, etc. and the small inclusion of the fey world.

AN: Quite a story chapter by comparison, but hopefully still good ~Hannah

Chapter Eighty-Nine – University Graduation

It was, I suppose thrilling and chilling that I would be graduating in a few weeks. To me, it didn't seem like I had been in university long enough to already be graduating. I felt like I had more to learn, more to do and more to see. I suppose that was just my reluctance to change talking. University seemed slightly insignificant to me now that I had a certain ring on my finger. Don't get me wrong, I loved my time and University and I will always be grateful for the things I had learned here and the pieces I had created.

I could rewind and watch the moment Edward proposed to me a thousand times in my head and it never got old. It was, single-handedly, one of the best experiences of my life and one treasured memory I would hold onto for years to come. Of course, I had always wondered when Edward would propose, I knew with the mate bond that we would be together for all of time, but I had wanted to experience a wedding with Edward and my family. I had never brought it up because I didn't want Edward to feel pressured into something that he didn't want, nor did I want to prematurely get engaged at a time when neither of us were ready.

I was more than a little shocked to hear the words from Edward's mouth and had gotten quite emotional when he finally asked the question. There was no doubt in my mind that my life with Edward would be filled with new adventures and a love so powerful that nothing could tear it down. I meant it too, how many times in the last five years had something evil tried to take me down? Separate me from Edward? I knew in the very deepest part of my soul that the love Edward and I shared was some of the purest, most intense love there was, and I knew that no amount of time would let that love wain.

I had never thought of myself as a wedding woman, but I had uncovered a lot of firsts since I moved to Fork's and met the Cullen's that I didn't think I would experience. Neither Edward or I had decided on a date yet, and I doubted we would anytime soon. For us, just the acceptance of being engaged to one another was enough for now. There were plenty of things to do and see before we settled down, for after a marriage, life would dwindle till I was turned.

Back to the present, and I was still having difficulty coming to terms with the fact that University was ending. I hadn't made any lasting friendships, but I had discovered a lot about myself and my talents in music and art. Both Edward and I had had a lot of offers from well reputed people in the music industry. We had turned all the offers down, which painted us as crazy lunatics by the rest of the campus. They didn't understand why we would turn down a career in music, while neither Edward or I wanted fame and knew that a career in the limelight would be difficult for a vampire.

We had talked about selling music under an acronym, still being an anonymous figure in the limelight of the music industry but hadn't made any concrete plans on the matter. As far as being anonymous in the art world, that was easier to achieve with artists such as Banksy paving the way.

We had both gone to University to learn and to better the talents we already had. Becoming famous wasn't something either of us wanted. We made music together for the joy of it and the passion we felt when we created something new. It was the same feeling I got when I painted something. We were oddities within the eyes of people we studied in, to turn down a career which would garner us a celebrity status. Yet, in all that had happened to us over the years, a quiet life filled with family was the only life we wanted. It didn't matter than no one outside of that family understood why we wanted a life such as this, for we controlled where our lives headed and catered for only ourselves.

The life we would look forward to beyond University would be a live that Edward and I forged for ourselves, with our goals at the heart of it and our love for each other acting as the wind that carried us.

[x]

"You're doing it again Ella, come out of your thoughts and give your old man a big smile. It's a big day after all."

"Sorry Dad, I can't help but let my mind wander sometimes."

"It can wander later, for now you have a graduation to get to and you have the biggest group of supporters here for you."

"Yeah, did you have to bring the whole family?!"

"You know none of them would want to miss this. Be thankful that the three Kings aren't here and the only reason they aren't is because Jane is live filming for them."

"Fine."

"Chin up kiddo, I'll see you after the main event."

I couldn't be mad at Dad or any of my extended family, though they were garnering quite a few stares from other families as we waited for the graduation ceremony to start. I think what shocked my fellow students so much was that they'd assumed Edward's charm and Adonis looks were a one-time deal. Seeing my extended family, the Cullen's, part of the Volturi Elite Guard and a couple of the vampires that I'd met through the final battle, stand before them in all their vampire glory, was a little shock.

They were wondering what had bought the group of stunning beauty together but would never arrive at the conclusion that it was me. This was the first time we had all been together at an event since our graduation from Forks high school and I knew that as a group we were a shocking remarkable sight.

The thought of graduating from University had held me in such a state of panic for weeks in the leadup to today, but now as I sat in my seat waiting for my name to be called, all I felt was nerves. I wasn't doing well without having Edward by my side, because his surname was at the beginning of the alphabet and mine at the end, our placements were far apart. It was, I was sure, appealing to the remains of Edward's groupies, to be able to sit close to him without me in the picture.

The funny thing about wanting time to go quickly, was that the more you willed it, the slower it went. Graduating from University wasn't as great as graduating from high school. The ceremony was the same, but I didn't feel the same. When I graduated from high school, it was with a heavy heart that was eager to start exploring and decided to leave the fear behind. Graduating from University didn't feel like the end of an era but the beginnings of a new adventure – one that I wasn't sure where it would take me.

Sighing heavily and counting my breathing was the only way to keep me in line and help calm the nerves as I waited for my turn to cross the stage and receive my diploma. Those of my fellow students that were speaking seemed to be speaking in gobbledegook for all the attention I was giving them. I was already waiting at the next hurdle, ready to start the next adventure and move forward with life.

It was only when something flashed in the audience that my gaze focused once again and homed in on my family. My Dad, staring at me and mouthing at me to 'get out of my head', was a stern reminder that I had been drifting and not listening to what was going on around me. As a result, I'd almost missed Edward's walk across the stage. I clapped the most enthusiastically out of everyone in the auditorium as Edward walked to collect his diploma. It didn't matter to me that he had many at home, for this one was special as it had been achieved by both of us. I knew that Edward had special plans for our diplomas and I wasn't going to deny him the pleasure of putting them in a frame like all the school graduation caps that Esme had framed in Forks.

After Edward, I tried to engage my brain and not drop out of the zone again, no matter how boring it was to wait my turn. There were certain forms of attention that I could stomach, like performing a musical piece, and yet, waiting to cross a stage was a form of attention I could do without. I took to people watching to pass the time as I waited my turn. It was funny to see so many expectant faces gazing up from the audience, like the parents were imagining it was them up on the stage and not their children. Some people's choice of clothing was a bit of an eye sore, but I supposed that if they were happy in what they were wearing, nothing else mattered. Though, someone should have told that woman that neon orange was not a good colour for her…

It was a relief to finally hear that they'd finally gotten to the S's in the alphabet. From there, it wasn't long before my name was being called and I felt a rush of butterflies enter me as my mind held onto one persistent thought – don't fall – but I tried to push both down as I made my way up the stairs and towards the person holding my diploma. I didn't know how anyone could stand having to shake hands with hundreds of sweaty ones and I tried to wipe as much sweat from my hands as humanly possible before I shook hands and accepted my diploma. The screams and whoops coming from the audience were the loudest I'd heard all day, I blushed under the attention and walked quickly from the stage, concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other.

It was with great relief that I realised the hard part was over and I felt the stress release itself from my being. I found Edward in the gaggle that had formed, disorientated and chaotic were we who had received our diplomas and not at all stiff and stressed as the remaining few waiting to cross the stage. The next few minutes were a blur that I struggled to understand for my mind wandered as the excitement overtook me. I just knew when the ceremony ended, and people began moving from the auditorium to the crisp air of outside.

Edward dragged me along with him as he manoeuvred us through the crowds to find our large family. It should be noted that we had the largest family here to support us and as such, we were getting some rather weird looks.

I was, for a better word, glomped by my family and passed around like a present as I received hugs and congratulations from everyone present. It made me feel slightly better that Edward was getting the same treatment, but only slightly as Edward still looked handsome, while I looked like I'd been mauled by a bush.

The sense of relief that had flooded my body washed over me like a tsunami in the wake of knowing that graduation was over. I was, as I felt was normal, saddened that another era of my life was now closing but I didn't feel the fear and the worry that I had felt leading up to this moment. For so long, university had been my golden ticket away from Renee and an experience I was going to milk for all it's worth. The prospect of University had been the light at the end of a dark tunnel. More so now than when I graduated high school, I could sense that I was truly leaving my past behind me and more importantly, letting go of any feelings, negative or otherwise that I had for Renee. She held no control over me, and no space in my heart anymore.

Our University graduation party, was, by comparison, tiny when compared to our high school graduation. Someone was sure to have reigned Alice in in this instance. It was nice, the affair Edward and I found ourselves in once we'd changed from our graduation robes and finally re-joined our family. It was relaxed and welcoming to mingle with my family and catch up on things I might have missed. I was always amazed by the kindness of my family, of the way they cared and the way they tried to help others. I was flawed by the love in this group, we had cut down barriers and cross mountains to be together and as such we were the tightest family on earth.

I couldn't help but think positively when I looked at those around me. I had worked my way around the room and was now back in Edward's arms. The next chapter of my life was about to begin, and I was excited for what the future would bring. When I had such a big family offering support and love, the future didn't seem such a fearful place. I knew I was getting mushy again, but I couldn't help it. In that moment, I was just too happy for words.

The reason behind Edward's behaviour – Yes, Edward can read minds and should be able to see what others are thinking at all times. However, it can be a little chaotic trying to single out a single voice in all the chatter. The snapshot chapters are to show Edward and Ella's relationship and behaviour outside of their family unit. We are not always perfect humans, nor do we always see what is blatantly in front of us. These chapters touch on that briefly. It is why Edward doesn't hear the thoughts of the girls trying to latch onto him. In Edward's mind, Ella is the only one for him, so he is blind sighted to the motivations of others, Edward's ability isn't important here, it's more about learning to function in a relationship and that listening and learning from one another is important. Perhaps Edward did hear what the girls were thinking and just chose to ignore it. Perhaps he didn't think it mattered because he wasn't going to act on it or perhaps he thought he could make friends regardless. Edward is not tied to his gift, he can act around his gift and without his gift, it does not define him.