Chapter 11 Graduation Day

Rated M

Stephenie Meyer is the lucky owner of Twilight.

The rest of the semester finished quite quickly. One of the pack was with Bella at all times. Bella was surprised that she got along with most of the young men and for the most part they let her do her thing while they tagged along. They were able to sit with her in her largest classes where no one would notice, but no one could sit in her smaller classes as those professors knew students by name. On those days, they'd hang outside the door nearest to where she sat.

On the day of her graduation, Charlie was seated in the arena with Jacob and Billy. The three of them cheered loudly when Bella crossed the stage. After the ceremony, Bella was gathered with her friends, hugging them and wishing them well. They were all moving into the next stage of their lives. She was glad she got to know them and made such great friends.

Bella was not going to let any thoughts of the Cullens flood her thoughts today. She came to college to get away from those memories and live the life she had dreamed of during her honeymoon-human and a college graduate.

Jacob practically ran to Bella worried she would get lost in the crowd. He hugged her tightly and grinned widely.

"We're so proud of you, Bella!" Charlie smiled, standing aside waiting for Jacob to let go. He saw how close the two had gotten since Jacob arrived and moved into their office. Jacob stepped back and Bella reached over to hug Charlie as tight as she could. She was ecstatic he was here for this. They looked toward Jacob so he could take some pictures to email to Renee. While she and Bella kept in contact by phone and email, Renee couldn't get time off work to make it out to California. Pictures would have to do.

That night, Jacob and Bella were going out with Bella's friends to celebrate and say good-bye. They knew Bella was moving back to Washington to live with Jacob and were saddened she would be leaving. They had promised they would stop in and check on Charlie every now and then since he decided to stay. Things with Ms. Rivera and Charlie were more serious than he had let on before.

Jacob was sitting on the couch, knee bouncing speedily as he waited impatiently for Bella to get ready. She was usually a simple, low maintenance kind of girl and he couldn't figure out what was taking her so long. He walked upstairs to her room to check on her. He found her sitting on the edge of her bed, dressed, staring out the bedroom window.

He cleared his throat lightly as he walked around the bed to look at her face. She didn't give any acknowledgement to him and he glanced down to see the blanket in her fingers.

"Bella?" he asked her softly.

"Oh, hey. Sorry, I guess I just got lost in my thoughts. I was thinking how different my life would have been right now if Edward had not done what he did. I'd be a mom with a preschooler running around. I'm feeling a little sad tonight is all. I'm ready to go, let me put this away," she answered his question, and held the soft blanket to her cheek before tucking it away safely. All of her things were packed. She was leaving her furniture here though. She wouldn't need it at the Black's house.

Bella turned back to Jacob, smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. He stayed seated on her bed and held her. He was saddened by the way things happened for her, but he also felt guilty for the joy he felt that she was not a vampire.

Edward and Carlisle had not handled the situation well at all. They led her to believe everything was fine. She had been excited about the birth of their child and it had not been discussed with her the likelihood of her child not being human or human-like. He didn't know what the baby would have been like, but he knew without a doubt they screwed her up royally with their shitty surprise.

"Let's get going. I don't want to be late," she let go of Jacob, and headed downstairs. He followed her down the stairs, fully appreciating the way her hips swayed and the fancy sparkles she had on the pockets of her jeans. It certainly caught his eye. Now he had to let all the other men around her know that she was not available.

"We're finally heading out, Charlie," Jacob joked as he came down the stairs. He smiled sheepishly at Bella, as she glared toward him.

"Whatever! I am not high maintenance, Jake!" Bella laughed as she grabbed her purse and headed toward Charlie to give him a hug. "I'll text you to let you know when we're on our way home, Dad." Bella blushed remembering the last time she'd come back sooner than expected. Double yuck.

Bella and Jake rode together in his car, while Seth and Brady followed in Seth's car. They drove to the restaurant where they were going to eat before heading to the club where they were meeting the others.

Jacob reached over to hold Bella's hand. "How does it feel to have a degree in Creative Writing? You've done it. You've accomplished your goal," he said not removing his eyes from the road.

"It feels awesome, Jacob. I worked so hard. I mean, some of my classes, I didn't really love. Overall, though, I am so glad I did it. It was worth it. Of course, I do have some regrets about my life. You know that," she said, fidgeting in her seat and twisting her hands together. Bella kept her eyes down on her lap and didn't say anything for a while. "Jake? Can we please not talk about that anymore tonight?" she asked softly.

"Of course, honey. I'm sorry to bring it up. I don't want you to be down tonight on your graduation," he whispered, as he turned slightly to glance at her.

They pulled into the restaurant. The guys had all been dying to eat there. It was one of those Brazilian steakhouses where they walked around with huge skewers of meat. It was pretty expensive but this was the perfect special occasion. Jacob was drooling as soon as they pulled up.

As they walked into the restaurant, the hostess immediately greeted them. Jacob returned her smile and said, "We have a reservation for 4 for Black."

"Right this way, please," she smiled shamelessly at Jacob.

Bella wrapped her hand in Jacob's, and beamed widely at the blonde bombshell. She was beautiful but she looked like a plastic doll with her botoxed face and huge fake boobs.

Jacob enjoyed Bella's handholding so he squeezed her gently, assuring her everything was okay and that the hostess was not his type at all. They ate their dinner without any further excitement. After the last round of meat, Bella sat chuckling at the guys that surrounded her.

Seth rubbed his stomach, as he said, "I seriously cannot eat anymore. That was so good. It was worth the money. Though, Bella, I'm thinking you got ripped off. What'd you eat a bowl of salad and 3 bites of meat?"

They all laughed. "Just because I didn't stuff my face like you, Seth, doesn't mean I starved myself. I'm amazed there's any meat left in this place. The three of you easily ate an entire cow," Bella cracked. They laughed even harder. Really, they could only agree. It was obscene the amount of food that was just consumed.

After paying the bill, they headed to the car to meet at Seville. It was a major scene in Riverside and "the happening place to be." Bella would never choose a place like this, but her friends insisted that for graduation they go somewhere "epic." The Bar was perfect for their regular weekend get-togethers, but very low key.

Seth and Brady met them near the door. They'd had VIP reservations so they met Kathryn and Matt at the table that had been reserved. Other people they knew milled around drinking and talking.

"What do you want to drink, Bella?" Jacob asked her as the waiter was walking over to them.

"Oh, I'm not sure," she debated, looking over at Kathryn to see what she had.

"I have a dirty martini," she laughed, knowing Bella would never choose such a serious drink.

"I think I'll just have glass of white wine," Bella said, figuring this would be the easiest answer.

"Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or Riesling?" the waiter asked.

"I don't know. Something sweet, and a bottle of water too," Bella answered, embarrassed that she was unsure in such a setting.

Jacob wrapped his arm around her and talked with her friends. He really enjoyed talking sports with Matt and comparing stats. Brady and Seth joined in the conversation with the other guys, while Bella and Kathryn talked quietly at the other side of the table.

"So, Bella…when are you going to admit Jake is your boyfriend? Hmmm…" Kathryn teased with a huge smile on her face.

"Shut up. Seriously, Kathryn," Bella answered turning bright red.

Of course, she and Jake had gotten closer in the last two months. They'd practically spent every waking moment together. Though, the others had been there for her as well. After all that happened, Bella didn't think that she would ever be ready for another relationship.

Yet, lately she had caught herself thinking more and more of Jake and what their friendship really was. He had not pushed her at all since his arrival. Only a few times had he kissed her, but mostly it was hand holding, hugs, nothing much more intimate than before.

Jacob certainly heard the conversation being whispered next to him. He also knew that Bella was not going to answer her honestly with him right there. He pulled her more tightly into his side. Lovingly, he rubbed his cheek on her head as he continued the conversation with the guys about baseball.

Eventually, the effects of alcohol started to alter the mood at the table. Since Jacob and Seth were driving, they limited themselves to soda and water. Bella was laughing loudly and snorted, which was followed by raucous laughter around the table.

"Nice, Bella!" Kathryn laughed, holding her stomach as she continued to crack up. They had moved on to drinking shots and were well on their way to drunk.

"Hey, Bells. Want to dance?" Jacob asked giving her a sexy smile she could not refuse.

"It's your broken foot, Jake!" she laughed as she stood from the table. He grabbed her hand and led her to the dance floor.

"Good thing I heal fast, huh?" he said, as he put his hands on her hips and started moving to the beat. Bella started to sway with him and was amazed that she didn't look like a total dumbass. Nothing like liquid courage to get this girl moving.

Jacob grabbed her hands and pulled them up to his neck, bending his knees some so she could reach. He moved his hands from her hips down onto the top of her ass, his fingers slightly digging into the top of her pockets.

He ran his hands up her sides, just barely touching her, continuing up her arms until his hands met hers on the back of his neck. Squeezing her hands lightly, Jake continued his path of exploration. His left hand reached behind her head and his fingers wrapped in her hair, while his right hand traveled around her back. They danced together sensually. Bella's heart raced loudly to Jacob's ears. He kissed her tenderly on the forehead and they stared into each other's eyes.

When Bella didn't look away, Jake glanced down at her lips and back to her eyes. They were sparkling with happiness and shone with love. He leaned in and kissed her fully. Bella opened her mouth and welcomed his warm tongue. She kissed him deeply, enjoying losing herself with him. Bella knew deep down that Jake would never hurt her the way she had been hurt. He would always treat her with respect and care. It made her love him even more. She let her hands fall from his shoulders, down his chest to his stomach. Her fingers bunched into his shirt, clinging to him, never wanting to let him go.

Finally, they had to stop to catch their breath. Jacob kept moving her body against his relishing the way that her body felt against his.

"Jake," Bella began hesitantly, "I…I."

"You what, honey?" he asked, rubbing his hands up her sides, his fingers splayed to touch as much of her as possible.

"I love you," she finally said. She looked up at him confidently and he knew that she did love him as much as he loved her. He would do anything to protect her for the rest of his life. He would do whatever he could to keep her in his life. This was a moment he never wanted to end.

Their friends joined them after they broke from the heavy make out session and everyone had an awesome time dancing to the music. Brady was an impressive dancer. Bella had no idea that he had those kinds of moves, but wasn't surprised with his strength and agility. Kathryn joined him and they put Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey to shame with their dirty dancing moves. People around them stopped to watch and that made them get even dirtier.

Matt and Brady made a Bella sandwich, dancing with her between them as they all gyrated to the bass. Bella laughed as she moved with more grace than usual, but nothing at all like Kathryn.

Jacob stood back laughing, watching them all have a good time. He was glad they got to celebrate this night together. He saw Bella start to stumble, so he walked back out to her.

"Bella, are you ready to get out of here?" Jacob asked her, pulling her close to him as he kissed by her ear.

He could hear her hurt stutter a bit, so he did it again and lingered there for a moment. He continued to kiss down her face, under her chin to her neck. He placed open mouth kisses there, sucking gently, before he moved on. Bella leaned her head back, panting as he continued to the other side and back in front of her other ear. He sucked her ear lobe lightly before asking her again if she was ready to go.

"Um. Yeah, let's go. Good idea, let's go," she said breathlessly.

Jacob alerted the guys so they could head out together. They had kept her safe here so far and they had no plans of fucking that up on the last night here. Bella reached for Kathryn and they hugged, promising to call each other soon. Then Matt leaned down and hugged Bella.

He whispered into her ear that she better have a really great night with Jake and that he would talk to her soon. Then he reached out to shake each of the guys' hands, and wished them a safe drive back to Washington.

As Jake opened the door for Bella to get in the car, she turned and looked at him. "Jake, I had a really great time tonight. Thanks for being here for me," she said, as she reached up on tip toes. She still couldn't reach him, so he helped her out. He leaned down to kiss her and wrapped his hand around her thigh pulling it up. She opened her mouth to deepen the kiss. Jacob pressed her against the car and let her know just how much he loved her kiss. They stayed there for a few minutes by the car kissing obscenely. Jacob barely heard a throat clearing near Seth's car.

"Let's get going, honey," he said, pretty breathless himself.