I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
Cheryl, Noles, and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.
CH 25
"Congratulations class of 2016," Principal Greene announced.
I picked up Bella, swung her around, then kissed her as everyone around us celebrated graduation. Mrs. Cope cleared her throat loudly. Bella broke the kiss and laughed as I turned bright red.
"Sorry," I apologized to Mrs. Cope.
"I expected that behavior from Mr. McCarty, not you, Mr. Masen." She shook her head and turned away.
"What an old fuddy-duddy." Bella stuck her tongue out at her back then kissed my cheek.
The music started to play, and Bella and I led the procession out, since we were Valedictorian and Salutatorian. We were only partway up before I noticed the mischievous smirk on Bella's face. Before I could ask what she was up to, she jumped onto my back.
"Keep going." She laughed when I paused in my steps.
When we reached the area we were supposed to wait for the parents for pictures, she hopped off. I glanced behind us and noticed we hadn't been the only ones to break protocol. Emmett had rushed ahead in the line to pick up Rosalie and carry her bridal style. Three other guys were leapfrogging back up the aisle.
"You started anarchy," I accused her.
Bella tilted her head back as she laughed. "What are they going to do, have my dad arrest me for having a bit of harmless fun? They have to arrest you too for kissing me like that in front of everyone."
"As long as we get to share a cell," I joked.
"I didn't realize you were into that type of kink." Bella's eyes sparkled.
"Bella! Yoo-hoo. Bella!" Bella's mother called. I could see the top of her head in the crowd as she was jumping up and down. "I see her. Charlie, they're over there."
I could see Chief behind her, looking uncomfortable to be seen with her. Jasper was behind him with his lips pressed together as he tried not to laugh.
"Your mother is…"
"Embarrassing?" Bella suggested.
"I was going to say exuberant. I don't see how your parents were ever together," I said.
"We said before opposites can attract. But also, that may be why they didn't last. Maybe you'll get sick of my wild ways too." Bella shrugged.
"Never. You'd have to get sick of me first." I shook my head.
"Well, I don't see that happening any time soon." Bella raised up on her toes to kiss me.
Before she could, a flash of light interrupted.
"Say, cheese," Renée said.
"Mom, you don't need the flash." Bella blinked.
"I don't know how to turn it off." Renée looked at her camera.
"Here." Jasper leaned forward and hit a button.
"Thank you." She beamed and raised the camera again. "You two are so sweet together."
"I think they created a scene." My mother approached, shaking her head.
"Pish posh, they were only having fun. This is Forks after all, not some snotty private school. At least Bella isn't pregnant with a baby like I was at mine." Bella's mom waved her hand with a flourish.
My mother looked scandalized. My father stepped forward to smooth the situation.
"You must be Renée." He held out his hand for her to shake. "I'm Edward's father, Edward Senior and my wife, Elizabeth. Also, our daughter, Mary Alice."
"Mom, do you still want to take that picture?" Bella spoke up.
The next few minutes consisted of different photo arrangements. Between Bella's family and mine. Then Emmett came over, saying how his grandma wanted a picture of the two of us. Finally, after several long minutes, we headed into the hallways to hand in our rental gowns as our parents made their way to the club. I was surprised the other day when my father invited Bella's family along. It was going to be an interesting dinner with her mother and mine.
ACE
Later that evening, we were on First Beach celebrating with most of our class as well as other kids from La Push. I was having fun, but it was also surreal since I'd never been to a real high school party. I was always too busy studying. Bella seemed right at home as she was talking to Tia, who was the girl who often helped her with her Henna.
"Is Bella jumping?" Emmett asked, taking a seat beside me then sipping his beer.
"We both are," I told him.
"Really?" His eyes widened. "I'm surprised. I didn't think you'd do it."
"Bella talked me into it." But really this was the one I owed her for letting me fuck her boobs. I didn't expect her to choose something like this. "I also didn't like the idea of her getting help from him." I jutted my chin in the direction of Jake.
According to Bella, a group of Quileutes would wait in the water in boats, ready to assist any of the jumpers.
Emmett glanced at him thoughtfully. "Do they have a history?"
"Bella said it was a one-time thing and it was nothing to worry about. But with the way he keeps looking at her, I think it isn't the same for him," I answered.
"I would actually like to see him try something. If what you say is true, Bella would probably rip him a new one if he did." Emmett snickered.
"True." I agreed with a nod. I caught Bella's eye and she winked at me.
"So, I have a big favor to ask you," Emmett said.
"What's up?" I turned my attention back to him.
"I was hoping you'd stand up for me as my best man before you leave for college. Rosie and I are getting married," Emmett announced.
"Really? Is Rose…" I glanced around and I spotted her by the picnic tables with a beer in hand.
"Naw. We want to wait for kids until after we get a garage up and running. But we want to live together, and my grandmother would be upset if we lived in sin. Besides, we know we're it for each other so why wait," Emmett stated.
"I'll be happy to," I answered him.
"Happy to do what?" Bella joined us by sitting on my lap.
"He said yes to my wedding," Emmett answered her.
"Oh. I'm sorry for interrupting. I'll leave you two alone to celebrate." Bella started to get up, but I held her down.
"What? No! I'm getting married to the hot blonde over there." Emmett looked alarmed.
"Mike?" Bella's eyes glinted and she had a Cheshire grin.
"No. Rosalie!" Emmett yelled so loudly nearly everyone turned to look at us.
Bella cracked up laughing so hard she fell into me.
"You think Mike is hot?" I scowled.
"Fuck no. I was messing with Emmett's head." Bella could barely speak, she was laughing so hard.
"What is going on here? Why are you bellowing my name like a neanderthal?" Rosalie demanded.
Emmett shot Bella a dirty look. "She made me do it."
"What are you, five?" Bella managed to get ahold of herself.
"Congratulations on the wedding by the way," I told Rose and then turned to Bella. "Do you want to be my date?"
"I'm already in the wedding. But don't worry I heard it's tradition for a bridesmaid and groomsman to hook up." Bella nuzzled my cheek.
"Wait so you already knew." Emmett huffed.
"As I said, I was messing with your head. You make it too easy." Bella smirked.
"Speaking with messing with people. Why wasn't Tanya at graduation?" Rosalie asked.
I shrugged. "I have no idea. I've barely seen her since prom."
"Rumor has it at the club that she went to New York for an early start at Columbia." Bella shrugged.
"Where did you hear that? She had nowhere near the grades to get to a school like Columbia," I questioned.
"The staff are huge gossips. They know the dirt on most guests. But maybe her dad bought her way in." Bella shrugged.
"Or maybe it was just another one of her lies. Did you know that her date at prom was her cousin? My mother saw the pictures and recognized him. I wish I knew then; I so wouldn't let her live it down," Rose looked put out.
"I'm just glad she's gone," I said.
"I second that," Bella agreed.
A little while later, Em and Rose went to talk to other people while leaving Bella and I alone. I watched how my friends seemed so happy as they made their announcement to others. I couldn't help but wonder if that would be us one day.
"Do you want to get married?" I asked casually.
"I hope that wasn't a real proposal, Ace. Because you get a zero in creativity," Bella joked.
"What if I shout from the cliff as we dive?" I asked.
"Well, that would definitely be more creative." Bella smiled and played with my hair. "But I'm going to be honest with you. I don't want to get married this summer or any time soon."
"But someday?" I hoped.
"If we're still happy and in love in a few years as we are now. However, I want to take things as it goes with no time schedule. I don't want us getting married as an item on a to-do list. If that makes sense," she said carefully.
"It makes sense," I agreed, but was a little disappointed.
"Don't look so sad, Ace. I'm not saying no. Just the time isn't now. I'm not going anywhere, I'll prove it."
Bella straddled my lap so her back was to everyone else. She lifted her shirt and pulled down the waistband of her shorts. She moved a bandage, and I blinked as I looked at her new ink on her hip.
It was the ace of hearts.
And it was in permanent ink.
I looked at her, and she gave me a soft smile.
"That's permanent," I stated the obvious.
"Pretty much. It would be hard to get rid of it. Just like me." She leaned in to kiss me.
A/N: The story is just about over. I know some would probably like more of a scene with Renée and Elizabeth, sadly it wasn't coming at the time I wrote this. If one does come I'll write an outtake.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.