ESMEPOV

"When I was little I wanted to be a photographer like my father. Most parents have aspirations that their child will be a doctor, lawyer, Wallstreet Tycoon," she paused causing chuckles in the audience. "All my parents wished for me was to be happy and follow my dreams as I would believe most of the parents here would agree. My passion for photography increased as I grew older and as of this fall, I look forward to beginning the stepping-stones of turning my passion into a career at New York University. Chloe Price is taking a year to write her first novel. Marcus Mallory is joining the naval academy. We are only a few in the class of 2023 that are joining the land of the grown-ups. My father once told me a quote from Winston Churchill, 'Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts'. I've used this with every academic obstacle I needed to overcome and now I will take it through life with me. We all have different definitions of success: personal fulfillment, loving relationships, prestigious careers. But whatever your future accomplishments bring, I wish you the greatest of success. Good luck class of 2023."

I looked over to my proud son who was whispering into Bella's ear, Harper was sitting on his lap staring adoringly at her big sister. Anthony switched places with Masen because Stella wouldn't leave him alone and Emmett was yelling and holding up his sign he made for today.

Everyone who loved Mackenzie was here to watch her take a step towards adulthood. I knew Carlisle was even watching from above. Losing him last year was the hardest experience I had to undergo in my life, but the boys made sure I was never alone.

Getting lost in my thoughts, I didn't hear Charlie who was sitting next to me. "Our girl finally did it," he smiled. "Carlisle is just as proud as we are."

"He is," I knew I was giving him a watery smile.

"Nana?" Harper asked, her green eyes sparkling at me.

She was literally Bella's clone much like both of her brothers. All three of them shared the same green eyes, but both of the boys had Edward's uncontrollable bronze hair along with Mackenzie.

Every year we would pull out pictures of Bella at Harper's age and the resemblance was astounding. That also caused Edward to baby her most. At nine-years-old, she was the quietest of all four children her personality mirroring Edward's at that age.

"Yes sweet pea?"

"Why is everyone crying?" she asked biting her lip nervously.

"It's a happy day," I smiled pushing her long brown hair behind her ear.

"Tony doesn't look very happy," she whispered.

I peeked around her to see what she was talking about.

"Mom, she is bothering me," he huffed in annoyance as his hair fell in his eyes.

"Tone, she has a crush," Bella said softly glancing over to Stella. The young girl was practically drooling though I wasn't sure if he caused it or her braces did.

"That's fine, but can she keep it to herself she's bordering on harassment," he sighed. "Alice makes it worse too."

Edward snorted and held Harper closer.

"Are you finding this funny?" Bella hissed at him.

"You should have put a stop to this thirteen years ago," he nodded knowingly.

"Stella, Anthony hates you, can you please stop leaning on me," Masen said bluntly shoving her.

Masen was incredibly sarcastic and no matter how many times one of us would talk to him about it he would, shrug and leave. The only person he respected was his mother and he would genuinely listen to her every word, considering the advice she would give him.

"Mase," she warned raising an eyebrow.

"Sorry ma," he smiled sheepishly.

Jasper moved Stella's lanky frame into his seat next to Alice who was frowning. He noticed me and winked. He was happy that Anthony showed no interest in her. He told me once that he told Stella, Anthony was too pretty and boys like that grew up to be fat and ugly.

Anthony was a very good-looking kid; lucky he didn't really suffer through puberty. It sort of hit him overnight. Unlike Edward, he never let it go to his head, he was truly a wonderful young man. Bella would tease Edward that Anthony will join the priesthood.

"Go Mack-mini!" Emmett bellowed as we all looked towards the stage watching Mackenzie receive her diploma. Rose tugged on his arm and Aiden rolled his eyes. Apparently, Em was the only one focused on the ceremony.

Edward stuck his tongue out at Mackenzie and she repeated his actions, causing Bella to smack him.

He turned and smiled at me remembering my rules on that. "Love ya mom," he chuckled kissing my cheek.

"You and your brother," I sighed shaking my head.

"I now give you Fork's High School's class of 2023."

Bella was grinning at that. She wanted the kids back here and out of Volturi Academy, so when Charlie was forced to retire due to injury while on duty three years ago, Bella pleaded to move back to Forks so they could help him and Sue out. Jasper and Alice had been living her for six years and that was another one of her reasons for wanting to move. Emmett's crew and I were the only ones in Seattle.

Once we were all out in the school's parking lot, Mackenzie ran towards us and straight to Edward as he picked her up off the ground.

"Daddy," she squealed and her long bronze hair flew in the wind.

"Kenzers, we're so proud of you," he smiled brilliantly, he set her down and she went to Bella.

Even though he and Mackenzie fought as much as they did, she worshipped the ground he walked on.

I remembered him telling me the struggle he had with her when she turned sixteen and began driving.

Flashback EPOV

"Damnit Mackenzie I said ease on the gas," I breathed waiting for my heart to pick up again. My child was going to kill her brother and me.

"Well Daddy, if you wouldn't give commentary on every single move I make I wouldn't be nervous and shot gun out of here," she snipped.

"Dad to be fair mom said I have to be a witness to all of this," Anthony warned from the back seat.

"Big T, shhh."

"I can't fucking do this," Kenz yelled, turning off the car, and jumpin out.

"Her and that mouth," I mumbled, scrambling out of the car to go after her.

We were parked in the middle of Newton's Outfitters and the lot was fairly empty. Kenzie was turning around the bend her bronze curl whipping around from the fall air.

Charlie was leaning against his pick-up with fishing poles in his hand. "What she send you to spy too?"

"Now why would Bells do that when she knows you have St. Tony with you?" He grinned waving at Anthony.

Anthony rolled his window down. "Hi Pap," he smiled brightly.

"Hey Tony, having fun?"

"Tons," my traitor son chuckled.

"She's not going to get that far, I'll pick her up and take her home," he offered.

"She's probably already at Dylan's," I sighed knowing she was obsessed with her new boyfriend and nine times out of ten ended up there.

"I'm not going to lie, but I am blessed that Bells was an angel growing up."

I frowned, knowing Bella was a virgin and pure at that age. I wasn't sure if Mackenzie knew that I knew about the birth control Bella had her put on, but I was thankful for that. Anthony told me recently that one of his friend's brothers told him that Kenz was wild.

Anthony was embarrassed and would not speak with her. His personality made it hard to be the new kid and she wasn't helping the situation.

She was very popular and had Alice's lines before her seasons even hit the runway. She was also a model for her campaigns since she was fourteen. Mackenzie's argument was that she needed a job. Bella was dead set against letting her do it, saying she already had my ego.

"I'm clearly being punished."

I was right that she went to her boyfriends. When Tony and I got home, Bella was in the living room helping the twins with their family tree project. Harper ran into my arms squealing.

"Care to explain why our daughter slammed through here ten minutes ago calling you Satan?" she asked her brown eyes flashed in amusement.

Bella looked as if she hadn't aged at all. She could easily pass for someone in their twenties. When we would go out, she was still carded, even at Emmett's bars. He did it to piss me off saying it made me look like a dirty old man. My line of thought was cut off by Bella Jr.

"Daddy, Kenzie says she hated you," Harper whispered with wide eyes. At least one of my girls loves me.

"You love me?" I asked Harper.

She nodded kissing my cheek.

"Chloe's up there with her now, so I suggest letting her cool off," Bella said in her mom no nonsense voice.

"Fine."

She never did come down so we could talk about it instead Jazz was at our door the next morning with the Vanquish saying Mackenzie called him asking for driving help.

"What-the fuck-ever," I grumbled going back to my coffee and paper.

It wasn't the last of our battles.

CharliePOV

We all sat around the table celebrating Mack's accomplishment, I watched Bells for most of the day trying to compose herself. Edward was keeping her together whispering in her ear resulting in a watery giggle. If someone had told me thirty years ago in Forks Elementary Nurse's office that my daughter would have married the youngest Cullen boy I would have laughed and said 'suuure'.

But here I was sitting in Port Angeles at Bella Italia with nineteen people who were willing to tell me jokes on you Chief. Masen nudged my arm smiling at me. His personality was the closest to Bella's, I think that's why she was never frustrated with him like the rest of us. He was being honest.

"What you up to, kid?"

"You looked like you were thinking too hard Pap," he shrugged returning to his plate.

Since Carlisle's death, the kids were freaked out Esme or me would be next, mostly me. I told them I was still young and had too much fight left. Bella would roll her eyes, and Edward would smile sadly. He and Emmett were still taking it hard, but that led them to be there even more for their mother.

Mack was sitting next to Masen and ruffled his hair. "Leave Pap alone, he's wise hence with the thinking," she giggled.

"You're a funny one Mack," I said dryly, causing Sue and the kids to chuckle.

"Dad if they're messing with you, you can sit with me," Bells called down from her end of the table. Edward was trying to pull her on to his lap and she was struggling.

They still had no respect for public places. "No I think I'm fine here," I mumbled.

After their move back to Forks we saw the kids almost everyday. Jamie would call or visit, but we didn't see him as much as I would have liked. He was busy being a bounty hunter even though it wasn't my ideal career choice for him I kept my mouth shut because he seemed happy.

Bells though would come to the house and help Sue with dinner. She would bring Harper and Masen with her when Edward would be stuck at his Gallery in Seattle. She was worried my bum leg would hold me back, but I proved to her that I wasn't an invalid yet.

I loved her being back home. I was able to see her be a mom and a very good one at that. Her patience was far better than Edward's. He was the disciplinarian where she was their equal and would rule things more diplomatically. They respected and loved their father, but you could see the adoration sparkling in their eyes for her.

She saved them from any situation and made sure they would make it through even if it were something ridiculous. Tony's run in with Stella last month was a perfect example of that.

Flashback BPOV

Edward wasn't due back home until later tonight so I decided to order the kids and me a pizza. Chloe and Kenz went to London to visit Bree, mostly to sight see before graduation because I knew Chloe's mom could care less that they were in the house.

I sorted through the mail noticing the publishing house liked my fourth book and were picking it up. The house was unusually quiet with both of the boys being home, Harper I expected it from but Tony and Mase were quite vocal. I felt old with Tony being thirteen and the twins being almost ten. Edward was having a crisis with Kenz going to college in the fall, but that hadn't hit me yet..

"Hi, mom," Harper brushed past me opening the fridge.

"Where are the boys?"

"Masen is being a zombie with his computer and I think Anthony is doing homework?"

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing really, just reading," she shrugged.

Sometimes I felt I was looking at life size picture of myself when I was nine. Her green eyes gave her away. A few of her teachers at the school grew up with me and couldn't believe it.

She was unbelievably spoiled by Edward. I shouldn't talk because Masen was just as spoiled by me. They were the babies and knew how to work it. Mackenzie even fussed over Harper because she had finally gotten her sister. Harper loved it because Kenz would take her shopping all the time and buy her things.

Then I heard Tony's angry shouting from upstairs, he was never yelling and that worried me. He was my Zen kid.

"Leave me alone," his voice sounded lethal.

"But…" I heard and knew it was Stella.

"I can't believe you!" he seethed.

Stella came tripping out of his room with her stuff in her arms. She was crying and clearly upset.

"I'm going to go," she said softly looking at her feet as she shuffled down the stairs.

My heart was hurting for her. At first, I thought her crush was Alice persuaded, but these days I wasn't so sure. Tony was charismatic and kind to everyone he met, what girl wouldn't love that?

I walked into his room and he was laying in the middle his bed with his arm over his eyes. His legs hanging over the edge, recently he had grown much taller than me but not quite as tall as Edward, but I knew he would eventually be the same height if not taller.

With Tony starting school early and skipping a grade last year, he was at the high school with Kenz. She would whine about how the freshman and sophomores would drool over Anthony Cullen. As usual, Kenzie wanted to be the Queen of the Universe, and saw her little brother as competition. Edward tried to explain it to her as a monarchy. Saying she was the heir to the throne and Tony was the spare. I smacked him and told her to go bother Chloe.

"Hey," I said kicking his foot.

He lifted his arm and his green eyes watched me closely. "She told on me?" he mumbled.

"No, I heard the yelling," I said sitting next to him.

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

"Care to tell me why you were so angry Tone?"

"Mom," he sighed and sat up his bronze hair sticking up everywhere. "She kissed me."

"She kissed you," I giggled earning a glare. "Sorry."

"I mean she really kissed me," he grunted running his hand through his hair.

"She was crying," I told him.

"I know and I am very sorry about that, but I didn't want her to be my first kiss," he groaned.

"Who did you want then?" I asked already knowing the question.

Tony would go to Seattle with Edward as long as it wasn't a school night. Some of his weekends were spent with Esme. There was one person I knew he wanted to see and Edward told me said persons mother would drop her off at the Gallery.

"Emma," he whispered.

"Why haven't you then?" I asked curiously.

"I don't want her dad to murder me, he looks at me like Uncle Jazz does," he finished seriously.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Your dad was my first kiss, and Pap didn't kill him," I replied, but he still looked unsure. "Pap was the Chief of Police Tone, and Daddy was three-years-older than me. Don't you think that is a much scarier situation?"

He nodded and took a breath I hoped that helped him out. He was a bummer when he was sad; I kissed the top of his head and left.

Later that night I felt Edward slip under the sheets with me. "Hmmm," I murmured as his hand skimmed under my ribs.

"I missed you," he whispered kissing my lips softly.

"You missed the theatrics this afternoon."

"But Mackenzie's in London," he teased.

"It was Tony."

"Tony," he said slowly, stopping his movements.

"Stella kissed him," I explained turning in his arms.

He still took my breath away. His hair was still the same bronze, his facial hair was the only thing turning gray. The apple green eyes I remembered first seeing had a few creases around them, but that only proved how much he smiled. I loved seeing him smile; it was much better than the days after his final trip to Africa.

"I bet Alice is ecstatic," he groaned much like Tony did earlier.

"Probably not, Stella left crying, I'm surprised I didn't get a phone call."

"He was pissed?"

"He wanted Emma Cheney to be his first kiss."

"I should have guessed, they hold hands and he walks into things when she's around."

"No he doesn't," I giggled.

"Oh, but he does, he walked into one of the columns in the studio last week I thought he broke his nose."

"You didn't say anything," I frowned.

"He was embarrassed and I felt for him."

"You should talk to him, help a bit," I suggested snuggling closer to him.

"I thought you said you didn't want him to be a manwhore?"

"You can help your son without teaching him to be a manwhore," I said frankly.

"Fine, as you wish wifey," Edward grinned, kissing me senseless.

BPOV

We both stumbled across the field making our way to the playground; Edward's hand kept sneaking up the edge of my shirt.

Esme took the kids back to the house after dinner once Edward told her where he wanted to take me.

Between all the wine we all consumed, well mainly the husband and myself, Em, Jazz, and Alice we were all sloshed. Kenzie's graduation was a major accomplishment and Edward and I couldn't believe that we had a high school graduate.

I tripped almost completely wiping out; Edward grabbed me pulling me to him. "Hmmm, love we don't want to celebrate at the hospital."

"We should have gone home or gotten a room somewhere, I want you naked," I giggled, as he placed a searing kiss on my lips.

"I can have you naked here," he replied sitting on the swing.

"Uh-Hun, no nakedness here, it's like sacred…or something," I slurred.

"Why?"

"Because we met here," I choked on a giggle.

He slowly smiled, standing to sit me in the swing next to him. He stepped back, the wheels turning in his brain as he sat back in the swing he was originally on. "You think we'll be best friends forever?" he asked staring straight ahead smirking.

"Forever and ever and ever…" I grinned kissing his cheek.

Fork's Elementary 1990 BPOV

Edward's daddy took off my cast, but my arm was all itchy. Emmy and Jazz were on the jungle gym again. It wasn't fair I wanted to climb too. I puffed my cheeks out looking at my Batman shirt.

Batman never ever gets hurt and he can climb lots. Daddy said no more climbing and I had to promise him. I never mess up my promises.

"Hi," Edward smiled his pretty smile at me and I liked it lots.

"Hi Eddie-ward," I giggled at the name I gave him.

Emmy called him Eddie and he always got sooo mad, I made it better calling him Eddie-ward and he would smile big.

"You got your cast off."

"Yup, I want to climb but I pinky-promised Daddy I wouldn't."

"We can swing," he said taking my hand and it made me feel happy.

He sat me down in the swing, and then he sat next to me, looking at Em and Jazz. "You think we'll be best friends forever?"

"Forever and ever and ever…" I squealed kissing his cheek.

The End…

A/N: That's all she wrote! Major, major thanks to Dolphin62958 for all of her help she's a great beta! Leave me your thoughts and I'll write a massive author's note trying to address your question if you have any!! Thanks again for reading my little fic and check out Falling In Love At A Coffee Shop!