Well, I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter! It took a lot of work to write lol. I think this is a chapter most of you have been wondering about, but I'm not going to give ANYTHING way right now because I want you to experience this chapter fully. I hope you like it!

"Nessie, are you ok?" My grandmother knocked lightly on my bedroom door. I sat at my vanity starring at myself in the mirror. I sniffed and wiped the tears away before going to open the door.

"I'm fine." I lied. She immediately knew I wasn't fine. She always knew when I was upset. Not that my red face and watery eyes didn't already give me away.

"Honey, they tried. Derek just needs more time. You know how much they wanted to be here for your grad--" I held up a hand to stop her from saying it.

"I know, I know." I mumbled. I didn't want to hear the word graduation. Not when my own parents weren't going to be there. I didn't even want to tell anyone that I was valedictorian. My speech was suddenly heavy in the back pocket of my jeans.

"I hope that's not what you're wearing, Ness." Aunt Alice slipped passed my grandma and placed her hands on my shoulders, backing me up to my closet. I had a ton of clothes at my grandparents house, but nothing was of interest today. I was content in graduating in my faded jeans and my mothers white sweatshirt that I had on. But having an aunt like Alice it wasn't possible. She immediately went to work on picking out an outfit.

My grandma hugged me tightly before walking out of the room. As soon as she was downstairs I sat on my bed and watched my aunt.

"Aunt Alice?"

"Yes?"

"I'm valedictorian." I whispered. She dropped the arm full of clothes at her feet and darted over to my bed, taking me into her arms and spinning us around the room.

"That's amazing, sweetie! I'm so proud of you! Why didn't you tell anyone?"

I shrugged. "Because it's not important. I've known for a while, but with mom and dad away I didn't see the point in telling anyone."

"Not even Jacob?"

I shook my head. "Not even Jacob." I repeated. I smiled when her jaw hung open. She snapped it shut and shrugged.

"Well, I can't wait to hear your speech."

"I think I'm going to pass on that one." I sighed, looking down at my hands and plopping back down on my bed.

Aunt Alice followed me, taking my face in her hands. "Renesmee Cullen, do not give up that opportunity. None of us has ever went for valedictorian because we've been through high school more than once, but you, you did this all on your own. Your parents would be proud of you." Her smile lit up her eyes and I couldn't help but smile back.

"Yeah," I chuckled. "Dad would have jumped around the room with excitement." I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"Yes, he probably would have. I wish you told them."

"What's the difference?" I shrugged. "It's not like they would hear the speech anyway."

"Chin up, girl. Put this on and meet us downstairs. Alyssa is already here." Aunt Alice stepped back and looked at me, her face showed nothing but disgust. Did I really look that bad? "On second thought, let me do your hair, makeup, and get you dressed." Before I could protest she was stripping me down and slipping my white and black flowered sundress over my head.

"She's finally ready!" My grandpa Swan smiled warmly as soon as I walked down the stairs. "So beautiful." He gushed and hugged me.

"Thanks grandpa." I whispered, afraid I would lose it if I spoke normally. The tears were under control. For now.

"You ready?" Jacob asked and held out my cap and gown for me to put on. Everyone watched me as I let Jacob slip the gown over my arms.

"Perfect," Jacob smiled as he let his eyes wonder from my cap all the way down to my shoes. "You look amazing."

"I need one more thing." I whispered, choking on the words. I opened the closet by the front door and reached into a small box I hid in the back. I pulled out my gold stole that had Valedictorian written down the left side. My family all smiled when I turned around with it draped over my shoulders.

"Why didn't you say something?" Grandpa Cullen crossed the room and hugged me.

I could only shrug. If I opened my mouth and explained that it meant nothing without my parents, I would not be able to keep the tears hidden in my eyes.

"Well, we should get going." He said, reading the pain in my eyes.

I clutched at my phone in my hand. They haven't even called me yet today. I just wanted to crawl into bed and not wake up until tomorrow.

When we got to the school, Alyssa and I had to separate from the rest of our family. We went to meet up with the rest of our classmates. Both of us hugged our friends once more before we had to line up. I forced smiled and was happy my friends mistaken the tears in my eyes as tears for their goodbye.

Principal Hudson called us all to line up, so Alyssa and I hurried to meet up with the rest of the 'C's.

I walked in line to the music as cheers from the parents and families erupted. I kept my eyes on Alyssa in front of me. I didn't want to look for my family because I would be looking for who I really wanted there.

"Ness, look!" Alyssa gasped. "There they are!" She shrieked.

"That's nice. Wave to them for me." I mumbled. I was glad she was at least happy to have her parents here. I watched Alyssa wave excitedly at our family, and her parents.

I was called up for my speech and more cheers erupted from my family. I stood behind the podium and looked out at all the families for the first time.

My breath hitched, echoing through the gymnasium from the microphone in front of me. My eyes locked with my mother as she stood at my fathers side. Both of them grinning widely, clapping and cheering for me.

Where's Derek? I can't believe you're here! Thank you so much! I told them both silently. My mom reached down and took Derek's hand. He stood up and waved widely at me. I noticed Uncle Jasper at his other side, but Derek looked calm enough.

I couldn't take my eyes off of my parents as I cleared my throat to start my speech. "Principal Hudson, faculty members, fellow students, family and friends, welcome. Many of us thought this day would never come. We crossed days off our calendars, counted hours, minutes, and seconds, and now that it's here, I'm sorry it is. Because," I peeled my eyes away from my mom to look at Derek. "It means having to leave friends who inspire me and teachers who have been my mentor-- people who have shaped my life and my fellow students lives impermeably and forever. As we grow our parents and teachers shape us to become something extraordinary, but what they're really doing is guiding us to become who we are. I can speak for all of us in this room, when I say; there has been a moment in our lives when we think our parents know nothing about us. That they have no idea what they're talking about when it came to what was the right choice." I paused, listening to the muffled chuckled spread through the room. "I know, for myself, I would not be who I am today without Isabella and Edward Cullen. They are the most kind, gentle, and loving guardians I could ever wish for. Edward, my most trusted security blanket, always there to place a protective hand and guide me in the right direction. But my ultimate inspiration comes from the woman who I received my life's breath and blood, Isabella Cullen. She has always given me the idea that I could do whatever I wanted, or be whomever I wanted to be. She's filled my life with love, devotion, fun, and books. As she guided me through these past seventeen years," Twelve I put the correct number in my family's head. My mom laughed once, smiling widely and nodded. I knew she'd be crying just like me if she could. I could see it all over her face. I took a deep breath before continuing. "I don't know if she even realized the person I most wanted to be was her. Bella, Mom, you are my guiding light for everything. I would be lost without you." I knew hearing me put the word mom in her head at the same time I spoke her name to the others meant a lot to her. She placed her left arm across her stomach at the same time laying her right hand over her heart. She looked directly at me and mouthed 'I love you.' to me. I let her know I loved her too before finishing up my speech. "As we prepare ourselves today to leave, let's take one more look at the mentors standing behind me. These faces will forever be in our minds as the people who helped shape our future. But as you walk out of this gymnasium--diploma in hand--look at the people most proud of who you've become. I am sad to see all of you leave, but happy to see us all go off on our own life's journey. May yours be as bright and extraordinary as I know mine will be. Good luck to each and every one of you." My classmates and family were the first to jump to their feet as they clapped, cheered, and my dad put his fingers to his mouth whistling, followed by my Uncle Emmett, Derek, and Jacob. I wiped the rest of my tears away before shaking the principal's hand and moving to sit back down next to Alyssa.

"I told you they were here!" She hissed, patting my knee, then throwing her arms around my neck.

"I thought you meant that you found your parents and the rest of our family."

"No!" She laughed. "That was a really pretty speech, did you just make that up?"

I shook my head. "No, that's been my speech. Whether or not my parents were here, the deserved to be a part of it. I'm just glad they were actually here to listen to it." I turned in my seat to see both my parents still watching me with smiled glued to their faces. I don't think I have ever seen them so excited. The only other time I have ever seen them smile so much was the second they found out I could stay with them forever. The day the volturi decided to spare us our lives and so I began my journey with my parents.

I blew them a kiss before standing with the rest of the C's to receive my diploma.

"Tracy Amanda Corday, Alyssa Grace Cullen," I watched her gleam with excitement as she crossed the stage as our family cheered for her. She switched her tassel and waved at her parents before walking off. "Renesmee Carlie Cullen." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The welcoming cheers sent a chill through my body. I smiled at myself when I could easily pick out my parents voices over all the others. And it wasn't even because they were yelling louder than the rest.

I refused to look at them because I didn't want to burst into tears and trip over my own two feet. I took my diploma and shook Principal Hudson's hand.

"Good luck with everything you do." He patted my arm.

"Thank you, sir." I smiled and was finally ready to look at my family. I faced them and reached up to grasp my tassel just as I met my parents gaze. I switched it and then blew them a kiss before hurrying off the stage.

I waited impatiently for the rest of the students, suddenly hating the fact that my last name started with a letter that was at the beginning of the alphabet. I was called to the stage once more to pronounce the class. I did and threw my cap into the air and was followed by the rest of my classmates. I picked up my cap off the ground and pushed through the crowd that formed as the parents looked to reclaim their children. I clutched Alyssa's hand to drag her along with me.

A small opening cleared, giving me a clean line to my father. He had no trouble finding me in the crowd.

"Daddy!" I yelled, new tears streaming down my face. Everyone around me was too distracted to hear me call out for him, if anything they would have thought it was Alyssa.

I let go of her hand and ran into my fathers arms, his body didn't jolt as I collided into him.

"My baby's all grown up." He chuckled, kissing the top of my head.

"Give me my daughter!" My mom said excitedly.

I spun around and wrapped my arms around her waist. "I didn't think you were going to be here! How did you make it in time?"

"Ness, we've known we were coming for a few weeks now, but what we didn't know is that you were valedictorian. Thank you for that speech. It was very beautifully delivered."

"I meant every word, but what about Derek?"

"He's been doing great, Jasper has only had to calm him a few times."

"What's the matter little sister? Thought so badly of me?" Derek's voice came from behind me. I grinned and turned to face him, leaning into my mom. I wanted to make sure she was still here.

"Little sister?" I questioned.

"Yeah, you are certainly not older than me. And your certainly not bigger than me." He flexed his muscles That were bulging out of his arms. Standing next to Jacob, I think Derek would be bigger.

"I don't think so, your age started the day you woke up. You're nothing but a newborn." I teased.

"Ok, kiddo, just remember, I'm stronger than you, now. I could kick you butt, not the other way around. I'm like super strength vamp. It's very cool. You should see me beat up a tree."

My dad rolled his eyes and placed his hand on Derek's shoulder. "Yes, I'm sure Renesmee wants to hear all about the poor trees, but maybe later."

"I am glad you're ok. You have no idea how worried I was." I pulled away from my mom to hug Derek. He hugged me back and I quickly found myself gasping for air.

"Derek, son, your strength." My dad reminded him.

"Oh, right." He put me down and laughed as he patted the top of my head. "Sorry, little weakling."

I rolled my eyes. "You're liking this super strength way too much."

"So, I can if I want."

I laughed at him and Jacob stepped behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I turned in his arms to face him. "Did you know my parents were coming?" I asked him.

"Possibly." He shrugged.

"That's ok, I'll forgive you. It was a nice surprise."

"I'm glad." Jacob said softly and his lips found mine.

"Ok, let's go." My mom squeezed herself between Jacob and I. Both my parents claimed me, but I didn't mind. They both wrapped an arm around my waist as we walked towards the cars. They would take turns pulling me completely against them, whispering how proud they are of me, and kiss my temples. I could not be more happy than I am right now. Today started off terribly, but ended up so perfectly.