Author's Note: Graduation Day! What was your graduation like? I don't know, because I'm still a freshman. Isn't that sad? But then again, those four years will pass by quickly. Like the wind, it'll pass… And I suppose I'll go through difficulties in life, won't I? Like Bella will. Very soon. :) Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.


Chapter 24

I was nervous. And the constant flutters my baby gave now and then weren't helping either.

I shrugged into my graduation gown and pulled on my cap. I straightened it slightly, then fixed my stylish hairstyle that Alice had done for me.

She'd insisted on curling it, and I'd relented, knowing that it was a losing battle. She'd even applied makeup on my face, making me look like a clown.

I had my valedictorian speech all memorized and ready to go. It was long. I was almost certain that everyone would be sleeping by the end of it. If only I was good at writing like Edward was. When he had given his speech two years ago, everyone had been alert and paying attention. And it was true that he'd said some great things.

I stood standing there blankly at the long mirror. Thirty minutes. The graduation was starting thirty minutes from now at seven-thirty in Central Park.

I must have been taking too long, because Edward came into our bedroom, looking extremely handsome in his tux.

"What's wrong?" he asked, concerned. "Are you feeling sick?"

I swallowed. "I'm nervous."

His face relaxed into a warm smile. He pulled me in for a hug. "You'll do perfectly fine. I trust you."

I sighed. "I can't believe I'm graduating. It seems like yesterday that I entered high school."

He chuckled and pulled away. He looked at my outfit, then nodded approvingly. "You're very beautiful today, Bella."

I pursed my lips. "Right. My eyes have dark circles underneath them, and I feel like crap. The baby's not helping when it keeps fluttering around either."

He suppressed a smile. "You're very grumpy today," he observed.

"How do you expect me to be when you have to give a speech, especially on your graduation day?"

He laughed. "You'll do fine. Come on, everyone's waiting for you. We can't have the valedictorian be late for her own graduation, can we?"

I smiled as I followed. "It wouldn't be right."


I couldn't believe it. Everyone was listening to me with rapt attention. Everyone. Not one of them was sleeping. It was fascinating to watch.

"…do not believe that our road is coming to an end," I was saying. "Our journey is just beginning. High school was just a baby step. But now that we're graduating, we're ready to embrace the new challenges that are coming our way. And as we endure one obstacle at a time, we hope you watch us. Watch your children become responsible and mature adults. And watch us become successful by achieving our dreams."

I saw several parents crying into their handkerchiefs. I even heard muffled sobbing behind me, where the seniors were all sitting. I didn't get it. Was my speech sad?

"Though you have watched us grow and learn all through our lives," I continued, "we ask you to keep doing so. Watch from afar, and support us. We promise to make you proud. We promise that we won't disappoint you.

"Thank you. Thank you for giving hope and encouragement to us. It was your support that helped us get to this point of our lives. High school was an impossible feat without you standing by our side.

"And thank you, South View, for teaching us, not only the subjects that we were required to learn, but also about life itself. We won't forget you, or your teachers, and we shall remember the wonderful four years of experience that we had here. We now leave you behind to pursue our dreams, but we won't ever forget you. And now, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you…the senior class of 2004."

The seniors all rose simultaneously. The crowd went wild. They gave me a standing ovation, clapping wildly and whistling. Some of them even called out my name.

Immensely relieved, I smiled more naturally and took a deep breath. It was all over, but there was one last thing to do.

The seniors behind me were all waiting for my cue. I took off my graduation cap. And I threw it in the air.

The seniors took off their own caps and imitated me. And they started cheering as well as the caps rained down on us. They were all hugging each other and wishing their friends congratulations. They all looked extremely relieved that it was all over.

"Bella!" Angela cried over the noise, waving at me as she and Ben fought their way through the crowd. "Bella!"

Grinning widely, I jumped off the podium and ran towards them. "Ang!"

Her arms wrapped around me tightly, and I hugged her back. Angela was crying.

"I can't believe it's all over!" she said happily. "We're college students now!"

"Congratulations, Ang," I said warmly. "You did it."

"Congrats yourself," she said, laughing as she wiped her eyes. "You did great. You made me cry. Why'd you write such a great speech?"

I laughed as I gave Ben a high five. "Congrats, Ben."

"Congrats, Bella," he said, now hugging me gently. "Hope we keep in touch."

"Of course."

I fought my way across the crowd with Angela, looking for our other friends. I didn't know how long I'd been gone from my family, but I knew that they were waiting for me somewhere away from the crowd.

I'd said goodbye to everyone and had just gotten out of the mob. I spotted my family, standing away from the huge crowd. I made to go join them, but at the edge of the huge group, I was intercepted, yet again.

"Bella, come over to my house for the graduation party!" Austin Marks said. He'd always been very kind to me, and had never tried to make a move on me, though I knew that he'd always wanted to. He'd always been very courteous, unlike his friend, Mike. I was sorry that I wouldn't be able to see him anymore.

"Thanks, Austin, but I can't," I said politely. "My family is waiting. Thanks for inviting me though."

"Aw, come on, Bella," Austin said, pouting and making me laugh. "We won't ever see each other anymore. I wanted to spend some more time with you, and maybe get a picture. I mean, you're the Bella Cullen! Where else am I going to find someone whose as popular and well-known as you?"

"I'm flattered," I said warmly, patting his arm. "Thanks for being such a great friend to me, Austin. I'll miss you."

"Same, Bella. Hey, do you mind if we take a picture?"

I laughed at his persistence. "Sure, why not?"

And he took out a digital camera. He placed his arm around me as a friendly gesture, and he and I both smiled at the camera. The flash went off, and he let me go.

"Hey, it came out nicely," he said in satisfaction. "That'll be something to show my grandkids. Granddad and Isabella Swan Cullen."

I laughed. "Moving a bit fast, aren't you? We've just graduated."

Austin grinned. "Sure. Gotta think about the future. I really liked your speech by the way. Very inspirational. Congratulations, Bella. Be happy with Edward."

"Thanks, Austin," I said, hugging him. "Congrats yourself. Bye!"

"See ya."

I spotted my family waiting for me about a hundred yards away under a tree.

"Hi!" I said brightly when I was a few feet away from them.

Edward was the first one to reach me. He wrapped his arms around me and murmured, "Congratulations, love. I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks," I said, hugging him back.

"Bella!" Alice cried as she hugged me next. I could tell that she'd been crying. "I'm so proud of you! Congratulations! Oh, I'm going to cry again. My mascara!"

I laughed as she retreated, getting out her mirror to look at her eyes.

"Oh, honey," Renee said, already hysterical. She'd been crying hard. She reached for me, and I found myself crushed in her embrace. "Oh, you were wonderful, dear. Congratulations. I love you, sweetie."

I grinned as I inhaled my mother's special scent that she had. To me, she smelled different. It was sort of maternal, the scent that only a child was able to smell on her mother. "Thanks, Mom. Love you too."

"Come here," Charlie said gruffly. And he squeezed me gently. "Congratulations, Bella. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, Dad."

"Congratulations, darling," Esme said warmly. "I'm so proud of you."

Carlisle nodded. "I loved your speech. Very thoughtful and influential. Congratulations, Bella."

I hugged them both, thanking them for coming. And I finally turned to my brothers.

Emmett grinned widely. "Double high five, sis!" And he held out both hands. I slapped it, then simultaneously, we wrapped our arms around each other.

"Congrats, Bells," he said proudly. "I'm glad to have you as my sister."

"Thanks, Em." I could feel the tears starting to form.

And when I looked at Jasper, I just couldn't help it. I burst into tears as my brother reached for me.

"Hey," Jasper whispered, rubbing my arm gently. "It's okay. It's all over. I'm so proud of you, Bella. So proud."

"I love you, Jazzy," I whispered. "So much."

I guess it was just my hormones. Or maybe the stress and pressure of me being married at seventeen. Though I was happy having Edward as my husband, I sometimes felt self-conscious as I realized that maybe I'd married too early.

Whatever it was, it all just broke down. With Jasper, there was no need to hide anything. He understood.

I couldn't stop the waterworks. It just kept spilling out of my eyes, and soon, I was hyperventilating.

"Easy, Bella," Jasper said, chuckling. "Easy now. Take deep breaths. Good girl."

"You'll ruin all your makeup," Alice chided gently. "Come on, Bella. It's all over."

Edward was watching me with a small, sad smile on his lips. He looked remorseful, and at the same time, he looked tormented. I wondered why.

I was still crying as Jasper escorted me back to the car. And he slid into the back with me, his arms still around me.

"Shh," he murmured soothingly. "It's okay. It's all over."

I finally got a grip on myself as we arrived back at the Cullen mansion.

"We're spending the night here," Renee announced. "We thought you might like us around for your graduation."

I sniffled. "Thanks, Mom."

"Carlisle, you and I've gotta talk business," Charlie said gruffly as he threw an arm around his friend and led him towards the front door.

"Eh?" Carlisle looked confused. "But we already did this morning-"

"Come on," Charlie snapped. They disappeared inside.

"Don't mind him," Renee said, laughing. "Your father's very emotional right now. He's very proud of you, Bella."

I smiled fondly at the thought of my father. "I know."

Esme sighed. "Poor Carlisle. He'll be forced to humor your father for a few minutes."

I watched as Renee and Esme walked inside, chatting in light tones.

Edward was by my side again. He took my hand and pulled me towards the front door. The others followed silently.

"No more tears?" he teased softly.

I smiled. "I don't know why I cried like that. It was just seeing Jasper there… Maybe it's just my hormones or something."

"No, Bella," Edward said quietly. "It was your brother. Even though I'm your husband and I'm here to love you, there are some things that I can't fill in. Some things that only Jasper will be able to do. I understand."

I glanced at him. "You're right," I mused. "I never thought of it that way."

"Well, I feel so special," Jasper said from behind me. He was sarcastic again.

"Oh, stop being such a pessimist," Alice said, laughing. "You know you approve of Bella and Edward; why are you being so sarcastic?"

"You would feel like this too if you just had your sister taken from you by some guy."

"Some guy?" Edward turned around and frowned at him, mockingly indignant. "Some guy?"

Jasper grinned. "Look, man. I'm supposed to give you a hard time. That's what older brothers do to their baby sister's husband."

"I'm not a baby," I said, indignant. "Do you call a married, pregnant woman a baby?"

Jasper looked mildly surprised. "I forgot you're pregnant for a moment. Huh. That's weird. You actually have a baby in you."

I rolled my eyes as we stepped into the brightly lit mansion. "Very mature, Jasper."

"So," Emmett said. He'd been watching the whole exchange rather amusedly. "Why break the tradition? How about we play the old games? Truth or Dare, anyone?"

"That's no fun," Alice disagreed. "We're all together now. There won't be anything to tease about." Then, her eyes lit up and she clapped her hands. "I know! Board games!"

"Board games?" Emmett repeated, shocked. "Who plays board games these days?"

"We'll do it the classic way," Alice said smugly. "Anyone up for a game of monopoly?"


AN: I believe the real action begins next chapter. You excited? You think you can handle it? Or, as my extremely cool and chill Spanish teacher would say… Are you down? ;) Good. 'Cause my writing may knock you over with a feather. Hee. I'm so poetic today. I hope you enjoyed, and you know what I always want, right? Reviews, please!