Erin walked across the stage, trying to ignore all the eyes on her as she accepted her diploma, shaking the college President's hand. She smiled out at the crowd as people cheered. Her eyes traveled momentarily up into the stands where there was a small crowd with a sign that read 'CONGRATS ERIN BLACK!'

The graduation ceremony lasted about two hours and Erin felt horrible for her family and friends up in the stands, as they had a couple kids with them. But finally the ceremony drew to a close and Erin hurried out to the front door where they all agreed to meet afterwards.

It was easy to find them once Erin walked out the front doors. A few of the guys were a good head taller than everyone else in the crowd. Not to mention the 9 year old boy sitting on someone's shoulders.

"There she is!" Nick shouted, pointing at Erin over the crowd. When she squeezed between a couple people, her group came into sight.

Nick was sitting on Embry's shoulders, 7 year old Levi was on Sam's shoulders, Jared had his arm around Kim's waist, Paul's arm was around Rachel, Quil was holding the sign he'd been holding up earlier, and finally Jake was there holding their now-three-year-old daughter Aspen Sarah Black.

Several people shouted Erin's name as she rushed toward them. Quil hugged her first with one arm, then she was passed around a little bit, and Nick stole her graduation cap off her head, before she finally reached her husband.

Jake wrapped his free arm around her, holding her close. Erin wrapped both her arms around him briefly before lifting one hand to brush Aspen's black hair out of her face. The little girl blinked sleepily up at her mom through blue-gray eyes that she got from Erin.

"Mommy." she mumbled sleepily, wrapping her arms around Erin's neck. Jake easily passed her over to Erin to hold. When the little girl was in her mother's arms, Jake wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.

"Congratulations, babe. I'm so proud of you." he whispered into her hair.

"Thanks." Erin grinned around at everyone.

"Well, let's get out of here and get ahead of the traffic. The sooner we get going, the sooner we get to Emily's cooking." Embry suggested, lifting Nick off his shoulders.

The plan was to make the three hour drive back to La Push to Sam and Emily's house for dinner, but tomorrow evening they were having a big bonfire to celebrate Erin getting her Doctorate in Psychology, spending ten years in college that she was thrilled to be done with.

With there being a few younger pack kids, some people hadn't been able to come to the ceremony. Emily had stayed at home with her and Sam's 3 year old daughter Clarissa, as well as Lila Cameron, Paul and Rachel's 18 month old son Will, and a heavily pregnant Maya who didn't feel up to a long car ride and sitting in uncomfortable bleachers. Leah and Grayson had stayed at home with their six month old son Wesley. Fifteen year old Claire was at home with her parents on the Makah rez. Finally, Seth was still at college, as were Collin and Brady, who'd both imprinted at school.

Jake, Erin, Nick, and Aspen loaded into Jake's Explorer, Sam, Embry, Quil, and Levi all got in Sam's car, and Paul, Rachel, Kim, and Jared got in Paul's jeep. Within an hour of the drive, Erin looked in the back seat to see both Nick and Aspen asleep.

"They're asleep." Erin whispered, turning the music down a little bit on the radio.

"I know. I could hear their breathing slow down." Jake said with a smile.

"I'm surprised they're so tired. I would've thought they fell asleep during the ceremony."

"Nah. Kim kept 'em entertained with coloring books and stuff." Jake said with a smile.

They were quiet for a few moments, Erin simply relaxing and letting the fact sink in: She was officially done with school.

"So."

Erin looked over at her husband, who didn't continue after saying that one word.

"So?" she urged curiously.

"You remember that thing we talked about?" Jake asked with an almost-eager smile. "The one about kids?"

Erin fought a smile. "You mean the one about trying for another one when I graduated college?"

"Yeah, that one." Jake admitted with a hopeful grin. "I mean, you're done with school. And the shop's doing great, and you've got a steady job at the rez school. Please?"

Erin looked out the window, fighting a smile as she pretended to think. "Hmm,…I don't know…"

She waited about 15 seconds, feeling Jake practically tremble with impatience, before she put him out of his misery.

"Okay."

"'Okay'?! Really?" Jake demanded excitedly.

Erin laughed. "Yes. When do you want to start trying?"

"Well, I was thinking as soon as we put the kids to bed." Jake admitted, smirking suggestively over at her.

Erin smiled, shaking her head in amusement before looking over at him.

"It's a date."

XXX

Sorry it's so short, but we're nearing the end, folks! I swear this time. Only a couple more 'chapters' to go. Let me know what you thought of this part! : )