June 1997
Keene State College
Change the World—Eric Clapton
"Isabella Swan." The crowd claps as usual, but from my left, I hear whistles, cheers, and overly enthusiastic extra-loud claps.
My cheeks burn from embarrassment at the same time as my chest swells with pride. I did it. Today I graduate with a BA in English. I minored in Education, intending to get a job as a teacher while Edward finishes med school, but I tripped into writing a children's book with a friend who's an art major, and one book has turned into books.
A series of them.
They're decently popular.
I'm not rich by any means, but I'm able to make my car payment and buy groceries for Edward and me. Carlisle is still being very generous. The Trans Am just got a fresh motor rebuild, and our tiny starter apartment has shifted into a more centrally located two-bedroom now that Edward is officially in med school. Going into his third year, he'll be doing more hands-on work at various facilities in the region.
I catch my guy's smile as I work my way back to my seat, and I blow him a quick kiss before sitting back down. It takes roughly ten more minutes to get through everyone else, and after a few final words from the dean, Change the World blares from the speakers as we toss our caps in the air.
I'm officially done with college.
With one foot already taken toward my career.
"Bella." I can hear Renee from a mile away. Her flight was pushed back to the point where she nearly missed the ceremony, so I had no time to catch up beforehand. She runs at me, arms extended. "Oh, sweetie. I've missed you so much."
I pull her into a tight hug since we haven't seen each other since Christmas. The one holiday where we've made it back to Forks every year without fail. "I've missed you, too."
"All right, step aside, old woman," Alice says, joking to my mother as she waddles into view. She's six months pregnant with twins, so she's noticeably showing. She graduated a year early with her BA in early childhood education because she attended U-Dub year-round.
She's already landed a prime first-grade teaching spot at Forks Elementary School and has just completed her first year. Jasper is the outright manager at Jiffy Lube, and they have a house right up the street from our parents.
"Look at you," I say, pulling her in for a long hug. "I remember a girl who declared no kids were gonna mess up her coochie."
"Bella," Mom says, aghast.
Alice laughs as she pulls away. "Things change, though I wasn't expecting two."
Edward appears at my side, slipping his arm around my back and leaning down to whisper in my ear. "I'm so proud of you, B."
I give him a wink as Alice says, "Rose sends her best, and Emmett promised they'd make it out here for Edward's graduation."
Rose and Emmett are in the middle of a move from the apartment over the drug store and into their own little cookie-cutter three-bedroom in the only other gated community in Forks. No kids yet, but Rose always wanted to be married first, and their wedding is in August.
"Tell them we'll be at their nuptials with bells on," I say, getting butterflies in my stomach at the thought of marriage.
Edward proposed to me on Valentine's earlier this year, but we've kept it quiet. I don't have my ring on today. We haven't made any decisions on where we intend to settle for his residency, so where we're going to get married is step two in our big future decision-making process.
We love New Hampshire.
We've built a life here.
"Is everybody ready for dinner?" Mom asks, looking around at our small group of five. "My treat."
"I can't let you do that," Jasper says to my mom. "This meal is on me."
Renee huffs a breath. "Always trying to steal my thunder," she teases, pulling an envelope from her purse. "I was going to wait, but there's no time like the present. Now that the house is paid off and you've graduated, your father would want you to have this. I've kept a small emergency fund, but the rest belongs to you, Bella."
I try to refuse, shaking my head the entire time she's speaking, but she takes my hand and shoves it into my grasp. "This is his wish," she says, tears brimming. "So take it and use it toward the wonderful life you and Edward are planning."
"Mom." My voice cracks, and Edward moves from my side to give her a hug while I peek into the envelope.
Inside is a check for twenty-five thousand dollars.
Their hug opens to include me, and I feel Alice's belly press against my side as she and Jasper join. I'd give anything to have Charlie with me today, but since he can't be, these guys are definitely the next best thing.
Family is everything.
And mine all live in Forks.
It's something to consider as Edward and I map our course.
As we walk to the parking lot, Edward slows to walk beside me. "You know that one thing we haven't mentioned to anyone since we didn't know where it might be?"
"Yeah…" I hold my breath.
"No matter where we decide to live," he says, his voice almost a whisper so nosy Alice won't overhear. "That should happen in Forks."
I smile up at him like a fool. "It should."
He gives me his signature grin. "Sooner rather than later."
I lift a brow. "Next summer?"
"Christmas?" he counters.
"Yes," I whisper.
And we announce it at dinner.
Awww
Cuties
See ya tmr :)
