The Blind Side of Love
Chapter 25
Commencement:
Bella's POV:
"Does this one check all the boxes?" The realtor asked.
Edward and I have been looking for the perfect home, so far none of the ones we've seen have been the one. We're not being picky, but with Edward's disability there were some things the house had to have like open spaces, accessible appliances and bathrooms.
We had a budget and we were trying to stick to it. Edward decided to use his inheritance and part of the money his father had separated for his education to buy our first home. The rest of the money he didnt use for school would be used for our honeymoon, and to sustain us for the first few months of our marriage.
We had both done various job interviews in the area, but since we are going to be recently graduated some of the jobs require experience of at least two years. Edward and I were hoping to be hired at the school we did our practice in. We have filled in all the information and done the interviews there too, but it is a waiting game.
"What do you think Edward?"
"Do you like it?" He asked thoughtfully.
"I love it," I smiled at the realtor.
I watched as he 'looked around' the first floor, he took a deep breath and then exhaled. He was getting the feel of the house.
"I think this is the right home for us, we'll take it," He smiled.
The realtor clapped in excitement and said she would have the contract ready for us to sign in a few days.
"Where to now?"
"We have to meet Alice and Jasper, they wanted to talk to us about something. Alice asked me to bring my wedding planner," I told Edward.
Alice was finally able to fly back to Miami two weeks ago, after she finished with everything related to Project Runway and was given the all clear by the doctors that had performed the surgery. Her clothing line was underway, and she was looking for places to rent to have her store front. She knows New York is the capital of fashion on this side of the world, but she doesn't want to move there permanently, she loves the beach too much.
"Hi guys!" Alice greeted us.
"How did it go?" Jasper asked.
"How did it go with what?" Alice asked, confused.
"We went to see a house," Edward replied to his sister.
"Oh, I didn't know you were looking,"
"Aren't you guys looking for a place?" Edward asked his head pointed at their general direction.
"No, not really," Alice said.
I looked at them confused, "why not, where are you planning to live?"
"Um, Edward, I just got back from New York, we haven't figured out that part yet, that's not why we asked to meet with you," Alice interjected. I noticed a bit of annoyment in her tone. I let it go for now.
"We asked you to meet because we wanted to talk about the wedding,"
I nodded, taking out our wedding planner and binder out of my bag. Alice did the same.
"Do you have a date picked out?" she asked.
"Yes, August 13th," Edward replied.
"We're going to spend 17 days on our honeymoon, we come back on the first of September," He added.
I didn't know where we were going, he didn't want to tell me. He just asked me to have my passport ready and I got it renewed, he had to get his done as he didn't have one. With that in mind I'm thinking we're going somewhere outside the continental US. Thinking about the honeymoon made me blush, Edward and I had done some intimate things, but soon enough we were going to consummate our love.
"And these are your ideas?" Alice commented looking through my book.
She was quiet as she continued to look at our ideas for everything.
"I like it," she said after a few minutes.
"We have similar ideas," she said, opening her massive binder and showing me. I could see we had many things in common. Even the possible locations for their honeymoon were the same.
"Yes, I can see that,"
"So what is it you wanted to talk about?" Edward asked.
We had ordered some drinks and they had just arrived. I gave Edward his frozen lemonade and I took a sip of my Arnold Palmer (tea and lemonade).
"Our weddings," Alice said.
"We're inviting the same people, right?"
"Yes, in theory," I replied.
"That includes our immediate and extended family," Jasper added.
Edward and I nodded, I was just inviting a few extra people from the university, plus Jacob and his girlfriend Vanessa.
"Where are you going with this?" I asked.
"Jasper and I were thinking, what if…" she hesitated and looked at Jasper.
"What if we had a double wedding," Jasper interjected.
"What?" Edward and I exclaimed at the same time.
"We were wondering if we could have a double wedding,"
"You mean get married on the same day?" Edward asked, turning his face towards me.
"Yes," Alice said unsure.
"I mean think about it, we're inviting the same people, we have similar ideas for the decor, food, and reception. I thought it was a good idea to just have them on the same day." She explained biting her lip, a habit that she had catched from me.
I took Edward's hand, "I don't know," I said honestly.
"We've been planning this since November…"
"I know Bella, but think about it, it would be better for us. We can split the cost of everything. We are young couples, we don't have jobs yet, we need to save as much money as we can. I mean you basically just bought a home, without having a job." Alice commented.
She had a point.
"I know this is an important moment in our lives, but nothing would make me happier than to share this day with you in a more meaningful way than just having you as part of the bridal party," Jasper said.
Edward caressed my knuckles, he was deep in thought.
"Can you give us a few days to think about it?" Edward said to my surprise.
It was a good thing he couldn't see the dejected look on Alice's face.
"Sure guys, of course," she said resignedly.
Jasper kissed her cheek, I gave them a small smile.
After that Edward paid for our drinks and headed back to my house. We were at an impasse, I felt bad for Alice, I didn't think Edward was going to react that way to their request.
The next day in the privacy of Edward's room we made a list of pros and cons about Alice and Jasper's proposal. Even though Alice and I were different, many of the things she had selected for her special day correlated with mine. As we discussed the list, the pros outweigh the cons, as discreetly as I could I asked my mother for her opinion and she was in favor of the double wedding. She said that if the couples were so close, it shouldn't be a problem to get married on the same day.
"Ready to tell Alice?" I asked Edward, he nodded.
~BSOL~
"Were doing this?" Alice asked.
"Yes, Alice, let's have a double wedding!" Edward smiled at his sister.
"Okay we need to go get the invitations done," Jasper said.
"When's the graduation again?" Alice asked all of the sudden.
"June 10th," I replied.
"Mom is making us a graduation party," Edward said.
"She wants me to pick out the invitations, but we also have to get the invitations for the wedding done. We were going today actually," I told them.
"Let's kill two birds with one stone then,"
We spent about five minutes selecting our graduation party invitation. They were white with orange letters. They had the logo of the University of Miami. We asked for them to be put on a green envelope and be closed with a gold sticker that said class of 2013.
For the next thirty minutes we looked at the plethora of wedding invitation samples.
"I like this one," Alice said.
"That's in my top two," I stated.
"Feel this," I said, handing the paper and casing sample to Edward.
Edward felt various samples until he found one he liked. This was not just my wedding, I wanted him to be a part of everything too.
"I like this one," he said.
"There's a reason why you're my brother," Alice laughed, kissing his cheek.
"I like this one too," she added.
"What if we do the flowers in pink and the letters in purple?" Jasper asked.
"Then the casing should be gold," I interjected.
"I like that," Alice concluded.
"Okay, we've made a decision," I told the attendant, giving her the samples of what we wanted.
"They are going to come out so good, how many do you need?" She asked us.
"We'll need 20 of both the wedding and graduation party invitations, thank you,"
"Very well, your total is eighty dollars," Edward handed her his card, when the machine beeped he proceeded to put in the pin. The machine had the numbers in braille.
"When will they be done?" Alice asked.
"On friday morning," she answered us.
"Okay, I'll come pick them up," she told us.
On friday we got together for dinner, we were also going to tell everyone about the double wedding. Edward and I's wedding was going to be paid for by Charlie and Mom. I know Jasper had been saving for his and Alice's wedding for years. I gave mom the graduation invitations to hand out.
"These came out so good Bella, you guys did a great job!" She exclaimed.
We waited until dinner to tell everyone what we were going to do.
Alice cleared her throat, everyone turned to look at us.
"What is it?" Esme panicked.
I started to give everyone their wedding invitation.
"What is this?" Rosalie asked.
"Just open the envelopes," Alice urged everyone.
"Oh these are precious!" Renee exclaimed.
"Read it," Edward said, smiling at me.
They were silent for a few seconds, "You're having a double wedding?" Rosalie finally figured it out.
"Yes," We responded.
"We figured that it's better that way, why would we make everyone come down here two different times? That's not cost effective for anyone," Jasper said.
"So when is the big day?" Emmett asked.
"August 13th," Edward said proudly.
"I don't know where Edward and I are going for our honeymoon, he doesn't want to tell me," I whined while he snickered.
"I'm the one planning this, you're not going to know a thing," he smiled.
"I think it's a great idea, I agree with Jasper. It's better to have both couples marry on the same day. It's not something that everyone does," Carlisle interjected.
"So you're splitting the cost of everything?" We nodded.
"Have you booked the venue yet?" Phil asked.
"No, we haven't found the right place," Edward said.
"I have some places you haven't checked out yet," Alice said.
"Okay let's make some appointments to check them out," I told her.
The day of our graduation finally arrived. Charlie and Sue arrived the day before yesterday because Sue wanted to help mom and Esme with the graduation party.
We were having breakfast before we had to go. Graduation was at 11, but I had to attend the honors ceremony at 8:30am.
Our university had stoles for students to give to the people they wanted to thank for their support during their college years. I'd ordered mines, and then found a place to get them embroidered with what I wanted them to say. Edward, Jasper, Alice, and I were giving them to whom we had selected before the Commencement ceremony started.
"Nelson Mandela said, "Honor belongs to those who never forsake the truth even when things seem dark and grim, who try over and over again, who are never discouraged by insults, humiliation, and even defeat."" The speaker at the ceremony quoted.
"Honor isn't given, it's earned, so my advice to you is stand for what's right, even if it means standing alone," he concluded.
"I want to congratulate all of you today for being able to maintain your honor status through all of your college education. May you be an example for the generations to come, life is not easy, but you have demonstrated that you can do it if you put your mind to it,"
We were seated by our last names, Edward and Alice were sitting a few rows in front of me. I could see the back of his head from here. He looked so handsome in his suit, he was very nervous as he had to walk up to the stand to get his medal. Thankfully they had installed a ramp as there were students in wheelchairs that used walking canes. Alice spent a few minutes with him walking up down the stage, it was a good thing that they were being called together.
"Edward Anthony and Mary Alice Masen," I clapped and smiled as they stood and walked up to the platform. I could hear Jasper whistling and cheering on them too.
Soon enough It was my turn, "Isabella Marie Swan," I smiled and made my way to the platform. I shook hands with the professors and dean and then lowered my head to receive the medal.
After that we all cheered for Jasper when it was his turn, after a few more students the ceremony ended. We headed to the other side of the university to the auditorium where the Commencement ceremony was going to be held. We entered the lobby area and had to line up before some tables to register, they were alphabetically organized so I went to stand at the correct table.
I handed the attendant my student ID and she scanned it, then she reached into a box beside her and smiled at me as she handed me my Summa Cum Laude stole.
"Congratulations," she said. I already knew I was getting this honor, they had sent me an email and letter about it. I didn't tell any of my parents about it, I wanted it to be a surprise.
I waited for Edward, Alice, and Jasper to be done getting their honors, as we had to go get our picture taken. There was also a refreshments area where we decided to give out the thank you stoles. Edward had also gotten Summa Cum laude stole. Jasper had spent this last semester in NY because of Alice, but he was able to keep studying in the University of Miami online. He did his practice in a school in New York, but all of the hours he did were validated by the university of Miami.
Alice smiled as she showed us her Magna Cum Laude stole, "I didn't think I was getting anything," she cried, Jasper kissed her forehead and nuzzled her to his side.
"You deserve that and more!" He whispered to her.
"Didn't they send you a letter?" I asked her.
"I didn't check," she admitted.
We all laughed, but it was understandable, she had been through a lot.
We took our picture and went to the refreshments area. They had told us that there was a delay and that the ceremony was going to start at 11:30. We grabbed some refreshments and went to find our parents. It wasn't hard to find them, they had joined some tables off to one side of the lobby and were engaged in animated conversation.
They started cheering and clapping when they saw us, our mother stood and went to hug us.
"You guys look amazing, I'm so proud of you," they told us.
"Let's take a photo," Rosalie said.
All of us got four tickets for people to invite to the ceremony, so we were able to bring everyone except the kids. Mom hired a nanny and they were all at the Masen home at the moment.
They sat back down after we took a few photos.
"We wanted to take this time to thank you for your support," Alice started as she took a stole out of the box and put it on Esme. Edward did the same, "thank you mom for giving me the opportunity to have this experience, I love you," He kissed her cheek after he gave her his stole.
"This one is for Dad," Edward said, as he and Alice handed her another stole that had their father's graduation year, the year he and Esme married and the date of his death.
"The same for you Carlisle, thank you for giving our family a chance, and for being there for me when I'd needed a Father," Edward said.
Carlisle smiled and hugged Edward, "thank you son,"
"Bella," Edward started, I went to stand beside him, he turned to 'look' at me.
"I want to thank you for being beside me on this journey. For when I doubted myself, you gave me words of wisdom and strength, I love you," Edward said as I helped him place the stole on my neck.
Alice did the same with Jasper, and then Jasper gave his parents their stoles.
"Mom, Dad, Phil, thank you for everything you've done for me, not only in the past four years, but in all my life. I wouldn't have gotten where I am if it wasn't for your support, I love you."
"Oh Bella!" Mom cried as she came forward and hugged me, I then put the stoles on their necks and we took one last photo before we had to head inside. Our mother fixed us our caps and gowns and Carlisle gave Alice and Edward a Cullen family pin, he pinned it to their stole.
We went to where the rest of the students were lining up by major and then by last name. Soon enough the march started and we started entering the auditorium. The students' entrance took about forty five minutes, after that the dean gave a welcome speech and then the choir gave a twenty minute concert.
"Now for a special presentation, we ask Edward Masen to come to the stage," I was taken aback by the news, Edward didn't tell me he was going to perform.
"Edward would like to dedicate this piece first to his classmates on the music program, it was one heck of a ride, but now we're finally done, enjoy!"
An usher helped Edward go into the platform where he sat on the piano bench and started playing the sweetest melody. I closed my eyes and reveled in the music he was making. You could hear a pin drop, the auditorium was quiet as everyone listened to the chords Edward was expertly playing. I was in awe as I watched him play, mesmerized by the way his fingers moved swiftly over the keys. I am so proud of him.
Soon enough he finished playing and received a standing ovation, he stood there for about a minute in gratitude and then with the help of the same usher he was led off the stage and back to his seat. After Edward's performance two keynote speakers had their turn on the podium and after that we were called to get our diplomas. That took about an hour as there were many students in the auditorium.
I watched in contempt as my fiance and his sister each had their moment to walk up to the stage and get their diplomas. Then when it was time for the Education students, "Isabella M. Swan," I shook hands with all the professors and other people on the stage and then was handed my diploma. I made my way back to my seat just in time to see Jasper get his diploma.
"And now with a special message, Ms. Mary Alice Masen, graduate of our school of fashion design and winner of this season of Project Runway," Alice walked up to the stage and stood at the podium.
"When we were five, they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. Our answers were things like, astronauts, president... or in my case, a princess."
The students and people in attendance chuckled lightly. I knew she was asked to speak, but I have no idea what she wrote.
"When we were ten, they asked again. We answered, a rock star, cowboy, or in my case, a costume designer for Disney. But now that we're grown up, they want a serious answer. Well, how about this. Who the hell knows?"
The auditorium erupted in cheers and applause at her statement.
"This isn't the time to make hard and fast decisions; this is a time to make mistakes. Take the wrong train and get stuck somewhere. Fall in love... a lot. Major in philosophy, because there's no way to make a career out of that…"
There were more chuckles and laughs at this comment. I looked at where the poor philosophy students sat, my cheeks flushed in embarrassment.
"Sorry, I love you" she muttered with a smile and then continued her speech.
"Change your mind, and change it again, because nothing is permanent. So, make as many mistakes as you can. That way, someday, when they ask what we want to be, we won't have to guess... we'll know, because whatever we decided to be is who we are going to be after today. Its time for us to practice what we learned, to make our lives and the lives of all around us better. It is time for us to take our stand and help make this world a better place. I am so proud to be standing here, and not because I won project runway, but because I had a ruptured aneurysm and I conquered that. Yes, there's still side effects I have to live with for the rest of my life, but I'm not going to let that stop me from achieving my dreams. you shouldn't let anything or anyone stop you from achieving your dreams either. Every single one of you is loved, every single one of you is important. My advice today is go change the world, love, and enjoy life to the fullest. Congratulations, have a great day, thank you," she bowed her head and after shaking hands with the dean she got off the stage and quickly went to her seat.
"Thank you Ms. Masen for such an inspiring message," the dean started his final address.
"Withouth further ado, turn your tassels to the left as you are officially Commenced to begin the next chapter of your life, congratulations," he finished.
As soon as the words left his mouth there was a book in the air and balloons and streamers fell from the ceiling as a plethora of graduation caps flew into the air as we were declared graduated. I couldn't contain my excitement and ran to where Edward was.
"We made it Edward, we did it!" I exclaimed as I let the tears run freely down my face. Edward hugged my body to his, "We did it indeed," he kissed my forehead, he was in tears too.