A/N: This is a last chapter before the epilogue.

BETA: Wazgood529 with a lot of praises.

Chapter 14: Emma's Graduation

The blonde woman had no time to see her girlfriend since she was living on the campus. She worked through her studies to finish her graduate degree. It made her sweat by memorizing everything in the books and analyzing through the faux cases. She had been researching her topic for a long time until she finally handed her final proposal with her presentation.

Since two weeks, Emma decided to stay in her dorm room with her studies to catch up with everything included her professors' extra help. She was very thankful to have them on her support system. She didn't see Regina at all since they got together. They've been texting each other every night.

It put her off on the ease when she went to have her final presentation in the class with the board of Criminal Justice department. Regina was there to watch her. It made her feel nervous about her final project that she suggested to research about the cybersecurity. She explained every theories and creative ways to hack in the cybersecurity to help the victims.

Emma had no idea that she pulled it off with the positive comments from the board of Criminal Justice department. She smiled at herself and nodded at them then left the room. It was her last one. She finally had her day free.

The blonde woman finally came back to her dorm room and got ready for her test run with her new Ducati 848 EVO since she worked on the parts. She got her helmet and went out to ride her motorcycle for the cruise time.

It put her to feel free from her studies and everything else. She cruised around in the city of Boston and dined at the small café. She sipped the cup of coffee and smiled at herself. The blonde woman didn't realize that her brunette girlfriend texted her right away before she left the campus for her free time.

It made her look on her phone and smiled at herself. Regina asked her if she come over at their place for a night. She texted her back by saying yes and went with her day to have a free time to herself until she came back to the campus to gather her clothes and everything. She put the packing boxes in the living room.

Emma knew that she would move back to her apartment once she graduated from Boston University with her graduate degree in Criminal Justice. She smiled at herself when she got a job from BPD since she gathered her interviews after her big news about the cancer-free.

The blonde woman finally returned to her place and met Henry Jr. there in the kitchen. He looked at her with a smile. Regina was not there yet until 5:30pm. She decided to cook something with him before the brunette woman arrived home.

They laughed at her moments in her undergrad years. Henry Jr. planned to return to the campus in early Fall for his first year as the freshman year. Emma gave some tips for him when he came to be a rookie around in the campus. The brunette man was happy that he had someone who experienced in Boston University as the student.

Regina finally returned home and saw her blonde girlfriend with her smile. Henry Jr. kissed her cheek before checking on their dinner. Emma smiled at her and embraced her tightly. They finally saw each other since the two weeks. The brunette man felt something was up with the ladies and knew that he had a plan tonight to come over at his grandparents' place so he could give the ladies to have alone time together.

They came to the kitchen and ate their dinner. They chatted about their days. Emma listened to their days and laughed then asked some questions. Regina and Henry Jr. didn't mind if the blonde woman got interested in their days. Finally, Henry Jr. left the apartment to go over at his old place.

The ladies embraced together on the couch while they watched the movie after cleaning up the dinner. They had no words at each other. It was just them in the apartment. The ladies had their thoughts reeling in their head since two weeks included their texts every night. It made no difference between them.

The graduation was here for Emma. She was very excited about it and found out that she passed her final exams and proposals. They took an interest in her proposal about the cybersecurity and would run the tests from her creative ways. The blonde woman was very thrilled about running these tests while she was going to work as the police officer.

In her dorm room, her boxes were cleared and everything went to her place. She looked around in her place and it was empty except the furniture. Emma smiled at her memories when she came there for her undergrad and graduate studies. It's been long time since she was 19. The blonde woman sighed and finally closed her dorm door. The resident assistant smiled at her and reached the key from the doorknob then left to check other rooms.

Emma finally got out of the building and looked around in the campus. There were the families, dogs and children everywhere. They were coming for the graduation. Some of the students were ready in their graduation gowns and caps. She had it over her arm and wore her red lace short dress with long sleeve and black heels.

Cora walked toward her. The blonde woman didn't notice her right away since she was paying attention to the families on the campus. The eldest woman finally stood beside her and looked up and down on her daughter's girlfriend then replied.

"What are you doing here? You were supposed to be there before the graduation starts."

"I'm just looking at them on the field. I realized that I had no family before." Emma said with a sad smile. Cora looked at the families on the field who were chattering and laughing then understood the blonde woman's feelings. She looked back at her and spoke lightly.

"You have one now."

"You, Henry Sr., Henry Jr. and Regina are my family. Yes, I know that I have you but I meant, my parents." The blonde woman explained while looking at the eldest woman with a sad smile. Cora softened her look and embraced her in her arms. Henry Jr. and Regina searched for them until they found them near Emma's dorm building.

The brunette woman was confused about her mother's arms around her girlfriend and looked at her son who was perplexed too. Henry Sr. was still in the audience in the football field and saved their seats in the front row so they could see Emma closer on the stage. The Mills walked up toward them and spoke in unison.

"What are you doing?"

Cora and Emma looked up at them with a sad smile. Regina was concerned about her girlfriend's sad look and dragged her into her embrace. Henry Jr. stared at his grandmother with a raised eyebrow. The eldest woman shrugged and informed them that she was going to see her husband in the audience and stay there. Others nodded.

The blonde woman was in her brunette girlfriend's embrace and closed her eyes. She didn't realize that she was silently crying. The brunette man decided to leave them alone and followed his grandmother along. Regina was standing there and hugged her girlfriend then spoke lightly.

"What's wrong?"

"My parents."

"Oh. What about them?"

"I just got out of the building few minutes ago and I saw the families out there chattering on the field. It made me think of my parents. Why didn't they come?" Emma was crying with a retort. The brunette woman softened her look and understood her girlfriend's tough life in the foster care then peppered on her cheek with a reply.

"I am sure that they would be proud of you because they watch over you everyday. They are in your heart even though you didn't know them well. It's ok to cry for them. They love you."

The blonde woman shook her head and wiped her tears. Her hair was the medium short hair. She chuckled and explained.

"I didn't feel like that my parents are proud of me."

"Look Emma, you accomplished to get your master's degree in Criminal Justice. I am proud of you. I'm sure that your parents does too. You worked hard to be alive for it. You are here right now. Don't think of that way because your parents don't know you but they put it for a good reason."

"What is a good reason that they dumped me on the road?" Emma said with a glare. The brunette woman ran her hand on her face and sighed then shook her head. The blonde woman raised her eyebrows and spoke lightly.

"Now, you don't know what the good reason is why they did it to me."

"Don't fight over this one because you are graduating today. We can talk later."

"No. I didn't know why they dumped me on the road and I'm alive because of nothing I can succeed without their supports."

"You have supports. You have my parents, son and me. We are your family. Don't forget it too."

"Yes, right. Maybe, I search for an answer about that question." Emma said with a blank look and walked away. Regina threw her hands up in the air and followed her along to the locker rooms. The blonde woman went to the bathroom and tried to damp on her eyes then looked at the mirror. The brunette woman was there and the students were scattering around in the lockers room and hallways even outside of the building.

Emma sniffled and put her graduation gown on herself. Regina walked to help her girlfriend to put the hood around the blonde woman's neck. She put her graduation cap on her head. The brunette woman reached her hand on her girlfriend's chin to look at her and spoke lightly.

"I love you Emma."

The blonde woman attempted to smile but failed it. Regina smiled at her and kissed her pale lips then leaned backward. Emma fidgeted her gown and sighed then replied.

"I love you Regina too."

"It's about time." The brunette woman teased. The blonde woman merely giggled and hugged her brunette girlfriend. Regina wrapped her arms around Emma and smiled at herself. Emma pulled herself then kissed on the red lips. The ladies heard the cheers in the locker room and looked at them with smiles. Some of the girls thumbed up at them and the blonde woman rolled her eyes then dipped her brunette girlfriend to kiss their lips together.

Regina smiled into their kiss and moved her hand on her girlfriend's neck to deepen it. The cheers got loud in the room. They broke it off and grinned at each other. Emma forgot about her parents and focused on her brunette girlfriend then spoke lightly.

"I love you Regina Mills."

"I love you Emma Swan. Go get your degree." The brunette woman said with a wink. Emma laughed and kissed her for a last time. Regina walked out of the building and caught up in her path to her faculty seats in the audience then searched for her family there in the audience. Henry Jr. waved his hand at his mom with a smile. The brunette woman waved back with a smile and finally sat down beside Mr. Gold.

Few minutes later, Emma was lining herself up in the line with their last names in the order and went nervous. She heard the bang from the outside and knew it's time to walk. The students walked in the straight line to get their seats in the rows. It was long one for her to walk on the aisle.

The blonde woman searched for Regina and found her near the audience on the right side. She walked around to get her seat in the last row on the left side in the front of the stage. The brunette woman caught her eyes and waved her hand. Emma waved her hand with a smile then mouthed, 'I love you.' Regina said it back and heard Mr. Gold cackling. The brunette woman raised her eyebrows at him and grinned.

Emma turned around to look at her family in the front row near Regina's spot and waved her hand at the brunette man who was searching for her. Cora indicted her manicured finger at her while she was speaking to her grandson. Henry Jr. found her and waved his hand with a smile. Henry Sr. was paying attention on his booklet and heard the announcement.

The blonde woman was feeling overwhelmed that she graduated in her undergrad and it was the same place since she arrived. She smiled at herself and went to get her master's degree again. Emma finally made it through her life with the fight from her personal life. She had her family who supported her all the way even her girlfriend who loved her in all of her heart.

The announcements were blurring to her and she waited for walking on the stage to receive her degree. The blonde woman always wanted to announce that she made it through. Finally, it was time for her to line up to receive her degree. She didn't see Regina standing on the stage for their congratulations greeting. Mr. Gold was there beside her.

The names were called to come up on the stage. Emma was the last person to get it. She looked forward to walk on the stage and smiled at herself. Until she heard her name being called and the blonde woman walked upon a stage. She was surprised that her brunette girlfriend was on the stage.

The blonde woman shook Mr. Gold's hand and thanked him then received her degree. Regina was nervous to shake her hand and smiled at her. Emma was perplexed that her girlfriend was on the stage. She finally faced her and smiled at her. The brunette woman walked up to her and had her microphone in her free hand to speak up. The blonde woman was confused. The students and faculty were chattering about them. Cora, Henry Sr. and Henry Jr. were grinning at them.

"Emma, you made it to your graduation. I'm proud of you as your professor. But right now, I'm not your professor anymore. I know it is confusing to you. Today is your big day. Now, you are here with me. We've been together for many months. I didn't count the months that we are still together since our first day of school."

"It's been 9 and half months." Emma said with a chuckle. Mr. Gold laughed behind them. The students cheered with their laughs.

"Right, 9 and half months. So, I'm nervous about this one. Let me say it in front of you." Regina said with a raised eyebrow. The blonde woman rolled her eyes and indicated her finger at her then spoke lightly.

"That's why I love her studies." Others laughed at her joke. The brunette woman smacked her hand on Emma's arm with a teasing glare. The blonde woman chuckled and flicked her wrist to go on. Regina shook her head and continued.

"I've been seeing you through your tough times. My family and I supported you on your journey with Breast Cancer. You are survivor and fought for your life. You've been stronger since I met you for the first time. You decided to stay alive for yourself. We've been proud of you being a strong survivor. You are an amazing person I met. I'm lucky to have you. You stayed through with me even on our rough times together. I wonder if you would like to stay through our future together and ever. Emma Charlotte Swan, yes. I found your middle name few days ago. Let me say again."

Emma started to cry with a smile. Mr. Gold smiled at the brunette woman who was glancing over him and nodded to go on. The students and faculty even the families in the audience got up and watched the screen and on the stage. Regina smiled at her blonde girlfriend and spoke lightly while kneeling down on the stage floor and pocketing the engagement ring box out of her blazer pocket. She opened the lid to reveal the princess-cut Amethyst and Diamond accent frame ring.

"Emma Charlotte Swan, will you marry me and be my wife?"

The blonde woman covered her mouth with her hand and stared at the ring which it was revealed on the showing. The students were crying. The faculty gaped open with their awe looks. Cora was crying and put her hands on her mouth. Henry Sr. smiled at them. Emma closed her eyes while she was crying and opened her eyes for a minute. She smiled at Regina and nodded with a retort.

"Yes! Yes! Yes, I'd love to marry you." Regina grabbed the ring out from the engagement box and slid on Emma's left finger. She pocketed the box in her blazer and got up then caressed the blonde woman's cheeks and gave her a passionate kiss on the pale lips. Emma wrapped her arms around the brunette woman's waist and kissed her back with her love.

The crowd cheered and clapped their hands for them. The ladies broke it off and laughed. The blonde woman wiped her tears and chuckled with a retort.

"I can't believe that we are engaged in front of my graduation."

"You received it. I love you, Emma Swan."

"I love you Regina Mills. Thank you so much. It's the best day of my life."

"Indeed. So, walk off on the stage. Congratulations on your engagement and graduation." Mr. Gold informed the ladies with a wink. Regina giggled and dragged them off the stage then pecked on her blonde fiancée for a last time. She let her go away to her seat and waved her hand at the audience and went to her seat. Some of the faculty congratulated her engagement and thanked them back.

Emma walked to her seat and finally sat down. The announcement came up and they congratulated them. The blonde woman threw her graduation cap in the air. The crowd clapped loudly. The graduation was over and she walked to her fiancée and family who waited for her outside.

Henry Jr. smiled and ran toward to hug Emma. The blonde woman hugged him with a smile. Henry Sr. smiled at her. Cora and Regina were in their conversation. They released their hug. The brunette woman noticed her blonde fiancée and smiled at her. Emma leaned forward to kiss her on the lips then embraced Cora and Henry Sr. in one hug.

Regina was nodding at her co-workers and waved to some students who were in her classes in the past. Others released their embrace. Henry Jr. laughed with his grandpa who was talking about his experiences from his graduation. Cora listened to them for a while. Emma turned around and wrapped her brunette fiancée's waist. Regina looked at her and they leaned forward to kiss on their lips once again. The brunette woman wrapped her arms around the blonde woman's neck after breaking their kiss.

Emma smiled at herself and knew that her life was beautiful among her family and her fiancée. She was happy that she had them in her life with supports. They finally got off toward their place and celebrated on their lunch for her graduation. They decided to hold their engagement party later. They laughed over the moments in the café. Regina was wrapping her arm on her blonde fiancee's shoulders and chatted with her son. Their life was perfect but still beautiful in the moment.

A/N: I'm sorry that it's not a lot of the dialogues in this chapter. BUT BUT, The EPILOGUE IS COMING UP!

Please review this one with your smiles!