Bella POV

Standing in front of the mirror, I could have laughed at the image I saw. Me in a gown. My engagement ring sparkling as it caught the sun. I wore a touch of makeup, but mostly just saw the happiness glow on my face. How much a year had changed. Or a year and a half for that matter.

A year and a half ago I was wandering around, feeling like I didn't belong. As though I didn't know what I was. I knew myself, and I knew vaguely what I wanted out of my life. I knew I wanted something different. Something extraordinary, because I didn't feel ordinary. I didn't want to feel like a freak and out of place. I wanted to find where I belonged. I wanted to begin my life, and find the one whose life I'd belong to.

And I did.

First I found the place. The small town where I could finally feel a connection. A recognition. And it was there I rekindled another connection. One with my father, that I couldn't quite imagine losing. And then, there was him. Edward.

I found a man who I loved with a power I didn't expect to be real. Finding out what he and his family was didn't change that. It only made me find my slice of extraordinary. I found the reason why I never felt I fit in my own skin and around my kind. They weren't meant to be my kind. He was. His brothers and sisters became mine. His parents became mine. And while I felt I belonged, I was taught how easily things can change.

A year ago I was lost. I was alone again, left to figure out how to get by with losing what I wanted most. I found a way to live, no matter what was thrown at me. I showed myself that no matter what, I could stand by myself. I could fight back whatever came at me. I found friends that now I couldn't remember life without. I found I could be needed and that I could let go enough to need people back. I found love could come from many avenues, and I had so much to give.

In that time, and the time my two worlds combined to make one family, I fought to keep it all. We all did. We became a unit that no one could break. And no one ever would.

And now I looked at myself and laughed again. So much had changed, and more would. Today was just another step in that direction.

I ran a hand down the gown, breathing deep as the first sprinkle of nerves hit me.

"Don't forget the hat." Charlie said, and I caught him in the reflection, leaning against the door jam.

"It's called a cap." But I turned to get it and add the tassel, meeting Charlie's eyes. "You're not going to cry or anything are you?"

"Only kid is graduating from high school, I'm allowed to show some sort of emotion. But I'm reining it in for now." He stepped into the room, glancing at my ring. "Still not used to seeing that."

"I'm not sure anyone is."

Telling my parents about our engagement had initially been a fear of mine. Even though in my mind I knew they would support me no matter what, my nerves would get the best of me when I planned out what I would say. Imagine my surprise when I took Edward with me to tell Charlie, and he smiled and clapped Edward on the back. Apparently, Edward had asked his permission months before he even proposed. Seeing them at a mutual respect and like with one another was always a thrill to see. Even Renee, who was so against teen marriage, was over the moon about planning a wedding.

There were still some people who didn't understand. Angela and Eric seemed to, since they were both in a stage in their relationship when I imagined they would be high school sweethearts the rest of their lives. Mike and Jess didn't see why we had to get married at our age though. I was sure there was a few others around Forks and that didn't see why we were getting married. Our family was what mattered though, and the support we got was immeasurable.

"My daughter's graduating high school today and getting married in a month. It's all flying by."

"I'm merely learning by your example." I grinned at him as I worked on my sneakers. "Tell Alice that I'm wearing these and I'll turn your gun on you."

"Speak of the devil." He said as the door slammed downstairs. "That's likely one of your cohorts."

I grabbed my things and followed down the stairs, smiling when I saw Edward.

"Well if it isn't the future Mister Swan."

"Hello future Misses Cullen." He matched my cap and grin, though didn't wear the gown yet. I was jealous the boys got a regal blue while the girls got honeybee yellow.

"You two are hilarious, now we better get going before we miss the whole shindig." Charlie glanced at his watch. "Edward, are your parents meeting us over there?"

"Yea they're taking Alice and Jasper. Alice inquired about your footwear by the way."

"Shut up." We followed Charlie outside. "I'm riding with Charlie, so I don't even know why you're here."

"To make sure you're actually going even though you might trip off the stage."

"I tripped on my first day of Forks High; it's only fitting if I trip on my last." But I kissed him before getting in the car with Charlie.

"See you at that place we met." Edward waved before we drove off and he got in his own car, following close behind us.

A year and a half ago I sat in this car as my Dad drove me to the place I now called home. I would have never believed then how much would change. Now I drove to my graduation, a time when everything was supposed to start changing. But as I looked at Charlie, I knew something's never would. So I leaned back in my seat, wondering what the next year would bring.

And I liked the images I saw.

Authors Note: And thus concludes FAE. One more story left and I will be done with fanfiction. Bittersweet. The final rewrite of the saga is called We Are Breaking Dawn. If you aren't already, I'd subscribe to an author alert so you will be notified when it is posted. Until then, a trailer was made for my final story. Thanks Cat! If you'd like to watch it go to youtube and type in we are breaking dawn by jae bee. it's the first option. Hope you all keep reading, reviewing, and enjoying.