Stelena: Eternal Love (2)

9- Graduation

AN: Just so you know, Caroline's mother is still alive in this, however her dad isn't. Also, Bonnie's parents are both alive. I know it's confusing but we don't see Caroline's dad much anyway. Also I'm sorry for the late update, I've had exams but I've made this chapter really long to make it up to you.

Two weeks later

Stefan's POV

"Are you ready to go?" I called Elena from the bottom of the stairs stairs whilst carrying Isabella against my hip. Today was the day. Today was the day that my fiancée was graduating and I couldn't tell you how proud I am of her. She's worked so hard to get to where she is and nothing means more to me that she's achieved this.
"Yeah I'll be down in a minute," she called back and after a few seconds, came down the stairs. She was wearing a lacy white dress, which came to her knees, with matching flats and had her gown on. She said she didn't want to wear the cap until she got there but just seeing her in the gown made me feel so proud.
"You look so beautiful, and I'm very proud of you," I said taking my free hand and entwining hers with mine.
"Of us, Stefan. I could never have done this without you." She's been insisting that the only reason she's graduating was because of me, but I've always refused to believe that.
"You've worked way too hard to give me any of the praise. When you're up there, getting your degree, remember how much you've earned it. I also want you to remember just how proud Isabella and I are of you, and how much we love you." A tear had began to make its way down Elena's cheek, so I lightly wiped it away with my thumb. She smiled up to me, looking at me with so much love. I returned the look, lightly kissed her cheek, and as she opened her mouth to say something we heard a knock on the door.
"I'll get it," she replied before hurrying over to the door. Once the door was opened Elena was immediately engulfed into a hug by two very excited girls. Those girls were, of course, Caroline and Bonnie.
"We're graduating!" Caroline and Bonnie both simultaneously shouted, which caused Isabella to cover her ears with her small hands before beginning to mumble.
She's getting better at her talking, where she couldn't say big sentences, but she could say a few words that she's picked up. We took her to the twelve month check up and they told us that she's developing perfectly, which was a relief.
"Everyone's very excited today," I told her. I knew she didn't understand why there was so much noise, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to explain it to her. I've missed spending most of my time with Isabella, I don't like how much time we spend apart now. Since Elena finished university I've been working full time, which means I only get to see my two girls at the weekend. I do see Elena in the evenings and, if I get back in time, I also put Isabella to bed. I think Elena has found it just as hard as I have to be apart from each other, but we know that having a job brings its benefits.
I took her into the quiet kitchen to find her shoes. After finding them, I placed them on her and returned to the living room, hoping that everyone had calmed down. Miranda and Grayson had arrived by this time and were joining in on all of the conversation. I just stood there, admiring Elena talk about her plans for the future. It really does make my day and makes me feel proud, since all I've ever wanted for her was to have a happy life.
"Hey, you okay?" I snapped out of my gaze to realise that Elena was stood in front of me smiling, and that the others were gone.
"Yeah, I'm good. Great, in fact," I smiled reassuringly.
"Good, you ready to go?" She asked as she held out her hand for me to take.
"Of course we are," I said taking her hand and leading her outside, along with Isabella.

Elena's POV

Stefan drove Isabella and I to the university auditorium, where the ceremony was going to be held. My mum and dad went in their own car with Jeremy, Jenna and Alaric, whilst Caroline and Bonnie went with Klaus.
Stefan keeps insisting that I should be proud of myself, and only myself, however I've had other ideas. If it wasn't for Stefan looking after Isabella all day, I wouldn't have been able to go to university in the first place. I wouldn't be here today if he hadn't supported me in the way and to the extent that he did.
As we were a little early, there wasn't that many people there already, so we had a little bit of time to relax.
"You ready for this speech thing we have to do, Elena?" Caroline asked excitedly, since speeches and presenting to an audience has always been her thing.
"Don't remind me. It's already bad enough that I have to go up there for this, I don't want to go up again." Caroline, me and a few others were picked to present a speech to the parents and graduates after we graduated. Caroline was asked to talk about her organisation, encouraging people to take part in extra activities. I, on the other hand, was asked to talk 'about my experience with my studies.' That was how they phrased it but really, they wanted me to talk about how I managed to handle having a child and finishing university.
"You'll be great, plus Caroline will be there with you," Stefan said as he wrapped his arm around my waist. Isabella was securely in his other arm, and was giggling and gently patting Stefan's cheek.
"Yeah, it'll be fine, trust me," Caroline said. I nodded my head in assurance but also in gratitude that Caroline will be there every step of the way. Just at that moment, the lecturers and staff started calling all graduates down behind the stage, so that they could wait to be called.
"I'll go and take Isabella to sit down with everyone. Enjoy it, remember how proud I am of you, and how much I love you." Stefan cupped my cheek with his free hand, and gently lifted my chin up so that our lips met in a soft, gentle kiss.
"I love you too," I said as we pulled away from the kiss.
"Elena, come on! People are starting to line up," Bonnie said. Not only did she gesture me over, she ruined the moment we were having.
"Okay, I'm coming," I called back. I gave Stefan and Isabella a small kiss before hurrying off with Caroline and Bonnie. We all placed our caps on before getting into line.
As we were the last three in the line, we had time before we were called up. We each gave each other an excited glance before Caroline's attention was diverted elsewhere.
"Yay! My mum made it, but wait, whose with her?" With her question, we all turned our heads to see who Caroline's mother turned up with.
"Oh my god! That's my mum and dad!" Bonnie's face brightened up at the sight of her parents.
"See, I told you they'd turn up," I said, placing my hand on her shoulder. She must have been happy since her parents showed up. She had sent them both invitations but she never expected them to arrive.
We all listened to the head of the university as he continued to call out names.
After about fifteen minutes of standing in line, it was finally our time to graduate.
"And now, Miss Bonnie Bennett." Bonnie went up on stage as Caroline and I cheered for her at the top of our lungs. She shook his hand, took her scroll and, very happily, walked off the other side of the stage.
"Next, Miss Caroline Forbes!" Caroline did the same as Bonnie, and this time Bonnie and I cheered for Caroline. She shook his hand, took her scroll and walked off the other side of the stage, just like Bonnie did.
Now it was my turn. My palms had began to become a little sweaty from nerves, but that wasn't going to stop me.
"Lastly, Miss Elena Gilbert!" I walked onto the stage like everyone else, with a smile plastered on my face. It seemed so surreal that this was actually happening. As I was walking towards him, I looked into the crowd to see my whole family. The sight made me smile. There I saw my parents, Jenna, Alaric and Jeremy, who had proud smiles on their faces. But then my eyes diverted to Stefan, who was smiling from ear to ear with the most proud and loving smile of all. Isabella too was also smiling and clapping, which made me smile and laugh slightly. I also heard the cheers from my two best friends, which also made me giggle.
I shook his hand and took my scroll, and as I did, I felt this rush of excitement flow through me. I've graduated. I've actually done it.
I thanked him and quickly left the stage, only to be engulfed in a group hug from Caroline and Bonnie.
After the rest of the ceremony, it was time for mine and Caroline's speeches, everything was so fast paced that I didn't even get the chance to talk to Stefan.
"Okay so as a little send off into life after university, a few very kind ladies have agreed to give you all speeches." He gestured towards us as we walked to the front of the stage together.
"Hi, most of you know me as the super organised girl who sorts out the social events at school," she started. How Caroline has this much confidence going up on stage, I would never know.
"So, I was asked to talk and encourage you guys to get involved in organising activities or clubs. My advice would be to get involved in any opportunity that interests you, never hold back from doing something you want to do. If you stay dedicated and passionate then it can be good fun, believe me. So, I guess if you're going to take a message away from this it should be: be true to who you are. If you like to cook, paint, write, do it! Do what makes you happy, I did, and I hope you all have and will do," she finished. The crowd looked mesmerised as if she'd managed to wrap them all around her little finger. They immediately started to clap for her and after a while calmed down so that I could talk. Caroline took my hand in hers, obviously seeing that I was nervous, and gave me a reassuring smile.
"Hi everyone, so I was asked to talk to you about my situation at university. I mean, it wasn't the most ideal situation to be in, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. My advice would be that if you ever get into the situation I was in, make sure you've got a stable support system. Don't be afraid to lean on people for support, whether that be your partner, parents, friends. However, it wasn't just me in this situation, a lot of the responsibility was on my partner's shoulders." I look up from the rest of the crowd and look directly to Stefan, who had the cutest smile on this face. He's always said that he wasn't the one who graduated, carried and gave birth to our child, which was true, but I couldn't have graduated if I didn't have Stefan. So in a way, I guess this speech is a thank you speech as well as a speech to inform people of our situation.
"If I didn't have my partner, my friends or my family, then I definitely wouldn't be standing here today, as a graduated student. I didn't do any of this alone and I'm glad I didn't, because, without my support system, I wouldn't have been able to graduate. So... in a way this is a thank you speech as well as a speech to inform everyone." I looked further into the crowd again to see the one person I truly love with my whole heart. The one person that could make me feel better instantly or always allowed me to cry, even if it hurt him to see me so upset. We both exchanged the same look of gratitude towards one another, both knowing that we couldn't live without the other.
"Having a child gave me a new experience to tackle, and with all of the support of my friends, family and my partner, we were all able to do this together. So basically, thank you to everyone that has been apart of my life and has helped me because I honestly can't imagine my life without you all."
I looked to Caroline, who was stood next to me, and smiled. She smiled back and wrapped her arms around me from the side, engulfing me into a comforting hug. I hugged her back, of course. Being in the hug, I hadn't even noticed that the audience were all standing and clapping. We both blushed as we came out of the hug.
"Thank you so much for listening to us both and good luck in the future!" Caroline has always been able to talk in front of large crowds easily and fluently, which was the complete opposite to me. I could barely get two words out without stuttering.
We both walked off stage and sat down for the last fifteen minutes of the ceremony, which consisted of a few speeches from other students and staff members giving us a few words.
After the ceremony everyone diffused out in all different directions. Caroline and I also stood up to try and find our way through the crowd towards our families. After weaving in and out of the crowd a few times, I finally met the face that I've been dying to see. I quickened my pace as soon as my eyes glanced at him, and before I knew it, I was in his arms. He lifted me slightly off from the ground, hugging me tightly but gently.
"I'm so proud of you, you did it," he whispered softly in my ear. I smiled to myself and dug my nose and face further into the crook of his neck, breathing in his scent. We both drew apart and I noticed my parents stood with Isabella in my mother's arms.
"Mumma!" She shouted as she wriggled out of my mum's arms and leaped across into my own. I embraced her into a hug, never wanting to let her go, and soon after I felt Stefan's arms protectively wrap around us both.
"We're so proud of you," my mother said. We drew apart from the hug and I gave her a smile of gratitude.
"Thank you," I replied as my parents brought me into a hug as well. I was still holding Isabella so it was more of a side hug.
"Elena, we've graduated!" I heard from a distance, followed by Caroline and Bonnie pacing over towards me. Next thing I knew I was being swept into another hug and ended up laughing at their excited behaviour. Once all of our laughter had died down, I was finally able to speak.
"Aw I love you guys," I said. It wasn't just directed at my best friends, but at my entire family.
I'm so glad I have these wonderful people in my life, I literally can't live without them. Now that university is officially out of the way, we could finally start our adult lives with our children. And I couldn't be more excited.

AN: I'm not sure how graduations go but I decided to put my own twist on it. I hope you like the speech Caroline and Elena present, I just thought it'll be something fun and interesting to put in. Also, I'm so excited for the next few chapters! I honestly can't wait to write it all! Thanks for reading! Sorry it took so long, but I promise you'll like the updates even if they take a while to write.
-Chelsea x