The Wall and the Flower

Chapter 10: Epilogue (Wanda's POV)

I smoothed down the classic black gown and fixed my cap in the mirror of my room. A single knock sounded against my closed door and Pietro stuck his head in. He smiled at me and walked further into my room, hugging me.

"They would be proud of you," he said in my ear.

"They would be proud of you too."

"Are you ready?" he asked, pulling away from our hug. "Aunt Grace is in the car and all ready." I nodded and grabbed my clutch and phone and followed him down the stairs and to the car. He got in the driver's seat and started the car, heading in the direction of campus.

My phone buzzed with Claire's familiar ringtone. I looked at the message—a picture of her and Bucky sitting in his blue beetle, Claire's cap on his head, and her making a funny face while he stared out the windshield—and laughed.

He looks good in that. Wonder what he'd look like in the whole ensemble...

Ha ha ha. Very funny, Little Red.

;)

You on your way? I miss you :(

We just left. Be there soon.

Can't wait to see you. I've been going crazy all morning wondering what you're wearing ;)

Down girl. You'll see soon enough lol.

I put my phone down and looked out the window, watching the scenery change quickly as we passed. Pietro and Grace talked quietly in the front seat, her light voice full of happiness and excitement as she gushed pridefully about our accomplishments and our hard-work. She chirped at being able to see Claire again, and Bucky too. Over the past three years, her and Claire got really close. It made me happy that my aunt loved and approved of not only me, but my girlfriend as well. She spoke to Pietro about planning a party for us and Claire, making a mental list of all the things she needed to get from various stores. I chuckled and rolled my eyes at her; better to let her do her thing than try to stop her.

○○○

I stood in the lobby of the auditorium staring at my phone and looking around. Aunt Grace went in and got her seat, and Pietro went to sit with his friends. I watched as other people entered and went into the main hall to get their seats, waiting for Claire. She finally showed up and ran over to me, embracing me tightly. Her long red hair was straightened and she wasn't wearing her purple contacts. Her nails were painted red and she smelled delicious, like cherry blossoms.

"Hey beautiful," she said when she pulled away, plating a kiss on my cheek.

"Hey yourself. You're late."

"Yeah I know, and I'm sorry. We thought we made good time, but traffic was terrible."

I linked my arm with hers and pulled her along into the auditorium. "Come on. Let's go to our seats." She started walking with me, but soon pulled me back to a stop. I turned to face her and raised a brow. She smirked and whipped out her phone and waved it in the air.

"Can I get a picture with my best girl?"

I smiled at her—my face heating up—and walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her, posing for the picture. She took a few shots before putting her phone in her clutch and linking my arm. She quickly pulled me in for kiss and then led me into the auditorium.

We took our seats and as the ceremony started, we both exchanged looks with each other, Claire making silly faces at me. Before I knew it, they started calling names. When my name was called, Claire stood up screaming and clapping, making me giggle and no doubt making me blush.

"That's my girlfriend!" she yelled, causing most people in attendance to laugh and gush in awe. I took my diploma and walked back to my seat, waving her off while trying to hide my apparent blush. God, I love her.

○○○

Claire's POV

I watched as the love of my life crossed the stage and received her diploma. She looked so beautiful as she carefully walked across the stage, her head tilted down as she watched her steps, making sure she didn't trip in her heels. I shook my head and smiled; she never liked wearing heels because they always made her feel uncomfortable. I stood up from my seat and cupped my hands around my mouth and let out a loud whoop.

"That's my girlfriend!" I exclaimed, clapping my hands and bouncing just a little bit. I heard people in the auditorium laugh and clap around me, but it didn't matter. I saw Wanda look over at me from the stage, her face lighting up in a bright red tint, and she waved me off and laughed. I sat back down and watched as she got her diploma and left the stage, walking back to her seat. A few more names were called before they got to mine, and when they did, I heard Wanda's beautiful voice scream out over the sound of the applause.

"I love you baby!"

"Way to go, Claire!"

I rolled my eyes and smiled at them. They were my family and I loved them dearly. The ceremony didn't last long after that, and I stood next to Wanda, holding her tightly in my arms and kissing her sweetly. Wanda giggled and buried her face in my hair.

"I love you," she whispered, placing a small butterfly kiss right below my earlobe.

"I love you too, Little Red."

Bucky, Pietro and Grace walked over to us, Grace clapping her hands together with a bright smile on her face. Reaching us, she gave us both small hugs.

"Congratulations you two." She turned her head more towards Wanda and hugged her again, lightly pinching her cheek. "Wanda, I am so proud of you. You have grown into a very beautiful and intelligent young woman and I know your parents would be very proud of you. I love you so much. You are the greatest thing that ever happened to me." Grace reached up and shakily wiped away Wanda's fallen tears and pulled her into a hug once again.

"I love you too, Auntie Grace. Thank you. For everything."

Grace and Wanda pulled out of the hug and Grace smiled as she pulled two small envelopes out of her purse, handing one to each of us.

"This is just a little something to say congratulations."

"Oh, thank you, Auntie Grace."

"Grace, you didn't have to do this..."

"Oh, nonsense Claire. It's no trouble and I wanted to do it. By now you're as much a part of this family as you can get at the moment." Grace opened her arms and I stepped forward into them, circling mine around her. "Congratulations, my dear. I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you." She turned her head and kissed my cheek.

"I love you, dearie. Don't forget that," she said in a playful stern voice, wagging her boney finger at me with a little smirk.

"I couldn't forget, Grace. And I love you too."

"You two get together for a picture," Bucky said, pulling out his phone and turning it sideways. I grasped Wanda's hand and pulled her close to me and wrapped an arm around her waist as we posed for the picture. Bucky took a few, and each one we changed our pose. The last one was of us kissing, her arms wrapped around my neck, and mine firmly grasping her hips, our caps lightly touching and pushing against each other, almost falling off our heads. It was safe to say I made that picture my background that day.