Disclaimer: I do not own any of the copyrighted material in this chapter.

~Epilogue~

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test, and don't ask why
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time

~Green Day, Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)~

"Bonnie, we're going to be late!"

I cringe as Care's voice hits my ears. She is right—something I never thought I'd have to admit, even to myself, when it comes to being punctual. Caroline is typically all about being fashionably late. A party isn't a party if she isn't there, after all. I allow myself one more look in the mirror. I took a half an hour straightening my hair this morning. It needs to look perfect. My make-up is subtle, but the extra eyeliner I put on makes my eyes stand out. For once, I like the way I look. I can't say that I've felt like that a lot this past year, but it's a welcome change of pace.

On my way out the door I check to make sure I've grabbed everything I need. Damon texted me a list for me to look at before I left the house. It's surprisingly thorough. It even has a cute little note at the end. Love you. You've got this slugger! I had meant to ask him when he became such a baseball fan, but it had slipped my mind. I had so many other things I needed to get done—so did he and we haven't seen each other since we went to visit Amelia yesterday morning. It feels like it has been a lifetime, but I think Damon's theatrics are beginning to rub off on me. I just hope Amelia is spared that one particular personality quirk. I don't know if I could deal with double the dramatics.

"Bon!"

"Coming!" I call back, smoothing out the wrinkles in my white, lace dress before slamming my bedroom door shut.

I take the stairs two at a time, jumping off the last step and saluting my best friends. "I'm here!"

They are standing at the foot of the staircase, expressions of giddy excitement on their faces. Caroline is a bit over-dressed, as usual, and I cannot imagine wearing heels as tall as hers. She's towering over Elena, who has gone with a simpler look: a deep mauve, tea-length dress and kitten-heeled sandals. Of course, she seems way less concerned about the time. Her brown doe-eyes are brimming with excitement. Care's blue ones are disapproving.

"Did Damon teach you that?" Care asks.

I scoff. "As if. More like I'm helping him before he goes to basic training. I don't want him to get punished for insubordination the second he gets there."

"A very real possibility," Elena adds with a quiet chuckle.

"You're not kidding," Caroline says, checking her watch. "I'd be surprised if he shows up on time today. Speaking of, we'll be right there with him if we don't get going. I think everyone else is already there."

"Care, everything is still within walking distance."

"Let's go!" she grabs both of our arms and pulls us through the front door.

The weather is perfect. The sun is shining brightly, the sky a brilliant cloud-free blue. The grass green and still slick with dew. There is a slight breeze, but it isn't strong enough to combat the warmth in the air. It has to be at least sixty-nine degrees outside, which is a bit on the cooler side this time of year.

All in all, it's a great time for new beginnings.

When we arrive at the school, the football field is packed. It has been turned into an outdoor auditorium for today's special occasion. I search the stands for my parents to no avail. They must be seated all the way in the back. I do spot Jeremy and Anna, though. They are sitting two rows up from the stage, holding hands and presumably searching the crowd of students for us. We are all clustered by the school's front doors, entering two at a time. When Care, Elena, and I reach the gym locker rooms, Elena hands us our respective garment bags.

Inside each one is a bright red gown and cap with a yellow tassel hanging from the top. Caroline compared our graduation garb to a McDonald's billboard and we unanimously agreed. And by unanimously, I mean the entire graduating class. It seems silly now, who cares about our school's poor choice of colors? I'm just so thankful to be standing with my friends. There had been so many times this year that I thought I wasn't going to make it here. It's surreal to actually be here, in this very moment. Most of us are on the brink of total adulthood, and while I feel I've crossed that line months ago, today kind of makes it official.

The only thing that would improve my mood would be if Amelia were here, but she needed to remain in the NICU a few more days. I had been disappointed when the nurses gave Damon and I the update yesterday. I had been able to hold back my tears and I had realized I didn't want her in this setting anyway. Large groups of people are an illness waiting to happen, according to Mr. Mom. And Damon is totally correct, but it didn't lessen the emptiness I felt every time we left the hospital.

I crane my neck, hoping to find him among the throngs of students, teachers, and faculty. No luck. I frown as we are ushered into alphabetical order. There are seven classmates between me and Caroline and another four between her and Elena. Stefan and Damon are closer to the end of the line. Stef is not only the youngest person receiving his diploma today, but he is also the youngest salutatorian in Mystic Falls High School's history. I'm rather proud of Stef. So is Damon. He went on a ten-minute spiel about it to Amelia. "Uncle Steffy is way smarter than me kiddo," he told her in the mushiest tone of voice I've ever heard. On anyone. Ever. "He can help you with all your homework."

I'm pulled away from my thoughts when I hear pomp and circumstance begin. It rings in my ears. I feel myself moving forward almost robotically. I'm actually afraid I might trip, which is odd, because I'm always pretty steady on my feet. The three years I spent cheerleading basically cemented that fact, but I'm also so different from the person I had been not too long ago.

We all take our seats and the graduation ceremony begins.

Principal Hayes begins her speech, which is similar to the one she gave at the previous graduations. She talks about the many events the class participated in. Including, but not limited to: bake sales, car washes, school carnivals, and fundraisers. In fact, our class collected more canned goods than any other grade level had this past semester

And then Stefan is called for his address.

It's a very well-articulated monologue. He speaks of changes, both big and small, and how we should welcome them with open arms. How the next chapter of our lives may be scary, but we should never fear taking the road less traveled—because we learn more that way. I find myself nodding with every poignant remark he makes.

I almost don't hear them call the valedictorian to the podium.

"Bonnie Bennett!"

I stand, a buzz of anticipation hitting me. I had worked on my address for a solid week, writing and re-writing it at least three separate times. I practiced in front of my mom, dad, Care, and Elena. I read the finished product to Damon and our daughter yesterday. He told me it was amazing, that there wouldn't be a dry eye in the entire room. Except his, he reminded me because he's too macho too cry.

I grip my index cards tightly, ascending the stairs with what I hope is an air of confidence. I stand at the podium, back straight, hands folded primly on the stand. I did it. I take a deep breath and lean into the microphone.

"Good afternoon families, teachers, students. I want to start off by saying that it has been an honor to grow up with you guys. We finally made it. I remember thinking about this day when we were in seventh grade. It seemed so far away then. And now, now it feels like the blink of an eye. And we learned so much in that one blink: highs and lows, love and heartbreak, triumph and failure. And it made us stronger. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: 'We acquire the strength we have overcome.' And he's absolutely right. Only by overcoming adversity do we better ourselves. Life isn't going to go easy on us, but that doesn't have to bring us down. Our years at Mystic Falls High School have taught us more than academics. It taught us how to persevere through hardships—whether that be a bad grade or a bad break-up. We learned to come back stronger than we were. And, while we may all be going in different directions, we can still look back on our years in school with great fondness. I know I will. It may make the hard times that much easier. So while life may seem hellish and downright cruel sometimes I urge you all to remember a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson entitled The Charge of the Light Brigade: 'Into the valley of Death. Rode the six hundred.' That's us heading into the unknown and while not everything will be a great success, it is still a valuable experience. If we keep that in mind we will always prosper... and everything will be alright. I've been talking way too much and I know all of you are ready to show the world what you are made of. So, once again, congratulations Class of 2012!"

I step away from the podium. I head back to my seat among the sound of applause.

The flashes from all of the cameras are blinding.

The four of us found each other after five minutes of searching. Care, Elena, and I didn't stray too far from our places in the middle of the field. It is more accurate to say Damon and Stefan had to locate us. And when they do, Damon throws an arm around my shoulder and plants an obnoxious, sloppy kiss on the cheek. Stef shakes his head at his older brother and hugs Elena tightly.

"That was an awesome speech, Stef!"

"Thank you, but I think I liked yours better. It packed more of a punch."

"And you guys say I have an ego." Damon rolls his eyes theatrically.

"You do!" The four of us say simultaneously.

We make our way back to the front of the school. Where everyone is gathering with their families. Our parents make up the biggest group there. Liz Forbes, my parents, Isobel and John Gilbert, Elena's Aunt Jenna, and Jeremy and Anna. From the corner of my eye, I see Mr. Salvatore approaching us. Damon notices, too. His entire body stiffens and his blue eyes darken. I want to find a rock to crawl under. I don't think Giuseppe has even bothered to ask how his granddaughter is doing. I know Damon told him how up in the air everything felt the first few days. And I also know he didn't offer a single word of sympathy to his son.

"Stefan, you did a wonderful job. Bonnie, dear, you as well. Especially after everything you've gone through."

That is a backhanded compliment if I ever heard one.

"Thank you, Mr. Salvatore." I reply in a small voice.

He gives me a nod. "Damon—good job." Before Damon can say anything he faces my parents, hand extended. "I'm Giuseppe. Damon and Stefan's father. I'm sure he hasn't mentioned me once."

My mother takes his hand and shakes it firmly. "Nonsense! We've heard about you, Giuseppe. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Abby Bennett and this is my husband Rudy."

Dad offers a hand and says something similar to Mom's greeting.

Then Mr. Salvatore turns back to me. "I was packing up some of Damon's baby things—so he can take them with him when he moves." He clears his throat rather loudly. "And I came across this stuffed elephant his mother gave him. I'm sure…"

"Amelia." Damon says sharply. "For the eighth time."

"Yes—I was going to say that. Amelia would like it, I'm sure. My wife, Lily, loved elephants."

"I'm sure she will. When she's a bit older…"

"Because she's in the hospital still… like I told you last week and the week before that—"

"I'm aware, Damon. If you'd let me finish you would understand that."

I look down at my feet awkwardly. Maybe I should have gone with the orange polish instead of the light pink… wow, my feet still look swollen…

"I think I would like to meet the little one," Giuseppe says.

My head snaps up. I exchange a look with Damon, who looks as if he would rather douse himself in acid than let that happen.

"Maybe after she comes home, sir." I begin slowly. "Damon and I are really the only ones that can see her now. My mom has only seen her once and my father is in the same boat as you." Not that he hasn't been invited to come see her…

Giuseppe smiles and it scares me a bit. It looks so out of place. I wonder when he smiled last. I'm thinking years ago. "Very well, Bonnie. I look forward to it."

He turns on his heel and departs.

It is just me and Damon. Pictures have been taken (excessively) and our celebratory dinner has been eaten. We are heading into the hospital. His hand is around my waist and I'm leaning into his body, inhaling his scent.

"You know, that's weird and I notice every time you do it."

"Still don't know what you're talking about." And then I say, "are you okay with your dad meeting her?"

"Not really, but I guess I'll give him a chance for Amelia's sake. But one wrong move and I'm done."

I nod. "That's very big of you—and I have your back, just so you know."

"I did." He answers casually. "Ditto." he gazes down at me, grinning from ear to ear.

And just like that—it became Bonnie and Damon against the world.

~The End~

I hope everyone enjoyed the epilogue. I can't wait to get started on the next story. The title is going to be Come As You Are—keeping with the Nirvana theme. So keep an eye on that and as always, your thoughts on the story are greatly appreciated.