Epilogue

One year later...

I was a good distance away but I could see Santana playing nervously with her graduation cap. It was a warm day and everyone was pretending to listen to the valedictorian speech which was being delivered by one of Santana's perky classmates.

We had all come to the graduation; me, Finn, Shelly and Cedric. It had not been easy convincing Santana to stay at the base. Apparently she had her heart set on finding her own apartment and I wouldn't have it. Much to my relief, Shelly insisted she needed her grandchildren with her so that had changed Santana's stubborn mind. She and Finn had started going to a nearby school. Most of the supernaturals found it funny that they actually wanted mortal education.

Gisele had been predictably livid about my relationship with Santana that she had gone for a three day hunt. If she had her way she would have made Santana's life a living hell. Hopefully she would be over it soon. She was actually a pleasant woman when she wasn't too busy being a jealous bitch.

Cedric had also brooded for days but he got over it quickly. I guess he found a way to convert his love for Santana into friendship. I was still keeping an eye on him though because Santana refused to believe Cedric had feelings for her. Even after everything she was still so trusting and naive - some of the things I loved about her.

As for her parents, they had tried many times to get in contact with their children but Santana was having none of it. She never once spoke to her father but she was definitely softening more towards her mother. She didn't know it yet but I had invited them to her graduation.

The valedictorian had finally finished her speech and they had started handing out diplomas.

She was part of the honor roll students so her name was called out early. I watched as she walked up the stage, shook hands with the headmistress, take her diploma walk to the sponsor to pose for a photo and i watched as he placed a hand on the small of her back. I tensed involuntarily. I had a problem with people putting their hands on her.

Cheers erupted from either side of me as Finn and Cedric stood up to cheer her on. I stood too counting the seconds until that man took his hand off her body. The camera flashed, he let her go and she climbed down the stairs. She had a huge grin on her face as she ran towards us, we were already pulling out if the seating area.

"Finally!" She shrieked as soon as she reached us. Finn hugged her and so did Cedric and Shelly then she finally turned to me and jumped into my waiting arms.

"Finally." I whispered in her ear. She released me then stepped back.

"Come on, let's get out of here." She took my hand and led our group out of the celebrating crowd. We walked to the exit.

"That valedictorian, what's her name again?" Finn asked.

"Megan Turner." Santana supplied.

"Someone needs to teach her to control her mouth! That speech was days long!" Finn complained.

"I know! I have grey hair now!" Cedric groaned.

I chuckled. "Me too."

"It was a good speech though." Shelly put in.

"Meh, it was alright." Santana said with a tiny tilt of her head.

We reached the exit and stepped out into the sun.

"If I'm ever valedictorian, I'm singing instead of speaking." Finn declared.

"That should be interesting considering you sound like a horse that's being slaughtered when you sing." I said with a smirk.

We all laughed at that.

"Santana? Finn?" A voice stopped us. I felt Santana tense next to me.

We all whirled around to face Karen and Lucas Marino.

"Mum. Dad. What are you doing here?" Finn asked with a frown.

"We came to see your sister graduate." Lucas said walking up to Santana who just stood frozen on my arm. "Hie, sweetheart."

"Lucas! They are not ready for this." Shelly stepped forward and stood in between Santana and her father. "You shouldn't be here."

"Its okay, Nana." Santana finally thawed and side stepped Shelly without releasing my hand which she was squeezing tight.

"Hie mum. And dad." She said quietly. Finn came up and stood next to Shelly. "It's been a while."

"Sweetheart. I'm so proud of you." Karen gushed her voice sounding emotional.

"Why are you here?" Finn asked narrowing his eyes.

"I wanted to see my babies." Karen said tears glistening in her eyes. "It's been so long."

Santana squeezed my hand tighter. "You don't look well, Mum." Her voice sounded cracked like she too was about to cry.

"It's not easy for a mother to be away from her children, Santana." Karen said then she glanced at Lucas. "Lucas?"

Lucas's attention wasn't on Karen. He was staring at the join of Santana's hand with mine. I shifted on my feet.

"Lucas?" Karen repeated more sternly. "We missed our children."

His head snapped up and his eyes met mine and held for a long moment. His eyes then shifted to Santana's.

"I'm proud of you, Santana." He said stiffly. His feelings towards me dating his daughter could not be clearer.

"Thank you, Dad." Santana said her chin jutting out stubbornly. She had obviously seen our silent stand off.

"Finn, how are you?" Lucas asked looking at his son.

"Angry, hurt, disgusted, upset-" he started.

"Finn." Shelly stopped him.

"Im good, Dad." He corrected himself.

"I know, you guys don't want to see us but we were hoping we could have lunch together at any date you want." Karen said.

Santana drew in a breath then looked at Finn who looked down at his feet. She looked at Shelly who smiled encouragingly at her.

"We will have to think about it." She said stiffly.

Karen nodded with a slight smile. "Its good to see you." She said. "Can I get a hug?" She asked looking from Finn to Santana.

As an answer, Santana released my hand, stepped forward and put her arms around her mother. Finn came up behind them and hugged her too. Karen was sobbing at this point. The reunion had been long overdue and it was good to finally see them together again. They released Karen and moved over to hug Lucas too. It was a much shorter and less emotional hug but it was a start.

Both Finn and Santana had tears in their eyes when they stepped back. I put my arm around Santana both comforting and protective.

"We should be on our way." Finn said when silence followed the hugs.

"Yeah. It was good seeing you both. Maybe we will see you again soon." Santana said leaning against my shoulder.

"I hope so." Karen said with a smile.

Lucas had been glaring at me ever since I put my arm around Santana.

"Gabriel." He said coldly.

"Lucas." I inclined my head slightly.

"If you hurt a single hair on my little girl's head or if you make one tear fall from those eyes, I will tear you apart limb from limb." He said his voice dangerously low and it would have frightened a lesser man.

"Her happiness is my priority. I won't hurt her." I had to put aside our differences for the sake of the woman we both cared about.

Lucas nodded then took his wife's hand. "Take care of my children." He said to his mother then they turned and walked away. Karen turned back and waved.

Shelly smiled happily as she turned to Santana. "I told you you had a big heart." She squeezed her arm and took Finn's hand and started walking with him towards the car.

Cedric followed closely behind them.

I put both my arms around Santana. "Are you okay?" I asked.

She was quiet for a second. "Yeah." She finally replied. "I had missed them so much." She admitted then pulled away to look up at me with a smile. "I feel pretty good. Surprisingly."

"They are your parents after all." I mumbled.

"I know you invited them." She said surprising me.

I grinned guiltily. "How'd you know?"

"Everyone was surprised by their appearance except you." She said narrowing her eyes.

"I should polish my acting skills!" I remarked.

My beautiful girlfriend laughed. "You really should. Because I know about the surprise party at the mansion."

I was even more surprised that she knew about this. I had been so careful with the planning her graduation party! Damn it! Now she was laughing at the look on my face.

"How did you know about that?" I asked completely bewildered.

"Oh I have my ways." She stood on tiptoe and kissed me on the lips. "Just like you have your ways of making me so happy without even trying." She whispered her arms around my neck.

"I aim to please." I planted my lips back on hers my need for her taking over. I completely forgot we were in a public place as I drew her close kissing her like there was no tomorrow.

"Gabriel!" Cedric's voice broke us apart. "Do you have to do that here?"

We looked over at him annoyed by the interruption.

"Let's go!" He yelled.

I groaned loudly and Santana giggled. "We will continue this later." I whispered the promise in her ear and she giggled again.

I took her hand and led her towards the car. She followed happily holding my hand with both of hers. I smiled to myself. I didn't know when exactly I had gotten so lucky but Santana had brought so much love and joy and peace in my life. She was my own personal piece of heaven and nomatter what happened I was never going to let her go.

She was mine. And I was hers.

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Finally, the end! This was my first book on Wattpad and it's been a crazy journey! I enjoyed writing this book and I hope you enjoyed reading it. Thank you for reading! If you liked it vote, comment and share it!

In a few days I will be posting details of my next book so look out for that.

Xoxo

Chloe