CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

Serena smiled as Charlie rolled her into the gymnasium and noticed the graduates in front. Behind them were the rows reserved for families, with an entire row where the pack had congregated.

She couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the pack, who were dressed somewhat formally, tugging at their clothes uncomfortably. Sam and Emily could be seen scolding them, trying to get them to settle down.

Serena whispered to Charlie and Sue, requesting, "Hey Charlie, Sue, can you take me to my dad and sisters." They nodded and continued wheeling her chair towards them.

Billy was somewhat startled when he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. A voice asked politely, "Excuse me, sir, is it okay if I take the seat next to you?"

Billy started to reply before turning around, "Oh, I'm sorry, it's currently occupied. I apologize-" His words abruptly stopped as his eyes widened in disbelief.

He stared at his oldest daughter sitting in the wheelchair, her slim figure apparent. Despite her delicate condition, all he could see was her radiant smile.

"So, I take it the seat is meant for Serena Black?" she asked, uttering her name. Her sisters, upon hearing it, turned and were about to scream, but Serena quickly held up her hand to signal for them to refrain from doing so.

"Serena!" they whispered, trying to contain their excitement, as they both reached for her hand, reluctant to stand in the middle of the graduation ceremony. As soon as they released her, her dad leaned over to engulf her in a warm embrace.

In response, Serena apologized, "Sorry I'm late." Her dad chuckled, clearly relieved to see her.

Billy looked at her, gently touching the area under her eyes, noticing how sunken they appeared. "You hardly look like you're in a condition to be here."

Rebecca jokingly remarked, "Don't tell me you escaped." Rachel chuckled in response, stating, "Well, she's not wearing the hospital gown, so I highly doubt that, Bex."

Serena explained to the twins, "Dr. Cullen allowed me a free pass, and he called his wife to bring me some clothes." She then turned to her dad, who smiled and held her hand as the principal walked onto the stage, signaling the start of the graduation ceremony.

"Paul is going to freak! Let's hope he doesn't run off the stage midway through getting his diploma," Rachel joked, prompting Serena to gently smack her arm. As the school administrators called out the graduates' names, Serena wished she could stand when they announced Paul's name.

...

After a few hours, the ceremony concluded, and Serena informed her family that she would return. She asked them not to disclose her presence to anyone. Serena then left the gymnasium and made her way to the front of the school, watching as families exited with their graduating students.

Serena examined the scarf around her neck and decided to wrap it over her head, using it to partially conceal her face.

As she looked at the families gathering around the graduates, they were taking pictures and congratulating them. She spotted Paul standing with his friends, and she smiled, watching him interact.

The entire pack started to emerge from the school after the graduation, and they were all embracing Paul. Serena smiled at the sight, but she also noticed that Paul seemed less vibrant than the rest of the group.

"Boys! Gather up for a group photo, all of you!" Emily called out, and the pack members huddled together.

As Emily prepared to take the picture, her eyes widened in surprise when the camera flash went off. Serena discreetly waved to Emily, signaling for her to keep the secret. Emily was excited but managed to contain her reaction and gestured in agreement.

Emily took a few more pictures and made sure all the pack members were included, not drawing attention to herself. She looked at Serena and smiled with a secret smile, not wanting to ruin the surprise.

Emily examined the photo and turned towards the guys, asking, "Guys, what do you think? Is this shot good?"

Embry responded casually, "I think it looks fine, Emily. You always take great pictures, and we trust your skills."

Jared nodded in agreement, saying, "Yeah."

Emily couldn't help but roll her eyes, while Serena quietly snickered behind them. Emily then turned the camera interface toward the boys and showed them. Jared leaned in for a closer look, followed by the others. They all froze upon noticing someone in the corner of the picture.

The pack members huddled around Emily to look at the photo on the camera. They all stared in disbelief, and realization dawned on them. They gasped in surprise, recognizing who was hiding in the corner of the picture.

Jacob was the first to suddenly jerk his head back, eyes wide with disbelief.

The others quickly followed suit, turning their heads in disbelief. However, Paul remained frozen in shock, yet to react.

Serena sat in the wheelchair and raised her arms, exclaiming, "Surprise!"

Jacob approached her in the wheelchair and enveloped Serena in a gentle hug, whispering, "Serena."

The rest of the pack gradually overcame their initial shock, and they approached her, their eyes gleaming with a mixture of joy and astonishment.

The only member of the pack who hadn't moved was Paul; he continued standing with his back facing them.

Paul's mind was spinning with conflicting emotions, but his primary thought was whether he was experiencing a dream or if this was a trick of the imagination. He was certain that only hours ago, Serena had been lying unconscious in the hospital.

Paul was paralyzed with indecision, his back still facing the group. His mind was racing with a whirlwind of emotions, and he found himself doubting if any of this could be true. Was this all a trick of the mind? Was the person sitting in the wheelchair behind him truly Serena, his girlfriend? He remained motionless, struggling to make sense of it all.

Paul was jerked out of his thoughts when he felt a gentle poke to his back. He took a deep breath before slowly turning around. There she was, sitting in the wheelchair, while Jacob held it steady. Serena smiled at him.

Serena spoke with a smile, her voice filled with sincerity, "Sorry it took a while, and I apologize for making you wait, but I made it to your graduation."

Paul knelt down in front of her, fighting back tears as his eyes welled up with emotion.  He allowed a soft sob to escape, which was barely audible to anyone except her. He enveloped her in a tender hug, burying his head in her neck.

"You're here, really here," Paul whispered, his warm breath caressing her neck.

In response, Serena chuckled, replying, "I told you I wouldn't miss it, didn't I?"

Paul held onto her tightly, their eyes locking together. However, before they could continue, Jacob interrupted, his voice laced with a touch of disapproval, "Okay, if you two even think about kissing, I really will throw up."

Serena waved her hand dismissively, saying, "Shh, little brother, let us have a moment."

Jacob sighed and released the wheelchair handle and walked back to join the rest of the pack, allowing Paul and Serena to have their private moment together.

"I missed you so much," Paul replied as he leaned his forehead against hers.

Serena gazed at him for a moment before speaking again, "Say, Paul, what do you think about making it official?"

Paul leaned back, his eyes widening in surprise at her question.

"Are you sure?" he asked, his hands gently holding her face as he caressed her cheek with his thumb.

"I know I've been in a coma for about five months now, but despite being unconscious, I still heard all your words," Serena explained, "and I realized that you and I don't need to prove to each other how we feel. We know where we're going, and we know that we want this, Paul."

Serena looked into his eyes and leaned forward to connect their lips.

"God, I love you so much, Serena," Paul confessed, his voice filled with sincerity.

"I love you too, Paul," she replied, her heart swelling with affection. Suddenly, loud cheering and whistles filled the air, and they turned to see their family watching and celebrating.

Serena whispered to Paul, "Please don't tell me they were there the whole time."

Paul chuckled and wrapped his arm affectionately around her waist, replying, "Oh, they were."

Serena and Paul snickered as they watched the others passing money back and forth. Paul observed, "Looks like Seth won this bet."

Serena rolled her eyes and remarked, "I bet they will start betting on marriage and kids now."

Paul chuckled and agreed, "I wouldn't be surprised."

The pack all chuckled and smiled, but Paul and Serena could see Seth with a smug grin on his face, knowing he had won the bet and was probably already making plans to wager on the next big event in their relationship.

Paul and Serena glanced at each other and rolled their eyes, knowing that the pack's bets on their future milestones were far from over, and they were about to become a hot topic for the next round of friendly wagers.