“Nope, I’m sure it’s completely acceptable for me to be married and knocked up carrying on an affair with a band member. Sure it’s part of the whole experience.”
For once Declan doesn’t threaten or act jealous. He smiles widely and kisses my neck. When my friends see us laughing, they come over and join us. We enjoy the rest of the night talking about nothing important and no more drama.
*****
Shit! My parents will be here in five minutes, and I’m not close to being ready. I’m already a nervous wreck and having all the family in one car is going to put me over the edge. I’m not sure why I’m anxious. It’s not like I haven’t graduated twice before. Cap and gown, boring speeches, walking across a stage, it’s all the same. Maybe it’s because this time, I am a wife, daughter-in-law, and my moves are tracked. Since both the music and wedding articles were released, I’ve been recognized more often. Even though it’s poor taste, I’m pretty sure someone will take a picture today and post on the Sayge fan sites.
I wince when I slide my feet into my heels. I’ve been in nothing but flip-flops since the accident to let my ankle heal. The doorbell rings as I look into the mirror one last time. Declan greets our parents loudly which is his signal for me to hurry up.
I welcome everyone with hugs and check my purse one last time. It makes me smile when I see Declan has slid a pair of flats in. Robbie surprises me by walking in the door with Ember. It’s obvious they had gotten closer the past few weeks, but bringing her to my graduation is making a huge statement.
Sometimes it’s nice that my dad has connections everywhere. Instead of waiting in the traffic jams coming into campus, we have a reserved place. My mom takes us to several spots for pictures before I have to leave them. Declan walks me as far as he can and kisses me gently.
“Don’t be nervous, babe. It’ll be fine. And tonight’s going to end with me and you screaming each other’s names.”
“That happens often.” I wiggle a little, feeling the familiar build in my body.
“Do you remember the end of your first semester when I told you I had something special for when you graduated?”
I nod my head because I also remember attacking him in the bathtub like an animal.
“I have a feeling tonight we may create new memories similar to those.”
“I can’t wait.” I whisper against his lips. We’re interrupted by the click of a camera, and I see Mari with her cell phone and a grin on her face. Declan pushes me forward, and I follow Mari into the auditorium. This is it.
*****
“You did it!” Robbie twirls me around in a circle. He’s the first one to make it to me through the crowd. “I’m so proud. Now promise me this is the last graduation for you I have to sit through.”
“Promise.”
“ILY.”
“ILY too.”
“Think I can give my wife a hug?” Declan stands behind us looking mad. “Payback is hell, Robbie, you remember that.”
“Oh no, what happened?”
“Your brother tied my laces together so he could get to you first.”
The whole group laughs and even Declan cracks a smile. I jump into his arms and then give everyone else a hug. My mom takes more pictures and then we walk back to the car. I’m surprised to see the entire parking lot filled with all our friends. The far end has been set-up tailgate style with a catering truck. Tables and chairs are scattered around covered with black and gold decorations.
“Surprise!” They yell in unison.
“Did you do this?” I question Declan.
“I helped. It was going to be very hard to get a reservation for all of us at a restaurant and our houses weren’t really a good choice, so James and I came up with this idea. Your dad talked to the school and found out this is a common place for families to celebrate after graduation. The rest was easy.”
I’m overwhelmed with emotion, but don’t want to cry in front of all these people, so I turn around and shout, “I did it!”
Finn gets to me first and picks me up spinning us around.
“Congrats, Baby Girl!”
“Thank you so much for coming.”
“Always.”