There was no way my hair would cooperate today, I just knew it. I had had three hours of pinning it here and there, straightening it left and right, trying a band to hide the cows lick, and nothing worked. So I gave up and slammed the hat down on the top of my head hoping by some miracle it would land properly. Somehow it did. Grabbing two pins I secured it quickly before the miracle faded and finally let out a breath. I grinned at myself in the mirror. Red was a good colour on me. I seized my purse and went out to the living room only to be greeted by a chorus of ahh's.

"Oh look at you!" was my mother's reaction as she walked over to me. I beamed and took her hands. She twirled me around and hugged me tightly. There wasn't a day that went by now where my mother wasn't smiling. It was amazing. It was almost like those few hard years hadn't happened now.

"is it ok?" I did another twirl and watched her reaction.

"You look perfect darling." She kissed my cheek then stepped back so the rest of the room could take me in.

"Oh sweetheart. You've never looked more beautiful." Her father stood up from his chair and wrapped his arms around her.

"Thanks daddy."

"Looking good Grace! you even got the hat to stay!" Zach smiled, snapping a picture on his phone. "Marissa just text to make sure I send a picture! She'd sickened she's missing today."

"Black was a great choice Grace." Jackie nodded.

"We got you something small to finish off the outfit." Will said stepping forward with a small blue box in his hand. I saw the look my grandmother shot him as he passed her. After this many years she was still relentless.

"Oh Will…" I didn't know what to say. He just grinned and handed me the box. I opened it slowly and couldn't help but gasp as I saw what it contained. "It's beautiful." I had never seen something so beautiful. A delicate rose gold chain with a shimmering teardrop diamond hanging from it. "It's just stunning. Thank you so much." I took it out of the box and held it out for him to tie around my neck.

"It suits you perfectly" my mother smiled. "Do you like it?"

"I love it!"

"Right lets go get you graduated!" Zach said standing up from the couch.

]] ]] ]] ]] ]] ]] ]] ]] ]] [[ [[ [[ [[ [[ [[ [[ [[ [[ [[

"I have no more babies!" Alicia wailed as she wrapped her arms around me and Zach.

"Oh mom come on!" I laughed. "You'll ruin your makeup." I nudged her lightly.

"Well done on not tripping Grace!" Cary smiled taking the camera off Will. "In you go I'll get the four of you"

"Thanks man." He stepped in beside my mother and the four of us beamed before the flash.

"Where's Kalinda?" Mom asked as the photos broke up.

"Oh she's just sitting down for a few minutes." He gestured to the benches across the small lawn.

"I'll go get her." Alicia smiled and took off over to her best friend.

"She's not great at the moving thing anymore."

"I know I shouldn't laugh but…" Will tried to supress a grin.

"Yeah at least Alicia gave up heels with you guys." My dad said throwing an arm around me.

"Nothing can get her out of those boots! I didn't even try." He shrugged. I looked over at the two women that were coming towards them. Kalinda was due next week and was showing all the signs of it. I hadn't really believed them when they'd told us first. In fact Will had actually dropped his phone when Cary gave us the news.

"That was Diane, she and Kurt are on the way." Will said as we walked back towards the building.

"We'll take three cars then." Dad looked at his watch. "Marilyn should be there by then. Her mother is taking Petie."

That had been more stunning news, we didn't really know Marilyn but apparently when her partner had passed away her and Dad had gotten close. Now my father had a surrogate toddler and a new girlfriend. Family gatherings had become even larger over the past three years.

]] ]] ]] ]] ]] ]] ]] ]] ]] [[ [[ [[ [[ [[ [[ [[ [[ [[

Family functions were normally dysfunctional, but today everyone was on their best behaviour. I put my graduation cert on my desk and tied my hair up, before taking off my new necklace. I took a few seconds to look at it, the desk lamp light caught it and it shone. I had been tempted to put it away before going out tonight but now I couldn't bare to leave it off. I took out my second dress and started redoing my makeup.

"Grace I'm taking off!" Zach said knocking on my door.

"Come in." I got up.

"I must get back I have an early lecture." He shrugged. "I wish I could go out with all the old school gang." He grinned "but college calls. Almost finished my second year."

"I understand. Thanks for coming back!"

"Hey I wasn't going to miss my baby sister's graduation." He hugged me tightly and quickly, never wanting to ruin his "cool guy" image.

"Thanks"

"I guess I'll see you around campus!" he moved back towards the door hoisting his bag back onto his back.

"Or you know here at home over the summer!" I smiled and waved as he left.

I was ready to go out with my friends in a few minutes, but as I sat at my vanity table something caught my eye. Pulling it out I ran my hand over the brochure.

Georgetown

That was what I'd applied for, that's what I'd had in my head for four years now.

So why did I have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.