Chapter 7

"Wow! Mom you look awesome!" Julian said as he took in Buffy in her dress uniform.

"Second that," Antonio said as he gave her a kiss.

Buffy waved her hand. "Stop! Both of you. You've both seen people in their Class A's before."

"Yeah, but not you in it, Mom," Julian reminded.

He set his tablet aside and walked over to her. He gave her a hug. "I'm proud of you, Mom."

"Thank you, Julian," she said, trying not to cry as she hugged him back.

She would always treasure that moment when her firstborn would tell her he was proud of her. As she felt his arms around her waist, she realized that the past six months of hell was totally worth it.

"Babe, we're gonna be late. You can't be late for your own graduation," Antonio reminded.

"You're right. Let's go."

Julian spotted his Grandmother and his Uncle before the van was even parked. He was out of it in a flash as soon as Antonio had slid the gear shift in Park. Buffy stifled a giggle. Antonio looked over at her.

"He does it all the time," she explained.

Antonio got out of the van, walked over to the passenger side and opened the door for her. She slid out of the seat and took his hand.

"Thank God we don't have to wear skirts."

Antonio looked her over, and straightened her tie. "Put your cover on," he reminded.

She rolled her eyes. "You forget I have Active and Reserve Duty experience, Detective. I know when to put my cover on."

"I know you do," he said as he fussed with her uniform some more. Buffy realized that it was his way of working off his nerves. What he was nervous about, she had no idea. He was just attending her graduation ceremony. He wasn't participating. He gave her a gentle kiss. "I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you, Antonio. It means a lot coming from you and Julian."

She placed her hat on her head, then slipped on her gloves. She and Antonio walked over to Julian and the rest of the family. Buffy was hugged, kissed, and patted on the back by everyone. She graciously thanked everyone before checking her watch and realizing she needed to go line up for their grand entrance. Antonio started to walk off with her, but Marco held him back.

"Let her go, Bro. She'll be okay."

Antonio nodded. "She'll be fine."

Buffy checked in and was told where to go to stand in line. Her classmates were standing around impatiently waiting for the ceremony to begin. She could tell how nervous they were by the tones of their voices, or their talk of partying after and how drunk they were going to get once they left home. Buffy thought of the spread her mother had been cooking for the past week, and the cake that Eva had baked for her. The only things that were standing in the way of all of that delicious food and Eva's cake was this little thing called a graduation ceremony. She looked up at the sky. It was a gorgeous, sunny September afternoon. A picture perfect day for graduation.

"You think I'll be able to see Mom?" Julian asked Carmen, Marco, and Antonio.

"You might. It all depends on which side of the aisle she'll be on," Carmen told her Grandson. "You want to trade seats with me so you can see?"

"I'm fine, Grandma. Thanks for asking though." He glanced toward the back of the ballroom. "Here they come!"