Chapter 8
Julian scanned the sea of navy blue uniforms looking for Buffy's face. He had successfully traded places with his Grandmother so he could have the aisle seat. He finally spotted her, right before she passed him. "There she is!"
Buffy heard her son's voice, and quickly turned her head. She gave him a smile and a quick wink as she passed him. She didn't miss his ear to ear grin.
"Good Afternoon. I'm Rahm Emanuel. Welcome Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, Chiefs, Officers, Graduates, family and friends to the Chicago Fire Department graduation ceremony…"
Carmen's eyes were full of tears. Julian handed her a tissue and Marco slipped his arm around Carmen's shoulders and gave her a squeeze. Julian handed her another tissue.
"You are embarking on the one of the best careers the City of Chicago has to offer. We welcome you and wish you well on your journey…"
Carmen noticed Julian's squirming and slid her arm around his shoulders. He immediately settled down.
"Graduates, please rise."
The class rose and proceeded to the stage row by row. Names were called, and they were handed their diplomas and their pictures were taken with the Mayor and Fire Commissioner. After what seemed like an eternity, Julian heard the name he had been waiting to hear.
"Grace Margaret Rodriguez."
Buffy proceeded across the stage. Julian practically jumped up.
"Way to go, Mom!" he yelled.
Buffy heard him. She stifled a giggle, but she couldn't hide the smile. Mayor Emanuel handed her the diploma.
"Congratulations, Mom."
"Thank you, Your Honor. That was Julian. He's 10."
"He sounds very proud."
"He is."
They smiled for the photo, and exited as the next name was called.
"Justin Andrew Rodriguez."
Buffy made her way back to her seat. Her diploma rested on her lap. She was biting her lip and trying not to laugh when Justin Rodriguez sat down in her chair.
"Your son seems proud," he commented.
"I'm so embarrassed. I thought I raised him better than that."
"Relax, Rodriguez. It was cute."
"Thanks, Rodriguez."
"Did you get your orders yet?"
She nodded. "The 86. Austin."
"I got 51."
"My sister in law to be is a Candidate on Truck 81. They seem to be nice people."
"You got screwed, Rodriguez. Austin hates women."
"So I've been told."
The Hernandez backyard was overflowing with family and friends all celebrating Buffy's graduation. Eva's cake was a huge hit- chocolate in the shape of a fire engine with 86 written on the engine and Congratulations Candidate Rodriguez in yellow. Buffy had taken 10 pictures of it before anyone messed it up.
"You like it?" Eva asked.
"I love it, Eva. Thank you so much." She reached out and gave her a hug. "I really appreciate you taking the time to bake this for me."
"I wanted to bake something special for you."
"Well, I love it, and I'm sure everyone else does too."
"I hope so."
"I know so. Look at how everyone ate your brownies last summer."
"That's when I first started baking."
"And now look at what you're capable of," she gestured toward the cake. "You've come a long way in a year."
"Thanks to you."
"I didn't do anything. I just encouraged you to go for it."
"And I like it."
Buffy smiled. "I'm glad you do. Eva, if you want to pursue this after high school, I'll pay your tuition to culinary school."
Eva's eyes widened in surprise and shock. "You'd do that. You're not even my Mom."
"No and I never will be. But that doesn't mean I don't love you like a Mom would."
Eva gave her a hug. "I love you, Buffy. I'm so glad you're marrying my Dad."
"I love you too, Eva. I'm glad I'm marrying your Dad too."
