"She's done college," Owen said walking with Evelyn across the college campus.

"Math and physics with honors," Evelyn smiled.

"Teddy was jealous," Owen said.

"She only got two tickets," Evelyn said, "she wanted you and I."

"Teddy is doing dinner and Nathan is helping her," Owen said.

"Teddy didn't have to do that," Evelyn said.

"She wants to," Owen said, "we're really proud of Nikki."

"So am I," Evelyn said, "make sure you tell her."

"We have and I will again," Owen promised.

"I never expected this," Evelyn said.

"What part," Owen asked.

"Her going to college I thought she would dance then teach ballet," Evelyn said, "that you and her would be so close. I don't think she would have gone to college or done as well as she has without your support. Owen you've really been there for Nikki in a way no one else could. The two of you learned to be siblings and to trust each other."

"I always loved her mom that wasn't the problem," Owen said, "I didn't know what to do with a baby sister when I was 17. I needed someone to teach me how to get through her shell. Teddy helped me break the shell then Nikki trusted me. I think a lot of it is that I wasn't around and my girlfriends didn't help."

"Beth was abusive to her frankly," Evelyn said, "she was a real piece of work to your sisters. I was so thankful when Teddy came home with you on those leaves. Nikki would cling to Teddy who was happy to spend time with her."

"We took her hiking Meg, Riggs, Beth , Teddy and I," Owen said, "Nikki was 9. She was so tired coming down we shouldn't have taken her up that mountain to the waterfall but she was so happy swimming in the falls with Teddy. Four of us took turns carrying Nikki the last mile. She was so exhausted 7 hours up and 6 hours down was too much for Nikki she was so little. She was nine but looked 6 or 7. I remember thinking that she was lighter than my field gear. I carried heavier bags at work than my little sister. I have a picture at home of her almost asleep on Teddy's back. She sat between Teddy and Meg in my truck on the way home and slept on Teddy. She only woke up when we stopped at McDonald's."

"I remember that day you got home so late," Evelyn said, "you drove Beth home and Meghan and Teddy carried Nikki up and put her to bed. It was nearly midnight by the time you were home."

"You were so mad at me," Owen said.

"I had no idea where you were," Evelyn said, "all three of my kids, three friends."

"She was okay," Owen said.

"I wasn't worried about you and Meghan," Evelyn said, "Nikki was so little. Beth was always so mean to her and you went along with it."

"That was wrong," Owen said, "Teddy, Meg and Riggs set me straight a few times."

"Her cat whose idea was it," Evelyn asked.

"Mine," Owen said, "I wanted to get her a hamster."

"Meghan said puppy," Evelyn said, "which I vetoed."

Teddy was hanging a banner in the living room, "Nate can you help me?"

"She's graduating college," Nathan said, "I remember her learning to walk, and swim and ride her bike."

"You've seen most of her life," Teddy smiled.

"I'm really proud of her," Nathan said.

"She's fought hard," Teddy said, "she's had things stacked against her."

"No dad, ADHD, the accident, absent siblings most of her childhood," Nathan listed.

"She's done really well since she started college," Teddy said.

"She has," Nathan said, "teaching school will be good for her."

"It will," Teddy agreed, "that starts next week. She's really excited. She already has all her text books."

"She should be," Nathan said, "how excited were you for med school?"

"Exactly," Teddy replied, "she's doing 120 credits in 12 months."

"That's a full degree," Nathan said, "she's up for that?"

"She is," Teddy replied, "she's so ready."

"She'll be a good teacher," Nathan said.

"We're all moving forward," Teddy said, "are you seeing anyone?"

"I go on the odd date," Nathan said, "no one I would introduce to the family. I can't introduce a new girlfriend to her family. Teddy it feels like cheating to date. She's still out there somewhere she has to be."

"It's been eight years Nathan," Teddy said, "Meghan would want you to be happy."

"I've tried Teddy," Nathan said, "I can do dinner with someone, drinks, go for a hike and hang out but there's a line."

"Spend time with a woman and get to know her," Teddy said, "Nathan you can be happy. You should be happy."

"I'm content," Nathan said, "I have my work, I still go overseas a few months every year, I love my nieces and spending time with the family. I have things that make me happy."

"You never want to find love again," Teddy asked.

"If I met the right woman maybe," Nathan said, "but I'm not searching. I had my once in a lifetime. Tomorrow is 8 years. I can't think about moving on now. Tomorrow is 8 years and then it's her birthday. I dreamed of her last night."

"Still," Teddy asked.

"All the time," Nathan said, "I'll know I'm ready when that dream stops."

"You should be happy," Teddy said, "she would want you to be happy."

"I'm okay," Nathan said.

"Not just okay Nathan," Teddy said, "happy. You should be happy."

"She would be so proud of Nikki," Teddy said.

"She would be front row with Ma and Owen," Nathan said, "loudest person in the audience."

"There would have been a fight over who went," Teddy said.

"But would Nikki be as close to Owen," Nathan said, "Meg was always Nikki's first choice."

"We'll never know," Teddy said, "he's really excited to go see her graduate today. We went to her highschool one but it feels bigger."

"It is," Nathan said, "she's earned this."

"She has," Teddy agreed.

In the university stadium Owen sat with Evelyn.

"She's earned this," Owen said.

"She has," Evelyn agreed.

The ceremony began and they called the students one at a time. Hearing Nicole McRae, Owen leapt to his feet cheering and applauding. Nikki smiled hearing Owen and she thought maybe, just maybe she heard another voice with his, soft almost a whisper. She knew who it was. After the ceremony they took pictures together, family pictures to commemorate the day. Evelyn would get the pictures printed and update the frame in the hallway, put Nikki's graduation day photo up with her siblings.

Walking in after the ceremony Nikki heard a shout of, "congratulations Nikki!"

"What," Nikki said looking around ,"when did you? How did you?"

"We're celebrating," Teddy said, "congratulations squirt!"

"Thanks Teddy," Nikki smiled.

"I'm proud of you," Nathan said.

"Thanks Nate," Nikki replied.

They spent the evening celebrating with Nikki's friends and Jeff's family.