Chapter 6 – Graduation Time

It's time for the graduation ceremony! All the gals' parents are here, as are the guys'. They'll sit together for this happy occasion and then go to the same banquet hall that served the Senior Prom in high school for the celebratory meal.

The graduates-to-be are nervous!

"Is my mortar board (hat) on straight?" asks Clover anxiously.

"It's fine, Clover!" says Sam.

"Is my robe okay, Sammy?"

"Sure is, Alex. How's mine, gals?"

"Perfect, Sam!" says Clover.

"Just right!" says Alex.

While the gals are making final adjustments (straightening lipstick, touching up eyebrows, etc.) the guys come over.

Matt says to Sam, "The big day has finally arrived! For both of us!!" and he gives Sam a big hug and kiss.

"It sure has, Matt! I'm looking forward to the ceremony!" says Sam.

Matt thinks, with some anxiety,"I'm looking forward to the festivities after!"

Sam can see the look of concern on Matt's face. "Matt, is something wrong?" she asks with obvious concern.

"No! Nothing!" says Matt soothingly. But he thinks to himself, "But I really won't know, until later this evening!"

Clarence gives Clover a big kiss. "You made it, my Clover! A college graduate! I wish I could join you in getting my MD today, but I have a few more years to go! " But he also has an anxious look on his face.

Clover smiles, "Thanks, Clarence! But something is eating at you. I can tell."

"It's nothing, Clover! It may be nothing at all!" says Clarence.

"Or it may be life devastating!" he thinks.

Pete walks over to Alex and gives her a big hug and kiss. "Congratulations, Sweetheart! You'll be a college grad soon!"

Alex returns the hug and kiss happily and says, "You to, my Pete!" But Alex also notes a twinge of anxiety on Pete's face. "Pete, what's wrong? You should be happy today!"

"Oh, I am!" says Pete, but he thinks, "It may be short lived before the night is out!"

The students line up to enter the auditorium. Alex, Sam and Clover are very concerned over what is bothering their beaus. They should be overjoyed today! Then it struck them at the same time. Maybe the guys' job choices mean this is the last time they will see one another, and this is goodbye! Now the gals have anxious looks on their faces!

The anxiousness disappears as the ceremony begins. The ceremony is beautiful, and the five eligibles receive their diplomas! As the ceremony ends, the gals pose for pictures with their families and boyfriends, and all go to the banquet facility on the lake, The Gardens.

The six families enjoy a fabulous meal. Soon, Matt asks Sam to take a walk with him in the garden.

Sam and Matt walk out into the garden with arms around one another. Matt asks, "Sam, do you remember when we did this, my sweet, during the Senior Prom?"

Sam smiles and kisses Matt on the cheek. "I'll never forget!"

They continue to the spot they stood at, overlooking the lake. Sam puts her head on Matt's right shoulder, and he envelops her in his arms, putting his head on top of Sam's. "We never wanted that moment to end, remember Sam?"

"Yes!"

"Do you still feel that way?"

Sam looks lovingly in Matt's eyes, as she lifts her head off his shoulder, and kisses him, "Yes! I never want it to end!"

Matt then says, as he brings forth the engagement ring, "Sam, will you marry me?"

Sam begins to cry and throws her arms around Matt's neck. "Yes!" she says in his ear. "Yes! I'll marry you!!"

Matt is almost in tears himself. "Thank you, Sam!" he says with relief. "Thank you! I'm the happiest man on earth!" And he puts the ring on her finger. She gawks happily at it and gives him another big kiss. They again envelope each other in their arms. This moment will last forever!

Sam is also relieved. This decision makes a number of her other decisions a whole lot clearer.

A few minutes after Sam and Matt went for a walk, Alex and Pete also go for a walk in the garden. They walk in each other's embrace to the same maple tree they stood under, for the Prom.

"Pete, do you remember being here before?" asks Alex shyly.

"Yes, my Sunshine! I remember so well how we kissed and cuddled under this tree on Senior Prom night. I can never forget!"

"Nor can I, my Pete! It was so perfect! So beautiful!"

"But not as perfect and beautiful as you, Alex!" and Pete gives Alex a long romantic kiss.

"Alex! Promise me you'll be mine!" says Pete lovingly.

"Of course I will!" returns Alex lovingly, "You've always been the only man for me!" and Alex gives him a long romantic kiss.

"Then Alex," Pete continues as he produces the engagement ring, "will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?"

Alex responds, with tears in her eyes, as she hugs Pete around the neck, "Yes! I'll gladly marry you! I was hoping you'd ask me someday!!" Alex gives Pete a very long loving kiss, and Pete puts the ring on her finger.

"Thank you, Alex! Now you'll be my Sunshine forever!"

Alex is very happy, as she stares at her ring, and cuddles with Pete. Many of her decisions are now made, with this decision.

Lastly Clarence and Clover take a walk in the garden, in each other's embrace. They too go to the spot they cuddled during the Senior Prom – the cement bench, and sit down.

"Just like the Prom, my Clover!"

"Yes, Clarence, I fondly remember!"

"Remember we kissed and cuddled here?"

"Yes!" says Clover as she kisses Clarence and cuddles close to him. Clarence envelopes Clover in his arms and gives her a big romantic kiss.

"Clover, I need to ask you something," says Clarence.

"Certainly!"

Clarence gets down on one knee, holds the ring in front of Clover and says, "Clover, will you marry me?"

Clover is overcome with joy! She throws her arms around his neck and cries.

"Can I take that as a 'yes'?" Clarence asks hopefully in her ear, as he embraces her.

Clover pulls back from her hug and looks lovingly in his eyes. "YES! Yes! Oh, yes Clarence! Thank you!"

Clarence responds as he holds Clover lovingly, "It is I who should thank you for making me the happiest man alive!" Clarence puts the ring on Clover's finger.

Clover now knows what decisions she has to make, as she happily admires her ring, in Clarence's embrace. She is happy and relieved.

Soon the three happy couples decide to return to the banquet room. They run into each other accidentally at the door.

Alex cries, "Sammy! Clover! Pete and I are going to get married!" and she shows her ring.

Sam cries next, "So are Matt and I!" as she shows her ring.

Clover happily gushes. "That makes three! Clarence and I are getting married too!" and she shows her ring too.

The couples gush congratulations on each other. Actually, the guys didn't plan to do this together – it just worked out that way.

The girls are giddy! They go into the banquet room and let their families know the happy news. The parents are ecstatic! Cameras are flashing all over the place! In the foreseeable future, each family will be adding a daughter or a son! It is truly a night to remember!