Chapter 17 Four Years Later

Four years later…

"This is so exciting!" Paige squealed as they took their seats. "Dyl finally graduating, wow!"

It was the day of Dylan's college graduation. Paige, Mrs. Michaelchuk, Marco, and Mrs. Del Rossi were taking their seats for the ceremony.

After everything that the two families had been through, they had become incredibly close. They got together during every holiday and every now and then when they were all together. They grew to be each other's support systems, becoming a sort of, mixed family.

Marco and Dylan's relationship stayed as secure as ever, withstanding anything life happened to throw their way. After graduating, Marco entered the same college as Dylan and they'd moved in together. Marco helped Dylan somewhat with his wheelchair, but for the most part, he was self-reliant, determined not to let his accident interfere with his independence.

Paige had graduated and enrolled in a college a few hours away, but she came back almost every weekend.

The Michaelchuks had completely kicked Greg out of their lives once the divorce was final. None of them could stand having anything to do with someone who'd betrayed them so. Rose had been worried about a custody battle, but since Paige was almost eighteen at the time, they left the decision up to her. Neither of them wanted to battle in court when the choice would ultimately become hers in a year.

Marco and his mother hadn't heard from his father since the day that they had found the note. Rosina put an ad in the paper trying to contact him, but they received no word. Then, after much thought and talking with Marco, she legally filed for divorce.

Both Marco and Dylan thought about their fathers and what could have been, but they didn't dwell on it. As Dylan had said, they were the only men they needed in each other's lives. Now they were all gathering to celebrate Dylan's graduation.

After a couple hours of speeches, songs, and other graduation traditions, it was finally time for them to start handing out diplomas.

After about a half an hour of names being called, Marco leaned over and whispered to Paige. "How many people are graduating again?"

Paige opened the program and began sorting through it. "Uh, fifteen."

"Fifteen people are graduating?"

Paige shook her head. "I meant there are fifteen pages of names." Marco just groaned.

Another half an hour later, they finally began calling the M's. "Janice Marshall."

A girl went up and accepted her diploma.

"Dylan Michaelchuk."

The four Michaelchuk-Del Rossi's burst into applause and cheers. Marco and Paige jumped to their feet.

"Go Dylan!" Marco cheered.

"Whoo!" Paige joined in.

Everyone watched as Dylan wheeled his chair up on the stage. He stopped a few feet away from the lectern, where they were handing out the diplomas.

"What's he doing?" Paige and Marco looked at each other.

"I don't know."

As they watched on, Dylan started struggling to his feet. He slowly brought one foot to the ground, then the other. Using the wheelchair to support himself, he lifted himself up.

"Is he..?" Paige didn't need to finish her thought. Everyone was wondering the same thing.

Once Dylan was on his feet, he slowly brought his left foot out in front of him. Then he followed it with his right. Tediously, he began walking to the lectern, placing one foot in front of the other.

"Oh my God." Rose put a hand over her mouth as she gasped. Her eyes started watering as she realized what she was witnessing. "He's, he's…"

"Walking," Paige finished for her, the same expression on her face.

Marco's mouth fell open as he watched his boyfriend walk for the first time in four years.

Once Dylan had finally reached the podium, he shook the man's hand and took his diploma in the other. Grinning from ear to ear, he turned to his family and raised the diploma, proudly showing it off.

Paige, Rose, Marco, and Rosina drew the attention of everyone towards them as they jumped up and started screaming wildly, only stopping when Dylan had returned to his seat.

"Oh my God!" Paige ran to Dylan after the ceremony was over, almost knocking him backwards as she wrapped her arms around him. "That was incredible! How come you didn't tell us?"

Dylan grinned again. "I wanted it to be a surprise." He let his gaze travel over everyone, letting it fall on Marco. "What do you think?"

Marco smiled back, trying to keep from crying. "I think you're the most amazing person I've ever met."

Dylan almost blushed as Marco spoke. Just as he did on the stage, he slowly got to his feet. As soon as he was steady he wrapped his arms around him, pressing his lips against Marco's.

"I love you so much Dyl," Marco spoke breathlessly once they had parted.

"I love you too Marco," he said before locking lips with Marco again.

The End!

Now I want to thank everyone who's been following this story so far and everyone who's reviewed! I wouldn't be doing this of it weren't for you. So here's the names of all those who've inspired me to keep this going.

anjel919
LunarMoon98
ReRe04
Crybaby
The Sagittarius Sage
Lizzy
Serenity Wintirs
Crazy Degrassi Fan
Twisted Deception
citygal509
dexter
AlyssaLLBlack13
raven4darkness
violetkitty
smoothNcreamy
howdyrockerbaby1
kivalovenkiba
brokentornhurt
pink-zelda
jlfkjnsdkl
Sonomi-chan
Dark Katsumi
Jade Danielle

I think that's everyone. Sorry if I left you out. I hope you read some of my other stuff too! Thanks again guys!