"Graduating with honours………….Grace Manning"
While she breezed across the stage, loud cheers and wolf whistles came bellowing from the audience.
She was clearly a little embarrassed, as her cheeks turned crimson red- but she continued to smile sweety, while she shook hands with the principal and gladly lifted the certificate out of her hands.
Eli's smile was broad and sincere, as he watched his fiancée walk across the stage, and back down the stairs to sit with the rest of her peers.
He even felt tears form, but blinked them back- continuing to clap wildly.
Somebody else was called to collect their certificate, but Eli blurred it all out, trying to look over the crowd of heads- searching for Grace's face.
He saw her, sitting between Alexa and Spencer- she looked beautiful.
Even in what seemed to be a black moo-moo and Shakespearian style hat, she was still a knock out.
And now that Grace had graduated……….wedding plans would be in full throttle, as the big day neared.
They planned for a September wedding- the 25th was the official date……….but that was just about the only thing they'd decided on so far.
What with Grace's exams and end of year graduation………..And Eli's work in the studio over the past few months, writing new music- things had been completely hectic, and the wedding had been pushed aside.
But no more- Eli's new boss, Mr. Simmonds, had insisted that Eli stop work on the new album he was writing, and organize the damn wedding,
And Grace was more than adamant to get things going- so she could officially call herself Mrs. Grace Sammler.
Everything was happening………and Eli couldn't be happier………..
Grace pushed past the mass of students- occasionally being stopped and given a handshake or hug- a pen being shoved in her hand, forcing her to sign people's year books………she eventually found her family, waiting near the school steps for her.
Lily spotted her daughter first, and waved her arms around frantically.
"Gracie!" she called; and Grace winced.
"Mum-" she beamed, walking into her mother's bear hug.
"I am so, so, so proud of you young lady!" she croaked.
Jake pulled Grace out of her mother's grasp, and held her for a long while in his own arms; "You are amazing………you know that, right?" he said, pulling apart so he could look into her face.
She nodded "amazing…….. I know," she said, rolling her eyes.
Tiffany handed her two-year-old daughter to Jake, while she gave Grace a quick kiss on both cheeks, and a short hug.
"Hey- kiddo" Judy beamed, pulling Grace over for a long embrace.
"Thanks" Grace murmured, as Rick awaited his time for praise.
Grace walked into his hug, while he whispered, "I knew you could do it!" she smiled gratefully "thanks Rick" she said softly.
Of course, Eli waited off to the side- watching proudly while his fiancée received all the praise she deserved……….
And she did deserve it- he should know.
He'd been there, watching her every night while she wrote every goddam English essay, pronounced and re-pronounced her French words, cursed herself while she studied for maths………he'd been there for all of it.
And once she climbed into bed, sometimes at 2:00 in the morning, he'd hold her in his arms and tell her how it would all be worth it………..he was the one that made atleast 500 black coffees, and given a million neck massages……….but it was all worth it, just to see her shine.
Grace smiled as she walked over to him, and collapsed into his arms.
"I love you," she whispered.
Eli lifted her out of his embrace, and brushed a hand across her soft cheek.
"And I am so proud of you!" he said softly, ignoring their parents prying eyes and planting a soft, quick kiss on her lips.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, poring herself into a deeper kiss.
Their parents averted their eyes, instead huddled together and began discussing the different colleges Grace had applied to.
Grace felt her entire body relax while she intensified their kiss- Eli's arms always did this to her………made her feel at ease, like everything in the world would eventually work out.
"Woo Hoo!"
Grace and Eli pulled apart as Jessie and Katie watched them slyly.
Grace blushed again, and smiled at Jessie.
"Congratulations Grace!" Jessie smiled wide, walking towards Grace and giving her a long hug.
"Thanks Jess-" Grace commented, pulling apart.
"Yeah- well done Grace!" Katie added, reaching for Jessie's hand and clasping it.
"Where's Zoe?" Grace asked, looking around for her little sister.
"Chatting up some guys she met" Katie answered her.
Grace rolled her eyes- and turned back to Eli, "what now?" she asked.
Eli wrapped his arms around her waist- "well, I hear there are always some after parties-" he smiled.
Grace rolled her eyes, "that's not really me………" she began, "how about we plan our wedding?" she asked, smiling.
Eli nodded, kissing her lips quickly and then pulling away "no backing out now, eh?" he asked, sarcastically.
Grace shook her head "afraid not" she answered him, kissing him on the forehead.
