Chapter 15: Graduation and a Surprise

Everyone was sitting in their seats listening to the graduation ceremony. "And now, Dr. Thomas Oliver would like to say a few words," Principal Mercer announced. Everyone clapped as the high school science teacher stepped up to the podium.

"We have some interesting years together. Being the first class I taught when I first came to Reefside. We had two great years together and I know that I have taught you enough that you'll be able to go on through the world and be able to face it. Now, I'm proud to announce that Ethan James your Valid Victorian to come up now," Tommy announced.

Kira looked over at Connor and held onto his hand. Connor smiled and gave her hand a gentle squeeze and kissed the top of it. They looked up when it came time for Ethan's speech.

Then it came time for the diploma ceremony. "Cassidy Cornell, Devin DeValle," Principal Mercer called. They watched as one by one their classmates stood up to receive their diplomas. "Trent Fernandez, Ethan James, Connor McKnight, and Kira McKnight," she called. Connor and Kira stood up to receive their diplomas from their friend and mentor. Tommy smiled at them and Kira kissed his cheek.

"Thank you for everything," she whispered.

Tommy nodded and smiled at her. This was his wife's cousin and the girl he loved as a little sister. He and Kim did everything in their power to make Kira and Connor's lives better. Especially when they had a baby. He then looked at the people who were once his students and his fellow Rangers. "Congratulations class of 2005," Principal Mercer announced. Everyone threw their hats in the air and Connor wrapped his arms around Kira's waist. Kira laughed as Connor spun her around. She had her arms wrapped around his neck and once he set her down, she pulled him into a kiss. Their friends whooped and cheered for the two of them. Once Connor and Kira pulled out of the kiss, they hugged each other tight.

"We did it," she whispered.

"We did, we graduated," he agreed.

She sighed as she hugged him tight. this was the best day of her life and nothing was going to ruin it.

(Oliver's Residence)

Everyone was standing out in Tommy and Kimberly's backyard celebrating their graduation. Kira then looked over at Tommy. "Dr. O, after that fight between Kimberly and Kat, what happened to her?" She asked. Tommy chuckled as he wrapped his arm around Kimberly's waist.

"I escorted Kat out of the city," he replied.

Everyone chuckled along with their former teacher now. Connor kissed the side of Kira's head and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Connor, Kira, what are you guys going to do now?" Trent asked.

"Well, we decided to be parents to Christopher of course. I'm going to be a soccer coach," Connor replied.

"And I'm going to give guitar lessons," Kira replied.

"That's great you guys," Ethan told them.

The two of them nodded and kept talking with their friends unaware that a familiar yellow truck that had 'Lightspeed' printed on one side and 'Rescue' printed on the other side. Carter got out of the truck and walked over to them. "Connor, Kira," he called. Everyone looked up and everyone watched as the couple walked over to Carter.

"What is it, Carter?" Connor asked.

"Is it Christopher?" Kira asked.

"Your son is fine. In fact, he's all set and ready to come home now. You guys can come get him from the hospital anytime," he replied.

Connor let out a sigh of relief and Kira was bouncing while laughing. She then threw her arms around Connor's neck and he hugged her back with a smile. "We'll be right there to get him," Connor informed. Carter nodded and left. "Wait, how's Dani and Carrie?" Connor asked. Carter opened up the door to the truck before looking at the two young parents.

"My daughters are doing just fine. You guys can stop by anytime to come visit us," Carter assured them.

Then he drove off. They looked over towards their friends and walked over to them. "What's going on?" Ethan asked.

"Guys, Christopher can come home," Kira announced.

"ALL RIGHT!" Everyone cheered.

"What did Carter say?" Kimberly asked.

"He said that Christopher's well and that he's ready to come home. He said we can come get him at anytime," Connor replied.

"Well, I for one want my baby home," Kira informed.

Everyone nodded and then when they were about to go with them, they stopped them. "You guys stay, we'll be back," Connor assured them. They nodded and went back to the party while Connor and Kira went to get their son.

(Reefside Hospital)

As they came to the hospital, they went to the nursery and Dana was standing there with a smile. "Congratulations you two. On your graduation and your healthy baby boy," she congratulated.

"Aren't you expecting another baby Grayson?" Kira asked.

Dana placed a hand on her stomach and nodded. "I'm only four months along, so don't worry about me," she assured them.

"Let's get our boy home," Connor insisted.

Kira nodded and then a nurse came out with Christopher in her arms. The baby was making his normal gurgling sounds as she placed the baby into Kira's arms. "He became one of the popular babies here," Dana commented. Kira sighed as she held her boy. "Oh, you're going to need this machine to keep track of his heart since he's still so little," Dana informed. Dana explained everything to them before letting them leave. Dana sighed as she watched the two young parents leave and smiled when she felt a pair of strong arms go around her waist.

"Pretty soon, we'll be holding the newest member of our family," he murmured.

"I know," Dana answered.

As they drove back to Tommy and Kimberly's house. Connor looked to his side to find Kira holding their baby with a smile on her face. The infant had fallen asleep against his mother's chest and Connor smiled at the what looked to be a Kodak moment. He then pulled up to the Tommy's house and got out of the car. He ran to the other side and helped Kira out of the car with Christopher's things in his arms.

When they walked outback, everyone came over to see the baby. "He looks like his daddy," Kimberly commented.

"Poor kid," Ethan mourned.

Connor went to smack Ethan upside the head when Ethan ducked. Everyone laughed and then the baby started to whimper. "Come on, Kira, I have a crib made up into the living room just incase he would be fussy," Kimberly informed. Kira followed Kimberly inside and then the guys started to talk.

"Connor, since Kimberly's moving in with me finally, she wanted you guys to keep her apartment, since you two really need it," Tommy informed.

"That's great," Connor commented.

The two men shook hands and shared a brotherly embrace. "Thanks for everything, Dr. O," he stated.

"I'm not your teacher anymore, you married my wife's cousin. We're family now," Tommy commented.

"Actually, before you even married Kimberly we were already a family," Kira corrected.

She then wrapped her arm around Connor's waist with a smile. "So, what's going on?" She asked.

"Kira, I've got cool news," he commented.

"I love today, today is a good day," Kira laughed.

Everyone chuckled at her commented. "Kim's going to give us her apartment since she's living here," Connor informed. Kira gasped and she embraced Kimberly.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you," she repeated over and over.

Kimberly smiled as she hugged her cousin back.

Later that evening, Connor walked into the nursery to find Kira putting the baby down in his crib and had the machine attached to keep track of his heartbeat throughout the night like they were told. Kira walked over and stood beside him. She wrapped her arm around his waist while he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. They stared at the baby in the crib before turning off the lights and going to bed.

Author's Note: Nope, this isn't the end. Still have a few more chapters to go.