"Eeeee!" Angelica shrieked as a noisemaker went off in her ear. "Congratulations!" shouted Dil, also directly in her ear. He grinned widely, removing one of his strings of mardi gras beads and placing it over her head.

"Thanks, Freakazoid, but that was my EAR!" she screamed at him.

"Angelica, yelling is not very ladylike." admonished Charlotte, before returning to her phone conversation.

"We're all very proud of you!" said Didi very excitedly, snapping pictures like crazy.

Chuck wrapped an arm around her and kissed her cheek. "We sure are."

Angelica smiled sincerely. "Thanks, everyone." Her smile quickly dropped. "I just wish I had a job lined up." she said with a sigh.

"It'll be fine, Sweetheart," replied Drew consolingly, "The economy's not so hot right now. It'll happen. Until then, you know we'll give you anything you need."

"I know, Daddy. Thank you."

Dr. Carmichael finally grudgingly offered her congratulations. Angelica didn't mind her uncharacteristic rudeness. She knew she was really upset about Susie's choice. As if reading her mind, Dr. Carmichael sighed. "It's a shame Susie couldn't be here."

"Yeah," replied Phil, "It really is. But she's happy. And I think everything's going to be just fine. Better than fine. Great. Because she's really talented. She's gonna make it big, just watch!"

The Carmichaels gave him an incredulous look and then went back to their conversation with Chas and Kira.

"I can't believe you graduated already." said Tommy. "Wow, that means only two more years for me."

"Only another year for me," said Chuck. "And I'm not sure what's gonna happen then. I'm nervous I won't be able to get a job."

"You worry too much," said Kimi. "Everything's going to be fine."

Charlotte finally ended her call and shoved her Blackberry into her Louis Vuitton bag. "Where do you kids want to eat dinner? It's on us!" She poked her husband's arm violently.

"What? Oh, oh yes," said Drew, "It's on us."

Chuck smiled politely but shook his head. "No, that's not necessary—"

"Of course it's necessary!" insisted Charlotte. "My baby girl graduated college! This calls for a celebration. I wonder where we can get some good champagne around here…"

"Dr. Carmichael? Mr. Carmichael?"

Susie's mom spun around and looked Phil in the eye. "Yes?"

"May I speak with you both a moment…er...privately?"

"Yes…of course."

They followed him a little ways off, until they reached the shade of an old oak tree. The late afternoon sunlight shone in patches through the great branches. All around them, congratulatory hurrahs and the clicking sounds of cameras intertwined with the chirping of birds and the rustling of squirrels.

"Ok," he said, suddenly very nervous. Her parents always did that to him. He could tell that they didn't exactly dislike him, but things between them were never as friendly as they should be. They were wonderful people, and had been very friendly to him before. As in, before he started dating Susie.

"Ok," said Mr. Carmichael.

Phil guffawed nervously. Dr. Carmichael raised her eyebrow questioningly.

"Ok," said Phil seriously. "First off, I want to say that I'm also sorry Susie's not here today. I'm really proud of all her accomplishments. She's amazing in so many ways. I wish I could have seen her walk across that stage today, and I know that you both have been waiting for this day for years."

The Carmichaels visibly softened at this. Dr. Carmichael even looked like she might cry. "Yes…years…"

"But," continued Phil, "I also know that none of those accomplishments, none of her many talents, make Susie as happy as singing does. None of those things make her feel special."

He could see in their faces that they hadn't really known this, despite the fact that Susie had told them time and time again how much she loved to sing. Maybe it took hearing it from another person to really get it.

"Well," said Mr. Carmichael, "We know…how much she enjoys it, but…it's not serious. It's not something one makes a career out of—"

"It is if the person's really talented."

Dr. Carmichael smiled. "Phil, you're a sweet boy, but I don't think you understand the way the world works—"

"I do understand, Dr. Carmichael. I just don't think—and please forgive me—I just don't think you have faith in Susie. Not the way I have faith in her."

They looked astounded at this suggestion. "Of course we have faith in Susie!" retorted Mr. Carmichael. "We're just being realistic."

Phil's heart hammered. He didn't think he'd ever been so honest with an adult before. Well, he was (technically) an adult, but these were his parents' friends. It was very unnerving.

"Look," he said, "I know you've never really liked me—"

"It's not that we don't like you—"

"It's just that you don't think I'm good enough for Susie."

They looked uncomfortable.

"It's ok," he continued, "I know. I've always known. And I don't blame you. I don't think I'm good enough for her! But she chose me. For some reason, she wants me. And now I have to do everything in my power to make her not regret that decision. I have to do everything I can to make sure she is the happiest woman on the planet. Which is why I'm here telling you this stuff. You need to respect her decisions, regarding her career, and regarding me, because things aren't gonna change. You need to just…let her be happy."

He could tell they actually understood. They finally realized that Susie wasn't a little girl anymore. She was a woman. And they couldn't stop her from doing what she wanted to do.

Mr. Carmichael spoke first. "Ok, Phil…well. I guess you make a valid point…"

Dr. Carmichael's eyes softened. She put a hand on Phil's shoulder. "I'm sorry if…we ever made you feel unwelcome. We've always loved you like a son, of course. We love all you kids…it's just...hard to watch Susie grow up and…I guess the path's she chosen isn't exactly what we had in mind for her…but…you're a wonderful young man…I'm sure…well...maybe, when she gets back, we should all have dinner together…"

"That would be nice," he said, his heart finally slowing down.

"Well, let's get back to the others," she said, quickly wiping away a tear.

"What's going on?" asked Phil as they approached the group.

"Shhh!" whispered Charlotte. Phil looked at Angelica, who was on her cell. "Yes, Sir." she said.

"No, sir." "Of course, Sir."

"Who's she on the phone with?" asked Phil.

"Shhh!" said Didi."

Phil shrugged.

"Yes, Sir," said Angelica, "First thing Monday morning. Got it. Thank you, no—yes—Thank you."

She hung up. Everyone looked at her expectantly. "That was Mr. Wilkerson."

"As in Tracey Wilkerson's dad?" said Lil. "Ugh, couldn't stand her. She was such a little bit—"

Betty pulled her daughter's ear. "What were you saying?"

"Ow! Mom! I was saying Tracey Wilkerson was always a little bit snooty…that's all."

"Uh huh."

"Anyway," continued Lil, rubbing her red ear, "Why did her dad call you?"

Angelica rolled her eyes impatiently. "Are you forgetting? Her dad is CEO of Wilkerson Industries. And I had an interview with him last week. I swear, Lil, you never listen to me anymore. Maybe we should break up."

Everyone suddenly looked a lot more interested. "And?" asked Chuck excitedly.

"And…I got the job!"

Everyone cheered. She grinned and gave Chuck a very enthusiastic kiss. Chuck blushed. "Ang, my parents are right here."

"Oh, it's fine!" insisted Kira with a knowing smile. "We're not that old, you know! We still—well—we know how it is."

"Eww, gross." offered Kimi.

"Well," said Charlotte, beaming at her daughter. "This does call for a celebration. Let's get going. I'm sure you're all hungry."

Chuck smiled against her forehead. He fingered the mardi gras beads that dangled over her colorful honors sashes and long black gown. "I told you everything would be fine, Babydoll." He kissed her temple. "Are you happy?"

She looked around at all the people noisily gathering up cameras, water bottles, and bags. Everyone talked over each other and had a different opinion about where they should eat dinner. Everyone was there for her graduation. Her parents, Chuck's parents, Aunt Didi and Uncle Stu, Grandpa and Grandma, The Devilles, the Carmichaels, Tommy, Dil, Phil, Lil, Kimi, and, of course, Chuck. Her family.

"Yes," she said, kissing him. "I'm happy."