"My heros are my parents. My dad always taught me to follow my heart no matter where it takes me. No matter what the real world throws at you. It may not be easy, but if you believe in your dreams enough there's nothing you can't do to achieve it. He is also the bravest man I know. He lives his life for his family and everything else is secondary. My mom taught me that a good job doesn't always have to be boring. As long as you love your job, it will never feel like a job. She is the funniest, smartest woman I know. And the love and support they have for each other is what I strive to have. And their love and support for each other makes it possible for them to love and support me in anything I want to do." Michelle said starting her valedictorian's speech.
"Doesn't she look so grown up up there?" Collins asked sitting next to Roger as he cried listening to his daughter.
"Yes she does." he whispered as Charlie put her arm around him.
"So when you all go out there, don't be afraid to make some friends on your way to achieving your dream. Having friends is very important. Without my parents friends, I wouldn't have such a supportive and awesome family. I love you all so much." Michelle concluded to great applause. The loudest coming from Roger, Charlie and the rest of the bohemians.
"We got some girl, don't we?" Roger asked putting his arm around Charlie.
"We sure do." she said wiping her eyes.
"She's just like you Charlie." Maureen said smiling up at Michelle on stage receiving her diploma.
"Nah, she takes after Roger. She can command an audience." Charlie said smiling up at Roger who was beaming with pride for his daughter.
"Nah, she's all you Baby. She's smart, beautiful, confident and you both made me the luckiest man there ever was." he said leaning over to kiss her head.
"You're all lucky to have each other." Joanne said smiling at them.
"You got that right Jo." Roger said smiling at Michelle who was sitting on stage until the end of the ceremony.
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"Babygirl, I am so proud of you. I love you." Roger said hugging his daughter in her cap and gown.
"Thanks daddy. I love you too." she said holding him tight as tears formed in her eyes.
"Hey, what's this? You're not allowed to cry on graduation day." he said wiping her eyes, careful not to mess up her make up.
"I'm sorry dad. I'm just emotional today." she said smiling at him.
"I know. Me too." he said kissing her head before Charlie cut in.
"Can I hug my little girl please?" she said hugging her. "I am so proud of you sweetie." she said kissing her cheek.
"Thanks mom. I love you too." she said looking around.
"Hey kiddo, your speech was beautiful." Mark said smiling at her.
"Thanks Uncle Mark." she said hugging him.
"Now, let's get home. Grandma should be done with the cooking by now." Roger said laughing as he wiped his eyes.
"Yeah, right. With grandpa under her feet, not likely." Michelle said laughing.
"Yeah well, we can hope, can't we?" Collins said laughing.
"Come on my high school graduate." Roger said putting his arm around her as they left the school.
"I'm coming dad." she said smiling up at him.
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"Roger, how would you feel about going away somewhere this summer?" Charlie asked as Roger took his medicine.
"What do you mean? One last hurrah before Michelle goes to college and starts going away with her friends?" he asked dumping the rest of the water in the bathroom sink before going into the bedroom.
"Yeah, I mean she's 18 now and I just want to do something with the three of us for the summer." she said smiling up at him from the bed.
"Do you honestly think she's gonna want to go away with us? Charlie, think about it. She can barely stand to be in the house with us." he said laughing as he got into bed.
"You know she loves the love we have for each other." she said laying on his chest.
"We'll ask her tomorrow." he said kissing her head.
"OK, I love you." Charlie said leaning up to kiss him.
"I love you too Baby." he said smiling down at her holding her tight.
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"Michelle, are you sure you want to go?" Roger asked as she brought her duffle bag down the stairs.
"Yes dad, I'm sure. I want to spend the summer away with you guys. Because once school starts, I'm not gonna be able to hang out much. I'm gonna be really busy." she said putting her bag by the door.
"OK. I just want to make sure, because once we're there, we can't come back." he said as Charlie came down the stairs.
"I know dad. Can we go now?" she asked standing in front of him.
"OK Babygirl, let's go." he said hugging her.
"Roger, will you stop calling her Babygirl, please? She's 18 years old." Charlie said putting her pocket book on her shoulder.
"It's OK mom. I don't mind. It's what dad always called me. Just like Uncle Mark calling me kiddo. I'm used to it." she said smiling at her.
"OK. Are we ready to go to Florida?" Roger asked opening the door to the apartment.
"Yeah, we're ready dad." Michelle said laughing as they left for vacation.
"A whole summer in Florida with 2 women, are you sure you're ready for this Honey?" Charlie asked as they got into the cab to go to the airport.
"With my 2 favorite girls, of course I'm ready." Roger said smiling as they rode to the airport.
"How about me? I'm the one who's gonna be stuck watching you two making out all summer." Michelle said as Roger and Charlie laughed.