Thank you jessica619, corbettluv, justkimmy and 'Guest' for reviewing :)
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own WWE, NXT or any of the Superstars and Divas from either roster that may appear in this story. Names and locations are used for story purposes only.
Graduation day...
*Leah's POV*
In the school's large auditorium, the seats were filled with friends and family of the graduating class. Naomi and I were standing with each other as we talked to Jessica and Brittney, while we waited for Dean, Roman, Jimmy and Jey. We were all excited for this day to come and we were looking forward to what the future had in store for all of us. As some of the teachers were getting us lined up to get ready for our walk, the guys came back and got in line with us.
"Where were you guys?" Naomi asked. "We were starting to wonder how much longer we'd be able to hold your spots."
"Sorry." They all said as they stood by us. Dean wrapped his arms around me from behind, causing me to lean into him when he did.
"You look beautiful." He told me. My lips curled into a smile as I looked down at what I was wearing underneath my gown. A simple blue dress that reached my knees, with a sweetheart neckline and a necklace that Naomi convinced me to wear for today.
"Thank you." I reply with a smile as I kiss his cheek. "You look pretty handsome yourself."
He gave me that smile of his that showed his dimples and gave me a kiss before taking me back in his arms. We looked ahead of us and saw that Vanessa was further up with one of her friends. We kept our distance from her ever since the whole thing started, but more so over the last few weeks, especially with the whole Derek and Vanessa thing going on.
The music started and we were given the signal to begin walking. Once we got inside the auditorium, family and friends were there, taking pictures and cheering for those that they were there for. A part of me felt sad because Dean and I didn't have anybody to cheer us on other than Roman and his twin cousins' families because we were all together so much. Other than that, the two of us didn't really have much of a family life outside of them.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a wonderful day for all of us." Said the school's principal. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the graduating Senior Class of 2014. We had a lot of ups and downs this year. But we made it through. We are here today, about to embark in a new chapter of our lives. For a lot of us, we're going to be going to college in the fall. For some, we're going to take some time off from school first to work or to travel the world before settling back down for a college education. Either way, it's going to be the ending of one chapter and the beginning of another. Let's begin this ceremony with our guest speaker this evening. She is an amazing business woman who has owned her own, and very successful might I add, company for the last 20 years and she graduated from this very high school. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce to you, Mrs. Knight."
Everyone clapped and welcomed the tall tanned skinned woman make her way to the podium in the black and gold cap and gown that we all had to wear.
"First, I want to start off by congratulating each and every one of our graduates today." She said as people began to clap and cheer. "You know...when I was in high school, I thought I would never make it out of here. I came from a broken home and a broken family. I was an only child, so my mom was the only family I ever knew until I met my best friend, Amanda. She was my other half and if you were to ask those who knew us, they'd tell you that we were two peas in a pod. Where one was, you could find the other. If you were looking for one, just look for the other and you'd find us. I considered her more my family than my own mother."
Dean and I looked at each other and he smiled knowing that somebody was in a similar situation as he is in and yet, they made it out and became successful. I knew that Dean was hoping for the same thing.
"I remember being surprised when I found out that I was going to be able to graduate on time." She continued. "I thought I would drop out before that ever happened, but I did it. I went to college, worked hard and earned my bachelor's degree before finally earning my MBA from Old Dominion University in Virginia. There are going to be times when you're going to want to give up. Times when you're going to wonder what you got yourself into when things get hard and times where you're just going to want to hide from the world and not come back out until you're ready to face the world again. I've been there to and on more than one occasion. The goal is to not give up. But that is hard part as well because sometimes it is so easy to give up, especially when you feel like you don't have anything left in you. But if it's something that you truly want, then fight for it. Don't let your fear or that empty gas tank keep you from getting what you deserve. Your dreams and your goals. Nobody can ever take away your knowledge. It is such a beautiful thing to have. Don't let anybody ever tell you that you CAN'T do something. If they do, then prove them wrong and show them every reason for why you CAN. Don't let anybody take away your determination. Your drive. Your goals. Your dreams. Hold them dear to you and keep on."
The ceremony went on to hold me as the valedictorian and Naomi as salutatorian. After that, we had one more speech before finally walking across that stage, one by one, and finally getting our high school diplomas.
*Dean's POV*
When the ceremony was over, we were all outside, taking pictures and talking with our friends before I spotted the guest speaker that we had coming out. I walked up to her and waited for her to finish talking with one of the teachers. When she was done, she looked at me and smiled.
"Hi, my name is Dean Ambrose." I said to him as I extended my hand out to her.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Ambrose." Mrs. Knight said with a smile as she shook my hand. "Congratulations on graduating today."
"Thank you." I said with a smile. "Um, I was listening to your speech and I wanted to let you know that it sunk in for me. I, too, come from a broken home and a broken family where I was raised by a single mother. I thought that I would never graduate, or at least not on time. I'm a smart guy, I know that. But I never applied myself because I never had that motivation to do so. My best friend is the high school football star, but he's been there for me since the beginning and we've inseparable since we met. You gave me a lot more confidence in myself that I can become successful as well."
She smiled at me and tucked her hair behind her ears. "I'm glad to know that my words held meaning to someone today. What motivated you to do what you needed to do in order to graduate?"
"A very special person." I said as my eyes found Leah in the distance talking to Roman, Jimmy, Jey, Naomi and Brittney. "I met her right before school started. We both come from a rough upbringing, yet she managed to influence me to do right without even noticing that she has done so. We were both homeless and somehow we made it."
Mrs. Knight followed my eyes and smiled when she saw who it was that I was talking about. "And what happened?"
I looked at Leah and smiled. "I fell in love. Now we're both going to the same college and I'm going on a scholarship and I'm going for business."
"Do it." She says to me.
"Huh?" I asked, confused as I looked at her.
She smiles at me again. "You're planning something for her. Do it."
"How do you know I'm planning something for her?" I asked.
"Because I see that look in your eyes when you look Ms. Valedictorian." Mrs. Knight says. "My husband looks at me the same way. He always has since we started dating. Take good care of her. It was nice meeting you Mr. Ambrose. And if you ever need a job in the future in the business field, here's my business card."
Mrs. Knight took out a white card from her wallet and handed it over to me after writing something in the back. It showed her name, her company's name, phone number, email address, fax number, and the address. She had a branch of her company located in Florida as well.
"Even if it's just in the summer time. Give me a call and I'd be happy to give you a job." She says to me. "It can help you gain experience in the business field and you can learn a lot. I see A LOT of potential in you and if you have the determination and drive for this, you can become an amazing team member."
"Thank you so much." I tell her as I shake her hand with a big smile on my face. We were meant to cross paths and I'm thankful that we did. "I appreciate this, Mrs. Knight. Thank you."
She congratulated me again before we went our separate ways. I walked up to Leah and picked her up to spin her around. She squealed as her arms held on to me before I put her down.
"You're happy." Leah tells me with a smile on her face.
"Because Mrs. Knight just gave me the best opportunity." I tell her. "This is her business card and her number on the back. If I am ever in need of a job, even if it's just in the summer, I can give her a call and she'll give me a job. She has a branch in Florida, too."
Leah gasped and gave me a big hug. "I'm so proud of you, Dean!"
"Thank you, baby." I tell her as everyone else congratulated me as well.
"This weekend, we're all going to celebrate." Said Roman. "Not only us graduating, but Dean on this opportunity. The man upstairs works wonders, and it was proven today with Dean getting this opportunity."
After talking for a few more minutes and taking more pictures, Leah and I went with Roman and his parents since they invited us to dinner. We had to accept. They, at one point, allowed Leah and I to stay in there house when we didn't have anywhere else to go and we are forever thankful to them for their kindness.
Later that night...
Roman and his parents dropped us off at our apartment and we thanked them again for dinner and for everything that they have done for us. I took Leah's hand in mine as we walked up the stairs to our apartment and went in. Leah and I shared some kisses before she went to take a shower though it wasn't long until I joined her. After coming out, she put on a grey spaghetti strap shirt with black shorts that showed all of her legs as I just put on a pair of basketball shorts. We go back into the bathroom to brush out teeth and decide to watch some television before going to bed.
"You're thinking about something." I tell her as I pull her close to me while we sit on the couch.
"No, I'm fine." She tells me.
I look at her knowing that Leah was really thinking about something. "Leah, baby, you sure?"
She looks up at me and touches my nose with hers. "We've been through a lot this year. Being homeless, sleeping on the floor in the girls locker room at school when we would sneak in every night. Sleeping in the park, just shortly before that. Working our asses off, part time at that, to pay the rent for this apartment. The whole thing with Derek, Vanessa and John. I'm grateful that you have been by my side the entire time. I know there's probably times when I'm not easy, but you've put up with my craziness. I know I'm not your family and I'm just your girlfriend, but I love you and you have my heart."
I smile at her and kiss her lips softly. "I should be grateful to have you by my side and in my life. I don't know where I would have been if it wasn't for you. I don't know what I'd do without you. You're my girlfriend, but I love you, too Leah. With my whole heart because you have mine in your hands. And who knows, maybe we'll have a family of our own one day."
Leah looked at me with her beautiful eyes and slowly smiled at me. I returned the smile, realizing what I had just said. Leah saw something in me that no other female saw in me. Leah knew the real me. My story, my pain. My struggle. Yet she stands my by side and loves me the way that I am. I gently grab her hand and pull her up off the couch before picking her up. She wraps her arms around my neck and holds on while we go to our bedroom where I make love to her for the rest of the night.
A/N: They finally graduated from high school! Do you think that Dean and Mrs. Knight were truly meant to cross paths? What do you think about the opportunity that she offered him? Have Leah and Dean come a long way since they met? What about Dean saying that maybe one day, they'll have a family of their own? Is he willing to settle down to have a family of his own?
***A/N***: Merry Christmas everyone! :D Enjoy your holidays!