Kurt and Blaine could hardly believe it. Tomorrow, their baby girl, their first born, Aspen Elizabeth was graduating from high school. And, to top it off, she was valedictorian.
"I can't believe she's graduating." Kurt said to Blaine.
"Seems like only yesterday she was running around in her cinderella dress up clothes and getting whatever she wanted because she had us wrapped around her little finger." Blaine replied.
"Well, she definitely had you wrapped around her little finger…"
"Oh please." Blaine scoffed. "All she had to do was shed one tear and you cracked. Kurt gave his husband a glare before changing the subject.
"How do you think she's doing on her speech?" Kurt asked.
"Only one way to find out." Blaine added before heading towards the hallway and down to Penny's room. They knocked on her bedroom door and found Penny pacing back and forth. "Hey honey, how's it going?"
"Nothing I say sounds right." Penny confessed. "It all sounds cliché."
"You could always sing something like your dad did." Kurt offered.
"No thank you." Penny replied. "I may be both of your daughters and part Aunt Rachel, but performing is not my calling." Both Kurt and Blaine were not surprised by their daughter's answer. Though she had been cheeky and outgoing as a child, Penny mellowed out during her teenage years and really put her nose to the books. She had found a love for nursing and really wanted to get out and help people.
"Well, whatever you choose honey, it'll be great." Kurt told her as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Now, don't stay up too late. Valedictorians shouldn't have big bags under their eyes."
"I'll go to bed soon Papa. I promise." Penny replied. Blaine walked over next and gave his daughter a hug and a kiss goodnight. Then, both men left Penny alone and prayed that she'd actually follow their advice and get some sleep.
The next morning, the Anderson-Hummel household was a buzz of energy as everyone scrambled to get ready. In addition to the seven people who lived in the house, Burt, Carole, Pam, Cooper and Rachel and Jesse had decided to come to the graduation. How they had managed to score thirteen tickets to graduation was a mystery that the world may never know.
"Penny, honey, we have to get going!" Kurt yelled down the hallway. The rest of the family was crowded in the living room. Penny came out of her room and she looked stunning. She was wearing a white dress that had a sheer piece of fabric over the top. Her hair was curled to perfection. She just looked beautiful...and so grown up.
"Oh Pen, honey, you look gorgeous." Blaine replied.
"I need a picture!" Carole announced.
"Me too!" Pam said chiming in.
"Gram, Nana! We have to get going." Penny exclaimed.
"Just a quick smile!" Carole said. They flashed a few photos and then headed to the cars to go to graduation.
When they got to the arena, all thirteen of them crowded into the stadium seats and waited for the ceremony to begin. Before they knew it the familiar sound of "Pomp and Circumstance" filled the arena and the graduates began to process in. Penny was leading the group and walked all the way up to the front stage and got to sit with the other speakers and teachers. Kurt and Blaine scrambled to take pictures. They were so proud of their daughter. The principal stood up first and began the ceremony. Then, there were a variety of other school officials that talked. Finally, it was Penny's turn.
She stood up from her chair and took a deep breath before walking to the big wooden podium. "My fellow classmates, we've finally made it to the day that we've all been waiting for. Graduation Day. From the time I was a little girl, I always thought that I would be a performer like both of my dads or like my Aunt Rachel." Kurt and Blaine looked at one another and then at Rachel. All three of them had tears in their eyes. "My house was always full of music and laughter. And if you know my family, there's seven of us, so there's always a little bit of chaos as well. You might think that my dads would have taught me how to be confident and find the spotlight...and to some degree they did. But, they taught me so much more. They taught me to care for others and step in for those who need help. They taught me about compassion and especially about love. They taught me to be honest and respectful. They taught me to shoot for my dreams. One thing they didn't do was tell me that I would succeed. Success in life is not a guarantee. It's not something that is handed to you, rather something that must be worked at. In life, you are not limited to the amount of success that you can attain. It all depends on how hard you're willing to work for it. You can find that success in a spotlight on a stage or in the dignity of holding a patient's hand during their worst time and make them feel just a little better. It doesn't matter where your success is found. Just know that the possibilities are limitless and I have faith in each and every one of you that you will find just where you belong. Congratulations class of 2038. We did it!" Penny exclaimed. All the students in the audience threw their hats up in the air and the rest of the parents stood up and clapped. Kurt and Blaine could not have been more proud of their daughter. Penny was right. Her future was limitless and they both knew that she would find exactly where she belonged.