One and a half years later
After months of stressing and preparation, tests and fees, laughter and tears (mostly on the part of others), the day had finally come. Buford Van Stomm was graduating from high school. Had you asked anyone outside of his circle of friends if they'd ever seen this day coming, they'd have laughed in your face, (outside of his earshot, of course.) It was such a staggering transformation. Buford Van Stomm, the neighborhood bully, the guy who's good with his fists and not much else, was graduating high school, and third from the top of his class!
The little rotund brunet terror was soon going to be walking down the aisle a stocky, raven haired graduate.
Some people say it was going to high school that changed everything for him. Some say, he finally got tired of being stupid. But anyone who truly knows him, knows that there's one reason and one reason only that this is possible. His name is Baljeet Van Stomm (formerly Tjindar), his boyfriend of two years, today.
It was the storybook childhood romance. They started out as bully and nerd. Baljeet would be afraid of Buford's shadow and Buford would spend hours coming up with new ways of torture. Then, Baljeet began to stand up for himself more. Buford grew to respect that, but kicked up his bullying a notch. Somewhere down the line, the two became inseparable. You didn't see one without the other. It was an odd friendship at that point. Buford still, picked on Baljeet, but would often seek his advice on matters, stick up for him when someone else messed with him, or was generally sad whenever his nerd wasn't there.
Baljeet was the same. Most kids would be glad to be free of their bullies, if only for a day. But Baljeet would miss the older boy's presence. They fought and teased, but when push came to shove they were there for each other. Before either of them even knew what it was, a love had blossomed between them. It caused some problems, but they got through them together, and Buford was sure that they always would. They'd been through so much together and done so much, Buford couldn't imagine anyone else being by his side.
The principal of the school, so pleased with his burst of academic achievement, asked Buford to deliver a speech after the valedictorian, to motivate all others like him in the younger classes. He slaved away on his speech, he wouldn't even let Baljeet hear it. He wanted to make sure that every word he spoke were his and his alone. He was going to be speaking from the heart. Now he was no public speaker, but no many how many people were there, this speech had one target.
His name was called. He approached the podium, and in his deep husky voice, he began:
"Fellow students; at this, the end of our high school careers, let us look back on our time together. Look back on the friends we've made, the good times we've shared, and look forward to the good times yet to come. After we leave this stadium, we enter the world. Some of us are off to college to acquire more knowledge to specialize in a field. Others are going the more direct route and entering the work force together. From what I've sen, it can be a harsh world out there. Use the memories of the times here to remind you, that sometimes you may not fit in. You may not be the brightest or the coolest, but if you take risks and open yourselves to new experiences, you'll find a place that's just right for you. For some, that's in a corporate office, sealing a major deal. For others, it's the more hands on approach, where you come home exhausted but satisfied every day. For me, I can't say for certain..."
He paused and searched the crowd. He finally spotted his family (extended and otherwise)
"...but I know that no matter what I do or where I go, there'll be people there who have my back and love me for me, help me better myself without demanding I change, and tell me when I'm making a huge fool out of myself...like I'm about to do right now."
A murmur filled the arena.
"You see, for the past two years, I've been dating this guy. He's pretty amazing. He's smart, a genius, really. He's kind. He knows me better than I know me some days and I'm the same way with him. I've done my best to be his rock, but sometimes he turns around and becomes mine. We support each other and bring out the best in each other. That doesn't mean we don't argue!"
That earned a chuckle from the crowd.
"Well, there was a reason I was bringing him up. You see, it's largely because of him that I'm even standing here today. I can't imagine where I'd be without him and I never ever want to find out so..."
He picked up the microphone from the podium and walked to the center of the stage. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. He then proceeded to get down on one knee.
"I know I said I wouldn't do this for a long time, but I couldn't think of a better time than today. Baljeet Tjindar...will you marry me?"
A hush settled over the crowd. Some were in shock that someone so young was proposing marriage to someone. Others were shocked that the captain of the football team and all around tough guy was gay AND taken. It was stark silence until a high pitched. "YES!" erupted from the crowd.
People turned their heads trying to figure out where that voice came from, but they didn't have to wonder long. Barreling towards the stage and a breakneck pace was none other than Baljeet Van Stomm. He hopped down onto the football field where the graduates were all sitting and raced through them. They began to break out into applause as he got closer and closer to the stage. Soon the arena was filled with cheers and applause.
Baljeet ran up on stage and rushed to embrace his fiancé. The two shared a passionate kiss and the applause got louder. Teachers were dabbing their eyes, trying to rid themselves of tears that were forming from this utterly romantic moment.
"Congratulations class of 2013! I'M GETTING MARRIED!" Buford yelled into the mic and led his fiancé off the stage. The thunderous applause continued for what seemed like forever and finally, the ceremony was under way again.
Buford's graduation party was filled with well wishes and congratulations on the graduation and the engagement.
"Ohmigosh, Buford!" Isabella gushed, punching the older boy's arm. "That was SO romantic! I didn't know you had it in you!"
"Neither did I," he confessed. "I just spoke from the heart."
"You're quite the lucky man, Baljeet." Ferb nudged.
"Oh I am well aware." he said, playing with his engagement ring that sat upon his finger. Buford had word part-time for the better part of his senior year to save up for it. It was a simple band, but it was engraved with their names and Buford had one that matched.
"So what's next, Mr. Graduate?" Phineas asked.
"Well, I officially start at Danville U this fall, so I'm hoping my junior boyfriend and play cousin can show me around for all the best stuff.
"Sorry, that's not possible." Baljeet countered, he raised one eyebrow and waited.
"Sorry! I mean, my junior FIANCE and play cousin."
"Much better." Baljeet grinned.
"So when's the wedding?" Isabella swooned.
"Well, there's no big rush. We at least have to wait until short stuff here turns 18, but I'm thinking we wait until we're all 21 so we can have some drinks to celebrate!"
"So four years from now?" Isabella asked, clearly not happy with that answer.
"Yeah, I mean, we just got engaged, ther'e no need to have the wedding tomorrow. Besides the whole legality of it all, if we wait until then. Baljeet and I will have both finished school. He'll probably have a cool job and it'll just be easier to make plans from there."
"Well, look at you! Aren't we Mr. Smarty-Pants?" Biffany smirked, hugging her son from behind. "Congratulations again, Sweetie. I'm so proud of my baby boy!" She kissed his cheek, leaving a large lipstick mark.
"Ma!" He whined, but it was just an act.
"Oh, soon both of my boys will be out of the house! What am I going to do?" She said draping an arm around each of them."
"Don't worry, Mom." Baljeet answered. "There's always weekends and holidays, it'll be like we never left." She turned and kissed his cheek as well, hugged them both, then returned to entertain the other adults.
"This is a big step, you guys. Life's changing so fast." Isabella pondered "Pretty soon, we'll all graduate and go our separate ways..."
"As if it's going to be that hard getting rid of us." Buford nudged his best female friend.
"Buford's right. No matter what, we're family. We may split up for a bit, but we'll come back closer together." Ferb agreed.
"Well said, brother." Phineas nodded. "To the future!" he shouted raising his glass of punch.
"TO THE FUTURE!" they all yelled, raising their own glasses.