Chapter 43 A surprise for Velma
After that romantic night where Shaggy recreated prom night for Velma the both of them were more in love than ever before. Velma was extremely grateful to Shaggy for what he did for her. She promised herself to be a good girlfriend to Shaggy because besides the cause of her first break up with Shaggy which was Shaggy's fear of how Scooby Doo would react she believed that she was too controlling and never wanted to be that way again. Shaggy forgave her for her past mistakes just like Velma forgave him. For the rest of their College careers the gang was able to enjoy College life as much as possible. However they did solve a few more mysteries together which was fine by them. After all together Freddy, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby Doo are and always will be Mystery Incorporated a group of people dedicated to solving mysteries and bringing bad guys to justice. Towards the end of their final semester at Miskatonic University the whole school including the gang were getting ready for what they waited and worked so hard for the past four years Graduation Day. "Jinkies I can't believe it. To me it only seems like yesterday that the five of us just started our College careers at Miskatonic University. Now that it's been four years I'm so excited to be graduating how about you guys?" Velma asked her friends. "I'm excited too Velma. We're finally College graduates!" Squealed Daphne while she had the biggest smile on her face. Freddy and Shaggy were happy as well but Scooby Doo was thrilled the most because the president of Miskatonic University Doctor Ann Escargot wanted to honor Scooby with an award for being the first dog to graduate from Miskatonic University.
The gang did study really hard for their final exams and as always whenever they form a study group together they are able to ace their exams which is what they did. Since Velma had been getting straight A's since the beginning she was named Valedictorian. "I'm really proud of you Velma and I know your parents will be proud of you as well when you make your speech in front of the entire graduating class" Shaggy stated. "Thanks Shaggy that means a lot to me and I'm proud of you as well. You worked so hard and you're one step closer to becoming a chef thanks to the culinary program Miskatonic University had that you and Scooby did so well in" said Velma. Shaggy was indeed proud of himself because he really wanted to become a chef and run a restaurant with Scooby Doo. However that wasn't going to stop him from solving mysteries with his friends even though both him and Scooby Doo were always scared. The gang was super excited about graduation day that did a count down the night before graduation day just like a New Year's Count Down, "10, 9, 8, 7,6,5,4,3,2,1 HAPPY GRAUDUATION DAY!" The gang shouted when the clock stuck midnight. The gang did a little pre celebration but not for long because they wanted to get plenty of rest for one of the most important days of their lives. On the morning of graduation day Freddy, Shaggy, Daphne and Velma raided their own closets to find the perfect graduation outfit but they were having a hard time. "What in the world are we going to wear to our graduation!" Daphne shouted throwing her clothes on the floor. "I don't know but I don't think throwing our clothes into one big pile is going to help because we're making a mess" Velma pointed out as she showed Daphne the pile of clothes the both of them made. Daphne knew Velma was right so they began to clean up by putting away all of the clothes they threw on the floor. "OMG I forgot I had this dress" Daphne exclaimed as she held out a light blue dress that she bought a while ago but forgot about because Daphne bought it during the winter and it was too cold to wear it because it was a spring/summer dress.
"I think you should wear that dress. It's really pretty and you haven't worn it because the tags are still attached to it" Velma suggested. "You're so right Velma. I will wear this dress" Daphne said as she thanked Velma for helping her find something to wear. Velma eventually found something nice to wear for graduation in her closet. Apparently she also bought a dress that she forgot about and decided it would be perfect for this special day. While Velma and Daphne were getting ready Shaggy and Freddy were having just as hard a time finding something to wear. However finding something awesome to wear wasn't the only thing on Shaggy's mind. Velma and Shaggy had become closer than ever before after realizing they stilled love and care for each other deeply even when they were dating their ex's. Shaggy locked himself in the bathroom for a few minutes. Freddy and Scooby thought his stomach was upset so they didn't want to bother him. Shaggy's stomach was upset but not in the way Freddy and Scooby thought. Shaggy was holding something in his hand that he saved his money for a long time that he recently purchased. "I hope Velma likes it and doesn't reject it" Shaggy thought to himself as he looked and smiled at the item before coming out of the bathroom. "What is that in your hand?" Freddy asked. Shaggy showed his two friends and they were both shocked and happy. "Are you going to…?" Scooby began to ask. "Yes I am" Shaggy answered before Scooby could finish his sentence. Freddy and Scooby were happy for him and wished him good luck.
Later on it was finally graduation. The gang's families showed up and were so happy for their children. "Mr. and Mrs. Dinkley may I talk to the both of you alone please?" Shaggy asked Velma's parents. "Of course Shaggy" said Mrs. Dinkley as she, Mr. Dinkley and Shaggy went somewhere to talk. A short while later Velma's parents came back with smiles on their faces and Velma asked them, "What in the world did Shaggy talk to you guys about?" "You'll see" said Velma's father. Velma was becoming very curious and she felt like she was solving a mystery on her own that she couldn't figure out. The gang took their places with their fellow graduates while their parents along with the rest of the guest took their seats. While the president of the School was making her speech of how proud she is of all of the students who worked so hard to get where they are today Velma was still trying to figure what in the world did everyone else know including her own parents that they weren't telling her. "You know what it will come to me eventually but for now I need to focus because it's almost time for me to make my valedictorian speech" Velma thought to herself before Doctor Escargot said, "Give a big hand for this year's valedictorian Ms. Velma Dinkley." The audience started clapping and cheering for Velma as she made her way to the stage and began to read her speech out loud,
"Good day friends, families and my fellow graduates. My name is Velma Dinkley and just like the rest of you I'm proud to be part of this year's graduation class here at Miskatonic University. Ever since my first day when I was a freshman I promised myself that I would work hard to earn my degree in the major of my choice just like all of you. Sure I had some ups and downs but hey everyone does in College and in life. Besides working hard towards my degree I tried to have some fun which I did with my friends and my wonderful boyfriend who makes me happy."
While Velma was reading the rest of her speech she was still thinking about what was the big secret. She started to get an idea and Velma began to wonder, "Is Shaggy going to ask me what I think he is going to ask?" Then Velma thought that wasn't likely and put that idea in the back of her mind. Before Velma could sit back down Shaggy came up on stage. "What in the world are you doing up here?" Velma asked. "It's ok Velma Doctor Escargot is allowing me to come up as a thank you from her to us for all those times we solved mysteries here at Miskatonic University because I have something to say" replied Shaggy. "Ladies and Gentlemen Norville Rogers aka Shaggy as he prefers would like to say a few words" said Doctor Escargot before handing the mic over to Shaggy who had something to say, "Like thanks for letting me do this. Everyone as you know Velma and I are part of a group called Mystery Incorporated. We're dedicated to solving mysteries and we solved a few mysteries during our time here at Miskatonic University. Despite the fact that some of our mysteries were a bit freaky with my friends we were able to get it done. Also during the middle of my College career Velma and I became a couple. We dated once before back in our hometown Crystal Cove but because of my fear of how my best friend and dog Scooby Doo was going to take it I broke up with Velma. It was a dumb mistake that I still regret to this day but I'm happy that Velma gave me a second chance after we realize in the middle of our College days that we're in love." "Shaggy I'm touch by your words but what in the world are you trying to say?" Velma asked him when all of a sudden Shaggy got down on one knee took out the thing he wanted to give to Velma which was an engagement ring with an orange red stone in the middle and began to say the following, "I love you Velma. You're the only one who makes me happy. We comforted each other after our past relationships failed with our ex's and you even gave me a second chance after when I screwed up our relationship the first time. Even though you promised to never get back together with me you followed your heart and with the help of our friends trapping us that way we could talk. Velma Dinkley will you marry me and become Mrs. Shaggy Rogers?" Shaggy asked with as much tears in his eyes as Velma's. "YES! I will marry you. I love you Shaggy Rogers" Velma cried as she accepted Shaggy's proposal. Shaggy was really happy that Velma said yes and placed the ring on her finger. "CONGRADTULATIONS!" The whole graduating class, and their guest said. Velma kissed her now fiancé Shaggy in front of everyone as they both took their seats. After the graduation Velma and Shaggy not only celebrated graduating from College with their friends and families but their engagement as well.
Velma's parents told their daughter that Shaggy asked for their blessing and permission to marry her which they said yes to. "Daphne would you be my maid of honor?" Velma asked. "Of course. Anything for you" answered Daphne. "When do you guys want to get married?" Freddy asked the new engaged couple. "After we get jobs and save up for a little while" answered Velma. Everyone understood what Velma was saying because both she and Shaggy wanted to wait a little bit. The happy couple looked towards the future and smiled at their soon to be wedding day.