A/N: just a friendly reminder that while I do not own Code Lyoko, I do own Neville and Beatrix Hopper, along with Eloise Belpois. While we're at it, I also own Dr. Felix Schmidt! XD
Late July
Celebration!
"Congratulations Doctor Belpois!" Exclaimed Aelita after approaching Jeremy amongst the hubbub of graduation.
"Congratulations to you too, Doctor Aelita Stones!" Replied Jeremy excitedly. The two of them grinned at each other and wrapped each other in a quick hug.
"We should probably find my grandparents and your parents," said Aelita when the two separated.
"Yeah, you know they're going to want pictures and stuff," replied Jeremy. The young couple making their way through the crowd.
"We are so proud of you!" Exclaimed Michael shaking his son's hand then giving a hug to Aelita when the new graduates made it to their families.
"Yes, congratulations to the both of you," added Beatrix.
"I think it's time for some pictures!" Suggested Eloise, pulling a camera out of her purse. Jeremy smirked playfully at his fiancé in an 'I told you so' sort of way. "Ok, how about you two stand over here in front of the Hall entrance?" The young couple stood together as asked, and Jeremy put his arm around Aelita as they both proudly held up their diplomas.
Click
"How about a couple of just Jeremy..." Aelita took a step away, knowing it would be her turn next.
Click
"Your turn Aelita," Eloise directed as predicted, and the pink-haired graduate traded places with her fiance.
Click
"And Aelita, how about one with you and your grandparents." Neville and Beatrix walked over and flanked their granddaughter, grinning in amusement at Eloise's excitement.
Click
"You too, Jeremy. They're practically family to you too!" With a chuckle Jeremy took a spot next to Aelita between her grandparents.
Click
"And just for fun, how about one with Just Jeremy and the Hoppers," Aelita stepped out of the picture with a giggle at her almost-mother-in-law's antics.
Click
"Neville, could you take a picture of Michael and myself with Jeremy?" The elderly gentleman smiled and nodded as Jeremy's parents took the place of Aelita's grandparents.
Click
"Aelita, sweetie, come on in here!" Aelita did as she was asked, and smiled when Jeremy put his arm around her again.
Click
"And one with us and Aelita," Jeremy's mother gave him a gentle push and he stepped away.
Click
Eloise walked over to Neville and took the camera. "And one more with all of us." She turned around. "Excuse me," she called out to someone behind the rest of the group," could you get a picture of all of us?"
"Y-yes, of course," answered a familiar voice with a German accent and Aelita felt like she'd swallowed a big rock. Aelita gulped and turned around slowly to see Dr. Schmidt walk slowly to Mrs. Belpois. He turned to address the young woman.
"I-I was hoping I'd be able to see you here... Aelita." He looked like he was going to say something but thought better of it when he glanced around at the families gathered. Aelita forced a smile to her face.
"It's good to see you again Dr. Schmidt." She replied as calmly as she could.
"Oh, you two know each other?" Asked Michael, glancing between his near-daughter-in-law and the older professor.
"Dr. Schmidt was on the panel of my oral examination," replied Aelita, hoping the encounter wasn't going to last very long, and really hoping that she wasn't going to have to introduce her grandparents... specifically their last name! Thankfully, Dr. Schmidt didn't seem too keen on talking with everyone else there either and he held up the camera given to him by Eloise.
"It seems that you're busy right now, so everybody in," he directed.
Click
He handed the camera back to Jeremy's mother and turned to Aelita.
"I'm very much looking forward to seeing more of your work, Aelita." With that he left. When he was gone, Aelita let out a sigh of relief.
"Was that the guy that you thought recognized you?" Asked Jeremy in a whisper.
"Yeah... I'm glad he didn't learn my grandparents' names." She shuddered slightly at how close she had come to possibly having her identity exposed.
"I think they're smarter than that. Still, do you think we should tell them?"
"Yeah, that's probably a good idea." She turned toward her grandparents. "Umm... that guy just now..."
"He seemed like a decent fellow. A little jittery perhaps, but certainly nice enough," responded Beatrix.
"Well... at my dissertation defense, from the moment I walked in the door he couldn't stop looking at me like he recognized me."
"Hmm. Maybe he'd just seen you around somewhere before?" Suggested Michael.
"I don't think that's it. He said he'd seen similar work from an old acquaintance of his that disappeared before I was born," replied Aelita, "and I don't think meeting him here was a coincidence either."
"Waldo," murmured Beatrix.
"That's what we're thinking," confirmed Jeremy.
"Oh dear. Is there anything you want us to do?" Asked Eloise.
"Not really," answered Jeremy, shaking his head before turning to Aelita's family. "We mostly just wanted to let you two know. Knowing that we were with the parent's of Anthea Schaeffer would give Aelita away for sure!"
"We won't be in town for much longer, and then there should be much less risk of that," said Beatrix.
"All this makes me really glad that we're having the wedding in France..." mused Aelita.
"Me too. I think I should start digging up on Dr. Schmidt now..."
"I agree, thanks, Jeremy."
"And by digging you mean..." started Eloise before being interrupted by Aelita.
"Don't ask. Let's just say that Jeremy is very good at finding information not available to the general public..."
"Just... be careful," advised Michael.
"I will," assured Jeremy. Then he smiled. "I think that's probably enough worrying. Besides, we should probably head out now if we want to beat the crowds at the restaurant!" There was a murmur of agreement, and all six of them headed out to celebrate the end of school!
A/N: I apologize for the late update, but per usual nowadays, work has been a beast! I don't feel bad about the slight hiatus for getting Mixing Families written though.
I know I said in the past that I would try to adhere to a bi-weekly posting schedule, but I think it's come to the point where I'll try to post in as timely manner as I can, but you can probably expect chapters to come late at this point.