Mood: Tap the media box above to listen to The Wreck of Our Hearts by Sleeping Wolf. This one's dedicated to DariaLamtsova who has insight into Jake's world.

Lydia

Graduation day finally came! I was graduating with a bachelor's degree, majoring in history, and information management. My mom and dad came to my graduation ceremony.

Interestingly, Jake's parents came to watch me graduate. I was a little surprised, but his mom insisted on coming.

You see, neither of us was sure if Jake would make it to his graduation due to his busy schedule, but they still came for me. His parents wanted to bond with mine. I had the feeling they talked with each other about Jake and me.

"Missy, turn around," a familiar voice called behind me, causing me to spin around as quickly as I could.

My heart nearly stopped when it surrendered to the sight of Jacob Mathias Somersby. The most beautiful man in my life was here with me, in his graduation gown and cap. He came back.

When I saw him amid the maddening crowd of graduates, I hugged him because I didn't want him to leave again. His eyes flashed with excitement, and he smiled at me.

"Missy!" He cupped my face with his hands. His body was dangerously pressed against mine.

"Skype calls and messages aren't enough, babe," he said, kissing my cheek and stroking my neck.

"I ache for you," I admitted.

Jake looked at me with fierce hunger and kissed me. His tongue pushed and invaded my mouth.

"Jake, Lydia, how on earth am I supposed to take a photo of you that we can show your kids one day?" Mom rolled her eyes.

"Mrs. C, how am I supposed to convince your daughter that I'm her guy if I can't kiss her?" Jake snaked his arm around my hips while my hands clasped his.

After we had our photos taken with our families, individually and together, Jake checked my hands.

"Where's your ring?" His eyebrows furrowed. His eyes were dead set on my hands, then at my eyes.

"You're looking at the wrong place." I gave him a flirty smile.

Poor Jake looked so confused.

"It's under my graduation gown," I said, as I revealed a pendant around my neck that the ring was looped through.

"You little minx," he said, bringing me close to his body.

We were ready to graduate.

---

Two Hours Later

Jake and I held our graduation diplomas in our hands as we walked in the crowd. We had more photos taken, and finally, we were photo-free! Our parents were waiting for their Ubers to arrive. We said we'd join them at the restaurant.

"Jake and Lydia, are you two together or not?" Carrie snuck up behind us.

"We're working things out," I replied.

Zach, Greg, and Jake were high-fiving and making other hand gestures to congratulate each other. The rest of our friends left for dinner with their families after giving tearful goodbyes. I saw Elsie in the distance and looked away. She was not important to me.

"We don't want to be late for our dinner reservation," my mom said, tapping me on the arm.

She had come back for Jake and me. She looked...almost serene. Sentimental, more like it.

---

An Hour Later

Jake's family and my family united for dinner at a fancy restaurant at the country club, which Jake's parents were members of. He and I were out of our gowns, and I couldn't stop looking at him.

What a man.

Here I was, sitting next to Mr. Hot and Handsome Somersby. He wore a new tie that I had not seen before and it looked expensive.

"Nice tie. Did you buy it yourself?" I looked at him.

"Nah."

"A woman bought it for you?"

"Yeah."

"You're easily bought," I teased him.

"Mom bought it for me." Jake's face was deadpan serious.

"Oh."

Oops. My mistake.

"So, Lydia, what plans do you have after college?" Robbie asked me while cutting his steak.

"I'm going to keep working in the library but with better pay and longer hours," I replied.

"How about you, Jacob?" Mom had to call him Jacob. He hated it. I wasn't sure whether she loved or hated him, or both.

"I was offered to stay in London with a full-time package," Jake said.

"And did you say yes?" Mom's elbows were on the table, and her jeweled hands were clasped.

"I haven't given a reply yet," he said. "I have until the end of next week to accept their offer."

"Oh," I whispered.

Jake's hand squeezed mine.

"I have applied for work at a TV station here. And the newsgroups, magazines, newspapers here and around the country. I've already had some interviews. I'll find out next week if I've got a job here."

"Your best career move would be London," my dad said.

"I agree," Robbie quipped. "However, Jake will probably want Lydia close to him."

Robbie smiled at his son and raised his wineglass. "I propose a toast to Lydia and Jake for their success."

Everybody raised their glasses and toasted to us. After dinner, our parents sat on some comfortable, posh chairs at the bar lounge connected to the restaurant. They had port, whisky, coffee, and a tray of fine chocolates to share.

Jake excused himself from the group. At first, I thought he was going to the bathroom, but then he signaled me to follow him. He took my hand as I got up, and I felt all eyes in the group looking at us.

---

A minute later, we were outside. Jake had his hands in his pockets.

"Lydia, I want to talk about us," Jake said.

I didn't remember seeing him so serious before graduation night. His face was slightly strained. I had a bad feeling he was going to end whatever we had forever.

"Jake, whatever you have to say, I'm prepared for the worst. I want you to know something first, though. I love you. I always have, and I always will."

"If you let me finish what I started saying," Jake said curtly. "It's about our future."

I breathed in and exhaled. He's going to move to London. For good. Shit. Shit. Shit. I felt like crying.

Hold it together, Lydia.

"I've never stopped loving you. Ever." Jake gazed into my eyes.

Then his head bent down, hand still in his pocket. He looked up and sighed. He was standing opposite me. What Jake did next took me by surprise.

Jake kneeled on the ground, bent on his right knee, and took my left hand. He clasped it tightly into his hands.

"Lydia Jade Coleman, will you please marry me? Be mine for keeps?" Jake tilted his head up, looked at me, and his eyes pleaded mine.

Oh. My. Gawd.

He fished out a small velvet box from his pocket and opened it to reveal a sparkling white-gold diamond ring!

"Jake? Is this for real? Are you for real?" I was close to hyperventilating by now.

"Lydia, can you answer the question?" Jake raised his left eyebrow and bit his lip. I noticed his hands trembled.

"Take your shirt off!" I commanded Jake.

"What?" He was surprised by my answer.

"Take your shirt off. Just do it!"

"Okay." Jake's eyes shifted uncomfortably, but he removed his tie and took his shirt off for me. His defined muscles were still there. His tattoo was still there. Lydia was etched on his bicep. The warm breeze gently blew Jake's beautiful hair.

"Jacob Somersby, yes, I will marry you!" I declared. "I love you!"

After a whole lot of hugging, kissing, tears streaming down my face, and squeals of joy, Jake put his shirt back on again. He left his collar unbuttoned and handed his tie to me, all rolled up.

I couldn't believe it was happening: I was going to be Lydia Somersby!

---

When we returned to the group, I was grinning from ear to ear. Jake looked delighted, and I flashed my left hand at our parents.

"Oh, my lord!" Jake's mom reacted.

"Oh, my goodness!" My mom covered her mouth with her hands, and her eyes were staring at my ring.

Then, out of the blue, my dad handed Jake a bouquet of roses. I found out later Dad was in on the whole deal. Jake timed it so the flower delivery would come to the restaurant before we arrived, and Dad would pick up the flowers from the reception when Jake took me outside.

"Right now, I feel like the luckiest man alive," Jake proudly beamed. He grinned from ear to ear, and his violet-blue eyes sparkled with joy.

"To my beautiful fiancée, Lydia." Jake presented the roses to me and planted a tender kiss on my supple lips.

---

A/N: Do you think Jake was nervous about proposing to Lydia?

Please vote and/or comment if you like this chapter. ⭐️