As Sebastian leads me to through the lobby and towards the exit of the hotel a new group of teenagers is entering the building.  Jeff and Nick are talking rather loudly with Trent, laughing.  Thad is following along after them, but he seems to be smiling and nodding along with what they are saying. They nod and wave as we pass them, heading towards the other two groups clustered around the room.

Sebastian holds the door open for me and I leave the hotel, coming face to face with a few more young men. Hunter, looking debonair but relaxed in a simple jeans and t-shirt combination. I'm trying to pass him by as he is chatting with some of his old military school friends, blush starting to form on my cheeks as my hand in tightly laced with Sebastian's. But luck is not on my side, Parker notices me right away and nudges Hunter.

He looks up.

Moss green eyes meeting mine. Brightening up but narrowing slightly when he takes notice of me, with Sebastian, moving past him into streets of Chicago. His hand reaches out to stop me before I am too far away. "Angel?? Where are you going? We were coming to see you. I was coming to see you, to spend time with you."

Crap. Now I feel bad.

"Hunt, we're... We were just..."

Sebastian squeezes my hand gently and I look up at him, he smiles down at me and shoots me one of his heart stopping winks. I can't help the small sigh I emit. Then he levels his gaze at Hunter, squaring his shoulders and standing up tall. He starts tugging me back towards the city as he calls out, "Sorry, but Pretty Girl and I have an appointment we can't miss. So we've got to go."

I give one more backwards glance at Hunter as we start to walk away. He is pouting as he calls after us. "But where are you going?? Angel?? Smythe, don't ignore me. She's mine too!"

The smirk is evident in Sebastian's voice as he replies, I don't even have to look at him to know that he is doing it. "Fine, have it your way. We're headed to the Courthouse. Although you're welcome to come if you want Clarington. I mean they do usually require witnesses for this type of thing..."

I'm biting my lip as I notice Hunter's panicked expression. His slack jaw, wide eyes. He makes a move to come after me but his friend Parker places a hand across his chest. I can see him speaking rapidly and Hunter just nodding as Sebastian pulls me away.

"Sebby?? We're not really going to the Courthouse. Are we? Because I'm not ready to get married right now. Especially not in this outfit. You look adorable but I'm not sure any of this is proper wedding attire. And I only planned on getting married once..."

Sebastian waits until we are around the corner from the hotel to stop, all the while I am internally freaking out. But when he does stop, he turns to face me, sweet smile as he reaches up to tenderly trace his fingers across my cheekbones. "Of course not Princess. I just didn't want anyone bothering us anymore. And I know I am bound to catch hell for all of this, if not tonight when I return to my hotel, then it will be tomorrow on the ride back to Westerville. But it is all worth it for a few hours alone with you. Mon amour, ma princesse, ma belle fiancée."

So do Sebastian and I end up at the Courthouse that night? Yes and no.

Yes in the sense that we make it there after spending some time walking around parts of the city. Sitting on the steps, side by side, ice cream cones in hand. Watching the rest of the world pass us by.

But no, we don't get married. Not here. Not now.

The evening goes far to fast for my liking. Before I know it, we are back at my hotel. I can hear our friends voices as soon as we enter. They all seem to be crowded in the gaming area of the lobby. The part with the fireplaces, big comfy couches and various board games spread about. Most of the McKinley gang is laughing jubilantly at some sort of impression Sam is just finishing up. Puck and Hailey are having what appears to be a deep conversation on one of the love seats.

But my eyes instantly go to another section of the room when we enter. Hunter, seated with some of his old show choir buddies, along with Nick and Jeff. The military school boys look smug but Niff, they're seemingly trying to cheer him up.

My heels must make noise on the floor as Sebastian and I enter the room because Hunter immediately looks up.

Or maybe it is just our unspoken connection, that thread that holds us together, that enables him to sense my presence.

He looks sad, those beautiful, perfect moss green eyes are glassy. Like he is trying not to cry. Those surrounding him notice his demeanor change and look up as well.

Sebastian sighs, kisses my temple and drops my hand. Moving instead to go over to talk with Blaine. Silently I approach, despite the dirty looks I am receiving from that Parker character.

"Are you still mine Shay-Baby or did I lose you for good?"

I sit gingerly in an arm chair across from him, trying to give the best reassuring smile that I can. "I'm still me Clarington, still an Anderson, just like every other day of my life. We just went for a walk, got some ice cream. Alone time, because I'm leaving him for California soon. For you..."

He perks up instantly at that, although I do catch the concerned looks of Jeff and Nick. "For me..."

All I can do is nod.

It's amazing how time can fly by, you know. It has been two weeks since that day at Nationals.

TWO WEEKS.

Two long yet very short weeks. Filled with final exams and finishing everything up for graduation. We had a little scare there, Puck was unsure if he even WOULD be able to graduate. But thanks to my superb tutoring skills he was able to pass his biology final with more than the C- he needed. So very proud to say I coached him to his first ever A-.

Better late than never I suppose.

His arms wrap around me in a giant hug as we both stand in our caps and gowns waiting for the graduation ceremony to begin. Somewhere in the auditorium all our friends and family are gathered. My parents are still in Europe, although Aunt Pam is supposed to be live streaming it to them for me.

One of the teachers is calling for us to line up so Puck gives me one more quick squeeze and then lets me go.  "Anderson Babe, I can't thank you enough.  Because of you I can finally get out of this town, this school."  His smile is infectious, I can't help but return it.  "So what are your plans now Noah??"

He hesitates slightly as he lines up behind me. Finally he speaks, we're almost to the auditorium by this point. "I figured I would give the music scene a go. I'm pretty good with my guitar and all. Nashville first. Then maybe New Orleans. But I'll definitely be out to California at some point. Have to keep an eye on you for Blaine and Smythe, especially since you're shacking up with Clarington."

I'm blushing at his words. But I don't have time to respond before we are ushered into the auditorium, into our seats. I can spy my aunt, she waves to Blaine and I, pointing her phone in our direction.

Sebastian is seated off to the side. Nick and Jeff came with him. Hunter is there too, although further back. But both boys have their gaze trained on me. Their graduation ceremony is tomorrow. And I am mentally planning out my wardrobe selection as the valedictorian comes to the stage.

Before you ask, I placed third in my graduating class. But the valedictorian is a lovely, if not very quiet and shy girl from my anatomy class named Victoria. She works up her courage as she speaks about us being the future. Reaching for the stars. Striving to achieve our dreams. To be all that we can. Her voice only falters once, the speech was quite impressive. No wonder she got accepted into Harvard.

And soon Principal Figgins is announcing our names, as we rise and walk to collect our diplomas from him and Miss Sylvester.

Mr Schuester sits with the glee club members who are underclass men, which isn't really many. Just Sam, Tina and Artie. Yes he is only a junior despite being my anatomy partner, something about a science summer camp giving him extra credit material.

But anyway Principal Figgins begins calling our names. This is it.

Blaine Devon Anderson

Shannon Lynn Anderson

Rachel Barbara Berry

Michael David Chang

Lucy Quinn Fabray

Finn Christopher Hudson

Kurt Elizabeth Hummel

Mercedes Lynn Jones

Santana Rosalia Lopez

Brittney Susanne Pierce

Noah Emmanuel Puckerman

"Congratulations to this year's McKinley High graduating class. Make us and Ohio proud in your future endeavors."

I move my tassel from one side to the other although I don't toss my hat in the air like so many around me do. I don't want to errantly put someone else's hat on my head.

Soon Aunt Pam has enveloped both Blaine and I in hugs. Whispering softly before she pulls back. "My baby, my sweet girl. I'm so very proud of you both." She pulls away and starts taking photo after photo of the two of us while I cling to my cousin. Smiling so hard I feel like my cheeks will crack.

And then the voices hit me, both so emotional.

Shann, my love, I'm so proud of you.

Angel, you look absolutely radiant. Honestly we're both so proud of you. Third in your class is amazing.

I release Blaine from my clutches to turn towards the two boys, he instantly rushes to Kurt practically tackling him in a hug.

Two smiling, sweet faces.

Two sets of eyes on me.

One pair sea green, full of love and admiration.

The other a darker, moss green. Sparkling, playful yet sincere.

They both reach for one of my hands.

I bow my head slightly, glancing up at them through my eyelashes. "Thank you my darlings. You sure know how to flatter a girl. I can't wait for your ceremony tomorrow. I will be there, so proud of you both."

Hunter blushes so adorably but Sebastian just preens under my praise. "My parents are dying to see you again Princess. And I've been working on my speech forever. I hope you'll like it."

I can't help the surprise in my voice. "Speech??"

Sebastian nods, impish grin on his face. "Yes, Love. I'm Dalton's valedictorian this year."