I adjusted the tassel on my cap.

Is it left or right? I thought to myself as I moved it back and forth.

"It's the right Pea." Jonathan came over and moved my tassel for me. The golden band that sat on his left ring finger glistened in the mirror.

I smiled at him through the reflection, "Thank you."

He spun me so that I was facing him. He leaned down and kissed me. I practically melted at the feel of his lips on mine. I loved that despite the time that had passed, he still made me weak at the knees.

"That gets harder everyday." He joked as he pressed his hand onto my swollen belly.

"You're not funny." I playfully slapped his arm, "And I'm not that big."

"Getting there." Jonathan commented, "Only three months until this little one comes along."

I smiled as I watched him fondly rub my stomach. I felt the baby move at his touch.

"He or she really likes you." I commented.

"For now." Jonathan smiled. "The teenage years will come."

"Time to line up graduates." A woman with a headset came into the room.

"Oh, that's me." I smiled so big that it felt like my face would crack.

Jonathan gave me a quick peck on the lips. "Good luck up there."

I squeezed his arm as I breezed by.

I looked along the wall for where I was supposed to stand in the line. I took my place and smiled at the two people on either side of me. They were obviously younger, in their early twenties, versus me who was approaching thirty.

I heard the music begin and I waited for the line to move. As we processed into the large football field I felt so proud. I had always imagined what this day would feel like. The reality was so much better. I sat down in my seat and smiled ahead at the stage where I would soon walk across and accept my degree. It was hard to believe how much had changed in the four and a half years that had passed since I went back to college.

As the ceremony progressed I could feel my excitement rising. 

Names began to be called my heart rate accelerated. I looked over my shoulder to see if I could find Jonathan, but I couldn't through the sea of my fellow graduates.

I waited and waited for my turn. Finally the G's were called. We filed out of seats towards the stage. I felt so giddy I wanted to run, but I patiently waited through the names until...

"Sarah Grove!" The applause that would rise and fall swelled once again along with my pride.

I smiled as I walked up the steps. One of the professors stood up and helped me when he noticed my round middle. I walked across the stage and accepted my degree with a handshake.

"Congratulations." The presenter said as she moved my tassel for me. "And good luck!"

I walked over to the other side of the stage and turned to pose for the camera and smiled. I scanned the crowd and that's when I finally saw them, Jonathan, my dad, and Alexia all beaming and cheering. As I walked down the stairs from the stage, I gave a fist pump towards them.

After the ceremony we found ourselves in an ice cream shoppe.

"I'm so proud of you doll." My dad wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

"Unfortunate timing with..." I patted my big belly.

"Well, you let me know when you're ready to go to work." Alexia said as she shoved a spoonful of ice cream in her mouth, "I'm sure I could help you get something with the city."

"Thanks." I smiled at her just as Jonathan sat down with a cone for me.

"Strawberry for the graduate." He kissed me on the cheek as he handed me the cone.

"Thank you." I licked the cool treat.

The baby seemed to like it as well, suddenly waking and moving in my belly as the sweet treat hit my stomach. Jonathan must've noticed the movement as his hand came over my belly.

"Well, the third and final book in my trilogy is complete and with the publishing house." Alexia announced.

I squealed, causing everyone to jump a little, "That's amazing!"

"They asked if I had any other ideas to pitch." Alexia was smiling brightly.

Before I had a chance to tell Alexia how excited I was for her, an attractive middle aged woman walked into the ice cream shoppe. I saw my dad's face instantly brighten as she walked towards our table. He stood up and planted a peck on her cheek.

"Hey Tamara." I said as she sat down.

"Hey sweetie. Sorry I couldn't make it to your graduation. So stupid that they had to do that inspection at the same time." She rolled her eyes.

"It's okay." I reassured her. "Thanks for making it so my dad could come."

She let out a breath and smiled at me.

"How did it go?" Jonathan asked.

"Really good." She looked over at my dad, "Guess we'll be able to move in soon."

My dad's smile grew wider as he placed his arm across the back of her chair. I looked around the table at all the happy faces, grateful for the change that four short years had brought.

As we left the shoppe, Alexia gave me a hug and a quick goodbye.

I linked arms with my dad as we walked down the street. "Sobriety is treating you well." I commented as I looked ahead at Tamara and Jonathan who were talking happily to each other.

He nodded, "I'm glad I did it." He looked down at my belly, "And it seems I did it just in time."

I chuckled, "It's been almost two years."

My dad pushed air through his lips, "Yeah, but there have been too many back slides. Too many resets."

"It happens to a lot of people." I reminded him, "What matters is that you're here now. I'm so happy that you're going to get to enjoy being a grandpa."

He smiled, "Me too."

Tamara and Jonathan stopped just short of a black two door car, and we did as well.

I kissed my dad on the cheek, "I'll see you for our usual Tuesday dinner?"

"Always, doll."

Jonathan laced his fingers through mine as we gave the two a quick wave.

As we continued down the street Jonathan spoke, "My mom texted as we left. She apologized for not being able to make it, but of course congratulates you."

"She's sweet." I smiled. "We'll see her next weekend when we stay with her anyways."

When we reached our car, Jonathan opened the door for me as he always did. I slid in.

Jonathan looked down at me, "You got enough energy for one one more stop?"

I gave him a curious look, "I guess."

He winked at me then quickly walked around the car and into the driver's seat. It didn't take long for us to get to our destination. It was the docks.

"What are we doing here?" I asked.

He shrugged with a smile, then got out of the car. He once again opened my door and held my hand, helping me out.

We walked passed the docks and down onto the beach. His thumb gingerly stroked mine. As we made our way off the docks and down the beach I smiled.

"We haven't done this in awhile." I said, "Not since..." I paused as I realized the last time we had walked on the beach.

"I know." Jonathan pulled me so I was looking at him. "Today just felt like a good day to come back here."

"Why?" I shook my head.

"I was just looking at you on the stage when you crossed."

"Hard to miss me." I embraced my belly.

Jonathan chuckled, "Not because of that. I saw you and I was overcome with just how much I love you."

My heart fluttered.

"I didn't know I could love someone this much." He confessed.

"I feel the same." I replied.

He leaned down and kissed me deeply. His lips felt so good against mine. So right.

"I'm so grateful you came to my apartment," Jonathan chuckled, "Twice." I blushed and he continued, "I'm mostly glad that you wouldn't leave until I heard you out."

"Stubbornness, one." I joked.

"Stubbornness, a million."

He kissed me again, his arms encircling me. My whole life I waited for when I would finally safe. Finally feel loved.

I should've realized it was always going to be him.

Only him.

Not for one night...

... Forever.