Chapter 64: Graduation

Months ago this day seemed so far away, but finally it's here; graduation day. Being a Thompson means my name gets called towards the end, and seeing as they are calling students with N surnames I still have a to wait.

I'm waiting patiently for my name to be called when my phone vibrates with a text message from Mo.

Mo: I can't believe that my mum decided to marry Calvin White.

Mo: Did she think for once that her children will have to sit down waiting to get called? 🚮

This makes me giggle, getting strange looks from students sitting on either side of me, but I'm too busy typing my reply to care.

Me: She was in love and wasn't thinking of you Mo😂

Mo: She should have thought of her future children☹️

Mo: I'm tired of waiting. They are about to call your name.

As Mo and I finish the short conversation, my name gets called and I stand up to get my degree, I hear whistles and cheers from the crowd. I shake the dean's hand as she hands me my degree and smile for the camera. My friends and family are still screaming their lungs out, even Noah is cheering me on despite the fact that we haven't talked since that fateful night in Florida two weeks ago.

After descending the stairs I walk through the small crowd to where my family is seated. When my family heard that I'm not planning on going back to Orlando anytime soon, they all decided to come to my graduation ceremony.

"Oh my baby, I can't believe that you have graduated. You are definitely an adult now." Mum says giving me a big hug, squeezing the life out of me.

"Mum, I can't breath." I whine pulling away from her.

Just as mum lets me go, Paul and Sam take turns hugging me and congratulating me, while Noah pretends to be busy on his phone. By the time almost everything has hugged me, Mo is making her way to us, her petite mother rushes over to her and hugs her, making Mo teary.

Mo's biggest weakness is family, so I know why she's emotional at the moment. It's rare to see her this way. I thought I could wait for the entire graduates to get their degrees, but my bladder says otherwise.

"Baby, please hold this. I need to use the bathroom." I give my things to Hayden before rushing past him.

"Tori, wait up." Mo says following me to the nearest bathroom.

When Mo and I get back from the bathroom, she teases me about little peanut already kicking my bladder. By the time we get back to the others all graduates are throwing their graduation caps, smiling and laughing, happy to have completed the hectic four years of uni.

It's been four years filled with sleepless nights, exhaustion, and tears. The hardest of the all being this past year after losing our friend, Lily. I'm sure today is the hardest for Lily's family, knowing that their daughter would never get a chance to laugh again, graduate uni or even get married.

"I'm not sure if my eyes are playing tricks on me, but that looks like Liam." She answers looking in the direction we left our families.

I follow her gaze and she's right, speaking to Noah is Liam. Mo pulls my hand and we go back to everyone, my heart aches as I take a closer look at him. His eyes have eye bags, a clear look that he hasn't slept in days.

"Liam, we weren'texpecting you." Mo says, taking the words out of my mouth.

"Did you think I would miss my two favourite girls' graduation?" He smiles at us before giving each of us a hug.

"You didn't mention coming last time I was talking to you." I accuse him.

"I didn't want to spoil the surprise."

.............

Later we all seated at the Italian restaurant owned by Hade's nana, the one whom he introduced to me weeks ago. We didn't expect everyone to come to New York, so it was the only place where they welcomed us without a reservation.

Hade called Elena and Luca two days ago and when they heard that he was booking for my graduation lunch, they agreed to host us despite the short notice. The entire place is filled by my family, Mo's family and our friends. Jamie and my dad's parents also got here in time for lunch as they couldn't attend the ceremony earlier.

Everyone is having fun, enjoying good food prepared by Luca and his kitchen. The only people missing are Lily's parents and Lisa, I understand how hard today must be for them. What takes me by surprise is how civil my mum and grandma are, seeing as they aren't completely on good terms. I know how much it must hurt to see Paul with my mum, it must be a complete reminder of my dad's death.

I look away from Hade who is having a conversation withmy grandfather, and catch Liam looking out in space. I pull my chair and stand up to go sit next to him, he doesn't see me approaching me, mum gets up from the chair next to Liam and I take a sit.

"Liam, are you okay?" I touch his arm lightly so not to freak him out.

"Yeah" He exhales, "I'm alright." He says giving me a rather weak smiles.

I'm about to call him out on his lie when he beats me to it. "I don't know if the sex is that good or if it's the pregnancy, but you are glowing."

"Liam!" I gasp.

"I know today is hard on you, we appreciate you coming." I change the subject.

Liam squeezes my hand and nods his head. "Mum was contacted by the head of fashion department and the school dean, the university wanted to honour Lily."

"Aww, Liam." I pull him for a hug.

"Mum didn't know I planned to come here then so she told them none of us can make it."

Liam and I continue to talk, him promising he will go to the dean before going home in Orlando. As I look around the entire restaurant, my heart aches missing Lily, she would have been dressed to kill right now, making sure to have a good time.

"What are you thinking about pretty lady?" Says a voice from behind me.

"Pretty lady?" I ask smiling to myself.

"You mean to tell me that I haven't told you how pretty and sexy you look in that dress?" Hayden says hugging me from behind.

"Ahh, I don't recall any of that." I play along.

"You look beautiful baby, and very sexy in that dress. Can't wait to get it off you." He says kissing my cheek.

"Hade! Behave." I say laughing at him as he pouts at me.

Almost a year ago, I didn't think this day would possible. Yet here I am, laughing and flirting with my boyfriend, the father of my child, surrounded by family, blood and chosen ones, living in the moment without fear and embracing love in all forms.