{ paxton- 6 months. ember- 3 months. nova- 2 months.}
M A Y A
"Josh! Ember is crying and I need to take one shower before I graduate." I hollered from the bathroom as I finally stepped into the shower.
"I got her, Maya!" He replied from the room where he scooped up little Ember and held her carefully.
I hurried through my shower, finally relaxing and getting a full shower to myself for once. I stepped out and got dressed, did my hair, and applied my makeup quickly.
"Josh!" I called as I hurried downstairs. I found Josh and Farkle sitting on the couch holding the babies. I stopped to take in the moment.
"Oh, you're ready, Maya." Riley said from behind me. She looked gorgeous.
"Ready to go I am!" I giggled, and turned back to the guys. She followed my eyes and caught sight too.
"They melt my heart." She sighed.
We walked over and our eyes widened when we saw the baby's outfits. The babies matched in onesies, tutus, bows and socks.
Tears welled in Riley's eyes, probably from hormones. "I love it!"
I smiled and gave her a big hug. Our guys took our hands and led us to the cars. This was what we had dreamed of our whole lives.
R I L E Y
"Mom, are you sure you can watch Nova during the service? I can hold her or Farkle could." I asked nervously.
"That's silly, Riley. You two go graduate and I'll watch my little grand baby. You deserve it. You go get up there with your genius!" My mom laughed and shooed me off.
"Maya, you coming?" I asked once I realized we were still missing her.
"Josh, her diaper bag is right there. Need anything else?" She scanned the room for issues nervously.
"Hey, I got her. Go get up there, sweetie." He encouraged and we all went up and sat down. Isadora and Lucas were already sitting, while Paxton was held by their families. Farkle sat by me and Maya sat on the other side.
My dad was given the honor of introducing the graduates and he was more than thrilled.
J O S H
Cory got on stage and held diplomas in his hand, while the other held the mic.
"It has been my honor to teach this same class through middle school, high school, and somehow - college. I can't believe they've gone and grown up in a blink of an eye. So, now, let me introduce you to the new graduates." He said and everyone clapped.
All the graduates got in a line and waited their turn. They went up one by one, collecting their diplomas and speaking of their future. Finally, it was the last five people: my family.
"Isadora Smackle-Friar, our valedictorian." Cory announced and the crowd erupted with cheers.
She smiled and accepted her diploma. "These four years of college have been so crazy and definitely special. I am currently married to Lucas and we have our little boy, Paxton. Well, our plans changed a little with our baby in tow, but we will still be going to Europe to pursue photography and travel for the time being. We leave next week. I am so excited. Thank you."
"Thank you, Mrs. Friar." Cory smiled. "Lucas Friar."
He laughed and stepped up, taking the diploma. "I'm so glad I got to transfer here from Texas and meet all of my friends. I love em all, especially my wife. As Isadora said, we will be going to Europe in a week. We are very happy to become photographers. I have always loved that job idea. Thank you."
"Farkle Minkus, our genius." Cory said with a wink as turtleneck made his way up the stage, strutting a bit.
"Wow, such an honor. I'm so proud." Farkle said with a chuckle. "In all sincerity, I always thought that would be my speech, but everything's changed. I married my forever and always, Riley Matthews, and we have a baby girl, Nova. I am so proud of who I've become and my family. I'm working as an engineer for NASA and I am so excited for the future. Thank you."
"Thank you, son." Cory applauded. "Next up, Riley Matthews, Minkus." He choked on his words.
"Well, I believe in things, if you didn't know. I believe that these four years will do so much in your life. I know they did for me. I was on a rollercoaster it felt like but everything fell into place. I'm married now and I have a little girl who I cherish deeply. I wanted to be a feminist; to take on the world, and I did. I took on my world. I will be staying at home with Nova and working as assistant history teacher with my dad until I take over his job someday. I can't wait. Thank you."
"Next, Maya Hart, Matthews."
Maya took a deep breath and stepped up, taking the diploma. She used to tell me she never thought this day would come, but there she was.
"Hi everyone. If you've known me, you'd know I never thought this day would come. But it did. Once in high school; and now, college. I'm here, and it's because of the people who've loved me like their own. I want to thank my best friend, Riley, and her family. I want to thank all of my friends and their families, and I want to thank my parents. Most of all, I want to thank my husband, Josh. I am going to be staying at home with our baby, Ember Rose, working on art while Josh is to be working in the school's technical department. Then, when she's a bit bigger, I will get to be a social worker. I can't believe I've made it this far! Thank you."
Everyone clapped and Maya had tears on her face as she wrapped her arms around her friends. That's something I've always loved, her loyalty.
"That concludes our graduating cl-" Cory began but someone cut him off.
"Hey, hey, hey. How'd you forget about me?" A voice piped up.
Zay.
M A Y A
"Zay? What even, man!" Lucas hollered and embraced him.
"Zay!" I said as I hugged him.
"Looks like we have another graduate, folks." Cory laughed. "Isaiah, c'mere."
Zay jumped up on stage. "I'm Zay, and I transferred to Texas High a while back, but I told 'em, 'Zay don't leave his friends for graduation.' and they let me come! I'm a Texas baseball player now, and an engaged man!"
"Yo, what?" Lucas laughed.
"That's right! Nessa said yes!" He laughed. We all gave our congratulations once the service ended.
↠︎
A week later and it was time to go our separate ways. I was scared, but happy.
"Goodbye, Zay. See you at the wedding and maybe we will see you play some baseball too." Josh said as he gave him a bro hug.
Zay turned to me. "Sweet thing, don't cry. I'll see you and your little family soon. Bye, Maya. Bye, Ember." He said as he hugged me and hugged everyone else.
"Wait! One more group hug, everyone!" I said before Zay got in the cab. "While Isadora, Paxton, Lucas, and Zay are all here with us, c'mere."
One big hug. One big family.
"This is us, forever. Don't forget."
I wiped tears as Zay drove off and then it was time to say bye to the rest.
Hugs were exchanged and they got to me, the tough one who cried.
Isadora came first while holding their baby boy. "Bye, Maya. We'll see you soon enough, I promise. Okay?"
"Got it." I stood tall.
Then, Lucas came. Lucas and I are best friends. Great for talking, great for advise. A brother.
"Bye, Maya. You're okay. Okay?" He said gently.
"Okay." My voice cracked and tears streamed down my face.
He pulled me into a hug with Ember looking at my tears, confused. "Hey, don't cry. You're okay. Change is good. I love you a lot, okay?"
"Okay. I love you too."
We all smiled as they left but it was equally hard for all of us. It was like siblings leaving.
"This is us now." I sighed.
"And it's perfect." Riley added.
J O S H
"Maya, baby, how are you doing?" I asked her as we laid in bed. Ember was asleep in her rocker.
"Okay. I'm ready for this change. Let's be a family."
"Forever."