“Yes, Willa. I had Torren sitting on his house and if Austin didn’t leave by a certain point, Torren had express orders to get him here by any means necessary. Willingly or not, he’ll be here.” His expression and tone softens as I nervously bite my thumb nail. “This is a wonderful thing you’re doing for him. If this doesn’t show him how much you love him, and it will, it’s still a good memory for him to have.”
I know he’s already graduated, having received his GED years ago, but while he was masquerading as a high school senior, he was doing the homework that went along with it. The charade may be over, at least in regards to that aspect of it, but he can still walk the stage with us, switch his tassel to the other side, and accept the honorary diploma Mrs. Kirk will hand him.
But the anticipation is killing me. Relief hits when Anders glances at his phone and tells me Austin is there, then he leaves to meet him in the parking lot.
**Austin**
“Why am I here again?” I ask Anders. Ignoring his calls and texts had been easy, not so much when he pounded on my door, yelling until I answered.
“Because I blackmailed you.” He’d assured me he understood why I didn’t want to accept money from the Franks after I saw Willa’s face and that he’d handle my wishes on what to do with it, that being forwarding my salary for this job to charities Willa’s parents support. There had been no problem with that option until yesterday, which is partly why he’d demanded to see me, saying I had to give it to them myself. So, here I am, walking beside Anders into the foyer an auditorium after finally finding a place to park. It isn’t until I see students milling about, kids wearing caps and gowns, ones I recognize from the hallways and classes of Winfield, that I realize what today signifies for Willa.
Which explains why William and Ella Franks are there, but not why they’re waiting for me. “Sir, ma’am,” I greet them, wondering what the hell is going on.
“What’s with the formality, son?” William asks.
“I just figured…”
“Well, you’re wrong,” Ella states. “If our daughter doesn’t hold a grudge against you, then why would we?” My head snaps toward her, words flying from me so fast they don’t make any sense. “None of that now,” she scolds me, cutting off my ramblings. “If you don’t hurry, you’ll miss your graduation.”
Then William thrusts the package he’s holding at me and tells me to put it on. I have no clue what is happening, but I take it, then search for a bathroom. I’m on auto-pilot as I open the box and remove a cap and gown, one that matches the color I’d seen the guys wearing. I stop trying to figure out what’s going on, my brain too focused on what Ella implied.
Willa doesn’t hate me?
———
Standing in line, waiting for my name to be called, was surreal, but stepping on the stage, partaking in a ceremony meant to replace that which I missed almost a decade ago, supersedes that.
On my way down to rejoin those who had gone before me, I keep walking instead of resuming my place, needing to see my Willa. I’d wanted to seek her out immediately , but I resisted, not wanting to take anything away from this experience for her. But now, with our parts being essentially done, I can’t wait a second more.
Holding my hand out, wanting,needing, her to choose me, I try to remain calm as she debates what to do. Thankfully, she takes it almost immediately, and allows me to lead her from the ceremony as I search for a quiet spot where we can have some privacy.
Finding it, I push until her back hits a wall and take her mouth, about coming in my pants when she eagerly returns the kiss. Neither of us seem inclined to stop, but when my chest starts burning from the need for oxygen, I know we have to.
“I’ve missed you so much, little one,” I whisper against her lips, not ready to completely let them go.
“Then why did you stay away?”
“I thought it was what you wanted. But I will tell you this, I was giving you until tomorrow to remember who you belong to.”
She moans, clearly loving that I’m taking charge and assuming no other outcome except the one where we’re together. “I told you I was going to see your boss. I wanted to talk to him about you.” She’d mentioned that when she’d woken up, and I had assumed the worst. “But I was taken instead.”
“Please don’t remind me,” I beg her, not caring that my cheeks are growing damp from tears as I recall the fear that had choked me. “It’s tied with losing my mom as the worst day of my life.”
“I know stuff needed to be said between you and I, that things were left unresolved, but once I realized I was in danger, you were the first person I thought of. I knew you’d save me.”
“Always,” I vow.
Burrowing into my chest, she tells me, “I’d already forgiven you, some space giving me the ability to see it from your eyes. And when I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see you again,” her sniffle at that matches mine, the realization how close we came to losing forever, “I texted you.”
“I didn’t get it.” She confesses that she forgot to hit send. “Well, you were kinda busy.” She snickers as I’d intended, wanting to remind her that she’s okay now, so she didn’t get lost in what could’ve happened. Willa leans back and lifts her gown enough to get her cell. When she shows me the screen, what the message she’d intended to send means for us, I dig under my own gown for something.
Admitting it might be too soon, especially considering that we haven’t ironed everything out yet, I withdraw the ring box containing the wedding set I’d purchased for us and get in position. “I love you, Willa. I’ve been with you and I’ve been without you, and I have to say, I’m only living when you’re at my side. Be my wife, my family. No one will love you as I do.” Only half-joking, I tack on, “I’d kill them if they tried.”
“Yes,” she accepts, jumping in my arms and kissing me, knocking us over. I had more to say, having been prepared to plead my case, but I’d much rather do this.
“Come home with me,” I suggest when we part.
“Only if we can pick up where we left off,” she teases.