Everlasting Love (Now & Forever) (21 page)

“I will call you tonight so I can figure out the plans for tomorrow. I would like to pick you up but I understand if you want to go with your parents.”

“I’m sure it doesn’t matter to them, I would love a ride there.”

Alex smiled. “Bye, Baby.”

Emily watched him leave as she walked back into the house. Her mom looked at her expecting a full report. “So, are you guys dating yet? Because from where I’m standing, it kind of looks like it.”

“Not officially. We’re still in that holding pattern but I’m hoping since this weekend Emma will be with Eric, that we can figure all of that out.” Emily headed back up to her room to finish packing Emma’s bags. She knew that she was going to miss her terribly and that this would be the longest that they had ever been apart. But, it was the right thing to do. Eric needed time with her also.

*********************

Her big day had finally arrived. Emily woke up and smiled. She finished her college education in four years, while juggling being a new mother. She was so proud of herself.  She got out bed and walked over to see that Emma still sleeping. She kissed her forehead and felt her squirm. “Good Morning, Sweet Emma.”

“
Mommy
,” Emma mumbled still very tired.

“Time to get up and eat breakfast
.
Mommy
has a big day ahead of her.”

“Ok.”

Emily smiled as she lifted her out of the bed and carried her downstairs. She gasped as she reached the living room. The room had a huge basket filled with red roses
.
Emily walked over to it as Emma reached out to feel the petals. Her mother walked in. “They just arrived.”

Emily smiled as she reached for the card and handed a still sleepy, Emma to her mother. She opened the tiny envelope
, Congratulations, Emily. You have the world in the palm of hands now. Alex
.

“I’m assuming the sender would be Alex?” Her mom asked.

Emily nodded. “Yes, he really is too good to be true.”

“Well, it’s your day, Emily. What do you want for breakfast?”

“I’m not hungry right now. I think I will grab something later.”

“I’m so proud of you. Looking back on the conversation we had in this living room at the beginning of your freshman year,” her mother said while nodding at Emma who was draped over her shoulder. “I really didn’t think we’d see this day any time soon. But you did your time in summer school to catch up, you studied hard and you managed to not only get your college degree but you raised a beautiful little girl. A mother couldn’t be more proud of her daughter.”

Emily smiled and hugged her mom. “I just hope that I’m a mother to Emma like you were to me, Mom. I’m going to miss you so much when I move out.”

“Any idea on where you are going yet?”

Emily shook her head. “I found some really cute complexes nearby so I will go take a look at those this weekend while Emma is with Eric. I also need to call Henry at the gallery about my paintings and find a job.”

“It will all happen
,
Emily
. D
on’t worry about it right now. Just enjoy your day.”

Emily sighed and ran upstairs to make sure that she had her clothes laid out and her cap and gown ready to go. She reached for her cell phone and called Alex.

“Congratulations, Beautiful,” he said as he picked up the phone.

“Thank you for the roses, they are beautiful. I love waking up that way.”

“You are very welcome. I wanted to let you know that I talked to Kate here at the museum. We do have a position open in our administrative department. I would have had Sue call you but I didn’t want to upset you.”

“Please don’t worry about my craziness
. Y
ou just have to remember that I came from a relationship where my ex was surrounded by girls who loved to compete for his attention all of the time and obviously, he didn’t control himself very well.  Besides, I see the way she looks at you.”

“And I have told you, if she does like me, it’s not mutual. I only have eyes for you, Emily.”

“Well, I would love a job interview. Do you think you could pull some strings for me?” Emily laughed.

“Yes, I will see what I can do. Have you thought about apartments yet?”

“I found a couple of cute complexes in the city, but it will depend on what I can afford. There is a two bedroom that I really like but we will have to see.”

“It’s exciting to be starting out in the world, isn’t it?” Alex said.

“Exciting? I’m thinking more along the lines of terrifying.”

Alex laughed again. “So, I’m picking you up at one, correct? Graduation starts at three.”

“Yes, thank you for coming with me.”

“I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.”

“See you soon, Alex.”

As they hung up, Emily couldn’t help but smile. She hopped into the shower and started her day. As the morning raced by, she kept herself busy with dressing Emma and getting all her favorite toys together. She explained to her the best way she could that she would be spending a lot of time with
Daddy
over the next few days until she returned home. Emma seemed excited to hear that news, so that gave Emily more confidence.

Emily got dressed and even took the time to curl her hair. She finished up her makeup and grabbed her cap and gown. As she walked by the windows, she saw Alex pull into the driveway. She headed downstairs to find her mother crying. “Mom, what’s wrong?”

“You look beautiful, Emily. You are a stunning young lady, I’m so proud of you.”

“Thank you, Mom, but stop crying. I just did my makeup, ok?”

Alex knocked on the door and Emily walked over to open it. “Hey there!”

“Wow Emily, you look beautiful,” Alex said as he handed her another red rose.

“You are spoiling me, you know that, right?” Emily laughed.

“You haven’t seen anything yet,” Alex smirked.

Emily looked at him. “What are you planning?”

Alex smiled at her and leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Good Afternoon, Mrs. Peterson, Mr. Peterson,” he said as he shook Paul’s hand.

“Alex, the flowers were beautiful
. It
was so wonderful of you to send those for Emily,” her mom responded.

“It was nothing, Mrs. Peterson. It’s a special day and she should be given the royal treatment today.”

They smiled at each other as Emily spoke up, “We should go I don’t want to get lost in the massive shuffle today.”

Alex took her cap and
gown as she hugged her parents.
“I will see you guys after the ceremony. I will be the one in the blue cap and gown, you won’t be able to miss me,” she said laughing.

They drove to the campus arena and graduates were everywhere. Alex found a parking space and everyone admired his car. Emily laughed. “Do you know notice all the attention that you bring to an event?”

Alex looked at her confused. “What do you mean?”

“Alex, you must know that your car is amazing and you, yourself, just have a presence that makes everyone look and wonder who you are.”

“You are crazy
. S
eriously Emily, I’m getting you some help.”

Emily laughed
.
“You need to watch people as they enter your space. Women are captivated by you and men want to be you.”

Alex leaned over and kissed her. “Are you captivated by me?”

“I am, every second of every day.”

Alex smirked as he opened his door and walked around to open hers. He reached for her cap and gown and carried it for her. They approached the courtyard where a lot of students were gathering and Sam ran over to them and threw her arms around Emily.

“We did it, Girl!” Sam yelled.

“Yes, we did. Congrats, Sam. I’m so proud of you,” Emily said to her.

“Me? Are you kidding me? You are the truly amazing one. I’m so proud of you!” Sam said hugging her again. “Hi Alex, how are you?”

“I’m great, thank you, Sam. Congrats on your graduation. What are your plans now?”

Sam was even awestruck by him. Emily could see it in her eyes, as she tried to hide her laugh.

“I decided to head to grad school for a Masters in Psychology. I want to be a therapist and my father is helping me foot the bill.”

“Sam, you didn’t tell me that! That’s wonderful. What’s going on with Rob? I don’t see him here.”

“He’s with my mom. He said he needed some time with her, no clue what he is up too. Are you going to join us tonight for a celebration?”

“What’s going on?” Emily asked.

“My mom is throwing me a graduation party
.
I know you have been so busy with the whole Eric situation and I haven’t touched base with you. I’m sorry for not telling you sooner, but you better come.”

Emily looked at Alex.
“Are you up for a party tonight?”

Alex looked at her. “It’s your night. Whatever you want to do, I’m at your disposal.”
“Can I date you?” Sam asked laughing.

Alex gave one of his million dollar smiles and Sam melted under it. “We will be there,” Emily said as Sam hugged her and ran off.

Alex looked at Emily. “Why don’t you go and figure out what you are suppose to be doing and I will see you after you graduate.”

Emily nodded. “Sounds good.” Alex leaned down and kissed her softly.

As they parted ways, Emily ran into classmates that she had gotten to know over the past four years and everyone was excited to start the next phase of their lives. She found Sam again and helped her with her cap and gown. “Seems like we were just doing this for high school, doesn’t it?”

“I know. You and Eric were having issues then too, if I remember correctly?”

Emily nodded. “Yeah, we seem to have a problem with graduations.”

Sam smiled. “Do you think you guys will work it out? You have so much history together.”

“I don’t know,” Emily sighed. “Not all of our history is good, and I’m having a nice time with Alex. We have a long weekend ahead of us to discover more about our attraction for each other.”

“You mean sex.”

“Sam!” Emily yelled.

“What?” Sam said surprised. “I’m sure it’s been awhile for you now, right?”

Emily frowned. “Yes, but I like him and I don’t want to rush things.”

“Good luck with that, he’s hot. I just want you to be happy, ok? We earned this moment, Emily so we need to enjoy everything about it. Promise me that you will always be by my side?”

“Always Sam, now let’s go get our degrees.”

The ceremony was very long. Emily glanced around
the arena but couldn’t find
Alex or her family. She listened to all the names being called and it seemed like an eternity before they finally arrived at hers. She couldn’t believe it, she was officially a college graduate.

After the ceremony, Emily watched as families took pictures with the other graduates but she couldn’t find hers. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Emma running towards her. “
Mommy
!”

“Hey Sweetie. There you are! Are you proud of
Mommy
?”

“Yes and
Daddy
says we are going to play all weekend.”

“Well, that sounds like fun.  I’m going to miss you so much.”

“I miss you too,” Emma said as Emily looked up to see Eric standing there.

“We both did it, Emily,” he said.

“Yes, we did. Now you can also add
being
rich and famous to that,” Emily said.

“I’m really proud of you too Emily, but it won’t be the same - not without you,” Eric said looking at her. "My agent called this morning, my contract should be finalized shortly.”

Emily smiled. “How cool is that? We may not be together but I’m proud of you and I look forward to coming to Denver for some games.”

Eric laughed. “You better and I will save you a seat for you and Emma.”

Emily’s mom ran up to her, crying of course, and demanding they take some pictures. Paul took pictures of them. They even included Eric
in a few
. Emily spotted Alex approaching her. He had confidence in his walk and he wasn’t breaking eye contact with her. A smile formed on his face as he got closer. She noticed Eric’s face change as he spotted Alex and realized who he was.

He walked up and hugged Emily. “Congrats, Baby.”

“Thank you.”

“Mr.
Alex,” Emma said as she hugged
his leg.

“Hello Emma, you look very pretty today.”

“Emma, can you say thank you to Mr. Alex?”

“Thank you,” she said as she ran back to Eric.

Emily took a deep breath. “Alex, I would like you to meet the famous Eric Mason.”

They shook hands like gentlemen but Emily could feel the tension mounting between them.