Graduation Day
By Sonja
Michelle awoke with a smile, the sun shining through her bedroom window. She rolled over and came face to face with the dream she had just been having. He was leaning up on his elbow watching her, his crooked smile making him look like he knew a secret that no one else knew. Before she could say anything he pulled a rectangular box from behind his back. She sat up against the pillows with a squeal. It made him smile, because he knew she would react this way.
She unwrapped the gift like a child at Christmas. Her hands pulled the small box open and pulled out the most beautiful Mahogany name plate that said "Michelle Bauer Santos M.D." Tears flowed down her cheeks as she lunged for him, causing him to fall onto the bed with her. "This is so beautiful, but I am not a doctor yet" teasing him with a kiss
"But, you will be Michelle" he looked down into her face "Happy Graduation Day, I am so proud of you and all your accomplishments" his hand caressing her tearstained cheek "I am sorry that you had to change schools to accommodate my new job" he kissed her lips "I know you wanted to be close to your family" he whispered in her ear "I promise to make it up to you somehow" as his mouth began to roam down her body
"Danny" she pulled his head up to hers "I have everything I have ever wanted right here with you" she made tskking sound "As for my family, well they know where I live" she watched as his hand moved slowly up her neck "Plus &. Aha&&Danny&.Plus, I don't think I want to be that close to Rick and Abby's house now" she giggled "Aunt Meta has her hands full with those four girls."
"Yea poor defenseless Rick with six women in one house, hope he has good insurance&.hey" he said when she smacked him on the arm "It's true think about it one man against 2 women and 4 little girls, baby you do the math." Laughing when she pouted "I really should get up and get ready for the ceremony" he lowered his hand down her body loving the feel of her "Do you really, right at this moment" she closed her eyes at his touch "Danny ... I have to be there in" looking over at the clock "Oh no I need to be there in three hours, and I still have some errands to run" he plopped back onto his back and said "I understand baby, I have to be at the airport at 10:45, to pick up Rick and Abby" he watched her walk around the room in one of his T-shirts and jumped up "I am heading for the shower" as he made his way towards the bathroom, a very cold one" he said under his breath "What& did you say something Danny" the answer she got was the sound of the shower.
She thought back to when they had moved here from Springfield. It had been strange to start all over in a new city, home and school all at once. She glanced around and thought it didn't matter where they lived, her home was where ever Danny was. He had come here to work for his uncle, who was not always on the straight and narrow, but who never asked Danny to do anything illegal. The past few years had showed them that they had overcome the problems that plagued their relationship in the beginning.
They both left the house at the same time, planning to meet in Langley Hall at 1:00.
Rick and Abby's flight arrived on time and they made their way to the car. "Did you do what I asked you to do Rick"
"I have it all in my briefcase, wasn't to hard to get it all moving. Hope that Michelle likes her surprise"
The ceremony took place without a hitch. Michelle received her diploma amidst cheers from Rick, Abby, Danny and as she looked there was her father standing there tears streaming down his face, clapping.
The day was perfect she thought sitting in the restaurant after the ceremony. No one had known her father was coming, he had surprised them all, she smiled every time she looked at him. The meal progressed with everyone catching up, and Rick constantly talking about something one of the girls had done.
Danny called the waiter over and ordered a bottle of champagne. When he passed them out to everyone, Danny got up and walked around the table with a big envelope in his hand. He bent down on one knee, taking her hand he said "Michelle, the heart that beats in me is and has always been yours. I don't know what I did to deserve such unconditional love, but I will always be humbled by the fact that you chose me to live your life with. I am so proud of you, I hope this makes you happy." And handed her the envelope
Her hand shook as she opened it, and pulled out two thick legal documents. She picked up the first one and read it, she had been accepted to intern at Cedar's, her eyes swung toward Rick who was smiling. She then picked up the second, a deed to a brand new house in the suburbs and began to cry. "Sweetheart, why are you crying I thought you would love to move back to Springfield. The real estate agent said" she put her fingertips to his lips "No, I am not crying because I don't want all this, I am crying because this helps with my news" she pulled something out of the pocket of her sweater, and put in his hand. He looked down at the small square piece of plastic in confusion, then tears filled his eyes and he grabbed her "A baby! How? When? I mean when did you find out on your errands this morning....Rick did you hear that...a baby" the awe in his voice as he then proceeded to tell the whole place that he would be a papa soon.
Michelle would always remember her Graduation Day with fond memories, for that is when the rest of her dreams came true.