Chapter 38
Iwake up feeling impossibly happy, wrapped in Calvin’s warm body like I’ve been folded into everything I’ve ever needed. His arms are heavy around me, grounding and protective, and I melt into him all over again.
The surreal feeling of being pregnant still lingers in the back of my mind, but the way Calvin reacted to the news, the way his eyes lit up, the way he touched my stomach like it held the universe, makes me smile.
“Good morning, Peach,” he murmurs, eyes still a little sleepy as he smiles down at me.
“Good morning!” I chirp, already grinning like an idiot.
“Happy graduation day,” he says, brushing a kiss across my forehead. “I got you a gift.” He reaches into his nightstand and pulls out a long box, slender and pale blue.
Tiffany he’s bent at an awkward angle so she can reach, and the sight is oddly adorable. She’s a tiny woman, barely reaching his chest, but Calvin’s letting her adjust him without a word.
They both turn when they hear my footsteps.
“Blair,” she gasps. “You look beautiful!”
“Thank you,” I say, beaming.
Calvin steps forward, wearing one of my own designs: a sleek black suit, tailored to perfection, with a crisp white shirt and a slim black tie. He looks unfairly handsome. In his hands, he holds a bouquet of stargazer lilies.
“Where did you…”
He grins, handing them to me. “Ambition. Prosperity,” he says.
My heart swells. I will never stop wanting flowers from this man.
“You look breathtaking,” he whispers, brushing a kiss against my cheek. It sends a ripple through me, the kind that makes me want more, his touch, his kiss, him.
But Abigail clears her throat dramatically. “Alright, you two. We get it. Let’s go before we’re late.”
I bite back a smile, clutching the bouquet close as we all head out together, stepping into a moment I’ll remember forever.
We all pile into the car, with me seated between my mom and grandmother in the back while my grandfather and Calvin occupy the front seats. Calvin and I exchange seductive glances through the rearview mirror. There’s no doubt in my heart that I want to be with him for the rest of my life.
When we arrive at the school, I anxiously scan the crowd, hoping to spot my dad in the sea of faces. Then, like a beacon of joy, I see him walking in with a big bouquet of red roses.
“Dad!” I exclaim and immediately run toward him, engulfing him in a tight hug. “I’m so glad you made it.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, treasure. You look beautiful,” he compliments, and I can’t help but smile.
“Is that for me?” I ask, pointing to the bouquet, and he nods.
“I’ll hold it for you until after the ceremony,” he says, warmth in his voice that mirrors the love in his eyes.
They all go grab their seats as I join my classmates.
After twenty minutes, we are marching out as people cheer.
We all sit in our seats, and the ceremony begins.
The grand hall is abuzz with excitement and anticipation.
The room is adorned with elegant decorations, vibrant colors, cascading fabrics, and avant-garde designs.
After the ceremony, I search for my family amidst the crowd.
I spot Calvin conversing with the president of the university.
As soon as he notices me, he excuses himself and hurries over, his eyes sparkling with pride.
I envelop him in a tight embrace. “Congratulations, fiancée,” he exclaims, his voice brimming with genuine joy.
Unable to contain my emotions, I kiss him deeply.
Calvin breaks the kiss but doesn’t pull away from my lips.
“People are staring,” he cautions, amused.
Glancing around, I realize he’s right: curious gazes linger on us.
But instead of feeling self-conscious, I revel in the love we share.
“I don’t care,” I declare, a mischievous smile gracing my lips.
“I want the world to know that you, Calvin Stirling, are my fiancé.” I lean in, capturing his lips in another affectionate kiss, reveling in the sheer bliss of the moment.
A discreet throat-clearing startles me. My gaze shifts, and there stands my dad with an unamused look. I blush. “Hi, Dad,” I greet him, my smile slightly awkward. “Remember Calvin?”
“Yes, hello,” my dad says, shaking Calvin’s hand.
“Ryan,” Calvin says. That’s progress.
“We’re very proud of you,” my grandfather says, hugging me warmly. My grandmother joins in.
“Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without you.” I then turn to Abigail, embracing her and kissing her cheek. “Thank you for everything,” I express sincerely.
“Aww, don’t make me cry,” she says, fighting back tears. “I did something right!”
“I love you,” I whisper. My attention shifts to Dylan approaching us. I rush toward him, embracing him tightly. “Thank you for coming,” I express.
“Of course, I wouldn’t miss this. Congratulations!”
When I turn around, I notice both my dad and my fiancé are frowning at Dylan. I guess now they have something to bond over.
We all go to one of the finest restaurants in Paris, a place Calvin had thoughtfully reserved for my graduation dinner. Walking into the usually bustling establishment, now quiet and reserved just for us, feels a bit surreal. I suppose that’s one of the beauties of marrying Calvin.
Speaking of my fiancé, I reach into my small purse and retrieve my ring. A warm, contented feeling washes over me as I delicately slip it onto my finger. I glance at Calvin, who meets my eyes with a smile that speaks volumes.
With the ring now on my finger, I hold onto his hand as I stand up.
“Can I get everyone’s attention, please?
” I say, and they all quiet down, turning their gazes toward me.
Seated next to my dad, Abigail smiles lovingly at me and nods.
“I just want to say thank you all for being here. Every one of you means the world to me, and that’s why I’m excited to tell you…
Calvin proposed.” The room is initially quiet, and then everyone cheers and congratulates us! “Also… I’m pregnant.”
Everyone is quiet.
Then my grandmother comes, hugs me, and whispers, “I knew it. I’m very proud of you.
You are going to be a great mom.” I can’t help the tears.
Everyone comes to me individually to say nothing but sweet words.
Even my dad tells me how much he loves me and that he will be there for me until his last breath.
Calvin kisses my temple once I sit down. “I love you, fiancée.”
“I love you too, fiancé.”