SARAH’S POV
FOUR YEARS LATER…
“Happy Graduation Day!” I heard a chorus of boisterous voices echoing in my ears, forcing me to open my eyes. My grogginess faded into clarity as my eyes met the wonderful sight in front of me.
Hayden, Harper, Elizabeth.
And Xavier.
I sat up, rubbing my eyes, wondering if I was dreaming. But the voices grew louder, more insistent.
“Surprise!” they chorused again, and I noticed each of them was holding up bouquets of different flowers with wide smiles on their faces. They were beaming with joy, and I was forced to chuckle and then laugh in amusement and surprise.
As the girls held colorful bouquets, their faces alight with excitement, meanwhile Xavier stood behind them, a proud smile spreading across his face.
“How do you like the surprise, love?” He winked, and my brow furrowed, still reeling from the surprise.
“Graduation day?” I repeated, still disoriented.
“The big day!” Hayden exclaimed.
“You did it, Sarah!” Harper chimed in.
Elizabeth jumped up and down. “We’re so proud of you!”
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I took in the scene.
My room was decorated with balloons and streamers. A giant banner plastered to the walls read: “Congratulations, Sarah!”
Why the hell did they get to make these things? Did they do it while I was asleep?
“Oh my God, guys, this… this…” I was short of words to describe my gratitude. They did this for me?
My eyes brimmed with joy as I clutched my chest tightly.
“Ohh, she is tearful already!” Harper exclaimed, giggling. And Hayden followed after.
Xavier chuckled and ruffled Harper’s hair, his eyes shining with warmth.
“We wanted to make today special for you, Sarah,” he said. “You’ve worked so hard for this.”
I nodded, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love. My eyes were welling up already. This is so sweet of them; I never expected this.
The girls handed me their bouquets, and I inhaled the sweet fragrance. “Thank you, guys,” I whispered, hugging each of them tightly.
Hayden grinned mischievously.
“We snuck in last night to decorate while you were sleeping.”
Elizabeth nodded enthusiastically. “And Daddy helped us pick out the flowers!”
Xavier chuckled and added dramatically, “I think they did most of the planning, but I’m glad I could help.”
I burst into laughter as I gazed at the colorful decorations. Yeah, it did look like some teenager and an eight-year-old designed it. It’s obvious from the colors-unicorn purple and light pink-kind of their favorite colors.
I let out a satisfied sigh. This was more than just a graduation celebration it was a testament to our bond. We’re family, even though Xavier and I aren’t married yet.
“We’re so proud of you, Sarah,” Xavier repeated, his voice filled with emotion.
Tears finally trickled down my face as I hugged him.
“I love you,” I whispered and placed a soft peck on his cheek. But before Xavier could say he loved me back, the girls chimed in unison.
“We love you too, Sarah!”
“Come on, I wasn’t talking to you. Mind your own business, kids,” I shot back with a playful scowl, and they all burst out laughing.
“Now, get your ass off the bed; today’s a big day,” Xavier poked my arm while the kids immediately grabbed my pillows and began tossing them at me.
“Up! Up! Up!” Hayden, Harper, and Elizabeth chanted, laughing and jumping on the bed.
A pillow fight? Now of all times?
I laughed, throwing my hands up in surrender.
“Okay, okay! I’m getting up!”
But the girls continued their playful assault, pillows flying through the air. I joined in, laughing and tossing pillows back at them.
In the chaos, Xavier slipped away, returning with a tray of breakfast treats.
“Fuel up, grad!” he announced, setting the tray on the bedside table. The girls cheered, piling onto the bed beside me.
“I am so hungry,” I said, immediately stuffing food in my mouth, but then I saw them all exchanging suspicious glances.
Wait a minute, what tricks are they playing now?
“What is it?” I asked, my gaze darting between them.
Xavier cleared his throat and glanced at the girls again before speaking. “In case you’re wondering, it’s ten AM.”
“WHAT!” I immediately spit out the food in my mouth, almost screaming. “TEN AM, AND NOW YOU’RE TELLING ME THE GRADUATION CEREMONY HAS ALREADY BEGUN!” I yelled, panic now settling in.
And then the next second, the father and daughters burst into loud mocking laughter, their shoulders bouncing up and down as they pointed their fingers toward me.
Oh no, I have been played for a fool. Again.
“Seriously, Xavier, this kind of trick isn’t funny,” I snapped, feigning annoyance.
“It is funny. Look at your face!” Hayden continued laughing, still pointing her fingers at me.
“It turned pale,” Harper chimed in; of course, she would-she wouldn’t miss it.
“Seriously, guys, what time is it?”
“Nah, it’s just seven AM,” Elizabeth shrugged, falling into her act of concealing her mocking smile.
Meanwhile, Xavier had a satisfied grin on his face as he ate without us.
Yeah, it’s his plan all alone-distract us and finish the food. This father-and-daughter pair are something else.
I rolled my eyes, continuing my meal, and we shared a joyful breakfast, surrounded by laughter and love.
This was the perfect start to my graduation day.
—
We arrived at the graduation ceremony venue, beaming with pride. Xavier, Hayden, Harper, and Elizabeth wore matching “Sarah’s Family” buttons. This family was one heck of an entertainment.
As we found our seats, the girls chattered excitedly.
“Sarah, you’re going to walk across that stage and get your diploma!” Hayden exclaimed with dreamy eyes. “I can’t wait to finish college.”
Harper face-palmed herself and tapped Hayden as if bringing back her sense. “Hey, Hayden, you just got into High School, remember? You sounded as if you just started college.”
“Just let me dream for once, will you?” Hayden shot back in a hushed whisper, and I and Xavier couldn’t help but laugh. The kids were too hilarious.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth bounced up and down. “I can’t wait to grab cake!”
Now it was my turn to face-palm myself. Every kid with their wishful thinking.
“Today’s all about you, Sarah. You’ve earned it,” Xavier smiled, putting an arm around me.
I smiled back, gently squeezing his hand. “Thanks.”
The ceremony began, and I listened, tears pricking at my eyes as the commencement speaker praised our achievements.
“Sarah Mason.” When my name was called, I stood, smoothing my gown.
Xavier and the girls cheered, whistling and applauding as I walked across the stage.
I accepted my diploma, beaming, and turned to face them.
Their faces shone with pride, love, and joy. And right behind was my two closest friends, Helen and Lucy.
“Sarah Mason, you’re finally done!” Helen exclaimed, her voice carrying across the auditorium. “No more all-nighters, no more caffeine-fueled study sessions!” she added, and I could sense she was referring more to herself than to me.
Lucy chuckled, shaking her head as she understood. “Helen, hit it straight to the point.”
“Alright, alright, I finally get to leave this place for good,” she emphasized the last part as she grinned mischievously.
I rolled my eyes, laughing. At least I didn’t complain that much.
Helen continued, undeterred. “Sarah Mason, the ultimate graduation accomplishment: surviving four years without losing her mind… completely.”
Lucy chimed in, “And still managing to look fabulous in that gown.”
I chuckled, enjoying the entertainment.
“Come on, guys, don’t be silly; we’re facing the crowd.”
“Oh yeah, let’s focus!” Helen said and quickly composed herself.
After the ceremony, we took photos, laughing and hugging. I took some with Helen and Lucy too. Gosh, I am going to have a full album by the end of today.
While Xavier, on the other hand, surprised me with a thoughtful gift a custom-made necklace with the girls’ birthstones.
“For the woman who’s become a mother to them,” he said, his eyes shining.
Hayden, Harper, and Elizabeth wrapped their arms around me while Harper seized the opportunity to whisper in my ear.
“We gave him the idea for the gift,” Harper added, giggling. “And helped him pick it out.”
I smiled, touched by the thoughtful gesture.
“Thank you; it’s beautiful. You know your dad is awful at gifts.”
Xavier’s eyes snapped at Harper when he heard me. “Harper, what’d you tell her?”
Harper shrugged indifferently. “The truth hurts.”
Yeah, this is the Clinton family drama I have to put up with every single day.
Having mentioned family, my mind trailed to my only family… I missed my father. It has been long since I heard from him, and I wonder when he would want me to come over.