Three Years Later:
I glanced down, straightening my robe. My stomach was in knots as I waited for my name to be called. It was a big day not only for me but also for those I loved. My eyes drifted over the crowd, my heart stuttering at the glimpse of familiar faces.
“Yo, Willow! Are you going to come out with us tonight for some celebratory drinks?”
I turned to smile and shake my head at my fellow graduates. “Sorry, guys. I have plans with my family.”
My family.
I wanted to wrap myself up with those two words. It was four years to the day that I’d crossed a similar stage and received another diploma. But my life couldn’t have been more different than it was back in Atkins.
This time there was no dread from wondering if I’d have anyone present to cheer for my success. This time I didn’t have any longing in my heart for my own loved ones in the crowd. This time I didn’t have the uncertainty of what tomorrow would bring. This time my family was there. All of them.
After William’s birth, Nicholas and I had made our planned move up to the Nanticoke house. Laura joined us, along with John. It was nice. Peaceful. A quiet time after our first year together had been plagued by so much drama.
My thoughts were broken when my name was announced, and I crossed the stage to the sound of thunderous applause. I couldn’t hide the grin on my face as I shook the Dean’s hand and took my diploma.
I was officially a college graduate.
A few tears spilled as the familiar yells of “Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!” reached my ears. I could pick out my son’s voice from anywhere.
On my walk back off the stage, I turned to find my little William waving, held high in the arms of his grinning father. A giggle burst from my lips at the sight of them, both dressed in identical suits, each with their crazy hair sticking out all over.
William was almost a spitting image of Nicholas, down to the unruly cowlicks, and he loved to remind everyone how much he was like his daddy.
My fingers trailed over my stomach, the secret surprise I had for them heavy in my mind.
When Nicholas had expressed his desire to devote most of his energy to his home and family, I had my doubts about how long it would last. He was such a workaholic when we met that it seemed implausible he wouldn’t eventually grow bored from lack of stimuli. I figured after a certain amount of time, he’d want to delve back into RHI. But I was wrong.
He had continued to help out Francis and Geoffrey, but he did almost all of his business from home. We ventured down to the city often, but it was mostly to attend shows, go shopping, or see our friends. Nicholas seemed completely content with his decision to be a stay-at-home dad.
And I used the opportunity to finish what I’d set out for when I left Atkins. Every semester I took full course loads, including some summer sessions, and completed my bachelor’s degree in psychology in three and half years.
Watching the way Nicholas was with our son, so devoted and attentive, it was easy to wonder why we hadn’t had more than one child at this point. Following William’s birth, I probably would have gone along if Nicholas had wanted to immediately try for more children.
Oddly enough, it was Nicholas who suggested we wait.
It took my body a while to fully recover from the surgery, as well as the injury during my pregnancy, and Nicholas thought it would be best if we put off having more kids for some time. His worry about my health trumped his desire for more children.
Instead, he asked me to focus on my aspirations. So I did. Despite my shaky first semester at QCU, the last three years at a college thirty minutes from my new house were more in line with what I envisioned my college experience to be. It gave me a sense of accomplishment to have seen my education through to the end.
But baby fever had hit me hard recently, and I had been off the pill for almost six months now. Every month I would take a pregnancy test, hoping to see those lines telling me another child was on the way.
It was only this morning that I finally got my wish, and I couldn’t wait to spread the news.
As soon as the ceremony was over, I ran over to hug and kiss everyone. Clara and Jefferson were first to grab me and congratulate me, followed by Laura. John tipped his head with a smile, and Virgil teased me about taking long enough. Courtney and Geoffrey-who had been married less than a year-were all smiles and praise. Sarah kissed my cheeks, looking happy about my success.
Lory almost tackled me. “Can you believe we did it?”
I pulled back, taking in her sparkling eyes and rosy cheeks. Her graduation had been the previous weekend, along with her engagement. After two and a half years of on-again, off-again with Francis, they finally broke up. Lory met a postgraduate student in her department, fell in love, and had a whirlwind romance. A few months in, she had accepted his marriage proposal.
“We did!” I hugged her again, my sister who had been through everything with me. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Of us,” she said with a laugh. “And now it’s time to party.”
I chuckled and nodded. Nicholas had arranged for a combined graduation party for us at our place before we were all to spend the next week relaxing at the vacation house.
I finally reached my boys, William squirming around in Nicholas’ arms and reaching for me.
“Mommy! I’ve been waiting too long!”
I laughed and grabbed him. “You have?” I groaned a little, balancing his weight. “You’re almost getting too big for me to hold anymore.” I poked him in the stomach. “How many pancakes did you eat this morning?”
He held up four fingers. “Three!”
Nicholas laughed and pushed his pinky down, leaning in to kiss me. “Congratulations.”
I hummed against his mouth until Willian interrupted. “Now kiss me!”
I gave him kisses all over his face until he was squealing and laughing, and Nicholas had to take him again after he’d wiggled out of my hold.
“Hey, buddy. You’re going to ride with grandma and grandpa to the house. Okay?”
That was always okay with William because grandpa liked to give him presents and grandma liked to give him candy. I watched as he took off with them, each of his hands in one of theirs.
“Are you ready to go?” William asked, putting his arm around me. I nodded, nervous again the closer we got to the car. Was it the right time to spill the beans? I didn’t know how much longer I could keep it in. I couldn’t wait to see his face when I told him.