Page 44 of Matthias’s Protective Embrace (Cardinal Falls #3)

FRANK

Five years later…

I didn’t expect to be this nervous. Everyone kept fussing this morning, telling me what a big deal it is to graduate. They asked over and over whether I was nervous. Each time, I said no.

Honestly? It didn’t feel real. Not when Matthias made me the most incredible breakfast or when I put on my suit. Even when I finally bothered to put on my cap and gown.

Now that I’m sitting in my assigned seat, listening to them start to read names off the list? Yeah, I’m nervous.

Technically, it’s not even my actual diploma on stage. I get a fake one today in the folder. The real thing gets mailed. It’ll arrive on our doorstep in six to eight weeks.

That feels a little unfair, but what do I know?

I still think they might take it away. Someone is going to go back through my records and realize that I didn’t complete a class or that one of my test results didn’t work out quite right.

I can’t help it. Not after spending so many years working toward this.

Sometimes, one or two classes at a time, though for these last two years, I’ve been at Cardinal Falls University full-time, something I never thought I’d get to say.

The attendant gets to my row, and everyone stands up, moving from our seats to the edge of the stage.

I look back to find Matthias in the crowd.

He’s exactly where he said he would be, with the whole crew in tow.

Weirdly, the whole group showed up for me today.

I didn’t ask them to, but as soon as the topic came up at one of the backyard afternoons, everyone insisted on getting a ticket.

It’s not easy to scrape together seven tickets for this thing.

The school only gave me two, so I begged, borrowed, and pleaded with everyone I know to get the rest. A few people gave me a look when I told them how many I needed, silently wondering how many people are in my family.

It’s worth it, seeing Nathan, Colt, Tyler, Graham, Aaron, and Oliver right there next to Matthias.

They’re everything I ever wanted in a friend group and so much more.

While my own parents are getting better, I didn’t invite them today.

Not that they asked to come. I’ll go over for lunch next weekend to celebrate quietly.

The people here today are the ones who really matter, the ones who helped get me here, supported me on the long journey.

My family. It’s one of the reasons I took Matthias’s last name when we got married last summer.

He’s more my family than they could ever be.

Plus, his parents are incredible. They’re hosting a big party after this for me.

I tried to get out of it, but they refused to hear it, insisting this was one of the most important days of my life. I don’t know about that.

It’s probably a tie between our wedding day and the day I met Matthias .

As I approach the front, I focus on my steps, reminding myself to lift my feet and avoid tripping. Do not trip. It’s my mantra going into this thing. I might have gained a lot over the last few years, but I didn’t get any extra coordination.

I step out onto the stage and cross to shake the hand of the Dean.

It’s the first and last time I’ll ever encounter him, but I remember to say ‘thank you’ as I take the fake diploma.

As I cross, I move my tassel from one side to the other on my hat and look out to see the whole crew on their feet screaming for me.

I roll my eyes, but I wave at them, pretending to be annoyed when I get a few looks from my fellow students.

Thankfully, there aren’t many people after me.

Eventually, the ceremony wraps up with everyone throwing their caps in the air.

I take my tassel off first, afraid I won’t get it back.

I want to add it to the one from high school and from my associate’s degree on our bookshelf.

It’s a nice reminder of the hard work it took to get here.

The path might have been different for me, but that might make it more exciting.

As soon as I find them, Matthias pulls me in close to him. I’ll never get tired of how safe and protected I feel in his arms.

“Stop hogging the graduate.”

“He’s my husband,” Matthias growls, but he does release me.

“Yeah, which means you get him all the time.” Aaron pulls me into a tight hug. These guys are too much.

I get a hug from all of them before Matthias takes way too many pictures of me. It’s over the top, but I can’t stop grinning the whole time. Eventually, he seems to have everything he needs, and we head out to the parking lot.

“Do you need anything from home before we head to my parents’ house?” I strip my gown off and toss it in the backseat, setting my diploma folder on top.

“I’ve got everything I need.”