The Harper Brothers: You Can't Hurry Love (Wattpad Version)

Graduation

Marty

I returned to school engaged after spending a week in Hawaii. Val took his test for his license and passed. We finished the semester as my brothers, cousins, and girls collected their caps and gowns. I was transferring to a school closer to home to finish my degree.

The house became a frenzy with everyone graduating except me. Our families arrived to watch the others walk and collect their degrees.

I sat with my parents as the others sat with the graduates. Bailey glanced back at me as I smiled. She gave me a megawatt smile before facing the front.

Patton took the stage. "Good morning, graduates, faculty, and families. I'm Dean Patton Gray. Today we celebrate the graduating class and their accomplishments. During my tenure in education, I've never had the honor of watching students thrive as I do today. You should be proud of yourselves."

We clapped.

"Today, we have a guest speaker. Please welcome Elias Harper."

My brows lifted as Dad rose to his feet and walked toward the stage. My brothers looked at me as I shrugged.

After my dad walked onto the stage and shook Patton's hand, he stepped toward the mic. "Thank you, Dean."

Patton gave Dad a nod and sat down.

"When the Dean called me and asked if I would be the guest speaker, I agreed. If you haven't noticed, I'm deaf."

Gasps radiated through the crowd except for my family.

"I attended college and earned a degree in Architecture. With the support of my family, I opened a successful construction business. It wasn't without issues, but we managed to succeed."

My dad looked between my brothers and me.

"You will encounter issues as you enter the workforce and move into adulthood. School doesn't teach you how to deal with them. It prepares you for the job, but not for life and everything it throws at you. It's up to you to learn how to navigate those problems. Support is key."

People nodded.

"Today, you will here and start the next journey in your life. I will give you key advice that my grandfather gave me."

I knitted my brows.

"Life isn't fair. It will deal you a lousy hand. It's what you do with it that makes the difference. You can learn how to overcome or falter. It's your choice. He was right. I learned how to overcome a disability and become a successful business owner. With the support of my family, I soared, and you will, too. Congratulations!"

My brothers and I rose to our feet, clapped, and whistled as everything followed suit. Just like Dad was our champion, we were his.

After Dad returned to his seat, Patton called each graduate's name. My family and I cheered as my brothers, and the girls walked across the stage to collect their degrees.

Next year, I will be the one collecting my degree, and my family will cheer for me.

After the graduates finished, Patton stood before the mic. "Congratulations, graduates! Let's give them a round of applause once more."

We stood and clapped.

Afterward, people dispersed. I searched through the crowd until I saw Bailey. "Bailey!"

Bailey whipped around and spotted me.

I ran toward Bailey, wrapped my arms around her, and spun her around. She laughed, then crashed her lips into mine. We stood in the middle of everyone and kissed.