My Rib

Chapter Eight - Graduation

Shawn huffed as he weaved in and out of traffic. He eyed the time on the dashboard of his car - today was Beyoncé's graduation ceremony from nursing school and he was running late. Technically it wasn't his fault - he had to work an overnight shift and the guy who was supposed to take over for him was late. His manager tried to have him stay to take the next shift, paying him overtime, but he fiercely denied - he would not miss this for any amount of money. He had been keeping Beyoncé updated with everything but was trying not to stress her out because this was her day and she shouldn't be worrying about anything else. Shawn shook his head and kept driving as fast and safely as he could to the convention center where the ceremony was being held.

Beyoncé sat in her seat amongst the other students graduating and kept eyeing the door to see when Shawn would be walking in. He had been sending her updates but she gave her phone to Mama Tina to hold while the ceremony was taking place, so she didn't know the status of his arrival. She wasn't upset with him, but she definitely wanted him to be there. This was a milestone accomplishment for her and she of course wanted her man there to support her. The doors were still open while people were filing in, and just as the President of the school stood up to the podium, she saw her man rushing in. She couldn't contain the smile on her face as she saw him - she felt like she could breathe finally. She could see his eyes wandering over the graduates to find her so she stood up and began to wave her hands in the air to try and catch his attention. It didn't take too long and once he saw her he began making his way toward her.

Beyoncé chuckled and began to wave her arms again, only now trying to signal him to stay where he was, but to no avail, he kept moving.

"Baby," she said chuckling, "You can't be over here, this is only for the graduates."

"Ion care, I wanted to give you these," he said before revealing the bouquet of roses he was holding behind his back.

Beyoncé's eyes lit up once she saw them and she practically leaped into his arms to give him a hug.

"Baby they're beautiful! Thank you so much," she said before softly grabbing his face to kiss him.

"Of course. I'm sorry for being late, I was going as fast as I could," he said once they released the kiss.

"That's okay, as long as you're here," she said.

"Aight well lemme go because I feel like everyone is staring at us," he said before giving her one more kiss.

She chuckled and let him go so she could also return to where she was sitting.

The ceremony was beautiful. Several different teachers and members of the faculty spoke, as well as the class's Valedictorian and Salutatorian. The band played and the choir sang as the graduates' names were called. Beyoncé's family was the loudest by far as they watched her walk across the stage. Mama Tina was in tears and Shawn was smiling from ear to ear. They all truly could not be prouder. Once the ceremony ended and everyone made their way outside, Beyoncé immediately found her family and gave her parents a huge hug.

"Babygirl we are so proud of you," said Mama Tina.

"Thank you, Mama, it means a lot coming from you," said Beyoncé.

"Sis, I always knew you would make it," said Solange.

"We didn't think Shawn was gonna make it," said Mama Tina.

"You and I both Mama," said Beyoncé just as Shawn was walking up to them.

Shawn had stopped in the little gift shop they had to get her a teddy bear with a t-shirt that had her school's mascot and logo on it as well as a nice frame for her diploma.