The 18th Floor

Chapter Seventy Five

Turns out dads plans for the day constituted to us chilling at home and watching the race, which I had no qualms about.

I had brought over some things from Lucien's to swap out for some of the clothes I left at dad's place and spent some time re-organising the space.

It feels like a lifetime ago that I was in this room every day and every night. To think I only moved into Lucien's place a few months ago, that I only started working at the firm nine months ago. Ten months. Me last year wouldn't even believe the roller-coaster I've been through; but it's been a good one.

By the evening, dad offers to drive me back home. Home, that's what Lucien has become to me. It's more than just a place, a person. Dad and Lucien, and even Simon at times. The comfort these men offer me are unmatched and I question how I got so lucky.

Dad pulls up to the house and I notice that all the lights are off, strange considering Lucien said he would be at home.

"I think I left my hat here last time I came by, can I have a quick look for it?"

"Yes, come in. Lucien was meant to be home."

"He might have just popped out love", my dad reassures me brining my chair from the back.

I make my way to the front door and go to put my keys in the door and find the handle twisting from inside.

My heart starts racing. "Lucien?", I call out.

I don't know what I was expecting walking into a dimly lit home, but it wasn't this.

The door opens and the first thing I notice are the candles that have been laid out. The coffee table is nowhere in sight and the sofas have been pushed against the wall.

"Lucien?", I call out again.

"Surprise", he says from behind the door, greeting me with a bouquet of flowers.

"What's going on?", I ask between confusion and laughter. Then I spot the two figures on the coach. Simon and Elias, waving back at me.

"What?", I start laughing.

"Take this", he hands the flowers to me, "and you'll need to wear this", he says as he goes back behind the door and comes back out with a graduation cap and gown.

"Lucien..."

"No. No protesting. If you won't go to your graduation, we'll bring it to you", he says looking at me and then over to my dad.

"You knew about this?", I turn to ask him.

"I needed to get you out the house", he smiles softly as he bends down to plant a kiss on my forehead.

"Go on, cap and gown on, I have first rows seats to this event", he says as he steps foot inside. "Looks like these guys got here first", he says waving to Simon and Elias as he takes a seat next to them.

"There's a dress laid out for you on our bed, if you want to change."

"What, you don't want me graduating in joggers?", I question back to Lucien.

He bends down to my ear and I feel his warm breath on my neck as he speaks, "if I remember correctly, you didn't want to graduate at all. So put the dress on or don't, but either way tonight will be end up in you wearing nothing my love."

My breath hitches.

"You're trouble", I whisper back.

"Always have been", he says as he extends out the cap and gown. I take them in my lap on top of the flowers and make my way to our bedroom.

And just as he said, he's laid out a brand new dress, pair of heels and jewellery for me. I start crying. The thought and planning he's put into this so I can still have my moment.

I wipe my tears and start getting changed, I'm putting on my new bracelet when there's a knock on the door and Lucien walks in.

"Wow, look at my graduate", he says proudly, and I feel my eyes swell with tears again. "Hey, hey, no tears tonight", he comes over to sit on the edge of the bed as he cups my face.

"They're happy tears Lucien", I admit quietly.

"In that case, that's fine. But it still pains me to see those eyes tear up my love", he says as he goes to kiss them away. I think back to the first time he did so when carried me out of the workplace.

He bends down to pick up the new black heels he's bought me and lifts my leg into his lap. I watch him as he carefully puts them on before lowering my foot back into the foot rest.

My heart fills with love.

"I love you", I whisper to him. He kisses my hand after lowering my other, pulling me closer to him.

"I love you more, now come on", he stands up my hand still in his, "lets walk you across the stage to get your diploma."

"Lucien", I start, "why did you call Elias?" I whisper. He sits back down across from me. "It's not that I don't want him to be here, but why did you call him?"

"Simon said he's been a bit off lately. We all know how that feels like", I nod understandingly, " I think I just wanted him to feel included but also have an evening where he doesn't have to think", he smiles back softly.

"You're so sweet", I kiss his cheek.

He puts the cap on my head and grabs my hand again, leading me back out to the living room.

I laugh as I see the tv screen set to my name and degree as if it was a real stage. The boys start wooping and cheering and I can't stop smiling.

Lucien clears his throat, "Cyrene Walters, First class in Marketing with Business Management."

Dad starts cheering from the sofa, phone out recording, I can't help but continue laughing at the absurdity of it all.

"Wooooo, go Cyrene!", Simon cheers on.

"Stage is all yours love, own it", Lucien whispers down to me.

And I do, in the comfort of the people I've come to love the most.