The Drunkard's Daughter

Kara

Graduation Day

"... Kara Windmere!"

I walked up to Principal Diren who held my diploma, my dark red graduation gown swishing as I walked. I shook the hands of my teachers, accepting the many congratulations.

"Congratulations Kara, you're going to do great things."

Principal Diren said to me, shaking my hand.

"Thank you Sir."

I said, receiving the diploma that was handed to me. I exited the stage, hearing a squeal come from Ivy behind me. I turned, bracing myself for a hug. She practically jumped on me, her arms squeezing so hard I couldn't breathe.

"Ivy..."

I said, tapping her shoulder.

"Oh, sorry."

She said sheepishly.

"Ladies please have a seat."

One of the volunteers said, ushering us to the rows of chairs where the graduates sat. I wished that Matthew was here, I missed him so much.

We had talked up until his graduation, which was when he had to do some business stuff and barely had time to talk. That was three weeks ago.

We sat down, quietly talking until all of the graduates received their diplomas.

"Graduates! Throw your caps for high school is over!"

The valedictorian said, throwing her cap high. I tossed mine, watching it fall. I quickly ran to pick it up, not wanting to lose it.

Ivy and I met up with her parents and my grandmother, who waited for us in the parking lot.

"Oh dear! You were so good out there!"

I laughed at my grandmother as she hugged me.

"I just walked."

"Oh I know, but you're very good at it."

I laughed,

"Thank you."

Ivy's parents hugged me as well, handing me a bouquet of roses.

I smiled,

"Thank you."

As we talked in the parking lot, I could see a sleek black car driving up to the curb in front of us. A man stepped out wearing a dark red suit, the same color as our school. His back was facing us, while everyone else gawked at him.

"Who is he?"

Ivy asked, and I didn't have the answer.

Until he turned around.

"MATTHEW!"

I dropped the roses, bolting to him. My graduation gown flew behind me, the cap falling off. He smiled.

Oh his smile!

He ran around the car, running to me.

--

Matthew

I turned around and saw her.

Her perfect brown eyes.

Her dazzling blonde hair.

Her smile.

She bolted to me, dropping the flowers she held. I ran around to the other side of the car, running to her. She jumped into my arms, her hands clasping the back of my head. She kissed me, and kissed me and kissed me.

"I love you Kara."

I said to her when she broke away. The smile that broke upon her lips made me want to sing the words she spoke.

"I love you Matthew."

---

We spent the rest of the day together, ignoring all of my business calls and what Kara had planned. We chose each other for the day, living with nothing holding us back for twenty four hours.

It was midnight. We had driven up to the hill that overlooked the city, sitting on a blanket. The sun was setting, casting a beautiful color scheme across the sky.

"I wish we could stay here forever."

Kara said, her head resting on my shoulder.

"Why can't we?"

I asked, moving. Kara sat up, and I turned to face her.

"What?"

She asked, confused.

"Why don't we stay here forever? I can stay here to run my family's business, you could go to college here, and then I could buy the land up here so we can come up here whenever we want."

She laughed.

"What?"

I asked, my turn to be confused. 

"We can't do that though. What if you have to go again? What if I have to leave for some future reason and you can't go with me?"

I looked over at the city, watching the lights flicker. I used to come up here all the time with my family. We'd watch the lights. The night sky. I'd wonder what the people down the hill were doing. What they were rushing off to do. Who they were rushing home to.

I turned to Kara, and pulled her on top of me. I pulled her down to kiss me, my hands digging into her hair. Her hands came up to my jaw, holding it tightly.

We broke away, looking into each other.

"Will you marry me?"

I asked, gazing into the eyes I loved so much.

"What?!"

She exclaimed. I laughed.

"Yeah, marry me! I know you're the one for me, I can feel it. I want you to be with me if I have to leave and also be with me when I'm here. I want to bring my family here like my parents did, create memories that would last a life time. With you. With us."

"We'd have to wait. I'm not eighteen yet."

"I've waited a seventeen years for you already. What's a few more months?"

She laughed.

"Ask me again."

I grabbed her waist, and flipped her on her back, towering above.

"Will you marry me Kara Windmere, and make me the happiest man alive?"

"Yes."