Forbidden Sins

Defying the Odds

One Year Later:

"Ladies and Gentlemen it is with great pleasure I welcome you to graduation of the Class of 2019. These students have come a long long way and all should be very proud of themselves. At this time I would like to invite our Valedictorian to the podium, Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome Skylar Thompson.

Today was finally Skylar's graduation day. Along with the 2,400 people in the audience was Joe, Bessy, Sal and his new girlfriend, Murr and his girlfriend, Bryan Johnson with his girlfriend, members of the Quinn family, and of course Brian. She was a nervous wreck all week knowing that she had to give this speech in front of so many people but was honored at the same time. She was wearing her mom's pearl necklace and had a piece of her dad's suit jacket sewn into her white dress because she knew this is what they would have worn to her graduation if they were still alive.

Skylar approached the podium and locked eyes with Brian. He gave her a wink as a way of telling her everything would be perfect. She took a deep breath to calm herself as best she could and looked out into the crowd.

"Good morning!" She greeted. "On behalf of myself and my fellow graduates I want to thank each and every one of you for coming to celebrate with us today." She then paused as she glanced down at her paper with her speech written. A speech that she had been revising for weeks wanting it to be perfect. It was right there and then that it dawned on her, she needed to speak from the heart. Picking up the paper she ripped it up throwing it to the ground.

"You know what, I have this speech prepared that is fresh and polished and perfect. Full of quotes from decorated leaders and brilliant professors. And I could stand up here and bore everyone to death with it...but I won't. Because that's not what life is about. Life isn't polished and perfect. Life is hard and it will knock you down more times than it should but that's okay. Because as long as you get up that's all that matters.

Life is about defying the odds. Whether you are the first person in your family to ever go to college, or a single mom just trying to make a better life for her kid, or a young woman who lost her parents at 18 and did whatever she had to do to survive and make them proud. Defy the odds.

Life is about taking chances. Moving to a busy city by yourself and figuring it out, taking a strange class that you've never heard of before but it was only elective that was in the time slot you needed...." She then locked eyes with her boyfriend, "...or taking a chance on a relationship that others think will never work. Defy the odds." Brian smiled brightly at that last part; they most certainly did defy the odds.

"Life is gonna throw you curveballs..." she then glanced towards Bessy and Joe, "...you'll fight with those closest to you..." She then looked back over the crowd, "Your job may not work out like you planned, you could get sick. Things happen everyday that set us back or bring us to a place we didn't expect. Defy the odds."

Skylar's voice started to shake when she thought about what she would say next. She took a second to look up to the sky and focused on the clouds for a moment. "You will lose people you never thought you would. People who were there for you every second of your life and then you have to learn how to stand on your own two feet...alone." Skylar then smiled as she looked down at all the people in the 3rd row who come to support her today. She focused on Carol and smiled brightly, "But if you're lucky you will find a new wonderful family who accepts you no matter what. Defy the odds."

Brian noticed his mother tearing up and placed his arm around her. The bond those two had formed this past year was remarkable. Most of the time, they forgot Brian was even in the room and would just laugh and talk for hours.

"So for those of you that think your world is gonna be all figured out once you graduate...unfortunately life will have other ideas. But just remember you can always defy the odds. Congratulations to my fellow graduates...we finally did it!" She exclaimed into the microphone. Everyone in the audience and up on stage were on their feet applauding. Bessy was a mess crying hysterically. The pride she had for her little cousin was indescribable.

As Skylar sat there waiting for her name to be called she couldn't help but laugh at how much it sucked having her last name beginning with T. See had to wait forever. Finally she heard her name. As she walked across stage to receive her diploma she couldn't help but smile the biggest smile. She looked back over and locked eyes with the one person she couldn't wait to hug and kiss the second she was off this stage. Brian was modeling the biggest proudest smile and was clapping has hard and has fast as he could. She did it; she actually did it!

The outdoor venue was packed with people after the ceremony. Brian texted her so she knew where to find everyone. She spotted her group up by the wall that divided the park from the pond. She took up running and leaped up almost knocking Brian clear off his feet. He tried to speak through kisses, "I. AM. SO. PROUD. OF. YOU." He said each word pausing for a kiss.

"I did it, I really did it!" She smiled still kissing him.

"I knew you would." He said beaming with pride.

"I could have never done this without you." She said.

"Excuse me." Bessy said finally interrupting, "But can I hug my baby cousin?"

Brian placed his girl back on the ground and Bessy pulled Skylar in for the biggest hug. "You did great Sky Sky." She whispered, "I know they're proud." She said pointing upwards to the heavens.

"Thanks!" Skylar said with tears in her eyes; she really felt them here today.

"You did good kid!" Joe said giving her a hug next.

"Thanks Joey!" Skylar hugged him tightly.

After taking countless pictures with everyone, it was time to eat and celebrate. Brian booked a private room at the Russian Tea Room where members of the IJ crew and other close friends and family would be meeting. As they made their way to the parking lot Skylar and Brian walked hand and hand stopping to kiss from time to time.

Joe looked on with a small smile on his lips. "And you doubted it." Sal said coming up from behind him.

"Guess I was wrong." Joe answered shaking his head. They truly were meant to be and he would be routing for them every step of the way.

Alright friends! That's a wrap! But I'm not sure this is the end for Skylar and Brian. Please let me know in the comments if you would like to see a sequel book.

I want to thank everyone for your comments, love, and feedback. Every comment and vote means the world to me and I always enjoy reading your thoughts. This story is was so different from anything I've ever done and I hope everyone was pleased with the outcome!! Xoxoxo