Voyage to Atlantis

Chapter 12

"Join me in congratulating Columbia Universitys graduating class of 2009!"

Laceys heart thumped as cheers and applause filled the stadium. She'd finally done it. Although it was a semester behind schedule, shed finally graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in journalism and a minor in fashion design. She was still waiting for her internship to hire her on full time, but in the mean time she was content with her job. It was a week before Christmas and today was all about her.

She followed her line out into the lobby where she shifted through people to get to her family. Everyone was there: Tricia, Uncle Arik, Alisha and Crystal, who was now three years old and talking her butt off, even made it. Marcie and her tribe of kids were in attendance. Rici even brought her boyfriend, Taylor.

Lacey ran straight into Tricias arms as her eyes watered. Theyd been through some rocky times the last few years but it had all paid off. Lacey was glad that Tricia hadnt spoiled her: she wouldnt know how to take care of herself.

"Im so glad you didnt fall!" Marcus said, everyone laughed but Lacey pushed him in his shoulder as Uncle Arik snapped pictures. Lacey bent down to pick up Crystal.

"Did you see me baby girl?" Lacey asked. Crystal nodded and smiled.

"I saw you up there you had a long walk!" Crystal said. Everyone laughed. Lacey noticed Marcie elbow Tricia and she frowned.

"Whats up?"

"Um, your father dropped something off for you before we came this morning," Tricia mumbled. It seemed as if everyone got quiet, waiting on Laceys reaction.

"What is it?" Lacey asked, shifting Crystal on her hip even though Alisha begged for her to put her down and walk. Tricia shrugged and handed Lacey the card.

Lacey hadn't heard from her father since she was in middle school. It made her wonder how he would have known she was graduating in the first place, but then she remember how the local paper always published a list of graduates from the high school and what schools they were graduating from. She looked at the envelope and wondered if she should open it now or later. When a loud voice behind her called her name, she turned around and Rici took the envelope and slid it in Laceys purse that she was holding.

Lacey smiled to see Carson and a few of his friends coming towards her. He graduated last year but him and his frat brothers made sure they came to make noise for Lacey.

"There's my graduate!" he said, spinning Lacey around. She giggled and held onto him before he left her go. "Hey Miss Tricia, hey family."

Everyone said hi to Carson as Lacey hugged his side. She'd forgotten all about her dads little invasion when he walked up.

Next March would make two years for Lacey and Carsons relationship and as promised, he accepted the challenge of making her happy. Lacey looked behind his back to see a bouquet of flowers. She smiled before stepping back to look at him.

"You being sneaky?" she asked. He smiled before licking his lips. When he pulled the flowers behind his back, everyone except Tricia cooed over it. Lacey knew that Tricia was a hard shell, but she also knew that she liked Carson so far. "Thank you baby."

"Your other gifts are in the car," he said. Lacey nodded before turning to her family.

"So, we meeting at Olive Garden?" Everyone agreed and headed out of the stadium.

Her family was so rowdy. Between Uncle Arik and Marcus grilling Carson and Tricia and Marcie talking about when all the kids were little, Lacey was too done. She'd gotten a call from Nikki who was all but crying because she couldnt make the graduation. It seemed like things with her and Miles would never be right as long as they werent together. He'd be late picking MJ up or sometimes wouldnt come at all. There was an ongoing battle for child support and everything.