I'm Still Standing

40

Jonathan

The Confrence finals series last just four short games with San Jose before we knock them out with a epic sweep. It wasn't much of a series of you ask me but I wasn't complaining. This means I had the whole day off for Rachel's graduation meaning I can give her the gift I got.

This whole morning she's been freaking out about being ready for her big day. Luckily the culinary art part of the school there wasn't that many people so the ceremony wouldn't be too long. But I couldn't wait to see her walk across that stage and cheer extra loud.

"How do I look" she asks as she holds out her arms.

She had on her purple robe that showed off her manicure she got with my mom and her hair and makeup all done. I smile big as I look her over a few times to really get a good look at her. "You look... breath taking" I sigh as I shake my head.

"I feel like I look like Barney" she claims making me laugh.

"Barney wishes he was as sexy as you" I smirk.

She rolls she eyes as she wraps her arms around my neck. I hold her close as I give her a kiss letting her know that I was so proud of her.

"Are you nervous" I wonder.

"A little bit. I don't know how my knee is going to hold up with these heels" she admits.

"You can always wear the brace" I remind her.

"It squeaks now and it's embarassing" she mumbles making me laugh.

"I for one think it's cute" I admit.

"Yeah because it's not happening to you" she giggles.

"I think you would look great up there not matter what you wear or how you squeak" I tease. She pulls me into another kiss before she has to leave.

I meet up with my parents and Jeremy and his family at the theatre where the smaller ceremonies take place. I was honestly shocked when she told me she invited Jeremy. Part of me believes she will never be able to fully forgive him. But I don't think she has it in her to hate that man for the rest of her life. That's never what her mom wanted to happen. Maybe if her mom knew that Jeremy knew she was sick and did nothing about it she might have changed her mind. But we will never know what that implication might have made. All I know is that Rachel is looking forward to a better future and she wants him there.

So we all sit down and I have my mom on one side of me and Tracy on the other. We look over the program and wait for the ceremony to start.

"Are you showing Rachel her present today" Tracy asks me and I smile big. I had a huge surprise for her after this and keeping it a secret has been hard. But if I can hold on for a few more hours then I don't have to keep my mouth shut anymore.

"I am. Thanks to you it's all ready to go" I explain.

"Just trying to make this extra special for her. She deserves it" she insists.

I couldn't agree more.

Finally they start up and do introductions and the national anthem. They start calling names but it takes a while to get to the R's. Finally they call her name and I jump out of my seat. I cheer like she just scored a goal as she smiles up at where we were sitting. I hoot and holler some more before my mom pulls me back into my seat. She laughs at me as I take my seat pretty proud of the scene I just caused.

Finally they turn the tassels and they were all graduated. They get released and I go find my college graduate in the sea of purple. I spot her pretty easily because her beauty is beyond compare. Wasn't hard to find a face like that, even in a crowd.

As soon as I get to her I pick her up and spin her around. I hold her as tight as I can before setting her back to her feet. "I'm so proud of you Rachie" I whisper in her ear. I feel her fingers dig into my bag as she holds me back.

"Thanks Jonny. Couldn't have done it without you" she claims.

We take a ton of pictures before I grab Rachel and pull her to my car. "Where are we going" she asks as I open the door for her.

"We are going to see your graduation present" I insist.

"You couldn't have brought it here" she wonders.

"Nope. Plus your cake and your party is there so we need to go" I insist.

Without another question she gets in the car and I do too. Our families trail behind us as we drive back into the city. We come across this nice little place on a corner and pull into the parking lot. The building was empty but it was a nice size and not totally broken down. We get out and all congregate in front of the building as most everyone tries to figure out why we're here.

"What is this place" Jeremy wonders.

"This where Rachel will start up her first restaurant" I announce.

It falls so silent that you could hear a piece of paper hit the ground.

"Jonathan... you didn't" Rachel whimpers. A tear falls to her cheek and I happily wipe it off.

"To celebrate you graduating I figured the best way to do so was to get you a place to start the rest of your life at. We all have to start somewhere and this, this is your new home. You have freedom to do whatever you want. Make whatever food, sell whatever dream your heart desires. I talked it over with Tracy and she's going to help us out. A lot is going to have to happen before this place opens.

But Rachel Rae this building is all yours. Whatever you dream up you can make it here, I promise" I say.

At this point she was balling so I pull her into my arms. She sniffles away as many tears as she can but they still fall. I know they were happy tears but I still didn't want to make her cry. "Aww baby" I coo as I rub her arm.

"I don't even know what to say" she hiccups.

"You don't have to say anything. All of us here, we believe in you. We know you have everything you need to be successful in this business. You're so sweet and you're smart. You know what's fair but you also know when enough is enough. I have everything I need to believe that you can turn this place into a place where everyone can find something they love" I admit.

"Thank you" she sniffles as she looks up to me.

"Anything for you babe" I promise.