You Are On My Mind

Perfect Ending To A Perfect Day

Linda O'Shea smiled as she took in a deep breath. She was nervous; she had graduated all her classes, making her valedictorian. She wished her boyfriend was with her. She had been with him since they were in high school. He had gone into the Marines for his college education; he hung out with her as much as he could when he was back for R&R. He had written he would try to make it for her graduation, but he couldn't promise anything. When his parents told her he wasn't going to be able to get away, she was disappointed but understood.
"And now, our Valedictorian, Linda O'Shea."
The audience clapped as the blonde made her way up to the stage. She smiled and sighed. "First off, thank you to all my teachers, especially Professor Williams, who stayed late with me, Brie, and Tyler. I don't think I I could've done it without your encouragement, or anyone else's. So thank you to everyone who believed in me, and thank you to, um.... we'll call her Christine, so as not to embarrass her. Thank you to Christine who told me I couldn't do it. She said, and I quote, 'oh, Linda! That's demented! You can't become a nurse!' So thank you Christine for pushing all my buttons. I'd like to say something to you. Come see me in the ER some time." The audience laughed, while 'Christine' blushed. "I'd also like to thank my boyfriend who couldn't make it today. He wanted to so badly, but he's got his hands full down in Fallujah—"
The audience clapped for her boyfriend in the service.
"Oh! Thank you, thank you. I'll pass that on to him. Second off. Wow! Just.... wow. Who knew I'd be valedictorian?"
"Danny!" A voice from the crowd shouted loudly, making everyone chuckle.
"Okay, true. Danny did know that."
************
The rest of Linda's speech was filled with more thanks, funny stories, more mentions of her boyfriend, and an encouraging sentiment for the other students.
The ceremony part was over, and everyone was eating, taking pictures, congratulating, and talking.
"Thanks for the mention," Wendy told her sister dryly.
"I didn't say it was you! I'm glad you told me that, though..... part of me just wanted to show you I could do it." Linda blushed a little bit.
She nodded, smiling. "C'mere." She hugged her baby sister.
"Linda, can you come here?" Joe Reagan asked, "you too, Wendy." The girls walked with Joe to his family.
"We want to get a picture of you with us. To send to Danny. Wendy, will you take the picture?"
"Of course," she smiled, taking the camera. She waited till all the Reagans and Linda were gathered together. "Okay, on three. One. Two.... three!"
They smiled, standing still while Wendy took a few more. She smirked and walked over to her sister. "Wanna see?"
Linda looked at the pictures, her brow knitted in confusion. "Who's that guy?" She pointed to a good looking guy next to Frank. "That looks like Danny. But that can't be." She looked up at Wendy. "He's in Fallujah." She felt a tap on her shoulder, prompting her to turn around. Her mouth dropped to the ground and her eyes lit up. "Danny!!" She jumped into his arms, and he swung her around. "You made it! You came!"
"Of course. I couldn't miss my girl's graduation! Especially since she's the valedictorian."
"I am so happy to see you! Ecstatic even!" She walked away with Danny, holding his hand.
"That's the last we'll see of them," Joe muttered. "Who's hungry?"
***********
Linda was lying on her couch after Everything that day. She had her head in Danny's lap as she munched on Stork's Orange Creams. "I'm so glad you could come.... when do you have to go back?"
"Oh, I'm here to stay. We all were honorably sent home."
"Oh, Danny! That's wonderful! Now you can join the NYPD like you've always wanted."
"Yeah." He strokes her hair, enjoying the alone time with her.
"I know ive said this a thousand times already, but I really am glad you could be here."
"Of course! I'm gonna be here now, next week, seventy-seven years from now."
"What?" Linda sat up, looking at him.
Danny smiled, "Linda, I love you. With my whole heart. Even if I didn't love you, I'd still be here. Remember the promise we made? No matter what happens-"
"We'll always be friends, yeah. But the way you said seventy seven years from now....."
"I wanna be here— with you— for seventy seven years. I wanna be with you till my dying breath, till your dying breath. I wanna laugh with you, cry with you, smile with you.... I wanna do everything with you. So...." he slid off the couch and got on one knee, "Linda-"
"Yes!"
He smiled, "Lemme finish. Linda Rose-"
"Yes, yes!"
"I gotta ask the question!" Danny laughed, "Linda Rose O'Shea, will you make me the happiest man alive? Will you marry me?"
"Yes! Yes, a thousand times yes!" She slid off the couch and kissed him, hugging him tightly. He took out the pretty ring. It was silver with a single diamond in the middle. She smiled widely, "it's so pretty and classy!"
"Just like you." He kissed her once more.
She grinned from ear to ear, admiring the simple, yet elegant ring. "The perfect ending to a perfect day."