I never in my life thought I’d be where I am now, standing on a stage and ready to accept my diploma.
When Greer suggested I go back to school, I thought he was nuts. I had a job, a kid, and a life. I didn’t have the time to go back to school to figure out what I wanted to do. But he promised he would help and take care of everything I couldn’t. And somehow, even with his crazy schedule, he did.
There isn’t a single doubt in my mind that he’s the reason I’m walking across this stage right now.
“Congratulations,” the dean says, shaking my hand.
“Thank you,” I mutter, already feeling my cheeks get hot under all the attention.
Greer and Macie yell from across the auditorium, but they aren’t even the loudest. It’s all the other Comets players making noise that really sticks out to me.
Aside from Smith and Emilia, since they left the Comets last year, everyone else is here making a huge ruckus, including my dad and his fiancé, Ernesto, Loretta and David, and I’ve never felt more loved or supported in my life.
It’s fantastic, this little family we’ve seemed to build here. I have people I can count on and friends I know I’ll have for life.
Greer signed another contract a few months ago, which means we’re staying. I’m thankful, too. Macie is making some incredible strides with her hockey team, and I know she doesn’t want to leave them behind. And selfishly, I didn’t want to leave the beautiful home we built, which I still can’t believe we live in.
We’ve come so far since Greer first asked me to be his date, and I’m terrified that one day I’ll wake up, and it’ll be just a really, really good dream.
I don’t want that. I want this forever.
I want Greer forever.
I make my way back to my seat, taking in the last of the ceremony with an impatience I’ve never known before. I want so badly to just run to the people who matter most in my life and skip all these speeches that I have heard a thousand times before.
When it’s finally over, we do the typical graduation thing and toss our caps into the air, then we’re free.
I don’t waste a single second and run to find Macie and Greer at our designated meeting spot.
I slow down when I see them, taking in the view in front of me: Macie and Greer, standing together and laughing at something, each of them holding a giant bouquet of flowers.
They look so much at ease together, a stark difference from the first few interactions together. Macie no longer calls him The Jackass. Instead, she calls him Jacob.
I didn’t tell Greer this, but just last week, she asked me if he’s going to be her dad, and if he does become her dad, can she call him that.
I cried for a half hour afterward.
Her question was so sweet and innocent, mostly because she has no idea how Greer feels about marriage. Do I want to get married again? If it’s Greer asking, then yes. In a heartbeat. But I know the idea of marriage isn’t something he’s too crazy about, and I respect that.
“Mom!” Macie races down the hall, her arms outstretched as she runs toward me.
I crouch just in time to scoop her into my arms, hugging her tightly. She’s getting so big, and soon, I know she’s not going to let me hug her like this in public, so I’m going to soak it all up while I can.
“I’m so proud of you!” she says, and the tears leap to my eyes in an instant. “You did it!”
“I did. I did it.”
She pulls away. “Greer said you could. He said that even when you thought you couldn’t, he believed enough for both of you that you could do it.”
I look up at the man who has meandered down the hall our way. He’s grinning brightly down at me.
I rise to my feet and barely stand before he throws his arms around me, dragging me into his warmth. I sigh when his familiar scent washes over me and sag into him.
“You’re incredible, Stevie.”
“Only because I know I have you there to help me when I fall.”
“Please,” he says, pulling back to cup my face in his hands. “You were incredible long before I met you.”
When he says it, it makes me believe it’s true.
I give him a small smile, which is covered when his lips touch mine.
It’s a soft kiss. A chaste one too. But it doesn’t stop Macie from complaining.
“Are you guys going to kiss all day, or are we getting ice cream?”
I laugh, pulling away from Greer. “Ice cream.”
“Yes!” She pumps her fists in the air. “I’ll even let you ride shotgun in the fun car.”
“Then where are you going to ride?”
“We can take her,” my sister says as she approaches. She spreads her arms wide. “Steve…”
I fall into her embrace, hugging her tightly.
“Congratulations, big sis.”
“Thanks.” I squeeze her tightly before letting go. “You’re the best little sister, you know that, right?”
“I know.” She shrugs, then winks at me.
I’m passed around to everyone, giving them all hugs.
By the time we’re finished, I’m a blubbering mess, feeling like a fool.
“This is your fault, you know,” I tell Greer.
“How so?”
“You gave me this big family, and they’ve made me cry, so it’s your fault.”
“Well, don’t dry your eyes just yet. I have something else that might make you cry.”
I tip my head, brows crushed together. “Okay…”
“Do you want to get married?”
His words have me staggering back. “Excuse me?”
“I was wondering if you wanted to get married.”
I look around at the group surrounding us. All eyes are on us right now, and I’m not sure what the hell is going on. Why is he asking me this here? Now?
“To…you? Or just in general?”
“Well, I’d prefer if it was to me, but I guess in general is fine too.”
“Are you…” I can’t even get the words out. They’re stuck in my throat like I’ve swallowed a rock.
“I am.”
“Greer…”
“Steve…”
He chuckles lightly, though it’s not his usual laugh. It’s a bit stilted and quiet. I realize for the first time that Greer’s nervous. He’s never nervous.
That means…
“I’m asking you to marry me, Stevie.”
“She probably can’t tell because you’re just standing there like an idiot,” Miller says, causing everyone to laugh.
Greer sighs, then drops down to one knee. “Stevie Thomas, I love you more than anything in this world.”
Macie gasps. “More than hockey?”
“More than hockey,” Greer confirms.
“More than me?”
“Shit.”
He clears his throat, then peers back up at me.
“Stevie Thomas, I love you and Macie more than anything in this world.” I grin at his correction. “I know I’ve been against marriage in the past, but that’s because I didn’t realize what I was missing. You. Macie, too,” he says, looking over at the kid in question. She shoots him a thumbs-up. “But now that I know what I could have, I want more. I want you. Both of you. Forever. I want to be your husband, and I want to be Macie’s dad.”
Someone gasps, and someone else sniffles, but I have no clue who makes either sound. My sole focus is on Greer.
I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe this is happening now, with all of my friends and family surrounding me.
I can’t believe that this man…this incredible, amazing man…wants to marry me.
“You can still be my dad, even if she says no,” Macie whispers in a voice that’s not so quiet, and her words melt my heart.
“No.”
“No?” Greer says.
“No?” Macie echoes.
“I mean, no, that’s not necessary.”
“So, you’re saying…” Greer trails off.
“Yes!” I yell, not caring that we’re in the middle of a crowded hallway. “Yes, yes, yes!”
“Are you sure you mean it? I can’t tell.”
“Yes,” I say more quietly this time.
“Really?”
“Please don’t make me say it again.”
Greer shoves to his feet, then wraps his arms around me, slamming his mouth against mine without hesitation.
This kiss is a lot different than the one before. It’s not as soft or as chaste. Instead, it’s full of love and the guarantee of forever.
When he finally pulls his lips from mine, he trails his kisses up my cheek to my ear.
“I plan to make you say yes every damn chance I get.”
I shiver at the promise.
“Her ring, her ring!”
Greer steps aside, and I’m shocked as hell to see Macie holding her palm up to me, a beautiful gold ring sitting in the center.
“You knew?” I ask her.
She nods. “Yep. He asked for my permission last week.”
“So that’s why you were wondering if you could call him Dad?”
Macie nods, her eyes drifting from me to Greer, who is looking down at her with tears welling in his eyes.
“Is that what you want?” he asks her softly, and she nods again. “Yes. Yes, you can call me that.”
Greer drops to his knees and pulls Macie into a hug. She holds him just as tightly, and my heart leaps into my throat as I watch them together. It’s everything I ever wanted for her with the guy I never expected.
This might just be my favorite moment ever.
When they finally part, I don’t miss Greer swiping at his eyes or the redness to Macie’s.
They both sniffle and look anywhere than at each other.
Greer grabs my hand, then slides the ring over my finger.
“It’s a perfect fit,” I mutter.
“I’m just that good.”
He winks at me, and I roll my eyes.
“You’re annoying,” I tell him.
“I know. But now I get to annoy you forever.” He presses a soft kiss to my lips. “I love you, Stevie.”
“I love you more, Greer.”
“And I love you both. Now can we puh-lease get some ice cream?”
We all laugh at Macie’s impatience.
As we head out of the school, the whole big group of us, all I can think is: This is it. This is forever.
I’ll never take any of this for granted.
