Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Marcy's POV

"We are honoured to call the valedictorian of class 2019, Tyler Jensen." The vice chancellor calls out Tyler's name from the podium and I have to remind myself not to scream out of excitement as I watch Tyler climb the stage to get his degree and qualifying certificate along with a handshake.

He finally did it, and valedictorian no less.

"Is there anything you would like to say to your convoking class?" The Vice Chancellor asks and Tyler nods, before taking the vacant podium.

As I watch him, standing there in his robe and cap, a warm feeling envelops me and I realise I have never been more proud of anyone than I am right now.

If only dad were here to see this.

To see him.

After all the challenges, the tears, the battles...even the accident.

He made it.

"You okay?" Kyle asks from beside me and I nod my head as I turn to him.

"I'm absolutely perfect." I say and he plants a kiss on my forehead.

"First of all, I want to say what an honour it is to receive this. In all honesty, I wouldn't have been able to achieve this without my sister, Marcella Jensen. She has been my rock, my best friend, my mother, and basically my whole world. Whenever I felt down, whenever it seemed like I couldn't do it, whenever I felt discouraged, all I did was think of her. Marcy, you sacrificed everything for me and I know if it got down to committing a crime for me, you probably would have done it for me." He says and earns a chorus of laughter from his mates while I'm tearing up a storm.

"Not that she did." Tyler adds, with a side glance to the V.C, earning more laughter.

"But I owe it all to you. I love you." He says, looking directly at where I was seated and I mouth my reply,

"To the moon and back."

Kyle hands me a tissue as he whispers in my ear,

"Thank God I came prepared for this." And I turn to him, while Tyler continues his speech.

"Thank you for being here, Kyle. I know you have a lot on your plate and this is eating out of your time--"

"Marcy, I want to be here. It's a big moment for your family, and you should know that whatever is important to you, is important to me. Okay?" He says and I nod.

How did I get so lucky?

I turn back to the stage where Tyler is almost done saying his speech,

"We've come this far and we will only get farther and better by making breakthroughs that I know we are all destined to make. Regardless of what it says on your certificate, we are all winners. So let's head out into the world and claim our trophies!"

The entire class stands up with a roaring, standing ovation.

"I have to admit, that inspired me too." Kyle says and I giggle as I turn to him.

"You're such a clown." I tease him.

"And you love it." He says and plants a kiss on my lips.

So I here I am, kissing The Kyle Robinson in my brother's convocation ceremony. It still feels surreal, that I'm dating the most eligible bachelor in all of Orlando. Especially when he takes me on his work appointments, meetings and occasions both within and outside the state, sometimes outside the country.

And every single time, he would introduce me as his girlfriend.

Because of him, I'd met the Governor, the Vice President and Chief Technology officer of USA.

Soon, the ceremony is over and I'm waiting outside for Tyler while Kyle is speaking with the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of the university.

"Tyler!" I scream his name when I see him and he hurries over, picking me up instantly and spinning me around.

"You did it! I'm so proud of you!" I say, bubbling with laughter after he finally puts me down.

"We did it Marcy. I couldn't have done it without you and I meant every word. Thank you." He says and kisses me on the cheek.

"Where's Kyle?" He asks and before I can reply, his voice comes from behind me.

"Right here. Congratulations, Tyler. Even I couldn't make Marcy as happy as you made her today." Kyle says as he shakes Tyler's hand and I watch the expected confused expression on his face as he stares down at his hand after Kyle lets go.

"A remote?" Tyler asks as he observes the miniature remote Kyle left in his hands.

"It's our gift to you. Press the button." I say, unable to hold my back my smile as Tyler presses the button and the car beeps in the corner.

He turns to the sound and stares in shock.

"No. Fucking. Way." He says as he walks over to the car and we follow behind.

"An Aston Martin vantage?!" Tyler exclaims and turns back to us.

"Marcella wouldn't let me get the Bentley. She thinks you can't handle it." Kyle says, rolling his eyes and I nudge him while Tyler laughs and opens the car.

"This is fucking amazing! You guys didn't have to." He says, overjoyed and Kyle smiles.

"Well I guess you wouldn't want to come for recruitment in my company?" Kyle says and this time, both Tyler and I turn to Kyle, speechless.

"You're kidding." Tyler says.

"How did you even--" I start but Kyle cuts me off.

"Hey, you picked out your gift. I had to put in something. Plus he is valedictorian of his set, a great addition to the company." Kyle says and turns to Tyler.

"Only if you want it, Tyler. I'll be looking forward to getting your credentials." He says and Tyler shakes his hand nonstop.

"Definitely, Kyle. I promise I won't let you down!" Tyler says, right before he is swarmed with his friends, and Kyle and I take the hint to leave.

Kyle's POV

It was a real battle keeping the surprise from Marcy, especially since she didn't like it when I lied.

Now, her crippling silence, along with her occasional glances at me, has me second guessing my actions.

I probably should have told her.

"Marcy,..." I say as I hold her hand across the intersection in the car and she turns to me.

"Hmm?" Her bright, violet eyes are clouded with questions.

"What's wrong?" I ask and she shrugs, forcing a smile before turning away.

"Oh, nothing. It's just been a long day." She says and I'm torn between letting it go or insisting on it.

Eventually, I pull the car into a corner and turn off the engine.

"What's going on?" She asks, turning to me and I give her a concerned look.

"I should be asking you. Did I do something wrong? What is it? Talk to me, please." I say and she sighs.

"You didn't do anything wrong. As a matter of fact, you did the opposite."

"The opposite?"

"Kyle, I love you. And I know you love me too, but I can't help feeling like I'm forcing you to be obligated to take care of my brother. We were doing fine before I started dating you--"

"Whoa. Where's all this coming from? Forcing me?" I ask, taken aback by the words and the remorseful look in her eyes.

"It just feels like that. I mean first the car, then a job? What next, a house?"

"Marcella--"

"I can't help feeling bad. Like, maybe he could be a liability to you--"

"Marcy, stop it." I tell her and she sighs.

"Listen, neither you or your brother have ever been or will ever a liability to me. Ever. Excluding the fact that I love you and I would do anything for you guys, this has absolutely nothing to do with that. The car was the gift from both of us. You pitched in some money because you're working now, remember?"

"I own a restaurant that you bought for me!" She says, tears clouding her eyes and I'm suddenly realising the gravity of the issue.

"This didn't just start now, did it?" I ask and she closes her eyes as a tear escapes.

"No." She whispers sorrowful and I can't help feeling vulnerable at the sight of her crying.

"Marcy, please don't cry." I say to her as I wipe her eyes.

"Why didn't you say anything to me?" I ask and she looks at me.

"What was I supposed to say? That I'm not used to having a rich boyfriend? I'm not used to being pampered because it feels like I'm having things being handed to me for free?" She cries.

"Come here." I say and pull her into my arms.

"I'm so sorry, I know I'm being ungrateful." She cries and shush her.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. I guess I should have known I was being too much." I say to her and sniffs as she pulls back a little to look at me.

"Maybe it's because I'm just used to being paid for my work, and not being pampered." She says and I can't help but smile a little as I observe her.

"You want to be my maid again?" I joke and she giggles a little.

"Cut it out."

"Marcy, you've been taking care of people your whole life. You dropped out of school, became a stripper and afterwards my maid just so you could help your brother and you father. You were given responsibility at the age of 16 and all on your own, you had to find a way to pay rent, pay your brothers tuition fees, put food in your stomachs and pay for your father's medication and accommodation in a nursing home. Life has been a big bowl of responsibilities for you, and I'm just trying to take the weight off your shoulders, the way a boyfriend should." I say to her, tucking her thick locks of golden brown her behind her ear.

"I want to be here for you the way you've been here for others. Heck, you even had to take care of me too. I know I bought you the restaurant building but you built it all by yourself. Your amazing cooking and perfect recipes made it the success it is now. I helped you get a car for your brother because it was your idea to get him one. And I only offered him a job because I know he deserves it. Look how hard he has been studying. It's only normal I help him the little way I can, because even if we never dated and I was still a guest of honour there, I would offer the valedictorian something." I say to her and she smiles a little.

"I guess I never looked at it that way." She mutters and I chuckle.

"I know it's going to take a little getting-used-to, but you have me now.You deserve a break. Let me take a little weight off your shoulders." I say and she laughs.

"A little?" She teases.

"Okay, a lot. Point is, I love you and I'm here for you. Plus, we've only been together for a year, so kick back and relax, Cinderella." I say to her and she pulls me into a kiss.

"I love you too Prince Charming." She says with a smile and relief washes over me.

There were no more questions in her eyes.

"Let's go home and enjoy the weekend, okay? We are overdue on some private, lazy, alone time." I say and she laughs.

"Now that, I can instantly agree to."

*****

Marcy's POV

The gentle feeling of Kyle's fingertips, running over my back and towards my butt causes me to stir awake, but I don't open my eyes.

"Wakey wakey." He murmurs and I smile a little.

"What happened to lazy, alone time?" I moan and he chuckles slightly.

"All that changed when I woke up and saw my sexy, naked girlfriend sleeping next to me." He whispers in my ear and I groan.

"Let me sleep, Kyle. You exhausted my energy last night." I say and he laughs.

"Come on, Marcy. I have a surprise." He says and I'm almost tempted to give in.

"Is it breakfast in bed?" I murmur.

"Well,.... no." He admits, laughing and I turn the other way.

"Then get it away from me." I say and snuggle into my pillow, when his hands hold my waist from behind and pull me close.

"You either open your eyes or I'll take matters into my hands....literally." he says and I give in, as I turn back to him.

"This better be good Kyle Lucas Robinson." I say and I'm greeted with him smiling mischievously.

"Well, where is the surprise?" I ask and his hands draw circles lazily over my tummy as he stares deeply into my eyes.

"I wanted to ask you something first."

"Oh great. A trivia surprise." I tease and he just drags me close. So close that I can see the specs of white in his blue eyes and I can feel my nipples brush against his chest with every breath.

"I'm serious." He says and my teasing mood washes off.

"If you ever had the opportunity, would you like to go back to college and finish your course?" He asks, his eyes searching mine and I sit up slowly.

"What's happening?" I ask.

"I want to know first. I just realised that I never really asked and I remember Kelsey saying you were a straight A student." He says and even though I'm completely caught off guard, I manage to answer.

"In all honesty?.... Yes. I love the idea of being a nurse and it was always my dream to become one." I say, but I can see the little hurt in Kyle's eyes.

"Marcy, why didn't you ever tell me?" He asks and I take a deep breath as I manage to smile.

I can't handle watching him feel guilty.

"Because it's not your cup of tea, Kyle. That ship's long sailed and now I have a business, my brother has graduated and I have you. Life's moved on." I say and gently touch his jaw.

"It doesn't matter. It's your dream and there's nothing holding you back now. You've already gone two years in, you should complete it." He persuades.

"Babe, it's okay."

"No, it's not. I thought about our talk in the car yesterday, and I saw the way you looked at Tyler on that podium. You're all about self accomplishment it's all I've ever wanted for you too. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't help you achieve your goals?" He asks and I can see the sincere concern in his eyes.

"Well, even if I do decide to apply now, what college would I go to? What about the restaurant? What about us?" I ask and he smiles again.

"That's where the surprise comes in." He says and hands me a brown envelope. As I open it, he starts talking,

"Its Rollins College. It's close to home, the class schedules are flexible and work friendly, and it even offers online classes."

"Kyle, this is an acceptance letter. With my name." I say in shock and he scratches the back of his head.

"Okay, so I may have written them an application letter along with all your results." He says with a little hesitation and I blink at him.

"Before you get mad, I only wanted to surprise you but I wasn't sure if you wanted to go, that's why I asked--"

I shut him up with a deep, passionate kiss.

"You're my one and only, Kyle." I say, after the kiss is over and he smiles.

"I was expecting a slap and maybe two days of not talking to me, but this works too." He says and I giggle.

How could I get mad? He was literally making my dreams come true.

"I could never get mad over this. I'm going to be a nurse! Look, my hands are shaking." I say with a shaky voice and Kyle holds my left hand in his right hand.

"And about us? I was going to answer but you haven't emptied the envelope completely." He says and I frown as I reach inside the big, brown envelope and my fingers wrap around a cool metal.

With my heart in my throat, I pull out a beautiful, emerald ring.

"Marry me, Marcella. Marry me and I will make you the happiest woman alive as long I breathe. Marry me, so the world will know what I've always known, that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to be your partner, your best friend and your husband. You're the one I think of everyday and I look forward to seeing every morning. I need no one else so long as I have you and I live only to make you happy. I love you. What do you say, Marcy? Will you be my wife?" Kyle asks and I look at the beautiful ring one more time.

Married? To Kyle? Me?

"Of course, you don't have to give an answer right now if you're not ready. I just felt--"

"Yes." I hear myself say and Kyle blinks at me.

"Yes, Kyle. I will marry you. You are my one and only. Forever." I say and I watch him slip the ring on my finger, dazed with happiness.

"I love you." He says, looking at me and I play with his hair.

"I love you, Mr. Robinson."

"Thank you for coming into my life, Marcy. You saved me." He says and I lean into his embrace, allowing him to hold me, to love me, to care for me.

We had definitely come a long way from giving him a lap dance in the strip club.