I waved to them all, then descended two steps off stage before Cole swiped me off of my feet and spun me around in his arms.
“We did it, Babe!” He declared as I squealed like a kid, from the quick, unexpected movements.
“We did!” I laughed. “Which means we’re real grown-ups now, so you should probably put me down and behave.”
“Me a grown up? Never gonna happen Babygirl!”
The sound of Matt’s name being called had Cole putting me down though, so we could both clap wildly and watch him cross the stage.
As he walked toward us, I had the fleeting through that I wished my Mom and Dad could be there to see me graduate. They’d have been proud, I knew they would. I hadn’t exactly sailed through finals. My grades could have been better, but considering everything I knew I had done pretty well. Well enough to go to college if I had wanted to anyway, but I wasn’t ready for that. After everything that happened, and the whirlwind of the months since I became free, I just needed some time to work out who I was and what I wanted for my future.
The guys had agreed it was a good idea and promised to help me with whatever I decided to do next, but there were no firm plans in place and I liked that. It would be nice to just see where life took me for a while, all whilst I got time with my guys and my family, without the threat of The Shadow hanging over us.
Regardless, I knew my parents, if they could see me in that moment, would be happy with what I achieved, and hopeful for my future, just as I was. How could I not be, with so much love and happiness surrounding me?
***
“Where are we going, you guys?” I whined playfully, as we all piled into Cole’s truck later that evening. Graduation was over, photos had been taken, and then we had all been out with the family for an amazing meal at a small italian restaurant Grant and Keira had booked.
Now, too stuffed to move and ready to get in a steaming hot bath and soak for hours, the guys were dragging me off for a surprise they had arranged.
“We’re not telling you Love. It’s a surprise.” Kade laughed as he climbed into the back, wedging me between himself and Matt.
“Well I hope it’s not dancing, because I don’t think I can walk, let alone dance.” I sighed, but I couldn’t keep the smile from my face. It had been such a special day and I was so happy. This surprise with my guys, whatever it was, was simply the cherry on top. “Why’d you let me eat so much if you had plans for us?”
“You eat like a damn sparrow most of the time, Baby. No way we’d stop you when you actually decide to eat properly once in a blue moon.” Kyle replied, making me roll my eyes. It seemed the amount I ate would always be an issue between us, but I tried hard, for them, and that was all I could do.
“It’s ok Cariña. This is not a strenuous activity we have planned.” Matt assured me as he leant in and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into him so my head could settle on his chest.
We all settled into a comfortable silence as Cole headed toward home, but then veered off just before he hit our street, and headed in the opposite direction. I had no idea where we were going, but I was satisfied where I lay on Matt to just drive around all night if that was what they wanted to do.
“Ok Beautiful, we’re here.” Cole said, startling me from my peaceful trance. I looked up and found we were stopped in the middle of a cute little cul de sac, surrounded by several beautifully built family homes, all with neatly manicured gardens and long wide driveways.
“Where are we?” I asked as I looked around, confused.
“Home Love. We’re home.” Kade replied, as Cole started to roll the car forward into the driveway of the house at the very end of the cul de sac. He pulled up the double width block paved driveway and parked before two sets of double garages. To either side of the drive were lush, lawned areas, lined with trees and tall shrubs which made the whole front area of the yard secluded and private.
“What? What do you mean?” I gasped.
“We wanted you to help us pick, but you weren’t up to it, and when we saw this place, we just knew you’d love it.” Kyle began.
“We bought this place, Babygirl, for you…..for us.” Cole added and I swear I stopped breathing. My heart was pounding hard, and my eyes filled with tears.
“It was always our plan, but we just stepped it up a little. We wanted our own space, the five of us.” Matt said as he took my hand and gave it a squeeze comfortingly.
Completely speechless I looked out of the window again and took in the huge house before us. It was smaller than Keira and Grant’s, but not by much; a beautiful double fronted red brick two storey, with a grey slate roof and large windows spanning both floors. It looked huge and it was obviously pretty newly built. How had they afforded this?
“You….you bought this?” I whispered, still in complete shock.
“We did, but if you don’t like it….” Kade started, but I stopped him with a
