Chapter 68

Abigail straightened her cap and Gown, taking a deep breath as she looked out at the sea of caps and gowns before her. The day had finally arrived – graduation day. Abigail couldn’t believe how fast the time had flown by. It seemed like just yesterday she was nervously walking into her first day, and now here she was about to walk across the stage and receive her diploma.

Abigail still couldn’t believe that Emma was pregnant with her baby. It was a shock, but it had also brought them closer together. They had started making plans for their future, and Abigail couldn’t wait to start their new life together in New York.

Her phone buzzed on the dresser. She reached for it and smiled as Emma’s name lit up the screen.

Emma: Are you ready, graduate? 😌🎓

Abigail’s heart did a little flip.

Abigail: Nervous but ready. Mostly. I keep adjusting this cap like it’s gonna run away from me lol.

Almost instantly, a reply lit up.

Emma: You’re gonna be amazing. Breathe, take it all in, and meet me in my classroom after the ceremony. I’ve got something for you.

Abigail: Now I’m nervous and curious.

Emma: Good 😇 Just don’t keep me waiting. I’m already tearing up thinking about seeing you walk across that stage.

As the ceremony began, Abigail tried to focus on the moment. She watched as her classmates walked across the stage, shaking hands and accepting their diplomas. Abigail’s heart started to race as she got closer to the front of the line. She could see her family in the audience, cheering and clapping for her.

When it was her turn, Abigail walked confidently across the stage. She shook the principals, accepting her diploma with a huge smile on her face. 

And there—near the front, standing just off to the side—was Emma.

Her music teacher’s robe couldn’t hide the glow she carried. Her hands folded in front of her, eyes locked on Abigail with so much pride, so much love, it nearly took Abigail’s breath away.

She gave a small nod, their silent language, their secret rhythm.

After the ceremony, Abigail hurried to Emma’s classroom to meet up with her. She found Emma waiting for her, a small bouquet of flowers in her hands. Abigail rushed over and pulled Emma into a tight hug, burying her face in Emma’s neck.

Hey, graduate,” Emma said, voice thick with emotion.

“I did it,” Abigail whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “We did it.”

Emma pulled back and cupped Abigail’s face in her hands. “I’m so proud of you, Abigail. You’ve worked so hard for this.”

Abigail grinned, feeling on top of the world. “Thank you for being here for me. For everything.”

Emma leaned in and kissed her softly. “I’ll always be here for you, Abigail. No matter what.”

Abigail hugged her again, feeling overwhelmed with love and gratitude. She knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. Abigail and Emma, and their baby on the way. Ready to start their new life together in the city that never sleeps.

As they walked out of the classroom hand in hand, Abigail knew that this was just the beginning of their happily ever after.

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The morning sun crept lazily through the blinds, casting pale golden stripes across the bed where Abigail and Emma lay curled together. The house was quiet, still tinged with the echoes of last night’s celebration—laughter, hugs, teary family photos, and the scent of leftover cupcakes.

Abigail stretched and yawned, then turned to face Emma, who was already awake, propped up on one elbow, absentmindedly tracing little circles across the soft curve of her belly.

“Hey,” Abigail murmured, smiling sleepily. “You okay?”

Emma nodded slowly. “Yeah. Just thinking.”

Abigail shifted closer, brushing a strand of hair from Emma’s face. “About?”

Emma hesitated. “About today. And… us.”

Abigail blinked, then grinned. “Oh no. Are you breaking up with me the morning after graduation?”

Emma snorted softly. “Definitely not. But…” Her expression grew more cautious. “I know you want to go out today. You said something last night about going to the café and walking around town together, like officially… together.“

Abigail sat up a little, her grin softening into something more serious. “Yeah. I do.”

Emma looked down, fingers gently tapping against the sheets. “I’m just… nervous. I mean, it’s only been a day since graduation. People might talk. Parents, teachers… The town.”

Abigail reached out and took her hand. “Em. You’re not a teacher there anymore. I’m not a student. We didn’t do anything wrong. We’ve got nothing to hide.”

Emma gave her a look. “You know how this town is. People hold onto gossip like it’s family heirlooms. I don’t want anyone twisting things before we’re even out the door.”

Abigail’s lips parted like she was going to argue—but then she stopped, letting herself sit with Emma’s words.

After a beat, Emma added, “Just a few more weeks. When we’re in New York, starting fresh… no one will know or care that we met here or how long we waited. We’ll be able to go out anywhere, hold hands in the middle of the street, kiss on a bench, dance in the middle of a damn grocery store if we want to.”

Abigail smiled at that, her fingers tightening around Emma’s. “Okay. So… just outside of town for today?”

Emma nodded. “Just until the dust settles. A lake, maybe? Or that little orchard up north?”

Abigail leaned in, brushing her nose against Emma’s. “Only if you let me make a cheesy playlist for the ride.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” Emma said, finally smiling. “And hey… thank you. For understanding.”

Abigail kissed her lightly. “You kept us safe when it mattered most. I can be patient now. But once we hit New York?”

Emma smirked. “Then we don’t hold anything back.”

They got up slowly, pulling on comfortable clothes, Emma sliding into a soft flowy sundress and Abigail in baggy cargos and a band tee. They packed a picnic, tossed a blanket in the backseat, and hit the road, rolling the windows down and letting the wind tangle their hair.

They didn’t go far—just a quiet spot by the lake a few towns over, surrounded by trees and sky and the scent of wildflowers. No curious eyes. No whispers. Just the two of them, wrapped in the sound of birdsong and summer.

___________________________________________________________________

The drive home was quiet in the best way—the kind of silence filled with contentment rather than tension. Emma’s hand rested on the center console, fingers lazily tangled with Abigail’s. The sun had dipped low, casting a warm orange hue across the horizon as they coasted down the backroads, their favorite playlist humming in the background.

The lake trip had been perfect. Peaceful. Needed. They’d spent the afternoon sprawled out on a blanket under the shade of tall trees, the lake sparkling in the distance. Emma had even laughed when Abigail insisted on trying to skip stones—badly. They ate sandwiches, drank too much lemonade, and daydreamed about their future in the city.

And for the first time since graduation, everything had felt simple.

As they turned onto the familiar stretch of road leading back into town, Abigail glanced sideways at Emma, her heart doing that fluttery thing it always did when she looked at her too long.

“You okay?” she asked softly.

Emma nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “Yeah. I am. Today was… everything I needed.”

“Even with me blasting ‘Empire State of Mind’ three times in a row?” Abigail teased.

Emma laughed. “Especially because of that.”

They pulled into Emma’s driveway just as the sky shifted to twilight. Fireflies blinked lazily in the yard, and the hum of cicadas buzzed in the background. Emma stepped out of the car and stretched, one hand on her lower back.

Abigail came around the front and walked up beside her. “You sure you’re not overdoing it?”

Emma gave her a look. “I’m pregnant, not made of glass.”

“Okay, but you are carrying our tiny future cello prodigy, so forgive me if I’m a little protective.”

Emma snorted, unlocking the front door. “I thought we agreed on piano prodigy.”

“Debatable,” Abigail said, following her inside.

The house was dim and cozy, still scattered with remnants of graduation—cards lined up on the counter, Emma’s music binder open on the kitchen table from last week’s final school performance. They kicked off their shoes and moved toward the couch, collapsing in a heap of limbs and laughter.

Emma leaned her head on Abigail’s shoulder, exhaling slowly. “You know… it still doesn’t feel real. That we’re leaving.”

Abigail rested her cheek against the top of Emma’s head. “I know. I’ve thought about New York for so long it almost feels like a fantasy.”

Emma turned slightly to look up at her. “But it’s happening. Like… really happening. In two weeks, we’ll be gone. No more hiding. No more small-town whispers.”

“No more sketchy diners three towns over,” Abigail added, smirking.

Emma rolled her eyes fondly. “That strawberry milkshake was good though.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their plans slowly settling into something solid. Something real.

“I called the leasing office this morning,” Emma said quietly. “Confirmed the move-in date. We’re all set.”

Abigail lit up. “Seriously? That’s amazing.”

“And,” Emma added, reaching for the small notebook she’d left on the coffee table, “I may or may not have started a baby name list.”

Abigail’s eyes widened with delight. “You dork. Let me see.”

Emma flipped open the page, cheeks flushing a little. “No judgment.”

“No promises.”

They leaned in together, giggling over names, crossing some out immediately (“Absolutely not, Emma. That sounds like a Victorian ghost child.”), and circling others with stars and hearts.

By the time the list was filled with possibilities—some serious, some ridiculous—they were both lying on the couch, half-asleep and tangled together.

Abigail traced slow circles on the back of Emma’s hand. “You know… I used to be scared that if anyone ever found out about us, it would ruin everything.”

Emma turned her head, meeting her eyes. “And now?”

“Now I think it saved everything.”

Emma smiled, leaning forward to press a soft kiss to Abigail’s lips. “We’re almost there, Abs.”

And she was right.

Just a little longer.

Then they’d be home.