My whole life, I’ve pictured what today would be like. I knew by the time I reached middle school that I wanted to be like my dad – I wanted to be a doctor. Now, standing three feet away from the stage waiting for my name to be called to accept my degree, I feel like I could wake up any minute and realize it was all a dream.
I’ve worked countless hours, taken an infinite amount of tests, and dedicated more than twenty years of my life to make it to this moment.
“Tanner West,” the dean says as I take the stage. I accept my diploma, smile for a picture, shake a few hands, and just like that – it’s over.
Damn. Who knew getting your doctorate degree is kind of like riding a roller coaster? You wait and prepare for what feels like forever and then in seconds, it’s done.
After the few residents with last names after mine walk the stage, we toss our hats in the air and rejoin our families outside the arena. I barely have time to adjust to the sunlight before Kellee barrels into my arms, throwing hers around my neck.
“I’m so proud of you, baby!” She kisses me hard and I kiss her, too. I really want to kiss her somewhere else right about now to really start celebrating, but my parents are here so I should probably refrain.
“Not bad, nerd,” Paisley says, socking me in the arm. Corbin shakes my hand and I nod, the mutual respect between us growing more each time we get together. I hated him when I first met the guy, but now that I’ve gotten to know him a little better and seen how much he cares for Paisley, he’s growing on me.
Mom’s face is still stained where her mascara ran during the ceremony as she throws her arms around me. I give her a strong hug and then my dad pulls me in for the same. I feel amazing having my family and the ones I care about most around me on the proudest day of my life.
“Ready for dinner?” Dad asks.
“I’m starved,” I say, taking Kellee’s hand as we walk in the direction of Sal’s. Sure, pizza probably isn’t the best food to celebrate a graduation with, but Sal has been a part of my time here in the city and I want him to help me say goodbye.
“Dr. Tanner West,” Kellee says softly, testing it out. “Yeah, that has a pretty nice ring to it.”
I laugh, “Just wait until you’re Mrs. Dr. Tanner West.” I wink and she blushes. That never gets old. We’re not ready to get married yet, but I think we both know it’s not far off. Hell, I’ve already shopped for rings, though I haven’t purchased yet. I have to find the perfect ring for my perfect girl and so far, none have stood out. In fact, none have even come close.
I thumb the music charm from her bracelet as we walk, “This is going to be you soon.”
She turns to face me, “What? Graduating?” I nod and she turns forward again. “You know, I’ve been wanting to talk to you about that.”
Something about the way she says that sentence makes my stomach fall. Nothing good ever comes after saying you’ve been meaning to talk to someone about something.
“Relax,” she says, reading my expression. “It’s nothing bad.”
“Well?” I ask, a little relieved but still curious.
She tugs my hand so that my parents along with Paisley and Corbin keep walking and we fall a little further behind. “So, I’ve been looking around Charlotte, around where you’re opening your practice next year.”
“Oh?” I say, my brows lifting. Dad has offered to help me get started with my own practice and we found the perfect real estate in Charlotte. I’ve always thought North Carolina was a pretty place, and I could see Kellee and I making a life and a family there. “And?”
“Well,” she bites her lip and I can tell she’s nervous. “I found this studio not too far away from the office, and I’m talking to the bank about it. I think I want to buy it, Tanner. I want to open a music school for kids.”
My mouth drops and I stop walking all together, “Wait. Are you serious?”
She nods, though not confidently. “Is it stupid? I can totally bail, I haven’t signed anything yet. It’s just been talk, that’s all.”
I lift her into my arms and spin her around, laughing, “Are you kidding me, Frecks? That’s fucking amazing!”
She smiles as I set her back down, pulling her in for a kiss. Everyone has stopped walking now and is sort of staring back at us, amused.
“What made you decide to do this?”
Kellee shrugs, “Well, I’ve just been trying to think of what I wanted to do with my degree once I graduate next May and, I don’t know, it kind of came to me.” Her eyes light up and I feel the excitement radiating between us. “I want to do voice and instrument lessons, and make it a place where kids can go after school to hang out and be with friends. I don’t have everything worked out yet, but that’s kind of what I have in mind.”
“It’s going to be incredible,” I say, kissing her again. “Just like you.”
She smiles, “I think I have a name for it already.” I lift my brow and she continues. “Honey Blue Music Studio.”
I run the name through my head and then say it out loud, testing it on my tongue. “Honey Blue Music Studio. I like that. Does it mean something?”
Kellee blushes a little, “It’s the color of our eyes. I thought it might be nice to have a constant reminder of the song I’m writing with you whenever I go into work. You know, our lifetime song.” She glances down at her charm and I smile, thinking back to when I gave it to her and told her I wanted to forget about all the old lyrics from old songs in my life and write a new song with her.
I can’t help it, my smile grows even larger until I’m standing here like a fucking chump because seriously? How fucking cute is she? I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her into me, kissing her a little too deeply for a public sidewalk.
“So, are you two going to get a room or are we still eating?” Corbin hollers back. Paisley smacks him on the arm and my parents laugh as Kellee blushes deeper. I throw my arm around her shoulder and we walk to catch up to them.
“Hey, don’t be jealous just because I’m a doctor and you’re just a Sergeant, Ray.” I say, busting his balls and using his last name like I’m sure his Army buddies did when he was in the service.
Paisley laughs and Corbin pokes her sides, tickling her. “Oh, think that’s funny, huh?”
We all laugh together and I pull Kellee a little closer, not wanting to ever let her go. I think back to how my life was this time last year, how miserable I was and how I thought there was no way I would ever emerge from the darkness. Kellee turns to look up at me, smiling, and I thank my lucky stars the music god showed mercy on me and sent her. We’re writing a new song together, one that will be better than any in rotation on the radio – better than any song that’s ever been.
I have a feeling it’s going to be a hell of a lot of fun playing composer.