I hated my law school graduation. We’d been packed into a badly air-conditioned auditorium on a hot day in May. I spent the entire time sweating under my robes and couldn’t wait until it was all over.

This one’s different. First, they’ve fixed the air conditioning. Second, I’m not the one wearing the robes.

Kara’s row stands up and joins the line to collect their diplomas. I wave as she looks for us in the stands but she doesn’t see us. Not until Samantha yells out anyway.

“Kara.”

She sees us and smiles just long enough for her mom to snap a picture. We watch Kara move up the line until she collects her diploma on the stage. There’s a loud cheer from Samantha and a couple of Kara’s law school friends in the crowd. Her first year at school was rough and she spent most of it alone in the library desperately trying to get decent grades and prove to herself and others that she deserved to be at Stanford.

Her grades placed her in the top 20% and after that she could relax and socialize a little more. She’d stay another year if she could.

“Does this mean there’s officially a lawyer in the family?” Theresa asks.

“She has to pass the bar first,” I reply. “But that’s almost a formality for someone like her.”

Kara will pass the bar easily, but she’s still lined up three months of intense study, during which time I am only allowed to see her three nights a week. She initially banned morning sex and lunchtime quickies, but that only lasted a week. Turns out sex helps her study.

Hopefully my plans for this evening won’t prove to be too big a distraction. I touch my inside chest pocket to make sure the box is still there.

“You nervous?” Samantha asks.

“Me? Why would I be nervous?”

“You keep checking your pocket. You wouldn’t happen to have a small box in there would you?”

“Don’t tell Kara.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

She would. Samantha is terrible at keeping secrets. She even built a gossip app when she first got into software development. Fortunately, she turned her talents to a more productive project and developed an app that helps women who have been victims of revenge porn. There’s not exactly a lot of money in it, but there are still a few investors in Silicon Valley who will throw money at charitable projects. Not many, but a few.

“Can you and your mom make yourselves scarce after dinner?” I ask Samantha.

“We’re used to making ourselves scarce around you two,” she replies.

“Thanks.”

“So how are you going to do it?”

“I have no idea. It was sort of a last minute decision to do it today.”

Truth is, I could have done it at any point in the last two years and it would have felt completely natural. Ever since I first told Kara I loved her, I’ve known I was going to marry her. There’s never been one second of doubt. We’ve had a few arguments over the years, but they were more about relieving tension and were over as quickly as they begun. I think some of them were just an excuse for awesome make up sex.

The graduation ceremony carries on for another couple of hours until we’re finally free. Kara’s talking with friends but that doesn’t stop her running over the second she sees me.

“It’s hot under here,” she moans, waving her gown to get some air flowing.

“You can take it off now,” I reply.

“No, she can’t,” her Mom says quickly. “Not until I’ve taken photos.”

Kara rolls her eyes, but I know she’s enjoying it. She passes me her purse to hold and kisses me on the cheek. “Won’t be long. Oh, and just so you know, I’m not wearing any panties.”

I stand there open-mouthed as Kara walks off with her Mom to take photos in front of a statue.

“What’s wrong with you?” Samantha asks.

“Nothing. Nothing at all.”

Eventually, Samantha and I join Kara for some family photos. We’ll be a real family soon enough if tonight goes as planned.

* * *

“Ah, peace and quiet,” Kara says with an exhausted sigh as Samantha and Kara’s mom head back home. “That was a long day.”

My heart’s racing as I kiss Kara on the cheek. It takes a lot to make me nervous.

“You sure you don’t want a drink?” I ask, pulling away from Kara before she notices my heart pounding hard in my chest.

“No thanks. I’ve got to start studying for the bar exam bright and early tomorrow morning.”

“You should take a few days to have fun.”

“You mean I should spend the day in bed with you.”

“If you insist,” I reply. “You’ve already got a job lined up, remember.”

“And they’ll fire me if I fail the bar exam.”

“They’d be mad to fire you. Will you get your own office?”

“Yes, why?”

“Well… it might be fun to have a change of scenery.”

Kara smiles and it’s impossible not to kiss her again. My hands run down her side and I suddenly remember she’s been walking around all day without any panties on.

“If we do it in my office,” Kara says, “does that mean I would be the one to do the spanking?”

“No, it doesn’t. You need to be punished for daring to suggest that.”

Kara immediately bends over the table and lifts her skirt. She enjoys receiving as much as I enjoy giving.

“Have you been a naughty girl today?” I ask.

“Yes, Sir. I’ve been thinking about your dick all day. I’ve had lots of naughty thoughts.”

She gasps loudly as I smack her right ass cheek, leaving behind a red handprint.

“Are you going to obey me in future?”

“Maybe.”

I leave a matching handprint on her left ass cheek. Her gasp is orgasmic.

“Let’s try that again. Are you going to obey me in future?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good.” I reach inside my suit jack and grab the small box. “Because I have another question.” I take the ring out and place it gently between her ass cheeks. “Kara Ellsworth, will you marry me?”

She looks over her shoulder at me. She thinks I’m joking until she sees me drop to one knee.

“If I say yes, will you still spank me?”

The perfect answer. I grab the ring from her ass cheeks and place it over her finger.

“I love you, Kara.”

“I love you too.” We kiss until Kara pulls away. “I wasn’t kidding about the spanking.”

“With pleasure, Ms. Ellsworth.”