Time after time

Noah POV

- Noah Flynn. Pre-law degree.

I rose from my seat in the assembly to go to the podium to receive my diploma from the dean of the law school. I could hear the exclamations of joy from my mother, Chloe and Elle. To be really honest... I'm really proud that I did it! In all the tumult of the beginning of my university studies when I was failing in several of my courses, I managed to reverse the trend and prove to myself and to others that I had my place here. Success really tasted good today!

I received a positive response from Harvard Law School where I will begin my master's degree in September. This will not be easy with my internship at the law office and my course hours. Elle and I know that the next 3 years will be difficult but we have decided together to get through it.

It was my mother who first welcomed me when I was able to join the family at the end of the ceremony.
- Congratulations my baby! I'm really proud of you!" she said to me, wrapping her maternal arms around me.
- Thanks Mom!" I said to her, responding to her hug.
- We are really proud of you, Noah!" my father said to me, holding out his hand and patting me on the back with the other.

And I saw in his eyes that it was true that he was proud. It wasn't just a word spoken into the air. My brother then approached alone since Rachel was elsewhere on campus attending her cousin Livia's engineering graduation.
- Congratulations Bro!" he said to me, also holding out his hand to me. "You're getting even closer to being a stupid lawyer.
- A little closer, it's true!" I said, patting him on the back.
- Well done handsome!" said Chloe to me, who had come specially from New York for the occasion.
- I would never have made it without you, Chloe!" I said, giving her a hug.
- No way! You would have gotten there despite everything! You are arrogant, mule-headed and annoying at times. But one thing is certain, you are not stupid!" she said to me, pointing to my diploma. "And I think you save the best for last...

I moved away from my best friend to hug the person who has been the most present for me for the last 4 years, even during the time she was 3000 miles away.
- Mission accomplished!" she said to me with her arms in the air before I took her in my arms.
- Thank you for sharing this experience of my life with me, Elle! I loved living this adventure with you!" I said to her, kissing her.
- And we still have so many adventures to experience together!" she said to me, putting her hands around my neck.
- As long as you experience them with me, I believe that I am ready to face anything!" I said to her, kissing her again.
- Hey lovers, the whole gang is waiting for us at the restaurant." Chloe shouted to us.

I had to regretfully put my wife down on the ground, telling myself that we will have time to celebrate again this evening.

We went to a fancy restaurant downtown where we rented a room to entertain all our friends and family. Greg and Abby were there with each of their parents and Greg's brother. They will move to Philadelphia together, with Greg finally proposing to Abby over Easter. I know Elle is sad to see her friend go. All my roommates from my first and second year were there too: Steve, Elijah and Brian. We have seen them less in the last two years since Elle and I have lived off campus. Dakota was also the last of Chloe's guys to graduate with me. With families and friends, we had to be around fifty people.

For some of these people, this will be the last time I will be around them. I didn't think I would feel so nostalgic as I return to Harvard in September. But it still showed me that part of my life was over. May life take me towards other challenges...

Elle POV

A few days after Noah's graduation, we flew to Mexico. This year we had a lot to celebrate : Noah's graduation of course but also Rachel, Lee and I's 21st birthday. That's why the Flynn parents decided to have a celebration together and paid us for a week at a Club Med in Mexico.