Sophia slipped into her latest Lily Medieros masterpiece and walked over to Reggie for help with the zipper in the back. Reggie was in front of her closet in her underwear, phone in hand, a dazed look on her face.
“What’s wrong, babe?” Sophia took Reggie’s phone and turned to give access to the zipper.
“You usually aren’t asking me to zip these up.” Reggie kissed her neck as she finished and pulled Sophia close.
Sophia spun and put her arms around Reggie’s neck. “I’m also not usually able to resist you when you’re strutting around in your underwear, but there isn’t anything, even your sexy ass, that’s going to make me late today. Or let you be late, so get moving.”
“The governor’s going to be there and she’s always late. Everyone will wait for her. We have time.” Reggie kissed down Sophia’s neck.
“Hands, lips, and everything else to yourself.” Sophia stepped out of Reggie’s arms. “And put some clothes on. My iron will is only so strong.”
Sophia moved out of the bedroom and away from Reggie since she talked a much better game than she was comfortable she could deliver if pushed. Her phone, which she’d left on the kitchen counter, was alight with texts and missed call notifications. It seemed she wasn’t the only one excited about the day.
“Okay, I’m ready. How do I look?” Reggie skidded to a halt in the kitchen in her socks, smoothing down the nonexistent wrinkles on the shirt Lily had made for her.
Sophia had no words. They’d certainly be late if she stood around searching for the right ones so she pulled Reggie close and kissed her deeply. When she’d had her fill and was confident her feelings had been communicated, she took half a step back, smoothed Reggie’s shirt, and wiped the lipstick from her lips.
“You look very nice.”
Reggie looked down at her socked feet. “I’m nervous. So many people are going to be there today.”
“They’re going to be there for you. Because they’re as proud of you as I am. The Zookeeper’s going to make everyone there extremely nervous.”
“See, now I wish I could sit with you guys.” Reggie looked at her watch. “Shit. We have to get to your thing first. It’s time for the state to adore you.”
Sophia followed Reggie out to her truck. “How are these two things scheduled on the same day? Did you remember your cap and gown?”
As they headed downtown, Reggie nodded. “I put it in the truck last night. I feel like I’ve been so wrapped up in my own stuff I haven’t told you how proud I am of all you’ve accomplished getting the Brighter Future bill passed and ushering the policies from paper into the real world.”
Sophia took Reggie’s hand. “It wouldn’t have mattered if I didn’t have you.”
When they arrived at the downtown fire station, the pomp and circumstance of a large-scale news event was already ramping up. Reggie tried to hold back, but Sophia reached for her hand and walked, proudly, with her by her side to the front of the crowd.
Valencia and the fire chief greeted both of them warmly. Additional members of Sophia’s squadron were milling about. The Speaker was there, but there wasn’t a place for him in the center of attention.
As soon as Brenda arrived, the official ceremony opening the first Safe Station in the state began. Reggie drifted to the edge of the swarm of activity and fanfare, but Sophia appreciated her desire to remain a supportive girlfriend, not a main political player.
After the ceremony, once the press packed up their cameras, and most of the crowd had dispersed, Brenda waved Reggie and Sophia over.
“Sophia, amazing accomplishment. This is going to help so many of our citizens, and I know you’re only getting started.” She looked at Reggie and raised an eyebrow. “Now, Ms. Northrup, time to fete you. Are we caravanning over? Is there a party bus?”
Reggie looked shocked.
“Education of our youth is a topic very close to my heart. I wouldn’t miss an opportunity to celebrate the newest crop of teachers graduating today.” Brenda put her hand up to her face and spoke behind it to Reggie. “I hope you don’t mind I demanded a gubernatorial privilege in the ceremony today.”
“I think that’s your right, ma’am.” Reggie swallowed hard.
Sophia wanted to reach out to her, but Reggie didn’t need her riding to the rescue, especially not from Brenda.
“It’s my right, but today it’s also my honor. I asked if today I’d be able to hand the diploma to a friend as she crossed the stage. I hope you don’t mind, Reggie. It’d mean a lot to me.”
Reggie straightened and Sophia felt her breath catch.
“Of course I don’t mind, ma’am. But my father—”
“Hush. Today isn’t about him. You aren’t him. I know that and my handing you that degree will alert the world they should accept that too. Besides, I’ve worked with Sophia quite a bit on this project and I feel like I know you from how much she gushes about you.” She indicated the fire station behind them. “And from the few times we’ve interacted, I like you.”
Sophia wanted to wrap both of them in a crushing hug. She’d already felt filled to bursting with emotions as soon as she’d woken up next to Reggie this morning, but somehow, Brenda had crammed a few more in.
“I’ll see you two over there if there’s no party bus for all of us.” Brenda waved as she rejoined her handlers and security.
“I know that look.” Sophia touched Reggie’s cheek. “Today, all the work you’ve done earning your degree is yours and he has nothing to do with any of it.”
“I wasn’t thinking about him, actually. I was thinking about my mother. She would have loved today. She would have loved you.” Reggie took Sophia’s hand and led her toward the truck. “Do you mind if we walk over to the graduation?”
While Reggie retrieved her cap and gown, Sophia looked at the fire station and the new “Safe Station” sign hung near the door. If this was what middle ground looked like, she was happy to seek it over and over. It was a haven, a place of refuge and help for those searching for it. Staffed with people who understood the needs involved, it was a major win for the community. There was still so much more work to be done, but this was real, tangible progress. Today she felt she’d served the people well, but now she was off the clock and serving a different role. Now she was the exuberant girlfriend of a soon-to-be teacher.
They walked hand in hand toward the convention center. The closer they got the more they were surrounded by the shared spirit of celebration.
“Thank you for sharing today with me.” Sophia squeezed Reggie’s hand and put her head on her shoulder as they walked.
Reggie laughed. “Today wouldn’t have been possible without you. When I watched you today at the ceremony I saw your passion. When I look at this”—Reggie held up her cap and gown—“I see my passion. When I look at you, I see my happily ever after.”
“When I was a kid, I wanted to know what happily ever after looked like. I needed a sequel. Reggie, you’re my happily ever after and my sequel.” Sophia pulled them out of the line of foot traffic.
“Happily ever after and the adventurous journey through life and love.”
“Now that sounds like something worth reading.”
“And writing.”
“Together.”
Sophia sat with new friends and old as she watched Reggie receive her diploma, handed to her by the governor, a woman she’d come to respect and even call a friend. Cheers went up with the caps, and she could swear her heart would burst with happiness. Her parents had pushed her hard; maybe too hard, sometimes. But here she was, making a difference, living a life of love, and immersed in all the world had to offer. As Reggie made her way toward her, she knew she was right where she needed to be.