“You'll make one hell of a good cop, Jules. I'll see you two after da ceremony.” He gave Mia one more kiss and went inside.
Mia
Julius draped his arm over his sister's shoulders. “Come on, let's get in line. He's turnin' out to be a good man after all.”
Mia rolled her eyes. “A'course he is. He was just bein' an idiot before.” She flashed a cheeky grin. “Thanks to you and Beau, he straightened out before he got his ass kicked by da two of you.”
“True dat, sis, true dat.”
Mia laughed softly and followed him to where the rest of the graduating class was lining up to take the stage. As the ceremony finally got under way and they took their seats, she couldn't contain her nervousness. It seemed to take forever to get to her name on the list.
“Mia Anaise Lafluer.”
With her head held high Mia sauntered onto the stage and paused long enough for the photographer to get a couple shots of her shaking hands with the principal while getting her diploma. Then, after a quick wave to her family, she moved to the other side of the stage to stand next to her brother. It was done. She was officially a high school graduate.
When the last student got their diploma, the principal announced the graduating class, and everyone tossed their caps into the air while their shouts of joy echoed across the auditorium. There were several minutes of confusion while people found the caps that belonged to them before everyone started moving off the stage to join their families.
Mia couldn't stop the smile that lit up her face at the sight of not just her family and boyfriend standing there waiting to congratulate her and Julius, but their Alpha as well.
“You two made da Pard proud today. I told your mama and papa., any help you need for college will be taken care of. All dey need to do is let me know what's needed.”
“Thank you, Alpha.” Mia wasn't sure what she wanted to do. She wanted to go to art school but she wasn't sure what she wanted her major to be.
Caine kissed her cheek and shook Julius's hand. “You're welcome, cher. Don't forget, tomorrow dere will be a celebration. I know tonight is all about family.” Caine nodded at them and left.
“We'll see you at home, Mia. Don't stay out all night. We've got an early day tomorrow.” Eliza had a big day planned to celebrate their graduation, just like she'd done when Beau graduated three years ago.
“I won't, mama.” She hugged her mother before she turned to Gage, who waited patiently at her side. “So, where are you takin' me to dinner?”
“It's a surprise.”
Mia arched a brow at that. “Okay, den. Lead da way, handsome.” He was being awfully mysterious.
Gage escorted her to his car and then drove them away from the city. Mia was puzzled as to their destination but she didn't ask any questions. He said it was a surprise, she was going to let him surprise her. Her puzzlement grew when he turned onto a back road and then onto what looked like a little used driveway. She started to speak up but before she could they reached their destination and a soft gasp escaped her. There, in the middle of a field, sat a gazebo. It was adorned with flowers and strings of light twinkled from between the petals and leaves. “Oh. Wow. Gage, dis is...it's beautiful.”
“I was hopin' you'd like it. Remy helped me get it all set up.” Their dinner was being kept warm for them by a portable warmer.
“I love it.” She smiled warmly at him. “You really went all out.”
“You deserve it, Princess. You deserve to be put on a pedestal.”
Mia shook her head. “I don't want to be on a pedestal. I just want to be in your arms. Dat's all I need.”
“I'm good wit' dat.” He winked at her and offered his arm to escort her to the gazebo.
Mia was touched by the effort he'd put into their dinner. It was sweet and romantic and it made her love him that much more.
Gage
Gage kept glancing at Mia as he drove. He knew she was curious about their destination but she was keeping quiet and letting him surprise her. He'd thought long and hard about how he wanted this night to go. It was special in more ways than one. Mia had just turned eighteen a few days ago, she'd graduated high school, and, if all went well, they would be celebrating their engagement.
When he finally pulled the car to a stop, seeing her eyes light up at all the work he and Remy had put into making tonight special for her was worth it.”Don't you dare touch dat door,” he said when Mia reached for the door handle to get out. He got out quickly and went around to open it for her. “Your dinner awaits, Princess.”
Mia blushed a little and slipped her hand into his. “Dis really is beautiful, Gage,” she murmured as they approached the gazebo. They weren't old enough to drink but a bottle of sparkling cider sat in an ice bucket.
“Not as beautiful as you, Mia.” He dipped his head and kissed her gently. When they reached the table he held her chair for her. He served up their dinner; lobster bisque, steak cooked medium rare, steamed asparagus, Alfredo pasta, and, for a touch of home, benigets for dessert.
“Dis looks delicious. Did you cook it or did you order it from somewhere?”
