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I giggled and admitted, “All of them.” In that moment, as we stood together under the pouring rain, I realized that our love was not conventional or perfect, but it was uniquely ours. We had faced our demons, both individually and together, and we had come through stronger and more in love with each passing day.
“Our two things each day paid off,” he said with a soft giggle, and I smiled. He was right, it did.
We were living our truth, embracing the darkness and the light, and looking forward to what the future held for us. Our love was undeniable, and it was the Azzaria and Dillon way—a journey we would continue to navigate, hand in hand, no matter what lay ahead.
What a good thing I fell in love with my boss.
Epilogue
AZZARIA
6 months later.
I sat in Dillon and I’s living room, my thoughts still all over the place. In the days that followed her funeral, my and friends had been a constant source of support, helping me through the grief. It wasn’t easy going through any of this, but I had the best friends and the best boyfriend by my side, so I knew I’d be alright.
Though the pain of losing my mother never truly faded, I was learning to cope. I had read all the letters she left for me, written letters back to her, and visited her grave. These actions brought me some comfort, and they reminded me to keep living. Dillon was my rock, my source of strength, and with him by my side, I knew I would be okay.
We had finally moved into our new home, a beautiful house filled with everything we needed for our life together. It was a place of peace and love, just like I had envisioned. He wasn’t only my partner but my family, and I was grateful for every day we spent together.
I was having a quiet evening when Dillon walked in with a secretive smile on his face.
“Hey, put on something nice,” he said, leaning down to kiss my forehead and handed me a shopping bag. In the bag was a beautiful white dress and a brand-new pair of crimson heels. “We’re going out for a bit.”
“You spoil me too much.” I looked up at him, curiosity piqued. “Where are we going?”
He just grinned and said, “You’ll see when we get there. Trust me.”
Despite my initial hesitation, I agreed. I got dressed and we left. The car ride was filled with anticipation, and my mind raced with all the possibilities of where he could be taking me. As we arrived at a beautifully red decorated garden, I couldn’t help but gasp in surprise.
What is he up to? And it’s not even my birthday.
A stage, a podium, and a backdrop bearing my school’s name stood in front of us. My confusion grew as I turned to Dillon. “What’s all this, Dillon?”
Dillon took a step forward, his eyes filled with pride. “We’re here today for the untimely graduation ceremony for Ms. Azzaria Willis.”
My heart pounded with a mix of emotions. “But I missed my graduation, Dill.”
With a smile that reached his eyes, he continued, “Not today. Today, we celebrate your achievements. You’ve successfully received your BAAS degree in Architecture along with a minor in Psychology.”
Tears welled up in my eyes as Dillon handed me my diploma and awards. I was overwhelmed with disbelief and gratitude. I turned to him, my voice trembling. “How did you manage to do this?”
Dillon chuckled softly. “After you missed your graduation, I went to collect them from the school.”
Abigail approached with the graduation cap and gown and smiled at me. “Time to complete the look, Azzaria. I didn’t get to graduate with my best friend, but I always wanted to watch you get everything you deserve.”
As the cap rested on my head and the gown draped over my shoulders, I couldn’t hold back the tears of joy. My friends, the people I loved, were there to celebrate with me, and it was more than I could have ever imagined.
Dillon, Nina, Mara, Ronan, Lucio, and Abigail all handed me flowers and graduation gifts. The congratulatory chorus surrounded me, making me feel like the luckiest person on earth. “Congratulations, Zar,” Mara said and gave me the biggest hug ever. I was feeling the love.
Tears of gratitude streamed down my face as I looked at Dillon. “I can’t believe you did this for me, baby.”
Dillon’s smile was tender as he met my eyes. “You deserve all the recognition, my love.”
But it wasn’t just the ceremony that left me in awe. Dillon, with a heartfelt expression, stepped onto the stage. “I want to take a moment to express something that has been burning in my heart.”
I looked at him, my heart swelling with anticipation. He took a deep breath and continued, “Azzaria, this past time has been an incredible journey. It’s been a short journey but it also feels like a lifetime. You’ve not only achieved academic excellence but have shown unwavering strength in the face of adversity. But what leaves me in awe every day is your boundless kindness, your incredible heart, and the love you’ve filled my life with. I’ve never been the one to want to love anyone. I thought I gave upon it but then I met you, I met you and you changed my whole world. You spun it upside down and you made your mark. I used to think I couldn’t love you any more than I already do but that changed everyday. My heart grows as big for you every day as the first day I met you.”
I was moved beyond words. Dillon’s love confession in front of our friends and family was nothing short of a dream. He took my hand and said, “Azzaria Willis, from the moment I met you, my life transformed. I love you, truly and deeply, and I want to spend the rest of my life cherishing every moment with you.”
