41. Graduate + Gratitude

I was worried I'd made an attire mistake as soon as I saw Mom.

The rehab made a special exception and was letting her spend the evening out. When I finished up the paperwork and the receptionist told me I needed to have her back by 9pm, Mom had walked out in a lacy white dress paired with brown gladiator sandals. She had even put on makeup and curled her hair instead of leaving it in her usual bun.

I'd hoped perhaps she was just dressing up because she hasn't left rehab in a while. But, now that we're walking into the convention center, there's absolutely no doubt in my mind - I'm way underdressed.

Turns out, graduations are a formal event.

I tug at the hem of my yellow crop top, desperately wishing I had consulted Presley. It's officially summer, so I thought I'd dress accordingly, but clearly that was a dumb plan.

Mom and I make our way through the auditorium packed with people who clearly knew the dress code and find seats as close to the floor as possible. There's over 800 seniors graduating today. To think... in just a few months, Haven will be in his first year at Brixton University, studying law.

When he'd told Mom about Brixton a few days ago, she'd come totally unglued, but not in the way I'd expected. I thought she'd be livid and forbid him to attend, scream at him to not go into law... but she was all smiles and congrats and cooing over her golden boy.

Mom and I are, of course, late, and the seats of the graduates are over half full. As soon as we take our seats, she slaps my arm and whisper-shouts, "Look!"

I follow her pointing finger and see Haven walking up the aisle proudly. Tears instantly fill my eyes as I watch my brother walk to his seat in his cap and gown. I glance at Mom, and her whose teary-eyed, happy expression matches mine perfectly.

I can tell Haven is looking around for us, but there's no way he'll be able to spot us. There's easily 2,000 people in the stands.

I do, however, somehow manage to make awkward eye contact with Layla Wright. She's sitting on the floor level, towards the stage. She tilts her head to the side and her long blonde curls fall down her torso. Smiling softly, she narrows her eyes, like she's mocking me or knows something I don't. It's weird and I shudder slightly, ripping my eyes away from her. I have no idea what to make of that girl. Does she remember our conversation? Does she hate me? Who the fuck knows. Definitely not me.

Looking at the line of graduates still moving into the auditorium, my eyes instantly move to Jayce as enters. He's practically strutting down the aisle, his cap sitting perfectly atop his curls. God, he looks so perfect.

As soon as everyone is seated, the commencement begins. There's speech, after speech, after speech and an odd amount of singing and other formal-like events. I always thought graduations were read the name, walk the stage, take the paper, done. But apparently not.

By the time the ceremony ends and we find Haven outside the convention center, it's nearly 7pm.

"My baby!" Mom squeals and runs into Haven's arms. He picks her up and swings her around, kissing the top of her head.

"Thanks so much for coming, Mom," Haven beams down at her, then puts me in a headlock and delivers a swift noogie.

"Fuck off," I giggle, shoving him away from me.

"Where do you want to go for dinner, love?" Mom asks Haven. "We'll go anywhere you want!"

Just then, Jayce and his parents walk out the front door of the convention center, causing me to make urgent eye contact with Haven.

"Hav, why don't you take Mom to the car? I have to pee and then I'll be right there," I say smoothly, trying not to sound rushed.

Haven spots the Solises and understanding sparks in his eyes. "Great idea," he nods, taking Mom by the shoulders and guiding her to the car.

I make a beeline for Jayce, a smile spreading across my face with every step.

"You did it!" I gush as he instantly pulls me against him, wrapping his arms around my waist and bending down to kiss me.

After that night at Haven's birthday party, Jayce and I had agreed to not talk about the future until it was absolutely necessary. It felt strange sometimes, but it was worth it to not constantly be thinking about how little time we had left together.

"You look so good," Jayce whispers in my ear, his voice all sexy and gruff, before he straightens back up. Oof... that voice. That scent. That man.

"Fallon," Celeste smiles, placing a hand on my shoulder, "you must join us for dinner."

"I can't, actually," I inform her, though I'm sure a celebratory dinner with Jayce's parents would be a treat and a half. "Mom and I are taking Haven out."

"You shall all come, then!" She announces, clapping her hands together.

"Yeah, about that..." I fumble for the right words. Haven and I haven't told Mom about anything. I don't think she even knows I'm dating someone. "Mom was really excited for it to just be the three of us tonight. Thanks so much for the invite, though," I decline as politely as possible.

"Well, once you're done, you must come by for some dessert," Celeste insists with a mischievous smile, something mysterious glinting in her eyes. "Just you."

"I'll do my best," I smile. I turn to Alexei and give him a nod, which he returns, then I shift my attention back to Jayce. "I guess I'll see you soon," I tell him and he gives me one more kiss before I spin on my heel and head to the car.

I know one thing for sure. Thanks to the look in Celeste's eyes, I'm not going to be able to pay attention to anything at dinner.

Once I climb into the backseat of the car, Haven announces that he'd like a burger, and we head to Pepper's.

I sit next to Mom in the booth and we place a large order of burgers, french fries, onion rings, tater tots and milkshakes.

"So, how's everything going at rehab?" Haven asks after the server places our steaming hot food in front of us and skates off.

Mom's eyes light up and the corners of her mouth lift into a smile. "I've been learning so much," her voice is lively, which is really nice to hear. "I feel like an entirely new person. I'm so glad to be there."

"That's great," Haven gives her a supportive smile. "I'm really happy for you."

"Thank you," she smiles back. "I'd love to see you both stop by more, though. The visiting hours are posted on their website."

Haven and I exchange a quick glance.

"Yeah, okay," Haven says, his voice weighted with a lack of certainty.

It's not like we don't want to see our mom. But visiting her in rehab? Not exactly the funnest thing in the world. You know the feeling you get when you visit someone in a hospital? Or a nursing home? It's a similar vibe. It's just... uncomfortable. You don't really know how or why, and it's confusing because you're glad to see the person, but the environment... ick.

I'm definitely proud of her for going, and glad she's there, but there's other ways to show our support than spending multiple nights a week sitting across a table from her and hearing about the group therapy session she had that day.

"Look," Mom sighs, setting her burger down and using the white cloth napkin to gently wipe the grease off her fingers. "It's weird for me, too, okay? I hate this. I mean, do you think I grew up thinking, 'I just can't wait to become a druggie slash alcoholic and never see my kids'? No. I wish, more than either of you will ever understand, that I didn't have a problem. But, I do. And in order to get better so that we can have a semi-normal life, things are going to be like this for a while. I'd love to hear about your lives, though. I don't want to feel cut off from you two," she looks between Haven and I, reaching out to touch both of our forearms.

I have to say, I'm impressed that she can openly admit to being an addict. The fact that she can talk about it so bluntly sparks hope in my heart. Maybe she really will get better. Maybe one day, whether it's in a few months or a few years, we'll get our mom back. Or, get a mom at all, since most of the time I feel like I don't even know her. I mean, I know what she's like when she's tripped out of her mind... but I want to know what she's like with nothing "enhanced." Nothing altered. Just her.

"So, are either of you dating anyone?" Mom asks with a curious smile.

She really is a beautiful woman. Her blonde hair is shiny and lays in waves, which are beginning to grey. I think it makes her look chic. Her green eyes have light in them again. They match me and Haven's. Her cheeks are pink, full of life, and she's succeeded in gaining some weight so she no longer looks like a living skeleton. She looks healthy. Happy. Peaceful. It's nice.

"I'm not," Haven announces proudly.

I want to say something like, "But he did sleep with the Rutherford's granddaughter. Oh, and is fuck-buddies with Mayor Wright's daughter, you know? The married one?" But I hold my tongue, flashing him a knowing look, which he returns with a glare.

"What about you, Tink?" Mom turns to me, taking a sip from her cake batter milkshake.

My muscles tense. I don't know if I should tell her the truth.

"I remember meeting that boy, what was his name...? Jason?"

"Jayce," I say slowly, staring at her, trying to gauge her reaction. "Jayce... Solis."

Mom's eyes go wide and she chokes on her milkshake, coughing loudly as her face, neck and chest turn cherry red. I hand her a glass of water and she takes a sip, then dabs the sides of her mouth with the napkin. She looks up at me with confusion, anger and hurt in her eyes.

"You're dating a... a Solis?"

I nod.

"Honey," Mom huffs, clearly trying to not raise her voice, "do you have any idea how awful–"

"–I know what you're thinking," I hold up my hand to stop her from talking. "But I can explain. So much has happened."

"Please do explain," she says warily, not bothering to hide how upset she is.

"Get ready," Haven chuckles with a smirk, leaning back and stuffing a fist-full of fries in his mouth like he's eating popcorn at a movie theatre. "This could take a while."

I take a deep breath and think back... I start at the beginning of the school year, when I first met Alexei and Celeste Solis. I tell Mom about finding the note Dad wrote to Alexei. I tell her about going to the charity ball with Presley and meeting Arthur and Madeline. I tell her about Haven uncovering that Dad and Alexei had started Duende together, our first meeting with Jeffers, and discovering Rhodes Co. in the old ownership agreement. I tell her about Jayce's private investigator, and how he discovered Jeffers' plot with Louis Duggan and the rest of his wicked history. Finally, I tell her about Alexei confronting Jeffers, and the conversation we had in this very booth, where Alexei revealed the truth about Jack Parker.

"So, yeah," I finish an hour later, slumping back in the booth. All that recalling has my brain mushy. "Jayce and I started dating at the beginning of this year. And he's amazing, Mom. I think you'd really like him."

Mom is just staring at me. Her eyes flit between Haven and I, her expression completely unreadable.

"C'mon, you gotta give it to us," Haven tries to lighten the intense mood. "We're basically badass detectives."

Mom nods slowly. She opens her mouth but then closes it again and swallows.

"Mom?" I place my hand on her thigh. "What are you thinking?"

Finally, she speaks. "I'm... I'm just... processing."

I don't blame her. I just dumped on her all the information I've had eight months to work through.

"I get it," I tell her in a soothing voice. "Trust me," I laugh, "I get it."

She wraps her arms around me, pulling me into a hug. Reaching across the table, she grabs Haven's hand, holding both of us.

"I can't believe you two have had to go through all that without me," she whispers and I can hear the tears in her voice. "You're both so brave... so strong."

My nose prickles for what feels like the thousandth time this week.

"I love you, Mom," I tell her, cuddling into the crook of her neck. "I'm so glad we have you."

"Agreed," Haven says with a sweet smile, squeezing her hand. "We love you so much."

"I love you both, too," her voice cracks as she squeezes us tighter and then releases us.

I sit up straight, wiping my eyes. Mom checks the time on my phone. It reads 8:36pm.

"I guess you'd better take me back," Mom sniffles, wiping her eyes. "Thank you for having dinner with me," she says, leaving a fifty dollar bill on the table to cover our meals and give a good tip.

We walk to the car and Haven opens the passenger door for Mom. She gives him a huge hug, and Haven rests his cheek on the top of her head, before giving her a peck on the cheek.

"Fallon's gonna take you back," he says as a large black Jeep pulls into the parking lot, blaring music. "I've got a grad party to get to!" He exclaims before giving Mom one last hug, telling her something that I don't hear and running off toward the Jeep.

The drive back to the rehab centre is quiet, but a comfortable quiet. Mom asks how finals went and I tell her that I'm confident they went well. She seems pleased with that. I hold her hand over the center console the whole way.

I park in front of the entrance and we sit in the car, hand in hand. I can't go back inside with her, and I want to stay with her as long as I can. I can barely read the clock on the dysfunctional dash, but I'm able to make out '8:53pm'. Seven minutes.

"I'm not mad at you," Mom says suddenly.

"Huh?"

"I don't want you to think that I'm upset with you," she says, turning to face me. "I know my initial reaction when you told me you and Jayce were together was probably a bit harsh."

"It's fine," I shrug, trying to brush it off.

She shakes her head. "It's not fine. I'm happy for you, Fallon. I'm glad you've found a great man to have at your side. It's just... I've spent so many years hating and cursing the Solis family."

"I know," I tell her, trying to assure her that she doesn't need to justify herself to me.

"You don't," she shakes her head again. "There's no way you could understand just how much I hated them. I still don't like them. But, with everything you told me tonight, I... I don't want to, but I will do my best to work through the past. To forgive."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding in. I throw myself over the center console and practically strangle her in a hug.

She lets out a deep laugh as I relish in the words she just said. I had no idea, until this very moment, how much I wanted to hear her say that.

"Thank you," I breathe before sitting back up.

Mom nods and gives me a beautiful smile before glancing at the clock. 8:58pm.

"I remember when your father and I were in high school and spent the summer in love," Mom says in a dreamy voice, a sad, nostalgic smile on her face. "Some of the best times of my life. I want that for you, Fallon. I want you to experience that - the pure bliss, magic and adventures that happen when you're free, young and in love."

"Me too," I agree, grateful for the encouragement. Having Mom supporting my and Jayce's relationship is unlike anything else. I didn't realize how much I craved it. Needed to hear it.

"I'll see you later, honey," Mom whispers, giving my hand a final squeeze before climbing out of the car. "I love you. So much."

"I love you, too," I call after her, watching her walk back inside.

I watch until she's completely out of my view, then take a deep breath in and let it out slowly.

What a night.

I feel relieved, hopeful even. Mom knows everything. And maybe, one day, she'll be willing to have a civil conversation with the Solises. I'm sure she'll have more questions, but between Haven and I, we'll get it sorted.

I can already feel my hopes getting up higher than they should. I can envision Alexei, Celeste, Jayce, Haven, me, Presley and my mom all enjoying the Solis' pool on a hot summer day - laughing, eating watermelon and grilling out. We could play board games, and put those little umbrellas in all of our drinks and gorge ourselves on way too many fattening finger foods.

It's a vision that I'm sure is impossible, but it still comforts me.

I shift into drive with a smile on my face, heading in the direction of Jayce's family estate. I turn on my music and "Rather Be" by Clean Bandit and Jess Glynne crackles over the tired speakers.

It's nearing 9:20pm by the time I walk into the Solis home. Their house is spotless and astoundingly grand, as per usual. It's strange how not too long ago, I was terrified to knock on the door, and now I walk right in. Funny how things change.

I follow the sound of laughter and music into the kitchen, where I see Jayce, Alexei and Celeste sitting at the table, huge smiles on all of their faces. My heart melts into happy goop. It's a wonderful sight.

"Tink!" Jayce's eyes land on me and he hops up from his seat, coming over to hug me and discreetly squeeze my ass. He's taken off his cap and gown and is in a light blue button up, the top two buttons undone and the sleeves rolled. Then he turns to walk back to his seat and I see the way his suit pants fit his bum. Big oof.

"Fallon, come, sit," Celeste gestures to the seat across from her and Alexei. "There's something we need to speak with you about."

My whole body tenses and I settle in next to Jayce, my stomach already beginning to somersault. Nervous sweat bursts across my palms, so I wipe them on my jeans. Jayce reaches over and takes my hand in his, and I'm grateful for the reassurance.

"What's up?" I ask, trying to keep my voice casual. Whatever they need to tell me, it seems very important.

Celeste looks to Alexei, who is studying me with a curious expression.

"Duende has been growing like wildfire," Alexei begins matter-of-factly. "Our international markets have surprised us the most. What I'm about to tell you has been top secret for quite some time, so don't go blabbing... but we're opening a vineyard in France."

"That's amazing!" I exclaim, though I'm not entirely sure why they're telling me this.

"We're excited," Celeste nods, her accent washing over me. Then she leans forward, like she's about to spill something juicy. "Now... I haven't shared this idea with Jayce yet," she glances at her son, who leans forward, too. "Fallon, I know you want to study business. I also know that Duende Vineyards could put a brilliant, entrepreneurial, experienced girl like you to work. After all, helping open a new branch of a company would look fantastic on your business school applications."

My heart begins to race. I'm not sure I understand. Is she saying what I think she's saying?

"Mom..." Jayce's voice is cautious. "What, exactly, are you suggesting?"

"Well, I know that you still haven't talked to Felipe about taking the internship with À La Mode, and I know it's because you don't want to leave Fallon," Celeste is speaking so quickly, I barely catch what she's saying. "Then, I remembered that Fallon wants to learn about business, and I thought to myself, 'What better way to learn business than to help open one?'"

She's beaming at us, but Jayce and I are both completely shell-shocked.

"What we're wondering is..." Alexei chuckles after several seconds of stunned, and slightly confused silence from Jayce and I. "Are you available to work with our team this summer and help us open a new vineyard in France, Fallon?"

No. Fucking. Way.

"Are..." I breathe, my brain is spinning at an alarming speed, but my heart is racing even faster. "Are you serious?"

"Completely," Alexei says as he and Celeste smile.

I feel tears forming in my eyes, my heart overflowing with gratitude. "I don't know what to say." Getting to help open a new vineyard? And for THE Duende? Do they even fucking realize what an amazing opportunity they just laid in front of me?

"Say you'll think about it," Celeste looks between Jayce and I with an adoring expression.

"Oh, I'll definitely think about it," I nod vigorously, turning to look at Jayce. He's wearing a smile so bright, I could use a pair of sunglasses.

"Spending a summer running around France with you sounds pretty fucking incredible to me," Jayce announces, his brown eyes shining as the corners crinkle with his grin.

"Jayce!" Alexei and Celeste snap at their son's language at the same time, which just makes Jayce and I laugh. They have no idea.

"I'm not sure I'd be much help," I admit with a shrug, wanting to be honest. "I mean, I have a business, but it's super small. Nothing compared to what you're talking about. I'd have no idea what to do."

"Don't be ridiculous," Celeste waves her hand in the air as if to banish my ridiculousness. "You don't need to know what to do, you can be an intern. Soak it all in. Watch and learn as much as you can. And then, by the time you start college, you'll be leaps and bounds ahead of everyone else. No amount of classroom time can replace first-hand experience," she tells me wisely.

"You're both really okay with this?" I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"Of course," Celeste smiles, her bright white teeth practically glowing against her olive skin. "It was my idea."

My eyes move to Alexei. Does he actually approve of having a Rhodes around his business again?

"The best part about doing what I do," he says with a look in his green eyes that is truly kind - I'd even dare to say warm, "is being able to give opportunities to my family that they wouldn't otherwise have."

Did he just call me family?

Uh. Whoa.

Normally, I would take my time to make a big decision like this. Or, I'd at least run it by Haven and Presley. Maybe Mom, too, after tonight. But, I know Haven would tell me to go for it. Presley would probably screech, start doing cartwheels and tell me to buy her some French lingerie. Mom would... I don't know what Mom would do, but tonight she did say that she wants me to experience the magic and adventures of being young and in love.

I feel excitement pumping through me as I turn to Jayce.

"You need to call Felipe," I tell him, my voice laced with awe. "We're going to Paris."

"YES!" Jayce leaps out of his seat, the chair clattering to the ground behind him as Alexei and Celeste chuckle at his excitement.

Holy FUCK. Is this really my life?

This year has been insane. We diffused a decade and a half old family feud, and caught the bad guy. Haven's going to Brixton. Mom's getting better, knows the truth about everything, and actually freaking supports my relationship. I'm dating the man of my dreams, and I'm about to spend the entire summer in France with him, learning about my passion.

I hear Jayce leaving Felipe a voicemail, telling him that he'll take the job, and I can't wipe the smile off my face as I daydream about what the next few months will hold for Jayce and me.

This is going to be the best summer ever.

~~~

The END !

Sort of...?

You definitely won't want to remove this book from your library, because I'm going to be adding more chapters... liiiiike maybe some from other characters' points of view? Or other stuff? Who knows ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Guess you'll have to wait and see! 😉

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