****Graduation will be in two parts. Aug’s suit, Amb dress, Sata’s dress and Sata in m/m.****

GRADUATION DAY – PART 1

AMBER P.O.V. –

I lifted my head off of Aug’s chest. I looked down to realize I was lying on top of him. We were both naked underneath the covers. He had one arm wrapped around me, the other behind his head. He was still sleep however. 

My head was hurting. Last night was a little wild. Yes, I took care of "Papa" (damn that shit makes me cringe) but that was after we drank way too much.

He had made us his version of the Hand Grenade, this infamous cocktail they serve in New Orleans. Muk was a bartender at one of the bars that were licensed to sell them and she taught him how to make it. Although it is was entirely against policy. He changed the recipe around and whatever he used to make his, I got a headache out of this world.

Aug opened his eyes and looked around.

“What’s wrong baby?” He lifted one leg up, rubbing his eyes.

“Nothing.” I laid my head back down on his chest. “I think we partied a little too hard last night. My head hurts.” I whined like a baby and rubbed my itching eye.

He kissed my forehead. “I got some aspirin in the bathroom in the cabinet.”

“I’ll take some when I take my shower.”

Aug looked over at the clock.

“Damn we got to get up in a few.”

“Yeah, I got to go pick up Mama, Rell, Tanya and Governor Parker. I’mma meet y’all there.” I intertwined my right hand with his, where our fingers were connected.

He played in my hair.

“Nah babe, we need to ride together. I don’t want to take no chances.”

“I’ll be there.” I laughed at how pressed he was about me being there.

“You ain’t missing this one. Not at all. You been my rock through all this shit. This just as much your graduation as it is mine. No amount of money or material things could be adequate enough to repay you for rocking with me for so long.”

“Stop August.” I really wasn’t trying to cry right now.

“I’m fareal babe. A nigga appreciate you more than anything on this earth.”

“I can’t wait to see this speech you came up with you didn’t let me read.”

“Don’t change the subject on me.”

“I’m not I’m just saying. I’m excited to hear it. I think that was nice of Dr. Caine to want you to give the class speech, to talk about how you overcame adversity to make it to this point.”

“Yeah. I was surprised tho. When he called me in his office, I thought a nigga was about to get expelled again.” He gave a slight laugh, still playing in my hair.

“Come on. His son just gave you a job. You really think he’s about to fire you. God is looking out for you boy.”  

“What I tell you about that?”

“Oh excuse me. You’re a man now.” I rolled my eyes.

“I was a man when you met me. I’mma be a Doctor today. Start acting like it.”

“Chile please. I’m not calling you no doctor.”

“Aight.” He shook his head.

I laughed, knowing what he was thinking. “I’m not doing no more bets either.”

“We’ll see. You gon decorate my office?”

“Aw you really want me to?” I looked up at him.

“Why would you even ask that?  Of course. Just don’t put no fairies and shit.”

“Babe you’re a pediatric dentist. I have to make the office friendly for both girls and boys.”

“Yeah you right.”

“I think that’s the perfect choice. You’re so good with kids.”

“Speaking of kids, when we having another one?” 

“When we’re married. I love you and all. But I’m not having no more kids, without the title of wife. I try to be patient with you on the subject because I know you was trying to get your own life together. But you have a career now so…”.

“So what?”

“I would like to be Mrs. Alsina one day.”

“Nah you told me you wanted to be Mrs. Elba. I’mma gon let Idris have that.”

I mean mugged him. We had been talking about marriage for the past year and August would brush it off. I tried not to press the issue, but it was really getting to me. I would be 35 next year.

“I told you I just needed to get some things in order damn. I’m not about to argue about this today.”

“Fine August. I’m just saying. It hurts me a little. I don’t need a fancy ring. Or an elaborate proposal. You know that. Hell, I’ll take the ring pop again. I just want to be your wife babe. Not your girlfriend. Your wife.” I kissed his chest.

He sighed heavily like I was annoying him and looked at the clock. I decided to drop it. It was his graduation, I wasn’t going to ruining it by arguing. But deep down it really did hurt me. I thought he would’ve done it by now. I didn’t see what the hold up was. What more did I need to prove that I was worthy of having his last name?

 I noticed it was silent for a little too long and I looked up at him. He seemed in a daze.

“What’s wrong?”

“It still hurt Mel ain’t here. I wish he could see how far I’ve come.”

“Aw babe, he sees you.” I kissed his lips. “And trust me, he’s proud of what Yung has accomplished.”

“Yeah…” He said weakly.

“Nope, nope. No feeling sorry today. Only happy thoughts. Thoughts of Mel smiling.” I got off of him and pulled him up. “Let’s get ready.”

He sat up with his feet on the floor. I reached for my robe, but he pulled me down on his lap and just looked at me.

“What?” I blushed. “We need to get ready.”

He just stared at me.

“Whaaat August?”

“Just wanna make sure it’s real. Make sure you still here.” He kissed my hand. “You ain’t got no more secrets do you?”

“Just one. I’m pregnant. By Idris.”

He chuckled. “You really want me to kick his British ass don’t you. Cause if that ever happen, that’s what I’mma do.”

“Get to kicking.” I smiled.

He shook his head, smiling.

“Alright let’s get dressed.” I tapped his arm to let me go.

He pecked my lips. Then I got up. And we both got ready for his big day.

AUGUST P.O.V. –

“Sata go stand over there with Pop-Pop. I want to take y’all picture.” My mama pointed to me. I was trying to put on my cap and gown.

“Aug take one in just the suit before you put on your robe.”

“Where Amb at?” I looked around the room where the graduates were getting dressed frustrated. She had told me she would meet us here, and her ass wasn’t here yet. And it was getting closer to my graduation time.

“Aug she gon be here. Calm down.” My mother eyed me.

“Everybody here but her. She supposed to be the main one here.”

“Pop-pop huh.” Sata handed me her red flower.

“Why you take that off Sata? It go on your dress.”

She pointed to her dress.

“Yeah there.” I knelt down and put it back on.

The entire family wore gray, and a red flower on their clothes over their heart in memory of Mel.

“Uncle Aug!” Kay ran over to me.

My Nana, Noonie, Chay, Chandra and Dan walked in. Yeah Cha and Dan dating now thanks to Amb black people meet head ass.

“Where Amb at?” I asked Cha.

“I don’t know. She said she’d be on her way.”

I sucked my teeth.

Dominic walked in and dapped me up.

“Congrats bruh.”

“Thank you.”

“I’mma go get my seat. We’ll link up later.” He told me, then left.

 “Aug let’s just take this picture. You and all the girls.”

I stood  up and wrapped my arm around all the girls. Sata was in it too.

“Say cheese now.” My mama directed the girls.

“Cheese!” They yelled.

“Aug, smile.” My mother put her hands on her hips.

I gave a quick smile and she snapped the pic.

Stac and Muk walked in. Muk was helping Stac. Her stockings had a run, so Muk had ran and got her another pair from the Walgreens on the corner. Amb and Stac had decided to wear the same dress.

Ms. Riley, Tanya, Rell and Governor Parker all walked in hugged and congratulated me.

"How y'all get here?" I asked them. 

"We took an Uber. Amb said she had to make a run." Tanya told me. 

"Oh ok." 

"We gon get our seats." Tanya said and they all left out.

How the hell her family here, but she not here?

I picked up my phone to call her ass. I walked away from my family so they didn’t have to hear me cuss her out. I was too heated. If no nigga supposed to be here, my woman is.

“Hey baby.” Amb picked up.

“Where the fuck you at?” I said quiet but with force talking in the phone.  

 “I’m on my way August calm down.” She tried to calm me on the other end of the phone.

“Bring yo ass. If no mutha-fucka supposed to be by my fucking side, you are.”

“August I--.”

“You heard what the fuck I said.” I hung up.

“Pop-pop!” Sata ran over to me.

“Yeah Munch?” I rubbed her head.

“Kiss!” She reached for me to pick her up.

I picked her up and puckered my lips. She kissed and hugged me.

“You proud of Pop-pop.”

She shook her head yes.

“Pop-Pop proud of you too. Gimme one more kiss.” She kissed me. “You remember what Pop-Pop told you?”

She shook her head yes.

“Where it’s at?”

“Boo-E.”

“Right. You get it from Uncle Boobie when I say "Sata give it to Mommy" alright?”

She shook her head yes.

“You know how to put it on there?”

She shook her head yes.

“Show Pop-Pop.” I held out my ringer finger and she demonstrated how to put on a ring.

 “Good girl. Don’t tell mommy.”

“Why?” She put her finger in her mouth.

“Cause we want her to be excited. And she not gon be excited if you tell her. It’s a surprise.”

“O-Tay.”

“Aight.” I kissed her cheek and put her down. She ran back over to the girls.

I looked at my watch and Amb still wasn’t here. It was pissing me the fuck off. If she missed my speech I would never, ever forgive her. She already missed my first graduation.

I saw Dr. Edwards and Salli walk in. Trav had went to pick them up from their hotel.

“You ready man?” Dr. Edwards walked over to me.

“Been ready man.” I chuckled.

I hugged him and Salli.

“Ma, this is Dr. Edwards and his wife Salli.”

“Aug always talking about y’all. Nice to meet y’all.” She hugged both of them.

“Where’s Amber?” Salli asked.

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”

“Trav you seen Amb?” He was helping Stac put on her robe.

He shook his head no.

“Pop-Pop!” Sata ran away from my grandmother over to me. She was killing me with this running back and forth. 

“Oh my God, is this Assata!” Salli gasped. "Hi beautiful." She bent down to wave at Sata. 

 “Sata say hi to Dr. Edwards and Salli.”

She looked at me, then hid behind my leg.

“Sata. You know you ain't shy.” I chuckled at her acting all shy.

“She’s so adorable.” Salli cooed.

“Told ya man.” Dr. Edwards looked at me and smiled. He was referring to me, when he said I would be a dad soon enough.

I looked around for Amb, but still wasn't able to find her. 

I tucked my lip, entirely pissed off that Amb would be late on one of the most important days of my life. The day we fucking fought for.

That was until I heard a familiar voice scream real loud.

“Wahhhhnnnnnnnnn!”

I turned around to see my dawg Sneak.

“Wahhhhhnnnnnn.” I said loud cuffing my hands around my mouth to amplify the sound.

“Wah!” Sata imitated. 

She kept jumping up and down saying “Wah!” Until my mother, tapped her a little to stop. She of course, poked her lip and cried. 

"You better stop all that girl. Yo little spoiled behind." My mother picked her up. 

She whimpered and laid her head on my mother shoulder. 

I walked over to my dawg and gave him the tightest hug I could give. I knew Amb was working on the case, but she was very bland with her responses. She did go to Nola a few times, but she never went into great detail. She would just tell me she was working on it. But this…this was an amazing surprise.

“Proud of you Yung.” Sneak said as we pulled away.

“No nigga, I’m proud of you.” I shook his shoulders hard. “This not just for me. This for you nigga. You the only reason I was able to do this.” I felt tears roll down my cheeks.

“It’s all good man. I ain’t loose a step. A nigga still fly.” He did the Nae-Nae. 

I laughed at his silliness. “Nah nigga, you sacrificed your life for mine. Thank you ain’t enough. Whatever you need I got. You hear me?” I brought him in for another hug. “Anything man. Anything.”

“Fa sho.” He patted my back.  

“Amb bought you that?” I noticed he had on a grey suit too.

“Yeah she hooked a nigga up.” He did a cool walk. He had the red flower on for Mel too.

“You got a good one. You bettah wife that up, fo I have too.” He pushed me in my chest laughing.

“Nigga, get your own. I don’t play about mine.” I eyed him.

“Damn nigga bout to kill me soon as I come out.” He laughed

All my family came over to hug Sneak. Dr. Edwards and Salli told me they were going to find their seats and left.

“Where Smoke at dawg?” Sneak asked me.

“It is what it is. I ain’t trippin’.” I shrugged it off. Although deep down I was hurt my own brother couldn’t put our differences aside to support me.

That’s when I saw my sister Netia, her husband, Smoke, his wife and little Mally. I guess they all arrived either this morning or late last night. Cause they wasn’t at the dinner.

Everybody came over to hug me except Smoke. He just stood there watching me with a mean mug.

“You see me standing here and you ain’t gon say nothing nigga?” Smoke looked at me serious.

“Y’all don’t start it.” My mother warned.

He walked over to me and looked me up and down, with a serious expression like he wanted to do something. Then it turned into a smile.

“Proud of you bro.” He held his hand out to dap mine. I looked at it for a second, then dapped it. He pulled me into a tight hug. Then I heard him sniffling which lead to crying. And I had never seen Smoke cry in all my days. NEVER!

“You our hope Yung. You our hope.” He patted my back hard and then let me go.

He wiped his eyes ashamed he had even let himself get that vulnerable. “Drica let’s go find our seats.” He left me standing there, like nothing happened, and walked out with his wife and little Mally.

I knew that was Smoke's way of apologizing. I wasn’t going to get more than that. And that was fine. People show emotions different ways. I’m a cry baby, he well, he tries to hold up best as he can. His life hasn’t been easier either, so I understand his hard exterior. He needed that to survive. But that was my bro and no matter how much we fought I would always love him.

“Sneak where Amb at?” I looked over at him, he was talking to my mama.

He shrugged.

I put on my cap and gown mad as hell. Even Smoke has was here.

“Come on Aug, they lining up.” Stac came over to me fixing her gown and hat.  

The rest of the family left out to find their seats. Mama took Sata.

I looked at the door one more time to see if I saw Amb and I didn’t.

“I’m fucking done with Amb. Like if nobody supposed to be here front and center yo ass is.” I said slamming my hat on my head.

“August, calm down.” She’s obviously in the building somewhere. She brought Sneak.

“But I wanted to see her before I went on. Like that’s some fucked up shit. You can’t support your fucking man? And I’m always down for her ass. Always. Since day one. Never again. Fuck her. And I mean that.” I walked off to find my way in line. Stacy followed behind me.

“You are so dramatic. You act like she’s intentionally not here. I’m sure it’s a perfectly honest explanation.”

“Ain’t no explanation for not supporting me. I’m yo fucking nigga. The one you say you want to marry and you can’t be here? Shouldn’t no shit be more important than me right now.I had something special planned, but forget it. Her ass is getting taken out of my speech.”

“August you are such big fucking baby when it comes to Amb. Oh my God! I’m going to find my place in line.” Stacy walked away from me to find her place in line.

The line was moving when Amb rushed up to me.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry baby. I couldn’t find a park.” She grabbed my face and pecked my lips repeatedly

“Nah babe, it’s cool.” I pecked her lips back, laughing slightly.

“Ok good. I thought you’d be mad."

"Tsk. I ain't trippin' about that babe. I knew you wouldn't do me like that."

"Aww, I'm so proud of you and love you so much. Gonna go find my seat.” She kissed me one last time.

“Love you too.”

She went to hug Stac, then left out.

Stac looked at me and rolled her eyes.

“Whatever.” I mouthed.

I wasn’t a baby when it came to Amb. I’m just a concerned boyfriend. Anyway, she’s here. I’m feeling better. Leggo!

**** Y’all I am really wrestling with whether or not I should do a third book. On one hand I feel like there’s so much more to talk about with them. Aug being a Dentist now. But on the other hand, I feel like I don’t want to run a good thing into the ground.

So I’mma see what the majority of y’all want before I decided. Since of course, I do this for my readers. And if you want  a third book, let me know some stuff y’all want to see this time around. Speak up or forever hold your peace!!!! Lol ****