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Chapter37
Jasper and I had been dating for close to two years and he moved in with me after the others left. Jasper was so supportive of me while I finished my degree. He still works as a mechanic and we are happy. He is sweet and caring and his family became like my family. His mum had insisted on taking me shopping for my dress to wear to graduation and they were going to be there tonight. She never tried to take the place of my mum but was happy to step in when I wanted her to.
As for my father, we still don't really have a relationship. He tries to get me to do what he wants and I refuse to budge. We occasionally text or see each other if we have to. Lucas and his partner have twin boys Oscar and Oliver. His partner Mandy doesn't believe in marriage but is happy to buy a house and have kids. It is funny because kids mean a lifetime together but each to their own. Lucas and I still had an understanding. He respects my boundaries and doesn't push for more than I am willing to give. There were times that we didn't speak for weeks because I couldn't bring myself to do it and he was ok with that. When I was ready he was always waiting with open arms.
Joshua had just gotten married to Rebecca who I had become close with. He and I had many fights where he didn't understand why I couldn't accept how things were. Rebecca was on my side and made him see that there was always going to be damage and he either accepted a relationship on my terms or would lose out. I was thankful for her. Ethan and I were just people who were once brother and sister. He couldn't understand how I didn't want to be close to our only living parent. I couldn't understand how he couldn't accept that sorry wasn't enough for me to get past what they had done to me. I was ok with it being that way because I had amazing people in my life who accepted me for me.
Finally, my name is called for me to get up on stage and receive my degree. As I headed up on the stage I saw my people, the people who I called family cheering for me. There was Jenny and Greg, I would be starting work with Jenny soon and I couldn't be happier. She had never once stopped being there for me even after all my cases were finished. I had learnt a lot from her and wanted to keep learning. Levi and Jason were there along with Bryson, Rebecca, Joshua, Lucas, Mandy, Oscar, Oliver, Jasper and his parents. I smiled and waved at them before taking my degree and smiling for the camera.
As I was heading back to my seat I saw my father and Ethan, they gave me a nod. I was surprised to see them here but gave them a nod back heading to my seat to finish off the graduation. After throwing my cap with the rest of the graduates I headed over to my people. Jasper picked me up and spun me around congratulating me on getting my degree. Once my feet were back on the ground everyone came over hugging and kissing me before Jasper pulled me over to him. "Matilda Wilson, you are amazing. You are beautiful inside and out. You are so strong, brave, fiercely independent, intelligent and light up the world with your smile. I love you with my whole heart" Jasper said before he got down on one knee and continued "Tilly, will you make me the happiest man alive and agree to become my wife, my partner in crime and equal. I want to wake up to your smile every morning for the rest of my life". I had tears running down my face but managed to say yes.
Jasper slipped on the ring and pulled me into him, kissing the life out of me. My people who I called family were cheering as well as other people who had stopped to see what was happening. The photographer who captured the graduation had also caught the proposal for us. To say I was shocked was an understatement. I loved Jasper and was truly happy but most of all I was truly free.