A Graduation Gift

Moisture was gathering in her eyes, blurring out the image of Rufus's face.

Rufus let go of a breath he did not know he was holding, got down from her. Then, he gathered her into his arms.

"Cassandra, I love you. You will never know how much I love you," he whispered into her ears.

He had no logical way of explaining it, but it turned out that she had been connected with him all this time, as if this woman was always meant to be his.

She had held him in her heart for a long time. Chance could be both a terrible and wonderful thing, and at this moment, Rufus thought there was nothing greater that could happen to him.

"I love you too, Rufus. I've loved you for a long, long time, and no matter what happens, you will always be the most beautiful thing that happened to me,"

Cassandra told him, holding his gaze with her steady eyes. Tears were falling from the corners of her eyelids and Rufus felt the warm moisture seep into the fabric of his shirt.

It had been a long and tough road to be where she was, in the arms of the man she loved.

Cassandra had always felt that she was the luckiest woman in the world because life had brought Rufus to her again. And her joy only doubled when they decided to spend their lives with each other.

They held each other, content with the warmth of silence. It was almost as if their feelings were reaching across their chest, intertwining, like vines forming infinite loops around a tree trunk.

"I want to pay a visit to your family, Cassandra," Rufus said suddenly.

He felt her stiffen in his arms at his words.

"What made you want to visit them suddenly?" Cassandra asked. She was confused.

This was the first time Rufus offered to see her family. It could only mean one thing. Could it really be what she was thinking?

she waited

met my family. It's only

quick pace of her heart and the way she took breaths in an

"Your family?"

first. She thought he was talking

"My aunt, Michelle,"

seeing her confusion. He himself had never regarded Horace, or anyone of

her to leave Rufus before and had an accident because of her. She imagined she would not have

Michelle would take it," she said, suddenly feeling worried

had been bothering her for a long time. Cassandra hoped

My aunt will never separate

aunt would agree. It was his decision to marry Cassandra, and he was sure Michelle would

have the best impression of me, you know," Cassandra chuckled nervously, looking

out. What if she was still

his hands. His eyes looked

talk to her later. I'm sure I can convince

He was still unable to figure out what

we are

was relieved to feel Cassandra relaxing once again in

want to be accepted by your family,

was a lot of things to work out with her and Michelle, but she was willing to do everything she could if it meant she would give them her favor.

could almost hear Cassandra thinking. He knew she was worrying herself about the whole situation even if she was not saying a word. "You're the one I'm going to marry. If there are people having a problem with

I want. I see it very clearly," Rufus said meaningfully, still