13 Years Later

"And now, may I present the Valedictorian of this year's graduating class. She has the highest grade point average and has just been accepted on scholarship to Harvard, Miss Anna Sidle-Grissom."

A tall, dark haired girl with piercing blue eyes took the podium and looked over her fellow graduates.

"Ladies and gentlemen, parents, teachers, distinguished guests, and finally, my fellow classmates. I am honoured to be standing here today, representing Las Vegas High's graduating class. The memories of our last four years in high school will last a lifetime and serve as a learning experience for the world we are about to venture into on our own. Our teachers and parents have done their best to prepare us, to make us who we are today, and they deserve special thanks for all their hard work. I am proud to say that despite our changing world and all the bad things we hear about everyday, that there is a group of people who are devoted to making our lives better. If it wasn't for our teachers, this high school would not be the safe and nurturing environment that it is. Family is also important, so very important in why we are hear today. Our families shape who we are and who we will become, even if they are not always traditional. I, as many of you, come from a single parent home. I was raised by my father after my mother died, but also by his friends, my surrogate aunts and uncles. We were in no way a traditional family, but I would not have had it any other way. They all had a huge impact on my life, and I love them for it. We all have our own families, be them conventional or unconventional, and it is them that we can always come back to no matter what. In a way, our school is a family, our graduating class our brothers and sisters. I hope that no matter what, I always have my friends from here to lean on, and I know we can always rely on our teachers. Graduates, best of luck in the future, and always remember where you came from. Thank you."

The crowd burst into applause. Anna's eyes drifted from her classmates to the middle of the room where she found who she was looking for. He had aged physically but not mentally, still so smart and pretty nimble. He had yet to accept retirement, even though he was on reduced hours. This was the man who had sacrificed his career for her, this was the man who while learning to be a parent was able to teach her. He was standing there, clapping, while tears rolled down his cheeks.

The ceremony ended and she made her way through the crowd to his side, wrapping him in a big hug.

"I am so proud of you honey," Grissom whispered in her ear.

"I couldn't have done it without you dad."

Fin

And that's it! I hope you all enjoyed it! (And no, there will be no other chapters to come…sorry).