Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
After spending a week in the pediatric wing with her, I knew that was where I wanted to focus my studies. I knew this was what I wanted to do. I knew I had to finish the nursing program and then I went a step further and focused on attending John Hopkins. Not sure if I would be getting in, but it was my top school, and luckily enough, I was accepted. Now here I am, getting ready to graduate tomorrow and collect my diploma. Another thing checked off my list with the next waiting to be checked off.
I knew there was only one hospital I wanted to work at once I graduated. I also knew not to get my hopes up high, but considering I was at the top of my class and I volunteered there, I was lucky enough to get an offer from them. So in one month, I will be officially walking in there as a registered nurse on the pediatrics floor.
I can’t help the smile on my face when I think about it. I can’t help but look back and run my hand over the picture. Penelope stands beside me with a huge smile on her face as she hugs my waist. It was taken not too long ago when I surprised my family at a Sunday lunch. I put the picture down with the rest of them and turn to grab an empty brown envelope. Getting up, I place it at the top of the box sitting right next to my chair. I put the cover on the box before taking one final look around.
By the time I crawl into bed, my body is exhausted, and the alarm for seven comes way too fast. I throw the covers off me before getting up and making myself a coffee before I walk over and start putting on my makeup. I have one hour to get ready before the car is set to pick me up.
I decide to wear my hair down and just curl the ends. My makeup is done in a matter of twenty minutes. After putting just some mascara on and a little bit of eyeliner, I walk over and grab the white dress that is the only thing hanging in my closet. I slip on the white spaghetti strap dress, making sure my boobs are in place. Grabbing my black high-heel sandals, I sit on the bed and fasten the straps around my ankles.
My phone rings from the bedside table, and I see it’s the driver telling me he has arrived. I stand, putting in the diamond earrings my parents gave me for my twenty-first birthday, then grabbing the blue gown and yellow honors sash, along with my phone.
I’m walking down the stairs, and the minute I open the door, I stand here in shock. There is a huge bus in front of my building. I’m shocked as my whole family, and I mean my whole freaking family, is here. I can’t help the tears that are coming down my face. “You didn’t think I wouldn’t be here.” Gabriella is the first to run to me and takes me in her arms. “I’m not even going to tell you the shit show this morning was,” she whispers, and then she’s pushed away from me when Dylan just stands before me.
“How are you even here? Aren’t you in the middle of playoffs?” I ask him, and all he does is smile at me.
“My baby sister is graduating,” he states, “but I have to be back in Dallas by five tonight.” He brings me in for a hug. “So proud of you,” he says, and I cry on his shoulder, just like I did when I was younger. He was twelve, I think, when Gabriella and I were born, and from what I remember, he was my favorite person in the world. Now he stands here with Alex and their kids.
“Can I get a turn?” I hear my grandfather on the side, and all I can do is put my hands on my mouth as he stands here with my grandmother. Both of them just beaming with pride. “Before your father and Uncle Matthew hip check me out of the way.”
I look over his shoulder, seeing my father standing beside my mother as she dabs her eyes. “You did all this?” I ask him, laughing as I hug my grandfather.
“He obviously had help,” my uncle Matthew says from beside him. “Who else could wrangle up all these people?”
I stand here in shock, seeing all my aunts and uncles. “Now, can we get back on the bus so we can get good seats?” My father claps his hands. “Let’s go, people. Got to get my girl to her ceremony.”
CHAPTER TWO
TRISTAN
“Go-go-go-go,” the coach yells at us, and my leg swings over the board as I get onto the ice, skating back to try to get the puck in the neutral zone. My heart beats so fast it echoes in my ears, just as the sound of my breathing almost feels like it’s in slow motion.