Alex stood rooted to the spot. She literally took his breath away. Gorgeous, her red flaming hair was artfully arranged around her shoulders, framing her face. She was wearing heels and a short black dress. She was older, more mature, and ...perfect. He swallowed hard as she made her way over to him. She looked to his right and saw her father and his new wife. "Daddy?" She ran to him and he engulfed her in a hug. It was obvious he was crying. "I am so proud of you Baby Girl, you did it!!" He smiled widely and introduced her to his wife. They made small talk for a moment longer when Mr. Warhol cleared his throat and took his wife by the elbow. "Dear, let's make our way to the car, I believe we are going to dinner, Alex, we will meet you at the car." He gave Alex a wink and headed out. "Hello, Brat." He smiled at her. "You know I hate when you call me that, Alex." She smiled at him anyway. "What are you doing here and how in the world did you find them?" "I made them come with me on the plane, I don't like being alone, and I especially don't like traveling alone. Your father does not take help lightly." "No, he doesn't. I tried to make some extra money to send, but he wouldn't hear of it. You can tell me how much Alex, and I'll get it back to you." "Don't be ridiculous Brie, think of it as a graduation gift. I brought them here and I'll take them home. Almost like a role reversal from our younger years. I owe him that much. He got me out of so much trouble back in the day." "Like Ole Sampson's window?" she glanced over at him and giggled. "Exactly." He held the door for her leading outside to the car. He rented a car and driver and she was surprised by the limo that waited for them. "Alex, really?" she looked over at him. "Happy graduation, Brat, even if you don't ever call me." He ushered her into the waiting car and they headed to dinner. It was a happy occasion, everyone was chattering away about everything from graduation to life in Dale City.
Brie told them about work and all of the cases she worked on. Eventually, Mr. Warhol announced that he was old and wanted to go back to the hotel. Not one to be disrespectful, Alex asked for the check, which he paid for, despite the protests of the dinner party. They made their way back to the hotel where Mr. and Mrs. Warhol said their goodbyes and made their way upstairs. Brienne looked at Alex. She was a little tipsy from all the glasses of champagne she drank at dinner but not so much that she wasn't aware of her surroundings. "Want to go watch a movie in my room or something?" He asked it casually as though they were still in school, bored on a Friday night. "Sure I don't have to go to work tonight." She giggled and Alex looked at her for a long moment. She was working in a bar of all places. She could have been hurt. They made their way up to his room which had its own living room and she draped herself on the couch unceremoniously. He moved to make some coffee, watching her frustration with her dress being too tight to sit comfortably. "Hey, Brat, if you want, I have pajamas with me, you could wear them if you want to lose that dress." He froze the moment he said the words. "You know what I mean...they are on the sink in the bathroom." Brienne made her way into the bathroom and changed. When she returned. She found him artfully arranging cups on a tray. She loved him her whole life and he never even knew she was there. She graduated today and wanted to do something crazy. She walked over to him. He was still in his suit but had lost the tie. She stood as close to him as she could and he braced himself and looked down at her.