The day that Beau had been waiting for, both he and Victoria, finally arrived. It was her graduation ceremony at the campus hall. He'd spent days diligently crafting the right words to say, and how to say them. He knew that this speech was going to change his entire life, and it had to be cultivated perfectly. It didn't matter if he showed up in a clown suit; the only thing that mattered was if his words could transform their hearts.
As Beau entered into the great campus hall, he took notice of the large groups clustering around in the seating area. He wondered where the graduating candidates were congregating, but reasoned with himself that seeing Victoria beforehand would probably just fluster him more. He wasn't one to be nervous about giving speeches, after all he'd been a college professor for a few years now. But this was whole other ballgame, and one that he'd never even thought he'd be batting at.
Beau walked to the back area where he found Dean Chambers, among Reed and other professors mingling as they waited for the ceremony to start.
"Beau, I hear you're giving the speech. Are you nervous?" Reed patted Beau on the back, sensing his slight anxious twitch. Even though Beau was perfectly dressed in a suit, and his hair in usual perfection, the evidence of his anxiety was written across his well groomed posture.
"I am, for once. I've got a lot riding on this. It won't be pretty if it doesn't go well."
"Nonsense, you'll do fine. You need more confidence young man."
"All the confidence in the world can't help me right now Reed, but your words are encouraging, and I thank you for that."
"What do you mean? It's just a speech."
"It's not just any speech, you'll see," Beau gave him a half hearted smile as they both leaned back against the wall.
He heard hushed voices and people taking their seats, alerting him to the fact that the commencement was soon to begin. All the anxiety riding on this speech made Beau want to hurl. He took deep breaths and reminded himself that there were far worse things in this world to be nervous about.
Suddenly the curtain opened and Beau's eyes immediately pinpointed where Victoria was seating among her fellow graduates. He reasoned this prompt sighting in lei of the fact that he always and forever going to be magnetized to her heart, and he'd always be able to find her in a sea of bodies.
She looked divine, he thought. Her black hair was polished straight, and her make up was perfection as usual. He could sense the eagerness in her eyes, and knew this was probably going to be the most important day of her life. He stopped staring before she could take notice of him. Victoria didn't have any clue that Beau would be there today, let alone giving a speech. He didn't want to upset her in the slightest or ruin what should be the most rewarding day of her life.
Apparently he'd been staring at her for far longer than he'd realized, because it was suddenly his time to step up.
"And now, let's welcome esteemed Professor Beauua Edison, here to deliver the graduating class commencement speech. Professor Edison is currently in the process of completely his dissertation, and comes to our university with honours."
Victoria immediately sat up straighter than she had been, her expression in total surprise. What this some sort of cruel joke? She eyed him walking across the stage, him wearing a suit that fit his build so snuggly. It was unfair, he looked so handsome to her. Here he was parading his gorgeousness around when she was already nervous in her own right.
"Thank you, Dean Chambers," Beau began, feeling within the most vile shaking he'd ever felt. He set down his notes before him and thanked the heavens that the microphone had a podium to hide most of his body. He couldn't stand the idea of everyone watching him shake in fear.
"When I was approached by Dean Chambers," Beau felt dry mouthed immediately. He took another deep breath and began again. "I wasn't sure what I would say to such a prestigious group of pupils leaving our campus today. What could I possibly say to them that would impact their lives, every day, for the rest of their lives? Was I even qualified. It turns out, someone who I didn't think believed it me in the slightest was the person who gave me the mental push to challenge both myself and my doubts. Therefore, I thought back to earlier this school year, when I'd given a simple first day prompt. I didn't think much of it at first, just a usual assignment to assess where my student's minds were. Now I come to realize this prompt will surely change my life.
I asked my students to take a piece of literature and discuss how one character influenced other characters to change in a true, meaningful way. It was over this semester that someone influenced me to change in a meaningful way. My own student, matter of fact. Previously, I was grim, negative, pessimistic. I had no faith in anyone's abilities, and certainly not in myself. I felt like a drone coming to the university every day to ask the same questions but not give them any real forethought or purpose. It wasn't my education that was forced to look at things in another light, however, it was my own attitude. I was selfish, I was arrogant. I allowed others to feel pain just for myself to feel slightly better about whatever petty situation I wanted to be higher up in. I needed structure, hierarchy, and approval from people that quite frankly, will never matter to me. And so, my student challenged me with such a simple question. Why was I willing to throw away happiness just to fulfill such an empty aspect of my life? I rejected her for who she was, despite her showing me that she was easily the strongest person I'd ever met. I ignored her achievements, her courage, and her boldness. Therefore, today I will be bold."
Victoria pressed her lips together to keep quiet. She couldn't begin to divulge what he was about to say. Neither could he.
"I fell in love with one of my students. It's forbidden, it's morally wrong, and somehow, someway, it was the most right thing I'd ever felt in my life. I felt shame, embarrassment and hurt. But the hurt I caused her was far greater; because I rejected her for these things. These silly, irrelevant things that at the end of your life, don't matter one bit. For that, my student, I apologize for everything I ever put you through to defend my own ridiculous attitude. I loved you. In fact, I am still in love with you. I want to make things right, even if it means me stepping down today as a shamed professor for having these feelings. No matter what others think of me. As it turns out, the only person who I care what they think of me, is you.
I never though I'd wake up one day and decide to propose my feelings in such a strong venue and humiliate myself, but it isn't humiliation anymore. It's just what's right. And for the rest of my students, and all of you, I challenge you to question the trivial things that you let ruin your day, and if those issues are really worth the strife and pain of others. You have be open minded, reasonable, and you cannot for the life of you get caught up in a world where the only thing that matters is what others think of you. It will ruin your intentions and your purpose. Be kind, open to new situations, and most importantly, don't let it chase away the love of your life. Thank you."
Beau waited, expecting boos, expecting security to escort him out, waiting for the Dean to give him the worst look of his life. Instead, Victoria stood up and began applauding. In fact, everyone stood up and began applauding. Beau looked at Victoria and had no doubts she was mentally thanking him for finally being the bigger person. She smiled at him, and he too smiled back in return. His cheeks flushed red in shy, nervous approval. He looked back and saw Reed smiling more so than he.
"Beau, I knew she was your student," Dean put his hand on Beau's back when he'd left the stage and began stepping off the stage.
"WHAT?" Beau nearly fell down the stairs.
"I did. I wanted to see how you'd handle the situation. Yes, it's frowned upon, but hearts cannot be misguided. I didn't want to play any role in hurting either of you if your love was pure. It seems as though it is. The university teaches many things, but we cannot teach people how to make the right decisions in what matters most. I am glad your student taught you the most valuable lesson of your life."
"Well, go get her!" Reed congratulated him and shook his hand. Beau shook his hand back with a tight, reassuring grip.
"I have to let her shine first, this is her moment, not mine."
"Touche Edison. How are you going to top that? Propose to her in the University center?"
"That's not a bad idea," he smiled just picturing what now seemed like a real situation, instead of his usual fantasies. He thought about all of these moments that he spent day dreaming and believing there wasn't a chance in hell any of it would ever come true. If only he'd spent more time making things happen for himself instead of just wasting time playing out scenarios in his head, he might have a far better life at the moment.
Beau and Reed sat at the end of the stage and watched the entire graduation ceremony, clapping for all of the students and their accomplishments. When Victoria came to the stage, Beau couldn't take his eyes off of her. They made eye contact after she'd been handed her diploma, and Beau could see her smile wasn't just over her own graduation, but that he'd finally been a bigger person.
Afterward, Beau and Reed stood outside and said their goodbyes to students, assisting with families in their photo taking. Beau hadn't spotted Victoria yet, and couldn't help but wonder if she was here alone. That thought made him sad, but he knew she hated being pitied, so he'd say nothing of it.
At last, he spotted her, only she wasn't alone.
"Come on Beau, go over there, I thought you grew a pair!" Reed smacked him on the back when Beau had done nothing but gaze at her in mad affection.
"Sorry, going, going," he laughed and began hastily walking across the field to approach her.
"Victoria," Beau called out. She paused and turned around to face him, both she and her companion giggling.
"Hi Beau. You remember Roman, she is the bartender at my job."
Beau looked at Roman and had a quick flashback. 'Oh yes, she was the girl I made a complete fool of myself in front of, and saw me get drunkenly thrown out of a strip club after I tried to punch a guy.'
"Yes, hi Roman," Beau reached out to shake her hand. He knew he couldn't ask her out in front of her. He felt so stupid now.
"I just wanted to tell you congratulations on your big day. I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks, that means a lot."
"That was a great speech," Roman broke the ice and winked at Beau.
"Yeah, thanks."
"It was beautiful Beau. I'm proud of you, too."
"Would you ladies like for me to take your picture?"
"Uh..sure?" Victoria reached into her purse and passed her phone along to Beau. Beau couldn't help but notice he was her background picture. It was a picture of him he'd never seen before. He was in bed, asleep, and shirtless. This surprised him so much, that she'd had such strong feelings for him that she'd admired him as he slept, and enough to take a picture to see every single day.
He wondered how long it had been there for. Beau took a picture of Victoria alone, and one of her with seemingly her only friend.
"Thanks," Victoria said and took her phone back.
"Well, we're gonna go have some drinks to celebrate tonight," Roman spoke up as Beau seemed too busy smiling to say anything.
"That's fantastic."
"Yeah, Roman is interested in enrolling for next semester, so I'm going to give her the campus tour first."
"Oh that's great. What do you wish to pursue?"
"I'm thinking architecture."
"I know…nothing about architecture," Beau laughed. "But I do know the head of the department, I'm sure I could pull a few strings to line up some scholarships for you."
"That's awesome, thanks sir."
"Well, you ladies have a great evening."
"Yeah, you too," Roman said before they turned away. Victoria smiled at Beau again before turning her back to him completely.
Beau stood in nervous shock. He couldn't believe he'd let this moment slip, the one where he planned to ask her to be his girlfriend again. He thought he'd changed, yet here he was again, letting the moment slip away over a symptom as stupid as feeling embarrassed.
"I can't believe he didn't ask you out!" Roman told Victoria as they walked to the University garden.
"I'm not saying it is your fault, but I think he panicked when he saw you."
"Why me?"
"Because, he got thrown out of the bar when you were there! He gets embarrassed super easily!"
"He just announced to the whole school that he's a pervert, he needs to get over that shit!"
"Haha, he is not a pervert!"
"I know, I'm just fucking with you. Well, it's not the last time you'll see him. I promise, it's not over with him yet."
"Oh shit, I just realized he saw my phone. I have him as my background picture!"
"Aww, he's probably going back to his office to rub one out thinking about how you do the same with your phone background."
The two girls laughed hysterically and ignored all of the pending drama to just be happy in their moment.
Beau made his slow march back toward Reed, only instead he decided he needed to be alone.
"Beau, hey Beau," Reed called out, but Beau pretended not to hear him and continued walking back to the English department. For every step he took all he could feel was the slapping whips of life smacking him across the face for being exactly who he always was, and hated being. A stupid, selfish, concerned fuck. Every time a moment of opportunity presented itself, he always outweighed his outward appearance over the outcome. While he knew deep down he'd probably see her again, it meant something that she herself didn't say anything of his speech. Maybe she truly had moved on. But why would she have a picture of him on her phone? Perhaps she'd forgotten it was even there. After all, she didn't seem to mind handing him over the phone knowing full well he'd see it.
"It's time to move on," Beau told himself as he unlocked the door to his office and stepped inside. Only, instead of stepping inside, he decided he'd carry his now useless body into Leduc hall, where the entire failed mission had began. He happened to keep a copy of the key even during summer semester, unbeknownst to the school administration. The hallways were lit but the assembly itself was as dark as his soul. He unlocked the door and allowed himself inside, only closing the door halfway to allow a sliver of light into the room. He walked around to the chair and had a seat. Taking a look around the empty room, he tugged at his black tie as he let himself study where she used to sit. The way he felt when he first saw her, the way he got nervous when she first walked passed him. The way he'd…
"Professor Edison?"
"How can I help you?" Beau didn't bother to look over, instead continuing his mind loop. He was too busy lusting over the memory of her standing in front of his desk. Wearing black heels and studying the mole on her knee.
"Beau?"
It was then that he realized it wasn't his imagination, she was actually standing before him.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, I was in a daze."
"I could tell," she laughed. "What are you doing in here?"
"Nothing, I just came to, reminisce. Can I help you with something?"
"I just realized how rude I was back there, I didn't think to invite you with us. We'd love to have you join us for our celebration tonight. We're going downtown to catch the Canucks away game and do a bunch of shots. You know, totally your idea of a good time!"
"Uh, sure, that would be great."
"I'll be headed there around 8pm. Roman has to work first shift but she was promised to be cut in time to meet me for the game. I'm going to take a cab so I don't do anything stupid to ruin today."
"That's very responsible of you."
"Well, I guess we will see you tonight?" Victoria sensed that Beau wasn't going to say anything else, and decided to make her exit.
"Yeah."
"Oh, it's the Sportsbar Live, it's connected to Rogers Arena."
"Okay. I'll see you tonight," Beau smiled back but couldn't seem to pull his pathetic soul out of his seat. As she began walking away, he forced himself with all of the strength he didn't know he had. "Wait!"
She paused and turned around. She was halfway standing in the way of the door, and the way the light seeped around her made her look even more angelic before. He came around his desk and walked up to her.
"Or maybe I could give you a ride. You know, after, I could take you to dinner to celebrate your graduation?"
"That sounds lovely, sure."
"Excellent."
He felt like a dumb teen in the 1950's asking a girl to go steady. Where was his courage? 'Just say it!' His heart was pounding so loudly, he wondered if she could see his own body struggling to stand still.
"Victoria, I love you. I didn't say anything to you outside because I didn't want to say anything in front of your friend. I'm sorry for that, for everything. For being too nervous to approach you in the first place. For throwing you under a bus over my lame reputation. For not respecting your decisions, no matter how much I didn't agree with them. For not jumping the gun sooner when I found out how goddamn brave you were for defending me from that prick Walcott. For ever, EVER letting you get away from me."
He paused, as did she. She was too busy smiling at all of his confessions, he was too busy stumbling over his next piece of commentary and how to deliver it perfectly.
"I'm a changed man. You changed me. You took that pathetic, selfish bastard out of me and made me a human again. Someone who understands, who doesn't scoff at lower status, someone with compassion. You make me the person I always wanted to be, someone I didn't even know existed. And I know I can't offer you much, you've already shown me how self sufficient you are. But, I just know I'll never be able to live with myself if I let you walk out of my life. I don't deserve you, not for miles, but I'll take that same leap of faith that I took that day in my office. Victoria, will you please, give me another chance?"
"I thought you'd never ask," she smiled, nearly ready to break into tears, as was he when he heard her retort.
Beau's face exploded in happiness, but the smile was gone as soon as he took hold of her face and began tattooing kisses all over her. "I love you Victoria."
"I love you Beau. And if it makes you feel any better, I quit."
"You did?!"
"I told you I was going to quit when I graduated, and I'm a person of my word. My last shift was Thursday."
"That's incredible! I suppose the word I am looking for is congratulations?" he snickered.
"Yes, it was what it was, a job. I have enough money in the bank to allow me a bit to look for a job I desire, and my town home is paid off, as are my student loans. I have everything I ever wanted, and now I have you too. I couldn't possibly ask for more."
"I'm so happy for you, and me!" he laughed.
"So, you have the keys to this place?" she pondered, taking a glance around the room.
"I do. No one knows I do, I mean I am supposed to turn them in, but I never do. Mainly because I'd have to run into Walcott at check in, and I just kept them to avoid him."
"Well, then…all of my dreams have come true. How about yours?"
"What are you saying?" his brows angled in excited suspicion. He watched as she went over to the door and closed it, locking the only bolt. She walked back over to him, Beau still grinning in anticipation. The room was quite dark, but there was a light Beau had turned on from the podium placed along side the desk. It was bright enough just to allow them to see each other.
"Professor Edison, if I do believe I am correct, you used to fantasize about me coming up to your desk, and presenting myself to you," she commented as she began unzipping the front of her black graduation gown. She only used one hand and allowed the garb to fall off her shoulders, onto the floor. She was left with just her undergarments. Beau's mouth fell agape as fast as her clothes did. He knew he was already hard.
"Wow….wow.." he stuttered. Victoria laughed at his shy, childish grin.
"And, you used to picture me laying right here," she climbed on top of the desk and began removing her bra and underwear, leaving her just in her high heels. Beau didn't have to look down to know he was stiff, he could already feel his black trousers ready to rip apart at how fiercely he was protruding. Beau stood up as she laid down on the desk. He said nothing, and instead pulled his tie off, threw off his blazer, his belt, and his pants. When he got down to just an unbuttoned white dress shirt, he leaned over, and began kissing her body everywhere he could reach. He lathered her body with all of his passion, all of the places he missed so much. At last he pulled her body toward him gently and forced himself inside. The excitement of their chosen atmosphere, the romance of their reunion, and the pure lust raging in their bodies made them both more audible than usual. Beau couldn't get over how hot this was. It's truly happening. She's here, naked on my desk, she loves me, and she's letting me have her. There's no way I can hold out.
He watched as her own body shook, her back arched as she struggled to catch her breath. She loved the feel of him, both his hands on her legs, his penis rushing within, and the drops of sweat falling onto her. His love for her was so powerful that it made her completely forget about the pain of laying on a desk. Beau looked up and in his mind, imagined himself previously when he used to day dream this scenario. The rush of an orgasm intertwined with the pure overzealous that his dreams had literally come true made him feel like he was having an out of body experience. He could feel himself tensing, his muscles pulling for what he knew would undeniably be the best orgasm he'd ever achieve.
He looked back down at the most prized moment of his life, reveling in the sexiest sight he'd ever seen. She was so delicious, so perfectly cultivated, so wrapped up in her own pleasured dreams coming true. Her skin was on fire against his, and the lubrication of their sweaty skin stared drenching their bodies. Beau couldn't add anymore fuel to this bonfire that was already at full luminosity. He felt himself seizing up as he gave in to the flames, and watched the explosion as they both shook wildly against each other. The sound of her pleasure made Beau reel in delight; it felt so good to make her as happy as she made him.
Despite how sweaty and tangled up their bodies were, he didn't let that stop his romantic fueled fantasy. Beau immediately had a seat. Bare assed against his leather seat, he pulled the chair up to the desk, and began licking away. He didn't even care that he'd just been inside of her, this was the most erotic moment of his life, and he couldn't not have his most desired fetish come true. He suckled, licked and kissed her until her secondary orgasm left her in even more satisfaction than before.
"Dear God, that is the hottest sex I have ever had," Beau huskily spoke. He could still feel his body shaking, so badly spun out of control.
"Yes it was," she replied with the little control she had over her voice. She sat up immediately, rubbing her back.
"Are you in pain baby?"
"I won't pretend like that was comfortable."
"Let me help you."
Beau began rubbing her back before he started to kiss around her shoulders and the areas where she'd had the most pressure against the desk. "Your skin is porcelain. I'm going to take care of you like the most treasured part of my life that you are."
Suddenly, they both shot looks at the door when they heard footsteps, and a vacuum cleaner.
"Oh shit, the janitor!" Beau freaked out. The two hastily began redressing, laughing hysterically the entire time.
"Oh my god it smells like sex in here, they're going to know what we did," Victoria panicked, yet still laughing."There's got to be another exit."
"There is actually, at the other side of the room."
Beau lead the way and they began running up the stairs of the assembly just as they heard a jingle of keys and the deadbolt of the door being turned over. Beau unlocked the back door and they sprinted out, quietly closing the door just as they could hear the main door being forced open.
They quickly went down to the next door which allowed them back outside. Together they held hands and couldn't stop laughing. People were still outside having celebrations of their graduations, and they walked back over to the pleasantries. Everything about this moment was perfect. The people outside hugging, smiling, some even crying in happiness. It was a perfect harmony of feeling around so many strangers all sharing this life changing, memorable moment.
"By the way, I have a graduation gift for you," Beau begin to grin wildly. He pulled an envelope out of his blazer pocket and handed it over. It was blank on the outside but seemed to have a crest of official matter about it. Victoria accepted the letter and looked back at him first.
"I hope you're not proposing to me on a sheet of paper, because even with a quote from literature, that's not what I'd want."
"It's even better, well, for you."
She couldn't fathom what could possible be better for her than him at this moment, until she unfolded the letter and the words nearly knocked her over in their own surprise.
"What is this, Beau?" she shook, the sheet of paper making sounds as if a wind had blown it around. There were two photocopies of Mexico licenses, a man and a woman. The woman looked slightly similar to her. The same bone structure, same long black hair, and green eyes. Their last names were Montoya.
"I hired someone in Mexico to bribe an official and look for them. These people, they are your parents. They live in Guadalajara, Jalisco. They have no idea who I am or why I was looking for them, but I assure you, it is them. First I drove to Edmonton to the place you grew up and bugged them until they would tell me anything they had on you. Then I contacted the border patrol for their history records, and I was able to pinpoint a record of two people with the last name Montoya being deported right around the time you were two years old. It happened in Great Falls, Montana, which might explain how you ended up in Alberta. I think your parents were trying to get to Canada where they had a better chance of being allowed to stay."
She looked back up with him, beginning to cry harder than she'd ever known she could. To think, tears of surprise and joy could be stronger than the tears of heartache.
"You found my parents?" she repeated over and over, still in her own shock. Her entire body shook as stronger as the sheet of paper flapping against them in the wind.
"Yes, I would do anything to make you happy."
She immediately jumped up on him, hugging him as tightly as her petite frame would allow. She continued to cry into his shoulder, her sobs so loud he worried passerbys would assume someone had passed away.
"I can't believe you did this for me. How long did it take you? I gave up years ago."
"I'd been looking since the moment you told me. Even if I didn't think we'd be together again, I wanted you to know. You deserved to know. You're the most courageous human that ever lived, and I knew how much it would mean to you. It was surprisingly easier than I thought. Money talks, ya know."
Beau gripped her back, deliriously happy himself just to know how much he'd done for her. He kissed the top of her head, taking in the scent of her lavish hair, before nesting his nose into it.
"Let's go find them there okay? We can go whenever you'd like, I'll book everything. I know I'll stick out like a sore thumb out there, but I'll do anything to make sure you meet them."
"You don't have to do that for me," she whimpered in his sleeve.
"Of course I do. This moment is so perfect. I never want it to end,. I want to see you this happy all the time," Beau looked at her with endless admiration.
"It isn't going to," she assured him.
"So, what do you we do next?"
"We put the past where it belongs, and move on, together."
"And you move in with me?"
"My sir, you are so adamant to get me into your home."
"Didn't I tell you? I'm a real man now. A real man stands up and does what he feels instead of worrying what someone else might think of him. If you're not ready to do that, I accept it. I just, wanted you to know how I feel."
Beau's smile was irresistible. She couldn't say no that insanely handsome face. The one that she wanted to wake up and see every morning.
"I am ready," Victoria nodded, grinning widely at this next step in their revived relationship.
He immediately wrapped his arms around her and rocked her body with his.
"Just think," he kissed her forehead and whispered in her ear. "Now you can watch me sleep instead of just staring at that photo of me on your phone."
Victoria burst out laughing and pushed herself off, giving him a loving, yet angry playful shove. "You ass!"
"It's cute, you have no idea how happy it made me to see that."
"I feel so stupid."
Her cheeks were fully red. She looked down and tried her best to swallow this stupid, teenager-ish feeling now running a muck in her system.
"Please don't, if only you knew how much I thought about you. I'll even the table. I used to pleasure myself after grading your work because your words turned me on so bad."
Her mouth dropped. "Is that why the first thing you blurted out in your office that one day was that my words turned you on?"
"Yes, yes it was," Beau bit his lip but couldn't hide the shy, flustered but sexy smirk.
"I don't even know what to say. It's oh so perverted, but flattering…and I won't lie…it's really hot too."
"I'm relieved! Now, let me take you home, so you can wow me with your beauty and I'm going to show you and your accomplishments off to the entire city."
"I'm not sure I'm ready to say goodbye to this campus. I'm really going to miss this place."
Their smiles were endless. They couldn't stop staring at each other, staring at what they'd be seeing for the rest of their lives together. Beau knew he'd never ruin this moment again. He'd never let anything destroy the most natural feelings of happiness he'd managed to grab hold of.
"You won't be missing this place."
"Why not?"
"Because, you think that's the last time we're going to have sex on that desk?"
They laughed began walking toward the parking lot. Beau took her hand and gripped tightly, before looking around and seeing Reed, the Dean, and his other colleagues. They waved at him, and he waved back, proud to be holding onto Victoria's delicate hand while he did so.
It felt so good to finally show who he truly was. A man unashamed of his feelings. A man who had learned his lessons and had finished his dissertation of life. He mentally thanked the University for giving him so many opportunities to cultivate and better himself into the person he wanted to be. A well rounded, respected, courageous, and educated, but most importantly, a happy man. He said goodbye to his former self, the sad, stuck up little man that he was, and shook hands with the person he knew he always wanted to be, who welcomed him with open arms into a better world with the woman he would love forever by his side.