Page 19 of Royally Taught
ChapterTen
Anastasia
Three Years Later
It’s hard to believe that today is here. That I’ve finally done it. There’s been a lot of tears and fears along the way, but I’ve had the best support team with me. I’ve been lucky that my family has had my back, ready to offer me anything I need to get to where I want to be. The same for Jacob’s father, he’s always on hand for whatever we may need.
Jacob and I are so lucky to have such a great support system. We’ve definitely needed it since Theresa was born. Our little girl was born weighing six pounds seven ounces. She came into the world quietly, which scared the ever-loving crap out of not only me and Jacob, but also my mom, who was with us when I was giving birth.
My mom called me the day after Jacob and I re-united. She was crying, begging me to forgive her and that she was scared that she’d lose me. She was so scared of me moving away and staying away that she pushed me to do that exact thing. But since that call, she’s been present and making up for the words that she said not only about me, but also Jacob. Our relationship has gotten better since that call, even better than it had been before I moved away for college.
“Where’s mama?” I hear Jacob coo to our daughter.
“Mama?” Theresa calls out, and I hear her heavy footsteps running down the hall to find me.
I giggle, loving this game. It’s one we play every morning. I get Theresa ready in the mornings and then go shower and get ready for the day while Theresa and Jacob hang out and get breakfast ready. Then they come and find me, and Theresa loves it.
“Mama,” she calls louder.
I hear Jacob’s deep chuckle. “Can you hear her?”
“Yes,” she laughs. “I hear mama. You?”
Our daughter turned two years old, and she’s got her father’s looks and my personality.
Theresa runs into my room, squealing as she sees me. I open my arms, unable to keep the smile off my face, and pull her into me. “Are you ready for today?” I ask, and she grins.
“It’s a big day,” Jacob says as he enters the room. My stomach drops at the sight of him, butterflies swarm, and my knees go weak. After all this time, my reaction to him hasn’t changed. I will always want him.
“Who’d have thought we’d be here?” I ask.
His gaze is intense as he stalks toward me. “I did. I always knew you’d be great and look at you, graduating top of your class.” He pulls me and Theresa into his arms. “So proud of you, baby,” he says thickly.
“I couldn’t have done this without you.” It’s not a lie. Jacob took time off from teaching for the past three years and has become a stay-at-home father. He’s returning back to teaching when the new semester starts in September. I hate that he’s had to put his career on hold for me to follow my dreams, but I love that he’s been a huge support for me and Theresa.
“We’re a team, baby,” he says as he presses a kiss against my lips. “I’m so damn proud of you.”
I sink into him. “I love you.”
It still shocks me that we made it. That we managed to dig deep and work through all the hard times. Many of them have come our way. Having Theresa was a huge adjustment. I felt overwhelmed and exhausted. It seemed that nothing I did was good enough, that I wasn’t enough. But thankfully, with the love and support of people around me, I was able to see that it was a normal feeling that way, and I’m a damn good mom.
“I love you too, baby. Come on, let’s go.”
My stomach flips with nerves and excitement.
“Ready, honey?” I ask Theresa, who nods and smiles. “We’ll go see aunty Erin.”
Her eyes widen, and her smile brightens. “Erin,” she cries out as she wiggles against me, wanting to get down.
I set her on her feet and watch as she rushes out of the room in search of Erin. Jacob slides his arm around my waist and pulls me against him, his lips touch mine, and he gives me a chaste kiss.
“Let’s go baby, your parents will be waiting for us.” He takes my hand, and we go in search of Theresa.
* * *
I stand on the steps waiting for the Dean to call out my name. My stomach rolls as nausea rips through me. God, I’m so scared, and I have no idea why. This is an amazing day. I’m graduating, and not only that, my best friend is too.
“Anastasia Brynn,” I hear my name called out, and then it’s followed by a loud cheer. I walk up the steps on wobbly legs and make my way toward the Dean to receive my diploma.
