*~*Childhood Friends*~*

" Graduation Day". Oh my god, this is it. I have my degree, my friends and family are here what more can I ask?" Tay asked her sister Holly while getting ready for the ceremony. " Well I know you want Nick to be here. Have you talked to him?" " Yeah. They are in New York I think. So I knew he wasn't coming because they have back to back things to do, but talking to him this morning was worth it. Why am I so happy?" she asked. " Because your life is coming to a full circle. Who knows maybe next year you will be wearing a wedding gown." " Yeah right. I wish, but I'm taking this relationship one day at a time." she said and there was a knock on the door. Holly went answer it and standing there was Nick and Aaron. " I'll be right back." Holly said and walked out into the hallway," I thought you were in New York?" " No, that was an excuse so she doesn't suspect anything and is it working?" Aaron asked. " Yeah it is. She's really nervous because she's valedictorian. Are you going to tell her you're here? She hasn't seen you in two months." Holly asked. " Yeah, can I go in?" Nick asked. " Sure. Come on Aaron, lets go. " Holly said and looked at nick. " What?" he asked. " I'm just remembering the last time all of us were together.

Both families, it was Christmas about eight years ago and I remember how much fun you three were having. Alot has changed and now look at you two. Who knows where this is going." she said and hugged Nick. " Well I know how much fun we had while growing up. But this is more. I feel more for her." " I know that we all do. I think this is what we all need. Now go in there and see her." hugs Nick. He walked into the door and saw Taylor reading over her speech and look beautiful. Taylor was wearing a royal blue sundress that came above her knee, her hair was kinda curly and she was playing with the necklace he had given her before he left. While still walking around, Nick came up behind Tay and put his arms around her. " Guess who?" he said and she turned around. " Oh my god you are here." she said and kissed him. " I wouldn't want to miss my baby's graduation. I am so proud of you." he said and placed his arms around her again. " How long are you going to stay?" " I leave tomorrow afternoon. Everyone is here for you." " I can't believe you are here. This is the best graduation present you can give me." she said and kissed him. " Well Ms Valedictorian are you ready?" he said looking down and smiling at her. " Of course." she took his hand and they walked out in the living room. Everyone had noticed that Taylor was smiling and glowing and the reason for it was standing next to her. When she had gotten to the living room Taylor had looked around and found some of her old friends also from Tampa. She looked at Nick and smiled. " I can't believe you guys are here? How did you get here?" she asked. " Well with the help of an old friend who is very much in love right now and we are happy to see that." Elizabeth said. " Okay guys we have to get going to the University." Roy said. " Nick are you going to be riding with us?" Holly asked. " Of course." he said and grabbed Taylor's hand and they walked out.

About an hour later the Graduating Class of 2001 had started to make their way to their seat. Taylor had started to walk towards her seat with a dozen of red roses from her friends and family and a single white one from Nick. She looked towards them and smiled and blew a kiss to Nick. After the ceremony everyone headed back to the house and Taylor Sanford was an official college graduate. She looked over at everyone and smiled. " We are so proud of you." her sister Kate and hugged her. " Mom and dad would be proud of you today. They are here with us." " This is the most perfect day. I have my friends, family and the guy I love here with me." smiles at Nick who was talking to others. " Don't you think its the perfect time to sing that song to him. You know the one you wrote a few weeks ago." Holly said. " Umm, you think so?" " Yeah, he'll know how much he means to you." " Okay, Roy can you get everyone?" she asked him. " Umm, everyone can I have your attention, Taylor has a gift for Nick. Nick, have a seat right." Roy said and had him sit next to Taylor. " Don't worry this won't hurt. I just wanted to show how much I love you and how much you mean in my life. So one weekend I was at home and wrote this song. It's called But I Do Love You." Taylor started to sing the song and looked at Nick.

While seeing she started to smile and closed her eyes. She has alot of feelings in the song because she meant every word. After singing the song, she looked at him smiled and told him she loved him. He took her hands into his, smiled and kissed her. " No one has ever done that for me. I love you and you are a pretty good writer. I hate to do this but I have to go. See you in about a month?" " Yeah. I'll be waiting at home in Tampa." " What are you talking about?" he asked as they walked outside and Billy was waiting for him. " My parents will said that instead of selling the house, they wanted me to have it. They knew that after graduation I was coming home and wanted me to have it. So I'm coming home, baby." she said and smiled at him. " Really, that's sweet. Well I guess I will be coming home to my sweetie." he said and kissed her. " I know it's going to be great being home. Now Mr. Carter, you have to go, your fans are wating and I will see you in a month." she said as she hugged and kissed him.