It was nerve wrecking; waiting for my parents to arrive at the airport for the time had finally come. Knowing that the very next day I would be graduating held no weight to how excited I was to just be with my parents. As a result I was unwilling to stay still in my seat considering all the jitters. Nicholas was with me stuck in a phase of denial that he was not nervous to be meeting my mother when his knee was bouncing.

Peaking in his direction, I smiled inwardly at how adorable he looked and I reached out to squeeze his knee gently gaining the man's attention. "She's not going to bite," I winked cheekily; he chuckled lightly at the statement he once used on me when we first met.

It always surprised me how much time had passed and how much had changed. "But she might punch if I say anything wrong," he replied wrapping his arm on my shoulder where it rested until I noticed my father's beaming face.

Standing up I had to withhold the urge to burst out into a full sprint when I also saw my mother's profile following close behind him and the second I was enveloped in their arms I settled into the embrace. "I'm so happy to see you guys!" I squealed reaching out to clasp my mother's hand. But my mother's eyes were already focused on the person behind me. The question blazing in her eye I nodded my head in confirmation when I turned to find Nicholas already greeting my father with a firm handshake. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Winston," he said reaching up to scratch the back of his head. I had to hold in the need to giggle at his nerves spilling over as he shuffled on his feet.

"Please," she muttered waving her hand nonchalantly, "just call me, Sophia. So you're Nicholas?" she noted grinning widely at him showing her teeth. It would on be later on down the line when Nicholas confessed the fact he was more scared of my mother as opposed to my father. "The one and only," he chuckled lightly, "let's get you guys settled in. I'm sure you're looking forward to seeing the city," he continued taking some of the luggage. Heading outside Leo was already waiting by the vehicle appearing as a simple chauffeur as opposed to what he really was. But before my parents came I already had made it my goal not to avail too much about Nicholas' life. I didn't want my parents worrying too much for me.

The pair got settled into their hotel room that Nicholas had booked. And being a man on a mission to impress, he just had to book them at one of the best hotels in the city. Not that I was complaining it was sweet seeing how much he wanted to gain their approval. Soon we went off for lunch at Little Napoli which had become Nicky and I's usual spot whenever we wanted a fine dining experience.

Once we settled with my parents sitting directly in front of us a part of me wished they had gotten a chance to meet Marcie who had been in rehab for a few weeks. I'm sure my shift in mood showed on my face when I felt his hand grasp mine under the table. I briefly glanced in his direction to find him eyeing me closely, it was his way of asking if I was okay and I nodded my head squeezing his hand for measure to let him know I was fine.

Turning to smile at my parents I found my mother watching us closely, the interaction going unmissed by the woman who smirked in my direction. "You must have great connections to be able to book a table here. I heard from a friend of mine that you'd need to get a reservation months in advance," my father said leaning back in his seat. "I happen to know the owner, he's a really good friend of mine, let's order," Nicky replied lifting his hand up to signal one of the waiters taking charge as usual.

"You'll definitely love the food here; it'll be a nice change for you," I stated looking over the menu for a new dish to try. "Despite the new places we'll go, home will always be home," it was my mother who spoke that time making me look up to see her eyeballing me. "If that was your attempt to get me to come back, try again," I replied making my father chuckle into his glass. "For now I'm more curious to learn more about the man in your life. I'm not sure if Ali told you this but you are the first man she has ever introduced us to. Even though we know she's had others before," she narrowed her eyes accusingly on me at the fact that in as much as I thought I had gotten away with having secret boyfriends it seemed my parents knew all along.

"Mom!" I groaned, "Can't you wait until we've eaten to start interrogating?"

"It's okay, honestly I don't mind. In fact I find it endearing how much your mother cares about those you keep in your company," Nicholas stated making me inwardly roll my eyes at the strategy to earn more brownie points with the woman who smiled in victory at me. "See, he doesn't mind. So," she cleared her throat leaning forward placing all her attention on him. "What are your intentions with our baby girl?"

Slumping in my seat I flushed at what that question entailed but Nicholas didn't seem the least bit deterred by it and took a moment to consider the question until he eventually replied, "I care a lot about her, I've always been rather cynical about people and their intentions. But she's managed - without even trying, to show me that there's nothing wrong with being open. So I don't mean her any harm nor do I plan on letting her go," he said rubbing gentle circles into my hand making my knees grow weak at his sincerity making the confession I had been struggling to verbalise about to spill if my father hadn't spoken up. "Now that we've cleared that up for now, let's eat," he said rubbing his hands together. For the rest of the time we spent together numerous questions were thrown his direction which he answered a lot easily the more he grew comfortable.

***

Everyone has a vision of how their journey comes to an end. I was only a girl when I left my parents and in the end I became a woman.

The journey hadn't been easy, along the way I stumbled and fell but when I stood in front of the mirror that morning at the person staring back at me adorned in a black gown I didn't really feel as if the journey was ending. I felt like there was more on my path to explore.

Graduation amidst the high anticipation went by in a haze with the only distinct thing I can recall being the feel of the degree finally in my hands. My mother's tears and the broad smile on my father's face as he enveloped me in a bear hug would have made me feel embarrassed if I wasn't equally thrilled about all the hard work finally paying off. Nicholas stood by watching us wearing a smile of his own as my parents congratulated me. I had hardly slept the night before after spending a great day with them.

In the midst of my mother's gruelling questions to Nicholas over what he did and how he managed to acquire the wealth he had, one thing I admired about him was that he didn't lie. He had done his best to unveil part of the truth which he once told me was better. Lying would only cause unnecessary problems.

He moved towards me once my father released me from his grip to give me a hug, "I'm so proud of you," he whispered laying a gentle kiss on my earlobe that nearly made me forget where we were and who we were with for that matter. Clearing my throat to chase away the butterflies we wasted no more time at the place where I acquired an education and went out to celebrate.

Despite my initial reluctance to do anything for my birthday I had no issue at all having a graduation party at his penthouse. It was already nearing eight in the evening with the party in full swing.

Moving around the space I settled onto the couch smiling fondly at seeing my mother conversing with Aunt Elle. It hadn't been easy for her not having her daughter around but she was getting better. And seeing her smiling and laughing was a relief. "Congrats, it must be a relief being done," I turned at the sound of Sonny's voice to find him standing before me. Chuckling nervously I replied, "I will miss certain aspects of it but I'm happy I won't be subjected to exams." He simply nodded whilst his expression remained unreadable. I decided to look away from the serious look that did more to scare me than make me comfortable, I was still unsure of how to approach him.

After all the last time I was around him, it hadn't gone so well. "I practically raised him, you know?" he said and in response to the statement alluding to Nicky, I decided to try place my best foot forward, "Nicholas told me about all you did for him, it's not easy to raise someone whose not your own blood but you did it anyway. It's amazing what you did." And at the time I truly meant it, despite Sonny's closed off nature it was endearing how he came in and helped Nicky.

He shrugged taking a sip of his drink before he murmured in a cool tone, "Nothing about this life has ever been easy. Despite the fact I may not know you, Aaliyah and not only do I not want to but I don't think you can handle the pressure when it all gets ugly. Those Egyptian cotton sheets are nice to sleep on but they won't protect you from bullets."

"I'm not with him cause of tha -"

"I've seen relationships like yours unfold horribly. Just do yourself a favour and walk away from all this, unless you want to leave in a box," he interjected. Not bothering to wait for a response he left without showing much care about the fact he basically saw me as inadequate.

My heart dropped to a low place as Sonny sauntered over to Nicholas' mother. Despite all the pain in their family I thought or at least believed I could handle it. Although I cringed and often grew sad at the thought of the attack I believed as long as I remained positive that it would be enough to make the worry I often felt when Nicholas came home late easier. Standing up I moved to get a little privacy, the last thing I wanted was for anyone to see me upset but the second I took a seat on the bed I heard my name being called.

Glancing up Nicholas stood by the doorway wearing a small grin. He waltzed into the room taking a seat beside me," You good?" he questioned pecking my cheek lightly. I could have told him what Sonny said, I could have told him that the very man who became a father to him wanted me to leave. But as I looked deep into his eyes I couldn't find the strength to say it simply because I didn't want to add any more stress on his plate. "I'm good, just wanted a second away from everyone."

He nodded his head and I watched as the grin stretched wider across his face that made the idea of walking away implausible when all I wanted was to be with him, "Let's get out of here."

"And go where?" I asked watching him lean in to whisper into my ear, "Anywhere..."