Family Secrets

Chapter 36 - Graduation

(A/N: This should be the large last time skip for a while! To avoid confusion here's everyone's ages. Maddox: 27, Noah and Alex: 25, Elias: 22, Sam and Mateo: 21, Kade and Max: 19, Colton and Elena: 18, Maddie: 17, and Lennox is 2 1/2. Hope that's not confusing. I really hate time skips but now we can get on the the good stuff. This takes place a day before Maddie, Elena, and Colton's graduation.)

Maddie POV:
I woke up unable to move, someone's arms where draped around me. They were Elena's, I remembered she slept over last night, although we didn't do anything like that if that's what you are thinking. We just cuddled and cuddled until we both fell asleep. I had my back facing her so I carefully moved to face her. I just looked at her and smiled.

About five minutes later my alarm went off, and woke Elena up. "Sorry about that." I quickly went to turn it off.

She sat up and stretched. "It's fine. Where you watching me while I slept?" She asked me.

"Maybe."

"Uhhhh I look terrible when I sleep—" She didn't get the chance to finish that before I cut her off.

"Nonsense. You are adorable." I leaned in and kissed her. "You ready for today?" I was referring to our graduation.

"Ya, I still can't believe it's happening. It feels like yesterday I was a sophomore making out with you in your closet at the Christmas gala." She responded as I chuckled. I don't think anyone knew we kissed that day, but then again they didn't need to know.

"Graduation is at 10:00 so we should probably start getting ready." Elena told me and I nodded.

I was brushing my hair when mom walked in with Knox, who was able to walk and say a few things now. "Mwaddie!" Knox came running to me.

"Hey bud." I lifted him up and spun him around. "You wanna help me do my hair?" He looked at me excitingly as I handed him a hairbrush. He did a few strokes and my mom and Elena laughed.

"Elena, we got a call from your parents. They're on a plane to New York, they're coming to your graduation." I mom told Elena.

"REALLY!" Elena exclaimed exited.

My mom nodded. "Hey Knox, how about you go hang out with Cole?" My mom ushered him out of my room.

A "COLEY!" Was heard from the hall from my baby brother.

My mom walked back in and sat down on the bed. "You girls need anything? Help curling hair? Picking out a outfit?"

"I'm okay, Mrs. Valentino. Thank you tho." Elena spoke. She's so polite.

"Uh actually mom can you help curl my hair, I can't seem to reach the back." I asked.

"Of course honey." She walked over and did my hair, which by the end looked great. "Thanks."

We heard a crash from what sounded like Coltons room. "SORRY IM FINE!" Colton yelled from his bedroom.

"I should probably go check on that." My mom said leaving my room. I went to my closet to pick out my dress I was going to wear. It was a simple blue dress that matched my cap and gown. I also put on a silver butterfly necklace and silver heels.

^^^Maddie's Outfit

"You look beautiful babe." Elena told me.

I turned to look at her. "So do you. Wow." She was wearing a royal blue dress with silver ear rings and silver heels.

^^^Elena's Dress

We walked out the door and Saw Colton in a nice dress shirt and dress pants. "Hey, you guys look nice." He told us.

"So do you bro." I responded and all three of us walked down stairs to a house covered in balloons and Congrats banners.

"MOM? DAD?" Elena squealed and ran down the stairs. Her parents and brothers were standing in our living room. She hasn't seen them in a year so her reaction is understandable.

Colton and I waked down the stairs to our parents and brothers.

"You three ready?" My dad asked us.

"As ready as well ever be." I responded.

We all went to the garage and got in the cars. We ended up taking four. I know we are terrible for the environment, and I'm actually trying to convince my dad to buy electric or hybrid cars instead of it. Anyway, my mom, dad, Lennox, and Maddox went in the G-Wagon; Elias and Sam took the Audi; Kade, Colton, and I took the Lamborghini; and Elena and her family took their G-Wagon.

We got in the car and about halfway through our drive to the school Kade asked me a question. "You nervous about your speech?"

I've been a bit modest about today, I was actually class valedictorian and I had to give a speech. "A little."

"You'll do great Mads." Colton responded.

~Time skip: To the graduation ceremony~

My family were sitting on the other row reserved for family. Our last name was last on the school list so as soon as I walk I have to get back on the stage and say my speech.

"Colton Valentino..." the principal called on my brother who walked across, shook the principal's hand and took his diploma and sat down. We all clapped for him. "...Maddison Valentino."

Now it was my turn. I walked up the stairs and made my way to the principal. I shook his hand and he handed me my diploma. I took a few pictures for my family and went to set my diploma down, ready to take the stage to say my speech.

"Now presenting your class valedictorian, Maddison Valentino." The principal said into the mike before taking his seat behind the podium.

I walked up, adjusted the mike and began to speak. "Hello class of 2020. We did it! Starting off my high school years were insane. My world was flipped upside down freshman year, when I found out I would be moving in with not one, not two, but seven, very annoying, but lovable and amazing brothers, who I never knew existed. Everyday has been a wild ride, but I couldn't have done it without them. I have made so many amazing people along the way, who I will never forget. It took us four long years, but here's to the class of 2020! We did it. Now let's go party!!!" Everyone clapped and I made my way off the stage back to my seat. I sat back down in my seat next to the love of my life, my brother, and my friends, to watch the rest of the ceremony.

(A/N: just wanted to take the time to congratulate the class of 2020. I know you guys didn't really get a graduation, but congratulations you did it! XOXO, Lily)