Okay, final chapter!
"No! Dad, wake up!" Stephanie cried.
Just then, Suzanne and DJ ran downstairs.
"No, wake up, Dad!" DJ yelled.
"I'll go get some ice water!" Suzanne cried.
"Dj?" Danny moaned as he woke up.
"Dad, thank god you're okay."
"I'm sorry, sweetie. It's just..."
"I can't do this. My graduation is putting too much pressure on everybody!"
"No, Deej. You see.... I was just overwhelmed. I mean, here I am chasing Stephanie's ex boyfriend away so my DJ can have a good graduation! I'm so proud... but you've all grown up so fast. I just realized that now. It's just scary."
"Aw, Dad, I'm glad you're okay. Let's get you to the couch."
*************
Later that day....
Becky had gone to the Sheraton to get a nice dress. Danny had recovered and Andrew was gone. DJ had just finished her graduation speech.
"I can't believe we're at DJ's graduation!" cried Michelle.
"I can't believe she got that many tickets." said Stephanie.
"Being the valedictorian DOES have some perks." said Becky. No one was mad at her anymore.
"Here's DJ!" Jesse cried.
The crowd applauded as Principal Robilard introduced her.
This is how her speech went.
"Thank you, everyone. To think that I've been saying thank you a lot. I have a lot to be thankful for. So does everyone here. I mean, in one hour we'll be out of high school forever with nothing but our diplomas and education.
Can you believe we're going wherever we're going? Some of us don't even know! Those are the risktakers. I mean, to give up the safest path just to be alive... that's what I want, and I hope everyone has that. Because taking a chance is the foundation of happiness. You find real love on the way. I trust each and every one of you will have the time of your lives, because this is YOUR life. Not your parents', guardians', or friends.' YOURS. So if you really feel the need to do what you want, you need to take a chance and do what you really want.
When you go home and look in the mirror, I want you to see someone better than the person you saw yesterday. Because you have something that person did not have: not just a piece of formalized paper, but a full education and a great life in front of you. We did it!"
****
"DJ?" a farmiliar voice asked as DJ was on her way to see the family.
"Steve... thank you so much for coming."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world. I mean that. And.. I understand why you broke up with me. Thanks for the speech."
"We'll always be friends, right?"
"Of course." They hugged and said good-bye.
**********
"Jesse! Wait!" Becky cried.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"Why did you take care of me last night?"
"I gotta go."
"Well, I... wanted to say... I feel the same way."
"How would you know how I feel?"
"Oh, Jess... if you're anything like me, than you're pretty easy to read. I mean... you might as well know that I had loved you."
"Great."
"Always had. I don't know what's wrong with me! I'm the one who screws up, and then I come begging to you and you're the one who makes everything okay. I can't believe I gave that up."
"Becky, I have been waiting months just to see if you would come back. If you really do love me... than my offer still stands."
"You mean it? I can come back?"
"Yes."
They kissed, and Becky was overwhelmed but in the best way. She was back with her husband, the man she loved.
*********
"Uncle Danny.... can my sister and I tlak to you for a minute?" asked Suzanne.
"Sure...."
"Listen, as you know, I only got into community college. and... my mom was hoping I'd have a real dormitory, and she kicked me out anyway. And.... she was hoping that I would take my sister with me."
"What? My sister-in-law would never do that!"
"She said it would have worked out, since she's always working and Leanne needs someone to take care of her, and that was me. Anyway, Leanne is really angry at her, and I have no place to stay. I was hoping....."
"What?"
"I heard you and Joey and Uncle Jesse talking about turning the recording studio back into a bedroom. Can.. my sister and I move in? I can pay rent, I swear."
"Well.." said Danny. "It's a big house, and the studio does have it's own bathroom. I guess so.... But you don't have to pay rent if you help around the house, i.e. cooking, cleaning, baby-sitting...."
"That's great!" said Leanne. "Our mom'll be thirlled. I'll go tell Steph!"
"Thanks so much, Uncle Danny." said Suzanne.
"Hey, Steph, my sister and I are moving into the basement!" Leanne said.
"Wow. Now THAT is what I call a full house!"
THE END (finally!)
