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`"And for the University of Beldover Graduation ceremony of 2019, we move onto BA history awards. As Theodore Roosevelt put it; never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering. However, I am sure each of the history students who will walk across the stage today will leave a name worth remembering. Armed with your newfound knowledge, I am sure each of you will leave your individual mark on the world and make society a better place. I'm honoured to announce that presenting the diplomas for BA history degrees is our Chancellor Nicholas Prewett," the dean of the social sciences faculty announced.

I had never met the dean before. He was a short beagle in red robes who despite his stature had a very loud and booming voice. The Chancellor of the University was an Alsatian celebrity crime novelist my mum had gotten excited about seeing. Although she was sat further away in the audience and I was due to get up on stage to shake his paw, I had never read his books (I supposed I'd have to tell my mum what he was like close up). Still, the prospect of shaking the paw of someone famous was pretty cool.

"Again, names of students will be read in alphabetical order, remember to clap and cheer to your heart's content, but try to keep howling at a minimum," the dean announced to a few chuckles from the audience.

"Ian Francis Addison!" a vixen with a microphone announced.

There was applause and a few cheers as Ian made his way onto the stage, shook paws with the Chancellor and collected his diploma.

"Let's get closer," someone near me whispered.

We had been sat in alphabetical order to be called up, but as the names were reeled off we stood and shuffled forwards.

"Gareth Benjamin Arkwright!"

More applause and cheering.

"Lucy Catherine Bates!"

"Cassandra Jane Bristow!"

I was shuffling closer to the stage and my feeling of anticipation was growing. Each student was probably on stage for no more than two minutes, but still, the prospect of getting up there was exciting.

"George Jonathan Copeland!"

After all that had happened; the two years of not even starting and then a crazy first year at Beldover I had finally made it.

"Alexander Steven Pryce!"

I shuffled closer, knowing my name was coming up. Would I get cheers and applause or would people whisper like they used to?

"Timothy Owen Richardson!"

Any moment now.

"Malcolm James Ritchie!"

I walked as confidently as I could up to the stage, my graduation robe flowed out behind me like a superhero cape. The Chancellor was standing before me with my diploma in his paw. In the background I couldn't hear any whispering, just more applause and cheers.

"Go Malc!"

I had no idea where Hudson's voice was coming from but I turned and grinned at s the audience anyway before taking the Chancellor's paw.

"Congratulations Malcolm," he said.

"Thank you."

"Make sure you go out there and use your degree to make a difference in the world."

"I will," I said confidently as he handed my certificate over.

I smiled before making my way to the other end of the stage where an usher was pointing me back to the audience. I walked back and sat in an empty seat as the names continued to be read out.

"Clarence Hudson McEnroe!"

Huh, who is Clarence Hudson?

It took me a moment to realise Hudson was swaggering onto the stage, albeit with a slightly peeved expression in his eyes behind his wide grin. I cheered and he rewarded me with a grin.

It took about ten minutes for the rest of the names to be read out. Just as my paws were getting tired from clapping the dean read out one final name.

"Charlotte Madeline Wallcroft!"

I stood, cupped my paws to my muzzle and gave another cheer as Charlotte walked serenely onto the stage to get her diploma. She took at and smiled before making her way off the other side.

"And that concludes the diplomas for the history faculty, now please stand for the national anthem."

Everyone stood and a small orchestra in front of the stage began playing God Save the Queen.

I sang along and as soon as the band were done everyone began heading towards the exit. Hudson was just head of me and I squeezed past a couple of people to reach him.

"Hey!" I panted. "I wanted to catch you before you went off with Leon."

"No worries dude, we should wait for Charlotte too when we get out," Hudson grinned.

We followed the line of people out to the lobby where parents and students were milling about. There was a small quiet spot in the corner and we made for it.

"Clarence is your first name?" I whispered to Hudson as we stood by the wall.

"No, Hudson is my name. Clarence is what some moron wrote on my adoption papers to name me after my kind of Canadian grandpa," Hudson sighed.

"Ah."

"Look, there's Charlotte!" Hudson said, waving a paw.

I looked up and saw the vixen in the crowd. She smiled and made her way over with her family in tow.

"That was quite an event," she panted. "Surprisingly tiring too considering you're not really on stage for that long."

"Indeed," I replied. "I'd better do the whole find the family text."

"Good idea," Charlotte said as she turned to chat to Hudson.

I pulled out my phone and was about to text my mum when I noticed another message was waiting for me.

My dear Shep, I was watching you with the rest of the history faculty (they let me attend in the end!). You were marvellous, very smiley and charming looking. I'll be in the lobby soon with the other staff. Look out for me in a silly red gown ;), I can't wait to see you again. It has been too long. Your dear fox xx

_ _ A ridiculously large grin spread across my muzzle.

"Someone is happy," Hudson chuckled.

"Yeah, just got a message from someone I've been dying to see," I replied. "But I mustn't forget to message my mum."

I sent my mum a quick text to say where we were standing and then kept my eyes peeled for my fox.

There were quite a few academic staff out, no doubt all from the humanities department. All were clad in flowing dark red gowns to denote the fact they had doctorates.

But where was Lachlan?

_ _ "Malcolm!"

I almost jumped out of my fur and turned to see my mum was standing behind me. Aunt Ruth and Thomas were right behind her.

"Hi mum," I said, but before I could say anything else I was pulled into a tight hug.

"Oh, I am very proud mother indeed," my mum cooed while I struggled to breathe. "I ought to release you so I don't embarrass you in front of your friends," she added before releasing me.

"Eh Malc shouldn't feel embarrassed," Hudson chimed in. "I've managed to escape my hug-Zilla mother so far."

As if on cue Hudson's parents appeared behind him.

"There he is!" his mother exclaimed before pulling Hudson into a hug.

"Okay, yeah this is kinda embarrassing," Hudson grumbled. "Please not so tight!"

I laughed and then turned to glance over the lobby.

And there he is.

_ _ Lachlan was chatting to another Dalmatian professor, but I noticed his amber eyes glance in my direction and sparkle. Although he'd described as gown as silly I thought it flowed regally behind him, only adding to his aristocratic and handsome persona. I noticed he was wearing a grey suit underneath with a blue tie. It fitted against his athletic body perfectly - very James Bond esque. He turned and fixed me another glance before looking back at the professor. I frowned.

Is he playing games with me?

_ _ And then I wondered if he was nervous to come over if my mum was close by. I waited until he glanced back in my direction again before smiling and subtly beckoning him over. I'm no lip reader, but I was sure Lachlan said excuse me to the other professor before he turned and began walking in my direction.

"Malcolm?"

I turned to see my mum had asked me a question.

"Sorry?"

"I was wondering if you'd like to grab a late lunch after your ceremony, you're friends are welcome to join us?" mum asked.

I opened my mouth to respond, but them a warm feeling gently rushed through my body as I realised Lachlan was behind me. I could already make out the scent of vulpine fur and his aftershave without having to turn around. I allowed a smile to spread across my muzzle as I turned to face him.

"Hello my dear fox, long time no see."

"Hello my dear Shep."

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Hudson and Charlotte watching with interest.

"Mum, this is Lachlan Ross," I explained. "My professor and friend."

"Oh, your friend," mum replied, and I wasn't sure if her tone was surprised, uncertain or possibly relieved - perhaps a combination of all three.

Lachlan fixed her a warm smile as he extended a paw.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs Ritchie," he said as my mum shook it. "I am a good friend of your son."

My mum smiled nervously as Aunt Ruth appeared by her side.

"Oh yes, you stopped by for tea once," she announced. "I didn't realise you were a teacher! It's a shame you never popped in again, it was nice to see Malcolm being sociable."

"Yes, well, unfortunately some things in life got in the way," Lachlan explained diplomatically. "But all is resolved now. I do hope I wasn't interrupting if you were all having family time together?"

"Not at all," I spoke up. "We were discussing whether to have a late lunch." I paused and then another smile appeared on my muzzle. "Mum, I would really like it if Lachlan could join us."

My mum responded with another nervous smile before shifting on her hind-paws. I felt awkward, but then Lachlan stepped in.

"I don't wish to intrude on family time, but it would like to accompany you to lunch if that is permissible?"

"Well, I suppose so," my mum said.

"Thank you," I replied, giving her a kiss on the cheek. A wave of emotion suddenly washed over me. "And thank you for how supportive you have been for the rest of my degree, and for all those times you were looking out for me when I had those horrible incidences at Oxford. Honestly, at the time I felt a little constrained but now I realise you were just trying to make sure I was safe."

My mum looked taken aback for a moment, and then a genuine smile spread across her muzzle.

"I'm just glad you made it through Beldover without any serious trouble," she said, although in my mind I knew that wasn't entirely true. "And now you've come out the end as a grown man with a history degree!" she then straightened herself up and glanced at everyone, including Lachlan. "I don't suppose anyone knows anywhere nice around here that would do food at this hour?"

"I know of somewhere, if you would enjoy folk covers of classic British rock songs potentially playing in the background," Lachlan said. "We're a big party but at this time in the afternoon they should have space for us."

"That sounds rather interesting," Hudson's dad replied and I was happy to see my mum nod in agreement.

"What's the address?" she asked.

Everyone gathered around as Lachlan shared it.

"If anyone is in doubt or your SatNavs don't work, I'm driving a blue Audi," he explained.

Everyone nodded and murmured amongst themselves before Lachlan began leading us all to the exit.

As we walked across the lobby the next batch of students from different faculties were arriving for the next graduation ceremony. As I glanced over I noticed Adam in the crowd. The jaguar looked over in my direction and our eyes met briefly. I could tell he had noticed Lachlan behind me. Something close to a friendly smile appeared on his face before he looked away again.

"Hey, I'm going to have to be super antisocial and run off to find Leon for a minute," Hudson said. "If my parents are okay with that as it might hold them up."

"No problem, why not join us later?" I suggested.

"Absolutely dude," Hudson grinned before giving me a hug.

I hugged Hudson back before the jindo went off to find his mate.

"I felt very proud watching you," Lachlan said as he all walked to the main doors. "I had to resist the temptation to give you a standing ovation."

"Aww, you should have done," I chuckled.

"Well, instead I can promise you something that I promised you back in your first year," Lachlan said. "Remember I mentioned a graduation trip when we were in Italy?"

"Yeah, I do," I grinned.

"Well, I have another small research post to do over the summer. Have you ever been to Cyprus?"

"I haven't."

"Then I hope you're in for a surprise, and make sure you bring those cute swim trunks of yours," Lachlan said as his amber eyes sparkled and the trademark smile returned to his muzzle. I took one look at the smile and felt my heart melt. "I ought to shed this gown before we all go to eat," Lachlan chuckled. "I know being separated again is not ideal, but this time it'd only be for twenty minutes or so. You might want to drive with your mum to direct her."

"It's okay, I think I can remember the way," I replied, wagging my tail. "And I know this isn't a goodbye like the last one, even though I'll probably be very clingy to you from now on as I don't want to lose you again."

"Heh, I promise you won't," Lachlan insisted, fixing me another warm smile. "This will just be for a short while so I'm not sitting on my gown when I eat. I'm sure my PhD supervisor would have a fit if he saw me doing that."

"I'll tell the staff how many of us are eating, and to wait for you and Hudson's family," I said.

"Smart Shep," Lachlan grinned. "You'd better keep your mum company for the drive. I love you my dear Shep, don't ever doubt that."

"I don't, and I love you too my dear fox."

Lachlan's smile was still on his muzzle and to my surprise, he bent down and gave me a quick nuzzle between the ears. I couldn't help but chuckle with delight as we pushed our way through the doors.

My mum was walking a little further ahead, deep in conversation with Charlotte's parents. Charlotte was talking to Aunt Ruth while Thomas and Charlotte's brother seemed to have struck up a conversation.

I paused and smiled.

Everyone is together, and everything feels right.