graduate

Felicity and Ben are in bed facing one another. Felicity tells Ben that Professor Carnes failed her on the paper, but she passed the class. She and Ben are excited about graduating. Ben wonders how it all happened so fast. Felicity says it's weird and amazing. It's like all of a sudden, the safety net of college is gone. College sort of kept them together and they're not going to have that anymore. Ben asks Felicity if she's ever thought about marrying him. He tells her he can't stop thinking about it - he's been thinking about it ever since the hospital. Felicity asks, "Are you serious? Married?" Ben says, "Yeah, like husband and wife." Then he says, "Felicity, will you marry me?" Felicity says, "Oh my God. I don't know what to say." Ben says, "Ok, but that's more of a 'yes' than a 'no' isn't it?" Felicity smiles and says it's more of a 'yes.' They kiss.

Ben gets a phone call in the middle of the night from Lauren's sister. Lauren's in Philadelphia and she's in labor. Felicity asks if he's going to Philadelphia. Ben says he probably should. Felicity says he kind of has to. She asks if he wants her to go with him. Ben says he wants her to go to everything, but he thinks he can do this on his own and he probably should. Felicity asks if he's going to be back for graduation. Ben says he will. Ben asks Felicity if they're engaged. Felicity confirms that they are. They both laugh and Ben plants kisses all over Felicity's face before leaving her in bed and heading out the door.

Mr. Webb tells Noel and Sean that they lost C.G.G. Group. He says they're cutting back. He explains that the economy is killing everyone. He tells them that their work has been consistent and outstanding, but he can't afford them without C.G.G. Noel tells Sean that they're going to be fine - they have experience and people love them.

Felicity's parents are in town for her graduation. Her dad asks wants to know what she plans to do after graduation. Felicity says she was thinking she would come home for the summer and prepare for moving back to New York with Ben. Her father asks, "Isn't following Ben around for 4 years enough?" Felicity tells her dad he isn't being fair - she has a job. He asks if she's referring to the architecture job. Felicity says maybe. Her mother says it will all work itself out. He tells Felicity's mother not to try and put a band-aid over this. She tells him they're not there to attack their daughter. He complains that he's been through this for 4 years. Felicity tells them she knows this is not want they want from her and that they think she's throwing her life away to be with Ben. She tells them that she and Ben are engaged and Ben is going to be in her life forever and they should get used to it.

Felicity arrives at the loft visibly upset. Noel asks if she's ok. He tells her he knows Ben went to Philadelphia. Felicity tells him she and Ben are engaged. Noel says, "Wow." He pauses for a few seconds and then tells her it's great. Felicity tells him her parents don't share that point of view. Noel reminds her that historically her parents have been overbearing, controlling, crazy people. Felicity laughs and says that's true. He says she loves Ben and if this is what she wants to do - it all makes sense.

Ben returns from Philadelphia a bit overwhelmed by the birth of his son Andrew (named after Ben's dad). He says it was really hard to leave Philadelphia. Lauren is still planning to move to Arizona. He tells Felicity that he thinks he should move to Arizona to be near his son and he wants her to move with him - she could do anything there and they'd still be starting out together.

Noel tells Felicity not to move to Arizona. He asks how can she not be in New York next year - all of her friends are in New York.

Richard stops by with flowers and a balloon to congratulate Ben on the birth of his son. He meets Felicity's dad in the elevator and begins to ramble on about Ben's baby and Lauren moving to Arizona. He realizes he's said way too much and hands Felicity's dad the flowers and decides not to get off the elevator. Felicity's dad gives the gift to Ben and asks him to tell him what's going on. He asks if Felicity knows about Lauren and the baby. Ben tells him that Felicity has been very understanding. Felicity's dad tells Ben that Felicity doesn't know what she's getting herself into. Ben says that he's underestimating his daughter. He tells Ben not to try and make this a "parents don't understand" kind of thing. He tells Ben that marriage at their age is ridiculous. Ben reminds him that Felicity's mom was their age when she and Felicity's dad got married. Felicity's dad reminds Ben that they are now divorced. He asks Ben how are things going to work when he lives in New York and he has a child in Arizona. Ben explains that they're thinking about moving to Arizona. Felicity is packing when her dad walks in her room. He tells her he knows she doesn't care what he thinks, but moving to Arizona is a colossal mistake. He leaves. Ben apologizes for telling her dad that they're planning to move to Arizona. Felicity tells Ben that she can't just move - she has a life, friends, and a job in New York. She tells him she's been following him for 4 years - it's his turn now. She tells him it isn't fair for her to have to move to Arizona. He tells her that what he's dealing with is a little more important. She tells him she doesn't think she can go to Arizona. He tells her he thinks he has to.

The next day Felicity's dad walks in as she's trying on her graduation cap in front of the mirror. He apologizes for yesterday. He tells her that it seems like only yesterday she was in high school. Felicity says it seems like so long ago to her. He says he keeps trying to protect her. Felicity tells him he doesn't need to anymore - she's going to be ok. He tells her he's not so good at letting go. They hug. Felicity says she loves him. He tells Felicity that he loves her too.

After the graduation ceremony Felicity tells Ben that all she wants to do is follow him - sometimes she thinks she'd follow him anywhere. She tells him she can't. Ben says he knows. He apologizes for asking. She tells him he should go to Arizona. He says he thinks it's what he should do. Felicity says it's so sad. Maybe her dad was right - their relationship is just a college thing. Ben tells her they don't know that - if it's meant to be, it'll be.

Felicity tells Noel she's not moving to Arizona and that she and Ben aren't going to be together. She tells him that she's not coming back to New York next year. Noel says she has to. She tells him she just can't be there.

Ben and Felicity spend one last night together. The next morning Ben tells her he has to go. He kisses her and tells her that he loves her. Felicity tells Ben that she loves him too.

Felicity says goodbye to Meghan, Sean, Elena and Javier. Javier shows Felicity a plaque with her photo that reads "Employee of the Month." He says he's going to leave it up every month and she'd better come visit or he'll take it down.

Felicity writes "Felicity '02" on the wall in her closet. Noel stops by and offers to go with her to the airport. At the airport she tells him she doesn't think she can do this. Noel assures her that she can. She asks him if they're going to talk to one another all of the time. Noel tells her he has her cell phone#, her e-mail address - everything. Felicity boards the plane to San Francisco.

Six months later Felicity sends Ben a message telling him that it wasn't supposed to end this way. She tells him that it wasn't that long ago that she thought they'd be spending the rest of their lives together. But now he's in Arizona and she's in Palo Alto. She says things are actually good. She tells him that everyone back in New York is doing great. Sean and Noel have a real business. Meghan, despite her issues, still wants to be a psychiatrist. She tells Ben she'd probably be amazing at it. Felicity tells him she'd probably become Meghan's first client. She tells him it's ironic how sometimes the thing you're fighting is actually yourself. After everything - despite everything - she realized she wanted to become a doctor. She says of course her parents couldn't be happier. Now she knows she's doing it for herself and not them. She thinks that maybe she can make a difference. She says maybe they'll both become doctors. She tells him to give her a call, write her a letter or send her a tape. She tells him she'd love to hear his voice.

One day after class Felicity is outside reading flyers on a bulletin board when Ben comes up behind her. He says, "Hey." Felicity turns around slowly and asks what he's doing there. He tells her he was just at the Registrar's office signing up for classes. He talked to Lauren and she's going to move there. He tells Felicity she was right. It was his turn. They laugh then have a long hug. Ben carries Felicity's book bag and they walk across campus hand in hand.