“I still get so nervous going out there.”
“They love you, babe. Especially since they’ve heard the songs we wrote together.”
I smile. Each night, Clay and I perform a new song together that has never been heard before by the crowd. Obviously, we haven’t had any time to record the songs, but it makes them even more special. Between traveling from gig to gig, sleeping, and making love, we write songs together. Love songs that are so far from Clay’s usual music, but now, are a part of him. Because of me. Because of what we’re building together.
The songs are about us. They’re about the way everything has changed since we met. How we finally feel alive now that we’re in one another’s arms. How we inspire each other every day. And clearly, we’re doing something right, because the fans love it. They love us. We’ve been all over celebrity tabloids for weeks. They’ve lapped up our relationship like cats who got the cream, and now, we’re a brand new power couple. I thought the spotlight would be far too bright for me to stand in, and it would be if I was alone, but with Clay next to me, I know that I can face it.
“Think about how much they’re going to lose it when they find out about the baby,” Clay murmurs to me, his breath tickling my ear. I smile. We haven’t told anyone yet, not even our parents, but I’m pregnant with our first baby. It was our very first time together that got me pregnant, I’m sure of it. Knowing that Clay’s baby is inside me has me on cloud nine. It’s the start of our future together.
“Maybe they’ll be sad. You won’t be able to make music as much when the baby comes along.”
“I’ve been making music for twenty years. I’m well due a break to focus on what’s important,” he growls. I giggle.
“Which is what?”
“You. Our family. Our future. That’s all that matters to me now.”
He kisses me hard and I wish we had time to sneak off and make love. I’ve become accustomed to making love before and after each of Clay’s performances. In fact, we’re at it like rabbits whenever we get the chance. But Clay said he has a surprise for the audience tonight, so it’ll have to wait.
“Okay, here I go. I’ll call you on stage soon,” he says. I give him one last kiss for luck and he heads out onto the stage, the crowd roaring as he appears.
I wonder what his surprise could be?
Clay
I barely even hear the roaring crowd around me. I know I’m about to take the biggest risk of my life, right in front of thousands of people. I love Harper so much, and I know she loves me, but it still fills me with nerves knowing I’m about to ask her to marry me in front of everyone here.
“Good evening, London!” I cry, stalling a little to keep the crowd cheering. I need a moment to catch my breath before I do this. Glancing to the side of the stage, I see Harper watching me with a smile on her face. I feel a rush of love for her. My beautiful woman, the mother of my child, my entire future. I can’t wait to get down on one knee and ask her to become my wife.
“It’s so good to be here with you all tonight, another full house. And as I’m sure you’ve all heard, I have a very special guest with me tonight. She is everything to me, so please give her the warmest welcome you can.”
The crowd whoops again and I hold out my hand for Harper to take. She looks a little shy as she joins me on stage, but she’s smiling. The crowd goes wild as they spot her, and I kiss her hard in front of everyone. I can’t resist her, after all.
As the kiss ends, I squeeze her hand. I bet she has no clue what I’m about to do. No clue that I’ve been searching in every city we’ve visited for the perfect ring to give her. I finally found it in one of the most expensive jewelers in London, and now, I’m ready to present it to her.
“This is Harper. She’s the most incredible woman I’ve ever met in my life. She’s changed everything for me. When we met, she asked me why I never write love songs, and I told her that I’d never been in love before. Now, I think of a new song every single day. She’s not just the love of my life, she’s also my muse. She’s my family. I love her more than I can ever express.”
The crowd is making a lot of noise, but I can barely hear them. I look at Harper and she’s all I see. Her smile feels like home. I could tell her all of the things she makes me feel, but I can see from the way she’s looking at me that she already knows. She knows that I’d do anything for her. She knows that for the rest of our lives, I’ll give her my all. I don’t need to say anything else. I look into her eyes and she mouths I love you too.