Page 247 of Fame & Rhythm

My chest tightens, but in the best way.

“So, if she’ll have you…” He claps Aston on the shoulder. “Go for it, son.”

Aston turns to me, and suddenly, everything else fades.

For a moment, I see the boy I grew up with, the one who’s always been there, and then he’s gone. Replaced by the man standing in front of me now.

Strong.

Certain.

Mine.

He takes my hand, and drops to one knee.

I gasp, smiling through tears.

“Annie,” he says softly, holding my hand like it’s the most important thing in the world. “We’ve grown up together. We’ve been through everything… good and bad, and no matter what, we always find our way back to each other.” My heart feels like it might burst. “Because we’re meant to,” he continues. “I’ve known since I was five, that I was going to marry my best friend.” He smiles slightly. “But you’ve become so much more than that. You’re everything to me… my best friend, my partner, my home.” Tears blur my vision. “You make my life better just by being in it, and I don’t ever want to do this without you. We’re young, yeah, but we know what we want. And I want you!” His voice softens. “I want forever with you.” He pulls out a ring box. “I want mornings with you, nights with you, every moment in between. I want to build a life with you… a family with you.” He opens the box. The ring catches the light, breathtaking and perfect. “Will you marry me?”

I can barely breathe. Tears stream down my face as I stare at him, at the ring, at everything he’s offering me. God, he looks so fucking good right now.

“Annie?” he prompts gently.

“Mmm,” I manage, dazed just staring at him, completely lost in his perfection.

Laughter ripples through the room.

“So… is that a yes?” he asks, smiling.

I laugh through my tears. “Shit, yes. Of course, it’s yes. A million times yes!”

Cheers erupt around us as he’s on his feet in an instant, pulling me into his arms and spinning me. I cling to him, laughing and crying all at once.

Everything feels right.

Perfect.

Like this is exactly how it was always meant to be.

“I’ve got you,” he murmurs again, holding me tight.

And this time, I know he always will.

Epilogue

Annie

Aston and I bought a house halfway between our parents’ manors. We didn’t need anything enormous, but it’s still bigger than most homes, and it suits us perfectly.

We still head over to Mum and Dad’s place to rehearse with Staked, just like we always have. After everything that happened with Loretta, we took a much-needed break, and thankfully, my thumb healed perfectly. It aches a little if I play too long, but nothing that stops me.

Now Staked is back.

And tonight, we’re kicking off our first tour in over two years.

Mum and Dad kept me close for a while after everything, and Aston was just as bad, if not worse, but I understood. So I let them.

Now, standing backstage at Wembley Stadium, that part of my life feels like a distant echo. The roar of the crowd filters through the walls, already building, already waiting for us. I glance down at my engagement ring and smile, a familiar shiver running through me as the reality of everything settles in.