Chapter 71
CHAPTER 71
CALEB
APRIL
Call me
I end the meeting I’m in and pick up the phone.
“April?” I say the moment she answers.
She sounds breathless. “What’s going on?”
“I’ve been given a Service to the Community Award. I’m going to be presented with it next month,” she says, her excitement palpable. “I can’t believe it.”
“Congratulations, little dancer. You deserve it. The community want to tell you how much they appreciate all you’ve done for their children and the neighbourhood.”
I’d already heard April had been nominated. It doesn’t surprise me. She’s loved more than she will ever realise, and has had such an impact on the lives she surrounds herself with.
“Will you come with me?” she asks suddenly, taking me by surprise.
“I’ll be there. Wild horses wouldn’t keep me away,” I tell her .
She goes quiet. “That’s not what I asked.”
“No, it’s not, and I will be there, but I won’t be there with you. This is about you, April. We haven’t announced our relationship to the world yet. I refuse to take the limelight away from you. This is your special night.”
There is silence over the phone.
“I love you,” she says.
“And I love you. This has nothing to do with love. I don’t want this to distract us from our path just because this has come up. I respect you too much. I will be there, sneak a kiss when no one is looking, and cheer you on from the sidelines. When we get home, I will tell you exactly how proud I am of you, but that is private. When we decide to come out to the world. It will be because you are ready, not because it’s been forced upon you.”
“Okay,” she says, almost too quickly.
“My family and the guys will also be there. I’m sure Sarah and Di would also like to attend. I’m happy to have them stay at the apartment if they want to.”
I can almost see her smile. “They’ll love that. I’ll call them now,” she says. “Caleb. I love you. More than I can ever show you or tell you.”
“I know. But we are doing this on our timeline, no one else’s.”
She ends the call, and I can’t help but feel disappointed that she didn’t fight harder. Will she ever be ready to announce us to the world?
Watching April take the stage. My heart is in my throat. She steals my breath like no other woman. The presenter gives a speech introducing April and all she’s done for the community. A cheer goes up, and those in the community who have come to support her get to their feet and cheer. Her table does the same. Sarah, Di, Tim, and Julian, along with Samuel and Dan, are on their feet. April turns to the audience, her eyes glistening. She accepts the award with grace. She’s brought a community together, and now they’re thanking her.
“She looks stunning,” Harper whispers in my ear.
I turn and grin at my sister.
She laughs. “You should see the goofy look on your face. You, my brother, are completely done for.”
“I’m not denying it,” I admit, returning my gaze to April as she thanks everyone, her eyes locking on mine.
“This means a lot to me. But this award is to the whole community. We’ve stood together shoulder to shoulder to support one another. They say it takes a village to raise a child. That’s what we’re doing, supporting one another. You are my family, and as a foster child growing up, family is important.”
A loud cheer goes up from the crowd. Many of the community members have come to support April this evening.
She turns to my table, her eyes locking on mine. “I’d also like to thank Francesca Frazer and the Frazer Foundation. What you are doing for our community will make a world of difference, and you’re offering children like I was, a way of following their dreams. Finally, Caleb Frazer. He’s made this possible. He and Frazer Development have rebuilt my dreams from literal ashes and helped provide a safe space for our current community. Thank you.”
I tip my head in acknowledgement. I intend to show her exactly how proud I am of her later after I drop her mother, Tim, Di, and Julian, back at my apartment.
April inclines her head as she looks at me.
“Before I go, and allow you good people time to enjoy the beautiful food and wine. There’s one more thing I want to say. Someone told me recently that I should buy a washing machine if I want a guarantee. That life doesn’t come with any. Sometimes, we have to take a leap of faith. Someone threatened to expose something from my past a few months ago.” Her eyes lock on mine. “I’ve decided to own it. No one should have power over another through fear or intimidation. Fear that has nearly held me back from finding true happiness.” She shoots me a shy smile. “Those I care about now know the secret I’ve kept hidden for the past two years, that includes my community, as they are my family. My big secret turned out to be not so big to them.” April chuckles.
“We love you, April,” someone shouts from the back, making her laugh.
“A press release has gone out this evening, it explains how I raised the initial money to buy my dance school as an exotic dancer at Merryfellows.”
A gasp goes up around the room.
What the hell is April doing?
A hand clamps down on my arm, and I realise I’ve gone to stand.
“Listen,” Quentin hisses in my ear.
I sink back into my chair, my eyes never leaving the woman I love who is standing on the stage, sharing her journey.
“I spent four years earning enough money to open my dance studio. Merryfellows was a means to an end and allowed me, an ex-foster kid, to follow my dreams. That path led me to my community, to helping the kids who needed somewhere to go. But still, fate wasn’t done with me. She had her own plans.” Her eyes lock on mine. “She led me to Caleb Frazer, a man who has not only saved my business, and our community, but showed me my past doesn’t need to define me, that I’m a survivor. Caleb, I’m sorry I ever doubted you. You’re one in a million, and you have changed my life and stolen my heart. You said when I was ready. Well, I’m ready now. Tonight, I walked in here without you by my side. I never want to stand anywhere without you next to me.”
Quentin lets go of my arm, and I’m on my feet, heading towards the stage. I climb the steps two at a time and sweep April into my arms, burying my head in her neck.
“You told me to own it. I spoke to Quentin, and he told me they can only use my past against me if I let them.”
I pull back and cup her face in my hands, dropping my lips to hers.
“I love you, little dancer,” I whisper against her lips. “I don’t give a rat's ass about your past or what anyone else thinks, but I know you do. You are the kindest, bravest, and most selfless person I have ever met.”
“I love you.”
“Good, 'cause you're stuck with me now. You just told the world we’re together.”
Cameras are going off all around us, and a cheer goes up when I kiss her this time.
Loud whoops go up from April’s table, where her foster mum and dad, Sarah, and Tim, Samuel and Dan, and a host of April’s dance students are all sitting. Our table follows suit. Tristan, Quentin, and Xander make the most noise of all. Seb, Scarlett’s husband, is holding her while she sobs into his shoulder. Meanwhile, Kat, Harper, Gabriel, and Leah are grinning like Cheshire Cats.
I smile down at April, pulling her to my side.
We leave the stage, only to be surrounded by our friends and family.
“I’ve got it covered,” Quentin says in my ear. “Control the narrative.”
Her fear has always been unfounded, but I know it has bothered her. I squeeze my friend’s shoulder as a sign of my appreciation.
“Darling, I am so happy for you,” my mother says pulling me down for a hug, having finally let go of April. “You can celebrate later, however, tonight is still about April.” Her face getting serious. “You hold on to that woman, and don’t you ever let her go.”
“I have no intention,” I tell her truthfully.
“You really love her.” My mother’s knowing tone has me staring down into her face. “It’s there for all to see. I remember seeing that same look in your father’s eye. It took me a while to recognise it, but when I finally did, I was gone, too.”
I reach over and squeeze her hand. I’m not sure how she survived his death. I’m not sure I could if anything happened to April. Their love was monumental.
She smiles and grips my hand.
“I’m glad you’ve found her,” she says, her eyes moving to April, surrounded by those who love her.
Samuel looks over and winks. His grin unmissable.