Epilogue – One year later
Rowan
Milo is shining. He always does, but tonight he’s lighting up the entire world on stage.
I’ve been following Milo all over the world on his tour these last few months, and tonight is finally the last concert.
Milo is singing his heart out to the completely sold-out MetLife Stadium.
The entire place is loud with cheers, sparkling lights, and even homemade glow-in-the-dark banners that claim themselves as proud Itty-bitties.
After Milo posted that picture a year ago, whatever storm Ray had prepared for never happened. Instead, we were welcomed with overwhelming support and love.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the internet without some negative and bigoted comments, but there was always someone around to drown out those comments with positive ones.
Though I do believe more than half those comments came from my family—mostly Reagan—and the many alternative accounts I’ve learned that Ethel has. They were really loud with their support of us and really led the online conversation toward loving us while giving us our privacy as well.
What surprises me the most is that I’ve even seen my sister Riley commenting on the post, mostly replying to the haters with embarrassing pictures she’s somehow found of them. It seems her days of stalking will never be over.
I’d been worried about Milo meeting everyone, especially Reagan and Riley, but they were surprisingly cool.
Reagan didn’t bombard him with a million questions as “the number two fan”—I have officially been dubbed the biggest Itty-bitty—but got to know him as my partner.
And Riley, well, she acted like Riley, just toned down all the creepiness.
Milo fit right in with them and even mentioned to me that night that he’s excited to be part of a big family.
He’s, of course, been scooped under Raina’s wings—and nominated the new favorite when he’d gifted her a rug he’d purchased on his last tour in France—but he has no idea that I hope to make him a member of the family officially.
Everyone is here backstage tonight, my entire family—even my parents had returned home from their travels to witness this—Ethel, Jack and his family. Ray is cuddled under Ruben’s arm as they make heart eyes at each other. I never thought I’d see my brother settle down, but here we are.
After the whole incident with Andrew and Lance, Ray took it upon himself to hunt them down and get payback.
He’d used all his connections to push Lance out of the entertainment industry and had sent a strongly worded email to Andrew’s company depicting his recent and past atrocious online activities.
Last I heard Andrew was fired and had to move back home with his mom.
The fallout had really taken a toll on Ray with him already being all keyed up and overworked that Milo had practically forced Ray to chill out and take a yoga class. It just so happened to be the same studio Ruben goes to, and the rest, as they say, is history.
I hate to admit it, but they’re good for each other.
Ruben finally taught Ray how to relax and those dark circles that had been a permanent fixture on his face have finally disappeared.
And Ray is able to rein in Ruben’s particular form of craziness.
He even got Raina to give back his dessert privileges.
The other members of MYTHS are here as well.
They and Milo have really worked on their relationship in the past year and talked things over.
I’m not sure if they’ll ever be best friends, but they’ll always share a bond that’s not easily broken.
When I reached out, they all insisted they couldn’t miss this and snuck backstage after the start of the concert to surprise Milo.
They’re all here waiting with me to share what I hope will be a very joyous day.
The current song ends, and Milo steps to the front of the stage to where a grand piano is waiting. Stage magic happens, and a giant screen comes down across the entire stage—covering the back half of it—and turns into a galaxy.
A myriad of colors rivers out behind him for his last song—his newest single, my song: Hazel.
My heart is going to break out of my chest as I watch him play the first notes. The song has transformed since the first time I heard it, but the essence is still the same. It’s an upbeat melody filled with hope, and combined with the lyrics, there’s no mistaking that it’s a love song.
For me.
Milo sings about getting lost in the field of stars filled with blues and greens and the warmest golds, and I’m lost in him.
I’m replaying every single day of the last year in my head—the lazy mornings waking up in each other’s arms, the afternoons getting into whatever chaos Milo had up his sleeve that day, and the easy nights cuddled on the couch together—and I can’t wait to have a million more days just like them.
Milo plays the last note, and my pulse is louder than the thunder of applause coming from the fans. The lights dim, with only the spotlight on Milo still shining.
Ray comes up to me and pats me on the shoulder.
“It’s go time,” he informs me.
My nerves are shot, but I grab the flowers and ring box from the table and take a deep breath. My friends and family surround me, giving me supportive words as I take the first step onto the stage.
I’ve never had stage fright, but I have to admit, being under the scrutiny of tens of thousands of people is intimidating. It just shows, once again, how fucking amazing Milo is for shining under all this pressure.
I’ve considered a thousand ways of proposing to Milo—something intimate with just the two of us, or a dinner with friends and family present—but I knew this would make Milo the happiest. Surrounded by friends, family, and all the fans he adores.
A second spotlight lights me up as I walk toward him, and the final words Milo is giving to his fans fall quiet. He glances over at me with clear surprise, because this was not on the itinerary. At least it wasn’t on the one he received.
“What is this?” Milo asks when I reach him. His words are broadcast to the entire stadium through the mic hanging from his ears. “You got me flowers?”
I nod and hand him the bouquet. Three hundred and sixty-five red roses, one for each day we’ve been together.
“Aw, my little croissant, these are beautiful. Thank you,” Milo says and pulls me in for a hug.
The audience laughs at my pet name, and I wince. Despite my best efforts, Milo has refused to change it to something else.
Milo goes on his tiptoes for a quick kiss, which has the entire stadium going wild with cheers. But if I thought that was loud, it’s nothing compared to the screams when Milo pulls back, and I fall to one knee.
Milo is no doubt filled with shock too. His free hand goes to his mouth as his eyes land on me. They widen when he notices the ring box.
“Yes, yes, yes!” he screams before I even get the box open and holds out his left hand for me to put the ring on.
I laugh and take his hand, but I don’t slip on the ring just yet.
“You didn’t even let me ask, babe,” I tease and press a kiss to the back of his hand.
“Then hurry up! I’m dying here!” Milo practically screams. The entire stadium laughs at his words. They can’t hear what I’m saying since I don’t have a mic.
I take hold of his hand in mine again and look into his gray eyes. The world fades away, and the screams of the fans are a soft buzz in the bubble of Milo and me. I clear my throat and recite the speech I prepared.
“Milo, baby. I thought love wasn’t for me.
I was always told I’m too cold and unfeeling, but I feel the complete opposite when I’m with you.
You managed to light up my life in a way I never expected.
You are the world to me, Milo. And I want to spend the rest of my life doing all the chaotic things with you. ”
Milo laughs, and tears pool in his eyes.
“So I’m asking, will you marry me and make me the happiest man alive?”
“Fuck, Rowan. Yes! A thousand times, yes!” he screams again and bends over to meet me for a kiss. We’re hugging and standing under the thundering applause of the entire stadium.
I slip the ring on him, feeling like I’m on top of the world now that Milo has agreed to marry me, when the screen that was in the middle of the stage suddenly starts a slow lift.
Milo turns to me, and I shrug. This wasn’t in my plans, so I genuinely have no clue what’s going on.
Milo is shocked when the screen reveals all our loved ones, who surround us and offer their congratulations. He’s surprised to see the other members of MYTHS there, but his bright smile tells me he’s happy they’re there.
“Alright, order! Everyone, quiet down, and let’s get this ceremony underway!”
Ethel’s sweet voice booms through the speakers, and we turn to see her standing under an arch.
The entire back end of the stage has been transformed to include rows of seats in front of a white arch, and flowers scattered all around.
A long red carpet is rolled down the middle from the arch, right to where we’re standing.
If I didn’t know any better, I would think I’m attending a backyard wedding. All our friends and family find their seats and turn around to look at us with expectant eyes.
“What’s going on?” Milo asks. He turns from Ethel to me.
“I don’t know, babe. This wasn’t part of my plans,” I tell him, but my voice is drowned out by Ethel’s reply.
“Are you blind, boy? You’re getting married, that’s what’s happening. I didn’t get ordained for no reason. I need to marry you off before Anabelle comes to take me.”
Milo rolls his eyes, but I can see him glancing at me. This was definitely not part of the plan, but I’ve come to learn that with Milo, not all things go to plan.
“I would love to marry you right now and not have to wait another day to call you my husband,” I tell him.
Milo’s eyes soften into a smile when he says, “But we don’t even have a marriage license.”
Ray pops up from his seat and yells, “Already took care of that! It’s with Ethel.”
Ethel holds up a very official-looking document. I didn’t even know someone else could apply for a marriage license for you, but I’ve learned not to question Ray’s mysterious ways of getting things done.
“Are we doing this?” I ask Milo.
He’s beaming back at me and grabs my hand to pull me down the red carpet. I’m laughing hard as I let myself be pulled forward, the spotlight following us.
I didn’t expect our next crazy adventure to happen so soon after I proposed. Married on stage with our loved ones watching, and a stadium full of people chanting “rolo forever.” It’s not what I imagined, but then again, Milo isn’t either.
He’s so much more than I could ever think to want. And I’m proud to be his biggest Itty-bitty.