Chapter 25
Andrea, you look amazing.
You really think so?
I guarantee it.
Damien stands behind me, hugging me around the waist while we stare at each other in the mirror.
Our united reflection matches my vision. Damiens suit is dark and sleek and matches my dress. It’s two shades lighter, but they’re both in the same variable of blue.
Tonight is a very important night for me. A night I never thought would come.
I never thought I could find a balance after spending my whole life struggling to find myself alongside society’s expectations of me. But I did it, I found a way to reach people with my music while still knowing that the songs I sang are my own.
Today, that dream is coming true. The artist of the year celebration has arrived, and miraculously, I find myself nominated.
For the past year, I’ve been fervently promoting my new album, the one I created entirely myself. At first, the fact that Damien was signed as my manager caused a lot of controversy, especially as I was changing my entire musical style to a more professional and mature one.
But as soon as the album came out it sold out completely, and later the album was declared one of the best sellers of the year. Critics praised my performance, and sales went up to the point that I became the most listened to artist on various platforms for more than five months in a row.
All of it is just part of a dream that I still can’t believe is real, and one that I certainly couldnt have achieved without Damien.
My life still doesn’t seem real to me most days. Our daughter, Melody, was born last June, and she’s a perfect and completely healthy baby. And for almost a month, Damien and I have been doing nothing but admiring her.
Parenting has been a constant challenge, but not an impossible one. At least, not for us. Melody is a quiet little girl who, unsurprisingly, loves music.
Especially the tunes that her mom and dad compose.
I dont know if I can do this, I tell Damien, nervously running my hands down my blue tulle dress.
The garment, sleek and modern, matches my eyes perfectly. The dress has a mermaid tail that perfectly outlines my lean figure, highlights my breasts, and flatters my shoulders in a stylized way.
Trust me, youll stun at the awards event.
I meant leaving Melody alone.
For the first time since she was born, we’re going to be separated from her, and I just can’t find myself ready to do this.
Damien gives me a smile. Honestly, I cant say I dont understand you.
Kristina and Ethan agreed to take care of her tonight, so we get in the car and head into town with our little girl sleeping in my arms.
Nerves consume me every minute of the drive. The farther I get from my home, the more anxious I become about leaving my little girl in the hands of others.
Kristina and Ethan have proven to be unconditional friends and wonderful godparents to Melody, and I know that my little girl will be in good hands with them.
It’ll be all right, Kristina promises as she takes my little girl in her arms and kisses her forehead.
I sigh and decide to my friend. After giving my baby a hug and kiss, I retreat back to the car, where I take Ethans hand.
Youll just have to trust them, he says, and I nod
Travis drives us to the awards venue, which is already packed with people.
As soon as we arrive, the cameras start pointing at us and as the reporters call out to us, trying everything to get our attention.
Damien takes my hand, kisses my cheek, and turns to whisper in my ear. Everything will be fine, he promises.
I nod as I breathe in slowly, and all him to parade us through the crowd.
A smile spreads across my face, and I get ready to pose hand in hand with my husband as the press tirelessly calls to us.
Following the directions of one of the coordinators, I walk up to a well-known reporter, who immediately smiles at me.
Andrea, its a pleasure to be able to talk to you. You look beautiful today, she compliments me.
I thank her and start to follow the interview, which allows me to talk about the upcoming awards, and how honored I feel to be one of the most nominated artists tonight.
One of the things that has surprised the public the most is the fact that you recently got a new tattoo, says the reporter.
Well, here we go...
I have, yes! My husband and I decided it was a good time to get something tattooed together!
I turn around so the camera can capture the piece on my back, where a verse of my song used to be displayed along with a very personal symbol.
A sign that has now been removed and covered with a new tattoo. The emblem that Damien and I decided to get tattooed together.
It’s the notes of the first tune we composed together. The notes of the tattoo are all designed as snippets of the lyrics.
Its a beautiful and very representative tattoo. But is there any reason to have gotten it on top of the other one?
Of course there is.
I just thought it was time to close the cycle, I state, giving the reporter an impassive smile.
But there’s something that only Damien knows, that that tattoo had more meaning to me than anyone would believe.
It has more meaning to me than anyone else will ever know.
I got the original tattoo years ago, when I was sixteen and everything was all just getting started.
At that time, the world of stardom looked dazzling to me.
My mother had taken me to auditions for years, with little to no results. The bills were being paid with the efforts of my voice, but we weren’t making much else despite our constant pursuits.
And then I met Brandon, and he discovered me, and in turn, he discovered the mark my father had left on my back before he left.
One last scar from the violence that had been inflicted on me for years.
Brandon told me that there was a certain symbol of Celtic culture that represents strength, and urged me to get it tattooed. Years later, I discovered that it represented something else.
It was more of a symbol of possession.
At the time, Brandon had excused himself by claiming he had mixed the two symbol. After discovering all of his lies, however, I understood that in his own way, he had tried to mark me as if I were his.
And it was then that I decided, along with Damien, to erase that mark from my body and shape another one. One that would unite me with the only man Ive ever truly loved.
Well, Andrea, we wish you the best of luck for todays award show! the reporter says.
Nodding towards her, I say goodbye and take Damiens hand. We talk to a few other reporters before we finally enter the large awards hall.
Youll do spectacular, Damien promises.
The awards show begins, and for a moment I can feel the lights dazzling me. But Damien never lets go of my hand. He looks so handsome in his suit, so serene and dashing, that he fills me with courage. Finally, the big hour arrives, and when they announce the artist of the year, I’m so anxious I can barely listen.
The presenter, a famous movie actress, pulls out a card and calls out a name. And the audience erupts in applause.
I feel like the world has stopped, but then Damien hugs me tightly, laughing with audible joy.
His lips meet mine, and I understand.
The presenter didnt just say any name. She said mine.
Feeling my eyes sting, I stand up and walk to the podium, no idea what I’m going to say.
All words have been erased from my mind, and everything becomes a dizzying blur, in which I greet the presenter and receive hugs. And then everyone falls silent.
The cameras focuses on me and everyone waits with their eyes fixed on me.
I look at Damien.
And I know exactly what to say.
None of this would have been possible without you, I admit as I accept the award. You showed me that a broken girl with dreams that seem impossible can transform into an eternal bird. And that bird has taken flight, and she’ll be able to fly further than she ever thought possible.
His dark eyes find mine in the middle of the chaos, and I hold back tears as I’m overcome with love.
You gave me the greatest gift I could have ever imagined. A life precious life that we’ll share forever. I’ll spend the rest of my days rejoicing in that gift that you’ve given me. The gift that is our life together. I love you, Damien McAllister.
Laughing, I descend from the dais, and as the crowd erupts in applause I sink into my husbands arms.
I know that finally, I have found my place in the world.