Chapter Twenty-Four
EFFA
We walk hand in hand toward the back of the stage, and there’s a flutter in my chest that feels suspiciously like nerves.
The girls are giggling behind me, whispering in that conspiratorial tone that immediately makes me feel like I’ve missed a group chat.
I sense I’m slightly out of my depth, as if everyone else has read the script except me.
“Okay… what’s going on here, guys?” I ask, narrowing my eyes playfully over my shoulder.
“You’ll see,” Alana sings sweetly.
Kaden lifts my hand and presses a slow, tender kiss to the back of it before releasing me and walking off toward the back of the stage. The gesture alone makes my pulse jump, and I raise a brow and let my body slump dramatically.
“What in Gaia’s name is going on here?” I mutter as he jogs, gingerly, because of his ribs, to the rear of the stage while the girls suddenly hustle me forward.
They usher me up the small staircase to the stage itself, their hands at my back, their laughter barely contained.
I take quick, careful steps, my heart beating faster with every movement.
The second my foot hits the main stage platform, I lift my gaze.
And I gasp.
Candles are placed in careful arcs across the floor, their flames flickering softly against the darkened stadium seating.
Petals trail across the entire stage, like a path intentionally laid out, leading toward the center.
But what truly makes me smile, what makes my chest swell in that ridiculous, childlike way, is the sight of cupcakes scattered among little rainbow boxes.
It’s whimsical.
It’s romantic.
It’s completely, undeniably me.
Kristy gives my back a gentle shove, and I stumble forward into the middle of it all.
A spotlight ignites above me, bright and warm, bathing me in white light. The rest of the stadium falls into darkness except for the low golden shimmer of candlelight dancing around the stage.
My breath catches.
Excitement floods through me, effervescent and overwhelming, and when I look toward the back of the stage, I see him. Mercs is walking toward me slowly, a bouquet of daisies in one hand and a stuffed unicorn tucked under his arm.
I laugh softly, half convinced I’ve stepped into some surreal dream sequence that only exists in the part of my brain that thrives on romance novels and fantasy endings.
He looks… calm.
Grounded.
Determined.
There’s no hesitation in his eyes as he closes the distance between us. Mercs steps in, placing the daisies and unicorn gently on one of the rainbow boxes before turning back to me. “The moment I saw you for the first time in that crazy giraffe onesie, I knew.”
I tilt my head, confused but smiling. “Knew what?”
“That you were going to impact my life in a way I never saw coming.”
I shrug lightly. “You changed my world too.”
He shakes his head immediately and cups my face in both hands, his palms warm against my cheeks, his thumbs brushing just beneath my eyes.
“No, you don’t understand, Effa. You didn’t change my world.
You changed me. You make me a better man than I ever thought possible.
You make the world brighter. You make everything better when you’re around. ”
His voice isn’t loud.
It’s steady and certain.
He inhales sharply and steps back, and for a split second, I panic, unsure why he’s putting distance between us.
Then he takes my hand in his, his thumb strokes over my skin once… twice…
And then he drops to one knee.
The movement is quick, but it still feels like time slows.
My eyes widen, and my heart slams against my ribs so hard I’m certain the entire stadium can hear it. My breath comes in shallow bursts as I stare down at him.
“Vespa,” he says softly. “I love you more than words can say. You mean everything to me, and I know now that life’s so desperately short. So, I want to live every day to the fullest. I want to love, and I want to love fiercely. I want all of that love to be for you.”
My throat tightens.
“I know this is soon, but why wait? With what happened with Vex, I know life can be over in the blink of an eye, and I want to spend every moment I can with you by my side, as not only my best friend, but my confidant, my rock, and my wife…” My heart explodes with excitement as I gasp at his words, and he continues, “You’re everything.
My beginning. My end. You’re my life, and I want you to marry me. So… will you… marry me?”
My eyes glisten, my body shaking all over as he looks into my eyes, his not wavering for a second as he looks at me with intention.
I feel all of his emotions as he smiles.
Mercs’ free hand reaches into his pants pocket, and he pulls out a ring box.
My eyes open wider, and a shocked gasp leaves my lips.
He chuckles, letting go of my hand, and brings it up in front of me.
“You have a ring?” I ask, and he smiles, nodding.
“I’ve had it since I asked your father’s permission to marry you.”
I scoff out a bewildered laugh as I shake my head. “When the hell did you ask my dad?”
He smiles. “When they were in Ligonier. I asked him the night we went to the pub, and you all met Fort Affliction.”
Warmth explodes through me so intensely I almost sway. He planned this. He thought about this. He made sure.
But then I hesitate.
Not because I don’t want this.
Because I’m overwhelmed.
And I realize I haven’t actually answered.
His smile falters slightly, and he lowers the box and exhales. “So, I’m gathering by the lack of answer it’s—”
“Oh my God!” I nearly shout, grabbing his jacket collar and hauling him up to his feet. “Yes, Kaden Mercury. I will marry you.”
The girls erupt behind us, cheering and cooing like we’re on some ridiculous reality show finale.
His eyes widen, pure joy lighting them up. He wraps his arms around me tightly and lifts me off the ground, spinning me once before wincing at how bad his ribs are smarting.
I squeal and grab his shoulders before he crashes his mouth to mine, and I kiss him back with everything I have.
It’s messy.
Desperate.
But full of relief and want and promise.
Our tongues tangle as if we need to memorize each other all over again. When he finally lowers me back down, my legs feel weak and my body hums.
“You’ve made me so fucking happy,” he whispers.
“I was about to say the same thing,” I murmur.
He opens the ring box fully, and the diamond catches the candlelight. It’s a single round stone set in a twisted white gold band, one strand inset with tiny diamonds.
Simple.
Unique.
And goddamn perfect.
“I know it’s not massive,” he starts, tension creeping into his voice. “I know it’s not extravagant or very rock star.” He sighs. “I don’t have much money, and if you want something better I can—”
“Stop,” I cut in firmly. “Kaden, it’s exactly what I want. It could have been a daisy chain for all I care. It’s perfect. I love it. I love you.”
He exhales, visibly relaxing while his fingers tremble slightly as he slides the ring onto my finger.
It fits perfectly.
And when he kisses me again, softer this time, slower, it feels like sealing something sacred.
“We’re going to make it,” I whisper against his lips.
“Damn right we are.”
After a moment, I pull back, still grinning like an idiot.
“So… I’ve been thinking about buying another house for a while.
And now we’re getting married, I want to make a second home in the States for when I’m not on tour.
I want to be with you and your family. I’d like to talk to a land agent and see if we can buy a house in Ligonier. ”
His eyes widen before he says, “You really want that?”
“Yes,” I say without hesitation. “I love it there. It feels right.”
“Well, if you’re buying in the States, then I guess I am, too,” Alana calls out, and I grin. “Are there many homes for sale in Ligonier?”
Mercs chuckles. “More than you’d think,” he suggests, looking past me to Alana. “But there is land, and you can build if you want.” Everyone tilts their head like they’re thinking hard.
“Well, if my two best friends are buying, then count me in,” Kristy calls out.
“If half the band is having a second home in America, then I guess we should, too. Right, Andi?” Casey asks, and Andi looks from Casey to Tank and back to Casey.
“I guess I have a couple of reasons to set up another home in America,” Andi offers.
Tank tries to hide his smile.
“Do I get a say in this at all?” Luke blurts out as he walks into the room, and we all look over at him. His normally stern face seems a little shaken.
“If we want to move our band forward, Luke, the best place to do that is in the States. Yeah?” I ask, and he cracks his neck to the side.
“Yes… it is.”
“Then isn’t this the best option for all of us? We can have our holidays in Australia, but it makes sense to spend most of our time in the States,” I assert, and he lets out a long huff while Alana sinks into herself.
“He has kids back in Australia,” she murmurs, and we all glance at Luke. We can’t lose him, but the band has to keep moving forward, and honestly, we will be spending most of our time in the States for the foreseeable future anyway.
He shifts uncomfortably again. “Look, this is something I’ll need to discuss with you all in a more private setting. Now is not that time...” He rubs his fingers through his hair.
I glance at the other girls, who all look as worried as I feel, but I decide to lighten the mood with my excitement.
So, I hold up my left hand and wiggle my fingers.
Everyone looks at my hand, and they all race forward.
Alana jumps on the spot and giggles to herself.
“Oh my God, Mercs, it’s beautiful,” Alana calls out.
“I’m so freaking excited. I’d better be a bridesmaid,” Kristy demands.
“Can’t believe she said yes. She must really be crazy,” Tank teases, and I turn, shaking my head.
“Crazy in love,” I reply, and a resounding gagging sound echoes around the room, making us both laugh before he leans in, kissing my lips.