Chapter 33
Yours Forever
? You’re Still the One - Shania Twain
One year later
Ruby
Fifty sold-out shows, twenty-five cities, fifteen states, two Canadian provinces, six months of touring, and it all kicks off this weekend in Nashville.
This past year has been a whirlwind, and it just keeps getting better. C&L Entertainment lost the appeal, and they were forced to pay out damages to the tune of three million. I donated all of the money to various charities as promised.
Not long after, the universe gave us another gift when Breanna was arrested on charges of fraud and extortion stemming from an investigation that was already in progress when she showed up in Oak Ridge. She’s getting her just desserts, and I didn’t even have to lift a finger.
A news article has never been more satisfying than the one with her mugshot. Someday we’ll have to explain things to Aiden, but he’s still young enough that he doesn’t know what’s going on.
Long distance has been tough, but we prioritize our relationship and make time to visit each other often. We alternate driving between Nashville and Oak Ridge, and my family helps out with Aiden whenever they’re needed. It’s just like the Hayes family to adopt an extra grandson without question.
I’ve flown to New York and L.A. a few times for promotions and interviews, and every time, without fail, there’s a bouquet of flowers and a box of wine from Liam waiting for me in the hotel room. My love for that man has only grown stronger as time passes.
Even with all of my success, I still feel like I could be doing more.
Since my comeback, I’ve been yearning to help artists like me who dream of making it big in the music industry.
So, I’m building my own recording studio at Whispering Oaks Ranch.
With Heaven at the helm, I’ll be taking on up-and-coming artists once my record label gets off the ground.
Years ago, Mom and Dad set aside land for each of us kids, and mine is being put to good use as we speak.
I love the ranch and it will always hold a special place in my heart, but I couldn’t imagine living anywhere but Liam’s house.
It’s my home—my sanctuary. It’s where my heart sings and my world makes perfect sense.
Deep breaths. You got this.
“Good evening, Nashville!”
The audience cheers as their wristbands light up the stadium in a blur of rainbow colors. The opening number fades out, and I let them have their moment so I can catch my breath.
“God, it’s good to be back. Welcome to the Anywhere But Here Tour!” I pause while they cheer again. “I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here with y’all. We’re gonna make you feel all of the things tonight, Nashville.”
More applause.
“But first, if you don’t mind, I’m gonna take back what’s mine.” I play one singular note, the opening chord to Heaven-sent and Hellbound, and the audience starts singing before I can even utter a single word.
My mouth drops open as thousands of fans sing my lyrics back at me.
I tug the monitor out of my ear and let their voices flow through me, pressing my hand to my chest with the guitar pick still pinched between my fingers.
The scene blurs into a kaleidoscope of lights and colors, and I swear my heart stops for a moment.
I take a deep breath to compose myself and join in at the chorus as a few tears fall down my cheeks unbidden.
I missed this—missed the high of performing and the feeling I can only find when I’m on a stage with my guitar.
A year ago, I considered giving it all up for a simple life back in Oak Ridge.
It was never a serious consideration, but a fleeting thought I had more than once.
I would’ve regretted it more than I can say.
I’m falling in love with my music again, and it’s been the most freeing experience.
I have an incredible team at my back, and the man of my dreams at my side.
There’s not much more I could ask for, except maybe a ring on my finger and a little boy calling me mom.
Someday.
When the song ends, the entire stadium goes quiet.
“Wow,” I say breathlessly. “I didn’t expect to cry quite so early in the night. Thank you for that. I will cherish this memory for the rest of my life. That song is deeply meaningful to me, and there was a time when I thought I might never get to sing it again. So… thank you.”
“This next one is for my buddy Aiden.” I find him in the VIP tent with Liam and Connor, and blow him a kiss. It’s his first concert, and I’m honored that it’s one of mine. “It’s called Starlight.”
As we reach the end of the show and the last lyrics to “Bad Bitch Scorned” slowly fade out, the crowd erupts into cheers and applause. I hand my guitar off to the roadie and pull the glitter mic off its stand.
It’s my favorite part of the show, and they know it. There’s another round of chants and cheers as the screens behind me start panning the crowd for signs.
I step to the edge of the extended part of the stage that juts out into the pit and read the first one. “‘Can we take a selfie to send to my cheating boyfriend?’ Oh, hell yes! Does he know you know?”
Nico hands the fan a mic. She’s young—maybe mid-twenties. She’s wearing a replica of my music video outfit, complete with the leather vest and bell-bottoms. “He’s here with his lover.”
The chorus of boos echoes through the stadium, and I join in with them. “No fucking way. Where is he?”
“He’s up in the cheap seats and I’m in the pit,” she says in an enthusiastic singsong voice.
The boos quickly turn to cheers, and I give her a one-woman standing ovation. “You’re a badass. Nico, bring her up here.”
He lifts her over the barricade, and I bring her to the center of the slightly raised platform with me, wrapping one arm around her shoulders.
She holds up her phone, and we smile for the selfie.
I prompt her to hold up her middle finger, and we take another one, flipping off the camera.
I pull her in for a hug, and she thanks me before heading back to the pit.
“There’s nothing like a bad bitch scorned, am I right, Nashville?”
The audience response is deafening. It takes a minute or so for them to quiet back down.
The next sign is one I’ve seen a lot in my career. “Will you write my next tattoo?” I crouch down and reach for the sign as Nico hands me a Sharpie.
“Just so we’re on the same page, I need to remind you that tattoos are permanent.” Laughter erupts as the fan nods animatedly. “Alright. If you’re sure. Let’s do this. Do you want me to write anything special?”
She screams something over the noise, but I can’t quite make it out.
I look around for the mic, but it’s still on the other side of the stage. “Sorry, say that again?”
The small gathering around her screams with her, and this time, I get it.
I write ‘Bad Bitch’ in cursive, and again in print, then sign my name on the back of the poster.
“I never claimed to have good handwriting, so I will not blame you one bit if you don’t want this on your body,” I say, handing the sign back to Nico.
The fan blows me a kiss, and I hold my hands against my heart before moving on.
Nico follows me around the stage as I search out another one. I hold the mic up to my lips, but the audience goes wild before I can read off the sexual innuendo I have my sights set on. I spin to check the screens, uncertain what has them so animated.
Aiden.
I forget how to breathe.
I spin back around to find the camera that has him in its sights, and lock eyes with my favorite kid. He’s at the front of the pit on top of Connor's shoulders, wearing a silver sequin blazer and a bow tie, holding up a homemade sign that says, ‘Will you marry my dad?’
My heart leaps into my throat, and my vision blurs as I continue staring at the little boy I love so much. The mic near my lips isn’t doing me any good as I struggle to find the words to answer the most monumental question of my entire life.
I look around for Liam, but he’s not there.
The stadium quiets, and I’m sure they can hear my heart beating out of my chest. I cover my mouth and shake my head, laughing. This is absurd. This can’t be real.
My gaze zeros back in on Aiden as if we’re the only two people in the arena. “Hey, little dude. Where’s your dad?”
There’s a collective gasp, and I glance over my shoulder. My hands shake uncontrollably as Liam strides over to me with purpose, a small smile playing on his perfectly handsome face.
I turn my back to the crowd and try to steady my breathing.
My heart feels like it’s beating out of my chest trying to meet him halfway, but the rest of me is frozen on the spot.
When Liam reaches me, he drops to one knee and holds out a velvet ring box.
Inside, there’s a pear-shaped ruby on a gold band with a halo of diamonds around the center stone.
It’s beautiful, but it doesn’t come close to the sight of Liam down on bended knee.
Is this real life?
“Where do you wanna go, Ruby?”
The proposal doesn’t come with some grand speech about love and happiness, or solemn vows and promises of love, honor, and cherish. It’s so much more than that. It's our past, present, and future wrapped up in one simple question that might not mean much to anyone else, but to us, it’s everything.
“Anywhere but here.”
He slips the ring onto my finger and brings it to his lips. “I love you, Goldie.”
I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him senseless as the crowd erupts behind me.
He dips me backward and deepens the kiss, slipping his tongue into my mouth.
It’s not the most appropriate kiss for two people standing on a stage in the middle of a sold-out arena, but I can’t find it in me to care.
When he pulls away, his hands gently cradle my jaw, and he stares into my tear-filled eyes. His thumb slowly slides along my cheekbone. “Just to be clear, is that a yes?”
“Yes.” I bring my forehead to his. “You still haven’t missed a single show.”
“This is by far the best one.” He kisses me again, softly this time, and I melt into his arms for the briefest moment. “The show must go on, Miss Hayes.”
I spin to face the crowd again in time to see them parting to let Connor through with Aiden. He passes him over the barrier to Nico. Once on stage, Aiden barrels over to us.
I squat low to catch him, and he wraps me in a tight hug.
“Did I do a good job, Dad?” he asks.
“You were perfect. Thanks for the assist, bud.” Liam holds out his hand, and they high-five.
“Does that mean you’re ours?” Aiden asks.
“I’m yours. Forever.”