Chapter 45Eden
45
Eden
E den fought to keep from yawning as the makeup artist applied eyeshadow to her eyelids. Colm had insisted on celebrating their performance with whiskey backstage last night, and they ended up talking for hours. She’d barely gotten two hours of sleep. She just hoped it would be enough to win Ronan back. Sadie had made sure Ronan saw the performance, but so far, she hadn’t heard anything from him.
She’d been too nervous to reach out directly, scared he’d just laugh at her for trying to fix things. But that performance? Every note had her heart in it. She’d spent three straight days writing and producing the song, feeling more inspired than she ever had. Then, Eden had gone to Colm’s house with a bag of bone meal for his neglected hydrangea and convinced him to add his fiddle to the song. It didn’t take much, and it turned out to be the perfect addition to her song.
Her record label was livid with her for performing the song without their approval. If the response hadn’t been so positive, she was sure they would’ve dropped her in a heartbeat. She knew she was treading on thin ice—one more screw-up, and her contract could be toast. They’d already made it clear she was on probation. But honestly? She couldn’t bring herself to care. There were bigger things on her mind now, like getting Ronan to forgive her for being so stupid.
She almost felt impressed with herself. In one week, she’d managed to piss off two major organizations. Must be some kind of record. Maybe she’d even make it into the Guinness World Records next to the lady with the longest fingernails.
She could only hope Ronan saw the risk she’d taken. The song was for him. It was a tribute to him and his roots. What had started as a vulnerable reflection of her own fears had turned into a declaration of everything she couldn’t say before—everything she felt for him.
Tonight, she was going to come face-to-face with him at the premiere screening of the documentary. They were the guests of honor, but she just hoped there’d be time to talk to him before the screening.
The more she thought about him, the more doubts crept in. What if he’d already moved on? It wouldn't be the first time. Eight days had a way of changing things. It had turned them from colleagues to lovers, but she couldn’t shake the fear that it could do the opposite, too.
Eden stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her blue eyes were framed with smoky eyeliner, her under-eye circles hidden under foundation, and a nude lip to top it off. She felt like it was armor of some kind, a way to steel herself for whatever was coming when she saw Ronan.
She rushed to the venue after a wardrobe malfunction that had her stylist fighting with a stubborn zipper, finally giving in to a mix of cooking spray and pliers. She barely made it to the red carpet with seconds to spare and found herself facing a sea of questions and flashing cameras. But her focus kept drifting, scanning the crowd, hoping to catch sight of Ronan. He was nowhere to be found. With every minute that passed, her heart sank a little more, a knot tightening in her stomach. Maybe he’d decided to skip the screening. She wouldn’t blame him if he had.
As she was led to the front row of the theater, Eden's gaze fell on the empty seat next to hers. A small sign rested on it, reading, "Reserved for Ronan Murphy."
She turned her eyes to the crowd filling the theater, some familiar faces, others strangers. Everyone was here to see her story unfold on the big screen. She made her way through the rows, exchanging quick hellos with Ingrid and Quentin, who were seated to her left. But despite the chatter, her mind was elsewhere, constantly searching the room for any sign of Ronan. Her heart kept hoping for a glimpse of him, but he was nowhere to be found.
A nervous flutter stirred in her chest. In just a few moments, an audience would watch her journey—her struggles and triumphs. It felt surreal that people cared enough to want to watch an hour and a half of her life. She had approved the final cut of the documentary just a few days ago. It was raw, honest, and real—she had bared her soul, hoping it would help people understand who she truly was.
When the lights flashed, signaling everyone to take their seats, panic bubbled up inside her. She wished more than anything that Ronan could be here, his steady presence beside her as she faced this moment. The realization hit her hard—he wasn't coming. The pain of it swept through her, and she had to fight to keep the tears at bay.
Eden moved to sit down in her reserved seat, her gaze still lingering on the empty spot next to her. As she settled in, she heard a sudden crunch under the skirt of her dress. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly jumped up, realizing she'd sat on a bag of jelly beans. The bag had burst open, spilling a rainbow of colorful candies all over the cushion, with a few stray jelly beans rolling under the seat. Not just any jelly beans but speckled jelly beans. Her favorite candy, her pre-gig snack.
Eden couldn't help but let out a small, almost hysterical giggle, a wave of warmth spreading through her chest. It was a sign from him, it had to be. He knew she would be nervous about the screening, and this was his way of reassuring her. Her stomach clenched at the sweetness of the gesture.
Her eyes swept across the room, scanning for any sign of Ronan.
Instead of the lights dimming and the screen coming to life, a figure strode confidently onto the stage. A quick intake of breath escaped Eden as she recognized Ronan. The impulse to stand up and go to him surged through her, but her legs felt like jelly. She had a feeling if she stood she would collapse in a heap in front of the crowd.
Ronan looked as handsome as ever, dressed impeccably in a suit that hugged him perfectly. His gaze swept the room as if searching for something until it landed on her. A soft, knowing smile played at the corners of his lips as he approached the microphone. Seeing that smile made Eden's heart skip a beat. It was both familiar and reassuring, yet it also made her pulse quicken with its pure beauty.
"Thank you all for being here," Ronan's voice was silken, flowing over her skin, soothing Eden's tense shoulders as it washed over her. She couldn't help but inwardly sigh at the sound. God, she missed that voice. Seeing him now made her wonder how she ever thought she could live without him. It seemed unthinkable now. He was like water to a parched land, essential and irreplaceable. Without him, she could exist, but it would be a life drained of vitality, lacking meaning and color.
"We are gathered here tonight to celebrate Eden Percy," he began. "When I first took on this project, my goal was simple— to capture the essence of her music, and the way it resonated with people. But as I delved deeper into her world, I found so much more." His passion was clear in every word. "I set out to tell the story of this incredible singer and songwriter—an artist whose voice could move mountains and whose lyrics could touch the deepest parts of your soul. It was impossible not to be drawn in, and before I knew it, I was captivated—both by her music and by her." His gaze softened, and Eden felt the sting of tears well up in her eyes.
"Love is a curious thing," he began, his voice resonant with emotion. "It happened quickly, yet slowly. It was in the way she spoke about her lyrics, the passion in her eyes as she sang on stage, and the vulnerability she shared with me during those late-night interviews." He paused, a fond smile playing on his lips, her heart fluttering wildly. "Making the documentary was a journey in itself, but falling in love with her—that was an unexpected twist. It wasn't planned—it just happened."
The crowd gasped, and Eden’s hands trembled as a bead of sweat trickled down her back, settling between her shoulder blades. He was crazy. What was he doing? Her heart was now a run-on sprint in her chest, racing faster with every word that left his mouth. His eyes locked onto hers, and the people surrounding her blurred away.
As she struggled to steady herself, Ronan's eyes shimmered with warmth. "She's a force of nature. Her talent, her charisma, her kindness—it's all real. And somehow, between the interviews, the karaoke sessions, and those random meals together, we found each other." He chuckled softly. "I guess you could say the documentary turned into our own love story. Those unguarded moments brought us closer. It was like a song—full of ups and downs, harmonies and crescendos."
"And as the filmmaker who documented her, I became the man who fell in love with her," Ronan said, his voice resonating through the room. Tears spilled over Eden's cheeks as her throat tightened with emotion. The room fell into a hushed silence as he continued, his voice lowering into the microphone.
"No more games. The secret is out, Eden," he said, his gaze intense as he locked eyes with her. Her eyes widened in surprise as shivers ran down her spine, goosebumps rippling across her skin. She knew he was referencing how they had once exchanged secrets like a game when they were getting to know each other. Their relationship had ended up being the biggest secret of all, and now the world knew.
"I’ll let the documentary speak for itself. This second edit, which BNN has kindly let us show as an independent film, will be screened tonight. The original version will air on BNN tomorrow. Hope you all enjoy it." Eden's mind immediately spun. A second edit? She hadn’t heard anything about that. Was there another version?
She thought about running after Ronan, but then the screen in front of her sprang to life. The documentary's opening credits began to roll, and Ronan’s smooth voice rang out, introducing her to the crowd.
"This is Eden Percy," Ronan's voice came through, soft but steady. The footage flashed to her singing, sitting on the floor with her guitar in hand, resting on a rug. "And this is the moment I realized I was in love with her." The next shot showed Eden laughing, probably at something Ronan had done behind the camera. Her smile was huge, and she was laughing so hard she fell backward onto the rug—a moment from their time at Quentin’s lake house. Eden’s chest tightened, a swell of emotion filling her. He’d known then? Tears started to form in her eyes. That was three weeks ago. "But, let’s start from the beginning."
As the film began, memories flooded back with each scene, each place. The first edit of the documentary had mostly edited out Ronan from the clips but this new version? He was everywhere. He was, talking to her, comforting her, cracking jokes. His quiet exhale of disbelief while watching her songwriting process, the camera lovingly following her fingers as they moved over her guitar. And then there was the footage of them running into the ocean that second night they started filming, their laughter cutting through the sound of waves. The dance to Spice Girls interrupted by Ingrid, the road trip, the clown motel, Lake Tahoe, karaoke—they were all there.
Ronan had even managed to get the security footage from their first kiss, a moment that still sent a shiver down her spine. The rooftop where she opened up about her parents, and the kiss that followed—everything was there. All of it narrated by him, and it was so beautiful it took her breath away.
As the documentary went on, Eden found herself completely drawn in, watching the way he captured not just her life, but the heart and soul of who she was. Every look, every little gesture, every quiet word felt like a personal confession.
Even a stranger, glancing at these moments, would be able to see the emotions that flowed between them. It was an emotional rollercoaster, breathtaking in its intimacy, and as the film unfolded, Eden couldn't help but be deeply moved by the beautiful tribute to their relationship. It was a connection that lived and breathed, evolving with every passing second.
She watched herself falling in love , it was in stolen glances, shared laughter, and the unspoken language that had blossomed between them. A case study of them, of how they fell in love. She was powerless in the choice to fall in love with him because he was made for her, it was plain to see.
As the credits rolled at the end, applause erupted throughout the theater—some people were teary-eyed, and it seemed like every person in the theater was smiling. Eden sat there for a moment, as she felt a strange sense of catharsis wash over her.
A slow, disbelieving smile spread across Eden's face as she shook her head in astonishment. Instead of keeping their relationship quiet and hidden, he had declared his love for her to the entire world. And in that moment, she realized she had never been loved like this before. He loved her loudly, not out of any expectations, but simply because he was proud to love her.
When the lights came up, she slowly rose to her feet, her steps unsteady but purposeful. She made her way to the front of the theater, gathered the hem of her dress, and ascended the stairs leading to the stage, the sound of clapping hands echoing in her ears.
Passing through the curtain to the backstage area, she moved past a few staff members, her heart racing with restlessness and nerves. She whispered his name like a secret as she navigated through wires, ladders, and trunks, weaving among racks of costumes and a cascade of flickering bulbs. Her heels clicked on the worn wood floor as she pushed further into the backstage area.
Finally, as she turned another corner, she caught sight of him in a dimly lit alcove where old props were stored. Ronan leaned casually against the concrete wall, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
She stopped in front of him and just looked at him. She knew she’d broken his heart when she ended things, and it had shattered her own heart, too. Her fear of commitment wasn’t because she hated love or wanted to be alone; it was about protecting her scarred heart. She’d always wanted the courage to let go of her past and take a chance on a love that was steady and real. With Ronan, though, she realized that wasn’t just a dream—it was an actuality. And the truth was, she loved him more than she ever thought was possible.
She didn't know where to start, so she blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
“How... how did BNN allow you to show that? I thought they hated us together,” she asked, her eyes locking onto his, her heart pounding in her ears.
“Well, it turns out my boss is a hopeless romantic,” Ronan said with a small smile. “When I showed him the second edit, he cried. Then he went to bat for us with the board. Plus, I sweetened the deal with a spreadsheet showing the potential revenue from two documentaries. Once BNN saw the internet buzzing about us and realized the profit potential, they changed their tune,” he explained with a hint of distaste, shaking his head.
"They even offered me a position in Los Angeles," Ronan added, his gaze fixed on Eden, searching for her reaction. Her nod was numb, still processing the information.
"I hope it's alright that I shared our relationship with the world," he said, his voice carrying a bit of uncertainty. "After the song you performed, I figured you'd be okay with it. I wanted to surprise you, just like you surprised me." He paused, waiting for her to say something.
"I’m more than okay with it. Honestly, words can’t even describe how beautiful that was, Ronan," she whispered, a smile forming on her lips. Her voice wavered with emotion as she added, "I’ve got so much to say, but let me start with, I’m so sorry, Ro." He nodded, a fleeting look in his eyes that she couldn't quite read.
"I was worried that my reputation would ruin your career," Eden admitted, her voice filled with regret. "And on top of that, I thought you were leaving again, going back overseas. I should've talked to you about it, but I didn't want you to have to choose between your job and me. I would never forgive myself if you gave up your career for me, especially after everything you've worked for."
“But Sadie kind of kicked my ass and made me realize what an idiot I was being," Eden paused. "And I really love your sister, by the way." she added, managing a watery smile. Ronan’s lips curled with a small smile in response.
She stepped closer to him, closing the distance that had separated them. Her hands were shaking, desperate to touch him.
"You know, my childhood has always stuck with me, and it's still something I carry with me. Love always felt... fragile to me. Like something you had to earn, but could be taken away in an instant. Inherently temporary." Eden placed her hands over her chest, her eyes threatening to overflow with tears. Ronan moved closer, gently placing his hands over hers. It was enough to give her the courage to keep going.
"Then, my first real relationship just confirmed what I already knew—love doesn’t last. It left me with wounds that healed, but the scars are still there," she said, forcing a sad smile. Ronan's brow furrowed, his eyes laced with pain.
"But then I met you," Eden's voice broke, emotion clogging her throat. Ronan squeezed her hands reassuringly. "You were patient, kind—everything a person should be. You're radiant, Ronan, and I wanted to bask in your warmth. I wanted to feel that light. But I wasn’t prepared for how mesmerizing that light would be." Eden moved her hands from his, cupping his face lightly, her thumbs brushing against his cheeks.
“I knew working together had a deadline, another impermanent situation. So I tried with everything in me to not fall in love with you. But here we are," she confessed, tears trailing down her face. "I'm completely, hopelessly in love with you." The words hung in the air, heavy with emotion. Her voice quivered as she continued, the weight of her confession pressing on her chest.
"I was scared, Ronan. Scared of what this love meant, of how it could upend everything I'd known. A million fears raced through my mind, and there was this constant voice warning me of the inevitable pain that would follow when, like everyone else, you decided to leave." She paused, taking a shaky breath as she battled her tears.
"So, I chose to protect myself," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I thought that maybe I could leave you and salvage what was left of this mangled heart. But, Ronan, being without you... it made me realize, there's nothing left to salvage because you already have my heart." His hand, trembling with emotion, reached out to cup her cheek, gently brushing away her tears.
"It is an honor to love you, Eden," he whispered, his voice filled with reverence, his eyes locked onto hers with unwavering sincerity. His thumb brushed away a tear that clung to her cheek. "I would promise to protect your heart, but I would rather prove it to you every day for the rest of our lives." She leaned into his touch, her heart seeming to bind together with that one sentence. Forever didn’t sound so scary, as long as Ronan was by her side.
Ronan lowered his head, his fingers sliding into her hair. Their lips met, and Eden leaned into the kiss with relief. It felt like coming home, finally. She was safe now, wrapped in his arms.
In that instant, she realized that her true home wasn't a place; it was the person holding her. His lips melded to hers with urgency, causing her to melt into his embrace. Her arms found their way around his neck while his hand trailed down her back, pulling her body closer until it was sealed against his own. Eden could feel the steady rhythm of his heart within his chest, a perfect echo of her own heartbeat.
“Eden,” he whispered, like a prayer on her lips. His grip tightened on her hair, anchoring her to him, as they both surrendered. And they were bound. If she had her way, they would be bound endlessly.