Epilogue
Damien settled into the first seat of the rearmost row of Boston Symphony Hall.
He’d changed seats three times in the past five minutes and was itching to spring up again.
As much as he tried, he couldn’t stop his leg’s incessant bouncing.
April had just been called up for her audition.
Damien was pretty sure he would throw up from the nerves swirling in his stomach before she played a single note.
She walked onto the stage with more confidence than Damien had ever seen in anyone. Ever.
She had this. When it came to her music, nothing could stop her.
As she started her audition—a piece she’d written specifically for this tryout—April’s passion for her music shone through. Damien closed his eyes and allowed her magnificent performance to take him away.
When she finished, there were no applause from the judges, although it had been that way with the previous musicians, so Damien didn’t bother to take offense. He kept his jubilation in check, but on the inside he was cheering her on like a madman.
He couldn’t be any prouder of her.
And he couldn’t be any more in love with her.
When he’d walked into A Fresh Start at the beginning of the summer, Damien had never imagined how different his life would be three months later. Not only had he rediscovered his love for his old neighborhood, but he’d found a love he never knew he could have with April.
He’d already accepted that she would earn a spot in the Boston Symphony Orchestra. After that performance, how could they not accept her? But as he told April several months ago, they were going to make this work.
Sometimes the fairy tale did come true. They could both have it all.
Damien stood as April walked up the darkened aisle. She quickened her steps as she neared him and wrapped her arms around him in a hug that nearly took him down.
“You were amazing,” Damien said.
“It felt amazing,” April answered. The huge smile stretching across her face was the most beautiful thing Damien had ever seen. This was what pure happiness looked like.
“As far as this audition goes, I don’t think you have anything to worry about,” he said. “It’s in the bag.”
“It doesn’t matter.” April shook her head. “I won’t take it even if they offer the position,” she said.
He pulled back. “What?”
“My dream was to audition. I did that. That’s good enough for me.” She kissed his chin. “I have what I want back home in New Orleans. You and the kids at A Fresh Start. You’re all I need.”
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