Chapter 34
Chapter thirty-four
Backstage, it’s almost time for me to go on.
The ring I picked up a few days ago sits heavy in my pocket.
Nerves fill my stomach as I pace back and forth.
Singing in front of all my fans on New Year’s Eve in the middle of Times Square is nothing compared to the proposal I have planned. I just hope she says yes.
The plan is for me to sing the brand-new song, then move right into the proposal. The team already made sure to place Vivienne and Roxy in the front row so I can pull her up on stage.
I check my watch again.
Three minutes.
There’s no turning back now.
I take a deep breath and close my eyes. She’s going to say yes. I know she will. I don’t know why I’m psyching myself out like this.
There’s a buzz in my earpiece, and then I hear my cues.
It’s show time.
I walk onto the stage, exuding the same confidence I always do. They introduce me, and I look into a couple of different cameras before I step onto my mark in the center of the stage and begin my set. The crowd explodes with excitement over the debut of a new song.
After the first few verses, I make my way to the edge of the stage, reaching my hand out for Vivienne. She grasps it, and together Roxy and I lift her on stage. She stares at me in shock as I sing the chorus from Christmas Eve.
It all happens so fast.
The song ends, and I find myself suddenly down on one knee in front of her, digging in my pants pocket.
When I pull out the ring and stare up at her,, tears line her eyes. “Vivienne,” I huff out of breath. “Will you make me the happiest man in the universe, and will you marry me?”
Her tears trickle down her face, and it takes every bit of self-control not to jump up and comfort her. I wait for her to respond, the seconds passing like hours until finally she whispers, “Fuck it, yes.”
Vivienne leaps into my arms, and I slide the glittering diamond ring onto her finger.
Relief washes over me as I’m filled with an overwhelming amount of happiness. The crowd goes wild around us as the announcer says, “We want to wish the future Mr. and Mrs. Wilder endless future happiness, and a special thanks for allowing us to be a part of this special moment.”
More applause erupts as a feral chant erupts. “Kiss the girl! Kiss the girl!” the crowd screams.
I smirk at Vivienne, wiggle my brows, then kiss her.
Moments later we’re whisked off the stage and briefly separated. Roxy snags Vivienne to wait with her while I get all my equipment and microphones turned in. Tonight is going exactly as planned. It couldn’t have been any more perfect.
I can’t help but think my grandmother would be happy to see me actually settling down like I promised I would.
She’s right after all—I just needed to find someone worth loving and settling down for.