“There’s still a chance.”
“How the hell would you know?”
“I’ve been f**king around with Amber for the last seven years. She’s now my woman, and I’m going to get up on that stage and show her. If Amber can forgive me and be with me, then Connie can do the same with you.” Elijah slapped his hand on the counter. “Is everything set up for me?”
“Yes, Heather was very specific. I cancelled a band for tonight. You owe me.”
Elijah nodded and headed up onto the stage. This had to be the craziest thing he’d ever done, but for Amber he’d do it right.
Grabbing the microphone from the floor he stood into the center. He tapped the microphone to gain their attention. Wade was in control of the lights, so the room went dark with only one light on him. This was supposed to be his big romantic gesture, and he hoped to God it worked.
“Hello, everyone. I’m sorry to interrupt your evening, but this is really important.” He’d not practiced any speech or anything. “If any of you are offended, the next round of drinks is on me.” There were a few cheers.
“I’m stood here tonight because there is a wonderful woman in the audience, and I really wanted to prove to her that she means the world to me.” Wade activated the light bringing Amber into focus.
Elijah looked at her across the dance floor. “Hello, baby.”
She stood up, frowning.
“Seven years ago I fell in love with this woman. Her name is Amber Phelps, and for seven years I’ve been breaking her heart because I’m a dick.” A few chuckles filled the air. “Anyway, I almost lost this amazing woman when I didn’t speak up. Seeing her in the arms of another man was a real eye-opener for me.” He hoped Wade got the message loud and clear. “In life we have only moments with people where the connection is so fleeting yet feels so right. That moment is still there every time I look at you, baby. I’m completely in love with you and have been all this time.”
Tears were glistening in her eyes.
“There are no words that can make up for the time lost. So I’m going to give you forever with me. I’m asking you, no, I’m begging you.” He dropped to his knees on the stage for her to see. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” he asked.
His focus was on her. Amber stared at him, smiling. “Yes.”
He climbed down off the stage and ran to her. The crowd moved out of the way as he tugged her into his arms and kissed her.
Cheers, catcalls, and applause met them.
“I love you so much,” he said.
“Did you plan this?”
“Yes. I wanted you to remember this moment for the rest of your life. I’m not going to f**k up again. I promise, baby. You and me, for the rest of our lives.”
“Shut up and kiss me again.” He slammed his lips down on hers, loving her with everything that he had.
Words or gestures would never be enough to make up for their seven long years. He hoped this moment could change all that.
Her friends and Wade offered them congratulations before he took her onto the dance floor.
“I can’t believe you planned all that,” she said, amazed.
“Oh, crap.” He let go of her long enough to take the ring he’d bought for her out of his pocket. “I should have put this on you first.”
“I don’t care. I can’t believe you got up on stage to propose.”
“What about the begging?” He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.
“You begged me. Admittedly, it wasn’t a lot of begging, but I thought you looked hot on your knees. Maybe we’re in for a little role reversal at some point,” she said, waggling her eyebrows.
“Not on your life, baby.” He grabbed her butt tight. “I’m the one in charge, and you’ll be the one on your knees before me.”
She laughed. “Have you got any more fantasies for me to play out?” she asked.
“Amber, I’ve got lots for us to try out.” He leaned down taking her lips under his once again. This was the start of their future, and he was going to cherish every single second of it.
Epilogue
Two months later
“I hate you,” Amber said, grumbling into the toilet. Elijah held her hair back as she puked up all of her breakfast. She’d already been sick once, and this was her second time this morning.
“You don’t hate me. Elijah junior is making himself known.”
She groaned once again as another wave of sickness took over. Being two months pregnant meant she was now sensitive to food and drinks she loved. They’d not even bothered with any contraception. She’d been pregnant before they could sort anything out.
“I hate you.” Amber didn’t mean any of the words, but she always spoke them to him when the morning sickness got too bad.
Slowly, her stomach began to settle, and she collapsed away from the toilet in Elijah’s waiting arms. He was the most patient man in her world. His soothing strokes helped to calm her.
“You must hate me,” she said. Now that she’d finished throwing up she felt bad for being mean to him.
“I could never hate you, baby. I love you too damn much to hate you.” He lifted her finger where her engagement and wedding ring fell. After they found out she was pregnant, Elijah had driven them to Vegas for a quick wedding. Julian made sure the rest of her friends were there, and when they got back home, they told their families.
She stared at her ring and then at the one resting on his finger. “We’re together.”
He kissed her head as she started to regain some control over her emotions. The words she’d spoken to him replayed in her mind, and Amber couldn’t stop the tears from falling. She’d been a horrible bitch.
Amber started to sob and cry, talking nonsense.
All throughout her moment he held her without saying a word. Heather hadn’t gone through this, and if she had, she’d not said anything to her.
When it was all over her helped clean her teeth before helping her into bed.
“I’ve got to go to work,” she said.
“No, I’ve called Dale, and he’s giving you the day off, paid.”
She thought about Connie and wondered what her friend was going to do with the two love interests in her life.
Amber fingered the loose collar around her neck. When they were inside her apartment she loved wearing his mark. The collar was a lovely pink with a locket in the centre. It symbolized their connection to each other.