Because of you
Page 20
“Thank you,” I say and wait a couple of second for the applause to die out. “I’m dedicating the next song to my sister. Hope, I’ll never forget you, I love you,” I whisper into the mike, as the first notes of Christina Aguilera’s Hurt sound around the room. I feel goosebumps all over my body, because this song perfectly describes our last moments together. I’d give anything to be able to hug her again, to tell her how much I love her. We had a fight before she died, and I’ll never forgive myself for that, but I hope she’s still proud of me and watches over me and my family from heaven. When I sing the first part of the song, tears start streaming down my face, but I don’t stop. I put all my emotions into singing about my willingness to do anything to hear her one last time, to call her, but I know she won’t answer. I am apologizing for blaming her for things that weren’t her fault.
It’s so hard not having her by my and my family’s side. She’s never going to meet Emma and Emma is never going to know her auntie. I raise my gaze to Ryder’s, and I see he’s watching me with love in his eyes, as I’m up here, leaving my heart on the stage. I’m asking Hope through song if she’s watching over me and if she’s proud of what I’ve become.
Slowly, the song comes to an end, and I quickly brush away the tears from my eyes. I’ve never been so vulnerable on stage before, but tonight I felt like I had to do this, for Hope, for me, so I can continue on with my life.
My performance has come to an end, but my life has only just begun. I have a wonderful husband and daughter, without whom I cannot imagine living. They mean absolutely everything in the world to me and I need them like a heart needs a beat, like roses need the rain, and I would be nothing without them in my life.
“I love you,” Ryder says and wraps his arm around my shoulders, carefully, since our little two-year-old has fallen asleep in his arms.
“I love you, too.”
Ryder
Who would want anything more in life than what I have now? My life is perfect. I have a wife who loves me unconditionally, a daughter that adores me and many true friends, who make my life even fuller, and a career I’ve always wanted.
We married six months ago, but we didn’t have a big wedding, we wanted an intimate ceremony with family and friends. She was the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen in a white wedding dress with crystals that sprinkled the skirt of the dress, which fell elegantly to the floor. Her hair was down, which I love the most, and fluttering in the soft breeze.
Aaliyah is singing about life, happiness and pain on the stage, and I’m extremely proud of her. She has gone through so much in her life, and luck finally smiled on her. Caden was put in jail. Not all of his crimes could be proven, but he’s still going to be behind bars for the rest of his life. Those couple of days in court were really emotional and stressful for Aaliyah as she was petrified to confront him, but fortunately this is all behind her now and she can finally continue on with her life. Her career is on the rise, and she enjoys doing what she does.
On my left, Addison is sitting with a swollen belly. She and Jackson are expecting their first child, a boy, in four months. I can’t wait to finally meet my nephew.
All our other friends are also sitting at the table, listening to Aaliyah sing. Noah became a doctor, Jayden and Jarrod are successful video games programmers, Marc is also playing in the NBA—but for some other team—and Jackson is a brilliant lawyer. I won’t waste my breath on Paris. I broke off all relations with her after the incident in my room, and I have no idea where she ended up. To tell you the truth, I don’t even care.
I became an NBA player soon after that game which changed my life, when Aaliyah gave birth. A few days later I got a phone call and received an offer I couldn’t refuse. San Antonio Spurs offered me a spot on their team. That was two years ago, and I still love going to practice. Aaliyah gracefully accepted the fact that we needed to move and didn’t even think about staying behind with Emma. Today, we’re back, where it all started, and we’re going to enjoy our vacations to the fullest. Aaliyah walks off the stage with a teary face, but happy. She comes closer to me.
“I love you,” I tell her and wrap my arm around her, careful not to wake up little Emma, who is sleeping in my arms.
“I love you, too.” She looks into my eyes and strokes Emma’s hair.
“Are we leaving soon?” She nods at me. I’m sure she’s exhausted after the performance, and a refreshing bath will help her relax.
While Aaliyah is putting Emma to sleep, I prepare a bath for her. She approaches me from behind and presses her naked body against mine, touching me all over with her wicked fingers. I let out a satisfied groan that echoes through the room.
“You’re so beautiful,” I say as I turn to her. She’s still such an unassuming girl. She still blushes every time I compliment her. “I’ll be right back,” I give her a peck on her lips and rush out of the bathroom. She gives me a confused look, but stands still and waits for me to return. When I come back, I pull eleven red roses from behind my back and give them to her. Her eyes shine bright and she gives me a loving hug.
“They’re wonderful,” she smells them and kisses me. “Did I miss an anniversary or something?” She asks, confused.
“No special occasion, I bought them because I love you. They are my way of saying how much I love you. You`ll always have my heart, body and soul.” Tears of joy fill her eyes, and we spend the evening in the tub, wrapped in each other’s arms.
THE END