“That’s means that you will marry me?” He asked again, and she could almost hear a collective sigh go through the audience.
“Yes, of course.” She answered simply, but with all the emotion inside of her.
Between the crowds roaring, and the backstage cheering, she barely noticed, as Ash stood up in front of her. He wrapped his arms around her tight, before quickly turning off his headset microphone.
“Take this, and Sam will take you back down to Penny and the guys. I love you, Belle.” Ash put the ring box into her shaking hand, before turning back to the crowd, and turning his microphone back on.
Lucy felt overawed with everything that had just happened. Her brain couldn’t quite fathom exactly what was going on, so she stood there clutching that tiny box to her heart.
“Well, I did promise an encore if she said yes.” Ash beamed at the crowd, as they all began shouting that he should kiss her.
“No.” Lucy snapped back to things to whisper, as Ash paced over to her with a cheeky grin on his face, and a promising look in his eyes.
“Come on, Belle. We really should seal the deal.”
He sent her his best, most melting smile, which still had the power to weaken her knees. He pulled her into his arms to the cheer of the surrounding crowd and kissed her. Lucy kissed him back with all the heart felt emotion that she had inside of her. By the time, he had let her go, her head was spinning, and her heart was pounding.
As Sam led her backstage, instead of into the crowd, she could only wonder at how surreal this moment felt. In front of a huge crowd of people, Ash had just proposed to her. Did it even happen? She wondered again. The jab of the box into her palm reminded her that it had.
She stood and watched him happily, as he sang and she felt her eyes well with tears again. Their engagement seemed incredibly official, but she still couldn’t get over the shock of it. They had talked a lot about what they were going to do in the future, but this seemed so sudden.
A few people tried to hug her in congratulations, but she barely noticed. She looked down at the small wooden box that was intricately designed, and realised that he had spent a lot of time choosing this. She opened the box with its purple velvet lining, and gently picked up the ring. She looked at its beauty, as it lay in the palm of her hand.
She glanced over at him and an effervescent smile bloomed on her face. She tucked the ring back into its box for the time being, and closed the lid. She was feeling like the luckiest girl in the world, right about now.
As Ash finished his last song, she went back to watching him. Sometimes it still amazed her that he was her boyfriend. In the past few years that they were together, she had come to understand why. She had seen so many girls try to get his attention by acting ridiculous, nothing like they would in real life.
From outrageous flirting to trying to hug or kiss him, down to girls flashing him, Lucy had seen it all. Most of the time she felt embarrassed for them, and only occasionally did jealousy strike her. That was normally with celebrities who tried to get his attention. Some were even bold enough to chat him up when she was standing next to him.
He left the stage to screams, cheers, and whistles. He came straight to her, ignoring everyone and everything else. He smiled almost shyly at her, as he approached and Lucy sent him a small smile.
“Do you like it?” He bit his lip, a nervous look in his eye, and Lucy adored him just that little bit more.
“Of course, I do. Not so sure about the way you went about it,” she told him wryly.
“Um, well I thought that at least now everybody knows,” he answered, while looking down.
“And how long have you been planning this?” She grasped his chin, so he had to look at her.
“Since I started the tour, I guess.” He shrugged, and she smiled at him.
He had been on tour for a while, and Lucy hadn’t always been able to be with him. She had missed him incredibly, which had only made her relish the brief times that they had together even more. She wrapped her arms around him tight, feeling again that tonight had been somehow surreal. That whole crowd now knew about their engagement, which meant the world would know.
She took a deep breath, letting her senses immerse themselves in his familiar, citrusy tang smell. She burrowed even further into his embrace, and felt contentment like no other settle around her. The noise around them both continued loud and raucous, but they stood as a buffer against it, cocooned in each other’s embrace.
It wasn’t until Lucy saw her parent’s backstage with them that she looked around her. Family and friends surrounded them, and Lucy looked at Ash feeling a little perplexed.
“What are you up to now?” She asked curiously, while he just grinned at her.
“Who me?” He replied innocently, though the huge grin on his face stated otherwise.
“Yes you! The person that nobody, but me ever says no to,” Lucy thumped him on the chest.
“Hey, it’s not my fault that nobody else can resist me,” Ash gestured to himself proudly, and Lucy laughed freely.
“Ugh, really? Could your head get any bigger?” Lucy said sarcastically.
“You know, it’s pretty rare to hear a no from you,” he whispered in her ear, as he smirked at her. Internally she agreed, but she would never admit it to him. “Now, you behave and go chat to your parents, so I can have a shower and get changed.”
She agreed, and watched him walk away, admiring his assets, and smiling to herself. Family and well-wishers surrounded her. Everyone insisted on seeing her ring, so she took it out of the box and put it on. It fit perfectly, and she couldn’t be happier.
Once Ash was back, it was surprising how quickly everybody disappeared. He sent her a cheeky look, which had her instantly worried.
"Close your eyes."
“Okay." She agreed, still unsure where he was going with this.
“I'm going to lead you. Keep those eyes closed.” He whispered in her ear, and the reminder of every other surprise he had given her enveloped her. She gave in; she always loved what he came up with, and so she gave him free rein.
She found herself outside in the warm summer night, before getting in a car. They were driving along with her feeling slightly disoriented, but excited too. She felt tempted to peek at him, but she held back.
“Can I please open my eyes?” She asked into the quiet
“No, Belle.” Ash answered, as his fingers threaded gently through hers.
He smiled to himself at her perplexed expression, and was glad that he wasn’t driving the car. He put his hand against her cheek, and when she leaned into his gentle caress, he felt rewarded.
“Trust me,” he whispered in her ear, and she shivered.
“I really hope that you’re not driving right now,” she warned him.
“Maybe, maybe not,” he teased, and she immediately tensed up, her eyes starting to flutter open in panic. “Not, okay. I promise you that I'm not driving.” He insisted, and she let out her held in breath.
“Well, thank goodness for that.” She muttered, as she felt his lips blazing down her throat “How long until we get there?”
“Way too soon for my liking.” She felt the words against her skin.
His hands skimmed up her body to cup her face. He kissed her softly, reminding her of the first kiss he had given her. Soft, sweet, and gentle, but still filled with the tingles that always seemed to come from him. She felt an added potency from not being able to see what he was going to do next. She let out a grumble when he moved away from her, which only made him laugh.
“I’ve missed you,” he murmured against her throat, before moving away again. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever,”
“It’s only been a few weeks,” she replied, reaching out a hand and searching for him. He steered his face into her cupped hand.
“A few weeks too long,” he protested, “It’s so lonely on the bus without you.”
“I know, but my exams are finished now, so we can be togeth
er for a little while.” She assured him, her fingers smoothing over his cheek, as his golden eyes softened.
"Open your eyes, Belle."
He pulled the ring box out that she had handed him earlier and she smiled. She looked at the ring on her finger, feeling overwhelmed, but wonderfully loved, all at the same time.
“Are you mad that I made it so public?” He whispered, as he picked up her left hand.
“Yes and no. You are still Martin James, and our lives will always be under scrutiny, whether I like it or not. They are your fans, and sometimes you have to keep them happy. I’m pretty sure there’s at least one you made happy tonight.” She finished with a grin, before they both said ‘Penny’, and started laughing.
Penny had been adamant from the time Lucy had finished school that she would be planning their wedding soon. Every time Lucy had gone home, Penny had her poring through bridal magazines or looking at scraps of fabric. It had driven her completely crazy, until she told her sister that Ash hadn’t even asked her yet. Penny had just smiled serenely, insisting that it would be soon, and she wanted to be prepared.
“Was it all her idea?” Lucy asked, and Ash let out a groan.
“Are you trying to tell me that I can’t be original?” He looked at her, and scrunched up his face.
“So, it was all a part of your plan?” Lucy asked wryly, knowing that she was right.
“Well, Penny suggested it, and I thought it was a great idea,” he shrugged, and then frowned, as the car began to slow down. “Right surprise time. Close those beautiful eyes of yours."
“Not happening,” she told him, and he poked out his bottom lip. “No!” She said again, and he gave in.
“Alright, grumpy then let’s go.” He tugged on her hand to get out of the car, and she followed him curiously.
She recalled that scent, as soon as it hit her nose, she was at the beach. Looking around, she recognised the same house from the time when they had briefly broken up, and then gotten back together. He had brought her back to the first place where they had ever made love.
This place had some very special memories. A smile spread across her face, as she looked at him. His eyes still seemed to hold a secret from her, which he answered soon enough. She noticed a 'for sale' sign with a huge 'sold' sticker on it.
“Welcome home, Mrs soon to be James,” he said with such warmth in his voice that she melted inside.
“You bought this for me?” She whispered, and he nodded. “You really do spoil me, you know,”
She pulled him in close, and gave him a thorough kiss. Her hands were drifting under his shirt, when he remembered that there was more than one surprise. Her lips were drugging him, making him forget what was waiting inside the house. He picked her up in his arms, but Lucy never once stopped kissing him.
“Let’s relive that night, huh?” She murmured, as she dragged her mouth down his throat, and he gulped.
“Not right now, Belle. I promise we will get to it, but it probably won’t be tonight.” He told her, as he reluctantly pulled back from her burning kisses.
“Why not?” Her eyes narrowed, as he walked down the path to the house, while still carrying her.
“Because of this, Belle.” He said, as he opened the front door.
To her surprise, all her family and friends were in the huge lounge room, where they had once planned to watch a movie. Everyone cheered the couple, as they entered, and Lucy’s jaw dropped open, as Ash stood her on her feet to face everyone.
It was obvious that Penny had been in here as the colours that decorated the place were the ones they had agreed that would be a part of their wedding. One by one, everyone came to congratulate them. From all her family, to Ren and Col. Even Rachel’s little sister Lucinda, who had been writing music with Ash on and off was there.
Ash’s family had also arrived, or at least Nick and his dad. His mother had never quite forgiven what she considered his betrayal, and rarely spoke to him. She never invited Lucy; it was on her terms that she only ever saw Ash.
It never bothered Lucy that she had never liked Farrah. If she never had to see her or Crystal again, her life would be immensely happy. Crystal remained in jail, with her release date a long time away, which always gave Lucy a sense of relief.
It was a night of rejoicing that everyone was back together, but it was also a night for Ash and Lucy to celebrate their relationship. By the end of the night, everyone left happy, to the hotel nearby that Ash had booked for them all. With just the two of them left, they looked at each other, and around at the room rather exhausted.
“I vote we clean this up in the morning,” Ash said with a grin.
“Yep, I vote doubly on that one,” Lucy let out a yawn, as she flopped back on the couch. “Pinch me.” She said to him sleepily, and Ash sent her a confused look, as he sat down next to her.
“Huh, why?”
“Because I’m not sure that today actually happened, and I need to know whether I’m dreaming or not.” She told him, and he let out a chuckle.
“It happened.” He said, as he pinched her gently on the upper arm.
“That’s good to know,” she lifted her hand to look at the beautiful ring that adorned her hand. “I guess we are getting married?”
“Yes, we are.”
“And we can live here?” She asked a little dreamily.
“If you want.” Ash smiled down at her contended looking face.
“I want.” She pulled on his arm, until he fell down beside her.
“What do you want, Belle?” His voice became husky, and his golden eyes glimmered at her.
“You, this, everything you just said.” She smiled at him, and he returned it, as he kissed her hand lightly.
“It’s all yours, beautiful.” He said, as he dropped a whisper of a kiss on her lips.
Trapped in his eyes, she thought back to when they first met. Who would’ve ever believed that by breaking into his room, and sitting on his balcony that it would lead to all of this?
She snuggled against him feeling intoxicated by his delicious tangy smell, and mesmerised by those stunning golden eyes. She couldn’t be happier than right at this moment. Everything was as it should be, and as long as she had Ash, she knew that it would always remain that way.
The End
About the author:
Sandra Corton has been writing stories since her teenage years. She now writes for her many followers on Wattpad and for the sheer pleasure of writing. She tends to write romance that sometimes exists in the realm of fantasy.
She lives on the Central Coast of Eastern Australia (so now her odd spelling might make sense) with her husband, her cat, and her husband’s collection of pythons (now around twenty).
If you would like to contact her with a comment or suggestion her email is: [email protected]
She also has her other stories on Wattpad, if you are interested in reading them.
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I Met Her On the Balcony Page 38