by Wendy Louise
I’m not sure what I’m looking for as I continue to scan the racks but I suddenly come across a strapless, short, straight, fitted, silver-grey gown with the most stunning antique lace over the bodice and skirt. It has a sweetheart neckline and a stunning delicately beaded belt that ties with a silver satin ribbon at the back.
I know before I even try it on that it is the one for me.
I don’t want anything long. That can wait until we have the party with everyone back home. I just want simple.
“Liv that’s stunning,” Ava says as she stops moving through the racks to look at the dress in my hands. “You have to try that on.”
“I think this is it Sis.”
And I’m right.
It fits snugly, is elegant and totally perfect for our little ceremony. I don’t want a veil or anything fussy, but I do splurge on the one thing that I can never resist – shoes.
I buy an overly expensive high pair of jewel encrusted silver heels to match the belt. They are simply beautiful and will put me almost at the same height as Gray.
I know that I will feel pretty and special, marrying Gray in this outfit tomorrow. But truthfully, I would be happy in jeans and a t-shirt in the yard back home. As long as I get to belong to him for the rest of my life, I don’t care where or how we do this.
Ava and I round out the day with manicures and pedicures before making our way back to our rooms.
We have just the right amount of time to shower and change before heading to Gray’s show.
I can’t wait to see him.
My stomach growls as I’m about to leave the suite. It’s like the baby is reminding me to eat. I grab an apple from the complimentary fruit bowl and tuck it into my bag. I’ll eat that in the car.
I pull open the door and make my way downstairs to meet Ethan and Ava.
It’s time to get to my man.
A song for you
I’m pumped for the show tonight.
Just knowing that Liv and my friends are in the audience is exciting me.
The boys and I have worked so hard perfecting a new song. One that I wrote just for Liv, and I can’t wait to debut it tonight.
I want her to hear every word, every chord, every lyric, every melody, and know that it was all born from her. Born from my love for her.
I’m finishing my hot lemon tea, prepping my voice for the show, when I hear Liv’s laughter echoing down the hallway.
She’s here.
She rounds the corner with Ethan, Ava and Sienna in tow, and she stops me in my tracks. She is so incredibly beautiful. Glowing – inside and out.
Even though she is only wearing black skinny jeans, a tight-fitted black top, and sky-high stilettos, she looks like she is ready to grace the pages of a magazine.
Her face is flawless, her long dark hair is curled across her breasts and her plump lips are painted her signature red.
Her face lights up when she sees me and she strolls over, oozing confidence, with a cheeky grin and bright eyes.
“I missed you,” she says as she wraps her arms around my waist and places a kiss to my lips.
“I missed you too.”
I kiss her back, trying not to mess up her make-up, but wanting a taste all the same.
She pulls back slightly but leaves her arms curled around me. She looks over my face from my hair to my lips and smiles.
“You look hot.”
“Liv, you can’t say that to me before a show, I’ll end up getting hard and that won’t bode well for my singing.”
She laughs. “Sorry.”
I take her hand and place it firmly over my pants so she can feel what she does to me.
Her eyes grow wide and she slightly moves her fingers, sending sparks flying to places that they should not be flying to when we have company behind us.
I give her a warning look and smile. She leans forward, tasting my lips again before pulling back, and placing one last kiss to the dimple that she loves.
“Have a good show, I’ll see you right after.”
I grab her elbow just as she is about to move away from me, and place one last kiss on her lips. That will have to do me until after the show.
“Love you babe.”
She blows me a kiss and moves away, “You too,” she says.
“Enjoy the show guys,” I call out as Ethan and Ava follow her from the room to make their way to their seats.
I turn to see my sister and Coop in a passionate embrace on the sofa. Totally oblivious to anyone and anything around them.
I clear my throat.
Loudly.
I don’t need to see this shit.
Coop pulls back and gives me a smug grin before whispering something in Sienna’s ear. She blushes and kisses him quickly before rising from her seat and coming over to me.
“Love you bro, good luck out there.”
She kisses my cheek, and just like that I forgive her little kiss-fest with Coop. She so knows how to get around me. Christian and I don’t stand a chance against her. We never have.
I shake my head and smile at her as she leaves the room.
I don’t forget to give Coop a death-stare once she leaves though. He needs to stop doing that to my baby sister while I’m around.
Once Ruby and Rafe run through the post-show agenda with us, we are ready to take the stage. We huddle up like we always do, taking a moment to centre ourselves before walking out there.
The stadium is packed and we can hear the crowd chanting.
The boys and I don’t have many pre-performance rituals. We are superstitious though. We always eat roast chicken prior to a show. I don’t even remember how that came about, but all four of us do it. I can’t go on stage without brushing my teeth first. Crazy I know, but it’s a part of the preparation for me.
Will always needs a fifteen minute power-nap about an hour before the show is due to start.
Coop is Coop, and doesn’t seem to follow any set routine.
Matt always eats a box of Skittles, but not the red ones. He leaves them until after the show. Again, don’t ask me why.
We ascend the stairs to the stage, each of us taking our places in the dark waiting for the lights to kick in and the show to start.
The adrenaline that courses through my veins each night when I do this is indescribable. This right here is worth living for. If I can have this, Liv and our little girl, then I will live to be a very happy and contented man.
The lights flash, Matt counts out the beat and the music kicks in.
Here we go.
“We’re going to slow things down a bit now….”
We are two hours into the show, and almost at the end. I am yet to perform the new song.
Liv is seated front and centre, and as much as I have tried not to, my focus has been pulled to her throughout the entire set.
She and Ava have been jumping about to the music, singing their favourite songs and really enjoying the show. A couple of times I wanted to jump down off the stage and tell her to take it easy. All that jumping can’t be good for the baby.
I give the boys a nod to let them know that the new song is coming next.
Liv’s song.
I take my seat at the piano after the roadies wheel it to the front of the stage.
I place my microphone into the stand attached to it and lower the height so it sits right in front of my mouth.
Matt taps out the beat, the guitar kicks in and I start to play the melody. It’s a sweet song, so the music reflects that. It’s not loud and filled with bass, but softer, sweeter, perfect – like Liv.
I turn my gaze to my girl who is now seated and smiling at me. Waiting to hear what we’ve put together.
“This one’s called Sunset Love.”
Then I start to sing…..
Can we rewind back to the day,
When I realised you’d always stay.
By my side forever more,
No more walking out my door.
I would give every cent and
dime,
To always make sure you are mine.
To hold you tight anyway I can,
To keep your heart right in my hand.
When life gets in the way,
You’re my reason to stay.
Let’s remember the simple time,
When you were my Sunset Love.
I remember the peace,
I remember the love,
I remember the stars and moon above.
I remember your smile,
I remember your kiss,
With you, my life is always this.
When life gets in the way,
You’re my reason to stay.
Let’s remember the simple time,
When you were my Sunset Love.
My heart is yours, my dreams are too.
My love for you will see us through.
So let’s rewind, back to the time,
When you were my Sunset Love.
When life gets in the way,
You’re my reason to stay.
Let’s remember the simple time,
When you were my Sunset Love.
Ooooh Woooh, my Sunset love.
Ooooh Woooh, my Sunset love.
My Sunset Love.
I lift my fingers from the ivory keys to massive cheers and applause. I think they liked the new song.
I turn my gaze to Liv and she has tears brimming from her big brown eyes.
“I love you,” she mouths at me.
I give her a wink, mouthing “I love you more,” before Matt taps out the beat to one of our old faithfuls.
The last song for the evening.
I place the microphone back into the stand and run my hand down the length of it, eliciting screams from the women in the audience. They love it when I do that.
My vocals kick in and we rock the Vegas stage for the last time tonight.
This is the last time I do this as a single guy.
That thought sends a thrill through me.
Tomorrow, I make her mine.
“Gray, you need to get over to Ethan’s room,” Liv calls from the bathroom.
We didn’t stay separately last night. We’re not into all that crap. Liv and I spent our usual night together, wrapped up in one another, making love, and snuggling until the sun came up.
To say that Liv loved her song is an understatement.
Liv adored her song.
Liv adored it so much that last night she wore me out.
Many, many times.
I’m surprised that either of us is even awake this morning.
Liv wants to get ready with Ava, so I’ve been told to get my ass over to Ethan’s room. E is going to be my witness.
“Love you babe,” I call to her as I pick up my suit and head out of the suite.
“Love you more,” she says, copying my signature phrase.
“I’ll see you back here soon?” I call back.
“Can’t wait.”
With that, a smile tugs my lips and I swing the suit-bag over my shoulder.
Let’s get this thing started.
In between rehearsals yesterday, Ethan and I managed to get fitted for the charcoal suits we are now starting to put on.
No ties.
Liv didn’t want fuss today.
We’ll do this in full technicolour once we get back to LA.
“You really are a handsome fucking dude you know,” I say to Ethan as he fixes the collar of his white button-down.
“You can talk,” he scoffs, “Did you hear how the ladies were screaming for you last night? Jesus Gray, I needed ear plugs to drown them out.”
“Thanks for doing this E, it means the world.”
“It’s a pleasure. You and Liv are perfect for each other. And to think this will officially make us brothers. Well in-laws, but still brothers.”
“You getting all soppy and shit on me?” I tease.
He laughs and claps me on the shoulder. “Gray, I’m happy for you man.”
“Thanks E. I have something else to tell you too.”
Ethan turns to the mirror, checking out the suit from all angles as he turns from side-to-side.
“I’m going to be a daddy.”
“Me too, one day,” he adds as an after-thought to clarify.
He doesn’t get it.
“Well my one day is coming in about seven months.”
E stops cold and turns from his reflection. A huge grin lights his face. “You guys are pregnant? As in now?”
I nod and smile at his reaction.
“Fuck,” he says, “That’s so cool. Congratulations.”
He pulls me into a big bear hug and slaps my back. “I’m so happy for you both.”
“We’re over the moon. This was totally unplanned, but very much wanted.”
“Does Ava know?”
I nod.
“I think I’ll have to have a word to my wife about keeping secrets from me.”
“Liv asked her not to tell you. They wanted me to tell you. Only the families know about the baby. We’re keeping it under wraps for now.”
“Understood. Good move. The last thing you guys need is the paps following every minute of your pregnancy. It’ll be bad enough once Liv starts to show.”
I agree. “Now you and Ava need to get busy and start working on your own little one. Then my daughter will have a cousin to play with.”
“Daughter?” he says with a laugh. “It’s a bit early to tell the sex isn’t it?”
“It’s a girl. With Liv’s stunning good-looks and my street-smart.”
Ethan chuckles. “Good luck with that Gray. Little girls are great until they become older girls, and the boys start to hover. Imagine your little girl with boys like us hanging around. I hope you’ve got a shot gun.”
He laughs at my expression.
“C’mon, let’s get this show on the road.” He steers me to the door of the room and out to the corridor.
It’s time to get to Liv.
I do’s
Ava and I make our way out of the bedroom where I’ve been hiding from Gray, and down the short corridor of the Suite to where the ceremony is set to take place.
My shoes look amazing, but actually walking in them is proving difficult. They’re really high. Thank God I don’t have far to go.
My hair is down and curly, just as Gray likes it, and Ava and I decided to do our own make-up. We’ve kept it natural, but my bright red lips are in place. I wouldn’t be me without them.
Ava insisted that I borrow the Tiffany diamond bracelet that Ethan gave her on their wedding day. She thinks it brings good luck. It used to belong to Nanny Grace, Ethan’s grandmother. It sits proudly on my wrist, catching the sunlight as it shines through the windows. Of course, the necklace that Gray gave me is firmly in place as well. I never take it off.
“You ready Sis?”
I nod.
I’m so ready.
I can’t wait.
“You and Gray will be so happy together.” Ava rises on her toes and plants a kiss to my cheek. “Love you.”
“Love you too Sis.”
Ava and I round the corner to the main room and Gray stands there near the large windows with Ethan and the officiant. He’s handsome as ever in his dark suit and open white shirt. The smile that lifts his lips is heart-stopping.
Beautiful.
Beyond anything I’ve ever seen.
And it’s for me.
I know that we don’t have many people here with us today, but truthfully, all I can see is Gray. We may as well be in our own little bubble.
He holds out his hand and pulls me to him, splaying his hand out on my hip and tucking me against his side.
His breath skitters across my skin as he says, “You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen Liv.”
He nuzzles me beneath the ear and runs his nose over the side of my face before pulling back and smiling at me.
“I love you,” I say.
“I love you more baby.”
I don’t remember everything we said during the short ceremony that made us man and wife.
I remember the I do’s and I remember the moment that Gray slid the diamond- encrusted ring on my finger.
But I will never forget staring into the eyes of the man that I will spend the rest of my life with.
I will never forget his awed expression.
I will never forget the pride in his voice when he repeated our vows to me.
I will never forget the panty-dropping smile he gave me before locking his lips over mine when the officiant gave us permission to kiss.
But the most vivid memory is, and will always be, the sense of peacefulness that washed over me, knowing that this was exactly where my life was meant to take me.
This is exactly who the universe made for me.
We’ve spent the past few hours celebrating with our friends and siblings in Ava and Ethan’s room. Even Ruby has been cordial tonight.
Although, I haven’t had too much to do with her.
I lost my shoes about an hour ago. I gave in to the fight and removed them, feeling instant relief. We’ve danced to music from the iPod, eaten and consumed way too much champagne, but the night has been perfect.
Unforgettable.
Everything about it is us.
Simple. Understated. Perfection.
I raise my champagne flute to Ava’s as she congratulates me for the millionth time tonight. I think my sister is a little tipsy.
As I take a sip my eyes lock on Gray’s. He is standing with Ethan across the room. His jacket is discarded, and the sleeves of his white shirt have been rolled back to show off his powerful forearms.
The ones I love so much.
He is looking at me.
His expression is dark with lust and heat.
He wants out of here.
I do too.
I give him a smile, excuse myself from Ava and Sienna, and place my glass onto the table as I make my way to him.
He holds his hand out as I reach him and pulls me to him, tucking me close.