CHAPTER Twenty Seven
Erin
I have reached the part of my story where I wish I could say that Katerina called me to the hospital immediately after my performance so she could give me the good news about Alek being awake. But life doesn’t always wrap itself up in a cozy little tale of warm houses and happy couples chatting beside a fireplace.
Things never happen that way for me.
But I will say, I have experienced something with Alek that gives me enough faith to believe I can someday become one of those people.
I spent the next seven days at Alek’s bedside, making sure to read the reviews of Requiem that keep piling in on a regular basis. I sit in Alek’s room with Katerina the next morning. According to her, the doctor says his vital signs have stabilized, so there’s no reason he shouldn’t be waking up soon. “Why won’t he wake up?” I say mainly to myself.
“Oh, I suspect he’ll be just fine. Alek has always loved to keep an audience waiting. I can only imagine what he has planned for you now that he has kept you on edge for so long,” Katerina says, smoothing back his hair a few more times. She gives me one last smile, glances at her watch, sighs, and then stands up. “Time to go and meet the lawyers.”
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
“It will be once I’m free of old marital bondage. Time for something new and fresh.” I get a wink this time. Right away, I catch the meaning behind her innuendo. “You looked fantastic on that stage last week. I do believe the spotlight is where you belong.” Coming around to where I sit, she gives me a firm pat on the back.
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
“Think about it.”
“I will,” I answer truthfully.
At the doorway, she stops and glances at me. “Bring my son back to me, Erin. I have faith in your love for him. Thousands of miles couldn’t separate you. Or time, or even my schemes. What’s all this but just a tiny hitch in the grand scheme of things that has been set up for the two of you?”
On that final thought, Katerina blinks several times, lowers her head, and walks out the door. I’m left alone with Alek. I want him to wake up. It’s time. I don’t want to wait any longer. The Maestro needs to get back on the stage.
“So it’s true, then? You’re teasing me, making me wait. I get it. But I need you to come back now. We have to finish our song together. Don’t you dare make me do this all alone. I know you can hear me. Please hear me,” my voice fades into a whisper. Five years worth of tears rip through my body. Feeling exhausted, I lay my head down on the bed beside him and fall asleep that way.
I awaken to the motion of something caressing my hair. Glancing around the room, I am disoriented and forget where I am at first. I’m thinking the thing in my hair must be part of a dream. I reach up to touch it. It isn’t an object, though. It’s a hand. Alek’s.
I sit up at once and stare into the most gorgeous pair of sleepy eyes I’ve ever seen in my life. A combination of a gasp and a sob chokes out of me. “I love you, Alek. Oh God, I do. I promise, I love you,” I repeat over and over as I shower his face with kisses.
His arms circle around my waist, embracing me. “What’s going on, Jaybird?” he asks, his sleepy gaze focused on mine. I think of a way I can explain that he’s been in a coma and tell him as best I can to make it easier for him to digest.
“Hell, I think I’ll take long naps more often; especially if I’m going to get a welcome back party like this one.”
I sit back and playfully narrow my eyes at him. “Oh no, you won’t. I will personally find whatever Alek Land you’re hiding in, and strangle you.” I’m threatening and kissing him all at the same time.
“Will you tell me your butterfly’s name?” he asks, fingering my necklace.
I gasp out a laugh. “I almost lose you, and the first thing you want to know is the name of the butterfly on my necklace?” He nods and we both share a whispery laugh. “You are one stubborn Russian-American man.”
“That would be me, yes. Please tell me.”
I now understand why this means so much to him. Knowing the name of the last symbol of my sister gives him a type of closure.
“Her name’s Josephine. Jada and me named her after the singer Josephine Baker. I always told my sister I liked to watch her perform. I mean, this lady is from a time when music was alive and fiery, the roaring ‘20’s. But still, I loved to pretend I was Josephine Baker. She lived in a castle and was surrounded by lots of people who loved her. She had a singing career to die for. I always said I wanted to be just like her some day,” I explain.
“Will you dance in a banana skirt, too?” he asks, his voice still sounding weak. “If so, then I want a front row seat.” I’m not surprised he knows about her trademark performance.
“You get up and walk out of here with me, and I’ll dance in anything you ask me to,” I promise.
“You got it, Jaybird.” He stares deeply in my eyes, snatching my breath away. The kiss we share this time leaves me feeling fluttery and strong and invincible.
Love, I have this to say to you…
I do believe.
Three Months Later…
Erin
Alek and I go on stage together. This is our first performance since we made the official announcement that we’re a couple. Tonight we both perform for a sold out house. Standing in the spotlight, I grasp the microphone. This time, I sing in the prelude as well as during the interlude.
I don’t wear a yellow dress for this show. I wear a red one: the color of desire and power. And Alek wears black: the color of mystery and strength. At the end of my song, I receive yet another standing ovation. To Alek’s delight, I have accepted Katerina’s offer to be the manager of my budding singing career. Even though I’ll always be available for Luca, Rafe, and Carla, I know I’ve done the right thing for me.
At the end of my song, the Maestro strolls toward me and holds a bouquet of yellow roses up to my face. The scent is as airy and fresh as the color on the flowers. A small black box sits on top. “For the star of my show and my life,” he says in the deeply accented way that drives me insane. He wears his hair slicked back and the tapered design of the tuxedo shows off his well-toned frame. He’s totally stunning today.
Adrenaline of a new type surges through me, and the smile on my face spreads so wide, that I’m pretty sure I’ll split the corners of my mouth.
I remove the box and open it. The audience has gotten so quiet that I almost think we’re inside of an empty building. Sitting on top of the red velvet lining inside the container is a black diamond ring that matches Josephine’s two lower dark wings. A thousand different memories assault me at once: Jada’s smile, the first time Alek said he loved me, the day I almost lost him, the day Katerina embraced me, and the kindness he showed my mother when we visited her two months ago.
And I can’t do anything but stand there, gasping like an idiot, a happy one though. Alek removes the ring from inside the box, and bends down on one knee.
The audience does come alive this time. Various levels of oohs and ahs sound out around the auditorium.
He’s actually going to propose to me right here in front of the whole damn world. Holy Hell. No wait. OMG!
“Erin Angelo, will you do me the honor of agreeing to become a permanent arrangement with me, by blessing me with your song, challenging me every day with your laugh, and allowing me to love you forever by becoming my wife?” Taking my left hand, he positions the ring in front of the intended finger.
“Oh yes,” I yelp through the tears now blurring my eyes. He slides the band on my finger, stands up, and gives me a kiss I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
The audience goes wild with applause. From somewhere in the back of my mind, I hear a melody playing; and it is as joyful as I feel.
This is only the beginning, a tune of Alek, Erin, and yes, even Jada…our very own prelude.
THE END IS ONLY THE BEGINNING
Other Books by KaSonndra Leigh
Assassin’s Rose by CHBB Publishing
Dark Seraphine: The Seraphine Trilogy #1
Hacienda Moon: A Time Travel Novel
The Lost Immortals Saga
When Copper Suns Fall
When Silver Moons Rise (Lost Immortals Saga #2)
Coming Summer 2013
When Tidal Waves Call (Lost Immortals Saga #3)
About the Author
KaSonndra Leigh lives in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, North Carolina. She lives in an L-shaped house with her two sons (nicknamed the X-men), a yorkiepoo, a cat named Hercules, and a guinea pig called Achilles. She has created a secret library complete with fairies, Venetian plastered walls, a desk made out of clear blue glass, and a garden dedicated to her grandmother, Nezzetta Tomlinson Wall. Rest in peace lovely lady.
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