“I wanted to thank you for helping me get Nina back in my life. I’m not sure we would have gotten our shit figured out if you hadn’t helped. I mean it; I consider you family.”
I hugged Edge, touched by his words. Being here with the band, I truly felt
like I belonged. “Good thing we’re stuck with each other. Who else is going to keep Kurt in line?”
“He’s a lucky man to have you. Thanks, Sawyer.”
“You’re welcome. Thanks for being there for me.”
Nina opened the door from inside the arena. “I’m taking you to your next stop, and I have something for you.”
I took another calla lily and chewed on my lip. This was all part of Kurt’s surprise. Before I spoke, I took a deep breath to keep the tears at bay. “Lead the way.”
We walked down the hall and stopped at the nearest corner. “Edge told me everything you did. I’m with the man I’m meant to be with. You’ve made my life brighter by being part of it. Thank you, Sawyer.”
Wow, is it sappy Sawyer day? I blinked rapidly to chase away the tears. “You’re so welcome. I’m glad you got your happily ever after.”
“Me, too.” She hugged me. “I’m so glad Kurt brought you into our lives. Are you ready?”
“Yes.” I knew as long as I had Kurt, I was ready for anything with him. I loved him with my entire heart.
“This is the impact you’ve had by being here. Every person here wanted to tell you something.
We turned the corner, and several members of the crew were there, waiting with a calla lily. I held my hand to my mouth as a tear slid down my cheek. This was more of a family than I’d had in a very long time.
As I took the flower from each person, they hugged and thanked me for something I’d done. I couldn’t help it—the tears flowed. I had no idea how they found out about some things, such as getting Norman new gloves. By the time I got to the end of the row, I had a full bouquet of calla lilies.
I turned. “Wow, I—” My voice caught, and I took a deep breath. “Thank you. I just…you guys mean a lot to me.” I wiped at the tears running down my cheeks. “Baby Hendrix has me all emotional. I blame Kurt.”
Everyone chuckled.
“You guys have come to mean the world to me. We’re not just a band and crew. We’re a family.”
Everyone hooted and hollered their agreement. Harlem touched my shoulder. “He’s waiting on stage for you.”
Kurt was next. Holding the flowers, I walked up the steps to find Kurt standing on stage with one last calla lily.
“I have something for you.”
I ran into his arms, wrapping my free one around him.
“You okay, baby?”
“You’ve made me a blubbering mess.”
“And you jiggled the baby.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, yes, I did.”
Though we knew I wasn’t really jiggling the baby, we still joked and teased about it. Kurt handed me the last calla lily.
“Thank you. It finishes my bouquet perfectly.”
Without a word, he took the flowers and put them in the vase, albeit a little haphazardly. God, I love this man. Then Kurt turned to me while maintaining a little distance. “When I first met you, I was lost.” He took a step toward me. “But, Sawyer, through all this…” Another step. “Meeting you…” And another. “Becoming roommates…” He was within reach when he continued, “Lovers, parents…somewhere I was no longer lost. I was found, and I fell in love.”
I froze, trying to replay exactly what he’d said. Did I imagine he said love? More and more lately, the word had been on the tip of my tongue, but I held back, wanting Kurt to be ready.
The brilliant smile on Kurt’s face made my lips turn up. “I love you, Sawyer. With my entire being.”