“Thank you,” he says, and I know I’m not alone in hearing the emotion that is thick in his voice. Cheers break out again briefly, but he keeps going. “Country Artist of the Year,” he adds, and there’s more clapping and congratulating while fresh tears sting my eyes. “First of all, I want to thank the Academy and my fellow nominees for inspiring me every day. I’m blown away to just be included in this. You see, I’m just a plain old, Texas country boy. I’ve always had simple wants. I wanted to play my music, but I never thought about where it would lead me. Honestly, I never thought I would sing past the occasional honkytonk. My wife, she knew better. God, I love you Callie Lane,” he says, and my heart feels as if it explodes in my chest.
“I love you, too.” I mostly mouth the words. I know he can’t hear me, but I say it just the same.
“I sure as hell never thought I’d win all these awards, definitely not four Grammys in one night. That kind of feat is for the greats, artists who have been icons to me. I’m deeply grateful and humbled. Of all the awards, though, this one means the most. You see, a little over two years ago I made a decision to move back to Texas and focus on the music I wanted to write and sing. I didn’t know what would happen. I really thought the majority of the music industry would forget me. I was prepared for it. All I really knew was that I was going to make music I love. I wanted my new album to be about the things I love the most. So, I guess it is no surprise that this album is all about my wife Callie, our daughter Bristol, and our lives together. I know most everyone here tonight offers thanks to the Man upstairs, and I do every damn day, but I thank Him not for the music or the words. I thank him for my beautiful wife and the gifts she gives me every day. Without her, I wouldn’t be here. Callie, baby, I love you. I want to thank you for taking my hand and trusting me to be your man. You and our daughter are everything to me, and I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret it. I truly appreciate the way the Academy and the industry embraced the changes in my life and the way it reflects in my music. And to my fans out there, if you liked my latest album, hold on to your seats, because my wife just informed me tonight that we have another baby on the way. That means I’m for sure going to have more songs for you. Callie, darlin’, I love you and I know in my heart that our love is a song that never ends. You mean everything to me.”
God, now he has me bawling like a baby. “I love you,” I say again, knowing he can’t hear me. I just have to say it.
“I do have one small request, Bluebird. Maybe you can give me a boy this time. Our house needs a little testosterone.” Everyone laughs, and he winks at me. I’m laughing too, but I’ve given up trying to stop the tears. My heart is just too full.
I don’t deserve Reed, but I would die before I’d give him up. I once thought I didn’t deserve his love, and I’m still not sure I do. I just know that no one will ever love him more than I do. I’m going to spend every single day of the rest of my life making sure he knows that. As he walks back, I throw myself into his arms and hold him close.
Our lives may have started off as a nightmare, but they definitely ended in a fairytale.