Chuckling, I pull back from her, put my hands on her shoulders, and turn her 180 degrees around so she’s facing her dad and Midge standing there.
She goes still for just a moment, and then she shrieks in delight. She hasn’t seen her dad in almost four months, as we’ve been out on the West Coast recording a new album before we launched into this most recent concert tour. I went ahead and signed a one-album deal with Phoenix, as they kept after me. With some hard wheeling and dealing by my fabulous attorney/manager/publicist, we were able to strike a deal that not only made sense financially, but also made me comfortable with how much of my personal life would belong to them, which wasn’t very much. I had to commit to some publicity appearances, but it was all doable in my mind since Emma would always be with me.
My life is almost at the pinnacle of perfection. My career is soaring, Emma was so ferocious in how she dealt with Tyler and his attorneys that they’ve slunk off into the darkness with their tails between their legs, and I know in my heart there will come a day when I get everything I wished for in that song I just sang.
Emma pulls away from me and launches herself at her dad, who wraps her up in a hug and lifts her off her feet. Then he lets her go, and she gives Midge an equally hard hug, and that right there warms my fucking heart. Those two are as thick as thieves now, and I suppose they both feel a little smug that Midge’s machinations are what eventually drove us back together again.
I just stand there watching, both my hands shoved down into my pockets.
Where my fingers on my right hand toy with the little black velvet box tucked inside.
She has no clue this is coming.
Completely oblivious.
Cary and Midge obviously do, which is why I had them flown here for this concert.
But Emma?
No way.
I can’t wait to see the look on her face when I pull that ring out and ask her to give me more than an eternity.
She’ll say yes, of course, and then my life will be complete.
The End