The Prelude (32 page)

“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