My eyes slant to Jayden. He replaced the elastic band on my wrist with a diamond encrusted platinum bracelet. Even though I insisted we wait, he’s determined to get me to wear his diamonds.
The tour is almost over, and I got more from it than I ever dreamed of, just not in the way I imagined. My hand instinctively roams over the small swell of my stomach. I bite back my smile.
I haven’t yet told my sisters, not quite at the twelve-week mark yet. It’s torture keeping it from them. The urge to blurt it out crests over me ten times every day.
When we finally reach the top step, I breathe a sigh of relief. I made it without falling. Jayden’s lips press against my forehead as he guides me through the colossal doorway to take our seats on the front row.
‘How long until he comes on?’ Victoria demands from my left. She should know the drill. It was only a couple of weeks ago she watched Ryan perform in Edinburgh. Jayden and I missed the flight he originally booked because we were so engrossed in making up. We only made the concert by the skin of our teeth.
‘It’ll be awhile yet. Don’t worry, someone will be around with champagne in a minute or two.’
I lean into Jayden’s ear, scanning the lavish décor. ‘I like the red.’
‘Are you finally thinking about adding some colour to your villa?’ His full lips curl into his signature smirk.
‘No, I’m thinking about adding it to yours.’ My elbow nudges his torso, bouncing from it. ‘All those dark greens and greys are so masculine.’
His hot breath brushes my ear. ‘Sweetheart, you can do whatever you like to it, as long as you promise to live in it with me forever.’
Laying roots is something I’m finally open to. Big fat solid ones that reach infinitely into the ground. Not just for me, but for our child. For the first time in forever, it doesn’t feel daunting. It feels right.
‘Ugh. Will you two get a room? You’re as bad as the other two.’ Victoria rolls her eyes, but her twinkling irises express a genuine happiness for us.
White-gloved waiters transport tray-upon-tray of bubbling crystal flutes as the hall fills behind us. I shake my head to decline, but Victoria swiftly kicks my ankle, shooting me a look which compels me to take one.
‘If you don’t want it, I’ll have it.’ It’s barely in my hand before it’s in hers. ‘What’s up with you, anyway?’ She gazes quizzically at me for a beat, looking so different without the thick-rimmed glasses. Contact lenses showcase her sparkling hazel eyes.
‘Nothing’s up with me. I’m working, that’s all.’
‘Ha. You could have fooled me.’
She jokes, but it’s true. Backstage, caterers prepare the most extravagant canapés I could source. In place of a chocolate fountain, I arranged a Dom Perignon waterfall. Jayden persuaded the UK’s top DJ to perform after Ryan finishes. The row-upon-row of circular seats are set to be transformed into a rotating dancefloor, one that I’ll be avoiding. I’m barely over the dreaded morning sickness which I’ve been battling to hide for the last few weeks.
Under the ebony silk of my full-length dress, my stomach is already slightly swollen. I love it. I love the new life blooming inside me.
When Ryan finally makes his appearance, Victoria’s on her third drink. She shrieks the words along with him. With her head thrown back and laughter in her eyes, she gives me the warm and fuzzies.
Everything is working out the way it’s meant to be. I don’t need a plan. I don’t need to micro-manage every detail. I just need to be me.
I’m finally realising that I am enough. I don’t need to make up for the past or forge a successful business to prove I’m worthy of a place on this earth.
The music flows through me as I rest my cheek on Jayden’s shoulder, taking in the production.
The stage looks phenomenal. Thousands of shiny records make a thirty-foot Big Ben. A water feature flowing with champagne mimics the river Thames.
When Robbie Williams sneaks out on stage as Ryan’s special guest, the crowd goes absolutely wild, Victoria and Archie included. Although he’s assigned to Victoria to protect her, from the way his eyes skim over her, it seems more like a pleasure than work.
Jayden pulls me to my feet. ‘Where are we going?’
‘You’ll see.’
Weaving and ducking through security, Jayden leads me backstage.
Ruby shoots us a knowing wink and nudges Levi. This is their fourth date in as many weeks. Ruby has a feeling about this one, apparently.
They both step aside to let us pass.
Taking my hand, Jayden leads me through security to behind the stage. ‘There’s someone I want you to meet.’ Earnest eyes capture mine and my stomach flips.
