Without another word, he strums the guitar. An intoxicatingly beautiful rhythm builds, and when Marco adds a gentle drum, Gabriel sings. His angelic voice rises out with the opening melody, and a spell is cast over the crowd.
He pours himself into the music. I’ve heard it so many times, but I wasn’t prepared for the magnetic power of the music with a full audience to receive it. I can feel everyone reacting, riding the rollercoaster of highs and lows that the music pulls us through. It’s like entering into another dimension, fusing together through the experience of each song.
I’m so proud and so happy for him; I think I’m going to burst.
When Gabriel strums the last notes of “Tattered Chances,” he throws his hair back, and the crowd goes wild. I expect it to be his final song, but when the music slows, he looks to the back of the venue with a nod.
“Cameras off?” he says and, when he seems to get an answer, turns his eyes back to the crowd.
“It’s a little-known fact that I’ve always changed the lyrics to my songs after I write them,” he says, and I’m surprised by the sudden turn from what he’s prepared. “I write songs about my life. My heartbreaks. My dreams. The essence of the songs make it to the album, but I’ve always changed the lyrics to keep a little privacy for myself.”
He turns his eyes straight to me. The intensity of his gaze from the stage is like another spotlight, rooting me in place, and tingles go across my skin.
“But there’s one song,” he continues, “that the lyrics wouldn’t change. It could only be one way, the way it came to me.” He offers a half-smile. “I’m going to play that song for you now.”
He draws the most gentle notes from his guitar, and when the strumming breaks into something stronger, he joins in singing.
I gave you my heart
The night that we met
Memories lost
But we’ll never forget
A long seduction
We promised to stay
No tuxedos, lost vows
Yet we both found our way
Gabriel stands, his eyes still locked on me, and walks slowly across the stage while he sings.
You gave me your heart
And stayed close through the pain
The first night that we met
Babe I’d do it again
Yes I’d do it again
A gentle roll across the drums brings the simple but gorgeous song to a halt. Gabriel tosses the mic aside, hops off the stage, and gets down on one knee, which is when my brain finally catches up with reality.
“Spencer,” he says, speaking only to me, “I hope you know that every song on this album comes out of the love I feel for you. Every note I sing, every breath I breathe. They’re all for you.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small box. “Will you marry me, Spencer?”
I hear confusion rolling through the crowd around us, but it’s like they’re in another world. A massive smile fills my face, and tears brim from my eyes. The beauty of the song rings through me, and I’m so in love with Gabriel I can barely stand it.
“Yes.” I stand and pull him to his feet, meeting him in a deep kiss. “Yes. I love you, Gabriel. Of course I’ll marry you.” I laugh as I kiss him again. “I can’t believe you proposed to me from the stage, but yes.”
He grins. “I checked with Alyssa. We decided you’d actually like it. And it was my best chance of surprising you.”
I’m dizzy and grinning from ear to ear. “You’re lucky you know how to make me swoon.”
Gabriel puts the ring on my finger, a heavy platinum band with a blue gem, while gazing at me with love. “I should probably finish off my set now.”
