Page 205 of Love Unwritten
Nico has loved this weekend since he was a toddler, and I’m glad he decided to come regardless of his mother’s decision.
Ellie and I arrive at the Strawberry Festival with Nico dressed in his favorite suit and his fanciest pair of glasses that he saves for special occasions like today.
The stage is already set up with a piano that Ellie’s stepdad loaned to the event planning team, and a sea of townspeople fills the seats. Together, Ellie and I take him backstage, where he peeks at the crowd from behind the stage left curtain.
“How are you feeling?” Ellie kneels and readjusts his bow tie.
“Good.”
“Hm. We need better than good.” She reaches to tickle him, and he squirms with a laugh.
“Fine! Great!”
She winks. “Much better.”
I lean over and kiss the top of his head. “I’m proud of you for coming, mijo.”
He grabs his lapels and sticks his chest out. “If I want to become a rock star one day, I can’t quit.”
Ellie pulls him into a hug before I do the same.
“Everyone, please welcome Nicolas Lopez!”
“That’s me!” He rushes out, completely forgetting about us. My son is a damn performer, bowing for the crowd before dramatically brushing his hands across the keys.
The number of people watching has doubled in the short time it took him to check in and get backstage, and it makes my chest swell with pride knowing my son’s talent is appreciated by so many people.
With a sigh, I wrap my arms around Ellie and prop my chin on her shoulder.
She steps out of my embrace and turns to face me. “Someone could see us.”
“Would you rather they didn’t?”
She bites down on her bottom lip. “Yes, but not for the reason you probably think.”
“Right.” I exhale loudly, earning a small frown from her.
She pulls me away from the stage and deeper into the shadows. “I’m not ashamed of us. It’s just…” The words struggle to make it past her lips, and she gets distracted by the first few notes of Nico’s song.
I cradle her chin and will her to look back at me. “What?”
Her hand brushes down the center of my chest. “I just want to keep you all to myself for a little while longer. Once everyone finds out, they’ll never leave us alone.”
“Now that you mention it… maybe we should keep it a secret forever. That way we can avoid my family trying to steal you away from me.”
She laughs while giving my shoulder a shove. “I meant a few weeks at most.”
“Fine. I can manage that.” I pull her deeper into the shadows before circling my arms around her waist again.
She sinks into me as Nico plays the song they practiced a countless number of times. Goose bumps spread over my arms at the melody floating through the air, and my eyes turn misty at watching him.
My son was born to shine, and I’m so proud to be his dad.
“He truly is amazing,” Ellie whispers.
“I know.”
“No, seriously. He is going to be famous one day. Mark my words and today’s date.”