Bringin' on the Heartbreak

5

Tonight's show in Baton Rouge is supposed to be the largest capacity that the band has seen so far in the U.S. tour. The guys like to think they're good at hiding the fact that they're nervous, but I've been with Sav long enough to know when he's extra nervous. His knees start trembling, he's twiddling his thumbs and humming a random song out loud. You would think after a while that their stage fright would go away, but I guess those butterflies stay put.

"Relax, honey. You're going to knock them dead." I say, putting both of my hands on his shoulders and massaging them.

He looks at me with those ocean eyes and smiles, almost as if facing the crowd isn't his main concern right now.

"I know, it's just our biggest one yet." He lets out a nervous laugh.

"Alright guys, you're up." The stage manager says after poking her head in the dressing room.

Sav quickly bends down to kiss me before they head to the stage and I secure my spot at the side of the stage. Georgia comes up beside me not long after.

"Are you excited?" I ask Georgia, as this is her first Def Leppard show.

"Very!" She beams.

"You're in for an amazing show. They never disappoint." I smile.

I notice on stage there's an extra chair by Sav's spot. Maybe they have a guest bassist? Or maybe it was just a mistake made by the roadies, I don't know.

—

The guys pushed through the first half of the set and they're on fire. Right before Foolin' is supposed to start, Joe nods at Sav, who walks up to the main microphone. He cleared his throat, and handed Joe his bass.

"Hey, everyone." Sav says, and the crowd cheers in response. "A couple weeks ago I introduced the crowd to my girlfriend, Emma. We've been together for two years now, and every day feels like I've known her all my life." He paused, smiled, and motioned for me to come out. I reluctantly come out beside him.

He takes my hands in his and steps away from the microphone.

"Baby, you've made my life so much brighter. I see so much happiness in our future, and I want to spend it all by your side." I start tearing up as he gets down on one knee and pulls out a little velvet box from his jacket and opens it.

"Will you marry me?" Sav says, looking up at me with his blinding smile. I put my hand over my mouth in shock and shake my head yes.

"Yes, absolutely yes." I say, the tears flowing down rapidly. He slips the ring on my finger and comes up to passionately kiss and hug me. The crowd is roaring, and the guys are clapping right along with them. I think I even see some tears in their eyes, too.

Sav walks us over to where the two chairs are, and Joe gives him back his bass along with a pat on the back and a gleaming smile.

"Aren't they just adorable?" Joe says into the mic. "They're the definition of a perfect couple and we're so happy for them! Now to play Emma's favorite song, Foolin' to celebrate the lovebirds!" Joe says, signaling for the guys to start playing their instruments.

I'm still very much in shock. I had no idea this was coming. This is why Sav has been acting so weird lately! I didn't even know he knew what size ring I wear.

I look down at the ring to inspect it. It's a beautiful rose gold band with a not-too-flashy white diamond, which is everything I love in jewelry. It could not be more perfect for me.

"You like it?" Sav mouths to me while still playing.

"I love it." I say back, and his smile gets even wider.

—

After the show is over, we're all on cloud nine. The engagement, the incredible show, the thousands of screaming fans. It's all just come full circle.

Sav and I went out to dinner by ourselves while the rest of the band went to various pubs. We just wanted to celebrate together tonight and then celebrate later with the band.

The restaurant isn't overly busy since it's so late at night, which makes the atmosphere more romantic. Sav reaches across the table to take my hand in his.

"Tonight went better than I expected." He laughs.

"What, did you think I'd say no?" I question jokingly.

"Maybe I had that thought, but no. The truth is I had your ring shipped here and that's why it took me so long in town the other day." He says.

"I had a feeling that something else was up, but I just assumed you had gotten lost in the guitar shop." I smile at him, and he raises an eyebrow.

"You know me too well." He says. "I picked out the ring months ago, but I wasn't sure of when I wanted to ask. Once I heard how many people were going to be at the show tonight I just knew that tonight was the night. The guys were in on it, and so was Georgia." He finished.

"Next time make sure they're better at covering for you. Phil doesn't have a good poker face." I joke.

"That knobhead. I knew I should have come up with a better excuse as to why I went into town."

"Yeah." I nodded in agreement.

"Oh well, all the anxiety was well worth it. Let's get back to the hotel room." He says softly, leaving the money on the table and pulling me out of the restaurant.

—

Sav and I have been intimate before of course, but tonight has been different. The love we have for each other was radiating throughout the room during every little touch.

We finished a while ago, and now we're just holding each other under the sheets. These are my favorite moments to soak in: laying on Sav's chest while he moves his hand up and down my back, occasionally running his hands through my hair or planting little kisses on the top of my head. I can't believe I get to marry this man.