For Life

Part 41

"Hi everyone" Dec beamed,as he jumped down from rehearsing on stage to greet his family "I'm so glad you're all here"

They all hugged warmly,including Ant who had arrived with Dec to watch him rehearse.

"We're glad too" Fonsey smiled "we can't wait to see you perform again,it's been too long"

"It has" Dec agreed and bent down to speak to Anne.

"I hope you enjoy the concert Mum" he said softly "I'm doing it for you"

Anne took his hand in hers and squeezed it gently,a tear already forming in her eye.

"I wouldn't have missed this for the world" she whispered.

Dec wondered how he would get through the performance with Anne sat in the front row,watching him from her wheelchair,still painfully aware that this would be the last time she would ever see a concert of his.

"Penny for them?" Ant suddenly interrupted Dec a while later.

"Huh?" Dec asked confused.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Ant smiled,saying the phrase that his mum liked to use so often "you were miles away"

"Um..." Dec frowned "was just thinking about how I need to get ready,the audience will be arriving soon"

"You finished rehearsing then?" Ant asked.

"Yeah" Dec nodded "I'd better get changed,you coming?"

"Of course" Ant beamed and followed Dec to his dressing room.

"You sounded so amazing today" Ant informed him as Dec got changed into his elegant suit,ready for the performance.

"Ant" Dec laughed "that was just the rehearsal"

"Doesn't matter" Ant shrugged "you still sounded great"

"Well,thanks" Dec grinned "hopefully the actual concert will be even better"

"I'm so happy your family are here" Ant smiled "this is going to be so special for all of you"

"It is" Dec agreed "it's going to be amazing,but emotional too"

"Well,anytime you need any support" Ant smiled "you just look straight at me in the front row,I've got your back"

"I know you have" Dec nodded gratefully and hugged Ant warmly.

Later on,after the audience had arrived and taken their seats and Dec had warmed up his vocal chords,it was almost time for him to take centre stage.

"Break a leg baby" Ant whispered into Dec's ear and kissed his cheek "enjoy it"

"I will" Dec beamed.

Ant proceeded to take his seat next to Pat ready to enjoy the show.

And as expected,it was a wonderful show...beautiful and moving as Dec often spoke directly to his mum.

He told the audience about the influence she had had over his enire life and career,citing how she had made him the man he was today,how she had trained him from an early age,nurtured his talent and made sure he was the absolute best version of himself that he could be.

Dec's words moved many of his fans present at the concert to tears,knowing what he and his family were going through.

And of course there was barely a dry eye amongst that family.

After the concert,they all made their way to Dec's dressing room,praising him for his performance.

"I'll come and see you at the hotel in the morning" Dec told Anne "before you go back to Paris"