Falling In Love

XVIII. The End

Chapter Eighteen...The End

It was a moment I had been waiting for, not just that night, but for a long time. I had my plan in place, and as I looked at Charm, glowing in the spotlight of the Christmas party, I knew this was the perfect time. The perfect moment to seal everything we'd built together.

The Christmas party was more than just a celebration of the holiday season. It was a celebration of Charm's incredible Christmas album release, New Traditions. The air was thick with excitement as our family, friends, and coworkers gathered to honor her, her artistry, and the beautiful fusion of cultures that made her music unique.

Charm had always been a beacon of strength and beauty, and the album was no exception. It blended her Samoan, Guadeloupean, and Puerto Rican roots into a magical twist on traditional Christmas music. The twelve songs on New Traditions were more than just catchy tunes—they were personal, heartfelt, and powerful.

One song, My Christmas Miracle, featured Samantha, and every note was filled with raw emotion. I'm With You/Be Still featured myself, along with our sons Amias and Jeyce, making it even more special. I had always known our family was unique, but hearing our voices together was a reminder of how far we had come. There was also When He's Here, which featured Trinity and JoJo—family was truly the heartbeat of this album. And of course, there was Christmas Kisses, a fun and flirty number with Tookie, showing yet another side of Charm. The album wasn't just music; it was a display of all the people she loved, blended into the soundtrack of her life.

As I stood backstage, waiting for my moment, I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. This night wasn't just about Charm's accomplishments, it was about all of us—our family, our love, the future we were building together. It was about the promise I was about to make.

Charm stood at the front of the stage, beaming as she addressed the crowd.

"I wanted to do an album that felt like my Christmases growing up, celebrating our cultures," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I want my son, and any future children, and the next generation, to never forget their roots. This is for them, this is for us."

The crowd erupted into applause. I knew how much this album meant to her—it was her heart and soul, poured into each track. Watching her up there, glowing under the spotlight, I couldn't help but think about how far we'd come. From the moment we met, our lives had been a whirlwind. We'd faced challenges that seemed impossible, yet here we were, stronger than ever.

I caught the glint of excitement in her eyes as she prepared to perform one of the tracks from the album. My heart raced, knowing what I was about to do would make this night even more special. As she began to sing, I felt a calmness wash over me. It was as if the whole world was silent, just for a moment, and all I could hear was the sound of her voice, the rhythm of her song, and the beating of my own heart.

I looked over at Amias and Jeyce, who were standing next to me, ready to perform I'm With You/Be Still. Jaciyah, his fingers dancing over the piano keys, set the tone, and I joined in, letting the music fill me. The words of the song—our song—seemed to surround me, and I caught Charm's gaze as she stood on stage, her voice blending with ours.

Everything felt right.

It was then that I knelt, carefully, bringing the crowd's energy into the moment. The music faded into the background as I focused entirely on Charm. The room seemed to hold its breath.

"Charm," I began, my voice steady despite the racing of my heart. "I know unlikely circumstances threw us together, but I want to keep us together forever. You mean the world to me. You've shown me so much in such a short amount of time that I want to experience that with you for the rest of my life. I want to love you in ways you didn't know were possible and bring you to a wonderful life full of love and joy. In many different stages and versions, regardless of the change—good or bad—I want to experience it with you..."

I paused, pulling out the ring, its edges catching the light, the emerald cut diamond shimmering like something out of a dream. The crowd's energy swelled in anticipation. "Will you marry me?"

There was a brief, suspended silence before the loudest cheer I'd ever heard filled the room. Charm's face softened, her eyes glistening with emotion, and she took in a sharp breath before smiling—no, beaming—at me.

"Yes!" she said, her voice filled with wonder and joy.

Amias squealed with delight, running around the stage in excitement. Our two-year-old son's happiness was contagious, and the room erupted into a mix of cheers, claps, and joyful laughter. It was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard.

I slid the ring onto her finger, the platinum band embracing the stunning emerald-cut diamond like it had always belonged there. "Thank you so much, I love you," Charm whispered, pulling me into a tight embrace.

"Thank you," I replied, my voice barely a whisper.

As I stood up, I pulled her into a kiss, our lips meeting with the kind of passion that only comes from knowing you've found your forever. The crowd cheered, the energy swelling like a tidal wave, and everyone shouted in unison, "Cheehoo!"—a Samoan cheer of joy and celebration.

When we pulled apart, Charm's tears were already flowing, but she was smiling through them, showing off her engagement ring to anyone who would look. It was a beautiful moment, one that felt like the world had stopped just for us.

"I have another sister-in-law now!" Trinity's voice rang out as she rushed to Charm, pulling her into a hug. "I'm so happy for you, sis."

Jonathan, my twin brother, was at my side before I even had a chance to turn. He pulled me into a tight hug, his voice thick with pride. "I'm proud of you, brother," he said.

I laughed, feeling the weight of everything settle into my chest. "Thanks, Jon," I replied.

The love in the room was palpable, like a living thing that wrapped around us all, drawing us closer. My heart swelled with pride and joy, knowing that everything we had built, everything we had fought for, had led to this moment. Charm and I had been through so much together—both good and bad—but here we were, stronger and more in love than ever.

As the evening continued, I couldn't help but marvel at how perfect this moment felt. Our family, our friends, and our sons were all there, celebrating this next step in our journey. Charm's Christmas album was a huge success, and here we were, standing at the beginning of a new chapter in our lives.

Later that night, as I looked at Charm, still glowing with excitement and joy, I realized something. The future was bright, and no matter what it held, I knew we would face it together. With love, laughter, and the kind of bond that only grows stronger with time.

I smiled to myself, holding her hand. "Girl, you're stuck with me for the rest of your life," I whispered, already knowing the answer.

"Duh! Til the wheels fall off," she replied, squeezing my hand, her heart as full as mine.

And in that moment, I knew we had everything we would ever need.

The End.