Fame- A Shawn Mendes Fanfic

Chapter 48- Commitment

Katie Mitchell *POV*

     As the doorbell rang, I scurried to open it. I hid behind the door, waiting to see him in his gentlemanly attire. Shawn wore a tuxedo, in which his appearance was handsome. I smirked eyeing him slightly.

    He offered me his arm, his gaze flitting over me while he did so. "See anything you like?" I teased.

    He raised an eyebrow, saying, "Well, I'd say the african violets hold an endearing charm," he chuckled, nodding to my potted plants in the hall. "But, no, I'd say the most breathtaking sight of all... is you," he finished, grasping my hand.

    "You don't look half bad yourself, handsome," I commented. As we made our way to the car and settled ourselves there, I continued, "You never did tell me where we're going."

    "You'll see. Half the fun is in the surprise," he flashed me a grin.

    "You and surprises," I muttered.

*****

Shawn Mendes *POV*

     Upon arriving at the restaurant where I had previously made reservations, I walked with Katie to the entrance where a man waited to seat us asking, "Have you made reservations, sir?"

     "Yes, under the name of Mendes," I replied.

     He scanned the book in front of him until he found the name, "Ah, yes, right away, sir." The man guided us to a table beside a window. We were within a section where it seemed that we were the only occupants. Perfectly planned, I thought.

      Katie and I sat, her gaze resting on the menu before her. Opening it and reviewing the choices, she muttered, "Shawn, this is expensive, I can't--"

     "--you can. It's on me. Please," I interrupted. She opened her mouth as if to argue, but instead thought better of it.

     "Alright, but it's going to break your bank account," she joked.

     "Hardly," I snorted.

*****

     Fifteen minutes later, when we had been given our beverages, and the waitress had taken our orders, Katie and I fell into silence. I seized the opportunity.

     "I've been meaning to talk to you," I began.

     Confused, she replied, "About...?"

     "Us." A smile graced her lips. "Katie... I have loved you, still love you, and will always love you; something I pray you will remember from this moment on until our dying day. You make me feel as if strength is without boundary, while leaving me weak with merely one word from your lips. You've given me laughter and supported me in my sorrows." My voice cracked and my words tumbled out with dreaded anticipation as I continued. "I've never cared for anyone as I have you, which makes these words the hardest I've ever spoken, but first I'm asking you," I began, pulling out a box which I'd hidden in my suit pocket, "to accept this ring as a token of my affection, and promise me... promise me..."

     "Promise you what?" Katie asked, her breath catching. Her expression was that of shock, pure ecstasy, bewilderment, and a lingering sense of fear.

     "Promise that you'll always love me. That you'll wait for me, no matter the length of time, whether it be mere days, months, or years. That when I come home, we'll do this properly, the proposal, the wedding,... but for now, take this ring, as our promise to each other. This is the hardest goodbye I've ever faced," I finished, a tear falling down my cheek.

     Katie's cheeks were tear-stained, but she smiled through the tears, saying, "I'll always love you, and you better remember that," she whispered into my ear. I felt her arms around me, holding me tightly. "How long?" she asked shakily.

    "One day. One day for you and me to spend. Together," I replied through gritted teeth.

    "Why?" she questioned. When I hesitated, she whispered once more, "Why?"

    "I have to. I'm beginning a new tour... I've been inactive for too long. Fans are losing their patience," I sighed.

    "You go and show them the Shawn Mendes I know; a person with a whole lot of heart," she smirked, but I knew her heart was breaking.

    I placed the ring on her finger; its band was of gold, inlaid with amethyst gems. It stood for what I'd come to experience, and the one thing that I couldn't live without: love.