Your Song (Shawn Mendes)

Chapter 15

Shawn forced a smile onto his face as the lights went down and he got into his spot for his performance. A few moments passed and the audience and Shawn questioned why the planned strobe lights weren't coming on. "Sorry for the interruption, everybody." Ed Sheeran's voice came through the speakers. Shawn raised an eyebrow. What the hell was he up to? "I came across something today and felt that Shawn could use this opportunity to give a little bit back to the fans who helped him out these last few weeks."

The screen behind Shawn lit up and he turned and his jaw dropped. On the screen was the video Maria had planned to give him for his birthday. The audience gasped and applauded when she began to play and sing,

It's a little bit funny this feeling inside
I'm not one of those who can easily hide
I don't have much money but boy if I did
I'd buy a big house where we both could live

The video blended into the one Shawn had posted of him singing that same song, him taking over the next part,

If I was a sculptor, but then again, no
Or a man who makes potions in a traveling show
I know it's not much but it's the best I can do
My gift is my song and this one's for you

The videos overlapped each other as if he and Maria were singing a duet of the song. Shawn felt tears burn in his eyes when pictures and videos of him and Maria were played along with the song.

And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world

Ed's voice once again came over the speakers while Maria and Shawn in the video played the piano interlude. "If you're a fan of Shawn, then you will most likely know about his almost 5-month long relationship with Maria Peters and the kidnapping of her almost three weeks ago. Shawn may have been touring but he wasn't himself, not without Maria." Shawn discreetly wiped away a tear that fell and clasped the rings around his neck in his hand, hearing the second verse of the song begin.

I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss
Well a few of the verses well they've got me quite cross

"His fans have been helping the police, sending in tips, and well... I'll let the performance show the rest." Shawn raised an eyebrow but cracked a small smile when he saw flashlights from phones appear in the crowd like stars.

But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song
It's for people like you that keep it turned on

"Shawn?" He faintly heard a voice call from the side of the stage. He felt his heart stop. He would know that voice anywhere. Cautiously, he turned to the voice and covered his mouth in shock while the audience exploded in applause.

So excuse me forgetting but these things I do
You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue

Standing in a double-buttoned vest with lace sleeves and a sheer taffeta train falling to her knees covering a sleeveless black cocktail dress and black heeled combat boots was... "Maria." Shawn gasped. She nodded, tears shining in her eyes.

Anyway the thing is what I really mean
Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen

The audience cheered when she rushed across the stage and threw herself into his arms. He wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her slightly off the ground. Burying his fingers in her hair, he felt a few tears stain his shoulder but he couldn't have cared less in that moment.

And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world

I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world

He slowly set her down as the song started to finish, pulling away only to crash his lips to hers against the backdrop of the final line. Maria smiled against his lips and cupped his cheeks in her hands. He reluctantly separated from each other breathlessly and leaned their foreheads together.

He glanced to the audience and smiled when he saw a full standing ovation for him and Maria. She turned as well and laughed lightly, a blush coating her cheeks. He pulled her tightly against him and she rested her head on his chest. He looked over and saw Ed smirking backstage. Shawn rolled his eyes but mouthed 'thank you' to the other singer.

*******

Shawn wasted no time in pressing his lips to Maria's the minute his hotel room door was closed. She stiffened slightly in shock but relaxed quickly at the familiar touch. He pressed her against the door, gripping her hips possessively. She smiled against his lips and buried her fingers in his hair. Shawn didn't pull away until his lungs were burning with the need for air.

He gently leaned their foreheads together. "You have no idea how much I have wanted to do that for the last 19 days." He said quietly. 

She smiled brightly at him, gripping his collar in his hands. She opened it up slightly and let out a small breath when she saw the rings still resting on the chain around his neck. Tears glittered in her eyes as she spoke, "He tried so hard to convince me you didn't care about me. That you went on tour because you already replaced me." She gently touched a finger to the rings. "These kept me from believing him."

Shawn took her hands and led her to sit on the bed. "What are you talking about?"

"He would show me pictures of you on tour. To try and convince me you were happy without me." She explained. "I saw you smiling for all your fans with a new guitarist behind you and... I started to believe him somewhat. But then, I would see the rings around your neck." He smiled lightly and kissed her softly. 

Shawn brushed a lock of hair behind her ear and raised an eyebrow when he felt gauze behind her ear... right where a music note would've been inked on her skin. Maria let out a whimper but turned to give him the full view of the bandage. Shawn felt tears burn in the back of his eyes. "What did he do to you?" He asked.

"The same thing he would've done with the rings." She answered. "He wanted to erase all memories that I ever had a life outside that basement."

His eyes widened. "He... cut off your tattoo?" She nodded, tears leaking out between her lashes. He pulled her into his arms, letting her bury her face in his chest. Her sobs were muffled by his shirt but were covered by his gently humming and singing in her ear.