Your Song (Shawn Mendes)

Chapter 18

"Stop worrying so much!" Shawn called to Maria from their hotel bathroom. They were currently in Las Vegas to see Elton John perform the Million Dollar Piano four days after Christmas and Maria was freaking out. She had packed several dresses and outfits to wear but now deemed them all not good enough. "You're going to look amazing in anything so just pick one!"

"You're sweet but that's not helping my situation right now!" She called back, darting between the outfits again. 

Shawn chuckled and shook his head, coming out of the bathroom and wrapping his arms around Maria's waist from behind. "Why are you freaking out about this? It's just a concert." He questioned. 

"Yeah, a concert for one of my all-time favorite artists and basically a legend in the music industry." She retorted. "I've been dying to see Elton John perform since I first heard Candle in the Wind and now that I'm about to... I'm not ready. What if it's not what I have pictured in my head?"

It won't be but for reasons you can't imagine yet. Shawn smirked to himself. He gently kissed the shell of her ear. "It won't be. It'll be even better." He said quietly. He pointed to one of the dresses. "Go with the plain black one. It shows off the silver in your hair."

Her eyes widened with an idea. "And I can pair it with my leather jacket and midnight purple lipstick!" She whipped around to face him and kissed him quickly. "You, Mr. Mendes, are a genius."

He smiled brightly as she grabbed the dress and rushed to the bathroom to get ready. He could not wait for her to see the surprise he had waiting for her tonight. Tonight was going to be unforgettable for them both.

*******

Maria had to refrain from squealing loud enough to shatter windows as they walked into the Caesar's Palace Colosseum. Shawn chuckled at her look of awe. It was the same look she had every new place they went on tour. It honestly was infectious. Maria gasped as they went down to the orchestra level. 

"Shawn, you did not!" She looked to him in shock.

"I don't know what you're referring to, sweetheart." He smirked. He took her hand and felt her resist just a bit the closer they got to the stage. He turned to her with a raised eyebrow. "Maria, what's wrong?"

She shook her head. "This is too much, Shawn." She squeezed his hand. "I mean, first just the tickets in general and now? Close to or maybe even front row seats? I just..."

"You're not used to being spoiled, are you?" He asked. She shook her head. He tugged her closer and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You still don't get that I want to do these things for you, Maria. Because every time I do, you get this expression on your face and it's like the whole world is brighter." She blushed darkly. "I'm at my happiest when you are. You deserve the world, Maria. And I intend to give as much of it to you as I can."

She cupped his face in her hands and brought his lips to hers. When he pulled away, she smiled brightly and allowed him to lead her to their seats in the front row.

*******

It was a few songs into the concert and Elton had just finished up performing Levon to roaring applause. "Thank you all so much." He said into the mic as they quieted down. Shawn smirked and discreetly handed an usher his phone. "This next song is very special. Not only to me but to two very special guests in the audience tonight." The audience applauded. "Both of them happen to be extremely talented musicians of the new generation."

Maria sat up straighter. He couldn't possibly be talking about... Shawn offered his hand to her and she looked from him to Elton on stage. "So I would like to bring them on stage to help me out just a bit." The crowd cheered while Maria sat in shock. "If you don't know them, chances are your teenage daughter does, please welcome Shawn Mendes and Maria Peters!"

Maria's jaw dropped and Shawn chuckled a little with a smirk, taking her hand. He helped her climb onto the stage as Elton stood to greet them. He shook hands with Shawn and Maria's eyes went glassy when he stood in front of her. Elton chuckled at Maria's attitude and she got over her shock enough to respond when he pulled her into a hug. The usher continued to snap pictures and take video with Shawn's phone from the audience.

Maria covered her mouth in shock as Elton led her to the famous million dollar piano. He sat down at the bench and Shawn placed a comforting hand on the small of her back. "From what I've been told, you and Shawn consider 'your song' to be one of my own." Maria nodded, not trusting her voice in front of a living legend. "Well, you two have such incredible talent that I was hoping you both could help me out."

Maria gasped as a stagehand offered her a mic. She took it in her shaking hand and willed herself not to squeak.

Elton and Shawn laughed a bit. Maria felt a few tears trickle down her face when Elton began a familiar piano intro. She let out a full-on sob when, instead of Elton, Shawn began the famous song,

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

Elton joined Shawn on the last line before taking over the next verse,

If I was a sculptor, but then again, no
Or a man who makes potions in a traveling show

Elton nodded for Maria to sing the next line and Shawn slipped his hand into hers for support. She raised the mic to her lips and squeezed Shawn's hand as she sang,

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

Shawn pressed a kiss to her knuckles at the last line before they all sang the chorus,

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

Shawn cupped Maria's cheek in his hand, wiping off the few tears of joy that leaked between her lashes while Elton sang,

I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss
Well a few of the verses well they've got me quite cross
But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song
It's for people like you that keep it turned on

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

Maria took over the last part of the verse on her own accord, smiling at Shawn the entire time she did so,

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

Elton and Shawn smiled brightly at the girl as they joined her for the chorus.

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

Maria looked to Shawn in the final line and let out a sob as soon as the note left her mouth. Shawn wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into him tightly. She rested her head against his chest and they both looked to Elton as he belted out the final lines of the song.

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

Maria looked up at Shawn and pressed her lips to his when the final notes played. The audience exploded in applause and Elton himself even stood from the piano to applaud the young couple but all either could focus on was each other.