Wedding's Are Beautiful (A Carter & Ross Novel)

Epilogue:

 The crowd roared as R5 walked out onto the stage. The audience had grown hyper during the opening acts and were now feeding off the energy that the band exuded. I was standing in the wings, watching the band with Stormie. As the cool wind blew I pulled my jacket and scarf tighter around me and burrowed my hands into my pockets. I started wishing that Rydel and Stormie had styled my outfit differently, instead of picking out a summery outfit. I didn't even know why they styled me. I was as confused as I was cold. Nights in California were quite cold, especially at outdoor venues. 

 "I got you some hot chocolate," Ryland appeared next to me. 

 "Thank you," I smiled at him, graciously accepting the warm cup. 

 I breathed in the steam, hoping it would help heat the inside of my body. I loved the fall, but at night it was a little unbearable. I took a few sips of my drink and decided to move out into the audience. As I stepped into the crush, I was immediately warmed by the movement of, what seemed to be, millions of bodies. I breathed a sigh of relief and danced along to the music letting my mind wonder. It had been a year since our trip to Paris, and everything had seemed to fall into place. Well, everything except Camila being home. Yes, you read that correctly, Camila still hadn't come home! She missed our twentieth birthday to meet Grant's family and celebrate with them. 

 As the days wore on with her being gone, I started to wonder if she would ever come back. She'd even opted to take online courses at the start of college and that worried me even more. Although I was a year closer to having it knocked out of the park. As the song faded to a close I noticed Savannah and Alexa come to my sides. 

 "You're needed back stage." Alexa informed me, looping her arm through mine. 

 I nodded, not thinking I could speak loud enough over the music. A, very, pregnant Freya met me at the bottom of the steps. 

 "How are my darlings?" I asked, putting my arm around her shoulders. 

 "We're good, but your about to be great in a minute!" She smiled. 

 "What?" I looked over at her and realized that the music for the next song was starting.

 I looked out on the stage and saw Ross reaching his hand out to me. I took my scarf off and handed it to Stormie. 

 "Hey love," Ross smiled at me. 

 "Hi," I said, taking the microphone that Mark was handing me. 

 "Say hi to Carter everyone." Ross said to the audience. 

 I was growing suspicious, and I'm pretty sure that how I was supposed to feel. 

 "So I want to sing you this song, but I have to ask you something first. This is quite possibly the most cliche moment we'll ever have, but I don't care. Carter, I'm one hundred percent, totally and completely, head over heels in love with you. I can't imagine living life with out you. You're the first thing I think about in the morning, and the last thing I think about before I go to bed." His speech was starting out strong, "You are my everything, and I want to tell you that, everyday of the rest of my life, if you'll let me." 

 I didn't know what to say I wasn't crying yet but when I saw my family come on to the opposite side of the stage I lost it. I didn't see Camila, but I looked close at my dad's phone and saw her on FaceTime. 

 "I'm going to stop beating around the bush and just say it." He got down on one knee and I nearly died, "Carter Lauren Stonewell, will you make me the happiest man alive, and... Marry Me?" 

 "Yes," I said into the mic. 

 The tears stopped flowing and the pure joy and happiness that exuded from this moment filled me up. I didn't even care with the ring looked like. Although it was gorgeous. Thin gold band, because after wearing my silver crown ring for four years I'd actually grown allergic to silver, with a nice sized diamond on it. He slipped the ring on my left ring finger and wrapped his arms around me. My feet lifted off the floor and the screaming crowd seemed to disappear. Ross's lips pressed against my own and the feeling took me high. It took me away from the thought of going back to New York in the next few days, away from everything really. 

 "I love you," He whispered into my ear. 

 "I love you too," My words were muffled by his shoulder. 

 He let go of me and I was engulfed by my family and his. This was, quite possibly, the biggest group hug I'd ever been in. My smile that night couldn't be compared to any smile I'd ever smiled before. It was a big million watt grin. The biggest smile I'd worn in my life. I was let go, and I returned to my place off stage. I stayed out of the line of sight until the concert was over. The audience dwindled down to no one, and the bands, and stage hands, cleaned up the instruments and cords. I stood still in the bustle of people, staring at my beautiful ring. 

 "I didn't have the heart to ask this in front of everyone, but is the diamond too small?" Ross's arms wrapped around my waist, and his tired voice filled my ears. 

 "It's perfect," I leaned back into him, letting him hold me up. 

 "I really wanted you to like it." He sighed. 

 "Did you think I wouldn't?" I turned and wrapped my arms around his neck. 

 "No... Kind of... Yes," He conceded. 

 "Lucky for you I don't just like it, I love it, and you! Honestly I never thought you'd ask me." I felt like I was on top of the world. 

 "I love you," He smiled my favorite, crooked smile. 

 "I love you more," I pressed my head to his.

 "I love you most," He picked me up bridal style and kissed me sweetly.