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36.

The Grammys were just as glamorous as Bradley had anticipated they'd be but the night was fun, too, made more so by Stefani's carefree attitude. She was more excited about her performance than the possibility of winning any awards and it was surreal; watching her get glammed up by The Haus (and FaceTiming a completely ecstatic Lea and Gloria once they were finished getting ready), getting to hold her hand on the red carpet, and being seated next to her at The Staples Center, taking in her beauty as the show began.

"You're gorgeous," he whispered into her ear, intertwining her hand in his. "I know I already told you about a hundred times before we left, but I can't help it."

"You can say it as many times as you want," she replied softly in return. "And thank you. You look amazing yourself, B. Can't wait to get you alone later."

He kissed her hand gently. "Me too."

"Hey, thank you for coming tonight. I know this is a lot. The red carpet, too."

"There's nowhere else I'd rather be," Bradley told her honestly. "I'm so proud of you."

The ceremony began and as much as he tried to concentrate, he could only see her. She was absolutely radiant in a custom made white gown with ample cleavage, her hair swept up and off her neck, glowing and happy.

Then she won her very first award of the evening, Best Pop Duo or Group, with Ariana, and when she heard her name called, she jumped up, hugging and kissing him on her left, Bobby and Natali to her right. "I love you," she whispered in his ear, and she met Ariana halfway, squeezing her tightly.

Listening to the thunderous applause, he was sure his heart would bust from pride, similarly as it did when she won so many MTV awards.

It was surreal seeing her there again, gripping Ariana's hand, while she spilled out a list of thanks; the tiny woman by her side, her parents and Natali, Bobby, her team, and finally, she looked out into the huge assembled crowd of esteemed musicians and artists, zeroing in on him.

"And to the love of my life, I wouldn't be here without you. I love you so much."

With that, she blew him a kiss and darted off backstage to go get ready for her performance.

And what a performance it was. It left him breathless; her energy, her passion...in both the dance numbers and the piano ballads and when he joined in the standing ovation at the end, he thought he couldn't possibly be any prouder.

He was proven wrong. Shortly after she returned to her seat, back in her beautiful dress, looking perfectly re-made up, she won two more awards, accepting them both, beaming and exuberant and full of gratitude and love.

By the time the evening ended, Stefani was laden down with trophies, having to do the press room afterward. He didn't leave her side the entire time, at her request, and when they were finally ready to leave, he swept her right off of her feet, giving her a tiny half spin.

"What was that for?" She giggled, watching white silk catch the light breeze and billow up behind her.

"Just so absurdly proud of you. My face actually hurts from smiling so hard."

Keenly aware of the camera bulbs going off around them like lightening bolts, she grasped him by both wrists; a slightly possessive gesture that didn't unnoticed by him.

"I'm so happy you're here. Ready to party?"

He smiled and offered her his arm. "Ready when you are."

At the Sony after party, she introduced him to several of her friends in the business, people that if someone ever told him a year ago, he'd be meeting, he would have laughed. But there he was, by Stefani's side, sharing a club soda and a laugh with some of the most famous musicians in the industry.