Page 123 of 4-Ever

But I was still nervous as hell about today and when we stepped inside the building, my heart raced out of control.

Lennie and Petyr escorted us into the recording studio, did their rounds, and then slipped out the main door to wait outside.

I guided Faise into the booth, turning on the editing board, and the mics, and then motioned at the two chairs that sat in the middle of the room. There were no instruments today, just me and Faise. Every word that happened in this moment would be recorded. For me, for him, but most important of all, for us. For all time.

“Wondering why we’re here?” I asked, tremors running up and down my arms. Hell, my whole body was vibrating like an amp. To my own ears, I sounded breathless, and no wonder.

It isn’t every day that you propose to the love of your life.

“Kind of. But I’m in the best hands,” Faise replied as he sat down across from me. “So, I’m leaving the explanation up to you. When you’re ready, I’m ready.”

I was.

In the dim lighting, and surrounded by soundproof walls, every word, scent, and sound magnified. He smiled slowly, and the beauty of it, like the sun rising on a lazy summer day, completely wrecked my heart.

Just like the first time we met, being near him was the only place I wanted to be.

I reluctantly let go of his hand and reached for the notebook in my jacket pocket. When I pulled it out, my hands were shaking so hard I nearly dropped it.

“I wrote something,” I confessed, my voice cracking, hoarse with emotion. “A poem that belongs only to you.”

The page in front of me blurred until I blinked, unshed tears wanting loose.

I reached out for his left hand and his tremble matched mine. Clearing my throat, I managed to find my words.

My heart is a rhythm known only to you

And I don’t care what they say

Baby, I don’t think like they do

Neither do you

Playing hard, moving fast, the fans, the fame

But it’s not a game

Living with you, loving too

Is a road that bends, never ends

We chose this life, no regrets except

One year, two

Beyond the set, ten, twenty is too few

Together, forever

Our love is one rhythm

The song that’s me and you

I slid off the chair and went down on one knee, pulling the ring box out of my pocket. Thankfully, without fumbling.

“Faise, baby, I love you more than anything. Will you marry me?”

Faise launched himself at me and we nearly toppled over.

---