Page 76 of Thanks for Coming Along

She turned her eyes to the crowd filling the theater, some familiar faces, others strangers. Everyone was here to see her story unfold on the big screen. She made her way through the rows, exchanging quick hellos with Ingrid and Quentin, who were seated to her left. But despite the chatter, her mind was elsewhere, constantly searching the room for any sign of Ronan. Her heart kept hoping for a glimpse of him, but he was nowhere to be found.

A nervous flutter stirred in her chest. In just a few moments, an audience would watch her journey—her struggles and triumphs. It felt surreal that people cared enough to want to watch an hour and a half of her life. She had approved the final cut of the documentary just a few days ago. It was raw, honest, and real—she had bared her soul, hoping it would help people understand who she truly was.

When the lights flashed, signaling everyone to take their seats, panic bubbled up inside her. She wished more than anything that Ronan could be here, his steady presence beside her as she faced this moment. The realization hit her hard—he wasn't coming. The pain of it swept through her, and she had to fight to keep the tears at bay.

Eden moved to sit down in her reserved seat, her gaze still lingering on the empty spot next to her. As she settled in, she heard a sudden crunch under the skirt of her dress. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly jumped up, realizing she'd sat on a bag of jelly beans. The bag had burst open, spilling a rainbow of colorful candies all over the cushion, with a few stray jelly beans rolling under the seat. Not just any jelly beans but speckled jelly beans. Her favorite candy, her pre-gig snack.

Eden couldn't help but let out a small, almost hysterical giggle, a wave of warmth spreading through her chest. It was a sign from him, it had to be. He knew she would be nervous about the screening, and this was his way of reassuring her. Her stomach clenched at the sweetness of the gesture.

Her eyes swept across the room, scanning for any sign of Ronan.

Instead of the lights dimming and the screen coming to life, a figure strode confidently onto the stage. A quick intake of breath escaped Eden as she recognized Ronan. The impulse to stand up and go to him surged through her, but her legs felt like jelly. She had a feeling if she stood she would collapse in a heap in front of the crowd.

Ronan looked as handsome as ever, dressed impeccably in a suit that hugged him perfectly. His gaze swept the room as if searching for something until it landed on her. A soft, knowing smile played at the corners of his lips as he approached the microphone. Seeing that smile made Eden's heart skip a beat. It was both familiar and reassuring, yet it also made her pulse quicken with its pure beauty.

"Thank you all for being here," Ronan's voice was silken, flowing over her skin, soothing Eden's tense shoulders as it washed over her. She couldn't help but inwardly sigh at the sound. God, she missed that voice. Seeing him now made her wonder how she ever thought she could live without him. It seemed unthinkable now. He was like water to a parched land, essential and irreplaceable. Without him, she could exist, but it would be a life drained of vitality, lacking meaning and color.

"We are gathered here tonight to celebrate Eden Percy," he began. "When I first took on this project, my goal was simple— to capture the essence of her music, and the way it resonated with people. But as I delved deeper into her world, I found so much more." His passion was clear in every word. "I set out to tell the story of this incredible singer and songwriter—an artist whose voice could move mountains and whose lyrics could touch the deepest parts of your soul. It was impossible not to be drawn in, and before I knew it, I was captivated—both by her music and by her." His gaze softened, and Eden felt the sting of tears well up in her eyes.

"Love is a curious thing," he began, his voice resonant with emotion. "It happened quickly, yet slowly. It was in the way she spoke about her lyrics, the passion in her eyes as she sang on stage, and the vulnerability she shared with me during those late-night interviews." He paused, a fond smile playing on his lips, her heart fluttering wildly. "Making the documentary was a journey in itself, but falling in love with her—that was an unexpected twist. It wasn't planned—it just happened."

The crowd gasped, and Eden’s hands trembled as a bead of sweat trickled down her back, settling between her shoulder blades. He was crazy.What was he doing?Her heart was now a run-on sprint in her chest, racing faster with every word that left his mouth. His eyes locked onto hers, and the people surrounding her blurred away.

As she struggled to steady herself, Ronan's eyes shimmered with warmth. "She's a force of nature. Her talent, her charisma, her kindness—it's all real. And somehow, between the interviews, the karaoke sessions, and those random meals together, we found each other." He chuckled softly. "I guess you could say the documentary turned into our own love story. Those unguarded moments brought us closer. It was like a song—full of ups and downs, harmonies and crescendos."

"And as the filmmaker who documented her, I became the man who fell in love with her," Ronan said, his voice resonating through the room. Tears spilled over Eden's cheeks as her throat tightened with emotion. The room fell into a hushed silence as he continued, his voice lowering into the microphone.

"No more games. The secret is out, Eden," he said, his gaze intense as he locked eyes with her. Her eyes widened in surprise as shivers ran down her spine, goosebumps rippling across her skin. She knew he was referencing how they had once exchanged secrets like a game when they were getting to know each other. Their relationship had ended up being the biggest secret of all, and now the world knew.

"I’ll let the documentary speak for itself. This second edit, which BNN has kindly let us show as an independent film, will be screened tonight. The original version will air on BNN tomorrow. Hope you all enjoy it." Eden's mind immediately spun. A second edit? She hadn’t heard anything about that. Was there another version?

She thought about running after Ronan, but then the screen in front of her sprang to life. The documentary's opening credits began to roll, and Ronan’s smooth voice rang out, introducing her to the crowd.

"This is Eden Percy," Ronan's voice came through, soft but steady. The footage flashed to her singing, sitting on the floor with her guitar in hand, resting on a rug. "And this is the moment I realized I was in love with her." The next shot showed Eden laughing, probably at something Ronan had done behind the camera. Her smile was huge, and she was laughing so hard she fell backward onto the rug—a moment from their time at Quentin’s lake house. Eden’s chest tightened, a swell of emotion filling her. He’d known then? Tears started to form in her eyes. That wasthreeweeks ago. "But, let’s start from the beginning."

As the film began, memories flooded back with each scene, each place. The first edit of the documentary had mostly edited out Ronan from the clips but this new version? He was everywhere. He was, talking to her, comforting her, cracking jokes. His quiet exhale of disbelief while watching her songwriting process, the camera lovingly following her fingers as they moved over her guitar. And then there was the footage of them running into the ocean that second night they started filming, their laughter cutting through the sound of waves. The dance to Spice Girls interrupted by Ingrid, the road trip, the clown motel, Lake Tahoe, karaoke—they were all there.

Ronan had even managed to get the security footage from their first kiss, a moment that still sent a shiver down her spine. The rooftop where she opened up about her parents, and the kiss that followed—everything was there. All of it narrated by him, and it was so beautiful it took her breath away.

As the documentary went on, Eden found herself completely drawn in, watching the way he captured not just her life, but the heart and soul of who she was. Every look, every little gesture, every quiet word felt like a personal confession.

Even a stranger, glancing at these moments, would be able to see the emotions that flowed between them. It was an emotional rollercoaster, breathtaking in its intimacy, and as the film unfolded, Eden couldn't help but be deeply moved by the beautiful tribute to their relationship. It was a connection that lived and breathed, evolving with every passing second.

She watched herself falling inlove, it was in stolen glances, shared laughter, and the unspoken language that had blossomed between them. A case study of them, of how they fell in love. She was powerless in the choice to fall in love with him because he was made for her, it was plain to see.

As the credits rolled at the end, applause erupted throughout the theater—some people were teary-eyed, and it seemed like every person in the theater was smiling. Eden sat there for a moment, as she felt a strange sense of catharsis wash over her.

A slow, disbelieving smile spread across Eden's face as she shook her head in astonishment. Instead of keeping their relationship quiet and hidden, he had declared his love for her to the entire world. And in that moment, she realized she had never been loved like this before. He loved her loudly, not out of any expectations, but simply because he was proud to love her.

When the lights came up, she slowly rose to her feet, her steps unsteady but purposeful. She made her way to the front of the theater, gathered the hem of her dress, and ascended the stairs leading to the stage, the sound of clapping hands echoing in her ears.

Passing through the curtain to the backstage area, she moved past a few staff members, her heart racing with restlessness and nerves. She whispered his name like a secret as she navigated through wires, ladders, and trunks, weaving among racks of costumes and a cascade of flickering bulbs. Her heels clicked on the worn wood floor as she pushed further into the backstage area.

Finally, as she turned another corner, she caught sight of him in a dimly lit alcove where old props were stored. Ronan leaned casually against the concrete wall, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

She stopped in front of him and just looked at him. She knew she’d broken his heart when she ended things, and it had shattered her own heart, too. Her fear of commitment wasn’t because she hated love or wanted to be alone; it was about protecting her scarred heart. She’d always wanted the courage to let go of her past and take a chance on a love that was steady and real. With Ronan, though, she realized that wasn’t just a dream—it was an actuality. And the truth was, she loved him more than she ever thought was possible.

She didn't know where to start, so she blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

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