Page 103 of Rockstar's Accidental Marriage

“It started as a dare. Sam mentioned that he was an Elvis fan and how Elvis had inspired him to pick up a guitar. I confessed my favorite song was by Elvis. One thing led to another, and we confessed our feelings. Before we knew it, we were standing outside a wedding chapel.”

A picture of us taken by the officiant splashes across the screen.

Sam suddenly reaches over and takes my hand in his with a smile as the show’s host turns back to us.

My eyes lock on Sam’s, “We laughed at the speed of it all, but we were serious about our feelings and our future. We wanted to get married.”

“And now?” the hostess prompts eagerly.

I look at Sam, my heart swelling. “And I still do,” I pause, my voice thick with emotion. “I love Sam, and I know he loves me and our baby.”

The audience lets out a collective “Aww,” and the hostess claps her hands together. “That is one of the sweetest love storiesI’ve ever heard.” Her eyes catch the plastic ring on my left hand. “And the bubble gum ring you’re wearing? What’s that all about?”

Sam chuckles, his hand finding mine. “It was all her,” he says, his voice warm. “Emily saw the dispenser and declared it fate. Said if the prize was a ring, it was meant to be.”

The hostess squeals with delight. “Was it a ring?”

I nod, laughing through my tears. “It was a ring.”

“That ring meant something to both of us. It was the start of everything.” Sam pauses, then goes down on bended knee, pulling the velvet box from his pocket.

“Emily Wild Ryder, would you marry me all over again?” he asks, opening the box.

“Of course, Sam. I love you!” I say tearfully, pulling him to his feet.

He slowly removes the plastic ring and slips on a beautiful diamond ring, followed by the gold wedding band. He then takes me in his arms and kisses me passionately, and the audience goes wild.

Sam pulls out a matching wedding band and hands it to me to slip on his finger. I do with trembling hands.

The hostess quickly wraps up the show, admiring both our rings as the credits roll.

“I’ll be sending you a thank you letter for upping our ratings,” she says with a smirk. “This couldn’t have gone better if I’d planned it. We’ll want a close-up of the plastic and gold rings. Showing they’re a perfect match.”

Leaving the set is a blur. My heart is light, and the memories of our wedding are no longer a mystery–reminding me of the love that brought us together in the first place as Sam escorts me outside, his arm securely around my shoulders.

Sam pulls me into a quiet corner, his hands resting on my shoulders. “What all do you remember?” he asks, his eyes gently searching mine.

I smile, leaning into him. “I remember everything, Sam.”

His eyes gleam, and for a moment, neither of us speaks. He pulls me into a fierce hug, his lips urgently brushing mine. “I’m so glad, Emily. You have no idea how happy that makes me. It’s been hell. Me, remembering how special it was, and you—not remembering.”

“I’m so sorry, Sam. Champagne does that to me. I had already had a few drinks, not enough to be drunk,” I assure him. “But when we returned to the room, the hotel gave us that complimentary bottle…” My voice trails off as I look up at him. “Why didn’t you tell me, Sam?” I ask quietly, “Why didn’t youremind me of what really happened? Instead, you acted like it was all a drunken mistake.”

Sam grimaces, admitting, “I didn’t know what to do. So I played dumb.” Tightening his arms around me, he says ruefully, “Figured you’d eventually remember… but you never did.”

“Until now,” I tell him softly, allowing all my love to shine fully from my eyes.

Epilogue

Sam

The ocean breeze greets me as I pull into the driveway of the beach house, its salty tang filling my senses. And today, it feels more like home than ever.

I think back over this last year and all the changes. Jeb’s confession to the police confirmed that Derrick had been pulling the strings all along, driven by his bruised ego and grudge against Cass. Jeb admitted to taking payments to sabotage our performances. Neither he nor Derrick intentionally wanted anyone to get hurt, but that didn’t stop the police from pressing charges.

The band has soared to new heights since then. Emily’s strategy of spotlighting each member has paid off in spades. Fans are more invested than ever, not just in the music but in us asindividuals. Luke, Vince, and Nate have embraced the attention, though Vince still grumbles about social media, and Cass is proud of what we’ve built together.

I step out of the truck, the gravel crunching beneath my shoes. Entering the house, I walk through the living room, and the sight of Emily and little Presley on the back deck makes me stop and smile. The perfect picture of everything I never knew I needed. My family. My heart.

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