The song had been performed by them perfectly. Once upon a few centuries ago, Gand had been an actor on the stages of Paris. He had been young, beautiful, talented, and...covered in the most unhealthy ways possible. Death had taken from the stage lights and cast him into a complete alternate reality with a whole new set of rules. But here, tonight, on a makeshift stage with nineties pop music, he felt the thrill of performing once more.
His arms were around Charlie the moment the song finished. She brushed off the glitter and he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. The kiss was the cherry on top of the sundae as they basked in the lighting as the audience's attention waned. "We could retire or I could sing a little something just for you."
Charlie was pulling him off stage and towards the bar. He followed but he had seen a song that he would love to dedicate to his girl. He moved with her through the crowd, the pair receiving compliments on their performance, as they made their way to the bar.
Charlie's drink was ordered and Gandrell looked deeply into her eyes, "I can sing for you, or you can finish your drink and we can head out. There is a whole night of adventure we can explore."
His arms were around Charlie the moment the song finished. She brushed off the glitter and he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. The kiss was the cherry on top of the sundae as they basked in the lighting as the audience's attention waned. "We could retire or I could sing a little something just for you."
Charlie was pulling him off stage and towards the bar. He followed but he had seen a song that he would love to dedicate to his girl. He moved with her through the crowd, the pair receiving compliments on their performance, as they made their way to the bar.
Charlie's drink was ordered and Gandrell looked deeply into her eyes, "I can sing for you, or you can finish your drink and we can head out. There is a whole night of adventure we can explore."
He was so attentive as she spoke that Ellen felt important, that he was really listening. For once she didn't trip over her words, his intense eyes just drinking her in. She felt comfortable instead of awkward and stroked his knee softly with slender fingertips, as if to make sure he was really there.
Her face came alight as he mentioned the "Golden age of Piracy".
"Yes they were a plague on the North Atlantic and Indian Ocean. You know your stuff!" She laughed, covering her mouth shyly as she did, but her eyes were alight.
"Children can be challenging, but you have to find engagement. That's part of the fun. Like solving a puzzle."
She stood and waited as he responsibly returned their glasses, feeling a little flushed. As he returned she took his hand and smiled up at him, feeling nervous excitement from her face to her toes. She bit her bottom lip and kept looking up to him as they walked. Shaking her head gently as he offered to get his board.
"No, that's fine, i can't surf. Maybe you can show me one day?"
They reached the water and Ellen took the hem of her pink dress and pulled it over her head, tossing it aside, revealing a yellow polka-dot bikini that was both itsy-bitsy and teen-weeny.
Her hands out at her sides she stepped into the surf carefully, giggling as the gentle waves crashed against her legs. At one point she was almost swept completely over, she caught hold of Vic's powerful arm to steady herself, giggling like a schoolgirl.
"Let's see shall we?" She smiled up at him, then splashed in, eager for some adventure with this exciting but kind and gentle giant.
Her face came alight as he mentioned the "Golden age of Piracy".
"Yes they were a plague on the North Atlantic and Indian Ocean. You know your stuff!" She laughed, covering her mouth shyly as she did, but her eyes were alight.
"Children can be challenging, but you have to find engagement. That's part of the fun. Like solving a puzzle."
She stood and waited as he responsibly returned their glasses, feeling a little flushed. As he returned she took his hand and smiled up at him, feeling nervous excitement from her face to her toes. She bit her bottom lip and kept looking up to him as they walked. Shaking her head gently as he offered to get his board.
"No, that's fine, i can't surf. Maybe you can show me one day?"
They reached the water and Ellen took the hem of her pink dress and pulled it over her head, tossing it aside, revealing a yellow polka-dot bikini that was both itsy-bitsy and teen-weeny.
Her hands out at her sides she stepped into the surf carefully, giggling as the gentle waves crashed against her legs. At one point she was almost swept completely over, she caught hold of Vic's powerful arm to steady herself, giggling like a schoolgirl.
"Let's see shall we?" She smiled up at him, then splashed in, eager for some adventure with this exciting but kind and gentle giant.
Victor was like a pillar in the waves. His balance was confident and there was no danger of his legs being taken out as they moved into a little deeper water. He admired her yellow poka dot bikini and remembered that jingle from decades ago. He thought he would pay homage to the tune and started whistling absentmindedly to himself. He kept her hand in his, though his grip on hers was quite loose just in case she needed to pull away for some reason.
He wanted to compliment her but he needed to think of a way to do it that wouldn't sound like he was trying to use a line that was meant to get her to take it off. He looked at her and said sweetly, "Yellow looks good on ya. I think your suit."
They were about at the first sandbar, the waves breaking didn't grow too tall but they had some gusto behind them. When a wave nearly got the better of Ellen, Victor's arm was there for her to grab onto. His other arm wrapped around her waist and steadied her until she could regain her balance.
He kept one of his hands on her after that, following her closely as they moved deeper into the water. Victor was trying to think of a topic to get a conversation going. "I guess a question I should have asked before I got down on one knee and proposed is whether you're seein' anyone or not."
He wanted to compliment her but he needed to think of a way to do it that wouldn't sound like he was trying to use a line that was meant to get her to take it off. He looked at her and said sweetly, "Yellow looks good on ya. I think your suit."
They were about at the first sandbar, the waves breaking didn't grow too tall but they had some gusto behind them. When a wave nearly got the better of Ellen, Victor's arm was there for her to grab onto. His other arm wrapped around her waist and steadied her until she could regain her balance.
He kept one of his hands on her after that, following her closely as they moved deeper into the water. Victor was trying to think of a topic to get a conversation going. "I guess a question I should have asked before I got down on one knee and proposed is whether you're seein' anyone or not."
Ellen moved out bravely, well feeling braver for having a demi-god walking just behind her, several times she lost her footing or slipped but caught herself, when it looked like she was going to go over Vic seemed to be there to catch her. Looking back at him he was like some kind of tree, rooted in the waves, where as she was wobbly and unbalanced.
This of course just fed her delight and she giggled, she stopped and turned as he admired her bathing suit and gave voice to it.
"Thank you, I saw it in a shop and it made me think of that silly old song. Kali said I was ridiculous for buying it for that reason. But it's kind of cute isn't it? She stood still for a moment, letting him feast his eyes on her - she liked being looked at like that. Ellen knew she had a nice body, she had been told many times. Her boobs weren't as big as Kali's but that was fine, especially as Vic seemed to like her slender frame.
She played with her hair and stood just looking at him, not seeing the wave that suddenly roared up behind her and propelled her face first into Vic. He acted fast and caught her effortlessly, one arm out for her to grab at with her outstretched hands and the other scooped her by the waist, keeping her on her little feet. She laughed uproariously.
"Wow that was close, I almost got a dipping!" She giggled and adjusted her hair and top, making sure nothing had shifted into indecency.
He kept his hands on her after that and she felt secure, often flashing a look back at him, his strong hand on her slender waist was making her breathing rapid, she thought of those big strong hands all over her and started to blush. She was already glowing and thankful for the dark sacred night when he asked if she was single.
"I am!" She said a little too eagerly. "Yes sorry, I'd have told you earlier were there anything inappropriate going on." Ellen stopped and looked back at him, pushing her hair from her face and looking up into his handsome visage.
"Besides it's not official until you put a ring on it."
She paused and smiled awkwardly, blushing again.
"You know the song, if you like it?"
This of course just fed her delight and she giggled, she stopped and turned as he admired her bathing suit and gave voice to it.
"Thank you, I saw it in a shop and it made me think of that silly old song. Kali said I was ridiculous for buying it for that reason. But it's kind of cute isn't it? She stood still for a moment, letting him feast his eyes on her - she liked being looked at like that. Ellen knew she had a nice body, she had been told many times. Her boobs weren't as big as Kali's but that was fine, especially as Vic seemed to like her slender frame.
She played with her hair and stood just looking at him, not seeing the wave that suddenly roared up behind her and propelled her face first into Vic. He acted fast and caught her effortlessly, one arm out for her to grab at with her outstretched hands and the other scooped her by the waist, keeping her on her little feet. She laughed uproariously.
"Wow that was close, I almost got a dipping!" She giggled and adjusted her hair and top, making sure nothing had shifted into indecency.
He kept his hands on her after that and she felt secure, often flashing a look back at him, his strong hand on her slender waist was making her breathing rapid, she thought of those big strong hands all over her and started to blush. She was already glowing and thankful for the dark sacred night when he asked if she was single.
"I am!" She said a little too eagerly. "Yes sorry, I'd have told you earlier were there anything inappropriate going on." Ellen stopped and looked back at him, pushing her hair from her face and looking up into his handsome visage.
"Besides it's not official until you put a ring on it."
She paused and smiled awkwardly, blushing again.
"You know the song, if you like it?"
Charlie’s cheeks were still flushed with adrenaline, the glitter clinging to her skin like tiny sparks of electricity. She laughed as Gand tucked her in close, brushing off stray shimmer from his chest like she was cleaning off evidence of a heist they’d both thoroughly enjoyed. Her fingertips lingered on the edge of his jaw when he kissed her, and her smile softened at the warmth in his voice.
He was always dramatic. Always offering the world like he’d crafted it himself from silk and candlelight, there was something different in his eyes now, something quieter behind the showman’s grin.
She stopped just short of the bar, fingers still laced with his, and turned to face him fully. “You want to serenade me?” Her voice was low and teasing, but her eyes searched his. “You mean it. Not just for show?”
He gave her that look, the one that said everything without needing to say a word, and her teasing fell quiet for a beat. She reached up, cupped his face gently in her hand, and tilted her head.
“Then sing, mon coeur.” Her lips curved, not into a smirk this time but something tender. “I want to hear your heart with the edges softened.”
She leaned in, brushing her nose against his cheek, whisper-light. “I’ll finish my drink while you find the one that says what you want to tell me.”
Then she pulled back with that sly Charlie sparkle again, plucked her cocktail from the bar, and turned toward the stage, her hips swaying, her grin knowing, her heart ready.
“Break a leg, baby.”
He was always dramatic. Always offering the world like he’d crafted it himself from silk and candlelight, there was something different in his eyes now, something quieter behind the showman’s grin.
She stopped just short of the bar, fingers still laced with his, and turned to face him fully. “You want to serenade me?” Her voice was low and teasing, but her eyes searched his. “You mean it. Not just for show?”
He gave her that look, the one that said everything without needing to say a word, and her teasing fell quiet for a beat. She reached up, cupped his face gently in her hand, and tilted her head.
“Then sing, mon coeur.” Her lips curved, not into a smirk this time but something tender. “I want to hear your heart with the edges softened.”
She leaned in, brushing her nose against his cheek, whisper-light. “I’ll finish my drink while you find the one that says what you want to tell me.”
Then she pulled back with that sly Charlie sparkle again, plucked her cocktail from the bar, and turned toward the stage, her hips swaying, her grin knowing, her heart ready.
“Break a leg, baby.”
Boob size, waist size, Victor wasn’t the type to pass judgement on beauty from what his eyes beheld alone. Beautiful people can be the most cruel. Some people that might be the least likely to catch someone’s eye can turn out to be far lovelier than a dress size. Victor found himself to be lucky on this night for he had found a beautiful soul in a body that matched.
He admired her but not in a way that portrayed him with the temperament of the impatient wolf from the old cartoons that had to make a spectacle of himself. His admiration was quiet and warm. It existed in his eyes and in his supportive touches. He didn’t covet. He didn’t feel himself worthy enough to be coveted so it was not his practice. He appreciated her humbly and accepted her smiles, giving his smiles to her in return.
Victor acted like an anchor in the waves and held Ellen close to him. His hands weren’t iron around her form but lightly touching with the expectation that his grip would tighten when a wave came to threaten her footing. The night was dark, but Victor could see as if it were day. His eyes scanned the top of the water just in case some predator decided they looked like a good snack. Victor was prepared to take action should something like that happen, but the likelihood of it occurring was low. There were no more shadows on the water’s surface that the sharks used to hunt – they had moved into deeper water.
He offered her a warm smile when she confirmed that she was single. Victor was perpetually single, not because he was a bad guy, but romance rarely came his way. He said softly, “I would hope ya would have said somethin’ but ya might not have if ya thought this was nothin’ more than friendly.” He had encountered that more times and not. Victor wanted to find love, but it never seemed to stick. He would think he found it and then it would disappear like tears in rain. But Vic had a ’sunny side of life’ outlook and just kept moving. If he dwelled, he would never get out of bed.
Victor looked at Ellen when she said that relationships weren’t official until there was a ring. He cocked his head a little and grinned curiously, “Nah. Don’t know the song. But I am guessing it is about getting’ engaged?” He used the text of rings being official to create his hypothesis. “So…” he wasn’t sure if this would offend her or not, but he might as well ask, “does that mean you don’t believe in monogamy until marriage?”
He admired her but not in a way that portrayed him with the temperament of the impatient wolf from the old cartoons that had to make a spectacle of himself. His admiration was quiet and warm. It existed in his eyes and in his supportive touches. He didn’t covet. He didn’t feel himself worthy enough to be coveted so it was not his practice. He appreciated her humbly and accepted her smiles, giving his smiles to her in return.
Victor acted like an anchor in the waves and held Ellen close to him. His hands weren’t iron around her form but lightly touching with the expectation that his grip would tighten when a wave came to threaten her footing. The night was dark, but Victor could see as if it were day. His eyes scanned the top of the water just in case some predator decided they looked like a good snack. Victor was prepared to take action should something like that happen, but the likelihood of it occurring was low. There were no more shadows on the water’s surface that the sharks used to hunt – they had moved into deeper water.
He offered her a warm smile when she confirmed that she was single. Victor was perpetually single, not because he was a bad guy, but romance rarely came his way. He said softly, “I would hope ya would have said somethin’ but ya might not have if ya thought this was nothin’ more than friendly.” He had encountered that more times and not. Victor wanted to find love, but it never seemed to stick. He would think he found it and then it would disappear like tears in rain. But Vic had a ’sunny side of life’ outlook and just kept moving. If he dwelled, he would never get out of bed.
Victor looked at Ellen when she said that relationships weren’t official until there was a ring. He cocked his head a little and grinned curiously, “Nah. Don’t know the song. But I am guessing it is about getting’ engaged?” He used the text of rings being official to create his hypothesis. “So…” he wasn’t sure if this would offend her or not, but he might as well ask, “does that mean you don’t believe in monogamy until marriage?”
Gandrell took Charlie by the waist and pulled her to him. He leaned her back into a shallow dip and looked at her with burning eyes. Then in the immortalized words of Gomez Addams he said seductively, “Ah, Char, that’s French.” He kissed her passionately then, holding her like she weighed less than nothing. His desire for her was clear and his love was deeper as he pulled out of the kiss and brought her back up to stand on her own two feet again.
Charlie encouraged him to go sing and he gave her a beaming smile and an adoring kiss before he headed into the crowd. He had to make an effort to back up to the stage, there were people everywhere and he was careful not to bump into or knock anyone’s drink out of their hands. When he started to climb the stairs to the stage, he already knew the song he wanted to sing but would they have it was the question. He hadn’t seen it yet on the list of songs, but he might not have gotten to it yet. He kept searching and beamed when he saw the song title he had been wanting. He selected the song and went to grab a microphone.
Before the song started Gand addressed the crowd. “Good evening, friends. Before I sing, I wanted to just say, give it up for the woman who made tonight possible, Kali!” Gand clapped loud and waved the attention of the crowd to their humble hostess. “Thank you, Kali, for making tonight wonderful.” He cleared his throat and then directed his gaze to his beloved. “I am going to sing a song tonight that probably most of you have heard before so feel free to sing-along if the mood strikes you. But my words will be sung for one and one alone, my beloved Charlie. I love you.”
The song I Knew I Loved You by Savage Garden was cued up as Gand dominated the stage like he was born to be a star.
There was no hesitate, nervousness, or shyness about him as he lifted the microphone to his pale lips and started the intro.
“Mmm
Ooh, oh”
He didn’t dance so much as let the music express through not only his voice, but his body as well. He didn’t need flashy moves or overexaggerated gestures. His eyes were intense and his heart was true.
“Maybe it's intuition
But some things you just don't question
Like in your eyes, I see my future in an instant
And there it goes, I think I've found my best friend
“I know that it might sound more than a little
Crazy, but I believe...”
Gandrell looked right at Charlie and sang as earnestly as any words he had ever spoke to her in their time together.
“I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life.”
He wasn’t just singing a nineties ballad to the woman he had devoted himself to, he was baring his soul in song with words that weren’t written by him but said all the things he wanted to say to her.
“There's just no rhyme or reason
Only this sense of completion
And in your eyes, I see the missing pieces (I'm searching for)
I think I found my way home.
I know that it might sound more than a little
Crazy, but I believe...”
His eyes locked on Charlie and he sang just for her.
“I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life.”
Gand owned the bridge of the song as much as he owned the intro. No shame. No holding back. His voice wasn’t quite angelic, but it was controlled, in pitch, and confident.
“Ooh, ooh-ooh
Oh, oh-oh, oh
A thousand angels dance around you
Ooh, ooh-ooh
Oh, oh-oh, oh
I am complete now that I've found you.”
Microphone still in hand, Gandrell shimmied down the steps of the stage and headed towards the bar. The crowd parted for him as he locked his eyes on his target and sang only for her as he walked towards her slowly.
“I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into my life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life.”
He let the recording take over the rest of the song as he set the microphone on the bar and took both of Charlie’s hands in his. He knelt down in front of her and pulled out a little velvet box. He looked up at his love with a mischievous smile on his lips.
(In the background playing)
I knew I loved you before I met you (Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh)
I knew I loved you
I knew I loved you before I met you (Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh)
I knew I loved you
I knew I loved you before I met you (Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)
I knew I loved you before I met you (Yeah, yeah, oh)
I knew I loved you
Charlie encouraged him to go sing and he gave her a beaming smile and an adoring kiss before he headed into the crowd. He had to make an effort to back up to the stage, there were people everywhere and he was careful not to bump into or knock anyone’s drink out of their hands. When he started to climb the stairs to the stage, he already knew the song he wanted to sing but would they have it was the question. He hadn’t seen it yet on the list of songs, but he might not have gotten to it yet. He kept searching and beamed when he saw the song title he had been wanting. He selected the song and went to grab a microphone.
Before the song started Gand addressed the crowd. “Good evening, friends. Before I sing, I wanted to just say, give it up for the woman who made tonight possible, Kali!” Gand clapped loud and waved the attention of the crowd to their humble hostess. “Thank you, Kali, for making tonight wonderful.” He cleared his throat and then directed his gaze to his beloved. “I am going to sing a song tonight that probably most of you have heard before so feel free to sing-along if the mood strikes you. But my words will be sung for one and one alone, my beloved Charlie. I love you.”
The song I Knew I Loved You by Savage Garden was cued up as Gand dominated the stage like he was born to be a star.
There was no hesitate, nervousness, or shyness about him as he lifted the microphone to his pale lips and started the intro.
“Mmm
Ooh, oh”
He didn’t dance so much as let the music express through not only his voice, but his body as well. He didn’t need flashy moves or overexaggerated gestures. His eyes were intense and his heart was true.
“Maybe it's intuition
But some things you just don't question
Like in your eyes, I see my future in an instant
And there it goes, I think I've found my best friend
“I know that it might sound more than a little
Crazy, but I believe...”
Gandrell looked right at Charlie and sang as earnestly as any words he had ever spoke to her in their time together.
“I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life.”
He wasn’t just singing a nineties ballad to the woman he had devoted himself to, he was baring his soul in song with words that weren’t written by him but said all the things he wanted to say to her.
“There's just no rhyme or reason
Only this sense of completion
And in your eyes, I see the missing pieces (I'm searching for)
I think I found my way home.
I know that it might sound more than a little
Crazy, but I believe...”
His eyes locked on Charlie and he sang just for her.
“I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life.”
Gand owned the bridge of the song as much as he owned the intro. No shame. No holding back. His voice wasn’t quite angelic, but it was controlled, in pitch, and confident.
“Ooh, ooh-ooh
Oh, oh-oh, oh
A thousand angels dance around you
Ooh, ooh-ooh
Oh, oh-oh, oh
I am complete now that I've found you.”
Microphone still in hand, Gandrell shimmied down the steps of the stage and headed towards the bar. The crowd parted for him as he locked his eyes on his target and sang only for her as he walked towards her slowly.
“I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into my life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life.”
He let the recording take over the rest of the song as he set the microphone on the bar and took both of Charlie’s hands in his. He knelt down in front of her and pulled out a little velvet box. He looked up at his love with a mischievous smile on his lips.
(In the background playing)
I knew I loved you before I met you (Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh)
I knew I loved you
I knew I loved you before I met you (Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh)
I knew I loved you
I knew I loved you before I met you (Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)
I knew I loved you before I met you (Yeah, yeah, oh)
I knew I loved you
Kali stood frozen for a moment, the chaos of the bar falling into silence around her like the hush before a storm. Her throat tightened as Gandrell’s voice filled the room with something raw and unfiltered. Real.
She’d hosted a lot of parties. She’d seen grand gestures, dramatic declarations, awkward proposals, and drunken serenades, but nothing—nothing—like this.
His voice wasn’t flawless, but it didn’t need to be. It was steady, sincere, and reverent. It was like every word had been carved straight from his soul and set to music. As he sang, it wasn’t just Charlie he was honoring, it was love itself. Love that had survived loss. Love that had taken root and flourished despite the wreckage that had come before it.
When he said her name, Kali smiled wide, a little caught off guard but completely touched. She offered a small wave to the crowd, humbled, eyes shining with emotion she didn’t bother to hide.
And then…
Oh hell.
As Gandrell moved through the crowd, singing directly to Charlie, Kali’s hand went to her chest. She felt it. The whole room seemed to breathe with him, with them, and for once, the background noise of bar chatter and clinking glasses faded away.
By the time he knelt and pulled out the box, Kali was openly crying but with a proud, beaming grin that said it all.
She whispered to no one in particular, voice trembling with affection, “That man just made every other proposal in history look lazy.”
Louder, raising her drink in the air as the room caught fire with applause and joy, she called out, “Say yes, Charlie! Say yes!”
She’d hosted a lot of parties. She’d seen grand gestures, dramatic declarations, awkward proposals, and drunken serenades, but nothing—nothing—like this.
His voice wasn’t flawless, but it didn’t need to be. It was steady, sincere, and reverent. It was like every word had been carved straight from his soul and set to music. As he sang, it wasn’t just Charlie he was honoring, it was love itself. Love that had survived loss. Love that had taken root and flourished despite the wreckage that had come before it.
When he said her name, Kali smiled wide, a little caught off guard but completely touched. She offered a small wave to the crowd, humbled, eyes shining with emotion she didn’t bother to hide.
And then…
Oh hell.
As Gandrell moved through the crowd, singing directly to Charlie, Kali’s hand went to her chest. She felt it. The whole room seemed to breathe with him, with them, and for once, the background noise of bar chatter and clinking glasses faded away.
By the time he knelt and pulled out the box, Kali was openly crying but with a proud, beaming grin that said it all.
She whispered to no one in particular, voice trembling with affection, “That man just made every other proposal in history look lazy.”
Louder, raising her drink in the air as the room caught fire with applause and joy, she called out, “Say yes, Charlie! Say yes!”
Charlie stared at him, completely undone. She’d stood through the whole performance like she was rooted to the floor, her hands clasped to her mouth, her heart thundering against her ribs. Her eyes shimmered, wide and glistening, as if every note Gandrell sang had carved its way into her soul and found a place to stay.
He hadn’t just performed. He’d peeled himself open in front of everyone. For her.
And now here he was, on one knee, velvet box in hand, looking up at her with that boyish smirk and those eyes that had seen every part of her and chosen to stay.
Charlie let out a shaky laugh, a tear slipping down her cheek as her fingers trembled over her lips. The bar was roaring, people cheering, Kali’s voice rising above it all. But Charlie only saw him. Only heard the echo of that one line over and over in her head, I knew I loved you before I met you.
She bent slowly, cupping his face in her hands like she needed to convince herself he was real.
Then, softly, tenderly, with all the mischief and devotion in her heart, she said: “Yes!. Yes. A million times yes.”
She kissed him then, fiercely, joyfully, as if she could pour her whole future into that one moment. The crowd exploded, but Charlie barely heard it.
He was hers. And she was his. And nothing had ever felt more certain.
He hadn’t just performed. He’d peeled himself open in front of everyone. For her.
And now here he was, on one knee, velvet box in hand, looking up at her with that boyish smirk and those eyes that had seen every part of her and chosen to stay.
Charlie let out a shaky laugh, a tear slipping down her cheek as her fingers trembled over her lips. The bar was roaring, people cheering, Kali’s voice rising above it all. But Charlie only saw him. Only heard the echo of that one line over and over in her head, I knew I loved you before I met you.
She bent slowly, cupping his face in her hands like she needed to convince herself he was real.
Then, softly, tenderly, with all the mischief and devotion in her heart, she said: “Yes!. Yes. A million times yes.”
She kissed him then, fiercely, joyfully, as if she could pour her whole future into that one moment. The crowd exploded, but Charlie barely heard it.
He was hers. And she was his. And nothing had ever felt more certain.
Gandrell stood, reaching up to embrace Charlie as she bent down to take his face in her hands. Her Yes! Her kiss! Gandrell’s kiss was loving and devoted as he embraced her. If he could cry, he would have. He had never proposed to anyone in his long life before. He had been a devoted and loving boyfriend, partner, and companion, but he had never gotten down on one knee and offered a ring before – she was his first.
He kissed her and held her. He displayed the velvet box and opened it for her. The ring was one she had admired when they were out and about once. She had looked at it for a long moment and whispered a secretive ’one day’ to herself. He had noticed. He had acted. He had been waiting. Now she was his.
Kisses were exchanged. The cheer of the people unnoticed. He didn’t do it before the cheers or the attention. He did it so Charlie would understand to what lengths he would go to for her. She was his forever.
“You want to go home?” He asked as he held her close. “There is champagne chilling and a bubble bath dying to be drawn.”
Gandrell waved an endearing thank you to Kali and led Charlie out of the party. The night was young for the karaoke, but this couple was ready to part the rest of the night in their home.
He kissed her and held her. He displayed the velvet box and opened it for her. The ring was one she had admired when they were out and about once. She had looked at it for a long moment and whispered a secretive ’one day’ to herself. He had noticed. He had acted. He had been waiting. Now she was his.
Kisses were exchanged. The cheer of the people unnoticed. He didn’t do it before the cheers or the attention. He did it so Charlie would understand to what lengths he would go to for her. She was his forever.
“You want to go home?” He asked as he held her close. “There is champagne chilling and a bubble bath dying to be drawn.”
Gandrell waved an endearing thank you to Kali and led Charlie out of the party. The night was young for the karaoke, but this couple was ready to part the rest of the night in their home.
The water was about waist deep now and Ellen was starting to feel the first heart-stopping sense of panic, but every time she looked back she could make out Vic's bulk silhouetted in the dark by the fire back on the shore. She was sure she imagined it, but his eyes seemed to shine like a cat's, or maybe a wolfs?
Regardless she felt safe with him for some reason, his great hands steadying her were never once inappropriate, he was the perfect gentleman with her and she felt a little giddy. It was dark out on the horizon and she could see nothing that way. She stopped and turned fully to him now, her face lit up by her happy smile. He seemed to be scanning the waves and she looked over her shoulder, but saw nothing.
At her admission of being single his face warmed all the way to his eyes, like a big kind bear. She laughed at his return banter ad stepped closer to him, inside his reach and looked up at him, her hand going to his chest and stroking his skin with slender fingertips, exploring his curves and musculature. Her breath halted as she felt him breathe, it was like touching iron. She shivered in excitement involuntarily. Overcome by his sheer physicality. He spoke and admitted he didn't know the song and she took a step back her eyes wide.
"You don't know Beyonce?" She blurted, incredulous. "Oh we're fixing this!!" She took his hand and started back towards the beach, pulling him along giggling as she waded and slipped her way back to shore.
"I'm a one man girl Vic, married or not."
They made their way to the shore and something amazing had happened, she saw the ring being offered and clapped with everyone else, then leaving Vic by the fire scuttle over to Kali who was gushing with a cute, pink-haired girl she didn't know. She waited politely until they had finished, then walked right up to her dark-haired beautiful friend.
"Kali, Vic hasn't heard single ladies and given the current situation." She looked at Charlie "Congratulations by the way." She smiled warmly then gushed, hardly breathing.
"I'm going to do it, remember we learned the dance in my room? I want you to be Beyonce though as I'll murder it - I'll backing dance, we need one more!" She looked at Charlie.
"Do you know the Single Ladies dance?"
Her bust heaved in excitement, she didn't even seem to mind just being in a bikini which was the most revealing Kali had ever seen her other than at slumber parties as girls.
Regardless she felt safe with him for some reason, his great hands steadying her were never once inappropriate, he was the perfect gentleman with her and she felt a little giddy. It was dark out on the horizon and she could see nothing that way. She stopped and turned fully to him now, her face lit up by her happy smile. He seemed to be scanning the waves and she looked over her shoulder, but saw nothing.
At her admission of being single his face warmed all the way to his eyes, like a big kind bear. She laughed at his return banter ad stepped closer to him, inside his reach and looked up at him, her hand going to his chest and stroking his skin with slender fingertips, exploring his curves and musculature. Her breath halted as she felt him breathe, it was like touching iron. She shivered in excitement involuntarily. Overcome by his sheer physicality. He spoke and admitted he didn't know the song and she took a step back her eyes wide.
"You don't know Beyonce?" She blurted, incredulous. "Oh we're fixing this!!" She took his hand and started back towards the beach, pulling him along giggling as she waded and slipped her way back to shore.
"I'm a one man girl Vic, married or not."
They made their way to the shore and something amazing had happened, she saw the ring being offered and clapped with everyone else, then leaving Vic by the fire scuttle over to Kali who was gushing with a cute, pink-haired girl she didn't know. She waited politely until they had finished, then walked right up to her dark-haired beautiful friend.
"Kali, Vic hasn't heard single ladies and given the current situation." She looked at Charlie "Congratulations by the way." She smiled warmly then gushed, hardly breathing.
"I'm going to do it, remember we learned the dance in my room? I want you to be Beyonce though as I'll murder it - I'll backing dance, we need one more!" She looked at Charlie.
"Do you know the Single Ladies dance?"
Her bust heaved in excitement, she didn't even seem to mind just being in a bikini which was the most revealing Kali had ever seen her other than at slumber parties as girls.
Victor was enjoying himself out in the water with Ellen. They had been slowly moving towards each other. Perhaps she was going to initiate some of the kissing she had requested earlier. But, before he could make any moves, Ellen got excited about the song he didn’t know and started dragging her into shore.
She seemed to be in a rush and overly excited about something. He didn’t understand what her intentions were, but he didn’t slow her down. He stayed right with her as she rushed to get back to the bonfire and party.
Everyone was clapping and cheering for something. Girls were gushing, Ellen right along with them. Victor wandered over to the fire and reclaimed the log they had been sitting on before they went for a swim. His body glistened in the firelight as the salt water clung to him. Ellen had run off with the girls and he had nothing to do now but wait to see what was going to happen.
She seemed to be in a rush and overly excited about something. He didn’t understand what her intentions were, but he didn’t slow her down. He stayed right with her as she rushed to get back to the bonfire and party.
Everyone was clapping and cheering for something. Girls were gushing, Ellen right along with them. Victor wandered over to the fire and reclaimed the log they had been sitting on before they went for a swim. His body glistened in the firelight as the salt water clung to him. Ellen had run off with the girls and he had nothing to do now but wait to see what was going to happen.
Kali’s smile was still glowing from watching Charlie say yes. Her hand had flown to her heart the moment Gand dropped to one knee, and even now she felt a warm flutter in her chest. She’d seen love from the outside often through songs, stories, and fleeting moments, but what those two had? That was the kind of rare that didn’t wilt in the morning light.
She’d been standing barefoot in the sand, deep in a quiet conversation with a blue-haired fan who reminded her a little of a younger self, when she felt the ripple in the energy shift again. Ellen’s voice carried before she even turned, and Kali’s lips curved as she spotted her beautiful, soaking-wet best friend running up in nothing but a bikini and a wild idea.
“Ellen.” Kali laughed, cutting off the rest of her sentence with a mock gasp as she was told she’d be playing Beyoncé. “We did learn that dance. In your room. In matching pajamas. I can’t believe you remember that!”
As Charlie and Gsnd were stepping out the door, Kali grabbed the newly-engaged woman’s hand gently but firmly before she could disappear with her sparkly fiancé into the night.
“Hold up, bride-to-be,” Kali said, spinning toward her with a grin. “You’re being requested for one more performance.” Her voice dropped playfully into a mock-serious tone, but her eyes twinkled. “You know the dance to Single Ladies, right?”
She barely gave Charlie time to answer before turning back to Ellen. “Alright, let’s do this, but if I break any body parts I’m blaming the mojito fairy and this Beyoncé emergency.”
She shot a glance back over her shoulder toward Victor, who was gleaming by the fire, watching with clear curiosity. Kali lifted her hand and called with a teasing wink:
“Vic! You’re about to witness a cultural reset. Don’t blink.”
Then she turned back to her girls, tugged them both toward the stage with laughter in her throat and an old-school beat already thumping in her head.
She’d been standing barefoot in the sand, deep in a quiet conversation with a blue-haired fan who reminded her a little of a younger self, when she felt the ripple in the energy shift again. Ellen’s voice carried before she even turned, and Kali’s lips curved as she spotted her beautiful, soaking-wet best friend running up in nothing but a bikini and a wild idea.
“Ellen.” Kali laughed, cutting off the rest of her sentence with a mock gasp as she was told she’d be playing Beyoncé. “We did learn that dance. In your room. In matching pajamas. I can’t believe you remember that!”
As Charlie and Gsnd were stepping out the door, Kali grabbed the newly-engaged woman’s hand gently but firmly before she could disappear with her sparkly fiancé into the night.
“Hold up, bride-to-be,” Kali said, spinning toward her with a grin. “You’re being requested for one more performance.” Her voice dropped playfully into a mock-serious tone, but her eyes twinkled. “You know the dance to Single Ladies, right?”
She barely gave Charlie time to answer before turning back to Ellen. “Alright, let’s do this, but if I break any body parts I’m blaming the mojito fairy and this Beyoncé emergency.”
She shot a glance back over her shoulder toward Victor, who was gleaming by the fire, watching with clear curiosity. Kali lifted her hand and called with a teasing wink:
“Vic! You’re about to witness a cultural reset. Don’t blink.”
Then she turned back to her girls, tugged them both toward the stage with laughter in her throat and an old-school beat already thumping in her head.
The firelight glistened off Ellen as she stood dripping sea-water and excitable. As Kali seemed to remember, including the matching unicorn pj's she just laughed and clapped her hands.
"Yes-yes-yes!! Canyoustillrememberit? Oh my god, thisisgoingtobeawesome!"
Ellen was way too excited, probably something to do with the two cocktails she had downed within the past twenty minutes. She snapped a look back at Vic who had sat back on their log by the fire. She waved excitedly until he waved back, then point to her eyes, to him and then the stage and mouthed silently.
"Watch this!"
Ellen came back with the gorgeous pink-haired girl in tow and Ellen beamed at her.
"Thanks so much both of you, I'm doing this to impress that tall drink of water by the fire who looks a bit like Khal Drogo, I want to be his Daenarys by the end of the night and he didn't know what I meant by if he liked it he should put a ring on it."
She gasped after blurting it all out. She laughed as Kali said she attributed blame for breaking body parts to drink and the diva herself. Then winked and called over to Vic, Ellen blushed but waved anyway, absolutely buzzing with energy.
Suddenly grasped by the hand Ellen scampered onto the stage and ran to the Karaoke platform. Quickly moving her slender finger over the screen she selected the song, passed pout a mic each then moved to Kali's left shoulder about a foot back and a few feet to left. She looked out as the crowd came to stare at the three beautiful girls as the music started up. Then it dawned on her.
What are you doing Ellen, this isn't you?! You've never been on a stage in your life! Now you're stood here parading around in basically your underwear...
She swallowed hard, but then caught sight of Vic, how he had supported her in the water, keeping her up - watching over her. She looked down at his dreamy eyes and took a breath, gave him an adorable finger-wave, then as the song started and they sang the starting verse they began to move in pretty synchronous movement.
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies, now put your hands up
Kali seemed practised and flowing of course and Ellen couldn't make out Charlie, but the song came back and she pranced and twirled along and stayed in sync with Kali as best she could. Memories of the two of them as little girls in Ellen's room wearing matching unicorn pj's brought a smile to her face. For a moment, she wasn't on stage, she was back in her room with her best friend forever, copying the moves of a music video and giggling.
Her face came alive and although she was awkward people were cheering and shouting encouragement.
For once in her life Ellen started to get why and how Kali did this for a living.
For once, she was a pop-star!
"Yes-yes-yes!! Canyoustillrememberit? Oh my god, thisisgoingtobeawesome!"
Ellen was way too excited, probably something to do with the two cocktails she had downed within the past twenty minutes. She snapped a look back at Vic who had sat back on their log by the fire. She waved excitedly until he waved back, then point to her eyes, to him and then the stage and mouthed silently.
"Watch this!"
Ellen came back with the gorgeous pink-haired girl in tow and Ellen beamed at her.
"Thanks so much both of you, I'm doing this to impress that tall drink of water by the fire who looks a bit like Khal Drogo, I want to be his Daenarys by the end of the night and he didn't know what I meant by if he liked it he should put a ring on it."
She gasped after blurting it all out. She laughed as Kali said she attributed blame for breaking body parts to drink and the diva herself. Then winked and called over to Vic, Ellen blushed but waved anyway, absolutely buzzing with energy.
Suddenly grasped by the hand Ellen scampered onto the stage and ran to the Karaoke platform. Quickly moving her slender finger over the screen she selected the song, passed pout a mic each then moved to Kali's left shoulder about a foot back and a few feet to left. She looked out as the crowd came to stare at the three beautiful girls as the music started up. Then it dawned on her.
What are you doing Ellen, this isn't you?! You've never been on a stage in your life! Now you're stood here parading around in basically your underwear...
She swallowed hard, but then caught sight of Vic, how he had supported her in the water, keeping her up - watching over her. She looked down at his dreamy eyes and took a breath, gave him an adorable finger-wave, then as the song started and they sang the starting verse they began to move in pretty synchronous movement.
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies, now put your hands up
Kali seemed practised and flowing of course and Ellen couldn't make out Charlie, but the song came back and she pranced and twirled along and stayed in sync with Kali as best she could. Memories of the two of them as little girls in Ellen's room wearing matching unicorn pj's brought a smile to her face. For a moment, she wasn't on stage, she was back in her room with her best friend forever, copying the moves of a music video and giggling.
Her face came alive and although she was awkward people were cheering and shouting encouragement.
For once in her life Ellen started to get why and how Kali did this for a living.
For once, she was a pop-star!
Charlie had been just about ready to drag Gand off into the night, barefoot and glowing, still dizzy from the high of their duet and the sudden, shimmering promise of forever. Before they could slip fully into that dream, Kali’s hand found hers.
She turned, startled, only to blink as Kali grinned and said, “You’re being requested for one more performance.”
Charlie’s lips parted in disbelief. “What—?”
Then she saw Ellen, soaked to the bone, bouncing with giddy energy and practically vibrating with excitement. The girl had the type of chaotic sparkle you couldn’t bottle, all firelight and flushed cheeks and a bikini that left nothing to the imagination. She was a walking exclamation point, and she was beaming.
“Oh my god,” Charlie murmured, laughter bubbling up in her chest. “You guys are serious.”
When Ellen blurted out her entire plan about being Khal Drogo’s Daenerys and stage-whispered something about rings and Beyoncé, Charlie’s jaw dropped. “Okay, you win,” she said, holding up both hands. “You got sparkle, nerve, and a target. I have no choice but to support this love-fueled chaos.”
She turned to Gand, slipping her hand into his and giving him a slow, dramatic tug back toward the firelit crowd. “Come on, fiancé,” she teased, eyes dancing. “This is girl-code priority. I’m about to help someone Beyoncé a man into putting a ring on it.”
He didn’t resist. Of course he didn’t. Gandrell was many things, but a blocker of joy? Never.
Charlie scrambled onto the stage beside the others, adjusting the mic Ellen handed her and shooting Kali a knowing grin. “If I eat it in front of a hundred people, it’s your fault.”
Then the beat dropped. All the single ladies, all the single ladies…
Charlie, barefoot, newly engaged, and completely unchoreographed moved. She wasn’t perfect or polished, but she had rhythm, swagger, and a sheer love of the moment that made up for every missed step. She found herself falling into sync with Kali and Ellen, the three of them forming a perfectly chaotic triangle of feminine energy and late-night magic.
Charlie laughed through most of it. She winked at the crowd. She swung her hips like the ocean had taught her. And she owned it.
Somewhere in the back, she caught Gand watching, arms folded and head tilted like he was seeing a new shade of her. She blew him a kiss mid-dance.
When they hit the last chorus, drenched in sweat, moonlight, and cheers, Charlie threw her arm around Ellen’s shoulder and leaned into the mic with one final shared line:
“If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it!”
She threw her hand up in the air, ring finger outstretched, and cackled as the crowd roared.
Charlie Summers had just joined a Beyoncé flash mob in the sand—and for once, she wasn’t running from the spotlight. She was dancing in it.
________
The music faded, the cheers still echoing behind her as Charlie stumbled off the stage, breathless and grinning. Her skin was flushed from the heat of the lights and the adrenaline of performing—not once, but twice—and her bare feet carried grains of warm sand stuck stubbornly between her toes.
She spotted Gand instantly. He hadn’t moved far, still standing like a sentinel near the edge of the firelight, arms casually crossed, a half-smile playing on his lips that could have melted steel. The way he looked at her as if she’d just set the entire night sky on fire made her heart skip.
“That was not in the plan,” she said as she reached him, laughter still tangled in her voice. “You weren’t supposed to fall in love with a backup dancer.”
He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, Gand reached out and brushed a bit of glitter from her shoulder, then tucked her damp hair behind her ear like he had after their duet. His hand lingered, fingertips warm against her skin.
“I think I need to retire on a high note,” she whispered, leaning into him. “One more performance and I’ll combust.”
He gave a soft sound—half chuckle, half growl of agreement—and slipped his hand into hers.
Charlie turned back just long enough to spot Ellen. She blew her a kiss and mouthed, you killed it, then winked at Kali with gratitude blooming behind her eyes. “Thanks for the magic,” she called softly. “Seriously.”
Then she let Gand lead her. They stepped away from the circle of noise and color, their shadows stretching long and romantic across the sand. The air was cooler here, quieter too, just the hush of waves and the distant crackle of the fire behind them. Charlie glanced down at the engagement ring on her hand, then up at the man beside her—her partner, her storm, her calm. “We just Beyoncé’d our way into forever,” she said dreamily.
Hand in hand, they disappeared into the moonlit dark, laughter soft between them as the ocean escorted them home.
She turned, startled, only to blink as Kali grinned and said, “You’re being requested for one more performance.”
Charlie’s lips parted in disbelief. “What—?”
Then she saw Ellen, soaked to the bone, bouncing with giddy energy and practically vibrating with excitement. The girl had the type of chaotic sparkle you couldn’t bottle, all firelight and flushed cheeks and a bikini that left nothing to the imagination. She was a walking exclamation point, and she was beaming.
“Oh my god,” Charlie murmured, laughter bubbling up in her chest. “You guys are serious.”
When Ellen blurted out her entire plan about being Khal Drogo’s Daenerys and stage-whispered something about rings and Beyoncé, Charlie’s jaw dropped. “Okay, you win,” she said, holding up both hands. “You got sparkle, nerve, and a target. I have no choice but to support this love-fueled chaos.”
She turned to Gand, slipping her hand into his and giving him a slow, dramatic tug back toward the firelit crowd. “Come on, fiancé,” she teased, eyes dancing. “This is girl-code priority. I’m about to help someone Beyoncé a man into putting a ring on it.”
He didn’t resist. Of course he didn’t. Gandrell was many things, but a blocker of joy? Never.
Charlie scrambled onto the stage beside the others, adjusting the mic Ellen handed her and shooting Kali a knowing grin. “If I eat it in front of a hundred people, it’s your fault.”
Then the beat dropped. All the single ladies, all the single ladies…
Charlie, barefoot, newly engaged, and completely unchoreographed moved. She wasn’t perfect or polished, but she had rhythm, swagger, and a sheer love of the moment that made up for every missed step. She found herself falling into sync with Kali and Ellen, the three of them forming a perfectly chaotic triangle of feminine energy and late-night magic.
Charlie laughed through most of it. She winked at the crowd. She swung her hips like the ocean had taught her. And she owned it.
Somewhere in the back, she caught Gand watching, arms folded and head tilted like he was seeing a new shade of her. She blew him a kiss mid-dance.
When they hit the last chorus, drenched in sweat, moonlight, and cheers, Charlie threw her arm around Ellen’s shoulder and leaned into the mic with one final shared line:
“If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it!”
She threw her hand up in the air, ring finger outstretched, and cackled as the crowd roared.
Charlie Summers had just joined a Beyoncé flash mob in the sand—and for once, she wasn’t running from the spotlight. She was dancing in it.
________
The music faded, the cheers still echoing behind her as Charlie stumbled off the stage, breathless and grinning. Her skin was flushed from the heat of the lights and the adrenaline of performing—not once, but twice—and her bare feet carried grains of warm sand stuck stubbornly between her toes.
She spotted Gand instantly. He hadn’t moved far, still standing like a sentinel near the edge of the firelight, arms casually crossed, a half-smile playing on his lips that could have melted steel. The way he looked at her as if she’d just set the entire night sky on fire made her heart skip.
“That was not in the plan,” she said as she reached him, laughter still tangled in her voice. “You weren’t supposed to fall in love with a backup dancer.”
He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, Gand reached out and brushed a bit of glitter from her shoulder, then tucked her damp hair behind her ear like he had after their duet. His hand lingered, fingertips warm against her skin.
“I think I need to retire on a high note,” she whispered, leaning into him. “One more performance and I’ll combust.”
He gave a soft sound—half chuckle, half growl of agreement—and slipped his hand into hers.
Charlie turned back just long enough to spot Ellen. She blew her a kiss and mouthed, you killed it, then winked at Kali with gratitude blooming behind her eyes. “Thanks for the magic,” she called softly. “Seriously.”
Then she let Gand lead her. They stepped away from the circle of noise and color, their shadows stretching long and romantic across the sand. The air was cooler here, quieter too, just the hush of waves and the distant crackle of the fire behind them. Charlie glanced down at the engagement ring on her hand, then up at the man beside her—her partner, her storm, her calm. “We just Beyoncé’d our way into forever,” she said dreamily.
Hand in hand, they disappeared into the moonlit dark, laughter soft between them as the ocean escorted them home.
The invitation hadn’t arrived like anything ordinary. It had come tumbling out of a book.
Victoria had been browsing the books on Meph’s bookcase. She, pulled a worn volume of War and Peace from the shelf when the glitter-dusted bottle slipped from between the pages and landed with a soft clink on the hardwood floor. She crouched to pick it up, amused. A message in a bottle? Cliché. But the way it shimmered… it had a signature.
Meph appeared behind her without a sound. He never made noise unless he meant to. His presence was heat and gravity, subtle but inescapable. She held the bottle up between them, smirking as her sharp blue eyes met his burning ones.
They cracked it open together. Inside was a neatly folded invitation on heavy cream parchment, scrawled in irreverent, slightly glitter-smudged ink: Kali’s Karaoke Summer Soirée. Midnight. Beach. Come dressed to raise hell—or sing it.
“Care to crash a party, fireboy?” Victoria had laughed.
—
Now, she was leading Meph into the pulse of it all.
The party was already in full swing. The music was riding the breeze and laughter was layered with the occasional wail of a passionate karaoke performance. Firelight danced across skin and sand, and tiki torches threw shadows that flickered like spirits. It was chaotic and alive, just the way Victoria liked it.
She was barefoot, of course. Her dress was a deep garnet red, sheer in places and held up by crisscrossing cords of leather and gold. It draped over her figure like spilled wine, the thigh slits rising nearly to her hips, and her arms bare save for gold bangles. Her wild dark curls were partially tamed by a thin circlet of a bronze thorn hairclip. Around her throat shimmered a simple pendant: a matchstick encased in glass.
Meph walked at her side, his shirt sleeves rolled. Victoria slipped her hand into his, fingers cool against his warmth.. “I know this isn’t your usual kind of fire,” she murmured, leaning toward him as they moved through the revelers. “But indulge me. I think this will be fun. If you don’t like it, we’ll leave.”
She stopped suddenly, her eyes catching the tail end of a performance on the stage. Three women in sync. Glittering. Alive.
She arched a brow and tilted her head, looking at Meph sideways with a smile that hinted at something mischievous.. “You ever karaoke, love?”
Victoria had been browsing the books on Meph’s bookcase. She, pulled a worn volume of War and Peace from the shelf when the glitter-dusted bottle slipped from between the pages and landed with a soft clink on the hardwood floor. She crouched to pick it up, amused. A message in a bottle? Cliché. But the way it shimmered… it had a signature.
Meph appeared behind her without a sound. He never made noise unless he meant to. His presence was heat and gravity, subtle but inescapable. She held the bottle up between them, smirking as her sharp blue eyes met his burning ones.
They cracked it open together. Inside was a neatly folded invitation on heavy cream parchment, scrawled in irreverent, slightly glitter-smudged ink: Kali’s Karaoke Summer Soirée. Midnight. Beach. Come dressed to raise hell—or sing it.
“Care to crash a party, fireboy?” Victoria had laughed.
—
Now, she was leading Meph into the pulse of it all.
The party was already in full swing. The music was riding the breeze and laughter was layered with the occasional wail of a passionate karaoke performance. Firelight danced across skin and sand, and tiki torches threw shadows that flickered like spirits. It was chaotic and alive, just the way Victoria liked it.
She was barefoot, of course. Her dress was a deep garnet red, sheer in places and held up by crisscrossing cords of leather and gold. It draped over her figure like spilled wine, the thigh slits rising nearly to her hips, and her arms bare save for gold bangles. Her wild dark curls were partially tamed by a thin circlet of a bronze thorn hairclip. Around her throat shimmered a simple pendant: a matchstick encased in glass.
Meph walked at her side, his shirt sleeves rolled. Victoria slipped her hand into his, fingers cool against his warmth.. “I know this isn’t your usual kind of fire,” she murmured, leaning toward him as they moved through the revelers. “But indulge me. I think this will be fun. If you don’t like it, we’ll leave.”
She stopped suddenly, her eyes catching the tail end of a performance on the stage. Three women in sync. Glittering. Alive.
She arched a brow and tilted her head, looking at Meph sideways with a smile that hinted at something mischievous.. “You ever karaoke, love?”
The crowd had gathered a little by the stage and most eyes at the party were turned towards the three girls as they ad-libbed their way through the set.
Sure, they were nowhere near as sharp as Beyonce, Ebony & Ashley, but they gave it their all and what they lacked in any kind of prep, or high heels, they more than made up for in energy and giggles.
The crowd started clapping along and joining in with the woah-oh-ooh bits and Surprisingly Ellen didn't feel self-conscious once, despite being barefoot in the tiniest bikini.
Ellen played the part of the backing dancer, not having the confidence or the talent to pull off the whole thing, she let Kali shine, content to slightly shadow her. Occasionally she looked over to Vic and smiled or gave little waves. However as the bridge approached she moved forwards to take her spot, giving Kali a playful hip-bump and blew her a kiss. She stood still as she looked over at the man of her dreams and sang. Her soft voice unpractised, but clear, full of confidence and a promise.
Don't treat me to these things of the world
I'm not that kind of girl
Your love is what I prefer, what I deserve
Here's a man that makes me then takes me (Ah)
And delivers me to a destiny
To infinity (Infinity) and beyond (And beyond)
Pull me (Pull me in) into your arms (To your arms)
Say I'm the one you want (Ah, I'm the one you want)
She stepped back then letting Kali fill back in as lead seamlessly until the last line was sung and the music faded out. A cheer went up from the crowd with some whistling and Ellen jumped and bounced around, full of energy, she ran up to each of the girls Kali and Charlie, hugging and kissing them.
"Thank you both so much, that was amaaaazzzzziiing!"
She practically threw the microphone onto the karaoke machine and darted off, her dismount from the stage was awkward and she landed on her hands and knees. A nearby man in Bermuda shorts helped her up and asked if she was okay but Ellen hardly missed a beat, just blurting her thanks and dashing off towards the fire.
She had to reclaim her man!
He was still by the fire, that easy smile and kind eyes, she ran to him and stopped a few feet away, out of breath, a little sweaty and bubbling over with excitement. She tried to get her breath, pushing her hair from her face as she looked up at him adoringly.
"Well, now you've heard it. What do you think?" She absolutely beamed.
Sure, they were nowhere near as sharp as Beyonce, Ebony & Ashley, but they gave it their all and what they lacked in any kind of prep, or high heels, they more than made up for in energy and giggles.
The crowd started clapping along and joining in with the woah-oh-ooh bits and Surprisingly Ellen didn't feel self-conscious once, despite being barefoot in the tiniest bikini.
Ellen played the part of the backing dancer, not having the confidence or the talent to pull off the whole thing, she let Kali shine, content to slightly shadow her. Occasionally she looked over to Vic and smiled or gave little waves. However as the bridge approached she moved forwards to take her spot, giving Kali a playful hip-bump and blew her a kiss. She stood still as she looked over at the man of her dreams and sang. Her soft voice unpractised, but clear, full of confidence and a promise.
Don't treat me to these things of the world
I'm not that kind of girl
Your love is what I prefer, what I deserve
Here's a man that makes me then takes me (Ah)
And delivers me to a destiny
To infinity (Infinity) and beyond (And beyond)
Pull me (Pull me in) into your arms (To your arms)
Say I'm the one you want (Ah, I'm the one you want)
She stepped back then letting Kali fill back in as lead seamlessly until the last line was sung and the music faded out. A cheer went up from the crowd with some whistling and Ellen jumped and bounced around, full of energy, she ran up to each of the girls Kali and Charlie, hugging and kissing them.
"Thank you both so much, that was amaaaazzzzziiing!"
She practically threw the microphone onto the karaoke machine and darted off, her dismount from the stage was awkward and she landed on her hands and knees. A nearby man in Bermuda shorts helped her up and asked if she was okay but Ellen hardly missed a beat, just blurting her thanks and dashing off towards the fire.
She had to reclaim her man!
He was still by the fire, that easy smile and kind eyes, she ran to him and stopped a few feet away, out of breath, a little sweaty and bubbling over with excitement. She tried to get her breath, pushing her hair from her face as she looked up at him adoringly.
"Well, now you've heard it. What do you think?" She absolutely beamed.
Gandrell was set to leave. He was ready to be alone with Charlie and have a private celebration of this milestone – he would start planning the over-the-top engagement party once they had had time to talk and make love. They were halfway to the car when Charlie’s hand was grabbed. Gandrell’s head snapped, not sure if he would be breaking someone’s arm for grabbing his fiancé or if something else was going on.
Turns out excitement was running high, and they wanted Charlie to play a part in it. Gand returned with his beloved to the party and went to stand by the fire close enough to talk to Vic but not sitting down on the log next to him. Gand used his vampiric sense of hearing to eavesdrop on what was going on and what all the excitement was. Call him nosy – he would agree. He listened and then he chortled. He glanced over at Victor and said in a voice too soft for most human’s, but he knew Vic would hear.
“Apparently, my friend, you are Khal Drogo, and your blonde friend wants to be your Daenarys. Seems you have made quite the impression, and she is desiring a commitment as large as the one I just offered my fiancé.”
Victor had been watching the flurry of excitement. He had made an assumption about the idea of the song based on the discussion that they had been having. He watched curiously as the woman who had just been proposed to was dragged into the enthusiasm. Victor wasn’t quite sure what to expect from all this. It seemed like a lot of fuss for a song she just wanted him to hear.
Victor glanced over at Gandrell as he moved close to the fire. Victor had no aversions to vampires. He wasn’t particularly fond of them, but he had no dee seeded dislike. He had flicked his eyes back to the trio when he heard the whisper intended for him. In the same hushed tone, he responded back. “I’m no mega fan but from what I remember, Daenarys was treated like a slave and…well..ya know, forced the first few times. Then, right when they started to figure their shit out, Khal kicks it, yeah?”
Gandrell chuckled to himself at Victor’s assessment. He wondered if he needed to go pick up Vic’s surfboard and whack him over the head with it. “I believe it is the passion and the desire she seeks. Not the…forcing her part.”
Victor shook his head at the vampire’s words. He knew Ellen didn’t want him to force her into anything. From the way she acted towards him, no force would be needed. Vic had been trying to be funny, but the vamp went all serious. Victor’s attention turned to the stage and the trio readied themselves.
He listened to the song, watched the dancing and started to make connections. He was guessing that it wasn’t so much that Ellen wanted him to propose to her but just to claim her. She might be looking for him to ask her out or give her some kind of acknowledgement that this wasn’t just a friendly encounter on the beach and that there might be more to come. He could do that.
When the song ended Gandrell met his beloved as she climbed down from the stage. “I didn’t fall in love with a backup dancer. You were the star of that show for me. I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”
The pair headed away from the party and to their car. They had a night of celebrating and planning to start.
Turns out excitement was running high, and they wanted Charlie to play a part in it. Gand returned with his beloved to the party and went to stand by the fire close enough to talk to Vic but not sitting down on the log next to him. Gand used his vampiric sense of hearing to eavesdrop on what was going on and what all the excitement was. Call him nosy – he would agree. He listened and then he chortled. He glanced over at Victor and said in a voice too soft for most human’s, but he knew Vic would hear.
“Apparently, my friend, you are Khal Drogo, and your blonde friend wants to be your Daenarys. Seems you have made quite the impression, and she is desiring a commitment as large as the one I just offered my fiancé.”
Victor had been watching the flurry of excitement. He had made an assumption about the idea of the song based on the discussion that they had been having. He watched curiously as the woman who had just been proposed to was dragged into the enthusiasm. Victor wasn’t quite sure what to expect from all this. It seemed like a lot of fuss for a song she just wanted him to hear.
Victor glanced over at Gandrell as he moved close to the fire. Victor had no aversions to vampires. He wasn’t particularly fond of them, but he had no dee seeded dislike. He had flicked his eyes back to the trio when he heard the whisper intended for him. In the same hushed tone, he responded back. “I’m no mega fan but from what I remember, Daenarys was treated like a slave and…well..ya know, forced the first few times. Then, right when they started to figure their shit out, Khal kicks it, yeah?”
Gandrell chuckled to himself at Victor’s assessment. He wondered if he needed to go pick up Vic’s surfboard and whack him over the head with it. “I believe it is the passion and the desire she seeks. Not the…forcing her part.”
Victor shook his head at the vampire’s words. He knew Ellen didn’t want him to force her into anything. From the way she acted towards him, no force would be needed. Vic had been trying to be funny, but the vamp went all serious. Victor’s attention turned to the stage and the trio readied themselves.
He listened to the song, watched the dancing and started to make connections. He was guessing that it wasn’t so much that Ellen wanted him to propose to her but just to claim her. She might be looking for him to ask her out or give her some kind of acknowledgement that this wasn’t just a friendly encounter on the beach and that there might be more to come. He could do that.
When the song ended Gandrell met his beloved as she climbed down from the stage. “I didn’t fall in love with a backup dancer. You were the star of that show for me. I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”
The pair headed away from the party and to their car. They had a night of celebrating and planning to start.
Victor watched Ellen practically throw the microphone so she could leap off the stage. When she landed, Victor stood, concern touching his face. Ellen was helped up by some guy and he felt her anxiety to get back to him as she forgot to thank the man for helping her up. He waited by the fire, letting her come to him, and waiting with an expression that was nothing but sweet.
She wanted his opinion – no, needed his opinion. She seemed desperate to know if he understood the meaning behind the song and her intentions by singing it. Victor took a few steps toward her, closing the distance. He reached out and brushed his fingertips over her flushed cheek. There was a gentle smile playing on his lips and his eyes twinkled like the stars overhead. “I think I need to learn a bit more about you then tonight might allow, Miss Ellen. Ya up for a dinner? I’ll be the chef you can be the critic, and I have to get ya approval.” He raised his eyebrows playfully, “Maybe not just through food alone.”
Flirting was new to Victor. Being desired was new to him, too. He was the safe guy. The approachable guy with the easy smile and friendly demeanor. Being wanted as anything other than a friend was odd for him. He would probably mess everything up in the end, but he could try. He could try for her. He could try for himself. “Ya want to go back out in the water?” He reached out and wrapped his fingers around hers. “I recall you had offered some more kissing that we haven’t had a chance to get to yet.”
He wanted to show her he was interested without being overly pushy or eager. If the right passions arose, they might have to say goodnight to the party and take their evening someone more private.
She wanted his opinion – no, needed his opinion. She seemed desperate to know if he understood the meaning behind the song and her intentions by singing it. Victor took a few steps toward her, closing the distance. He reached out and brushed his fingertips over her flushed cheek. There was a gentle smile playing on his lips and his eyes twinkled like the stars overhead. “I think I need to learn a bit more about you then tonight might allow, Miss Ellen. Ya up for a dinner? I’ll be the chef you can be the critic, and I have to get ya approval.” He raised his eyebrows playfully, “Maybe not just through food alone.”
Flirting was new to Victor. Being desired was new to him, too. He was the safe guy. The approachable guy with the easy smile and friendly demeanor. Being wanted as anything other than a friend was odd for him. He would probably mess everything up in the end, but he could try. He could try for her. He could try for himself. “Ya want to go back out in the water?” He reached out and wrapped his fingers around hers. “I recall you had offered some more kissing that we haven’t had a chance to get to yet.”
He wanted to show her he was interested without being overly pushy or eager. If the right passions arose, they might have to say goodnight to the party and take their evening someone more private.
Meph couldn’t imagine how a glitter crusted bottle had gotten into one of his books. Victoria looked enchanted by the bottle and its wonderment, but Meph was checking that no glitter had gotten stuck to the pages of his first addition copy. He wasn’t a snob by any stretch but the few things in the world that mattered to him were very precious to him. More than his books, Victoria’s happiness was paramount and when she said she wanted to try something new, he put on a brave face and walked at her side.
Victoria was ravishing, she always was to him. But tonight, she had really pulled out all the stops. Breathtakingly gorgeous and stunningly sexy – he felt tonight he might have to defend his claim on her again. The button-up shirt that matched her dress exactly stretched over his broad chest, the buttons threatening to pop if he flexed. Meph was usually more at home in his work clothing – black cargo pants and navy shirt with FIRE and RESCUE depicted on them. Victoria had transformed his wardrobe into dress shirts, designer jeans, desire shirts, and suits. The couple looked like they were going out for a night on the town, but this was just them together.
Meph noticed a familiar smell the moment they arrived. His stormy violet-grey eyes found Gandrell standing by a lit fire. Meph had to fight the urge to rush over to him – his best friend and practical father figure. But he stood his ground, Victoria was weary of Gand. They had run into each other in odd circumstances and Meph hadn’t had the opportunity to fix that connection yet. Gand knew this. Meph’s eyes shifted to the stage and spotted the glitz and glitter on the pink-haired woman’s hand. Meph raised an eyebrow and looked at Gand with an awed expression. The vampire grinned and nodded. Meph nodded back, their silent exchange was all that was needed for tonight.
Meph gripped Victoria’s hand a little tighter and lifted it to his lips. He kissed the back of her hand sweetly. Gand understood this and offered his own head nod back. Gandrell had set them up. Brought them together and Meph owed him for this. Meph’s happiness was something Gand had worked decades on and to see it unfold was magical.
Meph’s attention turned back to Victoria and gave her a calm smile. “I enjoy indulging you, Victoria. I am not going to be the one to drag you away from your fun.” Meph’s brand of fun was running, cooking, working out, and spending as much time with Victoria as possible. So, if this is what would put the smile on Victoria’s face, he was prepared to see it through.
The performance on the stage was coming to a close. It was a song he had heard in grocery stores and passing car radios but not one he was completely familiar with. He watched as Gandrell and Charlie coupled back up and departed. Then watched a blonde woman in a yellow bikini nearly fall off the stage and then head towards the only guy on the beach that might be able to take him in a fight. Another wolf. Meph was curious but not enough to approach. Meph wasn’t the territorial type and wasn’t about to cause a scene or get in a pissing match. It was just an acknowledgement, that was all.
Meph’s eyes met Victoria’s the moment she looked at him. “I have not, beautiful. But there is a first time for everything.” It was his calm way of dealing with things that might take him out of his comfort zone. He would watch, assess, and calculate possibilities. Until he was needed for something he would be happy to hold his love close and enjoy her company. “May I get you a drink?”
Victoria was ravishing, she always was to him. But tonight, she had really pulled out all the stops. Breathtakingly gorgeous and stunningly sexy – he felt tonight he might have to defend his claim on her again. The button-up shirt that matched her dress exactly stretched over his broad chest, the buttons threatening to pop if he flexed. Meph was usually more at home in his work clothing – black cargo pants and navy shirt with FIRE and RESCUE depicted on them. Victoria had transformed his wardrobe into dress shirts, designer jeans, desire shirts, and suits. The couple looked like they were going out for a night on the town, but this was just them together.
Meph noticed a familiar smell the moment they arrived. His stormy violet-grey eyes found Gandrell standing by a lit fire. Meph had to fight the urge to rush over to him – his best friend and practical father figure. But he stood his ground, Victoria was weary of Gand. They had run into each other in odd circumstances and Meph hadn’t had the opportunity to fix that connection yet. Gand knew this. Meph’s eyes shifted to the stage and spotted the glitz and glitter on the pink-haired woman’s hand. Meph raised an eyebrow and looked at Gand with an awed expression. The vampire grinned and nodded. Meph nodded back, their silent exchange was all that was needed for tonight.
Meph gripped Victoria’s hand a little tighter and lifted it to his lips. He kissed the back of her hand sweetly. Gand understood this and offered his own head nod back. Gandrell had set them up. Brought them together and Meph owed him for this. Meph’s happiness was something Gand had worked decades on and to see it unfold was magical.
Meph’s attention turned back to Victoria and gave her a calm smile. “I enjoy indulging you, Victoria. I am not going to be the one to drag you away from your fun.” Meph’s brand of fun was running, cooking, working out, and spending as much time with Victoria as possible. So, if this is what would put the smile on Victoria’s face, he was prepared to see it through.
The performance on the stage was coming to a close. It was a song he had heard in grocery stores and passing car radios but not one he was completely familiar with. He watched as Gandrell and Charlie coupled back up and departed. Then watched a blonde woman in a yellow bikini nearly fall off the stage and then head towards the only guy on the beach that might be able to take him in a fight. Another wolf. Meph was curious but not enough to approach. Meph wasn’t the territorial type and wasn’t about to cause a scene or get in a pissing match. It was just an acknowledgement, that was all.
Meph’s eyes met Victoria’s the moment she looked at him. “I have not, beautiful. But there is a first time for everything.” It was his calm way of dealing with things that might take him out of his comfort zone. He would watch, assess, and calculate possibilities. Until he was needed for something he would be happy to hold his love close and enjoy her company. “May I get you a drink?”
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