Say You Won't Let Go (Part II)
Say You Won't Let Go (Part II)
“You look marvelous,” Essence said, grinning at Rafael as she entered his shop.
Dressed in a custom tux, he turned around. “You think it works for my fall line?”
“Absolutely! They’re going to love it,” she replied in admiration, “But I’m confused. What did you need me for?”
“Well…” Quickly disappearing in the back, he reemerged with a dress. He saw her eyes light up, and he gave her a big smile. “I take it, you remember it?”
Her hands shook as she reached out and touched the yellow fabric. “It’s the one I wore the night me and Kano had our first date,” she whispered.
“Yep, but with a few alterations. I want to put it in the line as well. It looked so beautiful on you, and I was wondering if you would recreate the look for a quick photo shoot.”
Essence nodded, and saying nothing, walked to the back and put on the dress. Her eyes tearing, she shook her head and brushed off her sadness. Returning to Rafael and she sat silently as he did her makeup and hair. The light of the day turning into night, she soon found herself in front of a camera. Trying her best, she smiled and did every pose he asked. Finishing up, she started to walk back to the dressing room to take the dress off, but he placed his hand on her shoulder.
“E, you’ve been through so much, and you look so beautiful. Please, just keep the dress, okay? Nobody deserves to wear it but you,” he said.
“But what about your line?”
He waved her off. “I’ll make something just as fabulous. Now, let me take you back to the castle. Every queen deserves a night in a chariot.” Taking her hand before she could say no, he bustled from the shop and helped her into his car.
Arriving home shortly, Essence exited the car and waited for him to join her inside. He gave her an apologetic look. “Sorry, can’t. Gregory and I are taking Kanon to see a movie, if that’s okay?”
“O-oh, yes, that’s fine,” she replied, biting her bottom lip. “Have a great time.”
“We will. Goodnight, E,” he said and waited until she walked into the door to pull away.
Unable to hold it in anymore, Essence sat in the den and cried. He didn’t even call. She thought as she sobbed. The sound of slow melodious music caught her attention, and she wiped her eyes and curiously walked to the source.
Author’s note- The following scene is inspired by the song Say You Won’t Let Go, by James Arthur. You don’t need to listen to it to follow along, but it does enhance the scene.
Essence walked into the dimly lit ballroom and looked around, confused. Not seeing anyone in sight, her heels clicked as she made her way further inside. “Hello?” she called out over the music. Smiling at her, Anastasia appeared in a stunning red dress, and Cayden appeared shortly after in a tux. As he twirled her around the room, they both looked up and gave Essence another genuine smile.
From the corner, she saw Rafael still in his tux, with Gregory, who matched. They walked onto the dance floor and began to slowly dance, and she listened to the words of the beautiful song that played. Gregory shook his head, embarrassed at the remembrance of his intoxication that caused him to throw up on their first date. Sensing his discomfort at the words of the song, Rafael gave him a kiss and smiled brightly at him before caressing his face. The two turned to Essence and gave her the same smile as Anastasia and Cayden had.
Wiping the tears from her eyes, she looked and saw Brenda appear wearing a beautiful black dress as Fontaine and Stephan both held her in their arms. Brenda mouthed to her, “Thank you so much, Luna.” As Fontaine and Stephan twirled her around the dance floor, they mouthed to Essence the same words. Covering her mouth, Essence danced to the music, unsure what was happening but completely in awe.
Ericka appeared in a purple dress, and Phil kissed her hand before pulling her into his arms. He kissed her passionately the moment she was close enough, and her face flushed. Spinning her outward, he pulled her back close to him.
Essence grinned seeing Tremaine appear, and he gave her a wink before bowing and extending his hand to a laughing Savina. He kissed the top of her head, and Savina’s entire face brightened.One by one, Bobby, Ricky and Chuckie joined with their mates. Caitlyn appeared with Jeremy, and stepped onto the floor, swaying in sync with the others.
“Mommy!” Kanon called out to her mother, causing Essence to sob as she and Chip emerged onto the dance floor. Dressed in a yellow dress that almost matched hers, Kanon waved at her, and Chip gave her a toothy grin.
Seeing all the surrounding love, Essence felt like her heart would burst. She looked up to the ceiling, finally understanding what was happening in front of her. She heard a gentle whistle from behind her, and her heart seemed to stop. Slowly, she looked over her shoulder, and saw Kano walking towards her. She shook violently as she cried and stood waiting for him.
Dressed in his royal robes, he placed his hands in his pockets and tilted his head at her. Continuing to whistle softly, he pulled her in his arms, and they began to dance. She cried against him, and he murmured in her hair, “Essence.” The moment she heard it, she completely broke down. He locked their eyes. “You look absolutely beautiful. Every day—even more to me since you’ve returned. I look at you and I can’t help but wonder how are you so amazing? You carried our child, you went through hell, and somehow can still be good. I wish there were more people in this world like you. Just like I wish you could see how much those around you need it. People who don’t even know they do… like me.” He sang low in her ear. “I’m so in love with you…”
“Kano,” she said in tears, unable to get out any other words.
He breathed her in, and his eyes tinged slightly. “Since the moment I saw you—God, I’ve been so in love with you, Belle,” he said. Switching from singing to humming, he twirled her before bringing her close again.
“I-I thought you were mad at me,” she stammered.
“No, I was mad at myself. I gave you a ring that didn’t deserve you, and a proposal I’m so glad you didn’t accept.” He looked at her intensely. “I love you.” His eyes tinged fully. “We both do, so much.” Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out a velvet box. “Now, I understand you might hate roses, but much like you’ve done for me, I want to give you new loving memories that will forever trump those of pain.” He got on one knee, and when he opened the box, Essence covered her eyes. The weight of everything clashing at once, her shoulders shook as she wept. “Open your eyes, Belle,” he whispered, smiling at her. She did, and once again her glassy eyes looked down at the ring. A large yellow topaz stone stared back at her and seemed to make the entire room glow. Inside laid a small simple rose with only one petal remaining.
“This ring belonged to my mother, and she would always tell us it was magic. When we’d ask her why, she’d say, ‘The stone makes everything around it shine, all while containing a rose with such enchanted strength it continues to grow with just one petal that will never fall’ and I never understood that until I met you. Until I understood how much you still grow, even after having so much taken away. If you let me, Essence, I wish to spend the rest of our lives nurturing what remains because, much like this yellow topaz, you make everything seem to shine. You’re the only person so enchanted that you feed a strength into me that makes me strive every day to be better.” Reaching for her hand, he placed the ring on the tip of her finger. “I never want to let you go, and if you feel the same, then I just need to know one thing; Essence Belle Monroe, will you marry me?”
Essence looked down at the man, who was her favorite song. Letting out a small, soft whistle, she nodded. Kano placed the ring on her finger, stood, and swung her around. Kissing her passionately, he released her, and she murmured, “I love you.” Pulling back, her eyes burned blue. “We both do, forever.”
He gave her a bright smile and kissed her again. Through the cheers of their family and friends, he whispered as he wiped a tear from her eyes, “I love you, Belle. Until the last petal falls.”