by Dana Piccoli
Lara glanced at her phone. “I wish I could stay longer but I’m heading back to LA today and I have to get to JFK. This meant the world to me, Natalia. You know how to reach me.”
“I do.” They stood, and for the first time in a long while, Nat opened her arms and welcomed Lara into an embrace. They held each other tight, and the spicy scent of Lara’s perfume and her warm hug melted the iceberg that Nat had been dragging around since that night.
“Happy New Year, Nat.”
“Happy New Year, La.”
Chapter Forty-Nine
Before Nat knew it, the holidays were over and the real world was calling again. Raz had indeed worked his magic on the album and All In was even more than she’d hoped. The first time Oliver heard it he cried tears of joy. The trio sat in his office as their manager positively glowed with happiness.
“This is it, you three,” he said, pacing, sweat stains appearing under his arms and peeking through his lilac shirt. “Look at me! I’m so excited, I’m sweating.”
Paul leaned into Nat. “Well, I guess that’s a good sign.”
“Are you kidding?” he shouted. “You guys are about to go where you’ve never gone before. Are you ready?”
Nat, Paul and Jackie looked at each other. “I guess so?” Nat responded.
“Listen, I let a few of the studios hear some of the initial cuts, and well, they’re already fighting over your songs. We’re talking major licensing, international airplay, and tours playing places bigger than you’ve ever played before. The label has even given us their blessing to pick an opening band.”
“Redfern,” the trio shouted in unison before laughing.
“Sure, Redfern, great! God damn, you kids are about to pay off my mortgage.”
Nat smiled. “Happy to help.”
“You need to keep healthy and get ready. I’ll get you a new crew and have them ready to hit the road when the tour begins. This time, though, we make the rules. I don’t want you guys getting burnt out. Those days are over. Congratulations! You’re hitting the big time.”
And as sure as Oliver said it, The Nat Chambers Band became the hottest thing out there. Their song “Take Me There” was all over radio and the Internet and was optioned to be on the soundtrack of a major motion picture. Nat was squeezing avocados in the grocery store when “Do You Wonder at All?” started playing out of the scratchy speaker above her head. The week after that, she was stopped on the street and signed an NYU student’s backpack.
And it wasn’t just Nat who was noticed. Paul was the toast of the New York gay bar scene, but, happy with Ryder by his side, he mostly just enjoyed the free drinks. Jackie’s parents came to visit and wouldn’t stop saying how proud they were of their daughter to strangers on the subway. As crazy as life was, coming home to Maddy, who had traded her rental in Manhattan to move in with Nat, was pure bliss. Nat loved it when Maddy slipped into bed after work, smelling like sugar and flour, curling her arms around Nat’s waist.
Chapter Fifty
4 months later…
“Dude, you look especially nervous tonight. This isn’t our first rodeo,” Paul said, slapping his paw on Nat’s shoulder.
True, it wasn’t their first rodeo, but The Nat Chambers Band was sitting backstage at Radio City Music Hall, and Nat felt a little nervous.
That and she had an engagement ring burning a hole in the pocket of her leather pants.
She hadn’t told Paul and Jackie because as much as she loved them, they weren’t exactly great with secrets, and she didn’t want the big news to slip out over brunch or cocktails. Nat had been secretly searching for an engagement ring for a month, and when she laid eyes on the vintage piece, a large emerald surrounded by fine diamonds, she knew it was the one for Maddy. She was pretty sure Maddy had no idea, and she’d waited until that morning to pick it up from the jeweler to avoid her accidentally stumbling upon it. Now it sat in her pocket, waiting to be united with its intended recipient.
“Nat?” Paul asked, and she realized she’d been in a bit of a daze.
“Yeah, sorry. It’s Radio City, my dude. This is like, the dream, right?”
He squeezed her shoulders. “Yup, it is the dream. And Nat, thanks for bringing me along.”
She turned to him. “What are you talking about? We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. You’ve talked me off the creating and emotional ledge so many times. I’d still be playing open mics in Brooklyn if you hadn’t been by my side.”
“But you’re the heart, Nat.”
“And you’re the beat, Paul.”
He looked down and had a tear in his eye. “Oh hell, this is gross. Let’s never do it again, okay?”
Nat laughed. “Okay, deal. No more sappy, cheeseball emotional business.”
“Good. Now I’m going to go warm up, and by warm up I mean smoke in the alley,” he said before kissing her on the head and disappearing out the green room door.
Through the speaker, she could hear Redfern wrapping up their set to an excited crowd. Jackie would be watching backstage and would join Nat shortly to get ready for their show.
A quiet knock came at the door as Redfern was greeted with thunderous applause.
“Come in,” Nat called.
Maddy slipped through the door, wearing jeans, black boots and a Nat Chambers Band T-shirt that hugged her waist and made Nat weak in the knees.
“Hi baby, are you ready to go?” she asked as she came up behind Nat and slipped her hands down Nat’s arms and squeezed her tight.
She swallowed hard. “Not yet. I need to do something first. Can you come with me?”
She nodded, and with a perplexed look on her face, took her waiting hand and followed her out of the green room to a secluded spot backstage. Nat could barely hear the murmuring of the audience above the sound of her own heart pounding. In the spot were a dozen flameless candles. Nat had balked but Radio City Music Hall wasn’t about to let her accidently burn the place down just for aesthetics. Still, she had to admit, against the backdrop of black curtains, it looked magical.
“What’s this, babe?” Maddy asked, taking it all in.
“My whole life I always felt at home on the stage. It was my safe space, my favorite place, the thing that reminded me that I could dream. When I met you, I found something I never expected to. I found another place to call home.”
Maddy’s hands began to tremble. “Oh, Natalia.”
Nat took her trembling hands and kissed them both. “You are everything I have ever dreamed of. You are every constellation. You are the words to every song. I have never wanted anything more than to spend every day in your arms.” She reached into her pocket and knelt down on one knee.
“Oh god,” Maddy said, her voice trembling along with her hands.
“Madeline LaDuke, will you join me on life’s adventures? Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” She realized she too was trembling and could barely catch her breath.
“Natalia. Oh, Natalia.” Tears streamed down her face.
Nat cleared her throat. “You’re kind of leaving me hanging here, kid.”
Maddy laughed through her tears. “Yes! Yes, Nat, I do. I will. I love you!”
Nat felt like she could finally breathe, and she slipped the ring on Maddy’s finger. It fit perfectly. She rose and picked Maddy up. They swirled around in an embrace. Maddy grabbed her face and kissed her over and over again.
“God, I love you, Nat,” Maddy said, lifting the ring so it could catch the light. She looked around for a moment. “Is anyone coming back here?”
Nat shook her head. “No, I asked to have this space and not be interrupted.”
“Good,” Maddy said, as she pulled Nat’s shirt over her head and pushed her fiancée up against the wall.
“Oh okay, we’re doing this?” Nat said as Maddy’s tongue caressed the sensitive spot below her ear.
“Hell yeah we’re doing this,” Maddy said as she removed her own shirt, unbuttoned Nat’s pants and slid her warm hand i
nside. When Maddy’s fingers found her sweet spot, Nat gasped with delight. She returned the favor and slid her hand into Maddy’s panties, as she kissed and nipped at the tops of Maddy’s flushed breasts. It didn’t take long before they both came together, kissing each other slowly and intensely.
“I’m going to be your wife,” Maddy said softly into her ear.
“Mmm, and I’m going to be your wife,” Nat replied, wrapping her hands around Maddy’s bare waist. “But first, your future wife needs to play Radio City Music Hall.”
“Shit, I almost forgot with all the getting engaged and post-engagement sex,” Maddy said, as she reached down to pick up her shirt and button up her pants. She planted one last kiss on Nat’s lips. “Okay, I’m going to my seat. I love you. I can’t wait to see you out there. Bye!”
Maddy waved as she ran off, and Nat was so full of love and happiness, she could hardly believe it was all real. She quickly pulled herself together and ran back to the green room where Jackie and Paul were waiting.
“What’s with you? You’re all pink, like a little cherub,” Jackie said, rosining up her bow.
“Oh, she’s just a nervous Nelly about performing at one of the greatest venues in the world,” Paul responded. “You do look a little sweaty, though, now that I’m looking.”
She stepped up to the makeup table to blot at her perspiration spots. “Oh, you know, just a case of the jitters.”
“Steve said the audience is tits, and we’re going to have a blast,” Jackie added. “So, take a deep breath and enjoy.”
“Yeah, I do feel like I can finally breathe again.”
A sharp knock came at the door and a woman in a headset popped her head in. “Nat Chambers Band, this is your ten-minute warning. You have ten minutes.”
“Thank you, ten minutes,” the trio responded in unison. They gathered in a circle and took each other’s hands.
“So, this is it,” Paul said.
“Yep, this is Radio City Music Hall. It’s absolutely smashing,” Jackie said.
“We’re going to go out there, and we’re going to give them the best show of our lives,” Nat added. “I love you guys.”
“Love you too,” Paul said.
“I love you, pets!” Jackie chimed in. They squeezed each other’s hands and jumped up and down together until they were almost breathless.
“See you out there,” Paul said as he grabbed a pair of sticks and headed out the door. Jackie picked up her bow, gave Nat a broad smile, and followed after him.
Nat was left alone in the dressing room. She took a long look at herself. Healthy, happy, and ready for the first time in a long time. It was time to hit the stage.
Chapter Fifty-One
“Humans and gentle beings,” a booming voice called out, hushing the crowd at the music hall. “Radio City Music Hall is proud to present, The Nat Chambers Band!”
The crowd erupted and the sound of their excitement nearly ushered Nat out on stage all by itself. She could see thousands of faces just beyond the blazing stage lights. She lifted her arms in excitement as she headed to her microphone. She slipped on her guitar, tapped her pedals, and lifted her mouth to the microphone to speak.
“Hello, New York. How the hell are you?” The audience screamed in response. “New York is where we call home, and we are honored to be here tonight to rock the shit out of you,” Nat said with a devilish grin. Screams and applause followed and the bandmates gave each other a glance. Nat nodded and Paul counted them off with his sticks.
The band launched into one of their older tunes, “Call Her Silver,” a song with a driving beat and riffs that made the crowd jump up and sing. Nat wailed away at her guitar and belted the lovelorn lyrics into the mic. Jackie joined her as the melody soared and Silver’s story revealed itself, measure by measure.
They played another few tunes, alternating between ballads and up-tempo songs to keep the audience guessing. When they broke out into “Heart/Block” the audience sang so loudly Nat could barely hear herself, and it thrilled her. About a half an hour into their set, she motioned to Paul and Jackie to take a breather. Sweat was forming at her temples and her body hummed with the vibrations of six thousand people.
She took a sip of water and gripped the microphone. “So, a year ago, I got up on a much smaller stage to sing a very special song to a very special person.” Some in the crowded whooped and whistled at the mention. “Ah, some of you are familiar,” she said, the audience chuckling along. She wiped her forehead. “So yeah, a year ago I asked the most beautiful woman in the world to give me another chance, and she did. And today, I asked her to marry me,” Nat said as gasps and screams of excitement filled the room. Jackie and Paul both turned to her with looks of excited surprise on their faces. “And she said yes.”
The reaction was deafening, so much so that it seemed to nearly knock her off her feet, but that was actually Jackie and Paul who had run from behind their instruments and tackled her with hugs.
“You asshole!” Paul shouted, as the three of them embraced. “How did you keep that a secret!”
“I’m gobsmacked! Can I be a bridesmaid? No, to hell with that! I’ll plan your hen party!” Jackie said as she helped hold Nat on her feet. Nat touched them both gently on the face and they returned to their spots.
As she stepped close to the mic, the crowd had begun to chant, “Madeline. Madeline.”
“Yes, that’s her name! Maddy, where’s Maddy?” She peered past the lights and saw her love with her hand raised in the front row.
“You’re crazy,” she shouted from her seat.
“You are absolutely right. I am crazy for you.” She grabbed her mic, ran down the lip of the stage and hopped into the front row, receiving a kiss from Maddy, which sent the audience into pandemonium.
She spoke into her mic. “That’s going to be on YouTube, isn’t it?” After stealing another kiss, she returned to the stage. “I mean, it’s not every day you get engaged at Radio City Music Hall to the pastry chef of your dreams, now is it?”
She nodded to Paul and Jackie who launched into a beautifully arranged version of “All In,” and Nat stood close to the edge of the stage and sang the song directly to Maddy. The crowd lifted their cell phones and thousands of lights lit up the room. When it was over, she blew a kiss to Maddy and one to the audience.
The Nat Chambers Band continued to play the greatest show of their career, which was only just beginning. Everything was just beginning. After the show, Maddy greeted a sweaty and exhilarated Nat backstage with hugs and kisses. Jackie, Paul, Ryder, Steve and the guys of Redfern, and even Nat’s parents who had come down to surprise her, all headed over to a local Italian restaurant to drink Negronis and celebrate Nat and Maddy’s engagement.
“You sneaky sneak,” Jackie said, poking Nat in the ribs. “How did you manage to keep this from us?”
“Yeah seriously,” Paul chimed in. “I even know when your period is coming! And you managed to keep a secret proposal from us?”
“What can I say,” she replied, wrapping her arm around Maddy’s shoulder. “I wanted it to be absolutely perfect.”
“And it was,” Maddy said and kissed her on the cheek.
“So you lovebirds leave for Japan next Monday?” Jackie asked.
“Yes,” Nat said. “That’s where Maddy decided she wanted to go. She’s obsessed with Japanese pastry and desserts, and I am definitely up for that challenge.” She patted her stomach.
“It will be more than just sweets, I swear. I mean, mostly sweets, but still,” Maddy interjected.
“You two really are perfect for each other,” Paul said, his hand on Ryder’s knee. “And trust me, it physically hurts me to say such things. You’ve really gone and turned me into a mush.”
“It’s true, and I love it,” Ryder replied, before grabbing Paul by the cheeks and kissing him sweetly.
“I don’t know about you all, but I’m ready to go to bed,” Nat announced. “Getting engaged and then playing Radio City reall
y knocks a girl out.”
“Same,” Paul replied.
Everyone kissed and said good night, and Nat lead Maddy to a waiting black car.
Inside, Gino called out past the partition. “Hey oh, I heard the good frigging news. Congratulations!”
“Thanks, buddy!” Nat said as she and Maddy slipped into the smooth leather backseat.
“Aw, thank you, Gino,” Maddy added.
“Have you set a date?”
Nat laughed. “Well we’ve only been engaged for like, five hours, so not yet. I’m guessing next year?” Nat looked at Maddy, who was busy wrapping herself tightly around Nat.
Gino nodded. “Where to?”
“Home, please,” Nat said. She held Maddy close as they drove down Broadway and onto the parkway.
“Natalia,” Maddy said. “I don’t want to wait.”
“What do you mean, baby?”
She shifted in her seat to face Nat. “I don’t want to wait a year to be your wife. Let’s get married now.”
Nat was taken aback. “Now, as in, now now? What about work? What about normal wedding stuff?”
“Yes. As soon as we can. Don’t worry about work. We can plan a wedding another time, but I don’t want to wait another day to marry you.” Her eyes were on fire and Nat could see the passion and love that burned within them. She didn’t want to wait either. She nodded her head. “Yes?” Maddy asked.
“Yes, let’s do it.” She kissed Maddy deeply. “Gino, change of plans. A quick stop at home, and then can you drive us to the airport? JFK?”
“Sure, whatever you need.”
Nat let out a big breath and a squeal of happiness. “We’re getting married.”
“Yes, we are,” Maddy replied, running her hands through Nat’s hair. “I love you so much, Natalia.”
“I love you, too, Madeline.”
“Oh, one more thing! We need witnesses.” Nat pulled out her phone and shot off a text to Paul and Jackie as the black car sped down the highway.
How do you feel about a little trip to Vegas…tonight?
