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They arrived in the private space the size of a tiny apartment’s living room just in time to watch Roxy take the stage. Natalia was too nervous to sit or accept the glass of champagne Sam offered. Eyes glued to the massive stage, she held her breath and prayed for the first time in decades.
As soon as Roxy took the stage in ripped jeans and a glorified bikini top, the sold-out stadium cheered.
“Hello Miami!” Roxy’s voice boomed through the speakers. Natalia couldn’t help but smile. Roxy was a natural performer, immediately commanding the attention of even this massive audience. “Who is ready to throw their money at some hot… sexy… deadly… gay vampire babes?”
“That’s a bit reductive,” Sam said as she sipped her bubbly.
The crowd’s cheer turned deafening, and Natalia smirked. “Leave it to the professionals, babe.”
Sam laughed, the sound filling Natalia with the kind of joy she’d never felt before meeting her.
As Roxy sang, Natalia noticed her blow a discreet kiss toward the wings. She followed her gaze to Adriana, watching with unconcealed pride. Natalia had questioned the wisdom of them dating, but she couldn’t deny their connection.
Roxy powered through her set with flawless vocals and showmanship. Natalia swelled with pride for the star she had helped build. Roxy held the massive crowd in the palm of her hand, taking them on an emotional journey before finishing with a call for donations and reminding the crowd what number to text.
Behind her, an enormous screen showed the influx of cash in ten-foot-tall digits. Roxy looked behind her and shook her head.
“You guys…” she sighed. “You’re holding out on me, aren’t you?” She paused, letting the tension rise. “I get it. You want to see if it’s really worth it.” She smiled offstage before giving Adriana the come-up-here nod.
With a fierce blush, but no hesitation, Adriana stepped out onto the stage. The crowd lost its collective mind. While they did their bit on stage, the figure behind the stage ballooned.
“God, they’re cute,” Sam said with a chuckle.
Natalia watched Roxy and Adriana on stage. Despite her doubts, seeing them together now, so clearly in love, she had to admit they were good for each other.
Roxy was a natural star, commanding the massive crowd with ease. But Natalia noticed the softness in her eyes when she looked at Adriana, a vulnerability Roxy rarely revealed. And Adriana, normally so reserved, lit up on stage next to her girlfriend, glowing with pride and affection.
They balanced each other. Natalia could see Roxy was growing up, taking things more seriously with Adriana at her side. And Adriana was learning to loosen up and enjoy life’s spontaneous moments under Roxy’s influence.
Watching them interact on stage, playing off each other seamlessly, Natalia swelled with pride. She had helped guide them both in their careers, and now they were thriving, both professionally and personally.
She glanced over at her own love, Sam, who was watching the show with a smile. Natalia’s heart felt too full to contain. She never expected to find this kind of love and acceptance. Neither had Roxy and Adriana, most likely. Yet here they all were, embracing the gifts life had unexpectedly offered them.
“What?” Sam eyed her with open suspicion, but the smile on her lips never faltered. Could she read what Natalia wasn’t saying? Sam had gotten irritatingly good at reading her.
“Nothing.”
Natalia’s phone buzzed in her hand. The moment she saw Lola’s name appear in her message banner, her heart froze, but then she read the text.
Lola: Starla and Elaine just got back to me. They just arrived at a port in Greece and were disappointed they couldn’t be here, but Elaine wants to invest “big gay bucks” and Starla wants to attach her name to the project to generate buzz. She said she’ll take any role and will do anything we need for publicity.
Natalia could almost laugh. In her life, she could never imagine that people would give so freely of themselves for nothing tangible in return — just a chance to contribute to an artistic end.
The show moved in a seamless blur. Before Natalia knew it, they were halfway through the program. She stared at the fundraising tally on the screen, her shock leaving her unable to speak. The jumbotron was already showing more than their initial goal. That didn’t even include revenue from ticket sales and major donations like the one from Sky Bamford and Elaine.
“You did it, babe.”
Natalia turned to see Sam beaming at her, eyes bright with emotion. “We all did it,” Natalia replied, shaking her head in disbelief.
“No, this was your vision.” Sam moved closer, taking Natalia’s hands. “You brought everyone together and made the impossible happen. Just like you always do.”
Natalia started to deflect the praise, but something in Sam’s expression gave her pause. The sheer love and admiration shining from her partner’s eyes stole Natalia’s breath.
“I’m so proud of you, Natalia. And so in love with you.” Sam’s voice wavered with feeling. “I’ve felt that way for a long time, but I want you to hear it. I love you.”
Natalia swallowed hard against the sudden tightness in her throat. Sam had never said the words aloud before. Natalia knew she cared deeply, but love had felt like dangerous, uncharted territory.
Now Sam was gazing at her with naked emotion, having spoken the very words Natalia had been too scared to say herself.
