Page 67 of Passion’s Song

“After I left you this morning, I went over to Kurt’s and he chewed my ass out.”

“As all big brothers have the right to do,” April interjected.

“I don’t know if I agree with that,” Damien said. “But, this time, he was right. He gave me a lot to think about. When I left Kurt’s, I went back to see Michael Berger and I laid down a set of conditions.

“The McGowan Group and Alexander Properties are now in a formal partnership to develop both upscale and affordable housing in the Ninth Ward. The land that I purchased is going to be the home to A Fresh Start’s new state-of-the-art facility.”

April’s hands flew to her mouth in shock. “What?”

“The McGowan Group has agreed to build you all a new facility. You can forget about that grant you all are trying to get, as well. They’re signing on as A Fresh Start’s official corporate sponsor. You’ll have the funds you need to turn it into a year-round program, and hire more staff so that you can offer a wider range of activities for the kids.”

“Oh, my God,” April breathed. “How did you do this?”

“I appealed to their more charitable side,” Damien said. “I also explained that the residents of the Ninth Ward would probably be more welcoming if the McGowan Group showed that they are willing to work with them and not against them. They agreed.”

April was so filled with emotion she could barely speak.

Damien turned to her. Once again, he took her hands away from her face, this time encapsulating them between his own.

“You opened my eyes to things I refused to see for so long, April. Because of you, I see our old neighborhood for what it is now, not for what it used to be.” He pressed a kiss to her fingers. “But, more important, because of you, I now see how much brighter my future will be if I get to share it with the woman I love.

“I love you, April. It took me a while to see it, but I do see it now. I see how good we are together. I never want to be without you again.”

“What if I go to Boston?”

“That’s what airplanes and four-day workweeks are for,” Damien said with a grin. “We’ll make it work. We have to, because I refuse to go back to what we were a month ago.”

He caressed her jaw. “I love you. I’ve always loved you as a friend, but you’re so much more than that, April. You’re the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

Her eyes fell shut as a wave of longing and contentment washed over her.

“I’ve wanted that for so long,” April finally admitted. She opened her eyes. “Does this really happen? Do people really get to live out their fairy tale? Can I truly have you, A Fresh Start and the Boston Pops?”

Damien leaned in close and brushed his lips against hers.

“You deserve to have it all,” he said. “And if you’ll let me, I want to be the one who gives it to you.”

Epilogue

Damien settled into the first seat of the rearmost row of Boston Symphony Hall. He’d changed seats three times in the past five minutes and was itching to spring up again. As much as he tried, he couldn’t stop his leg’s incessant bouncing. April had just been called up for her audition. Damien was pretty sure he would throw up from the nerves swirling in his stomach before she played a single note.

She walked onto the stage with more confidence than Damien had ever seen in anyone. Ever.

She had this. When it came to her music, nothing could stop her.

As she started her audition—a piece she’d written specifically for this tryout—April’s passion for her music shone through. Damien closed his eyes and allowed her magnificent performance to take him away.

When she finished, there were no applause from the judges, although it had been that way with the previous musicians, so Damien didn’t bother to take offense. He kept his jubilation in check, but on the inside he was cheering her on like a madman.

He couldn’t be any prouder of her.

And he couldn’t be any more in love with her.

When he’d walked into A Fresh Start at the beginning of the summer, Damien had never imagined how different his life would be three months later. Not only had he rediscovered his love for his old neighborhood, but he’d found a love he never knew he could have with April.

He’d already accepted that she would earn a spot in the Boston Symphony Orchestra. After that performance, how could they not accept her? But as he told April several months ago, they were going to make this work.

Sometimes the fairy tale did come true. They could both have it all.

Damien stood as April walked up the darkened aisle. She quickened her steps as she neared him and wrapped her arms around him in a hug that nearly took him down.

“You were amazing,” Damien said.

“It felt amazing,” April answered. The huge smile stretching across her face was the most beautiful thing Damien had ever seen. This was what pure happiness looked like.

“As far as this audition goes, I don’t think you have anything to worry about,” he said. “It’s in the bag.”

“It doesn’t matter.” April shook her head. “I won’t take it even if they offer the position,” she said.

He pulled back. “What?”

“My dream was to audition. I did that. That’s good enough for me.” She kissed his chin. “I have what I want back home in New Orleans. You and the kids at A Fresh Start. You’re all I need.”

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