He pulls the mic up to his lips and says a simple, “Hello.”

Trip starts off the beat, thumping rhythmically on a box looking thing, while Tyke and Riff strum their guitars. Noel nods his head and closes his eyes as he sings. His voice is always beautiful, but this time it sounds different. A little more tortured.

Every song goes on that way, most of the time his eyes remaining shut as he belts out the words. Finally, he announces to the crowd this was their last song, and I know it’s almost time to face him. When the last chorus break happens, I stand and grab my suitcase to find my way closer to the stage. As I near the security team, I flash them the backstage pass Riff left for me.

“Lane?” Noel’s voice echoes around the room. “Is that really you?”

This is exactly what I wanted to avoid—a public scene—but I know I have no choice now. I turn slowly, and our eyes lock. His lips quirk up before he bends down to whisper in Riff’s ear. He stands and meets my stare again. Riff nods and leans over toward Trip and Tyke to fill them in on whatever Noel just told him.

He brings the mic up to his lips. “This song goes out to the girl who is my everything. I’m not an easy man to love, and music is about the best way I know how to express my feelings to her. This is called Faithfully.”

Riff plays out a few notes on his guitar, and I instantly recognize the melody made famous by Journey.

After the song intro, Noel’s voice blends into the acoustic chords beautifully. He takes a couple slow steps before hopping off the stage. His eyes fixate on me while coming closer with each step he takes. My heart pounds as he stops directly in front of me. He sings the sweet words about life on the road being tough and how loving a man involved in the music business is hard. Especially, when things don’t always go the way they’re supposed, too. Noel’s eyebrows pull in as he gazes into my eyes and continues the verse. The last few lines he directs to me. They are about me standing by him through everything and that he’s mine, forever, and faithfully.

A lump catches in my throat and I swallow hard, trying not to cry in front of a room full of strangers.

Noel grabs my hand and threads his fingers through mine. I squeeze his hand as a tear slips down my cheek. He lets my hand go and brushes it away with his thumb while he continues to sing, He says he’s lost without me, and being apart isn’t easy, but we need to learn to fall in love all over again.

He sings, “Faithfully. Oh oh oh oh…”

A sob escapes me, and everything I planned on saying to him flies out the window. I can feel how much he loves me through the passion in these lyrics. Noel drops the microphone on the ground, and a loud thud snaps around the room. He cups my face and pulls it to his. Tears stream down both our faces, and he leans in and presses his lips to mine.

“Forever,” he whispers. “I’m yours.”