Pretty Baby

Chapter 24

I’m standing backstage at Red Rocks Amphitheater, the iconic red rocks bathed in the glow of the setting sun. This has been my dream since I started playing music, and it’s finally come true. The energy of the crowd pulses through me as I grip my guitar, ready to launch into my set. Jade stands beside me, looking effortlessly stunning in a flowy white blouse that shows just a hint of midriff, paired with denim cut-off shorts that accentuate her long legs. Her brown, leather cowboy boots add a touch of country charm that suits her perfectly. Her long hair falls in loose waves around her shoulders, catching the last rays of sunlight.

I glance down at my own outfit. My trusty, black button-down shirt, dark jeans, and well-worn boots. It's my signature look, comfortable yet edgy. Very similar to the first solo show I ever played. There’s a reason for that. I run a hand through my hair, a nervous habit I've never quite shaken.

Nearby, Penny, my little girl who turns one tomorrow, is running around with Linda. It's hard to believe she'll be a year old tomorrow.

Xavier, my ever-present manager, approaches with his clipboard. I can see the tension in his shoulders. He's got business on his mind.

"Zac," he says, his tone serious, "we need to finalize the tour dates as soon as you're done performing tonight. The promoters are getting antsy."

I nod, trying to push the logistics out of my mind for now. "Got it. We'll hash it out after the show."

The crowd's cheers are growing louder, and I can feel the anticipation building in my chest. I turn to Jade, giving her a quick kiss. "Wish me luck," I say with a grin.

"Break a leg, rockstar," she replies, her eyes twinkling.

Taking another deep breath, I stride onto the stage. The roar of the audience hits me like a physical force, and I feel a surge of adrenaline. The setting sun is painting the iconic red rocks in brilliant hues of orange and pink. It's a view I'll never get tired of.

"How's everyone doing tonight?" I call out, and the answering cheer sends a thrill through me. "We've got some new songs for you. Hope you like 'em."

I nod to Tyler and Mike, my bandmates, as we launch into Tiny Hands .

“One, two, three…” As I sing, I think of Penny, my little girl who's growing up so fast.

Sleepless nights and lullabies

Tiny hands and heavy eyes

Never thought I'd find my way

To this place where I’d want to stay.

The audience sways, some holding up lighters. As the last chord fades, I take a swig of water and move right into Fuck You, Chloe . This one's faster, angrier, and the crowd responds with enthusiasm.

Chloe, you ripped my heart in two,

Left me bleeding out, nothing left to lose.

Your love was a dagger, twisted and cruel,

Now I'm coming back for you, breaking all the rules.

We play through a few more new songs from the album. With each one, I feel a mix of pride and melancholy. These songs represent the last year of my life. The struggles, the triumphs, the love I've found. The best I have to offer. Nothing can top this.

As we near the end of the set, my heart starts to race. This is it. The moment I've been planning for weeks.

"For our last song tonight," I say into the mic, "I'd like to invite someone special to join me. Jade Holmes, would you come out here?"

The crowd cheers as Jade emerges from the wings. She looks stunning, her eyes shining under the stage lights. I hand her a microphone, and we begin our duet, Feels So Right .

As we sing, our eyes lock. The lyrics take on new meaning, knowing what I'm about to do:

Every laugh, every tear,

We'll hold each other near,

Through the storms and the calm,

With you, I'm never alone.

We'll build a world, full of dreams,

Teach her love, show what it means.

The song ends, and the applause is deafening. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what comes next.

"Thank you all so much," I say, my voice shaking slightly. "Before we go, I have an update about the upcoming tour."

The crowd falls silent, anticipation hanging in the air.

"This will be my final show ever," I announce. "And this album... it's my last."

Gasps ripple through the audience. I see confusion on some faces, disappointment on others. But I'm not done yet.

I turn to Jade, who's looking at me with a mix of surprise and curiosity. I take her hand and drop to one knee. The crowd goes wild, realizing what's happening.

"Jade," I begin, my voice amplified across the amphitheater, "this past year with you has been the best of my life. Even when we had to keep things under wraps, you were always there for me. You've seen me at my worst and still chose to stick around. I can't imagine spending another day without you by my side." I pull out the ring I've been carrying in my pocket all night. "Will you marry me?"

The crowd holds its breath as Jade stands there, momentarily stunned. Then, a brilliant smile spreads across her face. For a moment, time stands still. Then Jade's face breaks into a radiant smile.

"Yes!" she exclaims, loud enough for everyone to hear even without the mic.

I slip the ring on her finger and stand, pulling her into a kiss. The audience erupts in cheers and applause. When we finally break apart, both of us are laughing and crying.

I turn back to the mic, my arm around Jade. "I'm retiring," I announce, "to spend time with my fiancé and my daughter. Music has been my life for so long, but it's time for a new chapter."

As the reality of my words sinks in, I feel a weight lift off my shoulders.

This is the right decision. I've had my time in the spotlight, but now it's time to focus on what really matters.

"Thank you all for being part of this journey," I say to the crowd. "Your support has meant everything to me. But now, it's time to say goodbye."

The crowd's reaction is a mix of emotions. Cheers. Tears. Shouts of encouragement.

I take it all in, savoring this last moment on stage. “And if my manager doesn’t kill me, maybe I’ll see you again one day.”

As we walk off, hand in hand, I feel a sense of closure. The road ahead is uncertain, but with Jade by my side and Penny waiting at home, I'm ready for whatever comes next.

Backstage, we're immediately surrounded by the band, crew, and friends. There are hugs, congratulations, and more than a few tears. Xavier looks shell-shocked.

"You couldn't have given me a heads up?" he asks, but there's no real anger in his voice.

I shrug, grinning. "Where's the fun in that?"

Jade laughs, leaning into me. "I can't believe you kept this a secret," she says. "How long have you been planning this?"

"A while," I admit. "I wanted it to be perfect."

As the initial excitement dies down, reality starts to set in. There's so much to do. Canceling the tour, dealing with the record label, figuring out what comes next. But for now, I push those thoughts aside. Tonight is for celebrating.

We make our way to the afterparty where the champagne is already flowing. I keep Jade close, both of us still riding the high of the moment. Friends and fellow musicians come up to congratulate us, some expressing surprise at my decision to retire.

"Are you sure about this, Zac?" Xavier asks. "You're at the top of your game."

I nod, feeling more certain than ever. "I'm sure. It's time, Xavier. I've done everything I set out to do in music. Now, I want to focus on being a good partner to Jade and a good father to Penny."

Xavier nods, understanding in his eyes. "Well, if anyone can make a graceful exit, it's you."

As the night wears on, I find myself growing impatient to leave. All I want now is to go home with Jade and Penny to start this new chapter of our lives.

Finally, we say our goodbyes and head out. In the car, Jade leans her head on my shoulder.

"Are you happy?" I ask, suddenly feeling a twinge of uncertainty.

She lifts her head, meeting my eyes. "Happier than I've ever been," she says softly. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

I nod, pulling her close. "More sure than I've ever been about anything."

As we crash in the backseat of the car, Penny is fast asleep, her little chest rising and falling steadily in my arms. I feel Jade's arm slip around my waist, watching our little girl as we sit here.

"This is it," I whisper. "This is what matters."

Jade nods, and I can see tears glistening in her eyes. "We're a family," she says.

"We are," I agree. "And now, we have all the time in the world to be one."

Tomorrow, we’ll face the world, the press, the fans, the industry. We'll start planning a wedding, figuring out what my retirement looks like, navigating this new reality. But tonight, in this moment, everything is perfect.

I pull Jade close as we settle into bed. "I love you," I murmur.

"I love you, too," she replies, her voice heavy with sleep.

I feel the soft contours of Jade's back beneath my fingertips as I trace lazy circles on her skin. The room is bathed in a gentle, golden light from the street lights, casting long shadows across our bed. "Jade," I murmur, leaning in to press a gentle kiss against the nape of her neck.

She sighs contentedly, shifting slightly to give me better access. "Mmm, Zac," she moans softly, her voice a sultry whisper. "That feels nice."

Encouraged, I continue my journey, kissing down her spine, each vertebra a small mountain for my lips to conquer. Her skin tastes faintly of salt and something uniquely Jade, an exotic blend of her favorite perfume and the natural scent of her body. As I reach the curve of her hips, I pause, letting my breath fan out over her skin, feeling the slight hitch in her breathing as anticipation builds.

"You know what I want," she breathes, her voice thick with desire.

I nod, even though she can't see me. "Tell me," I urge, wanting to hear the words come from her lips.

She shifts again, this time rolling onto her stomach, giving me a full view of her curvy ass, the cheeks slightly parted, inviting. "I want you inside me, daddy. All the way inside me."

My cock twitches at her words, hard and ready. I position myself behind her, my hands gently spreading her cheeks, revealing her tight, puckered entrance. I lean in, blowing a soft breath against the sensitive skin, watching as it contracts in response.

"Are you sure?" I ask, needing to be certain, despite the urgency pulsing through my veins.

"Yes," she hisses, pushing back against me. "Please, daddy. I need you."

I line up my shaft with her ass. Jade sucks my fingers to get them wet. I wipe them on the tip of my cock and press forward slowly, allowing the head of my dick to tease her opening, just breaching the surface. Jade gasps, her fingers digging into the sheets as she adjusts to the intrusion.

"It's okay, baby girl," I soothe, pausing to let her get used to the sensation. "Take your time."

She nods, taking deep breaths, her body relaxing bit by bit. Encouraged, I push in a little further, feeling the tight ring of muscle resist then yield, inch by inch, until I'm fully inside her. We both gasp at the sudden fullness, the intensity of her first anal experience palpable.

"You're so tight," I whisper, my voice rough with emotion.

"Now, daddy," she pants, her eyes locked onto mine. "Fuck me."

I pull back slowly, savoring the friction, then thrust forward again, building a rhythm. Each stroke is deliberate, careful, yet relentless in its pursuit of her pleasure. Jade's moans fill the room, mingling with the sounds of our bodies slapping together, the tempo increasing as we both lose ourselves in the dance of flesh.

"Harder," she begs, her nails scoring patterns on the mattress. "Please, daddy, harder."

I oblige, gripping her hips tighter, pounding into her with renewed vigor. The bed creaks under our weight, a symphony of sound that matches the wild beating of my heart. Jade meets each thrust.

"Daddy!" she cries out, her voice breaking as she nears her climax. "I'm... I'm close!"

Hearing her, feeling her clench around me, sends me hurtling towards the edge. I quicken my pace, desperate to reach the precipice with her. "Come for me, Jade," I growl, my own release imminent. "Let go."

With a strangled cry, she does, her body shuddering around me as waves of pleasure crash over her. Her orgasm triggers my own, and I roar as I spill deep inside her, our bodies locked together. We lie entangled, our breathing slowly returning to normal. After several moments, I roll off her and pull her tight to me.

"That was... incredible," Jade whispers, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on my chest.

I nod, still catching my breath. "It was. You're amazing, Jade. Everything about you is amazing.”

As we drift off, I think about the journey that's brought me here. From bachelor rockstar, commitment-phobe to retired family man with a perfect fiancé and daughter. It's been a wild ride, full of ups and downs, mistakes and triumphs. But now, I'm ready for a different kind of adventure.

The spotlight has been bright, but nothing shines brighter than the love I feel for Jade and Penny. As I close my eyes, I smile. The best is yet to come.