Sam.

~~~

Ray left New York after spending almost a week with me, and though I missed him terribly, I couldn't help but smile whenever I thought about how well he and Alyssa got along. It was a relief to see her warm up to him, even teasing him like an old friend by the end of his visit. Rose, on the other hand, seemed to like him too—though her constant confusion about whether he was my uncle or boyfriend remained a puzzle I couldn't solve. Her condition was deteriorating slowly but steadily, though for now, it still felt manageable.

I hired a nurse to look after her despite Amber's protests. Amber meant well, but I didn't want her generosity to turn into burnout. The nurse agreed to take over whenever I needed to travel, and I'd promised myself my trips would only be for a few days at a time.

The month had already been a whirlwind of family celebrations—Alyssa's and Jennifer's birthdays passed quietly, which suited me fine, especially since we didn't invite Tom. And now, today, it was Ray's birthday. My heart fluttered as I boarded the flight to Toronto.

He had no idea I was coming.

Purple Rain had been on tour for the past three weeks, which was why Ray had left New York in the first place. This was my first trip since returning home, and I couldn't shake the nervous pangs in my stomach—part excitement, part anxiety over leaving Rose.

I packed light, just a small bag with essentials, and left detailed instructions for Amber and the nurse. The flight passed quickly—just an hour and a half—and I spent most of it gazing out the window at the clouds below, my thoughts fixed on Ray's face when he would see me.

This trip had been planned for weeks. I'd bought a VIP ticket for Purple Rain's show—a strategic choice to keep my surprise as low-key as possible. The package included an intimate acoustic concert, merchandise, photos, and autographs with the band. My plan was simple: sneak in among the fans and wait for the perfect moment during the meet-and-greet.

Once I landed, there were just two hours until the show. I checked into my hotel and started getting ready. My dress—a deep burgundy number I'd picked especially for Ray—fit perfectly, hugging my curves without being too revealing. Underneath, I wore a matching lacy bra and panties in black and red. I smiled at the memory of him saying dark red was his favorite color.

While doing my makeup, my phone buzzed. It was Ray. A video call.

My heart sank as I ignored it. It killed me not to answer, but I knew he'd ask why I was so dolled up, and I didn't want to lie—especially not on his birthday. I leaned closer to the mirror, carefully applying a sharp-winged eyeliner and a deep burgundy lipstick to match my dress. My hair, now grown out to just past my shoulders, was curled softly at the ends. I finished the look with black platform heels and a thin black cardigan to combat Toronto's brisk wind.

As I made my way to the venue, nerves began to set in. Standing in line with other fans, I felt like an imposter. My heart raced as I glanced around.

"Hi," said a girl ahead of me, her voice friendly. She turned to face me with a curious smile. "I've never seen you here before."

"Why would you?" I asked, confused by her familiarity.

"Well, we all sort of know each other," she said, gesturing to the small group around us.

I blinked, realizing the twenty-five or so fans in line were chatting easily, like old friends.

"Oh, sorry," I said quickly. "I'm from New York. That's probably why."

Her eyebrows shot up. "New York? Cool. I'm Sophia." She extended a hand, which I shook lightly.

"Samantha," I replied, feeling wary.

"I run the biggest Purple Rain fan account in Canada," she said with a proud grin.

"That's... cool," I said, dragging the words. My mind raced—this girl was someone to watch out for.

The venue doors opened, and a muscular man began checking passes. Inside, we were led down a corridor to a cozy, well-lit room—not the main concert hall. Purple Rain sat at the back, their instruments ready. My heart jumped when I saw Raymond.

He looked incredible, as always. My chest ached with the effort it took to stay unnoticed. I slipped into the last row, sitting behind a tall girl for cover.

"Hello, everyone," Logan greeted in his husky voice. "Make yourselves comfortable, and we'll get started."

I kept my eyes on Raymond, my fingers clutching my cardigan. He seemed at ease, though a little shy when the girls in the front row burst into an enthusiastic rendition of "Happy Birthday."

Ray flushed, running a hand through his hair. "Well, thank you for the song," Ray said and laughed uncomfortably. "But, you guys came here to hear me sing, so let's see if I can measure up to all of you,"

James strummed his guitar, and the music began. Ray's voice sent shivers down my spine, just as it always did. After the first song, the band whispered among themselves before starting another.

The melody hit me like a wave. My throat tightened, and tears pricked the corners of my eyes. I knew this song—it was about Ray and Logan's father. The lyrics weren't obvious, but knowing their family's story gave the words a painful clarity.

I flinched slightly when that girl—Sophia touched my arm. "Are you okay?" she asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

"Yes, I'm fine," I replied quickly, sniffling as I reached into my bag for a napkin. "This song just reminded me of something," I added, dabbing under my eyes as carefully as possible to avoid ruining my makeup.

"It's about their dad, you know," Sophia said knowingly, her eyebrow arching as she studied me.

Her words hit me like a gentle nudge, and I could only nod in response, my thoughts swirling. Before I could say more, Sophia turned her attention back to the band, leaving me to sit there, puzzled and trying to regain my composure.

I hadn't even noticed the tall girl in front of me shifting to the side, and suddenly, I was no longer hidden. My heart dropped when I realized I was now in full view of the band.

The guys murmured among themselves, their heads close as they prepared for the next song. As the melody began, I felt the weight of Ray's gaze before I saw it. His brown eyes locked onto mine, wide with surprise. My pulse quickened, but I managed a small, tentative smile.

Ray just stared at me, his expression a mixture of shock and something else I couldn't quite place. When Andrew nudged him for missing his cue, he jolted, murmuring, "Sorry," before clearing his throat. "From the top," he told the band, his voice strained as he tried to focus.

The rest of the set passed in a blur, with Ray's voice trembling at times and his gaze darting toward me as if to confirm I was really there. My stomach churned with a mix of guilt and excitement. I hadn't meant to throw him off balance, but surprising him like this may have been too much.

When the acoustic session ended, it was time for photos and autographs. I lingered at the back of the room, trying to blend in, though I couldn't ignore the growing tension in Ray's posture as he glanced in my direction. He seemed to be holding himself back, and I bit my lip, wondering if I should have planned this differently.

Before I could overthink it further, Logan spotted me. His face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning, and in an instant, he was rushing toward me.

"Samantha!" he exclaimed, scooping me up in a bear hug and spinning me around.

"Logan," I said breathlessly, laughing despite the curious stares from the other fans.

"You're here!" he said, setting me back down but still holding onto me. His grin was infectious, and his blue eyes sparkled with genuine joy.

"I'm here," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

"We missed you," he said, squeezing my shoulders before finally stepping back.

"I missed you guys too," I replied, glancing nervously around at the whispering fans. "You should go. We'll talk later," I added, patting his chest lightly.

Logan glanced around, suddenly realizing the attention we'd drawn. "Shit. Sorry, Sam," he said, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Did Ray see you?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"That explains a lot," he muttered, glancing over his shoulder at his brother. Ray was watching us, his jaw tight and a crease forming between his brows.

"You'd better go," I urged gently, and Logan nodded, hurrying back to the group.

The whispers and stares intensified around me, and I tried to ignore them, acting as casually as possible. I wasn't alone for long—Sophia and two other girls sidled up to me.

"You know Logan?" Sophia asked, her tone curious as she tilted her head toward where the guys were posing for photos.

"Yes," I admitted, realizing there was no point in lying after Logan's enthusiastic greeting.

"And you didn't tell me?" she said with a laugh, as if we were old friends. The other two girls just stared at me, their expressions unreadable.

"It's not a big deal—" I started to say, but Sophia cut me off.

"Not a big deal?!" she exclaimed, her voice rising enough to draw attention.

I cringed, her words hanging in the air like an echo. Before I could respond, I felt an arm slide around my waist.

"Excuse us," Ray murmured, his voice low and calm but leaving no room for argument. His touch sent a spark through me, and I glanced up at him as he steered me toward the exit. "Hi, love," he whispered in my ear, the warmth of his breath making me shiver.

"Hi," I whispered back, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

We stepped out into the corridor, away from the prying eyes and curious whispers. My heart raced as Ray guided me to a quieter corner near the dressing rooms. The door clicked shut behind us, and the world seemed to fall away.

Ray turned to face me, his hands still resting on my waist as his eyes searched mine. "Happy birthday," I said softly, my voice thick with emotion.

His lips curved into a slow smile before he leaned in and kissed me, his lips warm and familiar. "I knew you'd come, not in this way though," he said, his voice a mix of affection and certainty.

"What?" I asked, pulling back just enough to look at him. "How?"

He shrugged, his grin widening. "Because it's who you are," he said simply, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "That's why I love you."

His words made my breath hitch, and before I could respond, he kissed me again, deeper this time, his arms pulling me closer.

For a few precious moments, the rest of the world didn't exist. Eventually, we pulled apart, and he rested his forehead against mine. "I still have a show to finish," he said reluctantly.

"I know," I whispered, my fingers trailing along the back of his neck.

Hours later, after the concert and a quick celebration with the band, we finally made our way back to my hotel room. The night was ours, and I intended to make every second count.

As Ray kicked off his shoes and sat down on the bed, he looked at me with a warm smile. "Did I tell you how beautiful you look?" he asked, his voice low and soft.

I glanced at him through the mirror while unclasping my earrings at the vanity. "Yes, many times," I replied, letting a playful smile tug at my lips.

Ray got up and crossed the room to me, his gaze unwavering. "You look absolutely gorgeous, love," he said, cupping my face in his hands. His touch was gentle yet firm, and when his lips found mine, I melted into the kiss.

Pulling back slightly, I raised an eyebrow. "Are you ready for your gift?" I teased, letting anticipation lace my tone.

He smirked, his hands sliding down to my waist. "You coming here is the best gift I could've asked for," he said, leaning closer. His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, "But I wouldn't mind some lingerie... or a slutty outfit."

Heat flushed through me, his words igniting a familiar ache that sent a shiver down my spine. Still, I stepped back with a coy grin. "That will come later," I said, raising an eyebrow for emphasis as I walked to the wardrobe.

I returned moments later with a vinyl record carefully tucked under my arm. Holding it out to him, I said, "This is your gift."

Ray's eyes widened as he took it from me, his fingers tracing over the cover. "I can't accept this," he said, shaking his head in disbelief.

"You can, and you will," I insisted, my smile widening.

He glanced up at me, his expression somewhere between awe and hesitation. "Do you have any idea how much this costs?" he asked, holding up the vintage record like it was made of gold.

I noticed an extensive vinyl collection back at Nora's house alongside the record player, at first I thought it was Nora, but Logan told me Raymond has a hobby of collecting vinyl records of the bands he loved. And when he expressed admiration for my uncle's music I knew right away that I would gift him the record, there were still plenty of them in my grandfather's collection.

"Actually, no," I admitted with a laugh.

"This is too generous," he said, shaking his head again as though trying to convince himself to put it down.

I stepped closer, placing a hand on his chest and looking up into his eyes. "I have two more copies. Don't worry about it. I want you to have it."

He studied me for a long moment before finally exhaling and smiling. "I can't believe I own a Keith Watkins vinyl album with an autograph," he said, his voice full of reverence as he turned the record over in his hands.

I grinned, relieved and pleased he'd decided to keep it. "Well," I said, stepping back and smirking as I reached for the zipper on my dress, "now it's time for your other gift."

The dress slipped from my shoulders and fell to the floor, revealing the lingerie I had chosen especially for him. Ray's eyes darkened the intensity of his gaze making my pulse quicken. He set the album down carefully on the nearby table, his focus entirely on me now.

"Come here," he murmured, closing the distance between us. His lips captured mine in a passionate kiss, and his hands found my waist, pulling me tightly against him.

For that moment, it was as if nothing else in the world existed but the two of us.