The Night of the Concert

A month had passed since that magical moment in Paris when Grace and Jax first arrived. The city had become their playground—between rehearsals, exploring the streets, and getting to know each other in ways they never thought possible. But today was different. Today, everything was about the concert.

It was the morning of the big day, and Grace could feel the anticipation in the air. She woke up early, the excitement buzzing in her chest, but there was also a sense of nervousness. Jax, too, had been quieter than usual, pacing around their suite with a focused intensity.

"Ready for today?" Grace asked as she sat at the vanity, brushing her hair.

Jax, standing by the window with his phone in hand, turned and smiled at her. "I think so. I just want it to go well. For everyone."

Grace could sense the pressure he was under, even though he tried to hide it. She had seen him transform from a confident, sometimes cocky rock star, into someone who was deeply invested in every detail of the show. But it wasn't just about the band, or the performance—it was about the people he cared about.

"You'll do great," she said, glancing at him through the mirror. "You always do."

His eyes softened as he walked over, sitting on the edge of the bed. He reached for her hand. "I hope so. It's a big night for all of us."

She squeezed his hand, offering him a comforting smile. "No matter what, I'm here with you."

After a quick breakfast and a few last-minute preparations, Jax and Grace left the hotel to head to the grand concert hall. The energy outside was palpable, as fans gathered along the streets, waving signs and chanting their favorite songs. It was a sight to behold.

Jax's band members were already there, going through their final checks. As Grace entered the venue with Jax, the immense size of the space left her breathless. The concert hall, with its massive stage and rows of seats stretching up to the ceiling, was a sight she had only ever seen in movies. Now, she was here—part of this world, part of his world.

Jax turned to her, giving her hand a squeeze. "This is it. Just a few hours to go."

Grace nodded, trying to match his enthusiasm, though she could feel the tension in the air. She could tell that Jax wasn't just nervous for the performance. There was something else on his mind.

As the band started warming up, Grace stayed backstage, keeping a low profile while supporting Jax from a distance. The crew moved quickly, making sure everything was ready for the show. Then, it was time. The lights dimmed, and the crowd's roar echoed through the building. The moment had arrived.

Jax and his band took the stage, and the audience erupted in cheers. Grace watched from the side, her heart swelling with pride as Jax picked up his guitar and the band began to play.

Everything seemed to be going perfectly at first. The crowd was ecstatic, the music flowed flawlessly, and Jax looked every bit the rock star—confident and in control. Grace couldn't take her eyes off him. She couldn't deny the connection they had, even as he performed in front of thousands of people.

But then, something unexpected happened.

The sound system glitched—there was a loud pop, followed by a strange buzzing noise that made the crowd fall into a brief silence. Jax immediately stopped playing, his brow furrowing in frustration. The band tried to keep going, but it was clear the issue was bigger than anyone had anticipated.

Grace could see Jax's usual confidence faltering. He was pacing on stage, trying to communicate with the tech crew, but it was no use. The technical difficulties weren't just a small delay—they were disrupting everything. His hands shook slightly as he grabbed the mic stand, trying to maintain his composure. The pressure was mounting, and the crowd, sensing the tension, grew restless.

Then, Jax did something Grace wasn't expecting.

He walked to the edge of the stage and, to the shock of everyone, he threw his guitar down on the stage, pacing anxiously in frustration. His face was flushed with panic, his eyes wide.

"Jax," Grace whispered under her breath, her heart racing.

Without thinking, she moved toward the side of the stage, her legs carrying her to him. The tech crew scrambled to fix the issue, but Jax's eyes were darting around, lost in a wave of anxiety.

Grace didn't hesitate. She rushed to the side of the stage and onto it, her presence calming and steady as she approached him.

"Jax," she called, her voice loud enough for him to hear. "Hey, look at me."

He turned, his eyes wide and frantic. "I—I can't do this. What if it all falls apart? I'm letting everyone down. I can't even hear the music."

Grace took a deep breath, stepping closer to him. "Jax, listen to me. We're going to fix this. You're not alone. You've got your band, the crew, and you've got me. Just breathe, okay?"

He looked at her, his chest rising and falling quickly, but her calm presence seemed to anchor him. Grace reached out, taking his hand gently, her touch grounding him. "You've worked so hard for this. Don't let one mistake take it all away."

Jax swallowed hard, his panic subsiding just a little. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to steady himself. "I don't know what to do."

Grace smiled softly, giving him a small kiss on the cheek. "You just have to be you. Everyone is here for you, Jax. They believe in you, and I do too."

The crowd, noticing the interaction, started to cheer, a wave of support for Jax that seemed to wash over him. Slowly, the tech crew began to fix the problem, and the sound was restored.

Jax turned back to the microphone, the connection with Grace helping to steady his nerves. "You're right," he said into the mic, his voice now calm. "We've got this."

The band picked up where they had left off, the sound now crystal clear. The crowd roared in approval as Jax and his band continued the show, the earlier tension forgotten as they powered through the rest of the performance. But for Jax, the rest of the concert was different. It wasn't just the music or the lights—it was the feeling of having someone by his side, someone who believed in him when he felt like everything was falling apart.

As the final song ended, Jax took a deep breath and looked out at the sea of cheering fans. He turned to Grace, who was standing just offstage, her smile radiant.

Without a word, he rushed over to her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice filled with gratitude and relief.

Grace smiled, her eyes bright with pride. "You did it. We did it."

Jax grinned, lifting her off the ground playfully. "We sure did."

As they walked back to their dressing room, hand in hand, the adrenaline of the concert still buzzing through their veins, Grace knew this was a moment neither of them would forget. They had made it through together—no matter what happened next, they were in this as a team. And nothing could break that bond.

By the time the concert ended, Jax stepped off the stage with a huge sense of relief. It had been chaos, but they had made it through. The final notes of the music faded, and the crowd erupted into cheers. The tension that Jax had been carrying throughout the night seemed to melt away.

With Grace by his side, who had been his calming presence all evening, they made their way backstage. The adrenaline was still pumping through his veins, but it felt different now. The relief was palpable.

They were escorted to the car in silence, the intensity of the night still hanging in the air. Grace's hand found Jax's, squeezing it gently. He looked at her, his expression softening.

"Thank you for being there," he said quietly, his voice full of gratitude.

Grace smiled warmly, her thumb brushing over his hand. "I wouldn't be anywhere else. You were amazing tonight, Jax. The crowd loved you."

Jax chuckled, shaking his head. "I don't know about that. I was a mess out there for a while."

Grace shook her head, her smile never fading. "You were incredible. I don't think anyone else could've pulled that off. You're stronger than you realize."

They arrived at the hotel, and Jax helped Grace out of the car. They walked toward the entrance, the quiet of the night surrounding them. Once inside, they took the elevator up to their suite, and as soon as the doors closed, the tension between them started to fade.

"Today was... intense," Jax admitted as they stepped into the room.

Grace nodded, taking a deep breath. "It was. But we made it through."

Jax turned to her, his eyes soft and sincere. "I couldn't have done it without you, Grace. Seriously. You kept me grounded. You made all the difference tonight."

Grace's heart fluttered at his words. "You're my best friend, Jax. And I'll always be here for you. You're not alone in this."

He stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "I know, and I'm so lucky to have you. I don't think I tell you enough, but... you really mean everything to me."

Grace felt a warmth spread through her chest, the sincerity in his voice touching her deeply. She stepped closer to him, resting her hand gently on his chest. "You mean everything to me too."

Jax leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. "I'm just glad you're with me, Grace. I'm so proud of us. We've come a long way."

Grace smiled up at him, her eyes shining with affection. "I'm proud of us too."

They stood there for a moment, just enjoying the quiet, the world outside fading away as they were surrounded by the comfort of each other's presence.

"Tomorrow's another day, huh?" Jax said, his voice playful.

Grace nodded, a light laugh escaping her. "Yeah, but tonight, let's just enjoy this moment. We did it, Jax. And that's something to celebrate."

Jax smiled, his hand reaching for hers. "You're right. We did it."

As they sat down together, the weight of the day slowly melted away, replaced by the warmth of their bond. They talked about everything—about the concert, the chaos, and their future—laughing and joking as if the world outside their little bubble didn't exist. For the first time in a long time, everything felt exactly how it was supposed to be.

And no matter what came next, they had each other.