Speechless • Dan + Shay

"I'm speechless
You're standing there in that dress
Girl ain't a secret
'Cause watching you is all that I can do, oh
I'm speechless
You already know that you're my weakness
After all this time I'm just as nervous

December 31, 2019

Los Altos, CA

It didn't seem like a whole year had gone by since Amora met Mel, she felt like they'd known each other forever.

At the moment Amora was coming home from the spa. She wanted to look phenomenal for Mel, it had been decided by the couple that they would be celebrating their anniversary on New Year's Eve, seeing as they met on that day.

The gift that she got Mel was something that she hoped he'd like, after shopping for his Christmas present last week, it was a bit easier for her to shop for him.

Once she made it back to the house, everyone was busy running around getting things ready for the party.

"Amora! Get dressed, the party starts in an hour and a half!" Arianne was outdone by her daughter's lack of punctuality.

"Sure thing, mama!" Amora jogged to her room and was instantly seated by Fiana and Faye.

"You're late, Amora. We don't have all the time we'd like, but of course, you're still going to look amazing." Fiana said as she turned Amora's chair away from the mirror.

Faye began to put makeup on Amora's face, and Fiana began styling her hair.

Two hours passed and Faye and Fiana were finally done. Amora told them she wanted to look extra beautiful, so it took an extra thirty minutes.

"Alright, your mother will be upset about you being late, but she won't be able to deny your beauty," Faye said as she spun Amora's chair to face the mirror.

Amora was highly impressed, she knew that Mel would love her look. And she knew, well hoped that he would enjoy his present.

Amora hugged Fiana and Faye and kissed their cheeks. "Thank you, ladies. I hope to see you down soon!"

The music was blasting as Mel walked into the house, his parents were with him and they were excited.

"Melly, why'd we have to show up twenty minutes late? You were dressing a lot longer than usual." Genie didn't like being late.

Mel rolled his eyes. "Mom, the party lasts till three in the morning, I'd say we're early."

Sullivan chuckled and went to find some familiar faces.

Genie followed Sullivan and Mel sighed in relief. His mother could be overbearing.

Mel walked to the bar and waited for the bartender. "No freaking way! Melchizedek, it's me, Henry! Of course, you remember me, but, you know." Henry waved at Mel and fixed his usual.

Mel grimaced slightly and waved his hand back at Henry. "I remember you, Henry."

Henry smiled and gave himself a drink. He was going to talk Mel's head off.

"So, how's Amora? You know, I was the one who told you about her? Remember? And now it's been a year since you've met! Wow, my ship has sailed for real!" Mel watched Henry with wide eyes, he talked a lot.

"Well, yes, you did. Thank you for that, Henry. And what the heck is a ship?" Henry burst out with laughter, Mel didn't know what a ship was.

"It's like a relationship! People match two people together and call it a ship. And just like real ships sail, your ship has sailed! Man, it makes me happy. I was like the leader of the ship. I'm the ship captain!" Mel groaned at Henry's aggravating voice and put his head on the table.

"Guess what, I know something that's supposed to be a secret." Mel raised his brow at Henry. "Arianne told me something, I'm doing something with some fireworks for some dude later on tonight. She's like my mom away from my mom, so she's gonna let me light the fireworks!" Mel almost spit his drink out, he was going to respond to Henry's constant chatter, but he couldn't.

It was his angel, she looked even more beautiful than when he first saw her. She made his heart go mad. "Wow, Mel. You're one lucky man," Henry shooed Mel away with his hands and wiped a fake tear. As Mel walked away, Henry held his hands to his heart. "They grow up so fast."

Amora was speaking to his parents when Mel walked over to her. "Amora, words can't describe how beautiful you look." Mel pressed a kiss on her hand and she smiled.

"You're sweet, and you look beyond handsome." Amora hugged Mel tightly. "I'm so glad that your parents came! I love them," Genie smiled and Sullivan winked at Amora.

"Now, now, Amora. I know a man who'd love to sweep you off your feet," Sullivan trailed off with his words and began to chuckle heartily.

Amora and Genie couldn't help but laugh, his laughter was contagious.

Mel didn't laugh, he didn't really find it funny. His dad was always joking about Amora, he didn't like it.

Amora playfully punched Mel in the shoulder. "Let's dance, Mr. Buzzkill." Mel didn't like the name, but he would never refuse his angel's wishes.

While the couple danced and ate, Arianne was busy walking nervously. She had put this off for a while, and she regretted doing it so late. But better late, than never.

"Robin, I should've told you earlier, but," Arianne began to tell Robin the news, and his face turned red.

"Arianne, what? Why didn't you tell me this earlier? I need to stop this!" Robin wanted to punch a hole in the wall, but he didn't. He controlled his frustration and took a deep breath.

"You know what, I can't do anything about it obviously, so forget about it."

Arianne smiled and kissed Robin's cheek.

"Great!"

The hours passed, and everyone was occupied by the entertainment and the company.

2020 was just around the corner, a few minutes away to be exact, and Mel and Amora were standing on the balcony along with a few other people, the best choice being in the backyard waiting for the countdown and fireworks to start.

Amora had her gift for Mel behind her back, and Mel stood in front of her waiting for her to give it to him.

"Gosh, it's so hard to shop for you, but I got you something that I really hope you enjoy." Amora rocked on her heels and took a breath. "Here," Amora placed the gift in Mel's hand and waited for his response.

Mel opened the present and let out a chuckle, held Amora in his arms and squeezed her softly. "I love it, angel. Thank you for this,"

It was a photo book documenting their relationship. Mel loved anything that had to do with Amora, so he thought it was the greatest present he received.

"Um, you can go to the last page. You don't have to right now, but if you want,"

Mel pressed a kiss on Amora's lips and flipped the book to the last page.

'To my darling, Mel.

I can't tell you enough how much I have changed with you. But it's not the bad kind of change like you forced something on me. Instead, you made my goals clear to me and you showed me what true love is. You were that one missing piece of the puzzle. Even though I thought I would never meet someone like you, I'm extremely grateful that I actually did.

You showed me how much a woman can actually be loved. You made me realize how wonderful my dreams actually are and the ways I can improve myself on my path to success. You made me come out of my comfort zone and see the beauty outside of it. You. You are beautiful. Thank you for existing.

Thank you for making an effort to make me laugh when I'm feeling sad. Thank you for being there for me whenever I need you. Thank you for being the best boyfriend in the whole world! I want you to know how much I appreciate your every gesture and how much I look forward to being there for you like you are there for me. Thank you for loving me! '

"Angel, it's beautiful. Thank you, sweetheart." Amora hid her face in Mel's suit jacket and smiled. She loved making him happy.

Mel looked at his watch and shook his head. "It's a minute till midnight." Amora gasped. "Wow, that's crazy isn't it? We met last year, Mel, and I never imagined actually being with you. You seemed so far out of my league."

Mel tilted Amora's chin up and kissed her. "Nonsense," Amora snuggled in Mel's arms as they stood and listened to the countdown.

"3!"
"2!"
"1!"

"Happy New Year!"

The fireworks set off and everyone watched in amazement.

Amora smiled brightly at the words in the sky. "Will you marry me?" She loved watching proposals, they were the most beautiful things.

She looked around for the couple, but she couldn't find them. She turned to face Mel, but he wasn't next to her anymore. "Mel, look at that!"

"Amora," She looked down and her heart sped up rapidly. Mel was down on one knee, they were the couple.

Her eyes filled with tears, she couldn't believe it.

"You make my life worth living, you gave me the opportunity to know what love is. You make me feel like I should care. Ever since I met you, you had my heart, even when I didn't know, my heart belonged to you. I'm not very good with words, but what I'm trying to say is, will you let me love you for the rest of your life and marry me?" Amora nodded and Mel slid the beautiful ring on her finger.

As he stood, another set of fireworks went off. "She said, YES!"

Everyone cheered and the family came to congratulate Mel and Amora.

It was truly surreal.

April 14th, 2020

"I can do it, it's really simple! Just walk down the aisle and marry Mel. It's that easy!" Amora whispered to herself as she looked in the mirror.

Chanel placed her hands on her shoulder for comfort. "Girl, calm down. Let's go. Mel would kill me if you got cold feet and ran away." Amora let out a shaky laugh. The last thing she wanted to do was leave Mel at the altar, but she was just so scared.

Amora and Chanel walked out of the bridal suite and walked to the two humongous French doors where Robin stood.

Robin heard the sound of heels and saw his daughter. His eyes teared up and he smiled sadly. "You look like a Queen. Just beautiful," Amora hugged her dad, and the ceremony music began.

Mel stood at the altar, he wanted all of this to be over. He just wanted the officiant to marry him and his angel already, but the small, yet unnecessary bridal party had to make their entrance.

The doors opened and Chanel walked down the aisle, Raina and a small little girl holding flowers followed.

The music changed, and all of the guests stood. It was time.

Dressed in white, Amora came down the aisle slowly with a veil covering her face. As they reached the altar, Robin stopped and the officiant spoke.

"Who gives this beautiful bride away?" Robin wiped his tears and shook his head. He was giving away his baby. "H-her mother and I do,"

Robin kissed Amora's hand and sat next to Arianne on the front row.

Mel took Amora's hand and his smile lit up the room. His eyes were filled with joy as the officiant spoke. Even underneath the veil, Amora was as beautiful as ever. Her eyes glowed through it and Mel was ready to take it off and kiss his bride.

"Do you, Melchizedek Sullivan Bailey, take Amora Reneé Jean to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do,"

"Do you, Amora Reneé Jean, take Melchizedek Sullivan Bailey to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do,"

Mel winked at Amora and mouthed you're mine.

"I now pronounce you, Mr. and Mrs. Bailey. Melchizedek, you may now kiss the bride." Mel gently took the veil away from Amora's face, admired it for a moment, and dipped her for a kiss.

The guests clapped and cheered. Everyone was happy.

At the reception, Mel and Amora danced to Best Part, the song that they first danced to.

"Angel, you are now Mrs. Bailey. You know what that means?" Mel's tone had a hint of mischief, but the rest was unadulterated joy.

"You'll never get to leave me again."

Amora's giggled bashfully and she shook her head while blushing.

Mel laughed at his bride and they continued to dance and just enjoy the idea of them being married.

Everything was finally perfect.

Six years later

Santa Fe, NM

"Daddy! Tell Rhett to leave me alone!" Mel smiled at his beautiful little girl, Angelia. She was upset with her little brother for following her everywhere she went.

Mel picked up his five-year-old and peppered kisses on her adorable face. "Angelia, you have to be nice to him. He's only two. Rhett just wants to be with his big sister, did you know that him following you means that he really loves you?" Angelia's eyes lit up, she liked the sound of that.

Angelia squealed in excitement. "Okay, daddy! I'll let him follow me! I love him too, and I'm gonna go play with him! Put me down!" Mel chuckled at his little girl and put her down.

Angelia ran off to find her brother, and Mel watched in admiration. Both of his children reminded him of Amora, they were very sweet and loving, but also terribly spoiled.

"Mel, you're really fit. I mean at fifty-four, whew," Amora's voice came from behind Mel, he rolled his eyes at her comment. He knew that he was handsome.

"I missed you, angel." Amora smiled, Mel was the perfect man for her, but at times he was overbearing. "I missed you too, but I was only upstairs."

Mel rolled his eyes. "I know, but I'd rather have you down here."

Amora kissed her husband and sniffed his neck.

"I understand, Mel. I love that you worry about me, but nothing will happen to me while I'm upstairs." Amora understood why Mel was cautious with her being upstairs, he'd been like that since she had Rhett.

Things were smooth with the birth of Angelia, but when she had Rhett two years ago, the pain almost killed her, and because of that, Mel had become extra cautious.

After the complications, Amora's original strength never returned, which meant she got tired easier than before and that she was physically weaker. And unfortunately, she would never have the strength to carry another child.

"Angel, I know you hate when I worry, but I love you. If I lost you, the children would be without a father shortly after." Amora kissed Mel and smiled, she loved how he looked after her.

"I know, Mel, and I'll be careful. Anyway, I heard Angelia complaining to you about Rhett, what was that about?" Mel winked at his beautiful wife and smiled.

"Nothing at all, Angelia just didn't really understand why Rhett wanted to follow her around, but I explained to her why." Amora raised a brow and walked to the kitchen to start making dinner.

After having Rhett, Amora decided that her modeling career was over. Mel didn't push the idea on her, but she knew that he wanted her to rest and let him take care of her, so she stopped modeling.

Her job now was to take care of her precious babies and stay off her feet. Mel didn't like the idea of her cooking, but Amora stated that it would make her happy, and Mel complied.

"I swear those children are just like you, especially Angelia. She's very particular about certain things." Amora's statement made Mel purse his lips, Angelia was more like Amora than anything.

"Sure, Angel. She's so much like me. Especially when she cries at the drop of a hat, those moments make me realize just how much she's like me." Mel said snarkily as he sat at the bar and watched Amora cook. He loved admiring her, she was a sight.

Amora felt Mel's eyes on her as she cooked, she still wasn't used to his watchful gaze.

"Mel, stop staring at me like that." 

He was always trying to distract her.

"Why? I can't help but admire you, you're the center of my adulation." Mel knew the effect he was having on Amora, and he loved it.

Amora's cheeks began to heat up like a gas stovetop burner. Mel was always so nonchalant about his love for her, the way he talked about her was as if he was telling about his day. So casual.

"You love doing this, don't you?" Amora stirred the pot of roux, she was prepping for gumbo.

Mel nodded and kissed her temple. "But for now, I will leave you alone. Go rest. I will finish this," He kissed her gently.

Amora nodded in compliance. She didn't mind resting, and she knew Mel would've carried her to the room if she objected.

Once she was out of the kitchen, Mel began to think of his life.

How great it was, how unexpected it was.

He had the greatest wife, two beautiful children, and a life that he never imagined having. He always knew that he'd spend his whole life alone, running the ranch and his business. He didn't mind at all, that's how he wanted to live.

But one night, he decided to go to a New Year's Eve party, one that he'd gone to before but didn't enjoy at all.

A chuckle escaped him as he remembered how he convinced himself to go into the house instead of going back home.

He wondered if he hadn't gone to that party, would he still have met Amora. God would've brought them together, he was now sure of that.

Mel laughed at himself, being with Amora had changed him so much. He didn't believe in God's divine plan too much before Amora, he didn't believe in much. He only believed in getting his job done.

Forty-five minutes passed as Mel cooked and he found himself humming a tune.

As he plated the food and fixed four beverages, Mel began dancing to the tune he was humming.

After plating the dinner, Mel walked to his and Amora's bedroom and woke her up. "Angel, it's time for dinner." Mel watched as Amora's eyes fluttered open and a beautiful smile graced her face.

Amora's nose wrinkled as she rolled over. "Hey, handsome," Amora's voice was raspy and cute. Mel placed a kiss on her lips and winked.

"You seem well-rested. It's time for dinner."

Amora pouted her pretty lips and yawned.

Mel's dimple came into view as he smiled at his beautiful angel. He loved how precious she was.

"Five minutes, angel!" Mel walked out of the room and went to the playroom to wake up his children.

His angels were in the position that he left them in. Walking over to them, he gently shook them awake. Rhett's eyes opened first, a pout fell on his lips and his grey eyes filled with tears.

"Hey, buddy. Don't cry, daddy's just waking you for dinner." Mel held Rhett in his arms and placed a kiss on his rosy cheek. He loved his son so much, but having children was never a thing that he wanted.

He was grateful for them both.

Rhett's lip trembled as his daddy held him. He loved his daddy, but he loved napping as well. "Whew' food?" Rhett tilted his head as he asked his daddy. He loved food just like his mommy.

"It's in the dining room, we can go but I have to wake up sissy." Mel's eyes crinkled as he watched his beautiful son.

Mel decided to just pick Angelia up and he hoped that she would wake up without a fuss. She was a fussy little girl, it was hard getting her to nap, but when she did, she was like a little maniac once awoken.

Bringing his angelic children to the dining room, Mel felt a sense of happiness in his heart. His family was the most important thing to him.

Amora was seated at the table and Mel placed the children in their high chairs and they began to have a conversation about the dragons and monsters Angelia and Rhett fought while they were playing in the playroom.

Mel was thankful for every moment he had with his family. He truly had the best things he never knew he needed.

He cherished his children, and while the idea of