The final notes of Leia's song hung in the air, resonating through the studio. She opened her eyes, meeting Riven's approving gaze and Adrian's subtle nod. A mixture of pride and relief washed over her as she realised they had just listened to the last track of her debut album.

A few weeks had passed since the Tommy Hilfiger show, and a lot had changed in that time.

Firstly, Georgie had officially accepted her offer to study at Columbia, which had encouraged Leia to officially make the switch from Los Angeles to New York City. It was a surreal change at first, but the sisters were enjoying being able to freely see each other.

Azul had came with them, having no issues about relocating to the city. Leia had told him it was okay for him to not want to move, and that she didn't expect him to do so, but he had just told her that it was too good an opportunity for him to turn down. Leia didn't argue with that - if that was what he wanted then who was she to tell him no?

It seemed like Tate even enjoyed it more. He was a frequent visitor to Central Park and Leia had found it much easier to blend in on the streets of NYC than she had in Los Angeles. The paparazzi here was nicer - and there were many more interesting people than her to be photographed. She found herself more relaxed about stepping out and about, knowing less people were expecting to find a celebrity on the street.

Of course... there was another factor that was making the move even more enjoyable: Leia and Taylor were spending an unprecedented amount of time together. 

Mark and Drew, Taylor's two main bodyguards, were even starting to hang out with Azul on their down-time. Drew, in particular, had became very fond of Tate and would even come over on his days off to walk the dog with Azul when Leia was held up at the studio. 

She'd been in the studio religiously. So had Taylor - well, Taylor had been in Jack Antonoff's home-based studio in Brooklyn a lot, while Leia had been heading into Electric Lady - recommended by Jack himself when Leia moved into the area. It was nice, it was almost too nice for her, and she liked it.

That was where she had finished her album recording, and where Riven, Adrian and Leia were currently as she finished playing the full album run to the two men. Riven was currently working his way through the planning and guest list for the wrap party he was throwing on her behalf, and Adrian was on the phone to the label execs.

Leia sank into the plush leather couch, her fingers flying across her phone screen as she texted Georgie. The soft tapping of her nails against the glass provided a rhythmic counterpoint to Riven's voice as he read through the guest list for her album wrap party.

"So we've got the usual suspects," Riven said, his eyebrows furrowing as he scrolled through his tablet. "Your family, of course. Georgie is going to sort the flights and charge it to your card, so I'm sure your parents will love that... Some label execs. A few industry friends..."

Leia glanced up, catching sight of Adrian pacing near the soundboard, his phone pressed to his ear. His low, authoritative voice carried snippets of conversation about release dates and promotional schedules.

"Earth to Leia," Riven called, a playful lilt in his voice. "Any other names you want to add to the list?"

"Oh, um, not off the top of my head," Leia blinked, her eyes refocusing on Riven who was watching her with an amused smile on his face. Considering she had just finished her freshman album, she was a lot more reserved than he expected from her. "But maybe we should keep it kind of intimate? You know, just the people who really matter."

Adrian's voice rose slightly as he interjected, "We need to maximize exposure, Leia. The more influential guests, the better."

Leia felt a twinge of anxiety at Adrian's words. She respected his expertise, but sometimes his focus on the business side of things felt at odds with her desire for authenticity. It wasn't just her that had been feeling the heat of the press recently - Taylor was being hounded left, right and centre, Georgie had now received her very first 'Who is Georgie Hudson: Leia Hudson's nepotistic sister...' article and her parents had been stopped in their local supermarket by a newspaper reporter from their town.

Things were growing and changing quickly, and while Leia knew this was her dream, it felt a little weird.

"I hear you, Adrian," she said, sitting up straighter. "But I want this to feel special, you know? This is about me releasing my first album... I don't want it to just feel like another industry event that I don't want to even be at. I want to have a good time and I want my friends and family to do too."

Riven nodded, a conspiratorial grin spreading across his face. 

"I get it. Quality over quantity, right? It's all good, Adrian, we'll make sure it's a night to remember and I'm sure we can still get some good press even without... the press?"

As Adrian returned to his phone call, Leia felt a wave of gratitude for Riven's understanding. She turned back to her phone, composing another message to Georgie.

wish you were here, George. missing you already x

wish i was there too. mom and dad are so annoying. booking flight asap lol

Leia snorted a little, brushing it off when Riven raised an eyebrow. Riven cleared his throat, drawing Leia's attention back to the task at hand.

"So, about the guest list," he said, tapping his pen against the clipboard. "Should I add some influencers?"

"Actually, Riv," she began, tucking a strand of wavy hair behind her ear, "I was thinking maybe we could make this a no-phones, no-photos kind of event?"

Riven's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Really? But like... think of the press we could get if we had other celebs and people posting pics - I know you don't want paparazzi but this is a much more authentic option."

"I don't think authentic is the word I'd use..." Adrian muttered under his breath as he moved his phone away from his ear for a moment. Riven rolled his eyes, huffing and aggressively scratching off some names that he had written down on his list.

Leia chewed her lower lip, her blue eyes clouding with uncertainty. She understood Riven's point, but the idea of a more intimate gathering appealed to her.

"Fans?" Riven checked, although he knew the answer.

"No," Adrian and Leia both said without a single moment of hesitation. They both had their own reasonings. Adrian was no doubt worried about leaks from fans recording with their phones when they aren't meant to, whereas Leia knew that one small glimpse of her and Taylor standing too close would be posted on social media. 

It was different if anyone in the industry saw them - they weren't conspiracy theorists in the way the fans were online. Leia was receiving an abundance of mentions in threads that claimed she was secretly dating Taylor and even though the conclusion was right, the theories were dating back to before she'd even met Taylor. It was intense.

"What if we hired one of your photographer friends? They could be the only source of pictures from the event, and we can pre-screen them before they get sent out to everyone afterwards?"

Adrian, who had been pacing back and forth during his phone call, suddenly paused. He pulled the phone away from his ear and interjected once more.

"That's actually a good idea." Without missing a beat, he returned to his conversation, leaving Leia and Riven to exchange surprised glances at him being so open to the idea without needing any persuasion.

Riven leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Alright, if big Adrian is on board, then I'm on board. Any particular photographer you want me to reach out to?"

Leia shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "I trust you to find someone reliable, Riv. What about your friend Jay, or Ashanti? Just make whoever it is, that they sign an NDA, okay?"

As Riven nodded and started scribbling notes, Leia felt a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling up inside her. This party would be the culmination of everything she'd worked for, and she wanted it to be perfect. More than that, she wanted it to be true to who she was as an artist and a person.

"Well, at least we won't have to worry about any unauthorized photos leaking this time," Riven quipped, his tone light but his eyes searching Leia's face. His pen paused mid-scribble, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Unlike that whole Lauren Jauregui situation."

The moment the words left his mouth, Leia felt her stomach drop. The memory of those leaked photos, her private moment with Lauren splashed across tabloids and social media, still stung. She tried to force a smile, but it felt more like a grimace. Her mind drifted back to Karlie's admission.

Riven's joking expression faded as he caught sight of Leia's reaction. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice softening with concern. "You look like you've seen a ghost. Sorry - we've joked about it before so I just thought..."

"It's not you, Riv," Leia muttered. She took a deep breath, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. She'd been holding onto this information since she'd stormed out of that restaurant, unsure of how to broach the subject with anyone other than Georgie. She had tried to bring it up to Taylor a few times, but just couldn't bring herself to say it.

"I found out where those photos came from," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Who sold them to the press."

Adrian's voice, still engaged in his phone call, became background noise as Riven leaned forward, his full attention on Leia.

"It was Dylan," Leia continued, her voice gaining strength as she spoke. "He had help from Scooter Braun. And... Karlie Kloss has known about it for months."

The sound of a phone clattering to the floor made Leia jump. She turned to see Adrian, his face a mask of barely contained fury, staring at her. He'd clearly heard every word.

Riven's eyes flashed with a mixture of anger and protectiveness. He leaned forward, his voice low and intense. His pen was clutched tightly in his hand and she felt her eyes trail down to his clenched fist. She couldn't bring herself to look at his eyes, feeling a slight sting in her own that told her she was close to crying. 

"Leia, do you want me to put a story out there about this? We could expose them, tarnish their reputations. They deserve it after what they did to you."

Leia's stomach churned at the thought. She shook her head vehemently, her brown waves swaying with the motion.

"No, Riven. The last thing I want is more bad press. You know how it goes - somehow, they'll twist it and make it Taylor's fault since Scooter and Justin are technically involved... I can't do that to her. Not after everything she's been put through by Kanye and Kim and that group right now."

She bit her lip, remembering the onslaught of negativity Taylor had already faced. The thought of adding to that burden made her heart ache. Adrian cleared his throat, his professional demeanour barely masking the fury in his eyes.

"The press isn't what's important here, Leia. What matters is if you want to press charges. This is a serious breach of privacy."

Leia's mind raced, considering the implications. She could feel both men's eyes on her, waiting for her response. After a moment, she sighed heavily.

"I don't think we can, Adrian. Legally speaking, he hasn't really broken any laws. That kiss with Lauren... it happened at a public gathering. There wasn't exactly a reasonable expectation of privacy."

As the words left her mouth, Leia felt a mix of resignation and frustration. Riven's shoulders slumped too as he nodded, his usual vibrant energy dimmed. 

"You're right, Leia. As much as I hate to admit it." He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in the gesture. "And honestly, there's no way Dylan even took those photos himself. He wasn't even there that night."

Leia's stomach twisted at the mention of Dylan's name. She could still remember his charming smile, the way it could turn cruel in an instant. His eyes before Zayn had stepped in that night at the Awards... it was engraved in her brain.  She shuddered, pushing the memory away. 

"So we don't really have any leads," Adrian continued, his voice tinged with frustration. "What you're telling me is that trying to find who gave the photos to Dylan is just going down a dead end."

Leia sank deeper into the studio couch, her fingers absently tracing the worn leather. She could feel the weight of their gazes, heavy with concern and shared frustration.

"Everyone knows I'm bisexual now anyway," she said, a hint of bitterness creeping into her tone. "Suing wouldn't change that or make it go away." She looked up, meeting first Riven's eyes, then Adrian's. "It would just drag it all back into the spotlight again - and not just that, but the speculation. It would be a 'are they only bringing this up because they're trying to hide something' sort of conspiracy amongst the fans. You know it."

The studio fell into a heavy silence. Leia could hear the faint hum of equipment, the steady tick of the wall clock. She closed her eyes, letting the familiar sounds of the studio wash over her.

Riven cleared his throat, breaking the silence.

"So, um, speaking of the wrap party..." He shifted in his seat, a hint of nervousness in his usually confident demeanour as he tried to change the topic and bring the joy back into what was supposed to be a monumental occasion for Leia. "Would it be okay if I invited someone? A guy I've been seeing?"

Leia's eyes widened, her melancholy thoughts instantly evaporating. She sat up straight, a grin spreading across her face. Adrian sighed, reaching down to pick up his phone with a grumble.

"Riven! Oh my god, yes!" She squealed, clapping her hands together in excitement. "Tell me everything!"

Adrian, who had now swept his phone up from the floor, let out an exaggerated groan.

"And that's my cue to leave," he said, rolling his eyes. But Leia caught the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he gathered his things.

As Adrian made his exit, Riven began detailing his plans for the party, his enthusiasm infectious. Leia listened, nodding along, but her mind was already racing ahead. She pulled out her phone, fingers hovering over the screen.

She paused, biting her lower lip. Her thumb hovered over the send button. She knew the hate was still intense, making public appearances rare and risky.

But maybe now, more than ever, they needed each other's support. That quiet solidarity that said, 'I've got your back'. Leia pressed the send button and immediately her screen lit up with a message sent notification. She stared at it for a moment before shoving her phone into her pocket.

Leia turned back to Riven with renewed energy. 

"Alright," she declared, clapping her hands together, "Now tell me all about this guy you're dating."

As Riven launched into his story, Leia couldn't help but feel a small sense of relief seep into her. The recent events had cast a dark shadow over their heads, but here they were, talking about celebrations and love despite everything.

Just as Riven reached the part about their first date at a small Italian restaurant in New York's Little Italy, Adrian re-entered the studio with two large cups of coffee. He handed one to Leia, his stern facade softened by a reluctant smile.

"I figured we could all use a little caffeine," he said, taking a seat next to Riven.

Leia took a grateful sip from her cup, feeling the warm liquid soothe some of her earlier anxiety. She looked at Riven then at Adrian and couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for their unwavering support.

"Thanks guys," Leia murmured. "Adrian - you'll be there, right?"

"You're paying me, right?"

"You're such a dick."

____

"So... I've got a request," Taylor admitted, placing the plate of chai cookies down on the table as she pressed herself against Leia's side on the couch. 

Leia smiled, curling against her as Taylor pulled one of the blankets over them both, the fireplace in the corner crackling as the dim candlelight in the apartment and glow of the TV screen illuminated their faces. She turned slightly, meeting those striking blue eyes that never failed to captivate her.

"Oh? What kind of request?" she asked, her voice soft and curious.

Taylor's fingers absently played with the edge of the blanket, a hint of nervousness in her usually confident demeanour.

"I think... if your album wrap party goes well then there's a show that Lily's husband, you know - Caleb? - well his band is performing at a small private show and since there's no media allowed, I thought it would be nice to go to."

Leia blinked in surprise, having not expected Taylor to say that.

"Wait, like, Kings of Leon?"

"Yeah, that's the one," Taylor smiled gently, surprised that Leia knew that. She knew they were a big band, but she just was surprised that Leia had made the connection between Lily and the band so quickly. 

"Are you sure? I mean, I don't want to tag along and make you feel you have to give me your attention instead of Lily. I don't want to like... cramp your style or anything."

Taylor's hand found Leia's under the blanket, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "That's exactly why I want you there," she said, her voice warm and sincere. "I feel more like me, when I'm with you."

Leia felt a blush creeping up her cheeks. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, buying herself a moment to collect her thoughts.

"Are you quoting yourself?"

"Shut up," Taylor joked, throwing her head back as she laughed and swatting at Leia's shoulder with her hand. The other girl grinned, knowing that her favourite sound on this planet would always be that.

"I'd be honoured, Taylor. Really. But... won't people talk? I mean, with everything that's been going on..." Leia said, her voice a little gentler now. "I absolutely will come, but I just want to think about this. Lily - and I guess whoever else is coming - doesn't know about us."

Taylor's expression softened, understanding flickering in her eyes. 

"Let them talk," she said, her voice taking on a determined edge. "I'm tired of the media and the fans and everyone else ruining things for the people I care about. They'll accuse me of dating one of the others anyway, so what does it really matter?"

Taylor huffed for a second before composing herself.

"Plus," Taylor added with a mischievous grin, "I heard it's going to be a no-phones event. So we won't have to worry about any sneaky paparazzi shots."

Leia chuckled, shaking her head. "You've been talking to Riven, haven't you?"

"Nope," Taylor said, popping the p. "Riven spoke to Tree, who spoke to me. He wanted to let her know that she'd have access to the photos before any go live - incase I'm in them or even in the background slightly... I assumed that was maaaaybe your doing?"

She felt a warmth spread through her chest at Taylor's words. She leaned in, resting her head on Taylor's shoulder.

"I'd love to go to the show with you."

Taylor pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Leia's head, her fingers intertwining once more with Leia's under the blanket.

"It'll be fun," Taylor murmured. "Just us, some great music, and friends who don't care about the spotlight."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the crackling of the fireplace and the low hum of the TV the only sounds in the room. Leia's mind wandered to her upcoming album release and the wrap party.

"Speaking of the wrap party," Leia said, lifting her head to meet Taylor's gaze. "I was wondering... would you want to come? I know Riven already asked Tree, but I haven't actually had the chance to ask you in person until now and like, I know it's a risk, but..."

Taylor's eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and something else - hope, maybe - flickering across her face.

"Are you sure?" Taylor asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "I mean, I'd love to, but I don't want to take attention away from your big moment."

Leia shook her head, a determined look in her eyes. "You wouldn't be taking anything away. If anything, having you there would make it even more special. Plus," she added with a grin, "it's a no-phones event, remember?"

Taylor laughed, the sound light and carefree. "Using my own logic against me, huh? Clever."

"I learned from the best," Leia teased, nudging Taylor's shoulder playfully.

Taylor's expression softened, her eyes searching Leia's face. "If you're sure, then yes. I'd love to come celebrate with you."

Leia beamed, her heart swelling with joy. She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Taylor's lips.

"Thank you," she whispered as they parted. "It means the world to me."

Taylor smiled, tucking a strand of Leia's hair behind her ear.

"No need to thank me. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"You're amazing, you know that?" Leia murmured, her voice soft with affection.

Taylor pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Leia's head, her arm tightening around her waist. "You're the amazing one," she whispered. "I'm just lucky to have you in my life."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the crackling of the fire and the muted sounds of the city outside creating a cozy atmosphere. Leia's mind wandered to the upcoming events - her album wrap party, the Kings of Leon show - and she felt a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling up inside her.

They were going to be just fine.

____

The wrap party was finalised for the 11th of October, with the album release planned for the 28th of October. It was a rather short promotional run, but Riven and Adrian had worked hard to make sure that Leia's time was optimised between radio stations, interviews and live performances as if their lives had depended on it.

Leia had agreed, just reminding them that she needed the 13th off her commitments to attend the Kings of Leon concert with Taylor and her friends. Taylor was also performing in Texas on the 22nd for the Formula One event - despite Tree's best efforts to pull her out of it at her own request. Leia wanted to be there, but there just wasn't enough time in her schedule to fit it in.

She knew Taylor was sad about it, but ultimately the blonde understood.

Besides, Taylor was channeling her nerves into what she did best - planning a gathering at her apartment for their friends. This time it was a halloween themed event for the 31st of October and Leia was almost considering admitting that deciding what she was going to wear was nearly more stressful than her album release nerves.

As the days ticked down to the wrap party, Leia found herself caught in a whirlwind of activity. Between last-minute studio sessions, trying to figure out ideas for her party outfit, and endless meetings with Adrian and Riven and her label team about promotional strategies, she barely had a moment to breathe.

The night before the party, Leia collapsed onto her bed, her phone buzzing with a new message.

at la guardia. mom and dad are arguing with a guy at the taxi rank. any chance azul is nearby?

Leia snorted as she read the message, rolling her eyes and chuckling.

do you not read your texts? he's already waiting for you guys. give him a call and he'll tell you exactly where he is, idiot. i also told mom and dad this already this morning.

A smile spread across Leia's face as she typed out the quick reply, despite the fake annoyance that she sent in the message to her sister. Having Georgie and her parents here made everything feel more real, like this was actually happening. 

When she fell asleep that night, it was with a wide smile on her face.

The next morning had dawned bright and clear, a perfect October day in New York City. 

Leia woke early, unable to contain her excitement for the wrap party. She padded into the kitchen, surprised to find Azul already in the apartment, brewing coffee and reading a newspaper. Tate was curled in a ball at his feet, munching on a bone that Leia knew she didn't give him.

"Morning, superstar," her bodyguard grinned, sliding a mug across the counter. "Ready for your big day? Hope you don't mind, I brought the chief a wrap-party-day gift."

Leia took a grateful sip of coffee, savouring the rich aroma as she leaned against the counter.

"As ready as I'll ever be," she replied, her voice a mix of nervousness and anticipation. "Why do I feel like you're more excited than I am?"

Azul chuckled, folding up his newspaper. "Because this is huge, Leia. Your first album wrap party? It's a milestone." He paused, his expression softening. "You should be proud of yourself. I know I am."

Leia felt a lump form in her throat at Azul's words. She blinked back the sudden moisture in her eyes, grateful for his unwavering support. She was touched by Azul's enthusiasm. 

She glanced at her phone, seeing a flurry of texts from Riven about last-minute party details.

"Speaking of celebrating," Azul said, his tone turning slightly more serious, "I wanted to talk to you about security for tonight. Adrian also wanted me to run over it with you twice, so everything I say now I'll talk you through again later - don't worry."

Leia looked up from her phone, raising an eyebrow. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine. I just wanted to run through the plan with you. Given the... high-profile nature of some of your guests, we've added a few extra precautions."

Leia felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach, knowing he was referring to Taylor. "What kind of precautions?"

"Nothing too intrusive," Azul assured her. "We've coordinated with Taylor's security team. They'll be there, but they'll blend in. And we've got a separate entrance set up for her arrival. It seems the news of your wrap party was somehow leaked, so we're expecting that there's going to be a number of paps hanging around outside as they try to get pictures of everyone arriving."

Leia nodded, grateful for Azul's thoroughness. "Thanks, Azul. I appreciate you thinking of everything."

"It's my job," he said with a wink. "Now, shouldn't you be getting ready? I hear Georgie's been blowing up your phone about outfit choices for the past week - I think your mom was about to go insane if she mentioned it one more time last night on the ride back from the airport."

As if on cue, Leia's phone buzzed with another message from her sister. She laughed, shaking her head. Her sister had opted to stay with her parents last night, claiming that she wanted to give Leia 'her much needed beauty sleep'. Leia chose to ignore that.

"You're right. I better get to it before she decides to raid my closet herself."

Leia retreated to her bedroom, her mind buzzing with excitement and nerves. As she sorted through her wardrobe, she couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the people in her life - Azul, Georgie, her parents, Riven, Adrian, and of course, Taylor.

Tonight was going to be special, she could feel it. And as she held up a shimmering dress to the light, Leia Hudson knew that this was just the beginning of something amazing.

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hi guys, pls don't be silent readers 🥹 i know my updates are slower than hoped but I'm back now! just a small comment to let me know if you're reading this makes my day, honestly!