"Mom! Dad! I can't believe you made it!" 

Leia gushed, squealing so high pitched that Adrian's hands shot to cover his ears, trying to suppress the grin that claimed his face as he watched the popstar launch herself across the green room and right into the arms of her parents. Tate bounded around their legs, his delighted yaps causing everyone to laugh at him.

"And miss our baby girl's final show?" Her dad joked, his arm ruffling her hair as Leia's hair stylist shouted out in complaint at the action. Ronnie Hudson stepped back with his hands in the air, allowing Linda to step forward and take over the hug of their eldest daughter.

"Never in a million years would we miss this," Linda murmured gently as she pulled back and looked at Leia from an arms length away. She blinked twice, holding back the tears as she looked at how happy she looked. 

This truly was what Leia had been born for.

Performing had always been in Leia's blood - and now the world had been able to see that too. The past three months of her tour had been insane. She never knew that she could feel so... alive every night doing the same thing over and over again.

Georgie, Adrian and Tate had been at every stop, while Riven had only missed one or two when personal circumstances had interrupted their touring schedule. His uncle had passed away after the fifth show, and Leia had told him to take as much time as he needed. He was back by show thirteen.

Zaria had been at a number of the shows, always in the perfect spot - as scouted by Riven - to make sure that Leia was able to point at her during one or two parts and so that the fans were able to notice and film the moments. It had worked just as they'd hoped, as headlines across the world had been reporting on the actress and popstar's relationship, not a single consideration that it was fake.

Some of her friends had made it along to a number of shows. Gigi and Cara were tying the record for most shows, not that Leia was counting or comparing her friends. They were just the ones with the easiest schedule to get around the country at a moments whim. Selena and Camila had also visited once or twice, and Leia knew that a group of them including Martha, Candice, Gigi and even Shawn was coming for the final tour date.

There had only been one notable absence.

Leia's smile faltered for just a moment, her eyes darting to the empty space beside her sister. She quickly pushed the thought away, focusing on the warmth of her family's presence.

"Sweetheart, how long until you go on stage?" Linda asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she stepped back from having been giving Georgie a welcoming hug too.

Leia glanced at the flashing digital clock on the wall, its red lighted numbers blinking away the few short moments before her final performance. She swallowed her nerves for a second as she realised that it was almost time for her to take to the stage. She figured her support act - which had been a different local musician from each city she performed in -  would likely be over by now.

"Oh! Less than twenty minutes now," she replied, her voice a mix of nerves and anticipation. Now that she was aware of the time flying past, it was like she could already hear the distant roar of the crowd. Something nerve-wracking but also welcoming.

Adrian stepped forward, his tall frame casting a shadow in the warm light of the room. She smiled at him, watching as he clapped her dad's shoulder and gave him a light shake, a proud smile on his face as he naturally fell into his managerial duties as Leia's microphone technician came in and started to attach her battery pack to the back of her jumpsuit.

"I'll escort your parents to their private box," he said, his deep voice carrying a note of pride. He turned to Leia, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "Remember, it's the one directly above and to the right of centre stage that I pointed out this morning. You can't miss it."

"I hope it's nice," Ronnie joked back, shaking Adrian's hand as he leaned down once more to scratch behind Tate's ears. "I only travel in luxury these days..."

"I knew buying you first class flights was a stupid idea," Leia joked, rolling her eyes playfully as she was passed her water bottle by Adrian. "Gone straight to your head as expected."

"Leia, you have to remember to look up at us, okay?" George said, Leia turning to look at her as the younger girl clipped on Tate's harness to take him up to the suite with them since Adrian had been informed the inside part of the suite was almost soundproof. Georgie's voice held a hint of mischief, as if she knew something Leia didn't.

Leia's brow furrowed in confusion.

"I always do, Georgie. You know that," she said, her eyes darting between her sister and parents, trying to decipher the knowing looks they exchanged.

"Just promise me you will," Georgie insisted. Leia laughed, the sound light and musical.

"Alright, alright. I promise I'll look up at you guys. Scout's honor," she said, holding up three fingers in a mock salute.

As Adrian ushered her parents towards the door, Leia felt a surge of emotion. This was it - the culmination of months of hard work, sleepless nights, and dreams come true. 

She took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar scents of the green room - leather from her costume, the sweet aroma of her favorite perfume, and the unmistakable tang of nervous excitement that always preceded a show.

The walls seemed to pulse with the energy of the waiting crowd, and Leia could feel it seeping into her bones, igniting that familiar fire in her belly. 

As the door closed behind her parents, Leia turned to her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes shone with determination, her lips curved in a smile that held the promise of the performance to come. She was ready.

____ 

The roar of the crowd swelled as Leia stepped onto the stage, her heart pounding in rhythm with the pulsing bass that reverberated through the arena. The sea of faces before her blurred into a tapestry of excitement and anticipation, thousands of voices merging into one deafening cheer. Leia took a deep breath, feeling the cool metal of the microphone in her hand, the weight of her dreams resting on her shoulders.

As the first notes of her opening number filled the air, Leia felt the familiar rush of adrenaline course through her veins. She moved across the stage with practiced grace, her body responding instinctively to the rhythm of the music.

As the opening song reached its final verse, Leia's gaze swept upward, seeking out the familiar faces she knew would be there. Her eyes found the private box, and a radiant smile spread across her face. There they all were - Riven, Adrian, her family, her friends...

Georgie stood at the forefront, her arms wrapped around Zaria and Gigi, while Cara pressed close on Georgie's other side. They were a vision of joy and pride, their cheers rising above the din of the crowd. Leia's parents stood just behind them, their faces beaming with unconditional love and support.

Without missing a beat in her performance, Leia raised her hand in a wave, acknowledging their presence. The gesture was met with an eruption of cheers from the box, and while she couldn't hear them particularly, she knew that Georgie's voice would be carrying over the section below them as she shouted words of encouragement.

As Leia moved into the second half of her set, her energy showed no signs of waning. The crowd's enthusiasm had only grown, feeding off her infectious passion and the pulsing rhythms that filled the arena. Sweat glistened on her brow, catching the multicolored lights that danced across the stage. Her voice, strong and clear, soared over the instrumentals.

Leia's voice soared through the final notes of her latest hit single, the powerful ballad resonating through the rafters. As the last echoes faded, she paused to catch her breath, her chest heaving with exertion and excitement. She took a moment to scan the crowd, drinking in the sea of adoring faces, before her gaze instinctively drifted back to the private box.

Her heart skipped a beat.

For a split second, Leia faltered, her next line momentarily forgotten as she stared in disbelief.

There, nestled between Georgie and Zaria, stood a familiar figure with flowing blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, cheering and clapping from the front of the box. Even from all the way on the stage, Leia could make out the beaming grin on her face as she cupped around her mouth as she joined in with the screams of the fans.

The opening chords of her next song began to play, snapping her back to reality. With a quick shake of her head, she regained her composure, a radiant smile spreading across her face.

Leia's eyes locked with Taylor's, and it was like they were seeing each other for the first time.

She'd been so certain that Taylor wasn't coming, since they'd had a few discussions about it while Leia had been on the road and Taylor had been splitting her time between Nashville and Manhattan. She hadn't been seen in the public eye for the entirety of Leia's tour - the last time they saw each other having been when Taylor had turned up to Georgie's surprise birthday party after they reconciled back in May. It was now mid-July.

Sure, they'd spoke on the phone and FaceTimed... but Leia missed seeing her in person.

The seasoned singer gave her an encouraging nod and a thumbs up, the gesture sending a surge of renewed energy through Leia's body. She gripped her microphone tighter, determination setting her jaw as she launched into her next song with even more fervour than before.

Leia found herself barely able to take her eyes off the box. Taylor was there - never moving from that spot beside Zaria and Georgie as she took in the rest of the show, her eyes not breaking away from Leia's body as she roamed the stage for even one second. Her hair looked a little longer since they last saw each other, and there was a light and love in the way she moved that Taylor wasn't sure she'd ever seen before.

As the final notes of her penultimate song faded away, Leia stood center stage, her chest heaving with exertion and emotion. The crowd's roar was deafening, a tidal wave of love and adoration that washed over her, threatening to overwhelm her senses. She closed her eyes for a moment, savouring the electric atmosphere, before opening them to survey the sea of faces before her.

"Thank you all so much," she said, her voice carrying clearly through the arena despite the din. 

The crowd cheered, hanging on her every word as she continued, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"This tour has been... it's been everything I've ever dreamed of and so much more. Every night, in every city, you've shown me so much love and support. I've felt it in every cheer, every sing-along, every poster, and every smile."

Her gaze drifted up to the private box, where her parents stood arm in arm, pride radiating from their faces. Georgie was bouncing on her toes, the oversizes Tate cradled in her arms with a heavy duty pair of ear defenders and a wagging tail. She'd speak to Georgie about that later...

"And I couldn't have done any of this without the incredible people behind the scenes. My team, who've worked tirelessly to make this tour a reality. My family, who've been my rock through it all."

She gave a tiny wave to the box, and the crowd erupted in cheers as they realized who else was up there.

"And my friends," Leia continued, her voice thick with emotion. "Some of whom have surprised me tonight."

 And there was Taylor, her presence still feeling like a beautiful dream. Her eyes shimmered with emotion, a silent exchange passing between them that spoke volumes.

"But most of all," she said, raising her voice above the noise, "I want to thank you - my incredible fans. You are the heartbeat of this tour, the reason I pour my soul into every performance. Your energy, your passion, your unwavering support - it means everything to me."

Leia stood there, arms outstretched, basking in the moment. Tears of joy and gratitude streamed down her face as she took in the overwhelming response. After a few moments, she brought the microphone to her lips, her voice thick with emotion as she addressed the crowd.

"Thank you, thank you all so much," she finished, her words nearly drowned out by the continued cheers as she waved once more, her dancers joining her to do their final bows as she stepped backwards, waving as the small stage lift lowered her out of sight of the screaming crowd.

Little Leia Hudson just completed her first ever sold out tour.

____

"Holy shit," Leia breathed, jumping in joy and left over adrenaline as she thanked all of her band and dancers and crew, tears streaming down her face as she laughed out loud at the sheer natural high she was experiencing. 

Leia's heart was still racing, her body buzzing with leftover adrenaline as she hugged each member of her band and dance crew. Tears of joy streamed down her face, mingling with the sweat from her performance. The backstage area was a flurry of activity, filled with the excited chatter of her team and the distant roar of the crowd still calling for an encore.

As she finished thanking the last of her backup dancers, Leia felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. She turned to find Riven and Adrian standing there, both wearing expressions of unbridled pride and joy.

"Leia, that was..." Riven began, his voice thick with emotion. He shook his head, seemingly at a loss for words. "I've never seen anything like it. You were absolutely phenomenal out there."

Leia felt a fresh wave of tears threatening to spill over. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, one of her dancers approached, carrying an enormous bouquet of flowers.

"From all of us," the dancer said, pressing the bouquet into Leia's arms. "You deserve this and so much more."

Leia buried her face in the fragrant blossoms, inhaling deeply. The sweet scent of roses and lilies mixed with the lingering smell of stage smoke and her own perfume, creating a heady combination that she knew would forever remind her of this moment.

"Oh, hold that pose!" Riven exclaimed, quickly pulling out his phone. Leia looked up, her face framed by the beautiful flowers, eyes shining with happiness, and cheeks flushed from the exertion of her performance. Riven snapped the photo, capturing the pure, unfiltered joy of the moment.

"That's definitely going on the official Instagram," he said with a grin, already tapping away at his phone. "The fans are going to lose their minds."

As Riven lowered his phone, Adrian leaned in close, his voice low and conspiratorial.

"There's someone waiting to see you in the green room," he murmured, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. 

Leia's breath caught in her throat, her heart skipping a beat. She knew exactly who Adrian was referring to.

"Go on," Riven urged gently, giving her a soft push towards the green room. "We'll handle things out here."

Leia's heart raced as she made her way to the green room, her steps quickening with each passing moment. The bouquet trembled slightly in her arms, a reflection of the nervous energy coursing through her body. As she reached the door, she paused, taking a deep breath to steady herself before pushing it open.

The room was dimly lit - how it had been all tour, since she liked to relax before leaving the venue after show, since it was a stark contrast to the bright lights of the stage. And there, bathed in the soft glow of a nearby lamp, stood Taylor.

Time seemed to stand still as their eyes met. Taylor's face broke into a radiant smile, her blue eyes shimmering with emotion. Without a word, Leia crossed the room, setting her flowers down on a nearby table before throwing herself into Taylor's waiting arms and pressing their lips together.

The familiar scent of Taylor's perfume enveloped her, a comforting mix of vanilla and lavender that instantly transported Leia back to happier times. As she pulled back, she buried her face in the crook of Taylor's neck, feeling the gentle thrum of her pulse against her cheek.

"You came," Leia whispered, her voice muffled against Taylor's skin. "I can't believe you're here."

Taylor's arms tightened around her, one hand coming up to stroke Leia's hair. "Of course I came," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "I wouldn't have missed this for the world."

Slowly, reluctantly, they pulled apart, though their hands remained linked. Leia gazed at Taylor, drinking in every detail of her face. She looked exactly as Leia remembered, yet somehow different – there was a softness in her eyes, but a confidence that Leia had rarely seen in recent months. Taylor's hair was a little longer, all signs of bleach now gone and her natural honey locks fully grown back in.

"Thank you," Leia said, her voice barely above a whisper. "For being here, for surprising me. It means more than you know."

"You were incredible out there," Taylor murmured into Leia's hair. "I've never seen anything like it. The way you command the stage, the connection you have with your fans... it's magical, Lee. Truly magical and..."

Leia's breath hitched, her heart pounding in her chest as she waited for Taylor to continue.

"You, Leia Hudson, are the most important thing in my life," Taylor said, her voice filled with conviction. "Not the press, not my public image, not anything else. Just you. And I'm sorry it took me so long to realise that."

Leia's response was to surge forward, capturing Taylor's lips in a passionate kiss. It was a kiss filled with months of longing, of unspoken words and pent-up emotions. When they finally broke apart, both women were breathless.

"I can't believe you saw it all," Leia said, a note of wonder in her voice. "When did you even get here?"

"I've been here since the beginning," she admitted. "I worked with Georgie, Riv, Adrian, and your parents to keep it a surprise. Even Zaria was in on it - hence why she was standing with me the whole night."

Leia's eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed playfully.

"So that's what all those knowing looks were about earlier," she said, shaking her head in amusement. "Mastermind Swift strikes again."

"Shut up," Taylor laughed, throwing her head back. "I love you."

"I love you more."

_____

"I wrote you a song," Taylor said, brushing hair out of Leia's face the next morning as they laid tangled in sheets back in Taylor's Cornelia Street apartment. 

There were various moving boxes scattered around - since Taylor was preparing to move back into her main apartment in NYC, since renovations had now been completed and she no longer needed to rent it. Not that it was very far away... Leia was sure it was only like three blocks down the road.

"You write songs?"

"Shut up," Taylor laughed, rolling off Leia and slapping her arm lightly as they both laughed in the morning glow cast throughout the apartment. "I guess, well... I wrote a few."

Leia sat up, watching as Taylor grabbed Leia's vintage NYU hoodie (which had been bought as a joke to wind up Georgie, of course) and tugged it on, disappearing for a moment before coming back with a guitar in hand.

Taylor settled back onto the bed, cradling the guitar in her lap. Her fingers lightly strummed the strings as she looked at Leia with a mix of nervousness and excitement.

"I've been working on these songs for a while," she admitted softly. "Ever since... well, ever since...  since I first met you. I wanted to find a way to express everything I was feeling. No - don't speak yet, let me play them to you first."

Taylor took a deep breath and began to play while Leia smiled gently at her. The melody was soft and sweet, her fingers moving deftly across the strings. When she started to sing, her voice was low and intimate, meant only for Leia's ears.

Song after song, Leia sat as Taylor poured her heart out to her.

"This ain't for the best, my reputation's never been worse so..."

"My castle crumbled overnight..."

"Our secret moments, in a crowded room..."

As the songs progressed, Leia felt tears welling up in her eyes. The lyrics across them all seemed to speak of redemption, of embracing your reputation and rising from it. Of finding a love that was steady and true.

"I have a few more songs to show you," Taylor said, reaching for the guitar again after Leia thought she was finished after the first three. "If you want to hear them, that is."

Leia settled back against the pillows, a soft smile playing on her lips. 

"I want to hear everything," she said. "Sounds like you've got enough for an album at this rate."

"Yeah, it's called reputation."

Leia laughed, waiting for Taylor to join in. There was a moment as she looked at Taylor who was staring at her without a single joke in her eyes, a patient smile on her face as she waited for Leia to catch on to what she was saying. The guitar was placed down, Taylor's hands holding on to Leia's now.

"Tay..." Leia breathed, her eyes lighting up. "You wrote an entire album? While I was on tour?"

"To be factual, I've been writing it for a while... but putting concepts tighter, then  sure," Taylor teased, Leia breaking into a deep grin as she looked at the energy and excitement that was in her girlfriend's eyes. It felt like so long since she'd seen her like this - back before Kanye and Kim had turned the world against her. "It's been... therapeutic, in a way. Writing about everything that's happened, processing it all through music. And a lot of it was inspired by you, by us."

Leia didn't even know how to process it.

"I came through once or twice when you were on tour to record with Jack, but mostly he's been flying out to Nashville to help me work on it," Taylor said, a little more gentle now. "I wanted to tell you but I wasn't really sure if it was something or not until recently, and then I thought I'd rather just wait and show you it, but like... I'm... I'm just really proud of it. I think it's the most vulnerable I've been in a while in my music."

"And I feel honoured to even have been a part of it," Leia replied, squeezing her hands gently. Taylor's eyes had welled up with tears, and Leia smiled lightly at how proud of herself she looked as she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her girlfriend's lips.

"I was worried you'd be angry."

Leia straighten up a little, a small furrow in her eyebrows as Taylor shifted her gaze.

"What?"

"For me not telling you, and also because I've wrote it with male pronouns since I'm not ready to come out yet, the fans and media are going to assume it's about Joe and write all these think pieces and..."

"Tay, look at me," Leia said, placing her hand gently against the blonde's face and drawing her eyes to meet her own. "I would never. I don't care what the world thinks, since me and you know the truth. That's enough for me. Besides, I'm still in some sort of shock about this... I can't believe you've been working on this all while I've been on tour. When do you think you'll release it?"

Taylor's lips quirked into a small smile. 

"Well, that's actually part of why I wanted to surprise you last night. I've been talking with my team, and we're thinking of announcing the album next month. The first single would drop a few days later, with the full album coming in November."

Leia's eyes widened. "That soon? Oh my god, Tay, that's amazing!"

Taylor beamed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. 

"I know, it's all happening so fast. But after everything that's happened, I feel ready. More than ready. And I wanted you to be the first to know."

Leia pulled Taylor into a tight embrace, overwhelmed with pride and love. As they held each other, Leia's mind raced with the implications of this news. Her girlfriend, the Taylor Swift, making her grand return to music. The world wasn't ready.

"So," Leia said as they pulled apart, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Do I get to hear the rest of the album now, or are you going to make me wait like everyone else?"

"We'll see," Taylor laughed, leaning her head against Leia's.