After introducing Catalina and Natasha, or Cat and Nat as Cecelia calls them, all four of them finished watching the movie. Before Natasha left for the night, the three women agreed to meet up the next day so Cat could get to know her more. (And so Natasha had some time to think about what she had told Cecelia. 

In the morning, because the aviators had the day off from flying to study the mission parameters, Cecelia and Catalina went out for breakfast. This way, they could catch up without distracting Bradley. And what a distraction they would have been. 

Laughing so hard they could barely see while walking to a dinner, anyone outside could see how much love they had for each other. Cecelia filled her in on as much as she could about the mission, not that she knew much herself. And Cat just insisted on seeing the ring every few minutes just to make sure it was real. 

Sitting down at a local dinner, chomping away at some breakfast potatoes, Cecelia looks directly into Cat's eyes. "So, how are you dealing with everything? I know how you get when you're stressed." 

Putting down her fork, Cat sighs. "Trying my best not to really think about it. I don't want to get my hopes up, but I also put my heart and soul into that performance. So, basically I am NOT dealing with anything and just putting it off." Looking at Cecelia, she says, "You know I procrastinate as much as possible when I'm off." 

Laughing knowing exactly what she means, Cecelia grabs her hand from across the table. "Well you know I am here for you, and so is the rest of the family. Not to mention most of us were there to see you work your ass off on this movie." 

Letting the topic drop after that, the two finished up their breakfast and headed out to the beach. Stopping at the spot they agreed to meet Natasha at, they sit in the sun, enjoying the warm rays that are practically nonexistent in New York at this time. 

Natasha silently creeps up behind them, counting down in her head. When she reaches one, she jumps between the two yelling "boo!". Screaming, they both fall off of their seats, hands on their chests. Cackling, Natasha takes her seat while waiting for Cecelia and Catalina to breathe normally again. 

"That was not nice," Cat gasped out, standing from the sand. Brushing herself off, she grabs Cecelia's hand to pull her up as well. "And to think, I brought you a donut," Cecelia huffs out, gesturing to the bag sitting on the table. Without giving her any time to react, Natasha grabs the bag and shoves the donut into her mouth.

Smiling with a mouth full of donut, Natasha just looks at Cecelia. Swallowing, she takes a deep breath. Looking at Catalina, she begins to explain what she and Cecelia had talked about the night before. "So I don't know how to really deal with this." 

Taking everything in, Cat sighs, but quickly grasps Natasha's hand. "Your's isn't the first story I've heard and it won't be the last. I can promise you, you are not alone." 

Tearing up a little, Natasha quickly wipes at her eyes. Yes, she had told Cecelia last night, but as Cecelia said herself, she has a different experience. Hearing that she wasn't alone from someone who went through similar thoughts and experiences, at least in this aspect, was such a huge relief. 

Continuing her reassurance, Cat explains her own experience. "I had a feeling when I was 16 but I didn't come out until I was 18. At that point, I had a full ride to college, so depending on how my parents took it, I could run there. And it's a good thing I did because my mom essentially called me a monster and my father still can't talk to me." Now it was Natasha grasping Cat's hand in sympathy. "But the universe knew me better than they did. Because not even a week after my parents basically disowned me, I met Cece and she became my family." 

Cecelia just hugged her from the side, not letting go and just cuddling closer. 

(If you haven't figured it out, Cecelia is a very touchy person, her love language is physical touch after all.) 

Huffing out a laugh, Cat just focuses back on Natasha. "I can get in contact with some of my friends who have had a similar experience if you want. That way you can talk with them and see how they worked through it. And I know a bunch of support groups I can recommend for you if you want." 

"I might just take you up on that offer after this mission is over. I'm just nervous about how everyone will react," Natasha admits, looking away from the other two girls. 

Cecelia thinks for a moment. "Well the Navy can't kick you out with the protection laws in place. And even if they could, you are way too talented for them to even consider it. Not to mention I would physically fight them." 

Messing with her fingers, Natasha just hmm's and nods her head, eyes still focused on the ocean. 

Recognizing these signs, Cat calls her out. "It's not the Navy you're worried about is it? It's a specific person." 

Realizing she's been found out, Natasha takes a breath. "Yup. And I didnt even know it until arriving for this mission. I mean, it just came on suddenly, but also not really, if that makes any sense." 

Both women nodded their heads in understanding. "You mean, there were always some underlying feelings, you just didn't know what they were until a few days ago?" Cecelia questions, assuring she knows what Nat means. 

Natasha simply nods. 

"Now which aviator is it? Cause if you didn't know until you came back here, it's got to be one of the guys on the mission," Cat begins to break it down, looking between Natasha and Cece as she doesn't know anyone but Bradley. 

And without even needing to think about it, Cecelia knows. It was so obvious, how had she not seen it before. 

"It's Hangman isn't it? Jake," she asks more of a statement than a question. "I had been noticing some signs and looks, but I wasn't sure. I know he is a very touchy subject for many of you." 

Natasha had stood from her seat when Cecelia asked the question. "And I don't know how or why because he is such an asshole, but I've also seen a different side to him when we were stationed together last year." Her breathing starts to get faster as she works herself up. "And I can't tell if it's just rebound feelings because I had just ended things with Ally, but he was actually understanding and not an ass for almost four months while I was there." 

She just slumps back into her seat, more confused than ever. "And I just don't get it because why is he such an ass around everyone else, but he was actually nice, and dare I say sweet, when it was just us. Not to mention all of the comments about me being a woman and flying. Like it irritates me because I know there is a different side to him but it's like he refuses to admit it exists or that those months happened." 

All three women sit in silence for a few moments, all gathering their thoughts about everything just aired in the last couple of minutes. 

Finally, Cat is the first to start talking. "Well, I haven't met this Hangman yet, but I will certainly scope him out and put him in his place while I'm here if I need to. I have no problem doing so." At that, they all laughed. "As for his apparent mood changes and situational amnesia, I can only tell you what I've seen in other cases. And that is he is putting up a major front with this asshole persona to be the hot-shot pilot he thinks he is. As for why, nobody can answer that but him." 

Cecelia nodded her head, agreeing with Cat. "And from the little I've seen of him these past few days, he has the same kind of front a lot of actors put on when preparing for a role. I don't know if it's because I've been acting and around actors for so long, but I can see it in his eyes. He is so much more than the cocky front he puts on." 

Natasha just shrugs and lays her head on her arms. "I actually feel much better finally saying all of this out loud. I've never talked about any of this and now that it's out in the open, I don't know. It feels like," she trails off, not knowing how to word it. 

"Like the world just left your shoulders and you can actually breathe again?" Cat finished for her. 

"Exactly like that, yea." 

Cecelia stands from her spot at the table after a moment and gestures for the other two to do the same. "Group hug, no objections." 

Bringing them in, the laugh and just stay in a hug for a few minutes, all of them needing it more than they realized. 

"Now I know you actually have things to do today, so why don't you go do those and we meet up at the Hard Deck tonight for drinks," Cecelia proposes, knowing Natasha is here for a mission and has actual life or death to worry about. "I want to show Cat around anyways." 

"Ugh, fine. I do have to go over a few things with Bob, though. So I should probably head over to his place and get everything done," Natasha admits. 

Cat grabs what was left on the table. "Meet you at this Hard Deck place around 8 then?" 

"See you then."

☽☆☾   ☽☆☾   ☽☆☾

Later in the evening, after spending the whole day showing Cat around Fightertown, USA, it was finally time to head to the Hard Deck. 

Piling into Bradley's truck, the three made their way to the bar, both Bradley and Cecelia trying to keep Cat's mind off of award nominations. Knowing they were supposed to come out within the next 24 hours was stressing her out greatly. 

Arriving, the trio made their way inside to see the rest of the crew already a few drinks in. Grabbing Phoenix's attention, the girls head over to her as Rooster goes to get drinks. 

"It's about time you got here," Phoenix begins. "I've been stuck with so much testosterone for too long." 

Grinning, Cat just winks at her. Cecelia laughs and grabs Cat's hand. Pulling her towards the rest of the group, she introduces her to the guys. 

Again, Coyote seems to recognize her immediately. "Holy shit. You're Catalina Diaz." 

And once again, everyone looks at him like he's got two heads. "So my niece got me into musicals. So what?" He tries to defend himself immediately. 

"Hey, we welcome all types of crazy into the theater community," Cat replies, Cecelia nodding her head in agreement. 

Finally Rooster makes his way over with the drinks and a new game of pool ensues. 

A few hours go by with a few more drinks added to the mix. And then Cat gets a message she's been freaking out about for days. Hitting Cecelia repeatedly on the arm she can't even speak. Turning her phone around so Cecelia can read it, the suddenly lock eyes. 

"Holy shit!" Cecelia screams. "Holy shit! Oh my god!" Jumping up and down, she quickly wraps Cat in the biggest hug of her life as Cat finally snaps out of her shock. 

Everyone turns around, worried when they heard Cecelia scream, only to be confused by what they are witnessing. Only Rooster has an idea of what is going on. 

"Everything ok?" He asks, praying his hunch is correct. 

Cat just keeps crying as Cecelia announces in a casual voice, "oh yeah. You're just looking at an OSCAR NOMINEE." 

And before anyone could process that statement, the night gets even weirder as two men show up, seemingly out of nowhere and jump onto Cat and Cecelia. 

Hugging both women into a massive group hug, the younger one just keeps yelling "you did it" while the older one simply says "I'm proud of you." 

Separating from the group hug enough, Cece quickly introduces more new people. "These are my younger brothers, Ronan and Kai." Both men wave at the aviators, who are still in shock over the past few minutes. 

"Wait a minute," Fanboy is the first to speak. "I'm so confused about what just happened." 

Cecelia looks like she's about to explain before she is struck with a different question. "Why are you guys here? How did you even know where we were?" She asks her brothers. 

Kai, still hugging Cat, replies, "we knew nominations were coming out today so we wanted to be here with you guys no matter the result." 

Ronan adds, "we got lost, so that's why we showed up after they were announced. And you still have your location on, so we just used Find My Friend." 

Accepting their answers, she turns back to Fanboy to answer his question. "Cat was up for a nomination for her role of Anita in West Side Story. And she just got it!" 

In unison, the entire group begins congratulating her. "That's amazing," Phoenix gushes out, Bob nodding his head as well. 

With no hesitation, Payback yells out "the calls for celebratory drinks!" 

But Cat stops him before they can get any further. "I have a few calls to make but as soon as I'm done, yes please." 

Grabbing Cece's hand and detaching Kai from her arm, Cat leads them and Ronan outside. "I need to call Ma and Pa." 

"For sure, they already know and are holding back from calling you themselves," Ronan tells her, already pulling out his phone. 

Pulling up FaceTime, Cat is quickly greeted with the sight of Sofie and Riccardo Marcellini. Also known as her not-legally-but-still-adoptive-parents. 

Letting out her emotions once more, Cat squeals. "I got it! I can't believe I actually got it!" 

Sofie, barely able to contain herself, cries out, "baby we are so proud of you! You put your heart and soul into that performance. If you didn't get a nomination, I was going to march up to the Academy myself." 

Riccardo nodded his head, agreeing with his wife. "And I will still be doing that if you don't win. The other nominees are talented and deserve their nominations, but you embodied that role. Rita has told me herself that you were the perfect choice for this new Anita." 

They talked for a little while longer before signing off and heading back inside. Grabbing their new drinks the group all sat around, trading stories and getting to know the three new arrivals of the night. 

For just a little while, the aviators were able to get their minds off of the mission. They could just relax and have a good time. And the Broadway Bunch, well, they had a fun time getting to know the aviators. Having only met Rooster, it was fun and intriguing to meet others and get their insights. 

It was, truly, as perfect of a night that they had had in a long time. And that they would have for a while too. 

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Word count: 2,590

And finally HERE ARE CECE'S BROTHERS!!!! Kaiden (Kai) and Ronan are my precious Broadway babies. Just a small introduction, but they will be around for a few more chapters. 

Also, I know there is no exact time set for the movie, but since I'm using Ariana, Ben, and Mike as basically themselves but in OC form, I really wanted to include West Side Story 2021 and historic Oscar nom and WIN for Ariana.

And the Rita I mentioned is Rita Moreno, a famous latina actress who was the original Anita in the 1961 film. (She also played the part of Doc's widow in the 2021 adaptation requested by Spielberg himself) And historically won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at that year's Oscar's as well, becoming the first woman of color to win that category. (Making Ariana's win an even more historic and emotional one)

The Phoenix/Hangman plot has been on my mind for a while. I always knew I wanted to make Phoenix bi, but I debated having her have a girlfriend during the movie or having a Hangman interest. And I've seen other fics do this, long before I had. But upon rewatching multiple times, I can see tension that can be interpreted many ways. I'm doing so in a romantic way. 

I also want to make it known that just because right now, she is showing interest in a man in NO WAY invalidates her being bi. There is no bi-erasure in this house people.Too many mediums say one thing and then never actually show it. She can just as easily be attracted to a woman. And NO, there will be no asshole behavior towards her in the whole "Well now her s.o. has double the amount to worry about her cheating" that's bullshit and insecure people trying to put the blame on a person who loves more people than that person ever could.

That's it until next chapter. Bye!