A/N: this story is very loosely based on the movie Return to Me, one of my favorites! There will be a few direct quotes here and there. If you haven't seen it go watch it!

Elana Miranda fumed in her bedroom after being told she could not sleep over at her friend Audrey's house that night. They had started a band together and had been hanging out all week practicing, having the greatest summer before they were about to start seventh grade. Because of her stupid little sister she had to stay home and babysit so her parents could go to her father's stupid musical.

It was opening night of Hamilton - August 6, 2015. She had already seen it at the Public and had seen countless practice sessions. She'd lived the musical for 7 years as her father wrote the damn thing. He tested out songs on her and he was always singing. Sure she was proud of him but right now she was annoyed because it was getting in the way of her social plans.

Seething, she flung open her bedroom door and stormed towards her parents' room. Her bratty little sister Mariele was jumping on the bed like she wasn't supposed to.

"Elana, watch!" She requested, bouncing down on her bottom and then back up to her feet. Elana ignored her and stormed to the bathroom where her mother was finishing getting ready.

"Just because I'm the oldest doesn't mean I should have to cancel my plans to babysit a little monster," she crossed her arms and glared at her mother in the mirror.

Juliana Miranda took in the sight of her twelve year old daughter, dressed in her usual punk-ish clothes, her hair folded in a messy bun. She herself was dressed completely oppositely - a long, flowing light pink gown accented with a pearl necklace and earrings. She was the picture of femininity. Her child had always been a complete tomboy. As a two year old, she consistently stripped off dresses she tried to put her in. She was happiest in jeans and a rock band t-shirt, much like her father. What wasn't similar to her father was her bad attitude, which had started to spring up since hitting middle school.

Juliana sighed as she leaned forward to apply eyeliner. "Sweetheart I told you if your grandparents were busy you'd need to step in. I told you two days ago you'd need to babysit. And we're paying you, you know."

"Why couldn't you get a babysitter?" She argued indignantly.

"You know how your sister is with strangers," she told her. "Kelly was already booked."

Her little sister was such a baby. She was ridiculously shy and had a hard time warming up to people. They'd managed to get her to tolerate Kelly, but she already had another babysitting job. That left Elana.

"Well why does it have to be my problem?!" She raised her voice, getting more and more irritated.

"Lower your voice please," Juliana eyed her child in the mirror then picked up her lipstick. "Elana, I don't know what to tell you. It's summer and you'll have plenty more opportunity to hang out with Audrey."

"But I want to tonight!" She yelled.

"Elana," her father's voice firmly called her out on her attitude. It had become a recurring bigger issue and they were having to be very consistent with their oldest. Elana turned to see her father, Lin-Manuel Miranda, his long hair pulled up in a bun similar to hers. The look on his face warned her not to push it any further. "Don't argue with your mother."

Elana looked at him and growled loudly before storming away again. "You both suck!!"

Juliana rolled her eyes as her husband leaned forward to kiss her. "You look amazing," he told her as three year old Mariele clung to his leg. Lin leaned down and picked up his youngest child - a mini version of his beautiful wife. "Doesn't Mommy look beautiful?"

"Yeah," she agreed, resting her head on her dad's shoulder. Mariele was constantly clinging to one of her parents. She was a nervous child and took a long time to trust anyone new.

"So you're really going to the theatre dressed in jeans while I'm in this get up?" She acknowledged teasingly.

Lin laughed as he hitched up Mari. "I've got a suit at the theatre for the after party."

Tonight was a big night for the couple. Lin had spent years composing his masterpiece and now it was finally hitting Broadway. When it had its run at the Public it had gained a lot of attention and now it would become the hottest ticket in town. He couldn't have done it without his wife by his side. Tonight would be a celebration of all the hard work and sacrifice.

"You ready?" Lin asked his wife and she nodded. He carried his daughter to the living room and plopped her down on the couch. After finding Bubble Guppies, he grabbed a box of Goldfish, her favorite, and got her happy enough that she'd be okay with them leaving.

"Be a good girl for Elana okay?" Lin kissed the top of her head. Juliana dragged the older Miranda out of her bedroom for babysitting duty. She reluctantly collapsed on the couch, crossing her arms.

"Get Mari to bed by 8 okay?" Juliana reminded Elana.

"I know," she said with attitude.

"I love you," Juliana kissed both her children's heads and grabbed her purse. Mari echoed her mother but Elana stayed silent. She didn't want her mother thinking she was okay with this.

The parents discreetly left the apartment, ready for the biggest night of their lives.

—-

Downtown, Vanessa Nadal laid in the hospital bed she'd been in for several weeks now. The heart defect she'd been born with had now worsened to the point she could no longer walk. It was just too much stress on her body. She closed her eyes and breathed in slowly.

Her best friend Carla sat by her side with a Cosmo magazine. "Okay. What's most important to you in a relationship? A, companionship. B, trust. Or C, sex? I'd say C but let's go with A so we get a higher score."

Vanessa whimpered and scrunched her face in pain. Carla immediately stood, ready to help her friend with whatever she needed. "What is it? Is it your neck? I can fluff your pillow."

"Rosebud," she croaked dramatically, eyeing her friend. Carla snorted and rolled her eyes at the Citizen Kane reference. Even though she was on her deathbed Vanessa still kept her sense of humor. If there was ever anyone who deserved the heart transplant she needed it was Vanessa.

But it meant someone had to die to give her life.

"Funny," she quipped as she smoothed Vanessa's covers. "But seriously, do you need anything?"

Vanessa shook her head and scrubbed at her temple. "You should go home. Alessandro needs you."

"Are you kidding?" She asked. "He probably has the kids hyped up on sugar, then they'll go into detox when I get home. He'll be fine for a while. How about some more of that delicious Jello?"

"Not hungry," she told her. "Seriously, you don't need to stay. Go live your life."

Carla looked down at her unfortunate friend. It ached when she said things like that. Like she was holding her own life back and shouldn't be bothered with. They'd been friends since they were seven years old and Carla was not about to abandon her. However, she knew her friend and knew that she wanted her to go.

Carla kissed her head and made sure she had fresh water in her cup before leaving. As she took the elevator down, she closed her eyes and prayed that her friend would receive a new heart before it was too late. Then, she cursed herself for wishing death upon someone else.

—-

Hours later, Juliana beamed from the audience as her husband and the cast took their bows on stage. The room was electric and everyone knew they had just witnessed something remarkable. She felt such pride for her husband and the father of her children.

The actors left the stage and the audience began to get up, buzzing with excitement. Juliana made her way to the front side of the theatre, where the door man knew her well. He congratulated her as he opened the door so she could make her way back stage.

The cast was all smiles and laughs backstage as they congratulated each other. The show couldn't have gone better and they were pumped for the coming opening night party. Lin and Juliana kissed, their eyes glowing with happiness.

After changing into his promised suit, they made their way to the after party, star studded with celebrities and high society. Juliana had met her fair share of famous people over the years thanks to her husband, but it was obvious that Hamilton had taken him to a new level. They drank, they danced and forgot about all their worries. It was their night.

Finally, around 3 am they decided it was time to head home. Mariele would be up early of course. Lin hailed a taxi for them and opened the door for his wife. She got in and scooted over so her husband could get in.

Lin told the driver their address and they drove off. They sat close together, exchanging hot kisses as the alcohol still reigned in their systems. Lin and Juliana had been together since college. She'd gotten pregnant earlier than they would have wanted, at 21. Baby Elana had attended her mother's college graduation.

Juliana's dress strap fell off her shoulder and she let out a gasp as Lin's hand traveled up her thigh and found her bottom.

"Hey!" The driver called to them, looking at them in the rearview mirror. "This isn't a hotel room!"

They broke apart slightly just in time to see bright lights glaring at them through the passenger side. Moments later, they felt a jarring impact and everything went black.

—-

Carla had just gotten home and kicked off her shoes. She poured herself a glass of wine, thankful her three children had somehow already made it to bed. Alessandro had probably worn them out with games and too much food and they'd passed out. He was always the fun one and she had to be the heavy. However he'd done it, she was grateful to have some peace and quiet.

She had just taken another sip when her phone buzzed. It was Vanessa's mother. Somehow, she sensed this call was important. Not just because it was coming at 3:30 am but because she felt it in her gut. Carla stared at the buzzing phone for a few moments before picking it up.

Before she'd even answered she began, "You have it don't you?"

Carla pressed accept and connected with Vanessa's mom. "You do."

It was time to go back to the hospital. Vanessa had a heart.