"Ashley! Wake up!"

Ashley was being shaken awake by Grace.

"Gracie?"

"Yeah. The show ended a few minutes ago, and I came in here to get you. You were mumbling under your breath, so I woke you up. What happened?"

Ashley didn't respond. She was having a nightmare, one about her father, and not a particularly nice one.

In her nightmare, she was six, and she watched her father pull her mother into different rooms. Everytime Ashley caught up to them, they were gone.

"Just a bad dream," she said finally.

"Oh. Well, everyone's waiting for us in the rehearsal room."

Ashley blinked. "Why?"

Grace smiled. "It's a surprise!"

Ashley shrugged and walked with Grace to the room. When they got to the door, Grace pulled out a purple bandana.

"What's that for?"

"Sorry, Queenie. Can't tell you."

Ashley sighed. "OK. You can put it on."

Grace tied the bandana over Ashley's eyes and guided her into the room.

"And here we go!"

There was a flash of light as Grace ripped of the covering. Ashley blinked as all of the Queens and Ladies in Waiting stood in front of a box.

"Congratulations!!"

She saw a large purple banner hanging behind them saying: "HAPPY FIRST PERFORMANCE!!!!"

"What's all of this for," Ashley asked. Natalie smiled.

"For having had your first performance after months of practice!"

"We all pitched in," Millie said, "And we all wanted to give you an amazing surprise!"

Jaye'J opened the box to reveal a massive cake decorated with the colors of the SiX Queens, and with the words: Congratulations, Queenie in purple icing.

"All this for me?"

Everyone nodded.

"You deserve it," Aimie exclaimed.

Ashley felt moved to tears. Her castmates had took the time to plan this event for her. All of this just because she had worked up the courage to get on some silly stage.

"Thank you! All of you!" 

She gave everyone in the area a massive hug. 

"You're very welcome," Erin said. Ashley ran over her and gave her a big kiss.

"AWWW!!"

"Millie!"

"Guys! Chill out! Remember, we have to go for stagedoor!"

Ashley turned to Vicki. "You're right. We'll take the cake and eat it at my house."

All of the Queens got their things and left. Ashley wasn't expecting the crowd of people cheering once she left.

"Ashley! Ashley!"

"Miss Sanderson, would you sign my Playbill?"

"Can I take a picture?"

Ashley signed too many Playbills, took too many pictures, and had too many people congratulate her before she was able to leave. But she saw a face that she was so glad to see.

"Sara!"

Ashley found the blonde girl and wrapped her into a massive hug. Sara was surprised.

"Ashley? What are you doing?"

Ashley looked up. "I am so sorry about earlier. I was just really upset about some things in the past, and I didn't get to give you the chance to apologize. I forgive you for everything; it wasn't your fault."

Sara smiled. "Really?!"

Ashley nodded. "We were so close, and I hope we could be again!"

Sara nodded. "Of course! I'd love to."

Ashley smiled and she and Erin walked home.

"So, everything's worked out?"

Ashley nodded. "It's for the best. I can't keep holding onto the past for long."

Erin nodded. "That's good to hear. Now, come on! This cake's not gonna eat itself!"

They quickly arrived home and the Queens followed shortly after.

"Queenie Celebration Party," Millie exclaimed.

Everyone enjoyed the six-flavor cake (Lotus biscuit, matcha, french vanilla, red velvet, strawberry, and blueberry), and they spent the rest of their stay blasting out karaoke, mostly just SiX.

Ashley had never felt so loved. She had a new home, and new friends, and a place to call her own. She loved it, and couldn't wait for more.