Alan has gone with me to every Into The Woods rehearsal, and tonight is opening night. I'm a nervous wreck.

The guys keep texting me, we're all meeting at the old YC Records building. I drop the kids off with Fallon and Brycie before heading there.

I walk inside, and I'm hit with this weird nostalgia. I spent so much time here. "Hey homie, glad you're here," Joey says. I sigh, "How can I possibly be going on tonight? I'm not ready." Alan shakes his head, "Autumn said you're all ready, and that gal knows what she's talking about."

"I just can't," I say, sitting next to Chad. "And why not darling?" He asks, running his fingers through my hair. "The audience isn't gonna like me," I bluntly point out.

"Aren't your step-bro and step-dad supposed to be there?" Caleb asks. I nod, "Well yeah, they said they'd be here for opening night." He locks his eyes on mine, "Do you think they're going to hate you?" I shake my head, "No."

"Mia, my lovely, just focus on us and your family. It's going to be okay," Alan says, subconsciously rubbing my scars. I lean my head onto Joey's chest and sigh, "I know you guys are right. You're always right."

"Love, I know you're going to do absolutely fantastic tonight. Just know, I'm here for you, I mean we are the dynamic duo," Joey says. I grin at him, "Thanks Joe. Thanks guys. I've got a bit til I have to be there. Wanna watch Ant-Man?" The four of them nod, and Caleb puts it in.

We spread out, and get comfortable, as it begins playing. Once it's over, I convince Chad to drive me to the theater. "Thanks Chaddy, see ya at showtime," I say, kissing his cheek. "No problem, sour patch kid, break a leg! Lemme know if ya need anything," he says. I nod, and walk inside.

"Hey Mia, you ready for this thing?" Jesse asks. I shake my head, "No way." He quizzically raises an eyebrow, "Why? You're flawless, everybody's gonna love you." I lean over and hug him, "Jess, you're the best." He grins, "I know." We pull apart, and go our separate ways.

I see Robin, Melissa, Mae, and Darla in the girls' dressing room. "Hey girl! You ready to shred it?" Melissa asks. I shrug, "I'm nervous, guys. What if I mess up?"

"Is anybody important seeing the show for you?" Darla asks. "Oh yeah. Alan and his family, plus my three other bros and their families. My fiancé and kids will be there ,and my step-dad and step-brother are flying in." Melissa laughs, "Sounds like you can fill up the whole place with your peeps."

I slip into my "rags" for the first act. "Alan said to tell you gals good luck. He's enjoyed watching the show be put together," I say, putting on my makeup. "You're really close to him," Mae says. "Yeah, why is that?" Darla asks.

I smile, "I used to live in Missouri, but I was getting bullied a lot. Alan was a member of my favorite band, and for some reason he chose me. He said I could move to Tennessee and live with him and his family so I wouldn't be hurt. Since then, I've just grown closer to him. He's like a second dad to me, and I just couldn't move away. He's been with me through so much, and I've been such a jerk to him, yet he still loves me."

"Okay, that has got to be the sweetest thing ever," Melissa says, putting on her wig cap. "I agree, that's so cute," Robin adds. I blush, "Thanks guys. I have great relationships with all four of them. Chad, he's my big bro, and always there to protect me. Joey is my best friend, we're the dynamic duo. And Caleb, he's such a supportive person. I've been such an idiot but they've just never left me."

"That's absolutely adorable, I can't wait to meet them, since they mean so much to you, dear," Robin says. We finish getting into costume, and do one last dress rehearsal. I change back into my street clothes, and race to Bob Evans, where I'm meeting Josh and Jaxon for an early dinner.

I tell the waiter my name, and he leads me to the table where my step-dad, and big bro are seated. I nod, thanking him, and walk up behind Josh. I cover his eyes with my hands and smile, "Guess who, Joshy?"

He turns around and hugs me, "Missed you so much, kiddo." I grin, feeling safe, "Missed you too Joshy. So glad you're both here for opening night." I hug my brother tightly and we sit down to eat, catching up.

After dinner, I meet up with the guys. They give me a quick pep talk. "If you ever get nervous, find one of us, and focus. You can do this, Mia, I believe in you," Caleb says, squeezing my hand. I hug him, "Thanks dude."

"I'm so incredibly proud of you, baby sis, you're gonna be fantastic, I just know it," Chad says. I smile at him, "Thanks bro."

"Homie, go rock this thing! I'll be the guy clapping the loudest after your songs," Joey informs me. I let out a giggle, "Thanks Joe, you're the best best friend."

"I've seen every rehearsal, and I have so much faith in this production. You're so good at this role, and I know you'll do great. Give it your all, baby girl," Alan kisses my hair. I hug him, "I really appreciate you, Al. I wouldn't be this confident without you."

I head inside the theater, and Autumn gives the whole group a peptalk. After that, Oliver comes up to me. "Just know, I would never do anything to hurt you, it's in the script," he says. I nod, "It's okay, Ollie. It's just a play, and it's part of your role. Kill it man, I'm cheering you on!" He smiles, "Thanks Mia. Break a leg, my princess."

~*~

I did it. I just performed my first show. I look out into the applauding audience and smile. There's so many people here for me. The Powells, the Grahams, the Grimms, the Stampers, my fiancé, step dad and bro, and my kids. They're all smiling directly at me. This is the best feeling in the world.

We walk backstage, and the whole cast and crew group hugs. I think this really shows how close we've come through this, we're all best friends. "I want to take all of you guys to dinner. You can bring two people with you," Autumn says. Two people. Out of all the amazing people here with me, I have to chose two of them.

We change out of costumes, and I run to greet everybody. Owen picks me up and spins me around, "You did fantastic, girlie. I couldn't keep my eyes off of you." I smile at him, "Thanks honey, that means bunches."

"Was that really my Mia up there on the stage?" Josh asks. I nod, "Yup, it's me Joshy? Enjoy the show?" He nods, "Of course I did. My favorite girl in the world was in it." I hug him tightly, and he kisses my head.

I can tell Jaxon is super proud. Sometimes, he just can't put his feelings into words. "Sis, I know how much this means to you, and I'm glad I got to experience it with you," he says, holding out a bouquet. I take it, and grin, "You've seriously got to be the best bubby out there."

"Well, was it as good as we thought?" I ask Alan, approaching their family. He wraps his arms around me, and I bury my face in his chest. "I think you were born to be onstage, baby girl. I'm blown away," he whispers in my ear. I hug Brycie and the girls too, who all give me big congratulations.

"Momma! I really like the princess show," Ariel tells me, latching onto my leg. I smile at her, "I knew ya would, sweetheart." I turn to Stephen, "What did you think, buddy." He hugs me, "You did amazing mom!"

"Yo baby sis, over here," Chad says. I practically jump into his arms, "Did you like the show, big bro?" He shakes his head, "Nah, I didn't. I loved it! You were perfect in the role. I can't wait to see what you do next, sour patch." I hug Fallon, and the kiddos, Marcus & Maylee. "Mia, are you actually a princess?" Maylee asks. I explain to her that I was just pretending.

"Hey Grammar Freak, anything wrong with the show?" I ask. He pretends to be tallying up his answer, but then just hugs me. "This is so great, kiddo. I love seeing you so happy," he says. "You did absolutely beautiful, girl!" Kelsey says, hugging me. I smile, "Thanks Kels." I crouch down to their little girls, Samantha and Aurora. "You looked pretty," Samantha says. "Yeah, and you sing pretty," Aurora adds. I hug the two of them, and kiss their heads, "Thank you, my princesses."

"What did ya think, bestie?" I ask Joey. He grins, "Beautiful, girlie, you crushed it!" I hug him, "Thanks homie. You the best." I hug Jewel, and the twins, Jordan and Joshua.

I turn to look at my amazing cast and sigh, "Sorry guys, but I'm going to dinner with my family." They don't seem hurt by it, and they all promise to see me tomorrow.

I race them to the car, and hop in Alan's van. He smiles, and hands me his keys, "You can drive, my Mia. Just be careful because all the kiddos are here."

I thank him, and turn the car on. A Disney princess CD is blaring from the car's radio. I smile at Alan, "I guess this was your choice." He just grins sheepishly.

I drive the van to Pizza Hut, and return the keys to Alan. Everybody's here. We have to wait for a table, since we have such a big party.

"I saw how nervous you were up there, my dear," Alan tells me. "Really?" I ask, "Was it that noticeable." He takes my hands in his, "I just know you too darn well, darling."

We finally get a table, and I look around it. It's my family. Each of the people sitting around this table mean more to me than anything. I lean over to Chad, "Hey, can you make everybody stop talking, I wanna say something."

"Of course sis," he pats my head, "Everybody, Mia has something to say." Everybody turns and looks at me.

"I just want to say thank you. You've all been such huge supporters through all of this, and I don't know where I'd be without any of you. Just looking back on the past couple years, they've really been the best so thanks everybody," I smile. They all nod at me and smile, before returning their attention to their dinner. This is how life should be.