"Friends this time.Some girls she went to school with."
"But is there a friend, as in boyfriend?"
Blane scowled."I think there is one, or at least someone she's interested in, but she won't tell me."
"Can't say I blame her.If she likes the guy, she'll want to keep him safe.And we all know that he won't be, not with you around."
"He'll be safe enough — until he puts a foot wrong," said Blane."But I'd rather he was safe somewhere else, just not around Brookie."
"She's gonna meet someone someday, you know, bud."He couldn't hide a smile as he added, "You're gonna have a brother-in-law."
Blane's eyebrows drew together."Let's not even go there.Look, I think it's going to start.Tonight's all about my goddaughter, not my little sister."
A few moments later, the curtain went up, and Emmett settled back into his seat.It wasn't the most comfortable seat, but he'd sat through many a night here.Never with broken ribs before, but that was a small price to pay to see Alana do her thing.She was fantastic.There was no question in his mind that she really was the star of the show.Even the audience seemed to know it and responded to her whenever she came on stage.He smiled to himself as he looked around at his friends.To be fair, these guys may have something to do with that.
Harper turned to him with a smile."Isn't she amazing?"she asked.
"She is.I'm so proud of her."
"And you should be."
He reached for her hand and entwined his fingers with hers.He was sure that Blane and Libby would have something to say about it later, but he didn't care.Harper had been so instrumental in getting Alana to tonight, nothing was gonna stop him from sharing this moment with her.
When it was almost time for Alana's big solo number near the end of the show, Harper sat up a little straighter, and Emmett tried to do the same.
"What's going on?"Blane asked on his other side."Is this where she gets to sing her song?"
Emmett smiled at him."Yeah, how did you know that?"
"I told you, I listen to my goddaughters."
Libby leaned forward on Harper's other side, laughing at them."Would the two of you be quiet?We want to be able to hear her sing when she starts."
Harper sat between them, laughing silently.
When Alana came out center stage, Emmett's heart filled up.He'd heard her sing this song so many times — he'd even seen her sing it from the stage that time when he came to see the rehearsal.But tonight there was something different, something more.Her voice rang out, sweet and clear.And it hit him again, just how much she looked like her mom.
Libby and Blane both leaned forward at the same moment.Neither of them said a word; their gazes were fixed on Alana.But he knew they saw it, too.
Harper gave his hand a squeeze, and he nodded.She didn't even turn his way, and he appreciated that.She knew what the moment meant to him; she was letting him know she was there with him — not trying to take it over.
~ ~ ~
Harper had to laugh when the whole cast came out at the end for the curtain call — and the curtain stuck again, just like it had in the rehearsal.Nobody made a big deal out of it.The kids who were working as stage crew ran around trying to fix it, while the audience laughed and called out advice.
In the end, the cast took their final bows and left the stage, grinning and waving to their families and friends.Harper's eyes filled with tears when Alana blew a kiss to her dad, and Emmett struggled to get to his feet.Of course, Blane was right there to help him, and Libby touched Harper's arm when Emmett blew Alana a kiss back.
Harper got to her feet only after Alana had left the stage.By then, the others were getting up, turning around to congratulate Emmett, all smiling and talking about how great her performance had been.Harper let herself be carried along with them as they moved out into the lobby, where they all hung around waiting.The crowd thinned out as those who weren't waiting for kids to come out left, but she loved that none of Emmett's group of friends left — they all wanted to wait for Alana.
She hung back as some of the parents came over to talk to Emmett and the others.Shelley came to stand by her side, and Candy, Ari, and Retta drifted toward them.
"She's a very talented young woman," Candy said."Emmett must be so proud of her."
"He is," said Harper."And he has every right to be."
"She was the most talented person out there," said Ari."She should have had the lead — she was far better than the girl who did."
Harper pressed her lips together.It was probably best not to voice her opinion.
