Among the Stars ✔️ [Completed] [book three]

Chapter 63

Absentmindedly I continue to fidget with the gold button of my black, loose fitting silk shirt. I try not to look around the dressing room too much as the stark white walls against vivid red furniture causes my pulse to race even faster.

"Two minutes, Mr and Mrs Weston." A young man by the name of Billy that we've seen several times says with a false smile as he pops his head round the door. His brown curls are crushed by the headphones and attached microphone that he wears. He looks ridiculously stressed. Before we can answer, he disappears with his red cheeks as fast as he arrived.

"There is still time to back out, if you want to." Daniel says softly from across the room.

My Mom's head snaps up to stare at him. Her surprised expression shows me that Daniel has said out loud exactly what she was thinking.

"I'll be fine. I need to do this. It's time." Hearing the babies start to moan, I stand to rock their double pram, thankful for the distraction.

My Mom practically pushes me out the way when she takes the handle from me. "I'm looking after Jack and Grace while you do this. They will be OK with me. You just prepare yourself, sweetheart."

I sit down heavily and pick up my cup of tea with a trembling hand. "I can't possibly prepare anymore!" I exclaim while I sip the tea. "We've rehearsed the interview... we know what she is going to ask... and she roughly knows what my answers are going to be." I smile warmly towards Daniel. "Thank God for Chris sorting all this out. I don't think I could do a live interview right now!"

"She really is a God send." My Mom comments sincerely while popping Grace's dummy back in her mouth. She smiles down at Grace when she immediately settles. "Did I hear right that Chris gets to see the whole interview first, and it can only be show with her prior approval?"

Daniel stands to straighten his light blue shirt and brushes his hands down the front of his fitted dark blue jeans. "Yep. Nothing goes out without us seeing it and Chris seeing it first. It has to be edited if there is anything we're not happy with." Daniel squeezes my Mom's hand. "It's going to be OK." He says confidently.

Billy knocks and enters the room, looking just as rosey cheeked. "Kathy is ready for you now." He leaves the door open so we can follow him out.

"Thank you." Daniel says before turning towards me. "You ready?"

"Let's do this!" I exclaim with more strength than I feel.

Mom kisses my cheek. "Your father and I are beyond proud, my darling. The twins will grow up to believe that no matter how hard things are or how dark it may seem, you are stronger than you know and there is always a way through... and that is because of who their parents are."

"Who their mother is." Daniel corrects swiftly.

"Nonsense... you absorb strength from those around you. Daniel, you are there for Lizzie... and that unwavering support enables her to do this." Mom's voice wobbles, so she turns back towards the twins. "Now, get out there!" She orders, turning her back so we don't see her cry.

"I love you, Mom." I say softly.

We follow Billy through the labyrinth of corridors back out to the set. Kathy is sat on one of the light brown sofas reading back through her notes with her glasses perched on the end of her nose. As we approach she looks up, removes her glasses and smiles warmly. "Before we begin, are you happy with everything from the rehearsal? Is there anything you would like to change?"

"I'm happy. What do you think, Daniel?" I need his approval or suggestions if he is not happy as I feel completely out of my depth.

"I think it was perfect." He grins reassuringly.