After Headlines

44: Unwanted Visit

" We have to do King Of New York." Jeff stated.

" Why's that?" Bexley knit her eyebrows.

" Because there's a bunch of Toursies in a room and a handful are wearing tap shoes." Jeff shrugged.

" I'm down!" JoJo jumped up.

" Jo, I'm not sure that's such a good idea." Ben stated.

" I'm not that pregnant. Plus, I'm about to do Forget About The Boy, which is a tap number." JoJo pulled him to his feet. Eventually most of the Toursies were up, ready to tap.

" But we need Katherine." Jeff turned to Bexley.

" Fine." Bexley rolled her eyes, standing up.

" Oh, free show." Katrina ran to a seat. Jeff cued up the music. 

" A pair of new shoes with matching laces-"

oOOo

" Ben! Can I go to stage door with you?" Penny ran up to him.

" Sure." He chuckled, lifting her onto his shoulders.

" You got a partner?" JoJo laughed.

" Partner in crime!" Penny grinned.

" Are you kidnapping my child?" Bexley asked as she walked by.

" Maybe." Ben smirked.

" We'll be out in a moment." Josh chuckled. Ben placed Penny back on her feet, opening the door for her.

She followed behind Ben as he signed playbills.

" Will you sign my program?" A girl, around Penny's age, asked.

" But I wasn't in the show." Penny tilted her head.

" But, when you do get in a show, I wanna say that I got your autograph." The girl smiled.

" Okay." Penny nodded, signing her program.

" Penelope?" An all too familiar voice called. Penny came face to face with her biological mother.

" No!" Penny screamed, running up to Michael, who happened to be closest.

" What's wrong?" Michael immediately lifted her up.

" Penny?" Bexley rushed over with Josh right behind her. Josh glanced up to see Telisa Kilns.

" Can you take her inside?" Josh turned to Michael.

" Wait, mommy." Penny reached for Bexley.

" Stay with Michael, sweetie, we'll be right there." Bexley promised. Penny sighed, rapping her arms around Michael's neck as he carried her inside.

" You can't keep her from me." Telisa stated as Josh and Bexley made their way over. Most everyone else had cleared out aside from a few cast mates.

" Actually, we can." Josh said bluntly.

" I am her mother!" Telisa exclaimed.

" And she is our daughter." Bexley snapped.

" I have a right to see her!" Telisa nearly yelled.

" You lost the right when you brought an abusive man into your household." Josh subconsciously reached for Bexley's hand.

" Did you think to ask Penny what she wants?" Telisa crossed her arms.

" I think she made that point quite clear when she ran away screaming." JoJo cut in.

" Why are you even involved?" Telisa sneered at him.

" I'm her aunt." JoJo shrugged casually.
Josh bit back a smirk.

" I-"

" Look, one day, when she's ready, we'll reach out to you. She's just not there yet." Bexley said calmly.

" And what would you know about it?" Telisa snapped.

" I understand her more than you would." Bexley replied.

" Doubtful." Telisa grumbled.

" I was her. I was in the system until I was 16. So, yes, I understand her point of view. Now, if you're done interrupting our lives, we'll be on our way." Bexley tugged Josh towards the door.

" Bexley, you're a badass." Katrina whispered as the cast made their way inside.

oOOo

" Why did she come?" Penny murmured on the way back to the hotel.

" I'm not sure, Penny." Josh shook his head.

" I'm don't want to see her." Penny stated.

" And you won't have to, not till you're ready." Bexley promised.

" I love you mommy and daddy." She smiled brightly.

" We love you too." Josh smiled.

So, not that anyone needed to know this, but I got accepted into the college I wanted. So that's cool.