Chapter One- What is this feeling?

Keira Holmes was a bright, talented young girl. She was an aspiring actress on stage in London and was in a steady relationship with a Matthew Swan. It's safe to say, that she was as happy as it was possible to be. That is until one summer a few years ago.

Keira and Matthew had both got role's in Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. Keira was Juliet and Matthew happened to be Romeo. They enjoyed the roles and didn't expect anything to come out of them. But as they say, expect the unexpected. Keira's life was about to be changed in the most unexpected way and the most magical way she could ever have dreamt of.

I remember it well. It was a sunny July afternoon. Anthony was eight months old and I had just put him to sleep in the nursery, Dan was at work, so I was lying on the grass, relaxing in the sun, taking advantage of the quiet and the calm. Then my phone began to ring. I saw that it was Keira, so I picked up the phone and answered it.

Hey Abi, it's Keira.

"Hey. What's up? Shouldn't you be in uni?"

I've just been given a job by my agent…

"That's fantastic, Keira!" I said, sitting up, "What's it for?"

I've been given a part in the company of Wicked!"

"Oh, I love that musical!"

It's in America…"

I paused for a minute. "America?"

Yeah, the company on Broadway. I'll have to live out there and everything.

She sounded worried. "Is Matthew going with you?" I asked.

He doesn't know. She paused, You're the first person I've told.

"You should tell him. He'd want to know."

I thought you might know what I should do. You've taken a year out of university to have a child. I thought you could tell me what I should do about uni."

I smiled. "Keira. I'm not going to tell you to do anything. You should tell Matthew and then make your own decision. It's your life. Your career. I will tell you that this is a big opportunity for you and I will support any decision you make, so will Dan."

Thanks Abi. I'll get back to you.

And she hung up.

The next I heard from her was when she told everyone that she was going to America for a year to do the musical. Matthew was standing by her and would be going to. He would look for jobs around New York but his most important job was to support Keira. She was so excited by so very nervous at the same time. She had planned to go to New York in August to look at apartments and to do some basic rehearsals. It was around the time of our family holiday so we all went over with her.

The whole time we were in New York, Keira glowed. She was a natural on stage and was made for musical theatre. She would come home in the evenings and sing songs from the musical that she had been learning during the week. Mycroft got so emotional during her rendition of 'Defying Gravity' that he had to leave the room. Maybe he wasn't so much of an Iceman after all.

The next year went by so quickly. Keira was rehearsing all the time she got. Anthony turned two and all too soon, it was time to say goodbye to Keira and Matthew. They wanted to be in New York for Christmas as she started in the New Year. We all went to the airport to wave them off. Mollie was unusually subdued. I think the thought of her sister, her best friend going away for a whole year to the other side of the world was something she wasn't looking forward to. She was happy for her of course but she just wasn't ready to say goodbye just yet. I went and sat next to her while we were having coffee. (Keira was busy spending time with her nephew).

"Hey Mollie." I said, sitting next to her.

"Hey."

"She's going to be alright, you know."

She nodded, "I know. I'm just going to miss her."

I smiled. "I'm going to miss her too. We all are."

"I'm so proud of her. I think mum would be too." She said.

I looked at Mollie. "I shouldn't tell you this but you need cheering up."

She looked at me, curiously.

"Mycroft's talking about buying us all tickets to go and see her later this year. He's planning his wedding around it, as you know, but he's getting us all tickets to go over and see her!"

Mollie's eyes lit up, "You mean it!"

I nodded.

"Oh, Abi!" she said, hugging me tightly. "Thank you for telling me!"

I hugged her back. "No worries, Mollie!"

Dan was talking in a hushed voice with Mycroft. I walked over to them.

"Hey. You ok?" I asked Dan, placing my hand on his upper arm, softly.

He looked at me and smiled, "Yeah, I'm doing ok."

I smiled. "Good. Mollie's not too great. Mike…"

"Mycroft."

I ignored him, "Mike, could you go and talk to her. She could use her dad right now."

He nodded, curtly.

"I just can't believe she's going to America. She's only nineteen."

"She'll be 20 in February!" I smiled. "You were a parent at 20."

"I know. She'll be alright, won't she?" he asked, looking at me.

"She'll be amazing. And you know she will. Broadway won't know what hit them!"

Dan smiled and laughed a little. I looked at my watch. "It's almost time." I remarked. Keira had noticed this and brought Anthony over.

"Right. This is it." She said, handing me my son.

"Take care, Keira." I said, hugging her tightly. "I'm so proud of you, more than you'll ever know…" I said, choking up.

"I know." She replied, smiling. "I'm going to be fine."

"You look after her, Matthew Swan!" I told him, sternly, smiling though.

He mock saluted me. "Yes ma'am!" and we hugged,

Keira made her way around everyone there. She reached Dan before Mollie. Brother and sister looked at each other and smiled. Then hugged. As they pulled apart, Dan looked at his little sister. "I wish you all the best. I hope you'll be happy and promise me you'll text and call and let me know how you're doing?"

Keira smiled, fighting to keep the tears back. "I promise. I love you, big brother!"

"I love you, little sister!" and they had one last hug.

Then Keira reached Mollie at last. The two sisters looked at each other, both fighting back tears. And then they embraced each other tightly.

"This isn't for long." Keira said into Mollie's shoulder.

"I know." Replied Keira.

"I'll be back before you know it!"

"I know."

They pulled apart. Mollie took a steadying breath. "You deserve this, K, more than anyone I know. You'll be amazing, so amazing. Look after yourself but have fun too! I'll be seeing you before you know it!"

Keira smiled. "I love you so much!" she sniffed.

"I love you too. So very much!" and they hugged again.

"Keira, we've got a plane to catch!" said Matthew. Keira smiled, kissed him on the cheek and looked at us all.

"See you soon!" she said, smiling. "Dad, don't start World War Three, Greg, look after Dad. Sherlock, look after that beautiful baby of yours. Dan and Abi, thank you so much for everything. Mollie, stay you."

And they were off. Off on a whole new adventure. Off to start their lives. Off to be amazing.

What is this feeling?

Joy!