Chapter 2

At Llanfair, Liam was in the study. He heard someone come down the stairs; Liam looked over and saw Ryder heading out the front door. Liam walked over to his cousin.

"Hey!" Liam exclaimed, angrily.

"What do you want?" Ryder asked, annoyed.

"I heard you were putting the moves on Millicent."

"So?"

"Stay away from her."

"What are you going to do if I don't?"

"I don't think you want to find out. Try me."

-v-

Miracle was at home engaged in a conversation with her mother, Destiny.

"Are you sure we should have this birthday party?" Miracle asked.

"Of course I'm sure. It'll be fun." Destiny replied. "You can get a dress! Let's go all out. You only have one sweet sixteen. Why are you having doubts?"

"It just seems like it'll be so uncomfortable for everyone and dad…"

"Look, whatever anyone's problem is with anyone else, they can put that aside for one night for you. Your dad… well just be happy he's there for you. You know he won't intentionally try to ruin your party."

"Like he didn't intentionally ruin your wedding?"

"That was ten years ago and different circumstances. I've let it go, didn't give it a second thought. You should too."

"I'm not worried about that but everyone knows he still loves you."

"It doesn't matter. You come first and he would put you before anyone. We have a few weeks to plan. You in or out?"

"I'm in."

-v-

Meanwhile, Leon was at the Buena's Dias with Millicent having one of Noelle's famous pies.

"This is by far, the best pie I have ever had!" Millicent said.

"I told you! So Miry might have a birthday party in a few weeks-"

"Might?" Millicent asked.

"Yeah, she's still undecided but I'm pretty sure she'll have it."

"Why wouldn't she want a birthday party?"

"It's a family thing but hey, can't live with them, can't live without them. I know I'd do anything if I could just spend one of my birthdays with my dad. Anyway, I was wondering-"

Ryder walked in and noticed Millicent and Leon at the table so he walked over.

"Hey!" Ryder said.

Millicent rolled her eyes, annoyed.

"Hey." She said, nonchalantly.

"Oh, it's like that? Fine." Ryder said as he walked away.

"What does 'fine' mean?" Millicent asked.

"Knowing Ryder, it means anything but fine."

"He's not dangerous or anything, is he?" She asked.

Leon laughed.

"Please, Ryder and all his muscle acts all big and bad but he won't physically hurt a fly. He's a pretty boy."

"Oh because the way Liam talks about him you would think he was the worst guy in the world."

"Is that why you don't like him?"

"No. I can make up my own mind. I don't like him because he thinks he's the best thing walking the earth."

"Well I wanted to know if you would like to go to Miry's party with me if she has it?"

-v-

Bree was in make up on the set of her photo shoot.

"You are just gorgeous." Her make up artist said.

"Thanks."

The stylist walked in with outfits for the shoot. Bree looked at them unhappily.

"What are those?"

"It's what you're wearing." The stylist said.

"No, it's not." Bree said in a sweet, passive voice.

"Yeah, it is."

"If I wear any of that I will practically be naked and everyone knows I will not take pictures dressed like that."

"This is business kid, either take it or don't and don't get paid."

"Ok."

When Bree's make up was done she went to put on an outfit which was barely anything. She looked at herself in the mirror and frowned as she thought about what everyone would think of her if they saw her in photos dressed as she was. She just couldn't do it. She went back and changed her clothes and then took the little pieces of fabric back to the stylist.

"Why aren't you dressed?" The photographer said as Bree walked out.

"I am dressed. I'm not doing it."

"You can't just pull out of the shoot."

"You already know that I won't take pictures dressed like that and if you can't respect that I guess I have to walk away. "

"You'll never make it in this business!" The photographer said as Bree walked away.

-v-

Starr and James were having a family dinner with their children Hope, Harvey and Uttara. All of them were sitting around the table laughing and bonding except Hope who was silent and looked as if she didn't want to be there.

"Hope, what's wrong?" Starr asked.

"What's wrong? Are you kidding me? We're all sitting here acting as if we're one big happy family."

"We are happy." Uttara, who is Starr and James eight year old daughter said.

"You're young, what do you know?" Hope said.

"She knows we're all happy. Apparently, the only one who isn't happy is you. Why is that?" Starr asked.

"Why? You're never here. You're always touring or flying around the world promoting something. Your music career is more important than your family. You leave us here with…ugh…James while my father is dead."

Starr sighs. She sees the pain in her daughter's eyes.

"I know this is a painful time for you. It's almost the anniversary of your dad's death. It hurts me too but it doesn't mean you can disrespect James. Another thing, my career isn't more important than you all. All of you come before anything. Traveling is just apart of what I have to do for my career and I'm sorry."

"Whatever, I'm an adult. I don't have to be here." She got up and left the table.

The next thing they heard was the front door slamming.

Hope went to the Buena's Dias. She couldn't think of anywhere else to go. When she got there she saw Gabe sitting at a table with a laptop. She approached him.

"If it isn't Hope Manning Thornhart, daughter of-" Gabe started.

"Don't mock me." Hope said.

"What do you want now? We've already established that I can't buy you drinks."

"I just want you to know that you're going to regret all of this."

"All of what?"

"The way you've been acting toward me."

"Perhaps, if you fixed your attitude I wouldn't act that way."

"Oh! This is wonderful! I'm so glad you two have met!" Marcie said as she walked over to them.

Sam walked into the Buena's Dias and spotted his brother, Leon with Millicent.

"Hi Leon, Milli. Mind if I join you?"

Leon scooted over so that Sam could have a seat.

"What are you two up to?" Sam asked.

"Miry, just called and told me that she's definitely going to have a sweet sixteen party and Milli, agreed to be my date."

"Oh! You have good taste little brother."

Millicent blushed at the statement.

Ryder who was sitting at the counter looked over and noticed what was going on between Leon and Millicent and just nodded his head.