Forty minutes later, Lou grabbed the microphone off the stage and got everyone's attention.

"We have some more entertainment tonight. Our next singer got her start singing in this very pub. Now, she is an international superstar. Please join me in welcoming to the stage our very own sweetheart, Nina Tucker!"

The entire pub burst into applause. Lou beckoned Nina forward, and she slowly walked over to the stage. She was shaking as she climbed the two steps and took a seat at the waiting keyboard. Looking out at all the smiling, happy faces, Nina found herself smiling too. Once again, her nerves had been replaced by joy.

"Hi everyone. Tonight, I'm going to sing my first song, Born to Try," said Nina. She began playing the music, and the words just spilled out. "Doing everything that I believe in..."

By the end of the song, the audience was cheering and clapping. She heard someone whistle. The smile on her face wouldn't disappear.

"Do another song!" yelled someone near the bar.

"Yeah! Another one!" called someone else.

Nina took a breath. Grabbing the microphone, she took another breath. "Is there a particular song you want?"

A few of her songs were shouted out, but one in particular seemed popular.

"Okay. This next song is one of my newer ones. It's called Last Night on Earth." She returned to the keyboard. "It's the last night on earth, before the great divide..."

Half an hour later, Nina took a bow and stepped off the stage. She was thirsty and completely exhausted, but felt good for the first time in more than two months. She had ended up singing seven songs, but it felt good to be able to do what she loved doing.

"Congratulations sweetheart," said Lou. "I'm so proud of you. I didn't actually think you would do it. You sounded pretty down and sad."

"You've always been able to get me to do something I didn't want to."

"How are you feeling now?"

"Tired. I think I'm going to head back to my hotel room and sleep."

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow then?"

"Of course."

Lou gave her a hug. "Goodnight Nina."

"Goodnight."

Someone was knocking on her door. Annoyed, Nina got up and peeked out the peephole. She spotted Toadie and Lou, both grinning from ear to ear. What are they up to now? she thought to herself as she opened the door.

"Hi guys. What's wrong?"

"Good morning sunshine," said Lou. "May we come in?"

"Sure. What time is it?"

"Eight thirty," chirped Toadie.

"You have got to be kidding me. You do know I just got off a sixteen hour flight plus I spent half an hour singing last night right?"

Both men nodded, but neither budged. Lou smiled wider and held a box tied with a ribbon out.

"What is this?"

"It's yours. Happy birthday!" exclaimed Lou.

Nina looked up. She didn't think that anyone would have remembered her birthday. "Thank you both." She hugged Toadie and Lou.

"We'd never forget sweetheart. I was going to mail this to you. But you saved me the trouble. I hope you like it."

Nina opened the present and gasped. "This is lovely!" She pulled out a silver necklace with 21 dangling from it.

"Happy 21st birthday," said Toadie. He took the necklace and put it around her neck.

Nina started crying at that moment and Lou pulled her into his arms, hugging her. "What's wrong?" he asked softly.

She shook her head. "Sorry. They're happy tears, I promise." Not completely true, but she wasn't going to say anything.

"Has Jack called you yet?"

"It's early still. He promised to call at about lunch time here."

Lou nodded, knowing that wasn't going to happen. "Okay sweetheart. Well, why don't we go get some breakfast then?"

Nina nodded. "Can I have a few minutes to get ready?"

"Take your time," said Toadie.

Nina hugged them both and thanked them again for her present. She moved around the room, getting ready for what she was sure would be a long day. She knew Lou was up to something and had a feeling that Toadie was in on it.