After a weekend of relaxation Derek and Karen were now attempting to get back into the busy routine of New York life. The couple had used their last week off before workshop to hire a new nanny and to find Jacqueline and Theo a new school.
Before the family knew it, it was Monday morning. "Maman on va être en retard. Pourquoi Jacqueline prend tellement de temps à se préparer?"Theo called out. He and Derek were waiting for Karen and Jacqueline by the door with backpacks and lunches in hand.
"Son, you are not going to be late; I promise." Karen replied. "Derek Wills, you better not be using your son to get us to hurry." Isabel the new nanny laughed at the remark. She had overheard her boss make his son call his mother.
Karen had contacted the Language Academy Julia had mentioned and today they would be meeting with the principal in hopes that Theo and Jacqueline could start their first day of school. The family pulled into the school's parking lot and Karen made sure she had all of the necessary paperwork; the school's application, birth certificates and Derek's visa. When she was ready the four exited the SUV and made their way towards the school.
"Remember when you answer a question it is yes ma'am or yes sir." Karen reminded. "Also try to speak as much English as you can."
"Yes mummy," they both answered but clearly distracted by the children running around.
"You would think we were sending them to bloody university," Derek interjected. "Interviews and admissions; might as well test their IQ while they're at it. Although I'm more than certain both would be considered genius as they're our children after all." Karen laughed at her husband's assessment and leaned further into his side.
"It would seem someone is a little biased." She teased. Upon entering the building they were greeted by a middle age woman who was tall, slender and by Karen's own admission attractive.
"Hello may I help you." She asked. "I'm Mrs. Wilcox, the principal."
"Hi," Karen replied. "I'm Karen Wills and this is my husband, Derek, and our children Theo and Jacqueline."
"Oh yes, we spoke over the phone. It's so nice to meet you." She greeted. "Bonjour Theo et Jacqueline, je suis ravie de vous rencontrer et j'espère que vous rejoindrez notre école cette année."
The two children looked to their parents and after assurance it was alright to answer in French, proceeded to speak. "Nous sommes ravis de vous rencontrer vous aussi." Theo replied. "L'école a l'air super et nous avons hâte de nous faire de nouveaux amis."
"They are very polite and well spoken," the principal complimented.
"Thank you," Derek replied. "We are working with them to speak more English but it's been a struggle. However, they do understand and can write the language fluently.
Mrs. Wilcox smiled, "I understand and that won't be a problem here. All of our teachers are fluent in French, Japanese, Spanish and English. If there is a student who speaks a different language we will work one on one with them." Derek was impressed and looking at his wife he could tell she was as well. "Would you like a tour of the campus?"
"That would be great," Karen replied. The family accompanied the principal on a tour of the grounds and then entered her office to complete the necessary paperwork. An hour later and Theo and Jacqueline were ecstatic and couldn't wait for school to start.
Across town, Ivy took one last look in the mirror before leaving for the studio. Ever since seeing Derek, the blonde actress had been unable to stop thinking about her ex-lover. After six years, she had to admit time had been good to him. In her eyes, he looked younger and even more attractive if possible and his return was stirring up feelings she thought were long gone. Over the course of the past week, she had tried to search online for personal information on him but was frustrated when nothing was found. There was no mention of children, a girlfriend, a wife, nothing; yet Ivy assumed the young boy in the studio was his son. Her greater concern was the woman he had walked to the elevator with and the little girl who held her hand. Who was she?
Julia had gotten to the studio early and was working on notes when the first few members of the ensemble arrived. She greeted each of them with a smile and went back to work. A few minutes later a familiar voice broke her concentration. "Good morning Julia." Ivy greeted.
"Good morning Ivy," the writer replied. "Are you ready for the day?"
"Yeah, I'm really excited to be working with you and Derek again." She smiled. "I was wondering though, who are the leads?"
Julia gave a weary smile, "I can't say yet," she replied. "Eileen didn't want anything leaked so everyone will find out together at the start of this morning's rehearsal."
"Oh," Ivy commented. "Well, I better start warming up." The writer nodded and watched the actress walk to the back of the studio. When the studio door opened again Derek strolled into the room.
"Good morning beautiful," he greeted Julia with a kiss on her cheek.
"Hi," she replied. "How did it go, where's Karen?"
"For Theo and Jackie it could not have gone better," he chuckled. "For Karen on the other hand, she cried the moment we left the classroom. I don't know if it was because of their first day or because neither one of our children actually cared when we left."
Julia laughed, "probably a mixture of both. It's hard for a mother to see her children grow up." As if on cue the door opened and in walked the woman in question. Ivy, who had been warming up, saw the brunette walk through the door and her eyes widened in surprise. She watched as the actress in her late twenties or early thirties walked over to Julia and offered a hello. She then observed the brunette's exchange of words with Derek. There was no ring on her finger or any other outward sign of affection between the two so Ivy was extremely confused.
Leaving Derek and Julia, Karen made her way to the crowd of dancers who were gathered across the way from Ivy. She introduced herself using her maiden name as it was name she used in the theater and that fact had not changed after their marriage. When Eileen arrived right at 8:30 a.m. the producer called the room to order.
"Hello everyone," Eileen greeted. "Welcome to the workshop for Julia Houston's next book. I'd give you a title but it seems our esteemed writer has yet to be inspired with a name." Everyone laughed at the older woman's candidness. "Even without a name, we are excited about the production and the prospect of Broadway. We have a talented director and choreographer whom we persuaded to return to the states, Derek Wills." Eileen pointed to the Brit. Derek nodded at the gesture. "And lastly, we have put together a group of actors and actresses we believe will lead us to greatness. So, without further ado, I will let Mr. Wills take over." The ensemble clapped as Derek stood from his seat while Eileen took hers.
"Hello," he began "for those of you who do not know me; and I suspect there are quite a few, I'm Derek Wills. As Ms. Rand pointed out, I will be the director and choreographer for this production; and as such, I will inform you right now, I demand perfection. Having said that, I do understand it will be a process to reach my expectations; so, all I ask of you is to be prepared and to give me your best every day. In return for your hard work I promise you my fullest effort and the guarantee that when we hit Broadway, you will have reached a level of skill you did not think possible." He finished. "Is your best something you can me?" He asked the group.
"Yes," they responded in unison and with excitement. Julia and Eileen were beyond impressed with the director's remarks. While they tried not to compare their colleague to the man of six years ago, it was difficult not too. It was easy to see that the time away and working on the West End had served him well.
"Good," He smiled. "Now, let me introduce you to the leads of our show; Darren Scott and Karen Cartwright." He motioned to the two individuals who stood off to the side mixed in with the ensemble. Both waived to everyone and he couldn't help but smile at the blush that appeared on his wife's face from all of the attention. It still amazed him how humble she remained." What he also noticed was the icy glare Ivy gave when she realized the woman she had seen with Derek was the lead. It was obvious she was furious. Not willing to give into Ivy's pettiness, he instead called for everyone to gather around the piano as they were going to start with the music in scene one and move to the choreography in the afternoon.
With everyone taking a seat, Derek instructed the pianist to start with the opening number. The scene called for Karen and Darren to sing a duet. Within the first few lines of the song it was clear to the ensemble why the actress had been chosen. Her voice was strong but not over powering and there was an ease and silkiness to it. Derek was also impressed by Darren whose deep tone was a nice compliment. There was no mistake the two had chemistry and the director was pleased. He had not been involved in the young man's selection but he was glad he trusted Julia's instinct. When the song ended everyone with the exception of Ivy clapped. The ensemble including Ivy joined in the next few songs and the morning passed quickly. Derek acknowledged a good morning's work and called for lunch.
Ivy walked back to her bags and watched as Darren along with several other members of the ensemble approached Karen "Hey Cartwright, would you like to grab lunch?" He smiled.
"Sure, let me grab my bag." She replied. Noticing Ivy hadn't really spoken to anyone she asked the group if they would mind she invited the blonde. Hearing no objection Karen walked over to the actress. "Hi," she said. "I don't think we have formally been introduced. I'm Karen. A group of us are grabbing lunch; would you like to join us?"
Ivy looked at the actress "You may have everyone else fooled but I know how you got the lead and trust me; as soon as he is done using you, he is going to move on to the next leading lady." The actress remarked. At first Karen was taken aback. Not because she didn't expect the actress to have issues but because she didn't expect the woman to make her stance known just five hours into the first day of workshop.
"Wow," Karen replied. "I really thought we could be cordial." she voiced. "I mean I'm not at all judgmental." she assured. "If the only way you've been able to get any roles since Bombshell is by having sex with directors; who am I to say anything." The brunette gave a weary shake of her head. "I can't even imagine how that must make you feel. I've been blessed my talent speaks for itself." She finished with a smile as she turned to leave. "Anyhow, nice to have chatted with you Ivy, maybe lunch some other time."
Karen looked at her husband who had been watching the interaction and winked. "Adieu beau."
"Au revoir magnifique, un bon déjeuner." He replied with a smile.
Ivy stood in stunned silence. Unable to understand what either of the two had said, she angrily grabbed her purse and left the room. Karen was not going to get the better of her; that she was going to be sure of.