Amber stood backstage in her costume filled with anticipation. The show was set to begin in about ten minutes. She was glad that she could drive to the school herself as she needed to be there early to get into her costume and her make-up could be done. It gave her time to relax and not think about the musical. She always enjoyed driving and just losing herself in the music on the radio.

The young actress looked out from behind the curtain to see her family sitting there.
Mom and Dad in the front row of course. Her mother looked especially excited. Her father looked proud. Sabrina was talking to another student most likely bragging about how her twin sister was sure to steal the show. Alex looked slightly bored but Amber knew he would never miss this. It was important to his sister and be there he would.

She could see Mr. and Mrs. Howell sitting behind them. Mary Ann and Gilligan had arrived along with Jonas. Her grandparents were there as well. Of course. They said they didn't care if she had one line and one scene in any play or musical. Not a chance they would miss out! Amber rarely pressed anyone in her family to see her performances and she stated it was okay if they did not come to them all but they all insisted they would.
She did wish her Pappy Skipper could be there but he was in Texas. He did call her earlier to wish her the best of luck and say he was thinking of her.

Miss Carter call the cast over to give last minute instructions and to be sure that everyone knew their directions. The group nodded. They could do this in their sleep they were sure of it. Two minutes to showtime. The props were set in their proper places and the scenery was perfect.

Ginger sat in her burgundy chair feeling happy. So happy her baby girl was following in her footsteps. Before she knew she was blessed with two babies, she had also envisioned Amber singing and dancing. How wonderful it was to be true! She could not be more proud. She also knew that her Roy was just as proud. He said time and time again that Amber was just like his beautiful wife in almost every way. She had her charm, her looks and her amazing talent. And like Ginger, he was wrapped around her finger. Ever since she was a little girl, he would do anything for her. He had spoiled her but you wouldn't know it. Amber never acted spoiled. She was always grateful for what she was given. Just like her mother.

The lights in the auditorium dimmed and the show was set to begin. Ginger squeezed her husband's hand as the curtain was pulled back. She grinned seeing her daughter start her performance. She was incredible. Throughout the entire musical, Amber was sensational.

She blew everyone away with "I Could Have Danced All Night". Made everyone laugh with "Just You Wait." Quite the entertainer she was.

The show came to close and the audience stood up applauding. The cast was then gathered out together on the stage and they cheered even more for Amber. She took her bows and was very gracious as she soaked it all in. Amber found her mother in the crowd and smiled. Ginger gave her a thumbs up and mouthed an I'm so proud of you!
It was one of the greatest moments in Amber's life. She truly knew this is where she belonged. On stage. It was her home. And it always will be.

Later

Mrs. Howell insisted on having a party to celebrate Amber's big night. They did it all the time in Hollywood no reason they couldn't do it for a high school musical too!
So they were all gathered in the Howell Mansion. Tons of food and lots of music.
Amber basked in the attention. Sabrina told her she was the best Eliza Doolittle ever. She could give Audrey Hepburn a run for her money she could! Amber laughed saying she wouldn't go that far but thanked her sister for her support. Alex told her the play wasn't half bad and she did a good job.

Ginger and the Professor praised their redheaded daughter up and down declaring she was going to be the next big star in Hollywood! Well Ginger did anyway. The Professor was not too keen about his baby girl being around those slimy producers and directors, knowing what Ginger used to have to endure he did not wish that for Amber however he knew that he couldn't be there to protect her 24/7 and that she was a tough girl like her mother and could very well handle herself. That he was certain of. Amber was just as feisty and firey as Ginger. Those men in Hollywood better beware!

Amber decided to step away from the party for a bit and walk the grounds of the Howell's grand estate. She loved their home. It was always so warm and inviting. Just like her Nana and Pop. So many times growing up did she spend time on their lush property riding her horse she named Cary after Cary Grant who was one of her favorite actors much to the chagrin of the Professor. He was not too happy his wife introduced Amber to Mr. Grant's movies. He was always convinced one day Ginger was just going to up and leave him for Cary but she told him time and time again he was just be ridiculous and that Mr. Cary Grant could never hold a candle to him. Ever. Ginger reminded her husband of what she told him on their wedding day. If Cary ever showed up declaring he must have her, she would tell him to buzz off. She meant every word. Amber knew for certain that her father had nothing to ever worry about and that he knew Ginger was never going to part from him. It was just amusing to see him get jealous still after all this time.

She knew her mother had a bit of a jealous streak to her. Ginger still hated any woman looking at her darling Roy the "wrong way". Amber would laugh at the expression on a waitresses' face when Ginger would give her the what for. There were times it was justified. She did not like the way some of those bimbos as she called them, would look at her father. Yes he was a handsome man but that did not give them the right to think about it with her mother right there! Sometimes she would make a remark or two herself letting the woman know to back off.

Amber did not blame her mother for feeling that way. She told her all about that horrible Erika Tiffany Smith. Amber ran into that woman once and found her as every bit of a phony as Ginger said she would be. She immediately did not like her and wished she could scratch her eyes out for the hell she put her dear mother through! Thinking she could just up and marry Roy Hinkley Jr! It made her blood boil. She was glad her mother set that man straight with a kiss. She read all about it in her mother's memoir The Ginger Hinkley Story. Amber had chastised her father for even allowing that horrible creature to think such a thing. He had stammered something incoherent and made some apology.

The young Hinkley girl hoped to have a good solid marriage like her parents someday.
Right now her focus was on making it big in Hollywood. Funny though how that was her mother's focus too. Before she met the Professor and fell madly in love. Amber knew about her mother's past relationships. That doctor. That basketball player. And that horrible no good Ty. She was proud that her mother got away from that creep. And was even more happy to know that the man was spit out of the bottom of the entertainment industry along with that horrible Debbie Dawson. The two worked in some two bit theaters where Amber felt they belonged.

Yes one day she would be a star. A big one. Her Uncle Danny told her that she would make it as long as she continued to work hard. Amber had ever intention of doing so.
Tonight proved something that she had already known. She was destined to be a big Hollywood star. That dream was going to come true. One way or another. She was going to make it.