Author's Notes PLEASE READ: Alright guys, I just really need to say this: please, please be patient. I said this was gonna be a happily ending Liley fic and it will be. Some of you don't seem to trust me at all XD Lilly and Miley will end up together. There will be no surprise about it XD But let me set everything up for them to find each other again, please. Let me have my fun XD

And I apologize for the lack of update last week. I was in Arizona. I'm gonna update again, tomorrow probably.

Huge thanks to Greyiron-93, theshadowswhisper, Ace Ian Combat, and mileymadness specifically. Your last reviews made me so very happy :)

Disclaimer still stands. I also don't own the Dashboard Confessional lyrics used.

Screenwriting an Apology

Miley

"Guess what Lilly?" I asked her playfully.

"What, what?" She bounced up and down, grinning widely.

"Your Uncle Jackson, Aunt Angela and Cousin Jeff are gonna be coming to see your recital!"

"Yes!" Lilly jumped up once, laughing excitedly.

I laughed with her. It was moments like these when I could say that I was truly happy. There was nothing quite like seeing your daughter smile.

--

Lilly

It all reminded me of an old Dashboard song I used to be in love with: 'Step on the stage, the lights, the praise, the curtain calls, and the big parade. You know that life all too well.' Bree had only just caught Hollywood's attention, and she was already handling it like a pro. We were walking into a Starbucks when out of nowhere a band of paparazzi jumped out from a van, armed with their cameras and questions.

"Is this your girlfriend?"

"Give us a name, Bree!"

"How long have you been seeing each other?"

Etcetera.

And she was just so calm about it all. She smiled, she waved, she answered no questions at all, then we went inside the coffee place, bought drinks, tried to ignore the camera flashes, finished our drinks, went outside and did it all over again.

In the car, I looked at Bree with a raised eyebrow. "I love it how the second we start to go out officially is when the paparazzi decide it's time to attack you."

She chuckled. "The irony."

I rolled my eyes. "That would be the story of my life."

--

Miley

At the airport, I attacked my brother with a humongous hug. "Jackson! It feels like forever, doesn't it?"

He laughed, hugging me back. "It really does."

I kissed Angela on the cheek and gave my nephew a hug, exclaiming about how tall he was now.

More hugs and laughs later, we were all finally in my car, driving home.

"I'm so glad you decided to take a break from work, Jackson. It's like we never get to see you," James said.

Jackson nodded. "Yea I know. It's insane. Only just yesterday-"

"Oh no, please honey, not now. Save the fire rescue storied for after dinner," Angela interjected, and with good reason. My brother could go on forever about his job.

Jackson laughed. "Alright, after dinner."

--

Lilly

I rubbed my temples, making calming circles on my skin. God this is exhausting.

"Well, Mr. um… Davis, we'll get back to you." Ian Scott smiled thin lipped and gestured at the door. Mr. Davis exited, stage left.

Ian and I were casting for the male lead, and so far, neither of us had been sparked by anyone. They were all the typical, too-good-looking-to-be-real romantic comedy actors, the Patrick Dempseys of the new decade.

And this role couldn't be played by someone so ordinary. It was an intricate, manly version of me here! I could not be played by some muscle head… He had to be perfect… He had to match Bree's acting skills…He had to be slightly awkward looking… He had to be a guy not afraid to open up… He had to be-

"Mr. George Harris, you're up next."

It had to be him.

--

Miley

By 5 o' clock in the morning, it was just me and Jackson still awake, sipping glasses of wine and reminiscing. I don't do this often. Get drunk, I mean. But in some hazy part of my brain, I knew I was drunk at this moment.

"And, and, and… that one time… where that one kid- what was his name?" I giggled.

Jackson laughed, too loud and too rambunctious. He was drunk too. "Dang Miles, I don't think I can 'member my own name at this point."

I nodded vaguely. "Right. You're Stackson Jewart."

He roared with laughter at that. "And, and yer… yer…" He screwed up his face, trying to think.

"Don't hurt yourself there, brother."

"Funny lady." He shook his head, trying to clear it. There was silence for a little while, as we continued to drink our liquor.

"Ya know Miles," Jackson started, about five 5 minutes later, "You 'nd James seem to be doin'… doin' real good."

Shrugging I took another swing of wine.

"Seriously," he continued, gesturing widely, "I never thought you two'd make it… But here ya are. Gorgeous kids, gorgeous house, successful careers… Ya did good, kid."

I sobered up a little just by hearing him speak those words. My throat seemed to close up on me.

"After everything that happened after high school for ya, I thought ya'd never be happy again-"

"Jackson." I cut him off. He looked at me, puzzled.

"Let's not talk… talk about that, k?" God, I'm so drunk.

He stared at me hard, then he nodded. "Ok."

--

Lilly

Alexis nodded approvingly. "We're doing good. Real good. Shooting is gonna start in a month over in Washington D.C. We'll have the cast all figured out by then. I love the guy you and Ian picked, by the way, to play 'Sam.' He's brilliant."

That was Angela's favorite word. Brilliant.

I grinned. "Isn't he though? I never thought I would be this happy with any guy playing the part. But he's phenomenal."

Angela smiled coyly at me. "I hope he's single."

I just rolled my eyes, not bothering to dignify that with a response.

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