Storybrooke
Grimsby led them back toward the front of the theater and out the front door. As he predicted, they found Hilary huddled by the entrance, still sobbing miserably.
"Hilary!" Henry sat down by her side and grasped her hand to comfort her. "You have to go back there!"
"I can't do it!" Hilary whimpered, "It's too much! There's no way Mr. Royal will like me! There's no way we can get the money to stay! Who am I kidding? I'm not famous, I'm just a failure!"
"Yes there is," Henry persisted. "You can do it, and you will! Don't give up now! You've got to keep hope!"
Hilary finally raised her head. She looked at Henry, and then her eyes moved to Emma—and the person standing behind her. She blinked in surprise as Sebastian himself moved forward and bent down to speak with her.
"I…I know how you feel," he admitted. "I know what nerves will do under pressure. I've been through it, myself—but that doesn't mean I should treat others the same way." His expression was genuinely humble as he told her, "I am sorry for being so short with you, and for writing you off. Everyone deserves a chance to be great if they have what it takes," He looked straight into Hilary's eyes, "and from what I've heard from your friends here, I think you do. Miss Anderson," he was formal again, but by no means stiff, "Please return to the sound booth and let us hear you sing." He offered his hand to help her up.
Hilary stood and wiped her eyes. "I'm ready," she said as she gathered her courage.
In the sound booth, the old doubts began to creep back in. This time, though, Hilary knew that the people watching her were there to support her, not judge her.
"Take your time," Grimsby encouraged.
Hilary took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and felt the sense of longing—and of belonging—welling up inside her. Suddenly she knew exactly what to sing.
"Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How do be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid
To fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt
Suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer…."
Emma watched the sheer peace and joy radiate from Hilary's features as she sang. The voice coming over the microphone was truly angelic. There was no way anyone who heard it could remain unaffected.
Her quick ears caught a footfall behind her. Emma turned around to see a tall man with dark hair stepping quietly into the mixing booth. He took one look at Hilary and stood, transfixed by her voice.
"I have died everyday
waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more…"
Grimsby turned around and noticed the newcomer.
"Mr. Royal!" he breathed.
Rick Royal couldn't take his eyes off the girl in the sound booth.
"Who is she?" he asked his assistant.
"Her name is Hilary Anderson," Grimsby explained. "She wants to book the theater for a concert."
"A benefit concert," Henry added, "We're going to invite the whole town."
Rick glanced at Emma and a smile played around his lips as he looked down at the eager young boy. "I take it you would be her agent, then?" he teased.
Henry blushed at the sudden attention from such an imposing man. "Kind of…" he muttered.
"Well, then," Rick said, "I will need to make your acquaintance, and maybe you can tell me all about this marvelous musician you've brought to me. Sebastian," he pointed to his assistant. "Give Hilary Anderson our next available date. Let her have the studio for the whole day, and the stage for as long as she wants in the evening."
"Yes, sir!" Grimsby responded immediately, as Emma, Henry, and Rick left the room to discuss the concert.
The concert happened three days later. Nearly everyone in Storybrooke had heard of the concert and showed up to support the Andersons, Marine Garage, and the local fishermen of the town.
Hilary looked resplendent in an aquamarine gown, with her red hair curled and styled. She positively glowed as she sang for the crowd.
"Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything
Take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath,
Every hour has come to this:
One step closer
I have died everyday
Waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid,
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed
I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more!"
When she finished, Rick Royal joined her onstage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here tonight," he announced, "I know that many of you might not know the Andersons or their situation, but we all know the Marine Garage—" many cheered, "and how important it is for us to stick together and support each other when hard times come. Thank you; on behalf of the Anderson family and Hilary, who so graciously shared her wonderful talent with us—" he had to pause and wait for the applause to die down before he could continue, "—it is my pleasure to announce that your generosity has made several things possible tonight. First, I have just gotten off the phone with the commissioner, and with part of the money donated tonight, he was able to procure for the local fishermen of Storybrooke a legal agreement making the waters of Storybrooke private to the residents of Storybrooke, to fish as you please and to keep the commercial trawlers out!" Everyone cheered at this.
"Secondly," Rick waved his hand to quiet everyone as he continued, "It pleases me to inform you that your donations tonight have added up to enough money to send our very own rising star," he gestured to Hilary, "to Julliard School of Music in New York City!"
Everyone whistled and clapped as Hilary grinned as if she would never stop. Emma mused that if she were any happier, she would fly away.
"I have one more announcement that I have saved as a surprise for Hilary," Rick said, and Emma felt a small jerk of alarm, which relaxed at his next words. "Miss Anderson," Rick continued over the microphone, "Castle Records would like to produce your first album, so that the world can share in your talent. What do you say to that?" He extended the microphone toward her.
Hilary looked like someone could knock her over with a feather. She was absolutely blown away by this proposition.
"I accept!" she squeaked.
Rick smiled at her, "We'll start recording right away!" he waved to the crowd. "Thank you everybody, and goodnight!"
The crowd cheered again. Emma sat back, satisfied. Henry was grinning, too. Things were looking up for the Anderson family, and for Storybrooke. Maybe, just maybe, the real world might hold some "happily-ever-after," after all.