Phillip felt more nervous than he had ever done in his entire life, it had been nearly two months since his father's threatening letter and nothing had happened.
He knew something was going to happen and soon, the waiting was almost worse than his fear of what it would actually be.
Now Phillip was standing behind the stands with Anne waiting to begin his first performance back, he was shaking from nerves.
Not because of the fact he hadn't performed in a while, whilst recovering he would sing his songs in bed. He was worried that tonight, the first night of performing again could be the night it happened.
It would make sense, there were moments when he was the only person not in the ring so it would be the perfect time for his father to strike, Phillip wouldn't have W.D or Constantine to protect him, P.T was amongst the crowd tonight keeping an eye but he doubt he would know if Phillip was getting attacked backstage.
After the last performance Phillip did he got attacked for protecting Anne, he didn't want a repeat of that although of course he would do the same if he needed to.
Anne tried to reassure him everything was going to be fine and attempted unsuccessfully to hype Phillip up, "hey c'mon, it's your first time performing in a while, isn't that exciting?" She asked rubbing his shoulder.
His eyes were trained on the ring, he couldn't shake the feeling tonight would be the night, "what if he's here?" He said in a scared whisper,
Anne kissed his cheek, "he won't be, P.T is scanning the crowds, he'll kick anyone who causes trouble tonight out immediately" she promised him.
Phillip shook his head, "Anne I don't know if I can do this, I'm so scared" he admitted, he took a step back away from the ring but Anne stopped him,
"Listen to me, I'll be right there next to you for most of your songs, and for the songs that I'm not I'll be right here cheering you on, you can do anything Phillip Carlyle, so go out there and kick some butt" she encouraged him.
He gave her an unsure smile and realised all through her speaking she had been slowly edging him closer to the ring, he took a deep breath and nodded, "it'll be okay" he said to himself, she kept her hand on his shoulder,
"Everything will be fine, you're gonna do great babe" she confirmed.
He kept his eyes on her as he signalled for the oddities to begin to sing
"Whoa" they all sang and stomped, Phillip got into his first position his eyes still on Anne,
"Whoa" Anne gave Phillip a look of encouragement as she sang, he got into his second position
"Whoa" they sang one last time, Phillip took Anne's hand as he took a deep breath to sing
Ladies and Gents this is the moment you've waited for His voice sounded a little rusty despite his practicing but Anne next to him gave him an extra vote of confidence.
Been searching in the dark, your sweat soaking through the floor Phillip began to dance, he had to take it easy this show but luckily the song wasn't too bad
And buried in your bones there's an ache that you can't ignore He flipped his cane and caught it on his shoulder, Anne mouthed something to him but he was starting to get into it
Taking your breath, stealing your mind, and all that is real is left behind He began walking to his spot, he could hear the horses neighing impatiently.
Don't fight it it's coming for you, running at ya. It's only this moment, don't care what comes after He was ready in his position, the lights all came on. This was it, he took one last look at Anne
Just fever dream, can't you see it getting closer? Just surrender 'cause you feel the feeling taking over He took a deep breath and ran towards the ring, the horses following him.
It's fire, it's freedom, it's flooding open The oddities in the ring sensed he was anxious and all gave him comforting looks
It's a preacher in the pulpit and you'll find devotion, there's something breaking at the brick of every wall it's holding He sprung into the ring and saw the crowd lean forward in anticipation
All that you know... All the lights shut off, the only light now from the fire eaters perched on blocks
Tell me do you wanna go? The fire exploded and lights flooded back to the ring, the rest of the oddities appeared in the ring, he felt Anne's eyes on him as she danced a few feet away
Where it's covered in all the coloured lights He jumped out of the way as Sarah flung knives at the rotating wheel, thankfully she wasn't blindfolded
Where the runaways are running the night He ducked as Oliver The Irish Giant jumped over his head
Impossible comes through, it's taking over you He watched as W.D was launched over Oliver's shoulders landing on the balancing board sending Anne flying through the air
Oh! This is the greatest show! She landed gracefully and took off with W.D to climb the ladder to the swings
We light it up, we won't come down, and the sun can't stop us now! Watching it come through it's taking over you He slid across the ring and pointed with his cane to the ceiling where Anne jumped from her swing to W.D's ready arms, his heart leapt as always but of course W.D caught her
It's everything you ever want, it's everything you ever need He looked at Anne who was sprinting back to the ring, even as when she ran she looked stunning. She was everything he'd ever want and need. She appeared by his side again which he relished in.
And it's here right in front of you, It's everything you ever want, it's everything you ever need, and it's here right in front of you, this is where you wanna be… This is where you wanna be! Phillip danced, he watered down his usual routine slightly so it was easier for him tonight, he then stepped back and let Lettie take over the next verse
When it's covered in all the coloured lights, where the runaways are running the night At this she gestured to all the oddities surrounding her
Impossible comes true, it's taking over you, this is the greatest show! We light it up, we won't come down, and the sun can't stop us now! Walter jumped in front of her and howled. The crowd gasped, she stepped back and all of the oddities sang the last lines
Watching it come true, it's taking over you, oh this is the greatest show! They all held our positions until the audience applauded, everyone but Sarah and the fire eaters walked backstage.
Phillip turned to Anne, panting when we reached behind the stands, "how'd I do?" he asked with a lopsided grin, he'd temporarily forgotten all of my worries.
She pushed a strand of pink hair out of her eyes, "I told you you'd do amazing! I'm so proud of you" she praised.
The night went better than Phillip had expected, every single act flowed smoothly, there wasn't a single problem or heckler tonight.
Phillip knee slid across the ring to join the final reprise, he had kept it so he only sung the last chorus,
This is the greatest show! Where it's covered in all the coloured lights! Where the runaways are running the night! Phillip gestured to Anne and W.D as they swung around the ring on ropes
Impossible comes true it's taking over you Phillip sang Anne joining in on a duet, they harmonised beautifully and she jumped from her rope, flipping and landing next to him gracefully, she looked lovingly at him before turning to the crowd.
Oh the greatest show! We light it up, we won't come down and the walls can't stop us now Everyone else joined in again, Phillip grinned a genuine smile as members of the audience recognised the song and joined in
I'm watching it come true, it's taking over you, oh this is the greatest show! Anne fell back in next to Phillip and held on to his shoulder, the last part was his favourite.
This is the greatest show! Everyone else sang dancing around Phillip and Anne, Phillip had changed it slightly making their interracial relationship part of the acts.
'Cause everything you want is right in front of you, and you see the impossible coming true Phillip and Anne sang over everyone else, on the you see the impossible coming true line Anne kissed Phillip's cheek and he winked at the shocked audience
And the walls can't stop us now Phillip and Anne spread their free arms gesturing at themselves as a couple
This is the greatest show! Oh this is the greatest show! Anne and Phillip joined in again
Oh this is the greatest show! This was Phillip's favourite favourite bit, he grabbed Anne's waist and dipped her, she took his hat and then he kissed her in front of the entire circus. Tonight there was nothing but cheers and shouts of encouragement from the audience.
Phillip could hear Helen and Caroline from one of the stands yelling "Go uncle Phillip! Go Aunty Anne! We love you!" that made his heart melt, he pulled away from Anne and stared into her eyes overwhelmed by his love for her, she giggled and he raised her to her feet again. She placed Phillip's hat on her own head and winked at him cheekily, this was not part of it but he considered adding it to the routine, she looked really good…
This is the greatest show! They all finished, the crowd went more wild than it ever had before, Phillip looked over at Anne again, she stood watching the audience, she held a look of happiness on her face as she realised there wasn't a single protest at Phillip kissing her tonight.
The cast rushed off backstage when Phillip had told everyone to have a safe journey back, Anne practically dragged him out of the ring as he basked in the applause.
"There was no protest tonight!" She gleamed, W.D standing nearby grinned "see if you keep fighting eventually there'll be less opposition!" He called, Phillip beamed at both of them, "I hate to say it but W.D's right, we're clearly starting to get through to our audience" he joked.
He felt the adrenaline slowly start to wear off however, although he had fully recovered by now his leg muscles were still weak, he could feel his leg start to grow heavy and achy.
He grimaced, "I'm heading off to bed, my leg is starting to hurt" he told Anne, her smile quavered, "I'll help you, D I'll be back in a sec don't go anywhere" she yelled over her shoulder.
Despite his protests Anne insisted on wrapping his arm around her shoulders for extra support if he needed it, she took him to his room and pushed him back on the bed.
"Hey this looks promising" he joked, she laughed "don't get any ideas, my brother is waiting outside for me".
Phillip made a face, "and just look that the mood has died" he gagged, Anne shook her head at her idiot of a boyfriend and helped undressed him ignoring his complaints that he could do it himself.
She kissed him when she took off his shirt, "I know you can but I want to do it" she said with a wink, she got him into bed and left to find W.D.
She promised before she left she wouldn't be too long and would cuddle him lots when he came back as he whined slightly when she walked away.
He lay in bed replaying his performances in his head with a smile on his face, maybe he didn't need to worry about his father. Although it was highly unlikely maybe he had just made an empty threat with no intention of following through.