"Dad, is Grandma Lizzie and Grandpa Roger meeting us at the theater?"
"Yes," Derek warmly answers his son. For the second time in a little over a week, the Wills family is on their way to a red carpet event for the opening of a Broadway play. The first occasion was a week ago for the opening of their production, 'Seduction,' at the St. James. The reviews of the shows were quick to rumor Tony nominations and critics opinions of Ivy were vastly improved over previews. For Dustin and Rose, the excitement was of the event was something they hadn't stopped talking about. Tonight, however, their enthusiasm was on a different level and for a much different reason. Tonight, Derek was escorting his two children to the Gershwin Theater in support of their Mother.
"Why aren't they staying with us?" the young boy's voice interrupted Derek's thoughts.
"They want to stay in the city, Buddy; and close to where your mother is performing."
"Oh," was the only response he earned in return.
"We're here Mr. Wills," the driver informs the director as they pull up to the theater. "I'll let you get situated and will open the passenger door in a few minutes."
"Thank you Scott," Derek answers. "Alright you two, are you ready to see you mother?"
"Yes," they say in unison.
"Dustin, I'm going to get out first and then you follow me, okay?"
"Yes Sir."
"What about me Daddy," Rose asks.
"You Angel; will wait until Dustin and I are both out of the car, and then I will carry you inside, alright?"
The little girl nods her approval and the three wait for the door to open. Within a few seconds the driver's voice is heard letting Derek know he can step out. As soon as Derek's head is seen peeking out from the car, he is greeted by a sea of flashes. Smiling as he fully steps away from the limo, Derek turns back to the car and helps Dustin exit. Immediately the young boy hears his name called and looks to his father. "Is it alright if I wave?" Dustin asks.
"Of course," Derek answers, reaching into the car to lift Rose. Once his daughter is situated in his arms, Derek takes Dustin's hand and the three begin their walk down the red carpet into the theater. "Dustin what do you think of your Mom?" a reporter asks.
The young boy stops at the question, causing Derek to feel a tug on his hand. Looking at this son, he bends down "is something wrong buddy?" he quietly asks.
Dustin the shakes his head no but leans into Derek's ear "what do they mean when they ask what I think of Mom?"
"They want to know if you are proud of her," Derek replies. He can see the wheels turning in his son's mind and waits to hear the next question; all the while pictures being taken. "Can I answer?"
"Sure," Derek answers as he stands and ruffles his son's hair. Turning to the reports he states "someone asked my son a few minutes ago what he thought of his mother; he'd like to answer the question if you don't mind asking again."
A male report Derek doesn't recognize raises his hand, "that was my question Mr. Wills."
Derek acknowledges the gentleman and leads Dustin to where he is standing. "So Dustin, what do you think of your Mom?" the reporter asks again.
Looking at his father Dustin smiles, "I think my Mom is the prettiest and best mom ever,"
"Me too Dustin," Rose squeals as she tries to get down from Derek's arms. Putting his daughter down, Derek watches as Rose grabs hold of Dustin's hand. "I think Mommy is pretty too D," she exclaims.
Dustin smiles at her and continues, "My Mom is an awesome dancer,"
"And she sings like an angel, our daddy says." Rose interjects. "That's why he calls me his angel," the little girl blushes.
"That's right Rose, thanks for reminding me," Dustin tells his sister; causing the crowd of reporters too laugh. "And the best thing is," Dustin gives a content sigh, she always tells us she loves us and no matter how tired she is, she always tucks us in with a song. Our Mom can do anything," Dustin beams.
"Do you think your Mom is a star?" the report questions.
"Yup, and she is to my Dad too," Dustin honestly answers. "I've heard him tell her."
The reporters go crazy at the young boy's comments and begin to push forward. Sensing Dustin and Rose's sudden alarm at the movement; Derek intervenes and calls the questions to an end. "Sorry everyone, but there is a leading lady waiting for us before she goes on," Derek informs them as he lifts Rose in his arms and leads Dustin by the hand. Once safely inside the director scans the lobby in search of familiar faces. Fortunately he doesn't have to look long when he hears Dustin exclaim "Grandma Lizzie."
Derek turns around and instantly Rose asks to get down. No sooner do her feet touch the ground and the little girl sprints to her Grandfather. "Hey, there pumpkin," Roger greets. Derek approaches the older couple and offers a kiss on the cheek to Elizabeth and firm handshake to Roger. "I apologize for begin late," Derek states. "We had phone drama and shoe drama to contend with," Derek gives a nod to towards his son, who is lost in conversation with Rose.
"It's alright we understand," Karen's mother answers.
"Karen on the other hand has been driving us crazy asking where you are," Roger adds. "I think we should probably go find her before she has both our hides," he laughs.
Derek chuckles "I think you are very correct in your assessment and the hide she would start with is mine," he finishes. "Let's go this way," Derek leads the group past all the gathered well-wishers. Finally reaching the private lobby, he spots Kyle.
"There you are," the young lyrists exclaims; relief evident in his voice. "She has been going crazy saying you aren't answering your phone. Let's get you back there now before she loses it completely," he adds ushering Derek and the rest of the group through the backstage door to Karen's dressing room.
Stopping in front Karen's door Kyle solidly knocks. "Who is it?" the voice asks from inside.
"It's me, Kyle. I have some guests here you have been dying to see," he responds.
Before he can even finish his sentence the door flies open. "Where have you guys been, I was so worried."
"We got in a little bit of trouble," Dustin answers.
"What happened?" she asks concern in her voice.
"It's nothing that can't wait till after the show, Love," Derek tries to assure.
"No, I want to know," Karen says.
"I lost my shoe," Rose speaks up first.
"And I dropped Dad's phone in the toilet," Dustin adds; his eyes not wanting to make contact with anyone in the room.
"That would be why I didn't answer your calls, Love."
"But, I don't understand; how did you manage to do that Son?"
Dustin looks to his father for help but when he offers none; the young boy realizes he is on his own. "I reached a new level on the game I was playing and Dad told me to use the loo before we took off. I didn't want to stop my game; so I took the phone with me. I dropped it in the toilet when I tried to flush."
The four adults in the room including Kyle but excluding Derek try desperately not to laugh. "What did your Dad do?" Karen asks, a smile playing on her face.
"He made me reach in to pull it out and then started rubbing his hand through his hair and saying things in French," the young boy answers; causing Derek to turn a deep shade of red.
"Did you apologize?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Okay good. Now why don't you and your grandparents go find your seats," Karen suggests. "I want to talk to your Dad, alright," she says turning to her parents for reassurance.
"Yes, come on your two. Let's give your Mom and Dad some time alone," her Mom ushers her grandchildren towards the door.
Before leaving Dustin turns back, "Mom, you look pretty, break a leg tonight."
"Thank you sweetheart," Karen responds with tears forming in her eyes.
When the door closes, Karen stands from her chair and quickly closes the gap between Derek and her. Placing her hands around his neck, she leans in for searing kiss. "Thank you for being an amazing husband," she whispers against his mouth.
"You make it easy, Love," Derek whispers before he captures her lips with his.
A cough from the door startles them and in unison their heads turn. "I'm so sorry to interrupt; but it's time to head for the stage," Kyle informs them.
"Will you walk with me?" she asks her husband.
"Of course," he moves his hand to the spall of her back. Reaching their destination Karen leans back into Derek's embrace. She angles her head so that she can see him and gently places a kiss on his lips. "Tonight is for you," she smiles leaving his arms to hit her mark. Derek stares in awe for a few minutes before leaving to find his children.
The show is amazing and with each passing scene Karen manages to mesmerize the crowd even more. By the time the curtain closes the applause in the theater is deafening. "She was awesome, Dad," Dustin exclaims.
"She indeed was, Son," Derek beams with pride.
The cast from 'Seduction' had entered the theater at intermission and were currently speechless. Finally Michael breaks the silence, "that was incredible," he admits.
"No kidding," Jessica adds. "I mean, Karen was great in Bombshell and Rent; but this has to be her best yet."
After three encores the theater slowly begins to empty. "What do you think?" Tom asks Julia.
"I think if Seduction loses; I couldn't think of a better show to lose too."
"I don't think Broadway has had two shows of such great caliber running at the same time in years," Sam adds. "The two shows are just what this business needs right now," he finishes. "In my opinion, there are no losers."
The excitement continues as Karen joins the group in the lobby where they prepare to leave for the after party. Reporters bombard the couple with questions about both shows.
"If you had to place a bet, what actress would you put your money on to win a Tony?" A reporter asks Derek as Ivy and the rest of the group look on.
"I don't allow my husband to bet," Karen laughs. "But if I did, I would suspect he'd wager money on Ivy Lynn."
The reporter along with those close by are in shock. "You mean he wouldn't put money on you?"
Karen smiles, "Are you kidding? My husband is known for making stars; have you seen Ivy Lynn? I wouldn't let him bet against her," she finishes and the small crowd laughs. "Now if you excuse us, we have an after party to get too."
Turning to his wife Derek whispers, "You will always be my star, Love."
Watching Karen from a short distance, Ivy is in awe. "How does she do that?" she asks Kevin. "How can she be so secure in her ability that she can poke fun at herself?"
"Because at the end of the day; a Tony is just a statue," Kevin opines. "Sure it's great to win one but it most definitely doesn't define who anyone is."
The blond actress sighs, "How did I manage to get so lucky in finding you."
"Maybe it wasn't luck but in the stars," Kevin replies. Ivy looks at him and meeting his eyes they both bust out in laughter.
"That was the cheesiest line I've ever heard."
"Yet you still love me," Kevin smiles.
Ivy tilts her head a moment and without thinking answers "I do love you," her words, a surprise.
"I knew you couldn't resist me," Kevin beams as he takes her hand leading both of them out of the theater to their waiting friends. It was certainly going to be an interesting push to the Tonys Kevin thought to himself.
