Here is the next chapter! Hope you like it!
For as much music as Allie Claire had had in her life, she had never been to a concert. Sure, she had been to school programs and other things like that, but she had never been to a real concert. Part of the reason for that was that Emily had taken time off some time after both Ryder and Talia came home. Then, Beca got pregnant with the quads so there just hadn't been time.
However, just after Allie Claire started third grade, Emily had been on tour for much of the summer and was ending it with a show in their town. Emily invited everyone to come. The quads were way too little to go to a concert as were Matt and Aubrey's two youngest, Carson and Josie. Jesse's parents along with Mackenzie and Jared offered to watch those six and any other kids that wanted to stay home.
In the end, Jesse, Beca, Allie Claire, Matt, Aubrey, Nolan, James, Chloe, Evan, Amalie, Chase, Emerson, Graham, Bella, Ian, and EJ were all going along with Benji, Ryder, and Talia who had been traveling with Emily all summer.
All the kids who were in school got to invite a friend if they wanted, and Allie Claire decided to invite Katherine from summer camp.
"What am I going to wear?" Allie Claire asked Beca one morning about a week before the concert.
"Well," Beca said, "I talked to Katherine's mom yesterday and we decided that on Wednesday, we would all go shopping together to find you and Katherine clothes to wear."
"Really?" Allie Claire asked excitedly.
"Yep," Beca said, smiling as she watched Allie Claire's excitement.
The next week Beca, Allie Claire, Jack and Elliott all went out to meet Katherine and her mom Julia. Jesse stayed home with Maggie and Quint who were teething yet again and absolutely miserable. Beca had found since having quads that baby wearing was something she could not live without. She strapped Elliott on her front and put Jack in a stroller as she took Allie Claire's hand.
"Let's go find some concert clothes," Beca said as she and Allie Claire walked into the mall.
"Katherine," Allie Claire exclaimed as they walked into the mall and saw her friend.
"Allie Claire," Katherine exclaimed back as she ran to her friend.
Katherine was also homeschooled so the mall was pretty much empty when they were there. Julia and Beca chatted while they took Allie Claire and Katherine around to various stores.
By lunch time, Katherine had decided on a dress that was a sleeveless jean on the top with a black and white polka dot bottom. Allie Claire chose a romper that was jean material on the bottom with flower buttons and the top was black and white polka dots with a ruffle across one sleeve and a purple bow on the other.
They ate lunch together before Beca and Allie Claire had to go home because the babies were tired. On Saturday, Katherine arrived around lunch time.
"Katherine," Allie Claire said with a huge smile.
"Hi Allie Claire," Katherine said, hugging her friend as she walked in.
Julia came up with an overnight bag for Katherine because they had decided the girls could have a sleepover after the concert.
Once Jesse's family got there along with Aubrey to drop off Josie and Carson, they headed out. They were going really early to visit with Emily and Benji before as well as watch sound check. When they arrived, they got to go through to the back of the stadium where Emily, Benji, Ryder, and Talia were waiting for them.
"Aunt Emily," Allie Claire shouted, jumping out of the car as soon as they stopped.
"Hi Allie Claire," Emily said, scooping up the girl as she came running for her.
"Hey Em," Beca said, smiling at the younger woman.
"Hey Bec," Emily said, hugging her friend and producer.
The rest of the family said hello and Allie Claire introduced her Aunt Emily to Katherine. They then all followed Emily and Benji into the stadium, the kids all happy to be back with their cousins.
"Is it nice to be home?" Jesse asked Benji.
"Of course," Benji said, "We got in Thursday night and I got to go back to work Friday. Ryder and Talia will go back to school on Monday. Em is ready to have a break and of course get back at it with Beca. It was a long summer."
"I'm sure," Jesse said, nodding, "How did the kids do?"
"They were great," Benji said, "It was a lot to ask of them and there were about four days that were hard because we all ended up sick, but they had so much fun. We got to go out and explore different cities. Ryder really had a good time in DC and Charleston. And of course we all loved Orlando."
"Hopefully I'll get my kids there some day," Jesse said, "Not until the babies can at least enjoy it though."
The two men, along with Evan and Matt all continued talking while Beca, Emily, Chloe and Aubrey chatted too, the kids running through the auditorium and around the stage.
"Did you bring Allie Claire's guitar?" Emily asked Beca.
"Yep," Beca said.
"Good," Emily said, "And you said she knows "Together"?"
"She plays it all the time," Beca said, nodding, "But I haven't told her about this little idea of yours."
"I will," Emily said, pulling away from the group and going to where Allie Claire, Katherine, Nolan, Ryder, Bella, and Graham were all playing.
"Hey Allie Claire," Emily said, "Can I talk to you really quick?"
"Sure," Allie Claire said, getting up and going to her aunt.
"How would you like to play "Together" with me tonight?" Emily asked.
"Like on stage?" Allie Claire asked.
"Yeah," Emily said, nodding.
"I don't know," Allie Claire said, looking at her feet, "I don't think I'm that good."
"Your mom send me a recording from a few weeks ago," Emily said, "You are amazing. Will you please?"
"Alright," Allie Claire said, nodding, "But I don't have my guitar."
"Your mom put it in the car," Emily said.
"Ok," Allie Claire said, nodding.
Four hours later, sound check was done and the concert was about to start.
From the side of the stage, the whole family watched the concert.
"Alright," Emily said into her mic, "Now for this next song, I am going to bring one of my favorite guitar players up here with me. Allie Claire, come on out here."
Allie Claire came out on stage with her guitar. Together, they played, the crowd cheering loudly for Allie Claire as she started to sing along with her aunt.
"Let's give it up one more time for Allie Claire," Emily said as Allie Claire headed off the stage when the song was over.
The rest of the concert was amazing, ending with all the kids going on stage to dance in the last number with Emily.
"That was so much fun," Katherine said as they got in the car when the concert was over, "Thank you for inviting me."
"You're welcome," Allie Claire said, still smiling.
Both girls fell asleep quickly on the ride home as it was nearing 1 am.
"That was so nice of Emily to have Allie Claire play with her," Jesse said as he drove.
"Yeah," Beca said, "I told her about everything that has been going on this year, and she wanted to help Peanut get some confidence back."
"That," Jesse said as he turned into their neighborhood, "Is what family is all about."
There it was! I just want to say thank you for all the prompts. I promise I do read them and if they fit, or I can make them fit, with this story, I try my hardest to use them. I am always looking for more too so any idea, let me know and I'll try to incorporate it if I think it will work for the future of this story.
