Lexie was in the middle of feeding the kids dinner when Andy and Jack walked through the front door with Teddy. She decided to ride along with them and asked if Lexie wouldn't mind picking up Allison to which Andy readily agreed.
"We're home!", Andy called as she hung her pocketbook on the coatrack.
"Mommy! Daddy!" Amelia yelled as she hopped off her chair and ran to Andy and Jack.
Andy hugged her and scanned the room for Rowan. She sighed with relief when she saw him wearing a t-shirt and shorts while nibbling away at his porkchop.
"Don't worry Andy, he gave me a bit of a rough time about getting dressed before dinner, but we worked it out and he'll get ready after dinner.", Lexie assured Andy.
"Great job Rowan. How's homework?" Andy asked as she took a seat next to Rowan
"Rowan and DJ are done. We got it done in one hour", Lexie smiled as she high-fived DJ and handed Andy a plate with that night's dinner. She smiled as she set one out for Jack as well. "I figured we were all going to be in a rush to go to the school, so I made you guys dinner too. Would your guest like a plate too?"
"Sure. Wait, dinner is done, and homework is done? I don't know how you do it. The other day I tried to figure out that Common Core math thing and I just don't understand how those boxes are supposed to work. Meredith Grey had to help explain it to me, and Rowan for that matter", Andy expressed as Teddy laughed and sat down to eat.
"Of course Meredith Grey would resort to homework help. Especially after going through it with Zola and Baby Bailey", Teddy laughed.
"How was school Lia?" Jack asked as he sat down in between Amelia and Allison who were focused on eating their dinner.
"I love my teacher! Allison and I played house with Dekan (Declan), and I builded a huuugggee tower", Amelia answered as she used her hands to show how big the house she made was. "And I sawed you and Mommy drive by, and I told everyone "That's my Mommy and Daddy""
"And I telled them my Mommy works with them. She's a doctor that helps all the peoples like my Daddy" Allison piped in as Teddy laughed
"I think our kids are the most popular ones there", Teddy suggested
"I'm glad you love school Lia bug", Andy smiled from across the table. "Ro, how do you feel about tonight?"
"Ok, I guess. Aunt Maya says that I have to do better than the competition. I hope I practiced enough", Rowan answered as he ate a spoonful of peas.
"Aunt Maya said that?" Jack asked as he gave Andy a look to convey his displeasure with Maya making everything a competition. "Don't listen to her. It's band. Not a competition. Everyone's there to support each other"
"Your father's right Ro. Band is a team sport. I'm super proud of you for getting two solos. I can't wait to hear them", Andy smiled as she mouthed "I'll talk to her" at Jack.
"How was the wonderful land of first grade?" Jack asked DJ who looked up from his nearly empty plate.
"I kicked a home run at recess today and everyone cheered", DJ stated with his mouth full of food as he tried to dramatically emulate the cheering for his family.
"Mouth closed when you have food in there DJ", Lexie reminded him as he paused to chew and then continue talking.
After another few minutes of conversation, Andy looked over at the clock on the wall. It was already 4:30. "Alright guys, we need to start getting ready if we're going to make it to the school on time. Let's go. I want dishes in the sink and the table wiped down", she announced as Rowan, DJ, and Amelia carried their dishes to the sink one by one. Even Allison joined in when she saw the others doing it much to Teddy's surprise. Teddy opted to stay downstairs and help Lexie with the dishes while Jack and Andy went upstairs to get ready.
DJ peered into his closet and looked around for a nice shirt before walking over to Rowan's room in nothing but his boxers. "ROWAN" he yelled as he banged on Rowan's closed door.
"What?" Rowan huffed at he opened up.
"I need help", DJ answered as Rowan rolled his eyes
"Put clothes on, we have company downstairs" Rowan expressed as he yanked DJ into his room.
"I couldn't decide on a red or blue shirt and I don't want to wear one with the buttons", DJ expressed as Rowan rolled his eyes.
"I'm wearing yellow. Do you have a yellow polo shirt? You can match with me" Rowan asked as he put his belt on and followed DJ into his room.
"I can't find it" DJ explained as Rowan looked under the piles of clothes his brother had pulled from the closet.
"Its because this room is a mess. Mom's going to lose her mind. She told you to clean it yesterday" Rowan answered as he threw DJ the shirt.
"I know, can you help me fix it?" DJ asked as Rowan threw him a pair of khaki shorts and found his boat shoes under a pile of t-shirts.
"You're on your own with this one. You should have listened. Sorry dude", Rowan answered as DJ put on his shorts
"No fair, its gonna take forever to clean", DJ whined as he slipped his shirt over his head.
"Plenty fair, you shouldn't have thrown half your closet all over the floor. Ok, here, let's take all the piles of clothes and shove them in the closet. That way Mom doesn't see it and I can help you tomorrow!", Rowan suggested as DJ readily agreed.
"Rowan, DJ….", Andy called from Amelia's room. They smirked at each other as they heard Amelia and Allison run down the hallway and Andy knock on the door.
"One second!", Rowan called as he threw the last pile of shirts in the closet. He opened the door to see Andy fixing the back of her earring.
"Ready you two? Its time to go", Andy smiled brightly as Rowan ran to his room, grabbed his cello and followed his family downstairs.
The ride to the school involved all kinds of different conversations as Rowan studied his music over. He was so nervous about playing in this concert. Everyone was going to be there. Family and friends from the station. Every note had to be right. This was the first time that he had ever had an audience besides that time last year where Carl and Jenna showed up. Jenna had to work most of the time but would pick him up after the concert and take him to ice cream. This time was different, this time he had a whole row in the auditorium here to see him and ice cream after. His stomach was doing somersaults as they parked the car at the school and got out.
"Are you ready bud?" Jack asked as Rowan nodded quick. Jack and Andy could see the sweat dripping down their son's face.
"Hey, Teddy, Lexie, can you want to go in with the rest of the crew and get seats?" Jack asked as Lexie unbuckled Amelia from her car seat.
"No problem Jack. Of course we can", she smiled as she picked up Amelia and walked into the school with DJ and the Altmans.
Once everyone else was inside, Andy walked behind Rowan through the parking lot. She stopped on the sidewalk and sat on the stairs. Jack came to sit beside her, and they sandwiched Rowan in the middle.
"Look at me Ro. There is no need to be nervous. You are going to do amazing today. You've been practicing for days now. You have two solos. You are going to do absolutely amazing", Andy assured as she kissed him on the top of Rowan's head. Rowan made a face and pretended to wipe it away.
"Ugh Mom, I love the pep talk, but there are people here", Rowan muttered as Andy laughed
"I know, I know. I'm just so proud of you", Andy smiled
"Forget anything your aunt said about it being a competition. Just go up there, try your best and have fun", Jack reminded Rowan
"I know, its just that this is the first time I have people watching me", Rowan answered quietly
"You'll do great. Pretend the audience is in their underwear", Jack suggested as Rowan laughed. Andy slapped Jack on the shoulder and shook her head. "Ouch. What gives?"
"Come on. You realize that pretending the audience is in their underwear doesn't actually work right? And its scarring", Andy suggested "Rowan, pick someone in the audience and play to them. It helps. Focus on them and only them"
"Okay Mom, I can definitely try that", Rowan answered as they hugged him and walked into the school. Rowan went back behind the auditorium while Andy and Jack went in and found their seats. Maya handed them each a program.
"It took you long enough", she whispered
"We were trying to convince Rowan that this isn't a competition. Because somebody told him to act like it was", Andy accused
"I thought it would make him put his best foot forward", Maya answered
"He already has two solos Bishop, give the kid a break", Travis added as he gestured to the program.
"It made him more nervous, but we got it. Just don't give him anymore preshow talks. Please", Jack pleaded as Maya sighed and turned her attention to the program.
"Look at this honey. "Skater's Waltz- Soloist- Rowan Herrera Gibson Cello. In the Hall of the Mountain King- Rowan Herrera Gibson" That's our kid", Andy laughed.
"He may not be a biological Gibson but my God, this kid is already a powerhouse like his mom", Vic joked. "If I was half this good at his age…"
"Sure Vic, says the person who was getting the lead in all the musicals at his age", Dean muttered
"When am I gonna see Ro?" Amelia asked as she tugged at Jack's sleeve.
"Soon", he whispered as the curtains opened as a woman came out on stage and introduced herself as Julie Hammond, the director of the district's symphony band program. The little kids from Grades Two and Three strode out onto stage first and haphazardly made their way through "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" sounding more like a pack of hyenas than children. Andy listened as the second group, the children Rowan's age, came onstage and played a few songs. That group was slightly better than the first and fun to listen to as Andy waited patiently for Rowan's group to go on.
"That was lovely children. Great job. The next song is a solo version of the song 'In the Hall of the Mountain King' performed by 5th grader Rowan Herrera Gibson from Bayside Elementary. Come on out Rowan", Mrs. Hammond smiled as Rowan walked out and set himself up on stage.
"Wake up, Rowan's on", Maya muttered as she slapped a sleeping Dean with the program
"Oh my God, Did I miss him?" Dean asked
"Relax sleeping beauty, he's getting set up", Vic teased
"GO ROWAN!", Jack and everyone cheered as they all stood up beside Vic who sat down and clapped as everyone else in the auditorium was doing.
"You guys really don't know what to do during one of these? Its not a football game. Sit down", she reminded them as Mrs. Hammond took a seat at the piano and began playing.
Andy recorded the whole thing on her phone, Rowan looked so focused up there and had such a bright smile when he played. He sounded better than the hundred or so times she heard him play the song in the past week. She could feel Rowan's eyes lock with hers as she held a thumbs up in his direction. When the song was through, every clapped while Andy, Jack, and the friends from 19 stood up and cheered wildly much to Vic's charge in that this wasn't the place for that. Before anyone knew it, everyone in the auditorium was standing too.
"Did we just start a standing O?" Andy asked as Jack nodded.
"I think we did", Jack responded as Vic finally joined in the cheering. Rowan looked so happy up there and Andy could have sworn she saw him wipe a tear away. He stood there with the biggest smile as the cheering died down. He went off stage and followed the other cellists back on stage after, taking his seat in the first chair. The other songs were great, and his solo was flawless. Andy and Jack loved listening to it even though they had listened to nearly every song a hundred times over for the past two weeks.
After the concert was over, Rowan ran out from the back to greet his family as everyone exchanged hugs and congratulations.
"There's our star of the show. You did so good! It was amazing sweetheart", Andy smiled as she kissed him on the forehead and messed up his hair.
"Mom, there are people here. Remember?" Rowan muttered as he hugged Andy
"I know, I forgot. I'm just so happy you did so well", Andy smiled
"That was amazing Ro. You did great!", Jack grinned as Amelia hugged her brother.
"You gots to play by yourself? Why?" Amelia asked.
"It's a solo Lia. People who are really good get them. It's a good thing", Maya reminded her as DJ side hugged his brother.
"You weren't bad. Does this mean I get to take a break from you playing that thing every day?" DJ asked dramatically as Rowan laughed.
"Sure squirt" Rowan answered "I'll give you three days"
"I think this calls for celebratory ice cream. There's a stand down the street" Andy suggested as the others readily agreed. At the ice cream stand, the little kids enjoyed kicking around a random volleyball that Jack had in the back of the car while the adults sat on picnic tables and in the trunk of the Suburban to talk. Andy smiled to herself. These moments made her thank God for the family they had.