Part Cinquante

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A/N: Not exactly what I planned, but the characters decided they were doing this. Can't wait to hear what you all think.

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Luke finished up with Carlos, surprisingly managing to be helpful with his math homework as well as the English. Tiptoeing down the hall, he peeked in at Julie, smiling softly to see her curled up with Fender, her laptop set in front of her on the bed. He backed away silently and slipped down the stairs, he wanted a glass of water before he joined her.

"Luke?" Ray called to him quietly from where he was sitting on the couch. He hadn't moved since Julie left, just sitting and thinking.

"Oh! Ray," Luke detoured from his original course to the kitchen and walked over.

Ray tipped his head and surveyed the boy, no, the young man, in front of him for a moment. Then, he stood up and gestured Luke to follow him. He led him down the short downstairs hallway to his home office. Ray didn't use it very often, but it had a small desk and some file cabinets where he kept most of his important papers.

"Ray?" Luke was curious as to what this was about.

"I have something for you. It's not for right away, but Julie only has one more year of high school after this, and with the likelihood of you all signing a record deal tomorrow, I think it's fair to say she won't be interested in college."

"Oh," Luke frowned. "You know if she wants to go I will make sure she knows she can, right? That we can schedule the band stuff around it? Just because I didn't want to go-"

Ray straightened up and he looked startled, "No! No, that's not... College doesn't have to be for everyone. Julie wants music, she wants the band- wants you. She's happy. No, I may be firm about high school, but after that I just want her to do what's right for her."

"Then, what-"

But Ray has been distracted by the reminder of a nagging thought that he hadn't found time to speak to Luke about recently, even though he has wanted to.

"Luke, I think we should withdraw you from that class. It starts next week, and if we do it now you'll get a refund. You don't really want to sit through an 'Intro to Marketing' class, do you?"

His eyes wide and nervous, Luke ducked his head and one hand went up to rub the back of his neck, "Um, well, I thought you said it was a good idea. Since Julie will be at school, it will give me something to do, and-"

"Stop." Ray scrubbed his hands over his face, "Luke, you do not need to do it for me. When we talked about it I didn't fully understand about your parents, and now I can see how you might have, even if only subconsciously, wanted to do it to please me. But, I do not care if you never take a college class. You are enough just as you are, and I love who you are. We can take care of withdrawing you tomorrow morning."

Luke's eyes were glassy, "Really? You won't be disappointed?"

Ray walked from behind his desk and wrapped Luke in a tight hug, "Kiddo, you could never disappoint me because of something like that. I love you, mijo."

A choked sob and Luke's arms clutching him closer was his only reply, and Ray decided he could give Luke the something they came in here for another time. Right now he had more pressing matters, like mentally cursing himself for not realizing he hadn't actually told any of the boys that he loved them before. He had told Luke he trusted him, and that he had his back, and told Willie he was there if he ever needed to talk. He had said Reggie could call him 'Dad', and he had told Alex he didn't have to hide who he was, but he had never explicitly told them he loved them out loud.

That was going to change immediately, and this was a good start with Luke.

Shifting in Ray's arms and lifting his head, Luke was smiling through his tears, "Thank you Ray. I love you, too."

Oh. Ray's heart melted, the sincerity and gratefulness pouring off the guitarist almost painful to see.

"Um," Luke sniffled and cleared his throat as he stepped back, "So, what was it you had for me?"

Ray shook his head, "You know what? It's not important. It's not going anywhere and you won't need it for awhile anyway. Let's go make some ice cream sundaes before bed and see if there's something good to watch on TV for a little while."

A short watery laugh, "Okay Ray. I know Julie is snuggled up with Fender, so that would be nice."

They dug out all sorts of toppings and loaded up their sundaes, Ray deciding with a flash of inspiration to pull up the most recent season of 'The Voice' on Hulu. Luke loved it, and they spent a couple hours joking and happily critiquing the contestants. Ray was impressed by Luke's analysis of the songs and lyrics as well as the talent of the singers. They called it a night around 10, tomorrow was a big day, after all.

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Ray picked up Julie and Flynn after school the next day with the boys already in the SUV. Bobby would be meeting them at the offices of Destiny Records, and Willie was home waiting for Carlos, Carrie driving herself from school and joining the two of them to hang out and make dinner.

Bobby: Baby are you sure you and Willie want to try to cook? You can text me and let me know if I should pick something up after, dinner for ten people is a lot.

Carrie: Dad. It's fine. You know I can cook, even if I don't do it that often, and I'll have two helpers.

Bobby: If you're sure...

Carrie: I'm sure! Jeez!

Bobby: Only love, baby girl!

Carrie scoffed and rolled her eyes, dropping her phone back in her purse as the three girls reached Ray's SUV, but it was affectionate.

"Good luck! We are going to celebrate so big when you guys get home!" she hugged Flynn and waved at Julie, who had already crawled into the far back to snuggle with Luke.

"Thanks, Care!" Flynn scooted into the middle seat beside Alex.

"Thanks Carrie!" Reggie stuck his hand out the front passenger window, and she caught it with a quick encouraging squeeze, sharing a smile with him before turning to head to her own car.

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"Look at this place!" Luke's hushed but excited whisper next to her made Julie grin. He was so hyped up he was almost vibrating, and Reggie, Alex, and Flynn weren't much calmer.

She wasn't sure exactly what it was, but Julie actually felt really centered and relaxed. There was a continuous buzz, however, like an electric current running under her skin, that had her feeling like she was almost glowing. She thought about what Luke had said yesterday, about her mom watching, and a warm feeling washed over her. She let go of Luke's hand and stepped into Ray's side, hugging him for a brief moment as they paused by the reception desk.

"What's that for niña?"

"I can feel Mom. This is going to be great, Papi, I'm sure of it."

Ray swallowed hard, but then felt a bit of a warm feeling graze across his shoulders, and when he closed his eyes he could picture Rose gently dragging a hand along there, the way she used to do all the time when she'd walk past him at home, before.

"Huh, you know what, mija? I really think you're right."

He hugged Julie tight for another quick moment, then stepped up to the receptionist, who had just gotten off the phone and was now beckoning them forward with a kind smile.

"Are you Julie and the Phantoms? Here for Andi Parker?"

"Yes, that's us," Luke's beaming smile made the woman's smaller one widen in response.

"Tell your friends!" Reggie was bouncing on his toes next to Luke.

The woman (Evie, her nameplate said) efficiently handed them each a visitor's badge and gave them directions as she did so, "So, you all are going to head to the elevators right over there, go to floor 23, then take a right as you step out, go down the hallway until it splits, hang a left and then Ms. Parker's office is the third door on the left. You got all that?"

Bobby and Flynn were the only two nodding with any confidence, but Evie just handed out the last badge to Alex and shooed them off good-naturedly.

Luke almost led them the wrong way when getting off the elevator, but Bobby had actually been to see Andi here at her office before and herded everyone the correct direction.

"Wait, so you know her?" Ray questioned Bobby as they walked.

"Yeah, slightly. I collaborated with one of the writers she oversees a few years ago, she's fantastic. Every artist or writer I've ever met that she represents has nothing but praise, and it's always sincere and not forced."

"I can believe that. She had a honest feeling to her when we spoke at The Bookclub."

"There's my new band! Well, hopefully," Andi was standing at her office doorway, a bright and welcoming expression lighting up her face as she waved them inside.

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"So, you're Luke," she shook his hand as he walked past her, "Reggie," another handshake, "Alex... Julie... Ray, I'm so happy to see you again... and you're Flynn, I'm guessing?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Andi laughed, "No need for that, Andi is just fine. For all of you," she glanced around to everyone, "And, last but not least, Bobby. It's great to see you."

Bobby froze as he shook her hand, he hadn't really started calling himself Bobby around that many people again yet. How did she know?

"Come in. There are a few things I should probably mention before we begin the actual contract offer."

Ray and the others are now warily watching as Bobby stares at Andi in confusion and a little suspicion.

"First, I would like to compliment you on your new music Luke, Julie definitely adds a layer to your sound. Bobby on rhythm guitar was great, but I think things worked out the way they were meant to. Although, Julie would absolutely kill it on 'Now or Never'."

"Wh-what?" Luke managed to gasp, as all of them gaped at her in shock.

She just walked around her desk and gracefully sat down, crossing her legs as she leaned back in her chair, "I grew up here. And I was first introduced to 'Sunset Curve' at my Mom's weekly book club. Oh, I was only 10, and way too shy to come downstairs, but I loved your music. You always talked about becoming legends and being connected to people through your music, Luke especially, and it inspired me."

"Wh-what?" Luke could only repeat himself.

"I grew up loving music because of you guys, and I worked hard, and I built... this," she waved her arms out in an all-encompassing gesture.

The penny dropped for Bobby first, he was peripherally aware of Destiny Records after all, but this had been something that was not advertised at all, "It's all yours isn't it? Destiny Records is your label, you're not just a talent scout and rep, you're the boss!"

"Guilty as charged! Obviously I don't tell everyone, and there's a lot of paperwork and everything to help distract from it, the industry even now is still extremely sexist, but yes it's all mine. And it's all because of you guys."

"Wh-what?" Luke looked ready to pass out, Reggie and Alex not looking much better, and Ray's dad instincts kicked in.

"Maybe we should all sit down?" he rested a hand on Luke's shoulder and prodded him over and down into one of the chairs arranged in front of Andi's desk.

Julie and Flynn just numbly followed the suggestion as well, having been struck silent by the bombshell that had just been dropped. Julie took the chair right next to Luke, reaching out and hugging his left arm into her.

"Ar-aren't you freaked out that we're not dead?" Alex was so stunned he hadn't even gone into a panic, collapsing onto a chair of his own as the question left his lips.

"And that we're not old?" Reggie sat down slowly, but he just had a feeling this was all going to turn out okay.

Bobby was upset now, though, and a little angry, "What do you want? Make them sign or else? This isn't funny Andi."

Andi snapped her head up to stare at Bobby in surprise, "What?! No!" Her face crumpled in distress, "Oh, no, I've messed this all up, haven't I? Please let me try to explain better." She met each of their eyes with her own pleading ones.

"It's okay. We'll listen," Ray spoke cautiously, "You said they inspired you, so I think you probably don't want to hurt them and we can give you the benefit of the doubt at least long enough to hear what you have to say."

"Thank you," her voice was small but grew excited when she continued, "So, you inspired me and I'm so grateful. I didn't recognize you right away, not at Eats n' Beats, but I did some research after because I couldn't help but think there was something familiar about you. Finally it clicked when Julie's 'Tell your friends!' popped into my head, and I dug out my old CDs, I found the Sunset Curve demo I had after begging my mom to ask you for one, and boom, there you guys were. You looked exactly the same as in the photos on the CD insert."

"So didn't that freak you out? Make you think you were crazy?" Flynn was enthralled now, she knew how she had felt finding out about the ghost boys, back when they were still ghosts, and, well, yikes. The world would want to commit all of them to rooms with padded walls if they heard this story.

"Honestly? Yeah, for a minute. But my grandpa came back as a ghost for awhile. He passed away from a stroke when I was in college, and I lost my motivation, got depressed. We had been really close and he's the one that left me the money I needed to start this company. I didn't want any of it then, though, I wanted him back. And suddenly there he was. He hung around, encouraged me, and helped me study. The day this place fully got off the ground, he gave me a big smile and a hug, told me he was proud of me, that he'd see me again eventually, and he crossed over."

A disbelieving silence was the only response, even as Andi glanced around in anticipation.

"Why do you think I named it Destiny Records?"

"How many ghosts are there around?!" Alex burst out, his breathing speeding up.

"Alex!" Bobby was at his side in a second, kneeling in front of his chair and holding his hands out for Alex to grab and hold onto. "Breathe with me buddy, come on, I got you."

Andi looked on, brown eyes filled with concern, "I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to upset him."

Alex focused on Bobby and slowly gathered himself, an expression of gratitude sent to Bobby in thanks.

Ray closed his eyes and sighed, this was not what he expected for this meeting. His head shot up at a repeat of the warm feeling grazing across his shoulders from earlier, and he could once again picture Rose gently dragging her hand across them, this time with an amused but encouraging smile.

"Just to recap, and hopefully get things back on track, you know they died, you figured out they were ghosts, you seem to know they're alive again, and you still want to sign them to your label?" Ray attempted to clarify and confirm with Andi.

"Absolutely. After my grandpa, I can't not be open to crazy things like this. Besides, how beautifully ironic would it be to sign the band, or most of it, that inspired the idea for the label in the first place 25 years ago? My dream wouldn't exist without them, and now I can be the one to make their dream come true. Everything coming full-circle."

"This is bigger than signs. This is like destiny or something," Flynn whispered in awe.

"Could we have a moment in private to discuss things, Andi?" Bobby spoke up, not wanting them to jump into anything.

Andi nodded and smoothly stood up, moving to the door, "Of course. And, I actually would rather you didn't immediately sign today. Take the contract home, go over it for the next few days, then let me know. I want things to be a partnership with my artists, not just me being in charge for every tiny thing. Heck, I run the company, I don't have time to micromanage!"

She smiled and closed the door behind her.

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"So, what do we think?" Luke asked, still trying to process everything.

"I think it's perfect," Flynn shrugged. "She literally knows your secrets and she doesn't care. She's even grateful to you." A smirk. "Not to mention how badass it is that she's the boss around here!"

"I agree!" Reggie grinned and bounced in his seat, "We won't have to hide anything, or worry about saying the wrong thing to her!"

"I can't argue it would be nice to have someone else we don't have to be careful around," Alex lifted a shoulder in a half-shrug himself.

Luke turned to Julie, "Jules? What do you think?"

She took a deep breath and smiled at him, then at everyone else, "As much as her story surprised me, I feel really good about her, about this. I kinda feel my mom, it feels like she approves. So I say we take the contract and go over it, but unless there's anything crazy, I think it's going to be a yes for me."

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A/N: Well. That happened. I have ideas, but I'm iffy on the transition from this to my next plot point so it might take a little while.

Also, I just found out I'm getting promoted at work! It's not finalized yet, but might be by the end of the week! It does mean I will have to do a lot of training, so I might be pretty tired. Please forgive me if the next part takes a hot minute!