The rest of the family came through the doors. Then they all stepped into the auditorium. Stephanie looked around nervously. It was a big room with lots of seats and a big stage with bright red curtains.
"Well you guys should get seated, Steph and I have to get ready," Jesse said.
Danny gave Stephanie a hug. "Good luck sweetheart."
"Thanks dad," Steph answered
DJ gave Steph the thumbs up. Michelle gave her a hug. "You'll be the best," she said. That made Stephanie smile. Her and Michelle had gotten so much closer since Michelle's horse accident.
Joey put his arms out saying that he wanted a hug. Steph hugged him tight. Joey gave her a kiss on the head. "Good luck," he said.
Becky patted her on the shoulder and mouthed 'you'll do great' as she and Jesse walked away.
Steph and Jesse sit on two chairs backstage. Steph didn't take her eyes off the song lyrics and Jesse studied his piano music. Suddenly, they both heard the organizer of the contest speak loudly into the microphone. Steph's heart began beating very loudly. She was so nervous she felt as if she could throw up.
Jesse took a deep breath. "We're up second, you know,"
Steph was speechless. Her heart began beating faster and faster. "I can't sing when I'm this nervous Uncle Jesse."
"Don't worry about it, just try your best," Jesse said softly rubbing her back. "Just take deep breaths."
Stephanie tried but her breaths were shaky. I'll do fine, I'll do fine. She repeated that over and over in her head. She listened to the contest organizer, Brian Ramsey, make his speech.
"...Tonight's talented young pop singers range in age from 7-18. There will be a winner for the 7-9 year olds, the 10-13 year olds, the 14-16 year olds and the 17 and 18 year olds. Though it seems like the 17 and 18 year olds have it easy, these groups are made according on how many are in each age group."
"The prize will be a one year record deal. If the album(s) do well, the deal will be prolonged. Now these kids have already gone through two levels to get to this point. We like to think of ourselves and a mini American Idol. This is the final phase, this is it! So with that said, let me introduce our first singer, Jessica Granger. She is 15 and she will be singing Angels, originally performed by Jessica Simpson. Give it up for Jessica!"
Steph looked at Jessica. She reminded her a lot of Jessica Simpson. She must be a big fan, Stephanie thought. Jessica was a very pretty girl with shoulder length, straight blonde hair. She was wearing a short pink dress with pink lip gloss. She had on a lot of eyeliner and mascara and she had on white high heals.
When Jessica began singing, Steph felt sick to her stomach. She was so good! Jesse's jaw dropped. But he didn't want Steph to notice, but she did. Jessica's voice was a lot like Jessica Simpson's. This girl is a clone! Steph thought.
In the audience, the rest of the family was beginning to get nervous. They all sat their with their mouth's open wide, gawking at Jessica.
"Poor Steph, she must be dying," Joey whispered to Danny.
"I'm dying!" Danny exclaimed.
"SHHH!!" the women next to him said.
"Sorry," Danny whispered.
Jessica was finished. The audience burst into applause. And Stephanie, she was hyperventilating.
"Stephanie calm down, you'll do great," Jesse said looking her square in the eye.
She nodded but on the inside, she didn't think she was going to do so great.
Brian Ramsey stepped up to the microphone. "Well wasn't she great!" The audience applauded again. "Next up, we have Stephanie Tanner..."
Danny, Joey, Becky, DJ and Michelle all yelled GO STEPHANIE! Nicky and Alex just yelled, YAY STEPHIE!!
Jesse and Steph shook their heads.
"I'm guessing that is Stephanie's family," Brian said smiling. "Well Stephanie is 14 years old and she will be singing Only Hope, originally performed by Mandy Moore. Stephanie's Uncle Jesse, will be accompanying her on the piano. Here she is, the one, the only, Stephanie!"
Stephanie took a deep breath and stepped on stage and took the microphone. Jesse kissed her on the cheek before he sat down on the piano. And then he began to play. And Stephanie began to sing.
There's a song that's inside of my soul
It's the one that I've tried to write over, and over again
I'm awake in the infinite cold
But you sing to me over, and over, and over again
Ok this isn't too hard, just keep going. Steph thought.
So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours I pray
To be only yours
I know now, you're my only hope
Sing to me the song of the stars
Of your galaxy dancing and laughing, and laughing again
When it feels like my dreams are so far
Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again
Joey's eyes filled with tears. He loved Stephanie so much and was so proud of her. He thought of her as his own daughter. Danny had tears running down his cheeks. Becky had to wipe her tears so mascara wouldn't run down her face.
So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours I pray
To be only yours
I know now, you're my only hope
Michelle watched in amazement. She couldn't believe how good her sister was. DJ was about to cry. She wasn't sure if it was the song, or that she was so proud of Steph.
I give you my destiny
I'm givin' you all of me
I want your symphony, singing in all that I am
At the top of my lungs, I'm givin' it back
She was almost there! And Stephanie couldn't believe how well she was doing.
So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hand and pray
To be only yours I pray
To be only yours I pray
To be only yours
I know now, you're my only hope
The crowd applauded. Jesse ran over to Steph with tears streaming down his face. He gave her a big hug. "Oh Steph, you did so great," he whispered.
When they sat back down back stage, Stephanie couldn't stop smiling. And Jesse couldn't stop hugging her. Yes, she had done her best. She just need to wait for them to announce the winner.