Hello all. I'm back with another chapter... and I officially know how this story will end... well, roughly. I know for sure what Naomi's career will be, at least.

I asked this on my other story update, but I'll ask it again... out of pure curiosity, how old are you all?

And these xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx are my page dividers, should I need them.

"Naomi, why don't you sing for us?" My uncle Timmy called, taking another hearty drink of his beer. It was our winter family gathering, and I was targetted for singing, as usual.

"Oh, yes, Starling," Aunt Pauline agreed, using my Dad's nickname which was created with the use of my last name (Sterling) and the fact that I used to get up and sing and dance as a little kid, hence I was a little Star... A Starling, or it could also be contrived by 'The Star Sterling' or 'The Sterling Star'. My Dad had a few explanations."Why don't you?"

"Alright." I smoothed out my dress as I stood, noticing that my uncle's dog Finnigan had covered the red material in black hairs. I strode confidently to the front of the room, not nervous at all of the people in front of me. Normally I would be, but by now... I was immune to these people. They were so easily amused... they liked anything I sang. Maybe I got a bit headstrong around them, but hey, that was their fault.

"What should I sing?"

"How about one of your Grampy's songs?" Timmy called, raising an eyebrow. I wondered how drunk he was.

"Alright. I'll sing... The Mermaid." I remembered how I'd struggled with it when I was young, trying to sing at the exact range as Grampy... I wasn't very apt at telling the difference between soprano and tenor.

"So... I'll start..." I trailed off absently as my mother walked out of the room. God damn, she was never happy with me...

At that moment, I realized that I was never happy with her. I was going to be eighteen next October... and I would have to start making sacrifices for others, even the ones that seemed unfair. I might as well start now.

"Actually, I'm going to sing The Jewel Song from Faust. I don't know if you know it... but I like it."

I cleared my throat and began to sing the english translations of the originally french lyrics. I didn't think they sounded as nice, for some reason, but otherwise no one would understand a word I was saying.

"Ah, I laugh to see myself so beautiful in this mirror!
Ah, I laugh to see myself so beautiful in this mirror!
Is it you, Marguerite, is it you?
Answer me, answer me,
Respond, respond, respond quickly!
No, No! It's no longer you!
No, no, it's not longer your face!
It's the daughter of a king!"

I paused to breathe, and I heard my mother's voice in the doorway, using a tone that I'd long forgotten she had.

"Naomi," she said, with a hint of teasing to her voice, "What are you doing, singing in English? You have such a well developed French accent from Shirley's lessons, don't let it go to waste."

I just smiled and nodded, not sure what to say...

I had my Mom back.

So I just replied in the easiest (And nicest sounding way possible).

"Ah! je ris de me voir si belle en ce miroir,
Ah! je ris de me voir si belle en ce miroir,
Est-ce toi, Marguerite, est-ce toi?
Réponds-moi, réponds-moi,
Réponds, réponds, réponds vite!
Non! Non! ce n'est plus toi!
Non, non, ce n'est plus ton visage!
C'est la fille d'un roi!"

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

I was sleeping soundly on the couch - I was recovered enough to not have to sleep all day, but during my time down I found that I rather liked the occasional nap - when suddenly a wet hand against my cheek awoke me. I opened my eyes quickly to see two large blue eyes peering into mine, followed by a peal of high pitched laughter.

"Not now, Marie, Naomi's sleepy..." I murmured, yawning. Her response was to lick her palm, and press it against my cheek again.

"Kisses!" She informed me. I wondered how long she'd been giving me kisses - or rather, wiping her spit on my cheek - while I was sleeping.

"That's nice." I closed my eyes again.

"Seep?" She asked innocently.

"Yes, Marie, I'm going to sleep."

"Huh." She climbed up on the couch beside me and squished herself into my arms, and I couldn't help but notice how much her hair looked like mine... large blonde curls... she'd have a hell of a time with her hair when she was older...

"Night," She slurred, her face pressed against my neck.

"Goodnight, Marie." I was almost asleep, when I heard her tiny little voice mutter...

"G'night, Mama."

I could've cursed like a sailor right then... but all that adult discretion allowed me to do was to squeeze my eyes closed and mouth unsavory words.

"No, honey, I'm not your Mama..."

"Yeh."

"No, I'm not. I'm Naomi."

She was silent, and a wise look of comprehension came over her face.

"Mama Nomi."

I covered my face with my hand for a second, and looked up to see Marie doing the same thing. I laughed, ableit uncomfortably, and she did the same.

Well, I thought, It's a good thing I didn't curse...

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Soon, though, we had to look at some serious things. Sandy wanted full custody of Marie, because Soda wasn't her real father. The police had taken Star in, and she was in a fair bit of trouble for drugging me.

We came up with the idea to get Star to tell the court about Sandy's drug habits, and how she'd put Star up to giving me the LSD... but so far, it seemed, Star's need to protect everyone and everything, using whatever strange means she could, was putting a damper on our ability to talk with her.

I was going to see her the next week, and bringing Marie with me. I could only hope that this would go over well, otherwise Marie would be in a pretty bad situation...

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Hi again all. I'm just here to tell you that I don't know much about court systems (and rightfully so) and therefore the proceedings for Sandy and Sodapop's divorce, as well as Star's drugging Naomi might be a little inaccurate.

And now... let's see if we can hit 80 reviews. (Hint, Hint :-P )