It had been three months and Alvin could get around now without help. He still used a cane when going long distances, but constantly pushed his limits. He hadn't talked to Brittany since he sent her away. He saw her once, driving by in a car with a guy he didn't recognize. Simon and Theodore hated seeing Alvin like this. He clearly missed Brittany, but refused to talk about her. Jeanette and Eleanor told Simon and Theo that Brittany was the same. Alvin and Brittany were always too stubborn to cave and both were more alike than either wanted to let on.

Brittany and her sisters were going to the movies.

Ellie said, "I left my purse at Theo's."

"We can pick it up on the way," said Jeanette.

"I'll wait in the car," said Brittany as she applied some lipgloss.

Ellie and Jeanette sighed and rolled their eyes at the same time.

"The boys aren't here," said Dave, "Theo figured you'd come back for your bag and said to tell you that it's on his bed."

Ellie smiled and ran up the stairs. Jeanette and Brittany were leaning against the car, waiting for Ellie, when Alvin pulled up. He scowled at Brittany and started to walk past her.

"What was that look for?" Brittany demanded.

"Nothing," Alvin mumbled.

"You threw me out of your life! You don't get to give me looks like I did something wrong!" Brittany screamed.

"Calm down Brit," Jeanette pleaded as she tried to push Brittany into the car.

"No, let her yell. We're all used to it," sneered Alvin.

"That's it!" Brittany yelled as she pushed Jeanette out of her way and rushed Alvin.

Eleanor came out to Brittany standing inches from Alvin's face, fuming.

"How dare you!"

"Back off!"

"You broke my heart!"

"You have a heart?" Alvin tried to walk away and she grabbed his jacket.

"No, you don't walk away from me."

He turned to face her. He could see the tears welling up in her eyes. No, he thought, I can't let her back in. She deserves more. He really didn't want to be this mean, but he didn't know how else to keep her away.

"Brittany, let it go. We're over. Quit hanging onto the past."

Brittany let go of his jacket, took a deep breath, put her head up, started to turn, then hauled off and slapped him across his face. Stunned, all Alvin could do was put his hand to his cheek and watch her walk away.

Once in the car, Brittany burst into tears. Ellie put her arms around Brittany as Jeanette stared the car. They considered skipping the movie, but Brittany insisted that they still go

"I'm done crying over him. I'm going to focus on me and now I want to go see this movie."

Her sisters sadly shook their heads and drove on.

Alvin walked into the house and went to his room. He was determined to get along without her. She was stubborn and self centered. Didn't she understand? No, all she thought about was herself. Alvin sat on his bed to think. He glanced at the closet where his guitar was kept. That's when an idea hit him. Music! Music, his passion, would be his ticket out. He'd go solo and be famous, He'd see the world… and get away from her. Playing would be weird without his brothers, but they had their own lives now. It was his turn to live his life apart. He got out his guitar and tuned it. He was strumming absentmindedly when Dave walked in.

"How are you doing?"

"Hmmm? Oh, fine."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yea, why wouldn't I be?"

"Well…Brittany…"

"I don't want to talk about her."

"Okay, um, what are you doing?"

"Playing. Say, Dave, could you help me with something?"

"Anything."

"I want it back."

"What?"

"I want to play. I want your help to get me back in the biz."

Dave had wanted them to have peaceful, normal lives. It'd worked great with Simon and Theodore, they didn't miss fame at all. Alvin was different though, maybe this was just his calling.

"Ok, Alvin, if this is what you want, I'll help in any way I can."

"Be my manager?"

Dave smiled, "Okay."

Two years later

Alvin had thrown himself into his work. He wrote song after song. He tried very hard to avoid all mentions of love. He knew that, ages ago, the public was very interested in Brittany and his possible relationship. It never happened while were in the public eye. Any gossip about Brittany would force him to answer all sorts of questions he didn't have real answers to. He didn't want to admit that he had been the reason that they weren't together now. Too bad no one wanted to buy the line, "it just didn't work out."

He hired some guys to play backup, but knew they were temporary. He had to find a new band to back him up. Simon and Theodore were amused by Alvin's plans. They figured he'd have some fun, record a CD or two and then move on. Music was their past. They had enjoyed it, but now were working at doing what they loved. Dave was just happy to see some semblance of the old Alvin.

Brittany had heard about Alvin's endeavors. She knew what music was to him and she was happy for him. She still missed him terribly, but would never admit it. She knew she'd go to his concerts, stand in the crowd, and look at the man she loved, without him knowing she existed.

Brittany had found an agent and was working on getting a portfolio together. Her hope was that she would one day be miraculously discovered and be a star.

Brittany was having headshots taken when she got the call.

"Babe, I just got the sweetest gig!"

"Johnny?"

"You are never going to believe who hired me!"

"Johnny, I'm a little busy right now…Can I hear about this later?"

"Babe, I'm going to be playing with the one and only Alvin!"

"Alvin?" Brittany sat down. Her legs went weak. Her Alvin had hired Johnny?

"Johnny, that's wonderful. Let's go out and celebrate tonight."

"I'll pick you up at seven."

Brittany had always had a thing for musicians. It never occurred to her that this might happen. Did Alvin know? He couldn't, he'd never met Johnny. She couldn't imagine what Alvin's reaction would be when he found out. She wondered if Alvin had been told that she'd started seeing Johnny again. She didn't know if this might cost Johnny the job.

Johnny took her to dinner. She really wasn't hungry. She smiled as he chatted away about the hoe of tours and cd sales. Her mind was only half into what he was saying. She was remembering her childhood and her experiences with singing. She could still hear the duets and the concerts, and relished the memory of the general pleasure of being the center of attention. Her confidence was running high and if Alvin was once again going to be a star, then so was she.

"Brit, are you listening?"

"Yeah."

"Isn't this great?"

"Wonderful."

"Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm actually a little tired, it's been a long day. Could you take me home?"

"Oh, uh, yeah."

She went to bed humming "For the Longest Time."

Four months later

Alvin was holding a run through rehearsal for his first CD. He was determined to make it as a solo artist. One of his guitarists, Johnny, was the first to arrive. Alvin smiled. He had picked Johnny for his enthusiasm. Johnny reminded Alvin of himself. There were three other members, arriving shortly after, a bassist, drummer, and keyboardist. The players were all chatting amongst themselves. Alvin was rereading lyrics while waiting for Dave. He was catching bits and pieces of the conversation, still trying to get a feel for his group. Johnny was bragging about his girlfriend again and how she was on her way to being famous. Alvin silently laughed, thinking that Johnny had no idea what it was like trying to be with someone who wanted stardom. Brittany had driven Alvin crazy all their lives with her quest for the spotlight.

Meanwhile

Brittany called Eleanor.

"Ellie, what do I do? Alvin has hired Johnny and I don't think I'll be a secret much longer."

"How do you know he doesn't know who Johnny is to you?"

"Johnny or Alvin would've said something."

"Brit, I'm sure they're all professional about the whole situation."

"Ellie, have you met Alvin?"

Eleanor sighed, "Call Jeanette. Maybe she'll have some more advice."

Jeanette had very little advice.

"Brittany, maybe he wants you back, maybe he doesn't know, maybe he's over it all and doesn't care."

Brittany was struck by the last idea.

Jeanette shook her head and said, "Brittany, I have work to do. Alvin is a big boy and will eventually have to deal with you being with someone else. He might find someone else. Don't think too much on it."

Brittany hung up and went to study her script. She would pick Johnny up tonight after practice. She'd get it all out in the open and deal with it now. It'd been years since she and Alvin had split and months since Johnny started to play for Alvin. She had to do this. She was sure she could handle seeing him again.

Theodore called Alvin right before the rehearsal was going to start.

"What are you plotting?"

"Huh?"

"Why did you hire him? Why can't you just let her go?"

"Theodore, what are you talking about?"

" You hiring Brittany's boyfriend."

"What?"

"Johnny is dating Brittany."

Alvin's mouth dropped open. Johnny's comments all of a sudden made sense, his descriptions of his girlfriend fir Brittany to a tee. Alvin was shocked that he hadn't realized it on his own.

"Theo, I have to go…."

"You didn't know did you?"

"No."

"Don't fire him."

"What?"

"Brit and Ellie will be mad that I told you…"

"I never intended to fire him. He's too good a guitarist to let go. I know she's moved on. It's ok. I doubt I'll ever run into her. I'll talk to you later."

Brittany pulled up at the studio that Dave and Alvin rented for rehearsals. She parked the car and fixed her make up. She walked in and stood next to Dave and watched them finish up their last song. Alvin wasn't facing her so she was free to observe him. It made her smile to see him sing. Her Alvin was back. He finished the song and took off his guitar strap.

"Good job, guys. A few more practice runs and we'll record. Dave has a deal for us with Crossfire Records. If all goes well, we'll be on tour in six months."

The guys smiled and high fived each other. Alvin turned to smile at Dave and saw Brittany. Johnny turned to say something to Alvin and saw him staring at Brittany. Johnny smiled at her and walked over to her.

"Hey, Babe." She smiled and kissed his cheek. "Let me put my guitar away and we can go. I feel like pizza tonight, what do you think?"

"Sure, okay."

Dave watched Alvin watch Brittany. The spark in Alvin's eyes was gone. For the millionth time, Dave wondered what had happened to those kids that resulted in such a break up. Johnny was with the others, packing up gear.

Alvin walked over to Brittany, "Hey."

"Hey."

"Heard you've been doing some acting."

"Small roles here and there. I'm hoping my agent will get me something in New York. I intend to take over Broadway."

"No movies?"

"First Broadway, then the world."

Alvin smiled, still his Brittany.

Johnny came over, "Ready?"

"Yea."

Brittany met Alvin's eyes and tried to smile. "Good to see you looking like you again."

"Feels good to be back."

Johnny took her hand to lead her away, "Here are the keys, put your guitar in the car. I'll be out shortly."

He looked at her quizzically, but walked off without comment, merely a nod at Alvin.

"Will this be weird?" she asked when Johnny was out of earshot.

"Naw, it'll be fine. He's a great guitarist. I like him."

"I needed to make sure I wasn't gonna cost him this gig."

"Hey, we've moved on right?"

Her smile faltered, "Yea, right."

Alvin smiled and started to walk toward the rest of the band, "Alvin?"

He turned.

"I…you…" she sighed, "you guys sounded great."

"Thanks."

She put her chin up and walked out to the car. Johnny looked at her, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, why?"

"You look like you are about to cry."

"I'm fine."

"Sure?"

"Mmmhhmmm."

He put his arms around her and kissed her forehead. She smiled, "Come on, I'm starved."

That night, Alvin was writing a new song. He couldn't get it to sound right, all he could think about was Brittany. Simon banged the door and hollered up the stairs, "Alvin, are you here?"

"Up here."

Simon walked up the stairs and flopped on Alvin's bed, "I need your help."

"My help?"

"I want to do something and it needs to be perfect. You are the king of making great over the top moments."

"No, you're not…"

"Yes, I am."

"Does she have a clue?"

"Maybe, I don't think so…"

Alvin laughed, "Does Dave know?"

"He helped me pick out a ring."

"But you are the responsible one and you're not out of school yet."

Simon grinned, "We've been talking about living together. We will put off the wedding until we graduate next year."

"And after that?"

"We'll go into our grad school programs."

"But married?"

"Alvin, I've loved her all my life. I wan to live with her and be with her in every way. I want her to be my wife."

Alvin grinned, "Let's blow her mind away."

Simon sighed a sigh of relief. He knew Jeanette wasn't all for big overdone things, but he'd been busy and they hadn't had a lot of time together, he wanted everything to be perfect.

"Oh, I've also bought a condo."

"What?"

"Dave helped me buy a condo for us."

"Wow."

"We can't exactly live here…" Simon chuckled.

Alvin's eyes got bright, "I know what you need to do!"

Jeanette was writing a term paper. It had been a week since she'd had time to see Simon. They'd both been terribly busy. Ellie and Brit called her on speaker phone, "Come outside."

"Why?"

"We need to show you something."

Jeanette sighed and went out to her sister's car.

"What?"

"Get in."

"Where are we going?"

"We need to show you something."

"I have work to do."

"Oh, get in already!"

Jeanette got in the car and frowned. Brittany drove to a complex of new condos.

"Brittany, what have you done? You didn't buy a condo did you?"

"You worry too much."

Brittany parked in front of a two-story town house.

"Brittany, I can't believe you!"

"Honestly, Jeanette, what makes you think I bought this?"

"Ellie, not you!"

Eleanor giggled, "No, Jeanette, you know I'm not prone to spending money on property."

"Okay then, what are we doing here?"

Brittany and Eleanor shared and knowing smile and got out of the car. Jeanette followed warily. The front door was unlocked, as the girls entered, they were met by sounds of Back, one of Jeanette's favorite composers. Brittany and Eleanor gave her a hug and half ran to another room. Jeanette slowly walked forward into the living room. There was no furniture, only a portable stereo and a framed picture of Jeanette and Simon propped up against it. She stopped short when she saw Simon standing on the stairs.

"Simon? What is all this?"

Simon smiled nervously and walked over to her, "You know I love you."

"Of course, Simon, I love you too."

"I know we haven't had a lot of time together lately…"

"Well, we've been busy."

"I want to spend every moment possible with you."

Jeanette finally caught on and felt the tears well up.

"Simon, did you buy this place?"

"Jeanette, I want to grow old with you. I want every challenge that comes with spending every day together. We have challenged and complimented each other since we were kids. You keep me on my toes and make me feel alive. I bought this house for us…Will you help me make it a home?"

He got down on one knee, "Will you marry me?"

Jeanette burst into tears. She managed to collect herself and nod, "I love you, yes, I will marry you."

Simon smiled and pulled her to him into a hug. When he let her go, he pulled a ring out of his pocket and slipped it on her finger. She looked at the ring and gasped. It was a white gold band, with a circular cut diamond, and a circular cut blue stone on either side. The simple elegance blew her mind away. Simon kissed her and then led her to the dining room. There was a huge picnic blanket with an ice bucket and champagne. The lighting was all votive candles. Jeanette smiled when she saw her sisters come out from the kitchen carrying food. They giggled and hugged her. Dave, Ms. Miller, and Simon's brothers came out behind them. Alvin winked at Simon and opened the champagne. Brittany watched Alvin and was awash with emotion. She couldn't believe Alvin had put this all together for their siblings. It was the side of Alvin she'd always loved.

As they all toasted to the health and happiness of their siblings, Brittany couldn't help wishing that it was she and Alvin who were going to spend the rest of their lives together. Alvin wouldn't even look at her. She knew he was re-entering the limelight and had a large group of female worshippers. She didn't think he'd gotten into anything serious, but with them not on speaking terms, she couldn't know for sure.

Alvin was trying hard not to stare at Brittany. He would steal glances while she looked away. She was still the most beautiful, but clearly had a lot on her mind. Johnny had told the band that she was waiting to hear from New York. Alvin knew she'd get the role, if for nothing else, because of her past fame as a singer. The thought of her across the country hurt him terribly, but he was comforted by the thought of himself away on tour where he'd be too busy to miss her.

The call came two months later. Within the week, she was gone. There was a void left in everyone's life. Alvin couldn't bear it. Even when they'd not been speaking, she was still there, now just emptiness. After a week, Alvin pushed up his tour dates and added stops to elongate it. Dave sat on the bus going over the map. How would he tell Alvin they were going to have to play New York? Alvin sat in the back with his headphones on and Dave knew he was listening to the old songs he had sung with Brittany. Dave had been thrilled for Simon and figured Theodore was close behind, but was fearful that Alvin would never put pride aside to tell Brittany how he really felt.