A/N: Wow! Thank you all for the amazing response to this story. I got so many reviews and story alerts and it's only the first chapter. Thank you so much. I'm glad you like it. Here is the next chapter. I hope to have more up tomorrow, and I'm almost done the next chapter of my other story, Just Give It Time. Happy reading!
-Kadence
Disclaimer: Camp Rock and its characters are the property of the Disney Channel. I own nothing...I merely borrow for my amusement, as well as yours.
Chapter 2
"Are you sure you don't want to leave her with us?" Connie asked.
"I can't Mom," Mitchie replied, balancing the phone one her shoulder as she carefully held Sky in one arm as she packed the diaper bag with her free hand. She was certainly getting used to having her hands full and multitasking. "I need to see if I can do this with Sky, and I need them to get the full picture of what my life is going to be like now. You're not always going to be available to take Sky, and I'm going to have bring her with me...whether it's recording or a meeting."
"I know sweetheart," Connie said. "I just don't want you to give this up. You deserve this."
"Well wish me luck, because it's time to go," Mitchie said, zipping the diaper bag closed.
"Good luck sweetheart," Connie said. "I know you'll do amazing."
"Thanks Mom," Mitchie said.
Mitchie ended the call and tucked her phone into one of the side pockets of the diaper bag and buckled Sky into her baby carrier. She checked herself in the mirror and picked up the diaper bag and the baby carrier.
"Okay baby girl, we are off," Mitchie said.
**********
The 15 minute drive into the city took almost 40 with LA freeway traffic, so Mitchie was relieved that she left herself extra time. She parked in Lava's garage and carefully pulled the baby carrier out of the car seat base. She was careful not to jar it as the car ride had lulled Sky to sleep. Slinging the diaper bag over he shoulder, she took one more deep breath and walked towards the Lava building.
"Hi," Mitchie said when she reached the reception desk. "I'm Michaela Torres. I have a meeting with Thomas Davison and the other executives this morning."
"Of course, come with..." the receptionist trailed off as she noticed the sleeping infant in the baby carrier Mitchie held. "Uh, come with me."
"Ah, Miss. Torres," Mr. Davison said, greeting her outside the conference room. "Oh, uh, this is a surprise."
"I know, and I'm sorry," Mitchie replied. "I was hoping to have the opportunity to explain."
"Of course, Miss. Torres," Mr. Davison replied. "Come on in. Everyone's waiting."
"I'm not late, am I?" Mitchie asked nervously.
"No, no," Mr. Davison insisted. "We had other things on the agenda this morning as well."
As Mr. Davison escorted Mitchie into the room, the whispering among the other executives began immediately.
"What is the meaning of this Thomas?" another executive asked.
"This is Michaela Torres," Mr. Davison said. "The girl with the voice I've been telling you about."
"I hardly think we should be marketing a teen mother, regardless of how good you say her voice is," the executive said.
"Now Elliott, I am as in the dark about this as all of you, but Miss. Torres has asked for the right to explain, and she's certainly earned that much from me," Mr. Davison said.
"What do you think is going on?" Jason whispered to Nate and Shane.
"I don't know," Shane said.
"I think we're all a little confused," Nate said.
"Miss. Torres, the floor is yours," Mr. Davison said.
"Um, hi everyone," Mitchie began, gently placing the carrier on the table and checking to see that Sky was still asleep, before dropping the diaper bag on the floor and continuing. "I'm Michaela Torres, or Mitchie. I know you're all probably a little confused. I'm sure you weren't expecting me to be bringing a baby. But, um, I'm not a teen mom. This is my niece, Ophelia Sky...I call her Sky. My, uh, my sister and brother-in-law were killed in a car accident about a week ago."
Mitchie couldn't look at any of the faces in the room. She barely managed to keep the tears from her eyes, but somehow, with a few deep breaths, she was able to continue her speech.
"I was named as Sky's legal guardian in my sister's will, so she's, uh, she is now my responsibility," Mitchie continued. "I'm not sure if this changes things for me here, but I...I needed you to see that she's a part of my life now. I am still just as dedicated as I was when I met with Mr. Davison a week ago. And I am willing to do whatever it takes to still make this work. I think I can raise Sky and still be one of your recording artists. Because that has always been my dream, and I know that no matter how much raising Sky is going to change my life, my sister wouldn't want me to give up my dream."
"That's very sweet Miss. Torres," Elliott, the original objector practically sneered. "And we are all very sorry for your loss...but how can you expect to put forth the commitment we will require with this new responsibility?"
"Elliott, I believe she's just told us how committed she is. And I'm sure we can make arrangements for child care when necessary," Mr. Davison said. "We've had hundreds of artists walk in here in the past few years since our last discovery of Connect Three, and we haven't thought of signing any of them, until now. What does that tell you? Gentlemen, this girl is gold."
Sky chose that moment to really make her presence known, letting out a small wail as she woke up from her nap.
"Sh," Mitchie said, gently rocking the baby carrier.
Sky, although remaining awake, was quiet. But she moved her head from side to side, her blue eyes wide, taking in her surroundings.
"Look, gentlemen, other artists have families. It's not like it's never been done," Mr. Davison said. "Just...at least let her sing for you. That will be enough to convince you."
"Alright Miss. Torres," another executive said. "Show us what you've got."
Mitchie took a deep breath and as she prepared to sing the song she'd planned, she was immediately struck with new words and a melody.
In my opinion seeing is to know
The things we hold
Are always first to go
And who's to say
We won't end up alone
On broken wings I'm falling
And it won't be long
The skin on me is burning
By the fires of the sun
On skinned knees
I'm bleeding
And it won't be long
I've got to find that meaning
And I'll search for so long
"Wow," Shane said quietly, once she'd finished.
"Yeah," Jason said. "Wow."
"Oh they better sign this girl," Brown said. "Before someone else does."
The other executives were quietly murmuring to each other and it seemed to Mitchie that they had enjoyed it.
"So what do we think?" Mr. Davison asked. "Can we do this?"
"I agree that she's talented, but Thomas, we still must consider the label's image. Whether this child is hers or not, this girl is responsible for her now. She is a teenage mother. We cannot market her as a role model."
"Are you serious?" a younger voice said as the person it belonged to jumped out of his seat.
"Shane, what are you doing?" Nate asked, trying to pull him back down.
"First of all, did you just hear her sing?" Shane asked. "That was amazing. Did you write it?"
"Um, sort of," Mitchie replied. "It kind of just came to me."
"Wow," Nate said.
"See, that just make her more amazing," Shane said. "And not a role model? What better image can she portray than the importance of family, and stepping up when your family needs you?"
"Mr. Grey has made a good point," another executive said. "Several, actually."
"Look, I know I'm just another one of your artists, but if you don't sign this girl, you are all crazy," Shane said. "if you don't sign this girl, someone else will, and you'll have let all the money she can make you just walk out the door."
"Thank you Shane," Mr. Davison said. "I don't think I could've said it better."
"I guess we've got a decision to make," Elliott said.
"Miss. Torres, boys, if you'll give us a few moments please," Mr. Davison said.
Shane headed of the door with Brown, Nate and Jason following. Mitchie picked up the diaper bag and then the baby carrier and walked out the door behind them.
"Hey, can we give you a hand?" Nate asked.
"Thanks," Mitchie said, handing the diaper bag to Nate. "I actually need to change her."
"Michaela, you were nothing short of amazing in there," Brown said. "I hope they make the right decision."
"Thank you," Mitchie said, lifting Sky carefully out of the baby carrier and laying her on the changing pad she'd just put on the floor to change her. "And thank you for what you said Shane."
"I meant every word," Shane said. "They'd be crazy to let you go."
Mitchie changed Sky's diaper and smiled when Nate wrinkled his nose in mild disgust as she handed him Sky's dirty diaper.
"Dude, don't look at me," Jason said. "You offered to help."
She cleaned her hands with some anti-bacterial hand sanitizer and offered the same to Nate. Then, picking up Sky, she tickled the baby's belly, making her laugh. As she stood up, the conference room door opened.
"Miss. Torres?" Mr. Davison said.
Song Credit:Broken Wings by Alter Bridge
A/N: Cliffhanger, I know, I'm mean. Sorry. I'll have more tomorrow though, I promise. Thanks for reading. Please keep letting me know what you think. And also, I'm still looking for some duets to use for Connect Three and Mitchie later on in the story. Thanks!
Kadence