Whew. I finally finished this chapter. Thank you for being patient with me. All of my chapters will now be written from my phone, so that means longer waits as I have go from my document manager to the original story to help me out. All of this is done on the app. Unfortunately, I can no longer see the stats of how many views I am getting on my stories, so I want to give a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of you reading all of my stories. I am eternally thankful for you all.

So you'll notice quite a bit of lyrics from the late Christina Grimmie here. This chapter is kind of representing my appreciation of her and her music before and after she was murdered in 2016. I've actually been following Christina and her music on YouTube ever since the 2012 TMNT series was released, because someone did a fan video of April and Donnie using Christina's cover of "Just a Dream." I found the actual video of that cover, and I've been a fan (or frand, as Christina called us) since. I would have waited a month to release this chapter in honor of her birthday being in March, but I don't want to wait that long.

Without further ado, here we go! See you again in about a week or so!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "Meet the Robinsons" nor "TMNT." I also do not own Nichole Nordeman's "This Mystery," nor Christina Grimmie's "With Love" and "Deception." I only own Karena, Lilianna, and Athena.


February 10, 2041 – Todayland, North Montana, USA

LILIANNA'S POV

My dad and I went to the hospital for my appointment regarding my broken foot. It has not quite been a month, but we were both eager to get it checked. When we entered the examination room, I sat down on the table. The doctor took some X-rays of my foot. Not too long after that, the doctor returned to the room.

"Your foot is healing quite nicely, Miss Hamato," the doctor revealed with a smile. "We are going to put your foot in another cast, but this time you will not have to use both crutches."

"Woohoo!" I yelled happily.

"What is your favorite color, Miss Hamato?"

"White, but purple is next."

"I have the perfect shade of purple for you."

The doctor molded a cast for my foot and ankle, and then he put a purple covering over it. Lastly, he brought out a huge boot. I slipped my foot into it. My foot was still in pain, but not as much pain as before.

"So, Miss Hamato, you will be back in a month," the doctor explained to me. "Until then, try walking on it with one crutch. If it hurts more, then use both crutches to move around. When the time comes where you are not hurting or feeling any discomfort, then try walking in the boot without a crutch. But do not hesitate to call me if you have any questions."

"Thank you, doctor," Dad replied, and then he let out a gasp. "Oh, wait! What time does this appointment need to be?"

"How does nine o'clock sound?" the doctor asked.

"Lily, how does that sound?" Dad asked me.

"Nine is fine with me," I answered.

"Perfect! March 10th at nine o'clock. I'll see you two then."

"Thank you, doctor," we both replied.

I hobbled out of the hospital using only one crutch while my dad held the other one.

"Shall we head back to the apartment?" Dad asked.

"Actually, could you drop me off at the Robinsons?" I asked in reply. "I want to practice the piano for a little bit."

"Oh! Sure. I think Karena might be over there already, so make sure you tell her hi for me."

My dad gave me a wink, and I nodded firmly.


I sat at the piano in the music room practicing for the song I would sing at the talent show. Once again, I was inspired by Christina Grimmie, and this year, I would be singing her song With Love. I had also decided to dedicate this song to my dad as my way to thank him for everything he has done and always being there for me.

"You called me out and taught me tough with love, with love," I sang, hitting the lowest notes I had ever sung. "You fought my flaws, my teeth, my claws with love, with love."

I took a breath, relieved that I was finally singing in my comfort range.

"'Cause every time I'm slipping away from myself, you're the one that moves me like nobody else."

I took another breath, preparing myself to hit the higher notes that I was so comfortable singing.

"'Cause when I'm down and under, and I'm coming unplugged. When I'm ready to fall, you're the one always holding me up with love."

I suddenly heard clapping. I stopped playing and found Franny walking into the music room.

"I forgot how talented you are with your voice," Franny told me with a smile. "Is that for the talent show?"

"Yes. I'm singing a song and dedicating it to my dad. But I don't want him to know about it yet."

"Your secret is safe with me. Will your family be helping you?"

"Yes. Athena's gonna play the guitar and sing again with me. Ryan did offer to play the bass if needed. Venus will play the drums again."

My smile faded away, and I let out a sigh.

"I want to sing to my dad, not to the piano. But at the same time, I don't want people seeing my broken foot."

Franny pondered this for a moment.

"Sing the next verse, but do it standing up," Franny told me. "Pretend there's an audience and sing to them. I'll play the piano for you."

"Oookay," I replied hesitantly.

I got up and then jumped over to the side of the piano where my crutch was standing.

"So, where are we at?" Franny asked.

"Second verse. Starts with your tongue won't tie."

"Got it."

"Could you start playing at the chorus please?" I asked.

"Sure thing!"

Franny started playing the piano and singing the song from the chorus, guiding me into it. I belted out the word fall with all my passion, and then I finished singing the chorus out, transitioning into the second verse.

"Your tongue won't tie," I sang, preparing myself to hit the lower notes again. "You always find the truth. Yeah, you do. But still you smile despite the lines I drew for you. 'Cause every time I'm slipping away from myself, you're the one that moves me like nobody else. Oh, no!"

I took a quick breath to get back into the chorus.

"'Cause when I'm down and under. And I'm coming unplugged. When I'm ready to fall, you're the one always holding me up with love."

Franny abruptly stopped playing.

"I think we can make this work," she said with a grin. "I'll play the piano in your stead if you want to just sing to the audience."

"Franny, are you sure?" I asked with uncertainty.

"I'm positive! Your performance was super amazing last year, but I want to help you make this year's performance exemplary, especially if you are dedicating this to your dad. In fact…"

Franny now put on a dedicated look on your face.

"Come with me. We're going to Tallulah's shop."

We walked and hobbled our way to her red flying car in the garage, and we flew into downtown Todayland. We parked in front of Tallulah's dress shop and made our way inside.

"I'll be right with you!" Tallulah yelled from the back of the store.

We waited a few more moments until she emerged from the back with a big smile on her face.

"Franny! Lily! What brings you by today?"

"She needs a dress," Franny answered, putting her hands on my shoulders. "She's doing the talent show again and wants a dress that will cover up her boot."

"Those are my favorite kind of dresses," Tallulah replied. "And I think I have just the design in mind. Follow me!"

We followed Tallulah to the back of the store where she sat at a desk.

"You're doing another Christina Grimmie song, right?" she asked me.

"Yes, ma'am," I answered.

"Which one?"

"With Love."

Tallulah did a Google search on her phone and laughed out loud.

"What is it?"

"Do you remember the outfit you made for last year's performance?" Tallulah asked me.

"Yeah?"

"This was her outfit when her album was released in 2013."

She showed me a picture of Christina with her brown hair in a braid, wearing a black tank top with a blue skirt, similar to what I wore last year.

"That was my favorite outfit of all the ones she wore," I said with a smile. "That was why that outfit was my inspiration last year."

"Let's see if we can find another source of inspiration for you."

Tallulah continued to scroll down her phone and let out a gasp. She then closed her mouth and pondered for a moment.

"I found quite the outfit I could make, but Lily, would you prefer pants or a dress?"

"For my foot's sake, we should go with the dress," I answered. "I don't want anyone seeing the boot."

"Fair enough."

Tallulah started sketching a design. I tried to peek at what she was drawing but she kept holding it back. Not even my mind-reading worked, because her brain was racing. After about five minutes, she showed us the sketch. It was a black evening gown with silver decorations on it. There was a slit that would open up over my right leg, and the skirt would completely cover my left foot. Lastly, on my arms were some jewelry that were placed on my biceps.

"Tallulah... this is goregeous!" I said in awe.

"And here is the photo of inspiration."

Tallulah showed me a photo of Christina Grimmie in a black jumpsuit with a transparent black skirt over the pants. I smiled.

"Thank you so much, Tallie. It means a lot to me that you care about my likes and dislikes."

"You're very welcome, Lily," she replied. "How's the dress for winter ball coming along?"

I let out a sigh.

"Tallie, I've been so focused on the musical and healing my foot that I haven't even thought about it. I even turned James down when he asked me to go with him."

"I don't think that's very fair to James," Franny replied. "And Lily, you have been so stressed out lately. You deserve to have fun."

I have a dry chuckle.

"Have fun doing what, Franny?" I asked. "Still sitting on the sidelines?"

"Hey, don't knock it until you try it. I broke my leg once too, and I still went to the dance. I went with Neil, and I realized that it was the only thing that mattered."

"And besides, Wilbur told me you are on the court again," Tallulah said. "Doesn't that mean you have to be there?"

"So does Wilbur," I replied, realizing the women were right. "Wilbur made it on the court too."

"Well, the good news is that I made dresses for you and Athena if you want to see them."

I hung my head down.

"Now I feel terrible," I said with sadness. "I promised Athena I'd make her a dress and I didn't."

"I'm sure she'll understand the circumstances," Franny assured me.

"She's your cousin, Lily," Tallulah said. "She's still going to love you no matter what."


DONATELLO'S POV

April and I were spending quality time together doing each other's laundry when we heard a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" April asked.

"It's me, Mom," Lily answered. "May I come in?"

"Yes, you may."

Lily opened the door, hobbled into the room using one crutch, and then closed the door again.

"Mom, Dad, could we talk?" she asked with a nervous look on her face.

"Sure," I answered with a smile. "Let us put this aside really quick and then we'll talk on the bed."

April and I quickly put the laundry that was done in the closet and the laundry that wasn't done back in the basket. We joined Lily on the bed once we were done.

"What would like to talk about?" I asked.

"I need advice," Lily explained. "James asked me to go to winter ball last week and I turned him down. Franny and Tallulah helped me realize that I had let the stress of my sitting on the sidelines get to me."

"Aww, sweetheart, setbacks happen all the time," April assured her with a compassionate frown. "But you can't let them get to you. When you were kidnapped, you didn't accept it. You found a way out and that drive kept you going. You accidentally killed the Magician, but you didn't let that define you and you kept going."

"Lily, what's a broken foot compared to that?" I asked with a smile. "I mean, sure, you needed to have help getting you around places. But did that ever stop you from attending cheerleading practice?"

"It did at first," my daughter answered. "But then you forced me to go."

"We didn't force you to go," April replied sternly. "You're not just a part of the squad. You're the captain. What is a ship's crew without its captain?"

"And knowing you, you would never abandon your friends," I continued. "Heck, once you got wind that Karena got kidnapped, you took action. That's why we told you you had to go to practice and the games. Because it's not like you to let a setback bring you down. And here you are letting one minor setback affect your relationship with your boyfriend."

"Your dad is right, Lily," April said.

"I know, Mom," Lily replied, hanging her head down. "I want to go with James to the dance, but how do I tell him that after I turned him down?"

"Just be honest," April answered, this time with a smile on her face.

"I'm gonna have to face Athena about that too. I promised her I'd make a dress and I didn't because of everything going on."

"Hey, you've had a busy January," I said. "You had the musical and cheerleading, plus the talent show on top of it. And then your foot. Athena will understand."

"I hope you're right," Lily replied, finally putting a smile on her face.

"Oh, Lily, you don't quite understand the first rule about being a woman," April said with a chuckle, putting her hand on Lily's shoulder. "We are always right, even when we're wrong. You gotta have more faith in yourself."

"Uh, April, you are aware that I said that Athena will understand, right?" I asked with uncertainty.

"Okay, correction: women, Donnie, and Mikey are always right, even when they're wrong."

"Yeah, I'm not sure that's how it goes," I replied skeptically, and then let out a sigh as I turned towards our daughter. "But Lily, the point of all of this is, always follow your gut, your intuition. I didn't catch on to this until you came into our world. If your gut says something is wrong, then there's a good chance that something is wrong. If your gut is telling you that doing a certain something is the right thing to do, then just do it. And I think you know what it is that you need to do."


February 11, 2041

LILIANNA'S POV

Every day since I broke my foot, Athena had been helping me carry my books. I had waited in the cafeteria for her to show up from New York. But I also knew that I needed to talk to James. I grabbed my crutch and used it to find James at his locker that was just down the hall.

"Hey, James."

The high school senior with blue eyes and brown hair closed his locker and turned towards me with a smile on his face.

"Hey, Lily."

He looked down at my foot, revealing the boot.

"Hey, your foot looks like it's getting better," James said, his smile getting bigger. "How do you feel?"

"A little better," I answered, not returning the smile. "But I feel guilty too. And I need to talk to you about that."

"Sure. Let's go in the pool. That'll be the only place we can talk in private."

James walked alongside with me to the pool area. Once we got in, I sat down on the diving board.

"What did you want to talk about?" he asked me.

"I wanted to say I'm sorry about not accepting your invitation to winter ball," I explained. "I let my foot and the circumstances surrounding that control me, and that wasn't okay. I hope it's not too late to say that I'm coming with you to the ball."

"It's never too late, Lily," James assured me with his kind smile. "You could have shown up to my doorstep an hour before the dance and I still would have said yes. You're worth waiting for, Lily, broken foot and all."

"Really?" I asked, feeling giddy inside.

"Really. I was going to wait for a while, but I think now's the perfect time for me to say it: I love you, Lily."

I froze, the giddiness quickly going away.

"I don't need to have psychic powers to know something's bothering you," James said with a frown. "Are you alright?"

"James, thank you for sharing that with me," I said, looking into his eyes. "But I'm still getting to know you as my boyfriend. Plus, I have to finish this season of cheerleading, even if I can't cheer. I have to practice for the talent show and the musical. I need to study for the SAT and ACT. And I still need to go to my ninja training in New York. Plus, I'm still getting to know you."

"You said that already."

"I know, and it's worth repeating, because I'm not ready to say that yet."

I felt the tears coming to my face.

"I have such perfect parents that sometimes I feel that I need to be perfect," I continued. "And I spent the last month stressing out because I had a broken body part. And now I feel like a jerk because I'm not ready to say I love you to you yet."

"Lily, shh, it's okay. I understand. You're not a jerk. I'm probably rushing into things myself."

"James, if you love me, then you love me," I replied. "I'm not ready for that level of commitment. Please give me time for everything to wash over. It took my parents four years before they confessed their love to each other. I'd like to ask for the same thing."

"I understand. We're still in high school, after all. This is a path we're both pursuing. If it works out, and I think it is so far, then great! If not, then there are lessons to be learned. I think I learned one of them today."

"Thank you, James."

Just then, the first warning bell rang.

"I should go," I told him. "Athena's gonna panic if she can't find me."

"I bet you're excited for when you don't have to ask for help anymore, huh?" James asked with a smile.

"Heck yes. I'll see you later."

I hobbled out of the pool area and up the stairs to my locker.


March 10, 2041

APRIL'S POV

It had been a very eventful two months for our family in Todayland. Once wind got around that Lily broke her foot and Karena was diagnosed with having amnesia, Cornelius and Donnie arranged for us to rent an apartment until Karena had most of her memories back and until Lily's foot healed. All four of us had different focuses during that time.

Donnie had been preparing himself for his upcoming promotion in the fall. While he still taught remotely, he was often seen on campus visiting with the various professors he would be working with. From what he had told me, almost all of the professors were uncomfortable at first, but then they quickly opened up to him once they realized how smart and understanding he was. Donnie also helped Lily out, providing her with physical therapy in lieu of ninjutsu training with Leo.

Lily had a lot going on as a high school junior. She finished her winter season of cheerleading on the sidelines, guiding her squad mates instead of cheering with them. She also practiced for both the talent show and her part as Mrs. Potts in the musical. In her free time at school, she studied for the SAT and ACT tests that were coming up. Lastly, she paid forward the kindness Donnie showed her and passed it on to Karena as they continued to restore her memories.

Karena had picked things up very quickly. Once she had been exposed enough to her job at Denny's, she remembered everything and everyone there. It took her more time at the high school during musical practice. At first, she was calling everyone by their characters' names. She had accidentally called Athena "Belle." By the end of the week, she remembered everyone's names, as well as what her future job would be as a music teacher. Unfortunately, she still could not remember that she was engaged to marry Wilbur; she still called Wilbur her boyfriend. But thankfully, the majority of her memories had come back to her.

And then, there's me. It was my turn to experience dimension-hopping from Todayland to New York for my job at Channel 6 News. Unfortunately for Lily and Donnie, I was out until about nine o'clock in the evening. I was already looking forward to the day we would move back home to New York.

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted when the door opened to reveal my purple-masked husband. However, our daughter was not present with him.

"D, where's Lily?" I asked.

"She's got the talent show today, remember?" he replied.

I gasped.

"That's today? I had forgotten about that."

"And that's why I'm here now," Donnie said with his cheesy grin. "I'm here to take us to the talent show to watch our daughter perform."

"From what I've been hearing from her, it's going to be a beautiful performance," I replied with a smile. "I know she's going to do well."

"I take it the family's helping out again?" Donnie asked.

"Yep. Even Franny's helping her. She's got a surprise up her sleeve."

"I can't wait!"

"All the more reason for us to go to the university!"

Donatello put on his lab coat while I put on my grey jacket. I followed him out of our penthouse apartment down to our flying car. Then we drove to the university to watch Todayland's second annual talent show. To our pleasant surprise, my brothers-in-law and their wives were already there to greet us.

"It's great to see you guys," Leo said with a hug.

"We're excited to see Lily perform again," Donnie replied, returning the hug. "Boy, do we all have a surprise for you!"

"How did her appointment go?" Karai asked.

"You'll find out!"

Donnie winked. I took a quick glance at him and read his mind. Trying very hard not to contain my excitement about Lily's foot being completely healed, I gave him an understanding nod. We all started to walk into the auditorium at Todayland University. We found our seats, which happily turned out to be the same seats as last year's. After we spoke amongst ourselves, we heard the microphone coming to life, and the auditorium was hushed.

"I want to thank everybody, once again, for joining us for our second annual talent show," Franny said into the microphone. "We want to thank you all for donating to the families who suffered in the aftermath of the parasitica virus. This time, we are hosting the talent show to donate to those around the world who are not fortunate to have the resources we have to flourish. And now, without further ado, here is Karena Edwards, a Todayland University alumnus with her bachelor's degree in education, singing Nichole Nordeman's This Mystery featuring myself. Enjoy the show!"

We all applauded as Franny went behind the curtain. The piano started to play.

"I'm glad Karena got all of her memories back," I whispered to my husband as the curtains rose.

"Not quite all of them," Donnie corrected me. "She still calls Wilbur her boyfriend."

"She really doesn't remember his proposal?" I asked with surprise, and he shook his head. "Maybe we need to have Wilbur and Lily take her on a time machine."

I looked ahead to see Karena wearing a lavender dress with half of her brown hair tied in the back. She sat at the piano and then she took a breath and started singing.

"Say good night to the light of the setting sun. One more day, one more way of keeping track of all I've done. I run this race, keep this pace, I'm doing fine. And I won't stop until each box gets checked a second time. And life becomes the round and round revolving door that won't slow down. It won't slow down."

"Do You wish, do You want us to breathe again?" Karena and Franny sang in harmony with each other as the latter walked onto the stage. "Say goodbye to the lines that we've colored in. Brown and gray, from day to day. Do You cry, do You hope for all things made new? Try and try to invoke us to live in You. That we might be the hands and feet of this mystery, yeah."

Karena and Franny glanced fondly at each other as the former continued playing the piano.

"I guess this was another idea of Franny's to help Karena remember things," I whispered to my husband.

"They sound amazing!" he replied. "They sing beautifully together."

"This routine is nice and clean from dawn to dusk," Karena continued singing. "I rise and rest, I do my best. When will it ever be enough? And life becomes the bigger noise drowning out Your little voice, Your little voice, Jesus."

Karena and Franny, who wore a red-and-black dress with her black hair in a bun, sang the chorus again. Once I saw Franny smiling at her, I paid attention to Karena. This was the happiest I had seen her since she announced her engagement to Wilbur. But then I frowned. I silently prayed she would eventually remember that moment.

"We take stock," Karena continued singing. "And we punch the clock. And we make sure all those zeros have balanced in the end."

Karena played the piano for a shot time before ceasing to play, singing a cappella.

"And do You wish, do You want us to breathe again? Say goodbye to the lines that we've colored in. Brown and gray, day after day, after day."

"And do You cry, do You hope for all things made new?" Karena and Franny sang again as the former started playing the piano again. "Try and try to invoke us to live in You. That we might be the hands and feet of this mystery."

Karena played for some time before the two women sang again.

"That we might be the hands and feet. That we might be the hands and feet of this mystery, yeah."

Karena played the last chords on the piano before singing one last line.

"This mystery."

We all applauded loudly as Karena and Franny hugged each other.

"She's amazing," a male voice said behind us.

Donnie and I both jumped as Cornelius appeared from behind the curtain. Wilbur was sitting right behind us.

"You're not part of the talent show again?" Donnie asked with surprise in his voice.

"Nah, I didn't even try out. I'm good at many things, don't get me wrong. But with Karena, the musical, and the fact that I'm going to college next fall, I decided to wait this one out."

"And now you've got a wedding to plan, too," I replied.

"Exactly," Wilbur said. "I wanted to thank you both for helping me and Karena plan out all the details. We never thought everything would be covered in one night."

"Hey, you're like family to us!" I replied happily.

"April's right," Donnie said. "We're very happy to help. You helped us after all."

We heard applause. The next event was about to start. Our family, plus the Robinson family that had joined us, enjoyed this talent show more than last year's. There was more variety. Along with a group that formed a band, there were also juggling acts and ballet acts. There was even a short act that was performed by a group of high school students.

"Now here is an event that you all will enjoy," Cornelius said again with a smile on his face. "She won last year's talent show. And here she is again, Lily Hamato, singing Christina Grimmie's With Love."

Compared to last year's talent show, the audience met her with thunderous applause. The piano started to play, and the curtains rose to reveal Franny at the piano and Lily walking forward, holding only the microphone in her hand. My red-haired daughter, wearing a black evening dress with a slit revealing her right leg, walked flawlessly forward, carrying a smile on her face. Her red bangs hung straight down, just touching her blue eyes, and the rest of her hair was done in a French braid, draping over her left shoulder. Lily put a smile on her face, but instead of singing, she spoke into the microphone.

"I wanted to dedicate this performance to my dad Donatello, who has loved me from day one and always fought to stay with me after everything we've been through together."

I turned towards my husband, who had a look of surprise and shock on his face.

"Daddy, I love you," Lily said, gazing in our direction.

Our daughter took a breath, and she started singing, nailing the low-octave notes.

"You called me out and taught me tough with love, with love. You fought my flaws, my teeth, my claws with love, with love."

Lily started walking again, this time to the right side of the stage.

"'Cause every time I'm slipping away from myself, you're the one that moves me like nobody else."

Lily took a deep breath, preparing herself to sing her heart out.

"'Cause when I'm down and under, and I'm coming unplugged, when I'm ready to fall, you're the one always holding me up with love. Oh, no, no."

As Lily hummed, Donnie stood up, still with a stunned look on his face. He carefully walked out of the row of seats, not stepping on anyone's feet.

"Your tongue won't tie," Lily sang, returning to her lower octave. "You always find the truth. Yeah, you do. But still you smile despite the lines I drew for you."

Donatello started slowly walking towards the stage, and at the same time, Lily walked back to the center of the stage.

"'Cause every time I'm slipping away from myself, you're the one that moves me like nobody else. Oh, no!"

Lily held the microphone in her left hand while her right hand was over her heart.

"'Cause when I'm down and under, and I'm coming unplugged, when I'm ready to fall, you're the one always holding me up with love."

I started to hear Athena vocalizing behind the curtain. Lily started to make her way towards her father.

"When I'm down," Lily sang as Donnie continued his trek to the stage. "When I'm coming undone. You're always there with the love, love!"

Lily took a breath to belt out her next line.

"When I'm down, yeah! When I'm out, when I fall, you're always, always, always, always there."

At that point, Donnie had made his way to the stage. Lily knelt down and faced him with a gentle smile on her face, and she started singing in a higher octave as if she was a little girl again.

"When I'm down and under, and I'm coming unplugged, when I'm ready to fall, you're the one always holding me up!"

Lily rose as she sing the word up. When she stood up, she had her left hand on the microphone and her right arm outstretched as if to include him. She sang the chorus one time in her normal voice as Donatello proudly looked up at her. I knew he had a big grin on his face.

"When I'm down and under, and I'm coming unplugged."

Lily took a breath and closed her eyes, preparing to belt the next line.

"When I'm ready to fall, you're the one always holding me up with love."

While everyone gave her thunderous applause, Donnie flipped onto the stage. He and Lily shared an embrace.

"April, I caught everything on the phone," Wilbur told me.

I turned around... and I hugged Wilbur. He returned the embrace.

"Thank you. This was definitely a surprise neither of us saw coming."

"You didn't know?" Wilbur asked with surprise in his voice.

"No, and that's okay," I replied with a smile. "Seeing the look on Donnie's face and then watching him walk to the stage as Lily was singing... it was worth the wait."


March 15, 2041

WILBUR'S POV

I felt relaxed on this Friday evening. Karena had retrieved almost all of her memories with Lily's help. Unfortunately, she still called me her boyfriend instead of her fiancé. My time with the Todayland High School color guard was over. I was celebrated with the other seniors at the final home game of the winter season back in February. After that, I spent time with Lily and Athena in polishing our lines and songs for the musical that was happening in just four days.

To the surprise of all of us, Lily's foot had fully healed the day of the talent show. I had watched her walking freely across the stage, once again winning the show. Lily had told me that it has felt appropriate that the talent show had happened the way it did; March 12th would have been Christina Grimmie's 47th birthday, had she survived the attack on her in 2016. Lily had discovered Christina through listening to Rachael Lampa and Stacie Orrico, two of Lily's favorite singers. Lily had told me that she found her vocal foundation through Rachael and Stacie, but Christina's music gave her a challenge to range out her voice.

I glanced at my phone. It was time to get ready for our first of three performances this weekend. I found the first of my golden costumes, the one representing Lumiere's human form, and I quickly put that on. Suddenly, I heard the piano playing with Lily's voice ringing from the high school auditorium.

"You didn't ever care for me. You didn't ever care for me, oh. You didn't ever care for me. You didn't ever care for me, oh. You didn't ever care for me. You didn't ever care for me, yeah."

"It sounds like a warm-up song," I told Athena, who was already dressed in her Belle costume.

"Let's go out and listen to her," Athena encouraged me. "I know practicing Beauty and the Beast was hard for her."

"You unfolded your arms and you unclenched your fists," Lily sang as Athena and I walked into the stage. "And I dropped all my bags and then on that star I wished what I would do, what I would do to be loved by, by you."

Athena took out her phone and started to video Lily, already dressed in her human Mrs. Potts costume. Lily had her eyes closed as if she memorized the song and the music in her head.

"And I opened the door and I watched as you looked at me with honest confusion and certainly unrelieved. What I would do, what I would do to be loved by, by you."

"What are you doing?" Karena whispered to us behind the curtain.

"Shh!" I reacted.

"You didn't ever, oh, you didn't ever care for me, oh. You didn't ever, oh, you didn't ever care for me, oh. You didn't ever... care. So now I'm sitting here wondering why you didn't ever care for me. You didn't ever care for me, oh. You didn't ever care for me. You didn't ever care for me, oh. You didn't ever care for me. You didn't ever care for me, yeah."

At this point, the entire Beauty and the Beast cast was watching Lily from behind the curtain. Down in the seats, the orchestra that Mr. Samuels put together was also watching the performance with someone videotaping her.

"I can't take back the bite. This fruit was not meant for me. Deception and vice at the finest I'd ever seen. What I would do, what I would do to be loved by, by you. And the funny thing is that I settled for the untruth just because I'm a slave to the fantasy of being in love. What I would do, what I would do to be loved by, by you."

Lily paused, now aware of everyone watching her perform, and she continued on a cappella.

"Thinking it through, now I see everything. Didn't I know it? Life with you's but a dream. But what I would do, what I would do to be loved by, by you."

Lily started playing the piano again, at first softly hitting the bass chords.

"You didn't ever care for me. You didn't ever care for me, oh. You didn't ever care for me. You didn't ever care for me, oh. Oh."

Lily suddenly started to belt out her voice and play the piano in a such grandiose manner.

"Now I'm sitting here wondering why you didn't ever care for me!You didn't ever care for me, oh. You didn't ever care for me! You didn't ever care for me, oh. You didn't ever care for me! Care for me, oh! So now I'm sitting here wondering why!"

As Lily belted out her final note, she stopped playing the piano, and we loudly cheered and applauded.

"Wonderful job, Lily!" Mr. Samuels applauded her. "Are you sure you don't want to join chorus?"

Lily laughed joyfully, but I could also tell she was nervous.

"I'm good, thank you," she replied. "I'll move out of your hair now."

Lily walked out of the built-in orchestra pit and up the stairs to the stage.

"Lily, if Christina was alive, you'd be giving her a run for her money!" Athena said with enthusiasm.

"Thanks, Athena," Lily replied with a small smile. "But I don't think anyone can top Christina's voice nor her songwriting."

Lily looked down. She was definitely nervous.

"Hey, Lily, may we talk?" I asked.

"Oh! Uh, sure."

I led her to a secluded corner backstage.

"You're nervous. Was that why you were performing?"

"Yes," Lily answered. "I've tried my hardest to prepare myself to sing Beauty and the Beast, but will it be enough?"

"Lily, it is very hard to mirror Christina Grimmie," I replied. "I watched her videos and she is amazing. You are just as amazing as she was, if not better."

Lily chuckled.

"You're just saying that."

"No, I'm not! If you can sing Christina Grimmie to perfection, then you can sing Beauty and the Beast to fit you. You are gifted with a voice only angels could dream of."

Lily blushed to the point where her entire face was red.

"Christina practically is an angel," she said.

"Well, what would Christina say if she was coming to see you perform?"

"Wilbur, if Christina Grimmie were to ever just show up to see me perform, I'd faint!" Lily replied, even more panicked than before.

"Sure, but then she'd try to wake you up," I said with a smirk. "But from everything she has said in her videos to her frands, what would be the one thing she would say to you?"

"Man, you really have paid attention," Lily said with a little bit of shock in her voice. "Well, let's see..."

It took Lily a few moments to come up with an answer.

"She would say something like... you're strong, so own it."

I grinned, giving her a firm nod. Lily grinned in return, showing me the cute gap in her teeth.

"You really believe she would travel just to hear me sing?" Lily asked.

"From watching her in her videos, I believe so," I answered. "Christina Grimmie wasn't just a rising star whose career was halted by a gunshot. She was a genuine person. She's always wanted to meet her frands and she gave them sound advice. She's clearly an influence on you."

"Thank you, Wilbur."

"So, are you feeling better now?" I asked.

"Yes, I believe so."

"Good, because the doors will be opening to the public soon. Are you ready?"

"Let's knock them dead with our talent!" Lily said with confidence.