Epilogue - a few years later
The soft hum of an acoustic guitar filled the cozy house, the sound of Cat strumming lazily as she worked through the opening chords of a potential new song. She sat on the couch in her and Jade's living room, her bare feet tucked beneath her, eyes focused on the strings as if she were talking to them, figuring out the melody. The house was quiet except for the occasional giggle from across the house and the distant thud of little footsteps as a small, energetic figure ran around in the hallway.
"Sienna! Come back here!" Jade's voice called from upstairs, her louder footsteps following after those of the toddler who was giggling as she ran.
Cat's music had evolved over the years. No longer was she locked into the cycle of constant releases or pressured into performing for every event, every award. She'd learned how to separate herself from the industry, how to use her platform on her own terms. She was writing and releasing music when she felt like it, taking her time to get the songs right instead of forcing them out. She'd taken the control back—no longer would she let the industry dictate the terms.
If anything, it felt like she should have faded away, that she'd become irrelevant. But that was the beauty of having millions and millions of followers—you didn't need the machine of promotion anymore. Her music spread on its own, through word of mouth, through the organic connection she had with her fans. Cat no longer cared about the charts or labels; she cared about making music that felt true to her.
Her approach had been different when she came back to putting out music—no pressure, no deadlines. The songs she'd written over the last few years reflected that freedom, that shift in mindset. When she finally dropped the album, it felt like the world had been waiting for it, even if it wasn't announced with fanfare or a flashy campaign. Each song was a 'need to know' kind of thing, released on her own terms, and her fans loved it. They embraced the honesty, the authenticity, the fact that she had given them something raw and unpolished at times. They appreciated it because it felt real.
As Cat strummed the guitar, a quiet laugh caught her attention. She looked up and saw a small, curly-haired figure darting past the doorway, followed closely by Jade, who was trying to keep up with the toddler's wild energy. Jade looked at Cat, clearly out of breath, with a playful scowl.
"Slow down, Sienna!" Jade called out again, but the little one had no intention of obeying. Cat smiled to herself as she watched the toddler run. Sienna's giggles filled the room, the sound so pure and innocent.
Sienna stopped at the foot of the couch, her wide, curious eyes meeting Cat's as she pointed to the guitar. "Play!" she said, her voice bright and eager. Cat chuckled, pausing mid-strum.
"You want me to play something?" she asked, and Sienna nodded eagerly, bouncing in excitement.
Cat smiled and, instead of the song she'd been working on, she picked up a different tune. It was a song she'd recorded a while ago, one of the first that had become popular among her fans again. She strummed the familiar intro, and soon enough, Sienna was bouncing along to the rhythm, a huge grin spreading across her face.
Jade leaned against the doorframe, watching the two of them with a fond smile. "You know, she's obsessed with your music, right?" she said, folding her arms. "She can't get enough of it. Honestly, I think she likes it more than her nursery rhymes."
Cat grinned at her. "Oh, I'm sure. I mean, who wouldn't love me?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.
Jade rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smile that tugged at her lips. "She'll get to your latest stuff eventually, I'm sure," she said. "But for now, I think she'd be happy if you played those chords all day."
Cat laughed, her fingers picking out the familiar tune. The melody filled the room, and Sienna danced in place, singing the words with a surprising amount of accuracy for a two-year-old. Cat had to admit, there was something utterly pure about it—the way her music, the very thing that had once felt like a burden, could bring so much joy.
As Cat set the guitar down, the soft sound of the strings slowly faded, and she glanced over at Jade, who was watching Sienna with a fond smile. Sienna had finally tired herself out, her little hands resting on the couch as she sat next to Cat, her big eyes still filled with energy as she hummed along to the fading melody.
Jade sighed, shaking her head slightly as she looked at the toddler. "I don't know how Tori ended up with a kid so cute," she muttered, half in disbelief, half in admiration.
"You enjoying this babysitting thing then?" Cat teased, glancing at the toddler who had Jade well and truly wrapped around her finger.
Jade gave her a half-smile, looking slightly exasperated but still affectionate. "I swear, I love her but she's got more energy than I know what to do with. I'm starting to feel like she's running circles around me."
"Just wait until she's old enough to start asking for your filmmaking career advice," Cat teased.
Jade laughed. "Oh, God. Can we just... keep her in this happy little bubble for now?"
"Of course," Cat agreed, giving her a soft, tender smile. She realised how nice it was to just be in this moment, just the two of them and Sienna.
As Cat watched Sienna lay there, there was a quiet reflection in her gaze. She had always imagined herself as a mother one day, picturing what it might be like to have a little one of her own running around, singing along with her songs, or even just sitting on the floor, quietly drawing. But as she glanced over at Jade, her thoughts shifted.
She'd always known it was unlikely, not with her life as it was, not with the constant whirlwind of singing, events, and expectations. She couldn't see herself raising a child in the spotlight, not in the way things had turned out. And she couldn't have her own, not with Jade—at least, not in the life they had now.
It would almost feel cruel to bring a child into her world, into a life so filled with chaos and impermanence. And yet, there was a deep ache in her chest, a longing she couldn't quite shake. For now, though, Sienna's laughter and presence were enough. She could live vicariously through Tori's motherhood, enjoy the small moments like these, and in a way, that would do.
"Let's get some ice cream!" Cat suddenly suggested, breaking the quiet that had settled between them.
Jade raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on her face as she shook her head. "That's a terrible idea. You do realise it's almost dinner time, right?"
Cat grinned mischievously, clearly unfazed. "Well, Tori will be back in like half an hour, so the sugar crash will be her problem."
Jade laughed, shaking her head in amusement. "You know, sometimes I think you just like causing trouble."
The two of them looked at Sienna, who was still absorbed in her toys. Cat gave her a wink. "Hey, kiddo. Ice cream time!"
Sienna's eyes lit up, and she jumped straight into Cat's arms, giggling.
"Well, guess I'm in for this sugar rush too," Jade said, standing up with a small laugh.
Cat grabbed her hand and started heading for the door, leading the way with an excitement that was contagious. "It's a celebration, Jade. We're all about living in the moment today."
Jade laughed, shaking her head. "You're unbelievable."
But in the warmth of the moment, surrounded by laughter and a sense of peace that had been missing for so long, Jade couldn't bring herself to care. Life felt simple and good for once, and she was grateful for that—grateful for this life with Cat.