Perfect Strangers

We've come so far to different places

Just a lil note: This chapter is set much later than the previous ones as I made a time jump - I hope you'll enjoy nevertheless xx

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Faye sighs as she looks through the channels, waiting for her favourite tv show to start. It had been a busy few months. The band was planning on a new album and even after so many years of being together, it still was stressful... but fun. She wouldn't trade it. Sure they all had gotten older but the band still is their job and it meant so much to them, as did their friendship.

After Giovanni had left the dance troupe, the band had went on to archive many more amazing things. They'd won a Brit Award, were at dozens of tv shows and had published loads of new songs and albums. Occasionally there had been tension - like when their former management had wanted to make H and Claire the lead singers, completely overshadowing the others. It had caused furious arguments and even Pete feared that his protegees would split up... but he decided to quit his work with their management and get them a new management instead. A management who treated them more than fairly since years, always making sure the lines were divided fairly and that no one would get overshadowed. A few tours had followed under the lead of the new team, always with small breaks in between because the band had decided that occasionally a break was needed to clear their minds. A break in which they focused on different things, like their other jobs. Lisa had founded a performing arts school, Claire had participated on several tv shows like Celebrity Big Brother or Popstar to Opera Star and Faye had found her love for panto again. Same for Lee and H. They hadn't been in the same panto but had played dozens of different roles. But the band was still going strong and occasionally their families came to see them live too. Because all band members were married by now, or in a relationship. 

"Sweetie?" a voice echoes through the living room, bringing Faye back from her daydream. She smiles at her husband, Michael, who took a seat, placing two glasses of champagner down. "Has the show started yet? Sorry, but a certain someone needed extra bedtime stories today." he says, referring to their son who was asleep upstairs. Although not being a toddler anymore but still a young child who hadn't even started primary school yet, bedtime stories were a must-have.

"You didn't miss anything yet, apart from commercial breaks." Faye laughs, cuddling closer to her husband. "I'm so excited for Strictly, finally it's back!"

"Only took a year." her husband teases. When they met, one of their first dates had been at Faye's old house. They had cuddled up, had gotten takeaway and watched Strictly. It had been a brilliant, simple date and they'd loved it; not being a fan of going to luxurious restaurants or overly expensive locations. He had listened in awe as Faye spoke about Strictly; a show she had watched since the first ever series ages ago. "I heard they'll introduce new dancers." 

"Seems likely. They usually have new dancers every year." Faye nods, sipping on her champagner. "Woah look at that intro! These celebs look so promising, same for the pros. I especially like Kevin Clifton, he seems so lovely." 

Watching the celebs being welcomed, Faye looks through the bunch of professional dancers to see if she could spot anyone new. There definitely was a new female that soon enough was introduced as Oti. Apparently she had been a pro at the German version of Strictly before and Faye hastily made a note to watch that version as well. Oti's sister Motsi apparently was a judge on 'Let's Dance' (as the German version was called), something Faye found quite cool. She knew a few things about Let's Dance - one of the judges apparantely was similiar to Craig from Strictly, and the other one was similiar to Bruno. I definitely need to watch Let's Dance, Faye decides.

"Wouldn't she be biased then?" her husband asks, not being as much of a fan of Strictly as his wife but as long as she's happy, he didn't mind watching Strictly with her. He felt more than proud of how far she had come confidence-wise since their meeting several years ago. Back then she had been rather taken back, shy, and couldn't phantom that he'd ever like her. But soon enough she got more confident towards him, speaking about her troubled past with an abusive ex-boyfriend and mental health issues. He was more than supportive, comforting her through each panic attack or nightmare. Her happiness matters so much to him.