ℒ𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒪𝓃 𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝒟𝒶𝓃𝒸ℯ ℱ𝓁ℴℴ𝓇 [𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟏]

𝟏.𝟏𝟎- 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐈𝐭 𝐎𝐧

˚✧.⋅₊˚ ‧ 🩰⋅୨୧ ⋅🦢  ‧₊˚ ⋅.✧˚

["Dance To Express, Not Impress"]

The next week began with a flurry of activity. On Sunday morning, Katie found Melissa at the hotel, who was overseeing her daughters, Maddie and Mackenzie, the girls were all eating breakfast together and most of the moms were but Melissa had left to go get coffee and Katie went after her.

Katie approached Melissa, looking anxious, "Hey, Melissa, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Melissa glanced at her with concern, noticing Katie's troubled expression, "Of course, Katie. What's up?"

Katie took a deep breath, her eyes darting around to make sure no one else was listening, "I need to ask you a favor. I have to leave for a week to deal with some family stuff. Can you watch Emily for me?"

Melissa raised an eyebrow, "I'm actually leaving as well. My boyfriend invited me on vacation," she informed her.

"Oh, that'll be fun. Who is watching Maddie and Mackenzie?" Katie questioned.

"Abby is," Melissa shortly answered.

"Are you sure you want to trust Abby with Maddie and Mackenzie?" Katie furrowed her eyebrows.

"Yep. If she changes her mind Gianna will have no problem taking care of them. I'm sure," Melissa stated.

"Okay, I'll ask Holly to watch her then," Katie told Melissa, glancing over at the moms's breakfast table.

"I'll make sure to keep an eye on Emily as much as I can before I go. But are you sure you're okay? What's going on?" Melissa questioned her friend.

Katie hesitated, glancing around again, "Melissa, you have to promise to keep this a secret. You can't tell the other moms. You can't tell Emily."

Melissa's expression turned serious, "I promise, Katie. You can trust me."

Katie took another deep breath, her voice lowering to a whisper.

☆💜🩰💜☆

Katie sat Emily down in hotel living room later that morning. It was 8:00 and Emily had to be at the studio by 9:00.

"Emily, I need to talk to you about something important," Katie sat down on the couch beside her daughter.

Emily looked up, curious, "What is it, Mom?"

Katie took a deep breath, "I have to go home for a little bit to figure out some family stuff. While I'm gone, you'll be staying with Holly and Nia."

Emily's eyes widened with a mix of surprise and concern, "Why do you have to go? What's going on?"

Katie offered a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes, "It's just some things I need to figure out. Nothing for you to worry about, okay?"

Emily nodded slowly, not entirely convinced but trusting her mom, "Okay...."

Katie reached into a plastic bag and pulled out a small box, handing it to Emily, "I have something for you."

Emily's eyes lit up as she opened the box to reveal a brand-new phone, "Mom! Thank you so much!"

Katie smiled, her eyes softening, "I thought it might help us stay in touch while I'm gone. You can call me anytime you want."

Emily jumped up and hugged her mom tightly, "I love it! Thank you, thank you!"

Katie hugged her back, feeling a little better seeing Emily's excitement, "I love you, Emily. I'll be back before you know it."