Chasing Your Dreams

A Super Long Chapter Sorry

Miranda's pov

A stagehand brought out a stool. I nervously walked to it, my shoes clicking on the stage as I walked. That being the only sound. I terrifiedly glance back to the backstage entrance. "You got this." My mentor and hero says into my earpiece. I force a smile and sit down. I can do this. I smile for real this time and strum to the tune of country boy can survive. A few seconds in, I ditch the stool and stand up instead. "Cause ya can't starve us out and ya can't make us run cause when them old boys raised on shotgun! We say grace and we say amen, if ya ain't into that we don't give a damn!" I strum the chords proudly then hear Jason singing the next lyrics. I smile up at him. Him coming out made it a whole lot easier. "I can skin a buck and run a trot line and a country boy can survive." "Country folks can survive!" We both sing together. He makes the gesture of hand me the guitar so I give him the guitar and he rocks it! I clap along excitedly. He points to me and I grab the mic. "We're from north Carolina and south Alabam, and little towns all around this land..." He takes over. "And we can skin a buck and run a trotline and a country boy can survive.... Country folks can survive." I get through a few other songs then my set's over. "Give it up for one of the newest faces in Nashville! Give her some love everybody!" They scream loudly. Best night of my life!

*later*

Jason came offstage. I ran to him and hugged him tightly. "That was the most amazing night of my life!" He smiles. "You're gonna be a star, kid." We get back to the bus and the girls were sleeping soundly. I was exhausted. I laid down in a bunk, relishing in the moment when I heard Jason and Brittany talking. I was about to put headphones in so I didn't eavesdrop when I heard him say I'm not sure what we're gonna do. I sit up worried. Do about what? Is it something to do with me? "We could celebrate our anniversary when we get home then." Brittany says. "I don't wanna do that to ya." Jason replies sounding stressed. "We'll have to since the guys and Mike are setting stuff up for the show tomorrow night." Oh they need a babysitter.

Jason's pov

A soft knock on the door interrupts our dillema conversation. I'm confused. "Who's there?" I call. "I might have a solution to your problem." Miranda. I open the door. "What do you mean?" "I couldn't help but overhear you need a babysitter. I'd be happy to babysit the girls for you." Wow. "Oh uh we can't ask you to do that." Britt says. I fully agree. "Nonsense! After everything Jason's done for me, I'm super glad to be able to repay y'all." I glance at Brittany. "What do ya think?" I ask. She bites her lip. "I guess so." I smile. "Then it's settled. We're goin' out tomorrow for our anniversary!" She smiles. I hug her. "Thanks." "Anytime you need a babysitter, you can call me. After all I did basically raise my younger siblings." That still shocks me. Everything she's been through and dealt with. And she's still smiling. I'm so glad I was able to help make her a star. "Oh Jason I can't wait for tomorrow!" Britt cries, hugging me. I smile and kiss her. "You and me both babe. I love ya." "I love you too."

*the next day*

I hug my thirteen and nine year olds. "You do what Miranda says. She's in charge." "Yes daddy. Have fun." Kendyl says waving. I smile and pat her head. "Thanks for this." "No thank yous are necessary." I smile and hug her. Finding her was quite possibly one of the best finds ever! She's like my own daughter almost. "We'll be back before showtime tonight." Brittany calls.

Miranda's pov

I order a pizza for the girls for dinner. "Hey guys ya want bread sticks?" "Is this the place with cinnasticks?" Kendyl asks, laying beside me. I look at the menu. "No but they have cheesy bread." "Ok get that!" I smile and tell the guy on the other line. "Can we get a two liter Pepsi?" Keely asks. I nod and order that too. He gives me the delivery time. "Hey, ya wanna watch the impractical jokers? It's on tonight." Keely asks. Wow they like my favorite show. "Flip it Keels!" Kendyl exclaims excitedly. We turn it on and laugh for a little bit then the pizza gets here.

Jason's pov

After lunch, we were walking through the park near our hotel. "How do ya think the girls are doing?" Britt asks. "I think they are fine. I mean Miranda raised three kids while still in school." "Wow that girl's done a lot for only twenty years old." I nod. "It was one of those right place right time things." Just as I say that, a guy slams into me, both me and the guy hitting the ground. "Stop him!" Someone screams. He stands up, holding onto a little girl! The girl is crying! He takes off running before I can even register what happened then I take off after him. I think he's a kidnapper! I tackle him angrily thinking of my girls in her place. The girl scurries away and I punch the fucker in the face. The woman now holding the girl rushes over and hugs me. "Thank you so much!" She gasp crying. "Oh uh you're welcome." I say, out of breath. I find Britt in the crowd. "Right place right time." She says smiling. I smile too. "What a coincidence."

*the next day*

It was our day off today so I was catching up on the dawgs. So far it's been a lousy season! Miranda walks off the bus, talking on the phone. Keely and Kendyl were playing a board game at my feet. Britt went shopping. I'm bored and tired of watching my failed dawgs so I go outside. Miranda was still on the phone. "Ok dad, I promise when I'm in town I'll visit." I lean against the bus. She hangs up her phone and smiles. "What?" She asks. "Nothin'." I say. She leans against the bus beside me. "So I've met your mom and stepdad, who's your dad?" She smiles. "My dad's a fire fighter and an RN. I'm real proud of how brave he is." Wow. "That's awesome! A firefighter and an RN! Both jobs save lives." "I know. That's why he's one of the coolest people I know.... The only problem.... He never..." "Never what?" I ask confused. "He never believed in me. He thought I was wasting my life wanting to sing for a living." Oh man. "Well you sure proved him wrong." "Actually... I.... Haven't told him yet. I'm worried about what he'll say." Hm... Unfortunately I don't know where she's coming from. Both my parents supported me. My dad helped me!

Miranda's pov

Jason pushes off of the bus. "Well maybe we should prove him wrong!" He declares. "How?" I gasp. "We'll pick him up on the bus. VIP everything. He'll see how far you've come!" My eyes go wide. "Really? Oh man this is gonna be so cool!" "Yep but until then let's head to the bar. I need a drink." I laugh softly. We get to the bar and I get a Budweiser while he gets a Coors light. "Eww Budweiser sucks!" I laugh loudly. "Oh really, sir? And your lightweight Coors light can beat it?" I tease. His eyes go wide. "Lightweight?! Oh it's on sister!" He shouts. "Bartender set 'em up." I laugh.

*the next day*

I'm super nervous about telling my dad. I was giving Jason directions to the place. My dad was mowing the lawn. "Dad!" I call

Jason's pov

He takes the noise canceling headphones off and turns off the lawnmower. "Hey Miranda!" They hug and I notice he's wearing a shirt with a fire station logo. Pretty damn cool. He waves. "And you are?" "Oh my name's Jason." "I knew you looked familiar." I laugh. "Lemme guess. Her?" She laughs and turns red. "Dad, I'm on tour with Jason. I'm making it in music!" "Wow! Really?" She nods. "I'm shocked!" He shouldn't be. She's an amazing singer.

Miranda's pov

"Dad can you come to one show tomorrow night?" He smiles. "Of course. I am so shocked by all this." I force a smile. If he believed in me, he wouldn't be so shocked. Whatever. I try to ignore the pang in my chest of him always downing me at every turn. But.... It's hard..... It's really hard.