New York- Where Dreams are Made

Chapter 89- Better Left On Stage

I stand behind the curtains. I hear people talking outside. The white dress and about three layers under it made me feel gross. I take a deep breath and look around the backstage area.

Everyone is hard at work, people putting their costumes on at the last minute, Rene quietly eating a salad, Leslie and Darren doing warmups, and not a soul notices the elephant in the room.

Well, they notice it, but they don't say it. Addie isn't here. She should be here. Kyle Addie's "fallen angel" took over Daveeds part. We are missing possibly the two best people here.

Besides the fact that they cheated on each other with the same person.

I shiver, the extreme heat from my layers leaving my body.

"Charlie you look like an angel." Darren smiles as he comes out of his area with Leslie.

"Thank you, Love." I fidget slightly.

"You nervous?" He takes my fidgety hand.

"I'm terrified." He scoffs.

"You? Terrified? Never."

He kisses the top of my head and goes to get his hair fixed for the show.

A pair of warm and kind hands cover my eyes.

"Guess who?" A familiar and welcoming voice teases.

I pull the hands away and spin around, the large dress expanding as I do.

"Kurt!" I cry jumping up to hug his neck.

"I'm so proud of you Charlotte. You've made us all proud." He smiles and nods to Darren, who is coming back over.

"Kurt! Man, how are you?" They attempt to do that chest bump thing that guys do but Kurt isn't like that.

Just then, the five minute light flashes as we get in our positions.

The recording stating the rules plays as we stand in the corridor.

Darren kisses my head and takes my hands for a moment.

"Don't be nervous, mi amor. This is going to be a night for the history books." He winks and runs quietly to his spot.

Leslie walks out, he is calm. Of course he's calm! He's a professional!

A million things run through my head. Then it's my turn.

"When he was ten his father split, full of it. Debt ridden two years later see Alex and his mother bed ridden half dead..."

"Sittin in their own sick the scent thick, and Alex got better but his mother went quick."

The whole world faded away. Darren passes me and smiles, trying his hardest not to break character. By the grace of God I scan the auditorium and see my blue eyed best friend. She sits in her middle orchestra seat, smiling at me.

Time went on and on. I took my spot for the last song. As the stage began to spin, I caught another glimpse of Addie. Her eyes glistened with tears.

After we finish the song everyone comes out for curtain call.

My first Hamilton curtain call.

Am I dreaming?

We all stand in a row, taking each other's hands. I stand between Darren and Leslie. We take two bows as the audience screams. Addie is standing, her hands clapping violently. I smile at her. She smiles and waves at me.

Leslie steps forward.

Is he supposed to do that?

"I would like to welcome our new cast members for a moment." He motions for the crowd to be silent.

"First up, Kyle Berry." The audience cheers. I don't want to look like an asshole so I clap gently.

He steps forward and bows.

"Mrs. Sandra Greene."

She was the one who replaced Addie.

I clap.

"Next, Mrs. Charlotte Spencer." I hear Addie yell above everyone else.

Leslie holds out his hand as I step forward. I take his hand and bow.

"And last but not least, the man himself, Darren Bara!" The crowd goes berserk.

Leslie pats him on the back and gives him a thumbs up.

"Hi. Uh....God this is crazy." I laugh. He is just like Lin.

"Thank you all for coming tonight. Uh...I know this is kinda funny and a strange way to do this but..." he turns around to face me. His hand extends like an octopus arm.

"Come here Charlotte." I stand frozen for a moment. Rene nudges me from behind. I take his hand and move slowly back to the front.

"I know you are aware of this already, but this is Charlotte Spencer. She plays my beautiful wife Eliza Hamilton." He reaches into his waistcoat pocket for something.

"So I thought, 'why not make it more believeable?'" Gasps are heard from everyone except the rest of the cast. He gets on one knee and opens the box.

My face burns (no pun intended) like a flame. I cover my hand with my mouth like a child. My eyes glance over at Addie. Her face lights up, hands over her mouth as well she nods.

I nod quickly, incapable of words. He puts the shiny thing on my finger and stands up. His arms wrap around my waist as he picks me up and spins me.

The whole cast runs to me.

The rest is better left on stage.