Katy Meets Broadway (the Miracle Unexpected Sequel)

Chapter 12.

"So, when do you leave?" Shawn questioned, finally breaking the lingering silence between the two.

Before returning to the apartment, Shawn spent the rest of the day running, in a sense.

Not running from Katy herself or his family, but running from the inevitable goodbye he would soon have to face.

He spoke with Jack and the conversation ended with the brothers agreeing on Jack staying with Shawn at the apartment while Katy is away.

And with the kids there as well, at least he wouldn't be completely alone. Something Katy would appreciate, he thought to himself.

"In a week. After my contract ends with the theater" Katy spoke her words quietly with a slight caution as she stared aimlessly at her half empty glass of wine.

Typically saved for special occasions or her Sunday night bubble baths, she felt as though this may be an occasion that a glass of wine could ease, if only a little.

She stood near the counter, tapping her foot nervously while avoiding eye contact with Shawn.

Shawn sighed and gently grasped her hand and intertwined their fingers. "Katy, I'm sorry for the way I've been acting about all this. It's just..I don't want to lose you. And it's like..it's like I can feel you slipping further and further away from me with each passing day." He squeezed her hand a little tighter. "And, God, Katy, I swear I cannot lose you. Ever."

Tears began to well in Katy's eyes as the words Shawn spoke etched into her soul. "Shawn, you aren't going to lose me. You were never going to lose me. I'm here....I'm here." She put emphasis on her every word to assure him that she spoke the truth.

The rational side of Shawn believed what she was saying and knew that at the end of the day, he had nothing to worry about.

But there was the other side. The broken, damaged side of him with biggest fear of being left behind and eventually forgotten.

Katy seemed to have a strong understanding of this, considering that she too battled a lot of the same demons. "I'm not leaving you. I made a vow to you, and Shawn, I'm in this for life. I promise."

Shawn closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh of relief before pulling the woman closer to him and planting a quick kiss on the top of Katy's hand.

Right when the couple were leaning in for another kiss, Maya walked into the apartment toting Shawn Jr. in his baby carrier.

"What's going on?" Maya questioned with annoyance in her tone. She sat the baby down on the floor and crossed her arms, eyeing both of her parents.

"We were just talking, baby girl. And there's something I need to tell you" replied Katy.

Maya continued watching them, noting the closeness of their body language that she hadn't seen for weeks now, though it seemed like forever.

The younger blonde scoffed bitterly. "So you guys made up? We're just one big happy family again?" She focused on Shawn now. "Even after she cheated on you?!"

Shawn's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Maya, w-what are you talking about?" asked Shawn.

After a moment, Katy had an idea of what her daughter was referring to. "You saw me at Topanga's the other day?"

"Yeah, I did. I saw you with that guy and he looked like he was pretty into you. And don't try to deny it. I know what I saw" snapped Maya.

Katy shook her head. "Baby girl, you're right. He was into me but the feeling was not mutual. Bryan was a friend of mine who works on the play, and that's all he was to me, but he- he wanted more."

Maya stepped forward, her shoulders slumping as she stares down at her feet in an attempt to process what she had just heard.

How could I be so stupid? To basically accuse my own mother of cheating?

When Maya spoke her voice was soft and she still could not look her mother in the eyes. "Mom, I am so so sorry. It was stupid of me to jump to conclusions so quickly and accuse you of cheating. I know you're not like that, Mom. I'm sorry..."

Katy stepped forward, rubbing Maya's shoulder and tilting her chin so she looked her in the eyes. "You're not stupid, Maya. You were angry at me and that's understandable. I know lately I haven't been here for you like I should have"

Maya wrapped her arms tightly around her mother. "I just miss you, mom"

"I've missed you too. And that girls day I promised you? It's happening this week for sure" replied Katy.

Maya smiled a little and wiped away a tear. "So what did you need to tell me?"

Katy shot a quick glance at Shawn who gave her an encouraging nod. "Well, Bobbie Jo got me an offer to shoot a commercial in Los Angeles.."

The smile on Maya's face faded. She took a breath and the smile returned. "That's great, Mom. I'm really happy for you"

"Now, it would only be for a couple of weeks and I'll be back in time for your art show" assured Katy.

Maya raised her eyebrows, the smile on her face growing more genuine. "You remembered?"

"Of course I remembered" said Katy as she picked up her baby son who was becoming restless.

"And Jack will be staying here at the apartment to help out while your mom is away" added Shawn.

"Sounds good" said Maya. She grabbed her backpack filled with art supplies that hung near the doorway. "I was going to go do some sketching in the park if that's okay?"

"That's fine, just be back before dark" responded Katy.

Maya left out the door and for the first time in weeks, she genuinely felt okay, that everything would finally be okay.

-----

Within an hour, Katy, who was still exhausted from the previous week she had, was napping on the couch with Shawn Jr when the older Shawn rushed into the room holding his cellphone.

Shawn tapped Katy's shoulder to wake her. "Katy? Katy? Wake up"

Katy stirred a bit and her eyes fluttered open. "Hmm? What's wrong?"

"I just talked to Cory. He says Topanga is in labor" said Shawn.

Katy immediately shot up on the couch and fumbled around for her phone and purse. "Shit w-we have to go. I have to be there!"

Shawn chuckled lightly and placed a hand over Katy's. "Whoa, whoa, slow down. They were just admitted so we still have some time before the action happens"

"Well, good, then I still have time to drop the baby off at my mother's. Oh and make sure you let Maya know what's happening" Katy called out to Shawn as she got up and searched through the laundry basket for pants.

Previously pantsless, she hopped into a pair of black and white sweatpants from Pink to go with her white top.

Shawn watched incredulously as his wife brushed her hair in the mirror with their baby boy on her hip.

"Do you have his diaper bag packed?" asked Katy.

"Way ahead of you" said Shawn as he slung the bag over his shoulder.

Katy clapped her hands together and led the way out of their apartment. "Great. Let's go have these babies!"
-----