Love Is a Bunch of Stupid Decisions

Chapter 31

June 15, 2029

There were still so many times that I wished I could go back and talk to high school Charlotte. It's as if every single day, I had another story that she needed to hear, another reason for her to keep on going.

Today, that story happened to be: hosting the Tony's.

The whole 'filling in for a lead role last minute' adventure had catapulted me into some kind of Broadway legend, although ten years later, it was still weird to even think about myself in that way. In fact, I had pretty much convinced myself that it didn't even happen. It was a fun story that I was asked about in every interview, and that was pretty much it.

And there were lots of interviews. I somehow became something along the lines of an 'influencer' (that felt even weirder to say), something like another Tyler Mount of the Broadway world.

Things hadn't always been easy with Ben and I, but I could say with confidence that I never regretted us. Things were especially difficult once we had Lucas, who was now six years old (I may be biased because I'm his momma, but I must say, he is the most perfect child to ever exist... but more on him later). Between me working all day, and Ben working nights for shows, we hardly had any time to see each other--in addition to all of the other struggles that new parents have to face.

But somehow, we made it. Or we are making it, I should say. It was exhausting to run my own Broadway PR firm, and make time to be the wife and mom that my boys deserved, but it was all soooo worth it. And on those days when I didn't feel like doing it all, I'd walk into our apartment to see Ben and Lucas, both of their bubbly laughs filling up the room as I watched them pretend-wrestle on the living room floor. And I'd remind myself all over again that I was the luckiest girl in the world.

Lucas was the best son we could have ever asked for. He was so much like his dad: crazy dark blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, captivating smile, and all. Not only that, but from the looks of it, he wanted to be just like Ben when he grew up. Ben and I had always promised that we'd never 'force' Lucas to be a performer--we'd never sign him up for dance class if he hated it, or make him be in a show if being on stage was his least favorite place to be. But I guess something must run in their blood, because we couldn't seem to keep that boy off the stage.

And now, at only six years old, it seemed his dreams were coming true. Lucas and Ben got to perform side by side in a revival of Mary Poppins, with Ben playing Bert, and Lucas playing Michael. The pride I felt watching them perform together made every other proud moment in my life look like nothing.

I found myself with some down time before the Tony's, hanging out in my dressing room after hair and makeup. Scrolling through Instagram, I saw dozens of my friends getting ready for the Tony's, including Angie, Josh, and their three-year-old daughter, Cecile. Yes, you read that right: My lifelong best friend had gotten that job in NYC, married her long-time celebrity crush, Joshua Burrage, and had the most precious little girl. Every time I saw them together I couldn't help but laugh, realizing that her Josh Burrage phase would never end now.

My mom's name shows up on my phone. "Hello?" I answer. I used to dread- absolutely dread- phone calls with my parents, but things had changed. They were incredibly supportive of every endeavor Ben and I took, they adored Lucas with every fiber of their being, and I actually enjoyed getting to talk to them.

"Hello! How are you doing, Tony's host?" My mom says, excitement in her voice. "We've already got the channel going on the television so we don't miss it," She continues before I can even answer her question.

"Aw, I'm glad you get to watch," I say, smiling at my reflection in the mirror. "Lucas is so excited to get to be on live TV. He's going to be even more excited when I tell him that Grandma and Grandpa are watching, too."