Happier

Chapter One

Phillipa Soo finally reclined on the couch after a long day of rehearsal at the theatre. She sighed as she gladly kicked off her uncomfortable shoes and let them rest on the chair arm. Closing her eyes, she just let herself enjoy the peace and quiet. New York was a busy, noisy place. She relished this time at the end of the day when all was still and she could just be.

Life was going well for Pippa Soo. After enormous success playing Eliza in Hamilton, she'd gotten an enormous amount of offers for plays, musicals and TV spots. It was amazing, really, that she had only graduated from Juilliard a few years before. Most people had to wait years and have a ridiculous amount of rejection before success came.

She'd lucked out when Lin-Manuel Miranda saw her at Great Comet. She was invited to audition for his new musical about one of the founding fathers of America, Alexander Hamilton. It all seemed a bit far-fetched, but she latched onto any offers right out of school. The material had been amazing. So had Lin. During their year together starring as Alexander and Eliza Hamilton they had fallen in love. Now they were living together, in a serious relationship that might very well one day turn into marriage.

The front door creaked open and Pippa opened her eyes to see her dark-haired, handsome boyfriend walk in. He was dressed in his usual t-shirt, jeans and hoodie with a hat on his head. Since Hamilton, he got recognized much more often on the street. If he covered up, people were more likely to miss him. He smiled widely as he entered, seeing his beautiful girlfriend. After a long day filled with people who wanted things from him, it was nice to come home to Pippa. All she wanted from him was his love and he was glad to give it to her.

Pippa stood up and walked over to greet Lin. She draped her arms around his shoulders and they kissed softly, slowly.

"Hey," he said in his sweet, calming voice.

"Hey," she smirked back at him as they looked into each other's eyes. They both chuckled and leaned in for another kiss. It had been a long time since either of them had felt this way about someone. The mere sight of each other sent their hearts into flutters and they reflexively smiled. Life was good.

"Wine?" she offered as he pulled his messenger bag over his shoulder and placed it on the floor.

"Sure," he said, giving her hip a quick squeeze. "I'm just gonna change."

Pippa's phone had been left out on the counter and as she found the wine she heard it buzz. She got out two wine glasses and began pouring them both some Moscato. After she'd taken a sip, she grabbed her phone and took a look at the text message that had popped up from her younger sister, Evie.

Going to The Dance Awards tomorrow. Teacher says I have a chance to place top 3!! Wish me luck!!

Pippa smiled as she read her younger sister's text message. Evie was fifteen years old and had always loved dance. She was incredible at it. It had been a long time since Pippa had actually seen her perform since she was so busy. Also because she was basically estranged from their parents.

Break a leg, Evie! You're gonna rock it!

Pippa shut her phone off as Lin came back, freshly changed.

"Who was that from?" Lin asked her.

"My younger sister, Evie. She's going to a super big dance competition tomorrow." Lin nodded.

"Awesome. I bet she's super talented," Lin told her. He was wondering why he'd never met Evie, or Pippa's parents, but didn't question it.

"She is," Pippa confirmed, taking a gulp of wine.

In Libertyville, Illinois, far away from where Pippa and Lin were relaxing on the couch with wine, Evie Soo was working her butt off. She was downstairs, running her dances over and over. Evie's teacher had told her to relax the day before, but there was no chance of that happening. Her parents would never allow her to relax the day before the Dance Awards.