Ten Minutes Ago // Ben Tyler Cook

Part Two / Chapter Six

Ben's POV
The week of shows went by a lot faster than I thought it would. Before I know it, it's Friday, the day my family is coming to see the show. As I'm about to put on my makeup, DeMarius calls me.
   
"Marlee wants to talk to you. I told her she could just come in, but she insists on meeting you outside the room." He shrugs.
   
I stand up and step outside to where Marlee's waiting. She hasn't gotten completely ready, but she's in her wig cap. "What's wrong?" I ask, noticing her worried expression.
   
"Just nervous," she replies.
   
"Why?" I take her hands in mine.
   
"Well, your family is coming to the show, and I'm going to meet them afterward. What if they don't like me? What if I'm so worried about it that I mess up today? I haven't done this show as many times as the rest of you have. What if I forget words, or mess up the choreography, or..." She trails off.
   
"Marlee, look at me," I say, and she finally meets my eyes. "You're going to do amazing. They'll love you. I know they will."
   
"How do you know?" She asks.
   
"Because I love you. If I love you, I know they will, too."
   
She looks at me, surprised. "You love me?" She whispers.
   
I nod. "Of course I do. I love you, Marlee. You have no reason to worry about meeting my family because I love you."
   
Her lips turn up in a small smile. "I love you, too."
   
"Thirty minutes to places," a voice on the speaker announces, reminding me of the night we first kissed.
   
"I'll see you out there," I say, squeezing her hands.
   
"Break a leg, Benji." She smiles and leaves for her dressing room. I turn back to mine and begin to get ready for the show.

~ * ~ * ~

After the curtain closes at the end of the show, I walk across the stage to find Marlee. I catch her as she's leaving for her dressing room. "Hey," I say, stopping her. "I think tonight was your best show yet."
   
Marlee's eyes light up. "You think so?" She asks hopefully, and I nod. "I have to go take this wig off before I meet your family." She laughs. "I want to be Marlee, not Katherine, for my first impression." Smiling, she makes her way off stage to get undressed.
   
I follow her, walking into the dressing room. After I've changed and taken off my makeup, I text my sister, letting her know that I'm ready. I wait by the door for them to come inside.
   
As it opens, my mom and sister, Emma, walk through. "Ben, sweetie!" My mom says happily, pulling me into a hug. "I missed you."
   
I smile as she lets go of me. "I missed you, too, Mom."
   
"You did so well in the show," Emma says excitedly. "And Marlee plays Katherine, right?" I nod in response to her question. "She's really good."
   
"Speaking of her," my mom says with a smile, "where is she?"
   
"Not that we don't love talking to you, but it's not everyday that you have a girlfriend," Emma adds.
   
"I'll go see if she's done changing," I say. "I'll be right back."

Marlee's POV
I just finish brushing my hair to get out the curls as someone knocks on the door of my dressing room. "Come in," I say, trying to get one stubborn knot untangled.
   
Ben opens the door. "My mom and Emma are here," he tells me. "They're asking to see you."
   
The butterflies in my stomach begin moving about, and I nod. As I stand, I ask Ben, "How do I look? Put-together enough?"
   
"Marlee, you don't even have to try to look beautiful," he says sweetly, offering his hand to me. I take it gladly, and together, we exit the dressing room. Standing outside are his mom and his twin sister. "This is Marlee," Ben introduces me.
   
"I'm Emma." His sister steps forward with a smile.
   
"The twin." I smile at her. "I can see the resemblance." I turn to his mom. "Mrs. Cook, it's so nice to meet you."
   
"Oh, honey. The pleasure's all mine." She gives me a motherly hug, causing me to smile. "Ben talks a lot about you, you know? And he was right about your eyes. They're stunning." I blush and glance at Ben, whose face is also red.
   
"You talk about me?" I question, unable to keep from smiling.
   
"All the time," Emma chimes in. I can tell she is enjoying making Ben embarrassed.
   
"How did you like the show?" I ask the two women.
   
"It gets better every time I see it," Mrs. Cook says. "And you, dear, were wonderful. I'm so happy that you were able to come on tour."
   
"So am I." Ben smiles at me, and I suddenly realize that I had no reason to be anxious to meet his family. He was right. As long as he loves me, I'll be okay.