Author’s note: I get TOO much of a high writing about Sloane and Aaron as parents.
Summary: The Washington-Parks are prepared for a school performance from their youngest daughter Lyra, but a little stage fright interferes.
Word count: 1,225
Aaron stood in front of the mirror and adjusted his tie, buzzing with excitement.
“Mom! I can’t find it!”
“It’s probably in the last place you left it, Dionne!”
“But I’ve looked everywhere!”
Aaron’s grin blossomed into a full grown smile. Nadia could teased all she liked about him living in a house full of girls, but anyone with eyes could see how much Sloane, Lyra and Dionne were his pride and joy. Tonight, they were attending the youngest’s school play, and Lyra had the part of Sally Brown in “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”.
Everyday for the past month, Aaron and his daughter had run through her lines, so much so that Dionne and Sloane could be understudies. “I think we’re ready,” Sloane said to his reflection, rolling her eyes as she entered their bedroom. “When I was twelve, the last thing I worried about was some boy.” Aaron brought an arm around Sloane and kissed her forehead. “Apparently she lost the charm off the bracelet that boy gave her and…oh no.”
Sloane pulled away from Aaron, a stricken look across her features. “What’s wrong?” Aaron asked, reaching for her again. “I sound like my mom,” Sloane groaned, sinking back into Aaron. “She’s almost a teen, Sloane. She can’t stay small and cute like Lyra forever.” Sloane found his eyes and nodded, letting him kiss her fingers.
“Besides, I’m not worried. I’m the fun parent,” Aaron teased. Sloane gasped, slapping Aaron on the shoulder as he cracked up. “Mom, Dad, we’re gonna be late!” The bedroom door swung open wide as Dionne stepped in, teetering in her new wedges, her wild hair wrestled back into a tight bun.
Aaron noticed the bracelet that hung from her small wrist and held back a sigh. She looked nothing like him or Sloane, and yet her mannerisms were a perfect combination of the two. Like now, with her impatient energy, eyebrows set in an agitated line just like her mother. “My pretty girl,” he grinned, and Dionne’s features softened just slightly. He pulled an arm around Sloane and walked her to the door. “Okay, let’s go see a play!”
****
“Dionne!” Sloane called as the pre-teen scampered off to the back of the auditorium where a group of her friends sat. Dionne never looked back once. “She’s growing up too fast,” Sloane bit her bottom lip as Aaron gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “But you still have one kid who won’t leave your side,” Aaron joked, but the lightheartedness rang false in both their ears.
They found seats closer to the stage, and Aaron let Sloane in the aisle first before sitting down beside her. Aaron ignored the leering eyes of the single women who watched him from behind, praying Sloane didn’t notice. Thankfully she was too preoccupied with pulling out a program from her purse, tapping a finger above their daughter’s name. “That’s our baby,” Sloane beamed as the auditorium lights dimmed and the audience chatter quieted down. Lyra Washington-Park. Sloane had named both girls after constellation stars, and while Aaron found it fitting considering where they’d been conceived, Sloane preferred to say that it was their mutual love of astronomy.
“Mr. Park?” Aaron’s head snapped up to see two kids, Lyra’s co-stars running up to him. “Nia? Graham?” Nia tripped on her Snoopy costume, and Graham-as-Pig Pen arrived first, worried.
“Why aren’t you guys on stage?” Sloane asked, looking at her watch in the low light, but Aaron had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. The two kids talked over one another in rushed whispers .
“It’s Lyra-“
“She locked herself in the girls bathroom-“
“Mrs. John is freaking out because the understudy is sick-
“We thought-“
“Okay, okay,” Aaron placed a calming hand on Graham’s shoulder. Taking Sloane’s hand in his, the two parents hurried behind the kid actors, sharing worried looks with one another. Graham and Nia lead them backstage through pockets of other children practicing their lines and goofing around, while others dressed in back ran back and forth, taking directions from the barking stage manger.
“She’s in there,” Nia jutted her thumb at the bathroom door. “Thanks guys,” Aaron nodded, and Nia and Graham scampered off. “Lyra? Baby, open up,” Sloane knocked on the door, pressing her ear against the door. She reached for the door knob, giving it a sharp tug before knocking again. Aaron joined her, calling through the door.
“Lyra? What’s wrong? Everyone’s waiting for you.”
“Aaron…”
Aaron looked to Sloane who motioned for him to lean against the door. He joined her, ear pressed against the door to hear soft crying and sniffles. He turned to Sloane, lips opened to speak when he watched as she snatched a bobby pin from her hair and picked the lock. The door pushed opened, and rather than celebrate her fast victory, Sloane rushed in, Aaron on her heels. In nothing but half of her costume and white, dress socks, Lyra sat with her back against the bathroom stall, her red cheeks stained with tears. In just a few strides, Sloane gathered her child in her arms, demanding to know if anyone had hurt her. Lyra shook her head, viciously scrubbing at her face to stop the tears.
Aaron cupped her face, running soothing circles to help calm her down. “My heart s-starting beating r-really fast, and I t-thought I was gonna d-die,” Lyra stammered out, and Aaron sighed a breath of relief. “It’s just a little stage fright, huh?” Lyra shook her head vehemently. “I don’t wanna be in the play tonight.” Sloane’s jaw dropped in surprise. “But you worked so hard for tonight!”
Lyra let her baby her, and Aaron tried a different tactic. “Nadia and Steve we’re looking forward to seeing you. Mommy and I were gonna record your play,” he smiled, and Lyra chewed her thumb. “And Harper too,” Sloane added, brushing hair away from Lyra’s face. “Hey, just pretend that it’s only us watching, okay? There’s no one else in those seats except for me, Mommy, and Dionne. Can you do that?”
Lyra had stopped crying, but looked no ready to face her waiting public than she had when her parents first barged in. “You know, it’s okay to be scared,” Sloane whispered, and Lyra’s big, brown eyes grew even bigger. “Mommy’s been scared many times,” she continued, and her eyes found Aaron with a knowing smile. Neither could forget their battle with Eros and the efforts to take them down for good. “But…Daddy said you’re the bravest person he knows,” Lyra sat up, glaring at Aaron as if he’d lied. He laughed and gave her a small shrug. “She is. There’s literally nothing this woman can’t do,” Aaron found Sloane’s hand with his free one. “You’re just like her, you know that? Strong, and smart…and brave.”
Aaron leaned on his knees, looking Lyra straight in her eyes. “I’m serious. Some of the most fearless people are the most terrified of whatever they’re about to do. But guess what? They still make magic happen.” A small smile emerged on Lyra’s lips, and he knew he’d convinced her. Standing up, he helped Sloane and Lyra up as well.
“What do you say, Sally Brown? Ready to make some magic happen on stage?”