| Chapter Nine "Okay Kaelyn." Kevin spoke into the intercom between the control room and the studio. "Let's try it one more time. The last one was good, but this time I want you to really feel it. Reach down deep inside and find that place where this song is coming from. Got it kiddo?" Kaelyn grinned and flashed Kevin the thumbs-up signal. Then she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, searching inside of her for the inspiration. As she did, a face popped into her mind?s eye, making her smile. "Ready?" Kevin asked. Kaelyn nodded without opening her eyes. The opening strains started and she took another deep breath before starting. "You gave me all I have What would I do If by some twist of fate I had not found you You made me take a risk Step up to the plate and then You gave me the courage To hit it out of the park and win I didn't think I'd make it But you gave me a little nudge Started me in the right direction When I was afraid to budge So now I thank God everyday That he made us meet We were both so determined It must have been quite a feat I owe all I am to you Oh can I show you how You shaped and molded me Into the woman I am now." Brian walked into the control room as Kaelyn started singing. He stood behind his cousin and the two men listened in silence as Kaelyn's voice enveloped them. As the last note faded away, Kevin looked up. "You were right about her Bri. She's got it." Brian smiled. "I know. Thanks for doing this?" Kevin brushed away his thanks and flipped on the intercom. "That was beautiful, Kay. It's a keeper. Wadda ya say we break for some lunch?" "That's the best idea you've had all day!" she laughed, and pulled off her earphones. She was just picking up her bottle of water when Brian opened the door to the studio. "Brian!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here?" "I thought I'd come and see how my favorite up-and-coming singer was coming along." He said, hugging her. "Wanna grab a bite with me?" "I'd love to!" she agreed. "I'm starving!" "There's somebody I want you to meet." He said as they walked through the door. She looked at him in surprise. "Who? Am I dressed appropriately?" "It's a secret." He said, then looked at her, taking in her faded jeans and high school sweatshirt. "You look fine." She raised one eyebrow at him, but didn't say anything as she followed him down the hall. A couple of minutes later, he led her into the caf� next door and across to a table where a tall blonde woman sat with a baby carrier next to her. Kaelyn shot Brian a suspicious look, the smiled broadly at the blonde. "Hi! You must be Leighanne!" Leighanne smiled back, standing and shaking the hand that Kaelyn had offered. "And you must be Kaelyn. It's so nice to finally meet you." "I've heard so much about you." Both women spoke at the same time, then laughed. "Shall we sit?" Brian said with a grin. Kaelyn sat next to the chair the held Danielle. "And how's the little princess?" she asked, bending down to tickle Danielle's stomach. The baby giggled and blew spit bubbles. Leighanne laughed. "I think that means 'fine, thank you.' I'm still trying to learn her language." Kaelyn smiled. "I can imagine." "So..." Brian began, but was interrupted by their server. "How is the recording going?" "Really well." Kaelyn enthused. "Kevin works me hard, but it's getting results. I'm really happy with the way the songs are turning out." "That's great." Leighanne said. "I can hardly wait to hear it." Brian cell phone began to ring, so he excused himself from the table. When he was gone, Kaelyn turned to Leighanne. "You know, i's kinda funny." "What is?" "You and I sitting here. It's just that Brian talks so much about you that I feel I know you already." She answered. Leighanne looked slightly apprehensive. "I hope it's in a good way." Kaelyn smiled reassuringly. "He really loves you." Danielle made a gurgling sound."And you too, princess." She added. "Thank you." Leighanne answered sincerely. "I was actually going to say the same thing about you too." At Kaelyn's puzzled look, she continued. "He talks about what a great friend you were to him on the tour, and about how glad he was that you finally decided to do some recording. That's one of the reasons I'm so glad to meet you and can't wait to hear your CD. It's rare for Brian to have that much faith in someone." Kaelyn blushed. "Well, thank you. I was glad to meet you too. And I'm so happy to see Danielle, but I can't believe how much she's grown!" "You're telling me! It was almost overnight!" Leighanne stroked her daughter's fine hair. "Before we know it, she's going to be dating and going off to college." "Dating? College?" Brian asked, coming back to the table. "Over my dead body." "You don't want your daughter to have the best education possible?" Kaelyn asked innocently. "I meant no dating!" Brian protested. "Though come to think of it, maybe she can do college by correspondence!" Kaelyn and Leighanne looked at each other, fighting to hide their smiles. "If you say so, honey." Leighanne said, with a placating pat on the arm. Before they knew it, it was time for Kaelyn to be back in the studio. "I'll walk you back." Brian offered, then turned to Leighanne. "You don't mind, do you honey?" "No, of course not." She stood up. "It was wonderful seeing you, Kaelyn." "You too!" the two women embraced, Kaelyn kissed Danielle's forehead, then she and Brian walked out of the building. "So..." she put her arm around his waist and squeezed, smiling up at him. "So." He grinned back. When she looked at him with mock severity, he relented. "Alright! Yes, everything is going great! We've talked and talked, and talked... We've made some decisions, and I think everything is going to work out perfectly." "Brian, that's wonderful!" she stopped and hugged him properly. "Thank you Kaelyn." He said seriously. "Me?" she looked surprised. "I didn't do anything. All I did was provide a good sounding board. It's me who should be thanking you! I'm having so much fun and I never would have done this if it weren't for you." "Then I guess we're even!" they hugged once more, then Kaelyn ran into the building, hurrying back to her recording session. |