One Year Later

Carmen sat in the office at Beaksmith, discussing casting choices with the director.

"I think we really need to shift me out of the lead on this one," she pushed a resume towards him, "I think Jenna needs a shot. The role is perfect for her."

"I'm not convinced," he shook his head. "But it's your call, Carmen. I won't make you do the lead."

"Perfect," she smiled. "And if you let me be the one to tell her, I'll even agree to understudy it so you can decide who's best for it in the end."

He nodded, "It would make me feel better."

"Perfect!" Carmen stood from the table and made her way to the theater where the cast was warming up.

She opened the doors and walked over to the speakers to turn down the music. "Hello everyone!" she called as the music lowered, "I'll be right with you all. For now, can we have our dance captains start, please?"

They all sprung into action as soon as Carmen turned up the music again.

Carmen made her way onto the stage and tapped Jenna's shoulder, indicating that she should follow.

"Yeah?" Jenna smiled as she followed Carmen off the stage, "Can I help you get something ready for rehearsals?"

"Oh, no!" Carmen laughed at Jenna's assumption that she wanted help, "I just wanted to tell you that I've chosen to shift out of the lead role for this production to give me some time to do other things."

"Oh," she searched Carmen's face for any sign of distress, "Is there anything we can do for you? I make a pretty good chicken pot pie!"

Carmen smiled. People like Jenna were exactly why Carmen loved working at Beaksmith. Just an honest, kind person.

"No, I'm fine," Carmen put her hand on Jenna's shoulder. "I just want to spend some time not at work. I'm only telling you because I would really like you to take on the lead."

Jenna's face was frozen as Carmen spoke to her. But Carmen knew her well, so she waited for Jenna to catch up.

"Are you serious?" she practically shouted as she jumped around and hugged Carmen. "Thank you!"

There she is.

Carmen followed Jenna back to the stage and watched from the wings as she told the cast the good news. They all hugged her and congratulated her. While Carmen was certain a couple of the girls felt sad not to have the lead themselves, no one said anything. A welcome sight for Carmen, who had worked all year to foster an atmosphere where everyone was comfortable.

Carmen was about to restart rehearsal when Eva walked through the door with her daughter followed closely by Amy and her brand new baby.

"Amy!" Carmen hugged her, "I thought you couldn't come today."

"Eva convinced me it would be fun to get out of the house," Amy said, "Plus I'm now officially moved over here so I needed to see my new office!"

"They finally let you mop the floors, huh?" Carmen laughed as she referenced Amy's request the first time they had discussed the idea of Beaksmith.

"Carm!" Amy playfully swatted Carmen's shoulder, "You know I'm going to help in the office."

Eva walked over with a toddling Ariana, "And she will be directing while Mikail is on leave next year."

Carmen wanted to stay and congratulate Amy, but she had to get back to rehearsal. "I promise we'll talk about this on the weekend. We're going to celebrate!" Carmen called out as she returned to the stage.

Amy waved as she left with Eva to go check out her new office.

* * *

When rehearsals and paperwork were done for the day, Carmen collected her dress from her office and made her way home to get ready for Owen's parents annual Birthday Bash.

She was putting the finishing touches on her makeup when Owen walked into her apartment.

"Hello, beautiful," he kissed her cheek before sitting down on the chaise in the corner.

"Hello," Carmen tried to speak without moving her face too much.

"You ready for this?"

"I think so," Carmen had finished her makeup and was struggling with the clasp on her necklace.

"You want some help with that?" Owen asked as he stood up and crossed the room to reach her.

"It's hard to do it with these fancy nails," she relinquished the clasp to his waiting fingers. "I don't know why I agreed to get them."

Owen deftly clasped the necklace before leaning down and kissing her shoulder, "I think Amy said you didn't want to have ugly hands to show off your ring."

"That's right," she smiled, looking at the engagement ring newly placed on her left hand only a week before.

Carmen was quiet for a moment too long and Owen picked up on it.

"We don't have to go, if it's freaking you out," Owen wrapped his arms around her. "I know my parents can be a little much. I'm sure they'll be very excited to have you join the family."

"I know," Carmen held her face in her hands. "But it's still scary being the center of attention in a room full of people."

Owen burst into a fit of laughter. Maybe he's also freaking out about this.

"What?" Carmen asked him when his laughter didn't cease.

"I just," he took a deep breath in and sighed. "Isn't that your actual job description?"

He had a point.

"Well, yes, but I'm playing a character at work," she shrugged. "And here I'm just Carmen. And if they don't like me, it's more than just a bad review."

"But they love you," Owen kissed her cheek. "And they won't love you any less after tonight."

Carmen steadied her breathing, "Okay. I'm going to choose to believe you." She stood and walked to the door, holding it open until he joined her. "Let's get this show on the road."

They held hands the whole ride there. Even as the car drove through the gate, Owen assured Carmen they could leave whenever she wanted.

"No," Carmen smiled at him, "I'll be okay. It's always better once I'm talking to the people rather than worrying about what I'll say."

Owen offered Carmen his hand and helped her out of the car, leading her up the stairs and into a large foyer where the gathered guests all stood holding Champagne under a banner that read: Congratulations Carmen and Owen!

Owen's mother, Siobhan, appeared out of nowhere to hand them both a glass of champagne. "Congratulations, dear," she kissed Carmen's cheek. "We're so glad you agreed to marry him!"

"Mom!" Owen protested, mouth agape.

Siobhan just shrugged, "It's the truth, dear."

She turned to the crowd and led them in a toast before the party really began.

At the end of the night, as people were milling about nursing their last glasses of champagne and eating less-gross canapes, Owen and Carmen stood on the back porch looking up at the stars.

"So, Miss Morales," Owen rested his head on top of hers, "Still want to marry me?"

"Yes," Carmen smiled without turning to face him. "But I don't know if I still want to be Miss Morales."

"You can be whoever you want," he kissed the top of her head again. "I'm just glad you'll let me keep my house."

"Well, I like Henry. Wouldn't want him to be out of work."

"I love you," he laughed, "but it didn't make it any less true."

"I love you, too," she reached up to kiss him.

Carmen Lucia Galloway Morales has a nice ring to it.