Stevie opened the hatch of her old tan station wagon, shoving the last of her belongings inside. She stared at the house she would be leaving behind. It was home, just outside Phoenix. It was familiar and filled with love but she knew it was time for her to make her own way. She slammed the hatch shut and looked up, hearing her childhood nickname called out.

"TeeDee, are you sure this is what you want?" her mother asked, smoothing her hair back from her face.

"Yes" Stevie nodded.

"I mean, you're really sure. You can stay as long as you'd like. We like having you and Summer around."

"I know and I'm grateful you let me stay here after I lost my apartment, but I've been working and saving, just like you and daddy taught me to. We will be okay."

"Los Angeles is expensive, Stevie, and you'll be all by yourself. You won't have anyone to help take care of you there."

"I have a friend there, my best friend. Robin's got a house she's renting and she said she wanted a roommate, or two."

Barbara looked at her daughter and sighed. She could see in her eyes that she had made up her mind. "Alright." she said with a nod. "If anything happens, you call us and your father and I will have two tickets ready for the both of you."

"Thank you, mama."

She hugged her mother tightly. "I'm going to miss you, sweet girl."

"I'll miss you too."

"Don't be a stranger" Jess said, joining them. "Call us when you get there so we know you're safe."

"I will" Stevie told him, hugging her father as well.

"Then I guess you're all set."

"Yep" Stevie felt the finality in that moment, going around to the driver's side and getting in. Her parents waved as she started the car and made her way out of the drive. She adjusted her rearview mirror, fixing it so she could see her daughter sleeping in the backseat. She smiled warmly, a rush of love coursing through her body.

The golden haired, brown eyed little girl slept peacefully, stretched out across the bench seat of her mother's car, a soft blanket thrown over her. Stuffed toys and bags of clothes were shoved in the floorboard in an attempt to give her room during the five hour journey to their new home. Stevie had been raising her daughter alone since the beginning as the father walked out when she was just six months pregnant. Though it was hard at first, she knew she would be fine. She was strong both mentally and emotionally and wanted the very best for her daughter. It wasn't easy to juggle work and single motherhood but from the outside, she did so gracefully. She adored her daughter and was thankful for all of the one on one time. Summer was the light of her life, her pride and joy.

Stevie turned on the radio, twisting the dial left and right, trying to find a station as she drove. Finally, she was able to tap into a frequency, old country western music flowing through the speakers. Her eyes drifted to the backseat again, hoping the sound wouldn't disrupt her daughter. She breathed a sigh of relief as the little girl stirred, but her eyes remained closed.

Hours passed and the radio lost frequency more times than she could count. She turned it off, once again consumed in her thoughts. She came upon the landmarks Robin had told her to look out for and she smiled.

"Finally!" she said to herself. After a few more minutes, she ended up on the street in front of her friend's house. Her old car was in the driveway, she'd recognize it anywhere. All the lights were off but one upstairs. Stevie parked and spoke into the silence. "We're here, baby"

"Mmm..." the little girl groaned.

"I know it's late but we made it. Let's go see auntie Robin." Stevie turned around, watching Summer stir and stretch under the blanket. "Ready?" Stevie got out and went around the side, opening the door. "Want mama to carry you?" The little girl nodded. "Alright, but don't forget Mr Bear." She carefully picked up her daughter, tugging the blanket up over her as she shielded the little one from the chilly night air, grabbing her favorite toy from where he had fallen in the floorboard. She shoved the door closed with her hip, walking up to the front door. She tapped the door knocker three times, waiting patiently for an answer. The door swung open and she was met with her beautiful friend.

"Stevie! You made it!" Robin squealed, hugging her. "I've got the rooms all made up. Baby girl has her own."

"I can't thank you enough."

"It's no problem. I missed you and after visiting last summer, I knew I needed to bring you back with me." She ushered Stevie and her daughter into the house and shut the door. "We have got to catch up but that can wait. Let's lay her down. She's out like a light." Stevie followed Robin through the house, looking at nothing in particular as she made note of her surroundings. "I'm sure you're tired too."

"You know me, I couldn't sleep if I wanted to."

"Nervous?"

"Excited. As I was driving up..." She trailed off, laying Summer down on the large bed in the spare room. She covered her back up and placed the fuzzy brown stuffed bear close to her daughter. She kissed her and brushed a blonde curl back from her face. "I love you" Robin followed her out of the room after turning on the bedside lamp, a thin square scarf draped delicately over it to create a soft glow. "As I was driving up, it all felt so familiar."

"I know you're going to miss Arizona but this city is your home, Stevie. I mean, you did some pretty incredible things here. You still write, don't you?"

"I do, of course I do, but I just want a normal job now."

"You, normal? I don't think I've heard those two things together in the same sentence before."

Stevie swatted at Robin. "Hush! I mean it. I'm not looking for fame anymore."

"You almost had it. It was yours for the taking then--"

"I had my daughter and she's all I need. I'm just looking to make enough money to support her and give her a good life."

"Well, then you're going to hate me."

"Oh god, what did you do?" The women found themselves in the kitchen.

"Tea?"

"Sure, but what did you do, Robin?"

"You know how I told you I've got this producer friend?"

"You mean your ex-boyfriend?"

"Yeah, well, he's always looking for new talent. I might have told him about you and you might be having a meeting with him on Saturday at 8pm."

"I what?!"

"I didn't want to spring this on you, you just came to town. All you have to do is talk to him. If you really don't want to do it, you don't have to. I won't force you, I just thought--"

"Thank you."

"You're not mad, are you?" Robin asked, placing a cup in front of her friend.

"No...I'm not mad. I appreciate you trying to work on something for me. I'll think about it."

"That's all I ask."

"Wait...didn't you say he was kind of ruthless?"

"He can be but he knows music, he knows talent and he knows what he likes."

"Hmm..." Stevie sipped her tea.

"He's going to love you, I just know it. You're different, in a good way, and you're going to knock his socks off."

"If you say so." Robin chose to leave her alone, seeing Stevie was deep in thought. She sat next to her friend at the kitchen table and sipped her tea as well. It was late and she knew she had probably more than enough excitement for one day. Robin gathered the mugs when they were finished and they both went to bed in silence, save for a quick hug and the soft whisper of a 'good night'.

A/N: Not 100% sure where I'm taking this one just yet but I have a gist. I wanted to write it down before the inspiration left. I hope you like it.