Vanessa knew the most nervous she had ever been was seeing Lin when she and Lia had seen Hamilton for the very first time. A close second was arguing before the Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division. If someone had asked her what third place would hold, she would have never thought it would be sitting in the office of the director of her toddlers' daycare.

She and Lin had been running around like crazy the past week trying to wrap up things before the Thanksgiving holiday and their impending trip to California. Vanessa finally felt that the two of them had hit a stride when it came to being working parents. They were consistently checking in with each other and coordinating their schedules as best as they could. It was also helpful Beatriz, their nanny, had returned back from Puerto Rico and they were able to leave the children with someone they knew they could trust.

The two parents had received an email from Ms. Cabrera, the director, stating that she wanted to meet with them. Lin was in the thick of press junket for 'Mary Poppins Returns' so Vanessa was flying solo. She had met the director on previous occasions, and found the older Puerto Rican woman to be extremely warm and friendly - evident by the bright colors and quotes that filled her office. That didn't take away all of the nerves the mom was feeling as she sat in the hardwood chair.

"Sorry about that," Ms. Cabrera said as she walked through her office door, shutting it behind her, "One of the four year olds scraped his knee on the slide and Ms.Baker needed someone to watch the class while she got him cleaned up,"

Vanessa shook it off with a polite smile, "No problem at all." She placed her purse near the foot of the chair.

"Does your family have any special plans for Thanksgiving?" Ms. Cabera asked as she sat down in her office chair.

"Not too many," Vanessa replied, "With our trip to California next week, our family pretty much decided we wanted a day to just lounge around in our homes. What about your family?"

Vanessa saw the instant light in the director's eyes at the mention of her family, "My kids and their families live all over and Thanksgiving has been the one holiday I've declared is mine since my oldest first went off to school," The two mothers shared a laugh, "The last two days have been a revolving door of children and noise which is much better than the quiet nights where I'm by myself,"

"You're so lucky to have such a close family,"

"Thank you," Ms. Cabera brushed her fingers across a photo frame that was facing her, Vanessa assumed it was of one of her said children or grandchildren, "Anyways, I know you're probably busy and I don't want to keep you all afternoon. I wanted to talk to you more about the twins,"

"Okay," Vanessa had expected as much and could tell by the change in her expression that it wouldn't be something pleasant.

Ms. Cabera held a sympathetic gaze, "All of us love having Stella and Sebastian at our center. They are generally so sweet and funny."

Vanessa held a tight smile, "Thank you,"

"There have been some concerns though over the past few weeks regarding their behavior towards the other children,"

"Concerns?"

Ms. Cabera nodded before continuing, "As you know, there have been issues with getting Stella and Seb to play with the other children,"

Vanessa nodded in agreement, "We've been trying to encourage that more at home." Although the director's tone was nothing but kind, she still felt a bit on the defensive, "They do great whenever we take them to the park!"

"That's good," Vanessa heard the doubtful tone in her voice, "And I'm sure that will get better with time. However, the more pressing concern is with Stella. And her outbursts,"

"She is certainly my most headstrong child," Vanessa gave a soft laugh, nervously tapping her fingers against the arm of her chair.

Ms. Cabera, "Oh, I'm sure. And we want to encourage independence, but she gets very frustrated, very fast. There was the incident over the markers,"

"My husband and I both spoke to her about that and made sure she apologized the next day," Vanessa interrupted.

"Ms. Nadal,"

"Vanessa, please," She insisted.

"Vanessa," Ms. Cabera said in a warm tone from across the desk. This wasn't the first time she had a jumpy parent in her office, "I promise, nobody is blaming you or your husband. I just wanted to speak with you," She waited a few beats before Vanessa nodded to continue, "There was also the incident during story time. Another child wanted to share a toy with Sebastian while Ms. Ferrera read. Stella didn't like that so she grabbed the toy and had a meltdown. Ms. Ferrera had to call in another teacher to watch the class so that she could calm Stella down,"

Vanessa felt the room grow hotter, "We also spoke to her about that. Stella and Seb just have a really close relationship," She said weakly, knowing she seemed like she was making excuses for her daughter. And she wasn't. She just didn't know what else to say.

"And again, we appreciate that greatly," Ms. Cabera said sincerely, knowing how some parents wouldn't even do that much. "But we also can't have our teachers focusing all of their attention on just one student,"

"Of course," Vanessa replied, clearing her throat, "I completely understand,"

"Nobody is talking about not being able to come to the center anymore," She expressed as if she could read the worried mom's mind, "I just thought it would be best before the break to hopefully give you and Mr. Miranda the time to address the issue,"

Vanessa shook her hand as she offered it, "Certainly..and thank you for speaking with me," She said, really wishing her husband was with her. He surely would've cracked a joke by now to diffuse her tense demeanor. She appreciated the smile from Ms. Cabera, and knew the older woman meant well. Vanessa picked up her purse and put it over her shoulder, "Have a great holiday."

Ms. Cabera also gave her well-wishes before Vanessa shut her office door and walked down the hallway. She headed towards the twins' classroom, stopping at the window, trying to stay just out of sigh. They were having circle time and each child had a chance to stand up and march around in a silly fashion. Both of her two were laughing freely, both of them had hair stuck to their sweaty foreheads. She felt her shoulders ease; they were both good kids and there would be plenty of time for her and Lin to talk about the school's concerns. For now, she wanted to just enjoy the few moments before she picked them up and just watch her kids having fun. The rest she'd deal with later.

______________________

"I can't believe I let myself get so excited for just another asshole," Lia grumbled out as she sat up against the headboard of her bed with her pillow tucked under her chin.

"Read exactly what he wrote again," Hunter asked through the speaker phone.

Lia let out a loud sigh. She went towards her recent messages and read out in an incredulous tone, "Something came up. Can't make it. Sorry."

"At least he said he was sorry?" Hunter asked in a less than hopeful manner.

Lia closed out of her messages, and shook off the suede jacket she was still wearing for her failed hangout, "This is after he couldn't do last Friday because he said he already had plans,"

"Buuuuuut in his defense, you just threw out a random day. He could have just said no instead of offering another time."

"Great! I was a consideration," Lia was glad the cousins were only talking on the phone because she was sure Hunter would have commented on the pout she was dawning, "And then he just bails on me!"

"Maybe an emergency came up?"

"Yeah," Lia rolled off her bed, "Probably in the form of a girlfriend who desperately needs to see him," She pulled out the suitcase her mom had placed in her bedroom earlier, and unzipped it, "Who just has sudden plans come up?"

"Most people?"

Lia made a face towards the phone, not caring how immature she was acting. She sat cross legged onto her floor and started sifting through her drawers.

"Don't let yourself get worked up just yet," Hunter continued on when she was met with silence from her cousin, "It was just pizza and you said you guys have been texting all the time, right?"

"I guess," Lia begrudgingly admitted, pulling out her favorite pair of jeans. She was starting to have a friendship of sorts with Justin. They hadn't gotten too deep into their lives, but they would text each other throughout the day random facts about themselves or memes they would see on social media. It was surface level, but Lia was also enjoying it.

"See? He probably had something just come in," Hunter's tone was hopeful, "Just try not to be the first Miranda to win an Oscar for being so dramatic, kay?"

"Wow, you're hilarious," Lia rolled her eyes, "Maybe you'll beat me to the award," She heard her cousin mockingly laugh through the phone's speaker, "Do I need to bring shorts?"

"It's California," Hunter replied bluntly.

"It's November,"

"Bring the damn shorts, Miranda," Lia laughed heartily as she pulled out her favorite pair of light washed shorts from the drawer, adding it to the pile that was suddenly accumulating next to her. "Aren't you just thrilled you're going to see my actual face in less than twenty-four hours?"

"Duh!" Even a stupid boy couldn't damper Lia's excitement over her trip, although she was packing later than she usually would. The last week seemed to just fly by with the semester winding down before finals started in a few weeks. Her whole family had enjoyed the change of pace the days off were bringing. She and Lin had even spent the entire day of Thanksgiving on the couch with a Harry Potter marathon on the television. She knew the next few weeks were going to keep her dad busier than ever and loved the time they spent together. "My dress for the ceremony just arrived this morning. I thought mom was going to have a heart attack each day USPS didn't deliver it,"

"You went with the floral one, right?"

Lia nodded, then realized no one could see her, "Yeah," Lia smiled wide as she thought about the dress that was tucked away in its dress bag. It was a fit and flare style with floral embroidery in bright colors of teal, pink, and yellow. It fit her perfectly and was exactly the type of dress she wanted to be wearing during one of her rare appearances in the public eye.

There was a knock at the door. "Hold on," she told Hunter, and then yelled for whoever it was to come in. Her father poked her head in and gave her a tired smile.

"Hey, kid," he told her. "Better tuck in soon. It's already past midnight."

It was the Wednesday night before her father's ceremony and they were taking an early flight the next morning. Maybe she was still a kid at heart because she had that night-before-a-big-trip excitement stirring in her belly. There were so many things about this trip she was looking forward to. How could she sleep?

"Okay," she told him. "I'm just saying bye to Hunter."

Lin rolled his eyes but smirked. "You two back together," he muttered. "Should I warn the L.A. police before we come?"

In response, Lia threw a pillow at him, but he closed the door quickly. He then reopened it and called out that he loved her and to go to bed.

"Anyways," Lia continued. "Can't wait to see you, cuz."

They said their farewells, knowing they'd soon be together. Soon, despite her excitement, Lia was fast asleep.

___

If the adult to small child ratio hadn't been four to two, Vanessa and Lin weren't sure the family would have been allowed to board the 7 a.m. plane the next morning. Lin's parents, always heavily involved in their children's and grandchildren's lives, had graciously agreed to come to L.A. both to see the ceremony and help wrangle the twins.

After a Stella meltdown in the middle of the terminal at JFK over a promised bagel left her sprawled out and screaming on the floor, they had somehow managed to get the twins happy and settled on the plane. Vanessa, always the prepared mother, had put together a collection of small, new toys and crafts in their backpacks to keep them occupied. As they approached LAX, they still seemed to be doing the trick. Seb was on Luz's lap, scribbling in a Paw Patrol coloring book, while Stella was covering a paper and her abuelo with Moana stickers. The attention of their grandparents gave Lin and Vanessa some much needed reprieve.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are beginning our descent in LAX and expect to be on the ground in about thirty minutes. Flight attendants, please begin arrival procedures," the captain said over the speaker. Luz and Luis gently began to coax the toddlers back into their own plane seats as the flight attendants began collecting remaining trash.

Lia let out an anxious breath as she put up her tray table. Having to turn her phone off for over seven hours was brutal. Despite her annoyance with Justin, she was desperate for any sort of contact from him. Had he texted her? Called her? Lia felt pathetic that she was so caught up in wanting contact from him. She was supposed to be preparing for college and independence. Guys just got in the way.

Luz looked across the aisle at where Lia was sitting, right next to Seb. Her granddaughter's foot was bouncing up and down at a rapid pace. Though she'd only known her for three years, Luz had never known her to be a nervous flyer.

"Everything okay, nieta?" She asked gently.

"Yeah, why?" Lia responded, chewing on her bottom lip. Luz wordlessly pointed to her foot, going a mile a minute. The teenagers instantly stopped.

Lia shrugged. "Just some nerves," she told her. "I'm fine."

Lia reached over and tickled her brother's belly, causing him to giggle. Luz brushed it off for now, but made a mental note. She had raised Lin, who had been an anxious child, and had worked for years as a therapist. The signs that her granddaughter had some anxiety had been apparent for some time.

Luz glanced back at Vanessa and Lin, who were seated behind Lia. They both looked exhausted but in good spirits. All three of their children had inherited wonderful traits from their parents - intelligence, wit, and the need to do good in the world. With all Lin and Vanessa were dealing with, though, Luz wondered if the constant go-go-go lifestyle of the Nadal-Mirandas was taking a toll on Lia. The kid needed a break and needed to make her mental health a priority.

About 45 minutes later, they were finally ready to de-plane. It was always a task with six people, including two toddlers in tow. The grandparents carried the little ones as Vanessa and Lin picked up their carseats at the carry-on gate. Travelling with small children was certainly a big task, and they were glad to have extra help.

Vanessa especially was relieved to see her sister-in-law Luz, her husband Luis, and their four children at the gate. Luz and Luis Crespo had flown out the weekend before to visit Hunter at UCLA, bringing the boys along. With lots of family around, it made taking care of the twins much easier.

Lia sprinted for her cousin Hunter and they both squealed in excitement as they hugged. "Oh my God, you're so tan!" Lia told her once they pulled back. She loved the way Hunter lovingly pushed her hair behind her shoulder, like a big sister. Their relationship as cousins had certainly grown closer, especially in the last couple years. Lia really looked up to her and craved her advice.

"That's what happens when you get out of the East Coast's pollution and out into some sunshine," she joked, and they hugged again. Hunter was about to gear up for the end of the semester and all her finals, so she really needed a break from school worries as well. Both girls couldn't wait to hang out and let loose a bit.

After lots of hugs and passing around of the toddlers, the group of twelve made their way to the shuttle bus area. Lin, of course, had public relations people there to greet them and take the whole family to the hotel where they were staying, right near the Pantages Theatre where he'd be receiving his star.

Typical of a Miranda get-together, there was lots of talking and laughing on the trip to the hotel. Lia and Hunter sat at the back of the shuttle bus, chatting and pulling up pictures and profiles on Instagram and Twitter. Hunter wanted to know all about this Justin guy, and Lia was happy to oblige. They talked in hushed tones and giggled at pictures of Hunter with some guy friends from UCLA. Hunter was gorgeous and had the attention of lots of guys at her college. Lia wished she had half the confidence her cousin did, marvelling at how relaxed and comfortable she looked in all the pictures. How did it come so easily for her?

"This is Chase," Hunter pointed to a good-looking guy in one of her pictures from a party. "He's the one I was telling you about from last weekend. He's from Chicago and he's, like, really good at basketball."

Hunter's father, Luis, was sitting in the row in front of the girls and couldn't help but overhear snippets of their conversation in the small enclosed space. "I suppose it's only natural," he told his daughter in a serious tone. "You, hunting a guy named Chase."

Hunter rolled her eyes and gave her dad a playful push. "Dad, that was possibly the worst dad joke in the history of dad jokes," she chastised him.

"I don't know," Lia chimed in, raising her voice so her dad could hear in the next row up. "My dad has told some pretty terrible ones. Like that time I was at the hospital and he told that nurse joke."

Lin chuckled, the skin at his temples wrinkling. He turned in his seat to face everyone behind him. "Oh, that was gold. I don't know what you're talking about. Why do nurses like red crayons?"

"Why?" Hunter's voice deadpanned, not knowing if she wanted to know the answer.

"Because sometimes they have to DRAW BLOOD!" Lin finished, his face lighting up with a sarcastic pride. Everyone laughed and rolled their eyes. Lia felt her heart lighten at the feeling of all her family around her. She finally let herself start to relax and wished she could always feel this way.

____

Back in New York, Justin was not out partying with his NYU friends as he knew Em probably suspected. Instead, he was actually at home, cleaning his parents' apartment as a small token of support. His mother was still holed up in her bedroom, shades drawn, at two in the afternoon like she was most days. The television was on, volume low, as he cleared away dirty dishes and take-out food from the week. Justin shooed away a fly from an open carton of Chinese food that he was pretty sure he had seen there that weekend. Choking back the nausea, he quickly picked it up and threw it in the trash bag he was carrying.

Justin washed his hands at the sink quickly and then fished out his phone from his back pocket. He still felt guilty for having to cancel on Em days prior, but his family had needed him. Though he trusted Em, he didn't want to freak her out with all his family issues. If she knew what he'd done, she'd go running, just like some of his own friends and family had already done. What he'd done was unforgivable.

Still no messages from Em. His heart sank. She was done with him. He'd spent days searching for her on social media, which was difficult since he didn't know her last name. The girl seemed to be completely off the radar. What 21st century teenager didn't have social media? He knew she was still in high school; maybe her parents were super strict.

Justin sighed as he tucked his phone into his back pocket again. He grabbed a Gatorade from the fridge and decided it was time to take a break. He plopped down on the sofa and turned up the volume on whatever was playing on the television. It was just background noise anyways as he checked his grades, his email, and his social media.

From the looks of it, some celebrity was getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Weird Al, of all people, was giving a speech about the guy, who stood off to the side, hands in his pockets, getting emotional as he talked about what a great husband and father he was.

"The man is truly nonstop. He writes and performs in hit Broadway musicals. He stars in TV shows and major motion pictures. He writes inspirational books. He's an activist, tirelessly working for humanitarian efforts like arts funding and hurricane relief in Puerto Rico. He's a loving husband to his wonderful, brilliant wife Vanessa, and a caring and loving father to his two daughters and son, Emilia, Stella, and Sebastian," Weird Al spoke.

Must be nice to have a full, loving family of people, all there to support you. As the speeches ended, they started to take pictures of a whole group of family members that came to see the ceremony. There were probably at least a dozen of them. Justin's eye caught sight of a beautiful floral dress waving in the slight breeze. As his eyes focused on the gorgeous girl who was wearing it, his heart pounded.

He squinted, thinking she looked somehow familiar. Weird Al's words replayed in his head...a caring and loving father to his two daughters and son, Emilia...

As the stunning girl on the screen smiled, her eyes gleaming with happiness, it registered. Em was Emilia. His friend from therapy was Emilia Nadal Miranda, the daughter of one of the most famous people in the world.