Things were starting to become more and more hectic in the Miranda-Nadal household. July 9th was fast approaching and Lin was getting an abundance of requests from the media.

At the beginning of June, the family had decided to hire on a bit of extra help. School was winding down for Lia, but it wasn't fair to expect a fifteen year old to wait on her mother, who still had six weeks to go before her due date. She was signed up for summer school to get PE out of the way and had also signed up for chess camp after her dad taught her to play. Lin asked around and they hired a 20-something Puerto Rican woman to be at home during the day.

Lia was definitely enjoying the homemade Puerto Rican cooking. After a hot late June PE class, she came home sweaty and exhausted. Beatriz was taking some empanadas out of the oven.

"Buenas tardes," Beatriz greeted her with a smile, her long dark hair draping over her left shoulder in a braid. "Que tal escuala?"

One of the other reasons they'd hired her was so Lia could get better at Spanish. Vanessa hadn't insisted on using it at home growing up, but Lin was adamant that his kids would be bilingual and able to communicate with their Puerto Rican family.

"Estuvo bien," she said, going for a Gatorade from the fridge. "Eso huele muy bien."

"Gracias," she smiled. "Tu madre esta durmiendo."

Lia nodded and took her Gatorade back to her room, being sure to be quiet so she didn't wake her mother. She sat on her desk chair and let out an exhausted breath, then chugged back a big gulp as she powered up her computer. Her browser was set to open to news highlights. With her father's last performance as Hamilton in just a couple weeks, plus the multitude of Tony awards the show had just won, people were getting desperate to see it before he left. Lin had long insisted that he was not the star of the show, but that didn't stop his throngs of fans from rushing after him every show and tickets going for obscene prices.

Once again, a picture of her father appeared with an article about how he'd changed Broadway forever and wondered what he'd do next. It wasn't public yet, but they were well into making arrangements for the Fall. They'd live in London for several months while he filmed the sequel to Mary Poppins. He'd already started working on his accent.

She'd mostly managed to stay out of the spotlight that spring, though there had been a few photos and articles about her quinceanera. Lia had to admit she hadn't minded that - she'd looked amazing in her gown and the way her dad gloated was adorable. Plus she was pretty sure it made her haters jealous.

She texted her cousin, Hunter, who was coming that weekend to hang out. Since her dad had come into her life, she'd been what turned out to be her only true friend on the East Coast. She still kept in touch with Kylie, but it wasn't the same as having someone to actually hang out with. She guessed that's what cousins were for. They were making plans about what to do.

I think I want to see Tio Lin as Hamilton one more time, she'd texted. Like Lia, she was super proud of Lin and thought he deserved every accolade he'd earned.

It might be hard, but I think I can convince him. Lia texted back. With tickets being in high demand, the cast had been limited in the amount of tickets they had access to. There were perks though when you lived with the guy who not only starred in the show, but wrote it. I'll let you know what he says. I'll text you the movie times for that new Blake Lively movie after I get out the shower!

Sounds like a plan, cuz!

Emilia smiled at the nickname before setting her phone to the side and getting into the shower to get rid of the grossness of the day. When she got back into her room, in much comfier attire, she browsed the internet for some new strategies she could work on before starting chess camp the following Monday. She could laugh at herself when she thought about it: the girl who had spent the majority of the year trying so hard to be popular was spending the first half of her summer in chess camp. But she'd enjoyed it, and if there was anything she had learned from her dad it was to follow wherever your passion takes you.

She hadn't realized that two hours had passed so quickly until Beatriz had knocked on her door letting her know that dinner was ready and her mom was awake. She checked the home screen of her phone to find the only unread text message was from her dad. She laughed when she saw the selfie of him on the set of 'The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.' With his schedule being more hectic lately, Lia had made a off-handed comment that she needed him to send a bat signal that he was alive once every twenty-four hours. Lin had taken that to heart and had sent a selfie a day of himself at various locations. In turn, she would reciprocate with a selfie of her own, and a brief overview of her day. It was silly, but also kept the father and daughter in the loop of the other's day.

Lia snapped a quick selfie, including one of his Hamilton shirts she had snagged months ago that never made it back into his dresser, before she made her way into her mom's bedroom.

"Hey," Lia said with a knock as she walked into the bedroom, finding her mom in her usual spot: her bed.

"Hey sweetheart," Vanessa said, still with a sleepy smile, patting the bed for Lia to sit, "How was P.E.?"

Lia shrugged her shoulders as she sat down on the edge of the bed, "Alright. I'm just the one who runs away from balls that come at her,"

"And let's keep it that way for a few more years," Vanessa said with a smirk,

"Oh my god! Mom!" Lia gasped, her face went beet red as her mother laughed at her expense.

"You left yourself wide open, kid. I'm a mom; not ancient!" Vanessa was well-aware that her daughter was growing up and, especially since the drama with Ayden earlier that year, becoming more interested in guys. However, she knew she had a good head on her shoulders and would never do anything she wasn't comfortable with. She was also pleased Lia still got this embarrassed at even the insinuation of sex.

"We are changing the subject back to sports: basketball, baseball, foosball! I don't really care which, but I'm not talking about this with you," Lia said adamantly with her face still a bright red.

Vanessa continued to laugh, feeling as alive as she could while stuck in a bed. Beatriz was nice, but it was no comparison to be with Lin or Lia, both of which had opposite schedules. When she was awake during the day, Lia was at school and Lin was either doing press junkets or sleeping. She valued the time she spent with either of them.

"I hate to break it to you, but any ounce of athleticism you're hoping to find is definitely not coming from me or your dad."

"I didn't exactly picture dad as a football star," Lia commented, garnering a laugh between the two, "How are you feeling?"

"Alright," Vanessa gave a small smile. Truth be told, she was uncomfortable, tired of her bed, and was counting down the days for when she was going to officially go on maternity leave from her clients who thought working from home meant open 24/7. She didn't want to burden her fifteen year old with that, though. "Are you going to go eat? The house smells amazing!"

"Definitely," Lia nodded, "When I got home earlier, Beatriz was taking out empanadas that looked muy deliciosa!"

Vanessa chuckled at Lia's enthusiasm, "Your dad will be ecstatic to know you're using Spanish on your own accord. Want to snag me a few empanadas and bring your dinner back here and we can binge the housewives of somewhere?"

Lia laughed at her mother's attempt at understanding pop culture, "Sure, mom," she hopped off the bed and went into the kitchen.

——

Lia twisted and turned in the bed, her eyes fluttered open as it took her a moment to recognize where she was in the middle of the night. She and her mom had watched a few episodes of the overzealous reality show and had enjoyed a few bites of flan, courtesy of Beatriz's baking skills. She looked over at her mom's alarm clock and saw that it was 1:37 a.m.

She rubbed her eyes, and searched through the blankets that took over the bed. She finally found her phone that was sitting at 8% with no new notifications. She looked over at her mom who was in a deep slumber, but then the question of Lin donned on her. It wasn't the first time she had fallen asleep with her mom, especially since she had gone on bed rest. Most nights though, she'd either end up back in her bed, courtesy of her dad, or he'd leave them be and sleep on the couch. She looked around the room for any sight of the later, but didn't even see his wallet on the dresser where he always left it. She slid off the bed, tip toeing out of the bedroom.

Lia closed the door quietly behind her, and followed the quiet giggling she heard coming from the kitchen.

"¡El hotel es perfecto!"

Lia heard her dad say. Hotel? She didn't know of any trips Lin had planned. She stood in the hallway, wanting to hear more of the conversation.

"¡No tendrá ni idea!"Beatriz replied, "Es el plan perfecto para el fin de semana, después de tantos meses de dificultades."

Between her drowsiness, the lowered voices, and still mastering the new language, Lia only managed to pick up on the words idea, weekend and difficulty. Was he planning something? Were they planning something?

¿Y estás seguro de que el sábado funciona?

"Sí, no hay problema."

"Hi, dad," Lia spoke up, coming from behind the corner. Both Lin and Beatriz looked like they were deer in headlights, as Beatriz took her hand off of Lin's arms.

"Lia!" Lin walked over towards her, "Why are you still up?"

"I fell asleep in mom's room," Lia replied looking between the two, "Are you just getting home?"

"Yeah," Lin nodded, "The stagedoor took longer than usual,"

"And why is she still here?"

"Beatriz stays until I get home in case your mom needs anything and you're asleep, you know that," Lin gave her a look, assuming the change in demeanor was due to the late night, "Why don't we get you to bed, Lia?"

"Y puedo irme a casa. Buenas noches a todos." Beatriz said with a smile, grabbing her purse and keys as she headed out.

"Buenas noches," Lin replied as Beatriz went to the front door, the click of the lock signaling she was gone.

"Are you excited for Hunter to come this weekend?" Lin asked, as he guided his daughter towards her bedroom.

Lia nodded, aware of the change of subject, "Yeah. Hunter wants to see the show this weekend since she won't be there for your closing,"

"I don't think that should be a problem. Friday night, work?"

Although Lin couldn't see her face from behind, Lia held a puzzled look. Between this and Beatriz mentioning Saturday, she knew something was up. "Sure, thanks. You have any weekend plans?"

Lin shook his head, "Nothing other than work stuff. Since my announcement and the Tony's, I've been scheduled like crazy with interviews and podcasts."

"I did see on the TV that the Tony's went pretty well for Hamilton," Lia couldn't help the hint of sarcasm in her voice as she climbed into bed. The award show had been two weeks prior, and Hamilton had swept it away with a total of twelve wins. It had also been the subject of a few disagreements between the father and daughter. Since Vanessa was out, Lia had begged Lin to let her come with him, but he wasn't comfortable with bringing her into the public eye.

"Hardee-har," Lin said dryly, draping the cover over Lia, "My kid, the comedian. You know I would've taken you, but,"

"But there's a difference between paparazzi being vultures and taking photos of me and you bringing me into the limelight." She cut him off, repeating the words she had heard previously, "I know and I get it. It just sucked"

"I promise I'll make it up to you," Lin said with a wink, leaning down to give Lia a kiss on the top of her head, "Buenas noches, mija."

"Buenas noches." Lia replied as he shut the door. She wasn't sure what was going on, but she knew something was up. She just had to figure out what.

—-

The weekend soon came and Hunter arrived in the late afternoon, being dropped off by her mother. Lia and Hunter had hung out a couple times since meeting at Thanksgiving. They were fast friends, hugging and giggling like besties.

Lia noticed her father and aunt talking in low whispers in the kitchen as she started up the Playstation to battle Mario Kart with her cousin. She hated when adults did that. What was it that they couldn't know?

Beatriz was here, of course, and walked into the kitchen with a load of laundry to fold. She smiled and greeted Luz in Spanish and the three adults talked.

"My little brother and I once drew blood over this," Hunter confessed as she chose Yoshi as her driver. "It was epic."

"Yikes," Lia commented. "Did you win?"

"Totally," Hunter smirked. She played soccer for her high school team and was very fit. Lia didn't doubt that she could kick her brothers' asses. She had to be tough with three brothers.

Lia furrowed her eyebrows as she noticed her father and Beatriz walk down the hallway together and disappeared into a room. Her aunt didn't seem to think anything of it. Her dad wouldn't cheat would he?

In a low hush Lia said to her cousin, "I get the sense that something weird is going on."

"Like what?" She whispered as the race started.

"I don't know," she admitted. "But all the adults are acting really weird."

Hunter shrugged. "Maybe it has something to do with your dad's show run ending."

A few minutes later Lin walked out, looking mischievous. He clapped his hands together then rubbed them together. "Alright! We're leaving for the theatre in fifteen minutes."

"So soon?" Lia asked.

"The crowds are starting to form super early so we may get mobbed otherwise," he told them. "Also, I play the winner after we get home tonight."

"Can we play Grand Theft Auto?" Hunter asked hopefully, knowing it was one of her uncle's favorite games.

"Absolutely not," both he and Luz said firmly. Luz ran a pretty tight ship with her four children. Before Lia came along, Hunter knew she could get away with a little extra with her uncle. Now, he had to be a real parent.

Hunter and Lia looked at each other and rolled their eyes. Fifteen minutes later, they were ready for the theatre.

The night was magical as usual. Hunter seemed to have a slight crush on Anthony but Lia reminded her that she was pretty sure he and Jasmine were now a couple. Still, she flirted and giggled.

They headed back to the apartment around one in the morning. Lin creamed Lia at Mario Kart and decided to go take a break on the roof.

Lia was feeling a bit crampy herself and she loved being on the roof at night where she could view the twinkling lights and the GW Bridge.

She made her way up the stairs and was surprised to see her dad standing near the edge talking to Beatriz. It was odd that she was still here so late, but she knew she lived in Washington Heights.

Lia watched them for a moment, laughing quietly about something.

"Dad?" She asked quizzically. Both adults looked back at her, somewhat surprised at her presence.

"Hey kiddo," he smiled. "Need something?"

She shook her head and walked to the other side. A few minutes later, Beatriz left and Lin walked over to join his daughter.

"You okay?" Lin asked, tucking his hands in his jeans pockets. Lia was quiet for a moment.

"What's going on?" She asked bluntly, looking at her father. He seemed confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Beatriz is our housekeeper," she reminded him.

"Mmmhmm," he agreed. "She's helping me with a little something."

"What is it?"

"Can't tell you," he told her, rubbing his nose for a moment with his thumb before tucking it back away.

"Why not?"

"I can have secrets, child," he narrowed his eyes but gave a little smirk. "Don't worry."

He kissed his daughter's temple and turned to go back downstairs.

Lia sighed and looked out at the skyline for a few more minutes. Finally, she turned to go join her cousin downstairs. She was on her phone, thumbs flying as she grinned.

"You're not texting Anthony again, are you?" She asked.

Hunter rolled her eyes. "So what if I am?"

"He's way too old for you," Lia plopped down on the couch.

"He's mature," Hunter corrected as she laid down on the couch. "Unlike the idiots in high school."

"Tell me about it," she grumbled, thinking about her troubles with Ayden. Hunter eyed her cousin.

"You're not still thinking about that Ayden kid are you?"

"Maybe," Lia mumbled in embarrassment.

"He can't be all that bad," Hunter said. "He told you about what the group of assholes were doing right?"

"Yeah," Lia agreed.

"It doesn't make him a bad person for telling you the truth," Hunter reasoned.

"You sound like my mother," Lia groaned, laying down and putting a pillow over her face.

"Well, your mom rocks," Hunter pointed out. "Hey," she whispered conspiratorially. "Let's go to his house."

Lia lifted the pillow and looked at her cousin like she was nuts.

"It's already past my curfew," she pointed out. "Plus he doesn't want to see me. It's been months since we spoke,"

"How do you know?" She swung her legs around and sat up straight. "He's probably been pining for you and waiting for you to call."

"Then he should call," Lia said. "He's the guy."

"Oh please," Hunter stood up in a huff. "It's 2016, not 1946. Get your shoes. We're going."

Lia stood up, petrified. "No!" She almost screamed, then slapped her hand over her mouth, forgetting the house was asleep.

Hunter lowered her voice to a whisper and stepped closer. "This is a super important cousin mission so get your damn shoes on now. Or I'll tell your mom you ate the last of the brownies earlier. For breakfast."

Lia gaped at her cousin's boldness. She watched as she pulled on her own shoes and got her jacket.

Reluctantly, ten minutes later they were walking the streets of Brooklyn.

"Ugghh, Cobble Hill is so uppity," Hunter complained as they walked through the wealthy neighborhood.

"Says the girl who goes to private school," Lia pointed out. Her mother had always proudly sent her to public school, having been a product herself.

"Touché," Hunter replied as they neared Ayden's row of townhouses. They were modest, unlike some of the places nearby.

"Here it is," Lia stopped in front of the building, looking up. Surprisingly, his bedroom light was still on. She stood there, not knowing what to do. She was new at this.

"Well?" Hunter finally said.

"Well what?"

"Text him or something," she said. Lia reached for her phone but realized she didn't have it.

"I don't have my phone," she confessed. Hunter sighed and walked towards the grass. She picked up a few pebbles and handed them to her cousin.

"80's style," she explained. Lia bit her lip and then took a deep breath. Her first throw missed impressively but she finally connected with his window.

After two hits, the curtain opened and she saw not Ayden's face, but a strange boy. He disappeared and then two more faces appeared, including Ayden's. Hunter giggled and Lia chuckled nervously. The window opened and Ayden poked his head out.

"Lia? What are you doing here?"

She had no idea. She looked at Hunter for help.

"Do we look like Romeos to you?" Hunter called. "Get down here!"

The window closed and there was some jostling around. About a minute later, Ayden emerged from his front door in sweats and, surprisingly, a Hamilton hoodie.

"Nice threads!" Hunter commented.

"Thanks," he said. "Just passing through?"

"I guess you could say that," Lia said, blushing. She realized her shoulders were tight and made herself relax.

"Oh look!" Hunter pointed. "A 24 hour convenience store. I'm getting a Snickers."

She scurried away to give them some privacy. Lia noticed they were being watched from the front window. One of them hooted.

"Don't mind them," he said. "Soccer buddies from the city league."

"Oh," she said, looking down. She wished she hadn't come. "So, ummm...I just came to say...I'm sorry I got mad at you for telling me the truth about my so called friends. You were just trying to help. "

Ayden nodded. "I was an ass too. I should have told you sooner." He said earnestly, "I've seen them pull shit with a lot of people. I didn't want you to be another victim."

"Thanks," she said nervously. "We're not friends anymore."

"I figured," he said. "I saw pictures of your quinceanera. Congratulations."

"Oh thanks," she tucked her hair behind her ear nervously. "It was pretty fun."

There was an awkward silence for a few moments and then they heard more hooting.

"I better get inside," he said. "You wanna hang out tomorrow?"

Lia's face lit up. "I'd love to! Umm...I mean my cousin is visiting so-"

"Next weekend?"

She nodded, smiling. "Sure."

"Great," he said. "I'll text you."

Before going, he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. A sign of friendship. She'd taken the first step and he seemed to be willing to try things again. Lia blushed in embarrassment. As soon as his door closed, she heard a gleeful shriek from down the block. Hunter was jumping in celebration.

Lia laughed and started to jog towards her cousin. "Alright, I still hate you a little, but I also have plans with a boy next weekend."

Hunter put her arm around her as they headed for home. "Glad I could help. Quest complete."