EPILOGUE.
THE END IS JUST THE BEGINNING

    Frozen. It was all Kit Lainey could be. Her brain, her body, everything. The words "Bluebird Cafe." were ringing through her mind and they wouldn't leave. She felt like throwing up.

    Connor's face flashed in her head. Memories of him excitedly showing her his hotel that was only miles away from the cafe so he could watch her perform. Memories of her old team throwing her a party to celebrate what would be her big break. Remembering it all now made her sick, so when Tyler pulled over at a gas station, Kit was up and out of the truck immediately.

    She didn't look at anyone, she just walked right into the gas station and shut herself in the bathroom. Normally she would've been focused on how gross public bathrooms were. Right now, she could hardly see so that wasn't a priority.

    Her vision blurred as she gripped the sink in front of her. She was shaky and her breath was shallow and rapid. She didn't know why this was hitting her so hard. When she had performed at the rodeo it was nothing like this. But now, the memory of what was supposed to be the start of her career, made her feel like she was drowning and unable to breathe.

    A knock at the door came. Kit swallowed harshly but didn't say anything. Then another knock.

    "Kit? Are you okay?" She was expecting it to be Kate's voice, but instead, it was Lily's.

    "Yeah, can we come in?" This time it was Dani.
Kit felt her stomach turn. She didn't want to open the door. She didn't want to talk to anyone. All she wanted to do was curl up into a ball. Unfortunately, she was in a gas station bathroom and that wasn't really a possibility.

    She stayed silent for another minute. She hoped that maybe her friends would just take a hint and go away. Truthfully, Kit knew they wouldn't. The Wranglers were stubborn and they weren't going to leave her alone when she was on a clear spiral.

    Eventually, she moved to the door and slowly unlocked it. Her breath was still shaky and her eyes were red from the tears she was trying to hold back. She hoped it wasn't too noticeable.

    The door opened slowly and while she was expecting Dani and Lily to be there, she was met with both Boone and Dexter next to them. She could see Tyler and Kate standing outside the building through the window. Kate kept glancing towards the bathroom but Tyler was trying to keep her focused. Kit figured he was trying to convince her to let the others talk to her first.

   "Kit," Boone stepped forward. The woman wrapped her arms around herself but tried to swallow the lump in her throat; she still felt like crying. When Boone tried to touch her shoulder, she stepped back and shook her head.

    "I don't want to talk about it," Kit was blunt while she spoke. She knew they'd want her too, but she just didn't think she could.

   Her friends all shared a look. She didn't know why but she didn't like it. Then suddenly Lily spoke up, mumbling something to Dani.

    "I told you this would happen," Kit's eyes narrowed. What was she talking about? Both Dani and Boone shushed her and Dexter glared while Kit stood up a little straighter.

    "What the hell are you talking about?" Lily looked like a deer caught in headlights and she tried to brush it off.

    "It's nothing-"

    "No," Kit said. "What the hell are you talking about? What did you know would happen?" She demanded. No one said anything. Kit turned to Boone. "Boone? What is going on?"

    It was clear that he was trying to keep it in. He was avoiding her eyes and both Dani and Lily were looking at him, begging him not to crack. When Kit narrowed her eyes even more, however, the truth came out.

    "We all know you miss performing so when we talked to Kate, she told us 'bout how you were first supposed to sing at the Bluebird but you never got the chance. We thought if we took you that maybe it would get ya to perform again." Boone looked nervous and hesitant while he spoke. Kit felt her stomach drop.

    She didn't know what to say. Kit just felt shocked and upset. She didn't even know if she wanted to perform anymore. Yeah, she'd been thinking about how she missed it, but she wasn't 100% sure. Apparently, her friends were, and they had been trying to set it up. Clearly, none of them had thought about the fact that Bluebird Cafe was where she was supposed to sing and the reason she didn't was because her boyfriend died.

    Suddenly she thought over what Boone had just said. Kate had told them about the Bluebird Cafe. She had told them, which meant that she was also in on this plan to get her to perform again. Kit didn't know how to feel. She wanted to be angry but she just couldn't be. She just felt kind of numb.

    "I need some air." It was the first thing she could think of saying. Her friends all tried to speak but she didn't listen. Instead, she once again walked away. This time she walked out of the building and towards a small open field nearby. She sat on the ground once she stopped. She just needed to think. That was it.

....

    Even if she hated it, Kit understood why Kate had told the Wranglers about the Bluebird. She had gotten back into storm-chasing despite her feelings and trauma, maybe Kit should get back into performing. Even if she didn't, the Wranglers probably deserved to know how close to making it she actually had gotten. They knew vague details but it was still something Kit didn't like to talk about.

    Performing again, it seemed like a simple thought but it wasn't. She couldn't let herself be successful in what she considered to be her dreams when the person who was meant to see her make it, didn't get to follow his.

    It wasn't exactly guilt. That was something she had realized. Sure, she felt guilty for his death, she'd talked about that. Both she and Kate had had many conversations about it. This wasn't guilt. This was sadness. Connor had died without ever getting to follow his dreams and Kit was still alive. Why should she get to follow her dreams if he didn't?

    She could hear footsteps coming from behind her and she didn't look up to see who it was. Her eyes were closed and she was trying to keep her breathing steady. She still didn't want to talk to anyone, but she knew that it was going to happen despite this.

    "Kassidy," this time it wasn't Dani or Lily or Boone or Dexter. This time it was Kate. Kit didn't respond.

    Kate sat in front of her and Kit slowly opened her eyes. She could see Kate's worry and she looked down at her feet.

    "Kassidy, what's going on?" She asked gently. She moved to grab Kit's hand. Kit almost pulled away but didn't. She wasn't going to be mad at Kate for this, it wasn't her fault. Kate moved to try to look in Kit's eyes and Kit shook her head.

    "Kate.." she sighed and shut her eyes tightly for a second. "Why did you tell them about the Bluebird?" She didn't sound angry or hurt. She just sounded tired and sad.

    The other woman seemed to pause in whatever she was doing. She looked at Kit softly but Kit couldn't meet her eyes. If she did, she was sure she would've started crying.

    "I didn't know you wanted it to be a secret," Kate said honestly. Kit nodded. "I'm sorry." she put a hand gently on top of Kit's and the other woman smiled softly.

    "You don't have to apologize. I just- wasn't expecting them to know." Kit ran a hand through her hair. "I'm not upset. I just- I don't think I can go to that cafe." she shook her head. "It's too much."

    Tears slid down Kit's face but she wouldn't meet Kate's eyes. She felt guilty and stupid for being upset, but she couldn't help it. It was dragging her into a dark headspace. One she didn't want.

....

    Kate's eyes filled with guilt when she saw the tears on Kit's face. This wasn't the plan. It was supposed to be an easy night out, that maybe introduced her to the idea of performing again. It wasn't supposed to be something that upset her this much.

    She knew it wasn't intentional, but Kit wouldn't look at her. She paused and bit down on her lip while she tried to figure out what to say.

    "We don't have to go," she said. Kit looked at her. "The team can go and we can stay back at the hotel." Maybe this would help. Maybe Kit wouldn't be so upset.

    Kit seemed to think about it but after a minute, she shook her head.

    "No." Kate's eyes narrowed.

    "No," Kit confirmed. She looked up once more. "I'm not going to ask you to stay back with me for something that is my issue. You can go. I'll stay back. It's not a big deal."

    The other woman wanted to argue and Kit could. Her eyebrows were pinched together and her head was tilted like she wanted to say something. Kit shook her head again.

    "Kate." She said. "I'm serious. Go have fun and I will be fine." she nudged her in order to assure her. Kate sighed in reluctance.

    "Fine."

   Wrapping an arm around her girlfriend, Kit pressed a kiss to Kate's cheek. She just wanted to make sure she knew she'd be fine. It wasn't a big deal.

    "Will you...promise me to think about the idea of coming?" Kit wasn't expecting the question so all she could do was blink in surprise. Her mind began spinning once more.  Kate seemed to notice and she spoke rather quickly. "You don't have to okay? I just want you to think about it."

    Kit didn't respond. She just gave Kate a weak smile and nod.

    She wasn't planning to think about it.

....

    Kit had decided to stay back the next time the team went out. She cited a headache and decided to instead go and sit in a cafe nearby.

    There was something familiar when she walked in. Flowers lined the wall which spoke to the name of the cafe. The Daisy. There was something about the decor and the name, it reminded her of something but she couldn't remember what. She tried to ignore the feeling while she went to sit down.

   The booth was clean and comfortable and Kit felt herself relax. She was seated next to this small walled fireplace and the heat radiated on her face. She rolled her shoulders back and closed her eyes, allowing herself to breathe deeply.

    When she opened them again, her eyes connected to a picture on the wall. The words "In Loving Memory." were painted above. A soft look appeared in Kit's eyes and she looked closer at the picture. Then she paled. Staring back at her were two sets of eyes. The eyes of her dead boyfriend and her dead best friend.

    Nausea filled her stomach and she began to breathe more heavily. It was all coming back to her.

    Connor and Addy's parents ran a Cafe called The Daisy. It wasn't in Sapulpa. When Addy and Connor had died they had taken a break from rubbing it and moved back. Now from the picture on the wall, it seemed like they were running it again.

    Kit's chest tightened. She couldn't be here. She couldn't see them. They had told her a dozen times over that it was not her fault what had happened. They had tried to keep a relationship with her. Kit felt too guilty to allow it. It's one of the reasons that she had left.  

    Grabbing her bag, Kit went to stand up. She moved quickly but wouldn't look at anyone or anything, only the floor. So she didn't see the waitress coming towards her and that's how she ended up bumping into her.

    "Oh my God, I am so sorry," Kit apologized, she didn't look at the woman in front of her. Panic and guilt from what had just happened filled her stomach.

    "Now don't you worry darlin' - where are you going in such a -" The voice sounded familiar and Kit's heart stopped when the woman paused. "Kassidy?"

    The face of Millie Forbes stared softly down at Kit. Her voice was filled with surprise. "What are you doing here?"

    Kit felt her words stuck on her tongue. Slowly she raised her head to meet Millie's eyes. Connor and Addy's Mom. Apparently, the universe hated Kit today.

    "I- uh- Hi, Mrs. Forbes." she held her fists tightly unable to relax. When suddenly a pair of warm arms wrapped around her, she froze. Millie was hugging her? Why was Millie hugging her?

    Slowly she moved to hug the woman back. Her hesitance was clear but she couldn't stop herself. Millie's arms were comforting and they were a reminder of how things used to be.

    Tears slid down Kit's face and she pulled away from Millie to try and wipe them. She didn't want her to see her cry. Unfortunately, Millie saw anyway and she put her hand on Kit's shoulder.

    "Oh hon, come sit down you're shaking." She moved her hand to Kit's back and gently pushed her back toward the booth. Kit almost said no, but she couldn't. If she opened her mouth, she was sure she'd burst into tears.

    Sitting down, Millie sat in front of her. Her eyes roamed over Kit, looking for sites of injuries and anything that might've changed since the last time they'd seen each other. They landed on her wrist, and the brace wrapped around it and somehow her eyes softened even more.

   "Sorry," Kit said managing to compose herself. "I didn't know that this place was well...yours. I should just go." she moved but Millie stopped her.

    "Don't you apologize and don't you move Kassidy Lainey." Millie scolded. "You are clearly having a rough time and I'm not about to let you walk out of here before you calm down."

    Kit let out a light laugh and leaned back in her seat. She wasn't really sure what else to say. Millie did because she kept talking.

    "It's nice to see you hon. You look good," Kit noticed her eyes on her wrist brace and she lowered them to her lap. "You here with your storm-chasing team?" Kit's head snapped up.

   "What?" she blinked. Her skin paled, she wasn't expecting Millie to know about that. What if she was upset?

    "Kassidy, Kit, it's okay." Millie leaned across the table in front of Kit. "Your Momma told me about it when I saw her a few years back, Grant and I follow you. You had us pretty worried after that last EF5."

    Surprise filled Kit's eyes as the color returned to her face. The surprise combined with confusion ji. They watched? Why?

    As if sensing her question Millie chuckled.

    "Now I know we haven't seen each other in a while Kassidy but that don't mean I don't care about you." She gave her a pointed look. "Grant and I will always consider you family."

    "Why?" Kit asked rather bluntly.

    "Why?" Millie raised her eyebrows.

    "Why would you- consider me family? After-" She trailed off, they both knew what she meant. Why would they consider her family when she was the one who helped get her kid killed?

    Millie seemed taken aback. Then she tilted her head. Kit wanted to run, she shouldn't have brought this subject up. She was about to apologize again.

    "Kassidy Lainey," Millie raised her finger pointing it at her. "You are not at fault for the weather that day. Do you hear me?" Kit opened her mouth. "No. I'm not finished." It closed. "Kassidy, Connor loved you. He died saving you."

    Kit felt her throat close. It was blocked by a lump that had formed.

    "Addy..." She started to speak softly.

    "No." Millie was stern. "No. A piece of metal tore her away. You couldn't have stopped it." Millie stood and moved to sit next to Kit while she held her face in her hands. "Kassidy you have got to stop blaming yourself. You did nothing wrong.  Connor and Addy would never blame you because they both loved you."

    The younger woman's tears began to fall faster and she shook her head.

    "Ever since that day. Every time that I try to perform. I just think of him, about how he didn't get to fulfill his dreams. Why should I get to fill mine...if he's not here?" She looked Millie in the eyes, the rims of her own beginning to redden from the tears. "It doesn't feel right."

    Millie pulled her closer, small tears beginning to form in her eyes.

    "Kassidy, he would want you too. Oh, he would want you to sing your heart out and never stop. He was so excited to get to be by your side while you followed your dreams. He told me all the time."

    "He..did?" Millie nodded.

    "He did." She paused a realization on her face, as if she had just remembered something. "Wait here. I have something." She was standing before Kit could say anything else and walking quickly in the direction of the stairs. She came back down moments later and walked toward Kit. "Here." She handed her a box.

    Narrowing her eyes in confusion, Kit slowly took the box. The name K.Lainey was written tiny on the top. Kit slowly opened it. Suddenly she couldn't breathe.

    A ring. The top had the shape of a guitar, that had been encrusted with diamonds.

    "What is-" Kit raised her head to ask. Millie smiled at her again.

    "He was planning to give it to you on your anniversary. Like I said, Kassidy. He loved you." She passed her a small note which Kit opened.

    To my Star,

    One day I want to call you my wife.

   Love, Connor

    Kit swallowed back her tears and shook her head. A small smile made its way on her face.

    "God, he was so cheesy." She laughed a little. Millie did too. "I miss him."

    "I know," Millie ran her hand through Kit's hair. "But don't let that stop you from living." She pulled the younger woman into a hug and Kit hugged her back.

    It was the first time in 5 years that felt at peace with what had happened. The first time in 5 years, other than when she was with Kate, that she felt like maybe things were going to be okay.

    What did she do next?

....

    Kit talked to Millie for the next couple of hours until Kate texted her that they were on their way back.  They said their goodbyes, with Millie making Kit promise to stay in contact and then Kit was off. She went back to the hotel, her mind racing while her eyes remained glued on the ring from Connor. She felt like it was some sort of closure, that she didn't know she needed.

    The vehicles of the team pulled up and Kit could hear the laughing coming from them. She smiled softly. Kate got out first, and she walked towards Kit with a wide grin.

    "Hey! You missed a great storm," she said grabbing Kit's hand and spinning her around a little. Kit laughed.

    "Yeah, I can see that." She looked Kate in the eye and moved to grab a piece of grass that she had stuck in her hair. She showed it to her and Kate leaned forward to kiss her. When she pulled away her eyes landed on the ring and she tilted her head.

    "Where'd you get that?" She held Kit's hand up to show what she was talking about.

    Kit thought about avoiding the topic of conversation but she realized that would do nothing. So she just shrugged.

    "I uh- I got it from Millie." Kate's eyes widened.

    "Millie? As in Addy and Connor's mom?" Kit nodded. Kate looked shocked. "I didn't know you were going to see her?"

    "I wasn't, I accidentally walked into her cafe, and things kind of spiraled from there." She shrugged again.  She didn't know how else to explain the odd situation.  Not in a way that didn't bring her back to tears.

    Kate tried to ask if she was okay but Kit only nodded. She was, she was fine. What happened today was something that she needed. Things could maybe start getting better now.

    A trunk honked from across the parking lot and Tyler yelled across to them. They were headed to the bar, she realized. They'd come by just to see if Kit had changed her mind. Kate looked back at her.

    "You don't have to come, today has been a lot and I don't to push you," she spoke softly. Kit bit her lip. Her mind was racing. Should she? Could she?

    "I'll come," she said the words before they had fully processed in her brain. Kate looked at her, her eyes were wide with happiness and excitement.

    "Really?" Part of Kit wanted to back down, but she didn't. She nodded at her girlfriend and shrugged.

    "Better now than never." With that, Kate grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the truck. Her friends cheered as they watched and Kit smiled. Yeah, this was going to be okay.

....

    Anxiety was swirling all around Kit's stomach when they showed up at The Bluebird. The team excitedly walked in, greeting a few fans who had come to meet them. Kit usually avoided that part.

    The music was loud when she walked in. People dancing, people talking, people eating. Everyone was doing something.

    Kate was next to her, holding her hand tightly, Or maybe it was the other way around. Kit couldn't let go. Kate seemed to understand that.

    Sitting down at a table Kit couldn't help hit look around. If things had been different 5 years ago then this would've become her life. She didn't realize that a part of her still longed for it. But being here was making her realize.

    Sipping her drink, she nodded her head to the music. It was nice being somewhere like this. The team went to a lot of places but not a lot of them were like this.

    "How ya doing Kit?" Tyler placed an arm on her shoulder and the woman rolled her eyes, not even bothering to shove him off. She could tell he was concerned, even if he wasn't going to say it.

    "I'm doing fine," she said. "It's nice." Tyler looked unconvinced. "It is." He raised his hands in surrender and she rolled her eyes again. That's when she heard angry voices behind her.

    She tried to ignore it at first but they got angrier and she couldn't help but listen.

    "What do you mean our main event was canceled." Someone spoke harshly.

    "Their band got stuck in the mud, they won't make it." She heard a loud groan. A wave of sympathy passed through her. She would not want to be them. She pushed the conversation to the back of her mind and began talking to Kate. She didn't even notice when Tyler slipped away to do something.

    Kit laughed at something Kate said and shook her head. She felt- nice. Most of her anxiety had subsided and she was able to just enjoy a fun night out with her girlfriend and friends. Or so, she thought.

    Suddenly a man was storming towards her table and he pointed at her. She blinked in surprise.

    "Are you Kassidy Lainey?" Kit's eyes narrowed.

    "Yes?" She said. "Why?" The man looked down and mumbled something she couldn't hear before looking up.

    "I need you to sing." Kit almost choked on her drink. She stared at him. This had to be a joke right? He looked at her and raised his eyebrows. "Can you do it or not?"

    Kit looked towards Kate who looked just as surprised and then slightly concerned as she glanced at her. Kit didn't know what to say. She didn't understand what was happening right now.

    "Hello?" The man spoke again and Kit blinked herself back into reality.

    "You want me to sing? Why? You have like a million people in this bar who could?" The man sighed again and crossed his arms.

    "Your friend over there heard me talking, told me you could sing, and said we were supposed to have you sing here before. You want to or not?" He looked impatient.

    "I don't- I don't-" Kit stuttered over her words, not really sure what to think or do. She hadn't even wanted to come earlier today and now this guy was asking her to sing? Suddenly she realized he'd mentioned a friend. She looked at him. "What friend?"

   The man pointed at Tyler behind him. Who was looking directly at her with a grin? Part of her wanted to punch him. Why would he throw her into this knowing everything that had happened? The rodeo was one thing, she'd gotten caught up in the moment. This was another. 

   Her heartbeat quickened as the man seemed to grow even more impatient waiting for an answer. Kit looked to Kate, hoping that she had some sort of girlfriend advice that could help. Kate only smiled and squeezed her hand.

   "You can do this." She said reassuringly. Kit looked at her and slowly nodded as she took in a deep breath before turning to the man.

   "I don't have my guitar." She said. Tyler stepped forward, his hand raised a little bit as his grin turned into more of a smug smirk.

    "It's in the truck. I'll grab it." He walked away and the man- who was wearing a name tag that said he was the owner- looked up. He turned around and said something about having 5 minutes and then he walked away.

    Turning back to Kate, Kit looked at her. She didn't have anything else to say but her panic was growing. Could she do this?  Kate squeezed her hand again, repeating her earlier statement and Kit stood.

    She met Tyler on the stage and he handed he, her guitar. He looked ecstatic.

    "I'm killing you later." She said bluntly. He grinned even wider.

    "Or you'll thank me." She gave him a look of disbelief and he moved to put his hands on her shoulders. "You've got this Lainey, I know it."

    Her name was called and she forced herself to slowly walk onto the stage. This was different from the rodeo. Everyone was looking at her. She could see her team at a table and they cheered for her.

     She almost ran. Fear was filling her and she wasn't sure if she could do this. Eventually, she took a long breath before she spoke.

    "How's everyone doing tonight?" The crowd cheered and Kit laughed. "Well that's good, hopefully, I won't ruin it for ya." They all laughed and Kit could feel her fear slowly leave. "Now I don't want to stand here and give y'all a sob story. I'm sure there's enough of that." She smiled. "But I need to say something before I sing."

    She bit down on her lip and breathed in again. She could do this.

    "Now in the past 5 years, I've only performed once. I convinced myself I couldn't, I guess that's what happens when you lose people you love." She could see her friends looking sad. "I'm dedicating this first song to someone who, I wish was here. Someone I loved and lost. Someone I miss. This song is dedicated to Connor Forbes and it's dedicated to my friends Addy, Jeb, and Praveen." Kit could see the tears in Kate's form and she nodded at her a little. The crowd cheered again.

    Slowly Kit began strumming her guitar. She closed her eyes for just a second, just to take it all in. Then she opened her mouth.

    "Said goodbye, turned around
     And you were gone, gone, gone
     Faded into the setting sun
     Slipped away
     But I won't cry, 'cause I know I'll never be
     lonely
     For you are the stars to me
     You are the light I follow,"

    She finished the first verse and took another breath, this one was a little shakier from the emotions she was feeling.

    "I will see you again, oh
     This is not where it ends
     I will carry you with me, oh
    'Til I see you again."

    Her voice cracked a little bit. She kept singing. Her mind flashed to her friends, to Connor. She was carrying them, she wasn't going to ever stop.

    She didn't stop singing, her voice only got stronger as she did so. She reached the second verse, then the third. Then she reached the end.

    "Said goodbye, turned around
     And you were gone, gone, gone,"

    It finished and Kit stopped as the crowd erupted in cheers and claps. She had to cover her mouth to keep herself from crying. Her eyes connected with Kate.

    "I'm so proud of you." She mouthed and Kit smiled at her. Then, she wiped her tears and leaned back towards the mic.

    "This next song," The crowd began to quiet. "Is dedicated to the woman I love. Kate I don't know what else I can to let you know how much you mean to me." Kate laughed even if Kit couldn't hear it. "So let me try and sing it instead."

    She began strumming her guitar again. This time,
a little faster than the previous song.

    "This week was hard, it's getting dark
     The weeds are hot in my front yard
     But it's Friday night and I don't really care."

    She leaned towards the microphone. This time, she felt a whole lot more confident.

    "The moon is out, the crickets loud
     A train went by, but it's gone now
     So up and down the street, I sit and stare,"

    Kit paused the strumming of her guitar while she grabbed the microphone.

    "You could say there's not much here for us,"

    She grinned even wider.

    "Nothing but a pile of dirt and dust,"

She didn't even realize that other people had begun to play music to go with her, but she grinned at it nonetheless.

    "But, baby-"

    She pulled the microphone from the stand and went right into the chorus.

    "We could string the stars over these corn
     stalks
    We could turn your truck into an old jukebox
    Just take my hand and baby, we could fall
    Let's turn this open field into an old dance
    hall."

    Kit danced around for a moment, slowly moving to Kate as the music went. She held the microphone and as she walked towards Kate, she kept singing.

   "No neon signs, no bar on fire,
It's just you and me in these headlights
Two-stepping in rolled-up Levi jeans,"

    Kate looked at her, her eyes soft and happy. They were filled with love.

   "There ain't no band playing "Ramblin' Man"
     No cowboys kicking old beer cans,
     Just a couple of cherry Cokes and a mix CD
     Come on baby, just spin me around.
     When the sun comes out, we'll head back into   
     town,
     But for now,"

    Kate's eyes suddenly widened in realization and Kit had to hold back a giggle. This song was about their first date. It was the one Kit had written that night.

    She sang the chorus again, this time grabbing Kate's hand and spinning her around a little.

    "Hey, baby, what do you say?"

    Kit suddenly pulled Kate closer and brushed some air out of her face as she looked at her intensely.

    "They're playing our song anyway,"

    Kate moved forward and kissed her. Then she pulled away and Kit grinned before she kept singing.

    "We could string the stars over these corn stalks
     We could turn your truck into an old jukebox
     Just take my hand and baby, we could fall
     Let's turn this open field into an old dance
     hall,
     We'll turn this open field into our own dance  
     hall."

    She finished the song and bowed as the crowd cheered. She'd done it. Kit Lainey had performed two songs. Now that she had done that, she felt like she could do anything. This feeling she had, she didn't want it to end.

    Kate Carter had been right when she said that Kassidy Lainey had missed performing. She's been right all along.

    So when the songs were done Kit went back to her table and the next act went on. She moved forward and kissed Kate passionately. Her arms went around her waist and she held her close. Kate's hands cupped her face and she kissed her back. All until someone cleared their throat.

    When they pulled away, they didn't look at who had it. Instead, they looked at each other.

    "I love you," Kit said softly.

    "I love you too," Kate replied. They held each other close and both of them smiled. Someone cleared their throat again.

    The team was there, watching with raised eyebrows and Kit just shrugged in response. Seconds later they'd surrounded her. Cheering and dancing, celebrating the fact that she'd performed. If she was being honest, nothing could bring her down. She held her girlfriend and listened to music. She talked to the owner who said he wanted her to come back. Tomorrow, she would figure out what to do next. What she knew was that she wasn't going to stop performing again. She was going to live. Just like Millie had said.

    Kit didn't know who she was for the last five years. She'd been a shell of her former self. Now she was here. With a girlfriend and friends who were basically her family. Suddenly the things she knew about herself changed.

    One.
    Kassidy Lainey still hated science. She tried her
    best to understand but she still hated it.

   Two.
    Kassidy Lainey was in love with Kate Carter
    and had been for years.

    Now there was a third thing. A thing that Kassidy Lainey had never seen coming.

    Three.
Kassidy Lainey had finally made it to
   Tennessee.

note.
with that, kit and kate's story officially comes to a close.
i love them and i hope you all are satisfied with this happy ending.
i want to thank every one of you for reading. and i want to give a very special thanks to those who commented and voted. i truly do not know if this story would have made it , without that support.
the songs used in this chapter were:
see you again - carrie underwood
dance hall - danielle bradbery
  if anyone is wondering, millie's fc is reba just because why not?
before i go, please remember to vote and comment and let me know what you think.
how did you like the ending?
lastly, thank you for 9k reads. i don't know how to thank any of you enough.

- c.j