A few days later, Kasey and Jace returned back to their apartment in New York City. The break had been relaxing, although it had been a little overwhelming for Kasey to try and get to know Moira and Andrew in such a short amount of time.

Hanging out with Carleigh was exactly what she needed before heading back to the show that night.

Kasey stepped into the cafe, scanning the tables for her best friend. She was just about to give up when someone tapped her on the shoulder.

"Guess who?"

She turned around, throwing her arms around Carleigh. "I've missed you."

"Me, too. Let's get a table. I'm ready for this wedding discussion," Carleigh laughed. 

They slid into a corner booth. Kasey had her usual hot chocolate, while Carleigh elected for a cup of coffee. 

"First of all, let's talk about bridesmaids," Kasey began, clearing her throat. "Jace has veto power, obviously, and the power to put someone in that he wants. He and I have both agreed on Jess, which shouldn't be a surprise."

Carleigh nodded. 

"And I was thinking at least one, if not two of the Schuyler Sisters."

Carleigh just nodded again.

"I'm not sure who else is going to be in the party. It's going to end up around four or five, depending on who we choose for groomsmen."

"I don't know how to help, I don't really know who you both know," Carleigh said. 

"Why are you so quiet?" Kasey asked, frowning concernedly.

"I'm just confused as to why you're asking me, when I'm not in your wedding party," Carleigh explained. "You should ask one of your bridesmaids."

Kasey blinked. "I'm asking you, silly. You're my maid of honor. Didn't you know? I thought it would be obvious."

Carleigh inhaled, but she looked relieved. "I wasn't sure, and I didn't want to assume. You never approached me, so I assumed I would just be a guest..."

"You're so ridiculous. You're my best friend, of course you'd be my maid of honor. There's no one else I'd want more," Kasey said instantly. "Never doubt that, alright?"

"Okay," Carleigh said, laughing, but her eyes were watery. "I'm so proud of you, you know that, right?"

Kasey blushed. "You flatter me way too much."

"No, but really. I'm glad you found someone like Jace. It's what you deserve," Carleigh continued. "Anyway, enough with the sap. I think what you have is great, if you want four, then you'd be good."

"I think we're keeping it as small as possible. But we all know that Jace and I care about a lot of people, with all the casts we've been in."

"For real, though. That's what makes Broadway weddings crazy- the sheer amount of people that you realize you know."

"You're absolutely right. If I could have everyone in the wedding party, I would," Kasey agreed. "I think the girls are harder for me than the guys. For Jace it's probably the other way around."

"Who are the guys that will be groomsmen?"

"Jace's brother, for one. And then I think I'm asking Sebastian, maybe Oak, too. But probably not, just to keep the numbers lower."

"Who are Jace's other choices?"

"He's considering Ethan Slater, and his Flynn Rider understudy. I'm not sure who he's going with."

"Have you decided on the other roles? Like ring bearer, flower girl?"

"Ring bearer will be Jace's brother. I think our flower girl might be Alayna and there's you, obviously. I don't know who I'm going to have walk me down the aisle," Kasey admitted, turning more serious. 

Carleigh was quiet for a moment. "Who is the most important father figure in your life? I think whoever that is would be happy to fill your father's shoes. He wouldn't make up for that part of your life, but it would mean something different. And that's not a bad thing at all."

"I just feel like my family should be here. Derrick should have been able to be part of the wedding party, and my dad should be the one to walk me down the aisle," Kasey said, rubbing her face with her hands, feeling the beginnings of tears form in her eyes.

"Yeah, they should be here," Carleigh agreed. "But you just have do what you gotta do with the people that are still here. I know that doesn't make it any better."

"No, it's okay," Kasey answered. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kasey was surprised at how easy it was to step back into the show. She'd missed it- she never realized how much she loved Broadway until she was on vacation. 

The next day, Kasey headed toward the theatre early, to give herself a chance to talk to someone beforehand. 

She knocked twice on the door.

"Kasey!" Lin exclaimed. "What's up? How's it going?"

"Everything's great," Kasey answered, smiling. "Do you have time to talk really quickly? I only need a few minutes of your time."

"Sure, but Alayna's not here, she's at school," Lin told her, opening the door wider and ushering Kasey in the apartment. "What do you need to talk to me about?"

Kasey sat down on the couch, Lin on the opposite chair. 

"Lin, ever since you cast me in Hamilton, I've been in debt toward you. I cannot tell you enough how much that changed my life," Kasey began, her heart pounding. "Nothing I do could ever repay you for everything you've done for me and Alayna."

"You don't need to thank me. I do everything because I believe it's right. Casting you, and taking Alayna in, have been two of the greatest decisions that I've made."

"I know," Kasey said softly. "But... I have some choices I need to make, too. As you know, my parents died when I was a little girl, and my foster parents died during my time in Hamilton. And I still need someone to walk me down the aisle."

Lin's eyes widened. 

"If you'll accept, I'm asking you. There's no one else I'd want more than for you to stand in for my father and Paul," Kasey continued. "If not-"

"Kasey, of course I'll walk you down the aisle. I'm honored that you even thought of me," Lin interrupted.

"Thank you so much for agreeing to this. It's hard, right now, knowing that there will be chairs not filled and people that won't be there. But I was being honest when I said that you are the only person I would ever ask to stand in for my father."