Epilogue.

Caitlyn was in her normal place off stage, watching enthralled as her best friend in all the world glided about the stage in the final solo of the next to the last act of this, the last performance of Sleeping Beauty. More than once, Caitlyn caught herself mimicking the dance steps or the hand movements and would blushingly look about to see if anyone noticed.

The curtain closed, and Tasha rushed off the stage for her final costume change when disaster struck. She slipped while running at full speed, her right leg going out from under her, but with her left leg pinned under her body.

Everyone clustered around the fallen dancer as she writhed on the floor. Caitlyn rushed up to her friend who saw her. "Madame? Caitlyn must finish the last act. My knee. . "

"Meeee? Screw the dance, Tasha!" Caitlyn yelled, forgetting herself in her concern. "We have to get you to a doctor."

"I will see to Tasha, Caitlyn," Madame Allison said firmly. "She's right. Some of our troupe are only on stage in the last act. If we stop the show, none of them will get to perform for their families and friends. Would you deprive them?"

Her head a whirl, Caitlyn did not know what to do when Tasha's hoarsely whispered, "Please, Cait?" burned through her confusion.

"All right, but you go get that looked at!" Caitlyn ordered as she and the wardrobe mistress ran down the hall to the dressing room. "I just hope I can wear Tasha's outfit."

Moments later, Caitlyn was center stage in position one as the curtain rose.

Later, Caitlyn would not be able to remember much between that first ringing note and the wildly joyous crescendo of the finale. Her first clear memory was of Donald grinning down at her as she held her final position before rising to take her bows.

Three curtain calls later, Caitlyn rushed off stage looking for Tasha. "Better be careful, girlfriend," a very familiar, laugh-filled voice said. "That floor seems to be really slippery."

Caitlyn spun to see a very unhurt Tasha grinning at her. "You were great!" she said as she launched herself into Caitlyn's suddenly very unsteady arms.

"You're all right," Caitlyn said stunned. "You aren't hurt."

"Nope. We all decided that you deserved to dance. So, all of us, including Madame Allison and the wardrobe mistress hatched this little plan. You dance as hard as I do when you watch from backstage anyway, so we knew you'd be all warmed up."

"No wonder your costume fit me so perfectly," Caitlyn mused. "It had been altered to fit me."

"Actually, dear," another voice entered the conversation. "I purchased a new one just for you so that, in the event that you couldn't go on, Tasha would still have her own to wear."

"Aunt Jane?" Caitlyn spun toward the voice only to see Jane was not alone. Jane was flanked by a petite woman and a tall, well built man. "Mom?? and DAAADD???"

"Hi, Caitlyn," her father said, a shy, uncertain smile on his face. "You did great. I am sorry I didn't know that you could dance like that, but I am very proud of you."

Suddenly, Caitlyn was in her father's and Mother's arms. Tears flowed freely from everyone's eyes, bringing glitter to the sunny smiles worn on every face.

"Still the manipulator, eh, Jane Thompson?" Diana whispered into her betrothed's ear.

"Well, once I spoke with her father, it was a relatively simple matter to put just a bit of a bug in Tasha's ear," Jane answered, well pleased with her little machination. If she hadn't gone for it, I would never have pressed the matter. He's a good man, isn't he."

"A worthy match for his wife, I think. I'd say that support we talked about the other night will be there for our Caitlyn in ample supply."

"Well, I guess I know where I am going to get attendants for our wedding, darling. I am sure that Michelle, Kendra, Darla, Beth and Caitlyn will be very happy to stand up for me with Marie as my Maid of Honor. Who are you going to have as best man and ushers?"

"Who says I need 'em in this family, sweetheart? Whoever stands up for me can dress anyway they damn well please. That's not what matters."

"And what does matter then?"

"Love. Commitment. Sharing. Nothing that you don't have in full measure, Ms. Jane Thompson. And getting *my* ring on that still sadly nude left ring finger of yours. Come on, let's go to the cast party. I know one of the stars and she'll get us in."

"Odd, but it happens I know one or two of them myself, darling. I am just a little sad you are here as Diana and not as Art. Suppose there is dancing?"

Diana gave her love a very lascivious wink, making Jane blush.

Jane felt her face begin to burn "Well, I guess we'll dance, then, won't we?" she whispered around a sudden lump in her throat.

"No doubt about it, Jane my love, none at all."

A New Beginning