24 Chapter 24: Valentine’s Day

By the time Sammy and I were done with the school day we were exhausted and the cast saw that. Evidently, word got out that we were both up at midnight and didn't go to sleep around one so they let us take a nap before the surprise. I was woken up from this nap by my phone going off once again, after mumbling about waking up every time my phone went off, I grabbed it to see who it was. While doing this I also realized that Sammy wasn't in the room

Renée: Hey, it's time to get up for your surprise, Sammy knows about a part of it but overall, the surprise is from the both of us.

I smiled before I replied

Me: I am glad to have a family who spoils me as much as the parents who gave birth to me.

Renée: It's just to show how much we love and care for you now get down here ASAP

I smiled once more before grabbing the clutch and putting my phone in it, I headed downstairs. I made it to the center of the stage, I could barely see anything because all of the lights were on and focused on the center where I stood.

"Okay, now close your eyes," the voice of Renée said from the audience ordered and I did as she told me. As soon as I closed my eyes, I felt someone pick me up and started carrying me somewhere

"Whoa," I exclaimed when the person picked me up

This one's new, Annabeth said

"Soyez prudent, petit. (Be careful, little one.)" the voice of Daveed said in the distance

"Is that you Daveed," I asked but my answer was the silence of people rushing around the stage. Soon I was back on my feet as the noises continued above me

"You can open your eyes now," Sammy's cheerful voice said and as I did, I noticed her face full of excitement

"Long time no see, Sams," I said with a grin as I noticed she was holding a box. "So, they didn't want us to freeze this time," I asked as she nodded

"That and I wanted to give you a present of my own," she said before she walked up and kissed me. I was stunned for a second before I closed my eyes and kissed her back. I was shocked to find out that she had the same feelings for me as I did for her. A minute passed before we parted, "I have loved you since I met you after that Ham4Ham, but I didn't know how to come out to you after everything you've been through," she said as I smiled

"Well you don't see me denying it," I said, "I have had an ever-developing crush on you since I got out of the hospital after the crash."

Sammy blushed a little, "So that means you'll be my girlfriend," she asked nervously looking down at her feet as I smirked

I approached her and held her by the shoulders, "Of course I will," I said as I pulled her into a hug. "I will love you to the end of time," I added as she hugged me back

"You better not make that any sooner than necessary," she said looking up at me. "That's what happened to my last boyfriend,�� she paused, "he called me Sams just like you do then one day he did something stupid and ended up dead."

I smiled, "Well you won't be hearing anything from me about doing stupid things that would make me die," I said. "I'm intending to keep those promises," I added as she giggled

"Even when I said that you succeeded in the Sams promise," she asked and I looked at her knitting my eyebrows in confusion

"So, you're saying that the time you give you happy memories with that nickname is over with the fact that we're a couple," I asked. "Because from what my birth mother said is that the chance to make memories is never over Sams, so I don't think that promise is over," I explained as she watched me in awe

She blushed once more, "This is one of the reasons that I love you," she said, "you're so smart," she added.

I blushed, "Why you're smart yourself Valdez," I said as she blushed once more. "You're smart, beautiful, and understanding, and after all that I've been through with you by my side you've stayed. I love that about you," I said as she blushed even more

"I'm not beautiful," she muttered, "it's the makeup that makes me beautiful," she said as I smiled

"So are you saying that you wear makeup to bed," I asked as she shook her head and opened her mouth to defend herself. "Because even then I think you're the most beautiful person in the world."

"Well, that sucks," Sammy began as she looked up into my eyes, "because I think you're the most beautiful person in the world."

I smirked, "Well then," I began, "I guess we'll have to call it even then," I said as she chuckled

We stood there, in the silence aside from people stomping all over the stage getting the surprise ready. Then she rose on her tiptoes, and kissed me once more, I kissed her back with a kiss full of passion and love. Her phone went off interrupting our kiss, "Well that's going to get annoying if someone keeps interrupting our kisses," she muttered as she checked her phone. "It's time for us to go upstairs," she said, grabbing a box from the piano bench. "I was told to put these on once I got the text that they were ready, once they're on I'm supposed to text them when we're ready," she explained as she opened the box. "Okay the chocolates are new, Thayne must've snuck them in for us," she said before popping a piece of chocolate into her mouth

"That would be very Thayne of him to do," I said, taking one for myself and eating it before putting on the sunglasses that went with it. "I can't see a thing in these," I commented as Sammy giggled

"That's the point, Jackson," she began, "I sent the text and by the way you sleep like a rock," she finished as she kissed me on the cheek

I shrugged, "Sometimes I do other times I don't but most of the people that I've spent the night with have said that," I said as the door opened and she giggled

The next thing I knew I was picked up once more, "Okay this is weird," I heard Sammy say and I giggled

"You'll get used to it," I said, "They all have different ways of surprising people," I added with a chuckle.

"I wonder where we're going," she said aloud as I chuckled once more

"From my experience with surprises with them it's probably the stage but this would be the first one where I didn't sing anything. Probably because there aren't many Valentine's Day songs," I explained

"Cette fois, ça ne sera pas différent, (This time isn't going to be any different little one)," Daveed began in French so Sammy couldn't understand. "Vous allez chanter une des chansons de Pippa à Sammy pour décrire vos sentiments pour elle. Après tout, tout le casting sait ce que vous pensez d'elle. (You're going to sing one of Pippa's songs to Sammy to describe your feelings for her. After all, the whole cast knows how you feel about her.)"

I felt my cheeks warm up once he finished, "Merci, Daveed, (Thank you, Daveed,)" I said as my feet touched the floor as I remembered a plan of my own that I was talking with Lin and Pippa about because I wasn't ready to talk to Renée about it. As soon as the sunglasses were removed, I tapped my foot, I had learned a code that runs throughout the cast and crew so they know which song is being requested. The way that we tell Lac what song we want is by tapping the tempo of the song with one of our feet. With this one, it's easier because it's the only song that has its own tempo and I figured that Sammy could pick up Lin's part while Renée spoke her lines. As the music sounded Sammy started looking around curiously

"What's going on," she asked, "I can't see anything," she added

I gave her a peck on the lips as happiness bubbled inside my, "Take off the glasses and find out silly," I whispered before I let the excitement take over for Helpless. Sammy looked stunned but then started smiling as she realized what was happening. I wasn't planning on doing this now but considering my surprise from her were along the same lines I saw it fitting. I had already talked to Lin about her taking his lines for this surprise and he agreed to it saying that he may be getting something ready at that point so he wouldn't have been able to join. Renée spoke her lines just as I hoped and so did Sammy as I did the same moves as I would if I were playing Eliza. The ensemble was a part of this as well so it sounded like we were performing the song for her which we were in a way but without the costume. Once the song was over Sammy charged me with a hug, "I told you that I love you," I said as I returned the hug with a chuckle.

"So, the ship has sailed," I heard Groffsauce ask as Lin chuckled right before Sammy gave me a kiss

"Yes, it is," Lin said with happiness in his voice as everyone squealed and laughed

"About time," Jazzy remarked once we parted, "a lot of us have been waiting for you two to get together ever since she first came here."

We blushed as I turned my head to look at Jazzy, "Thanks Jazzy," I said as she flashed me a grin. I then looked to see what was in her hands to see a box of chocolates, I looked all around us as I noticed most of the cast had the same thing. Some of them had gifts while most of them had Valentine's Day candies. I nudged Sammy who was clinging to my side to look and she gasped as she saw the cast surrounding us

"Happy Valentine's Day Hamilkids," Lin said with a smile as I noticed an envelope with two wrapped packages. "The envelope and dark blue wrapped package is for Sammy while the sea green package is for Rose since a friend of hers is late," Lin explained as Annabeth sighed

When isn't he late, she said to which I chuckled before leading Sammy to Lin

"I'm guessing these are to be opened first," I asked as I noticed Leo standing next to him, a similar look of excitement on his face that Sammy had only moments ago. "Mr. Valdez," I said with a nod as he returned a nod

"Rose," he said plainly as it sounded wrong coming off his tongue and he almost looked just as uncomfortable saying it. "I would like to talk to you as well since I am pretty much the only family she has left even if I can't take her in as my own," he added with a wink.

I nodded, "You shall have a word with me after we are finished," I said and he nodded as Lin handed me the package. "I shall open it after Sammy opens her letter," I said as he smiled

"That's a good choice," the voice of Vanessa said from behind Lin. I already knew what the letter contained since he had cleared it with both Leo, Percy and I. We wanted to make sure he was all right with taking in a legacy before he signed the papers with Vanessa's help.

Sammy opened the envelope and gasped as she read the paper that was in it, "You're kidding," she asked as Lin shook his head. "You two are adopting me," she asked as Lin and Vanessa smiled, "but what about Rachel?"

By the time I got back to the theater from school, everyone had found out about Rachel and acted all sympathetic towards me before I went to take a nap. "Since we found her mother, we were going to return Rachel to Rose, Renée and I had already talked about it saying that it was best to have her around children her age along with her mother. You shouldn't have to suffer not being able to be around her because of something you had to do," he explained as my smile grew. "She is your child and you deserve to be around her, if you just gave her away because you didn't want her then that would be another story. You were trying to protect her," he finished as tears started welling

"Where is she," I asked as Vanessa stood next to him just as Sammy attacked him with a hug

"She's right behind me," Vanessa answered as she laughed at my girlfriend's antics. I stood up and followed Vanessa to the edge of the stage where I saw two children playing silently. I had already met Sebastian who was around the same age as Rachel but yet a little older so I heard of the arguments they were in. "Rachel," Vanessa said softly, "I'd like you to meet somebody," she continued softly as I climbed the stairs toward the two children. "Remember how we told you that we'd find your mother and father," she asked as I made it to them and knelt in front of her

She had my blonde hair along with most of the grey from my eyes, she had a small tan from playing outside. "Hey there Rachel," I began as she looked at me, "I'm your mother," I said as tears started rolling down my cheeks. "I'm so sorry that I had to leave you, I was trying to protect you," I began. "I wasn't in a place to take care of you so I had to leave you somewhere where you'd be safe."

"It's okay mommy," a small voice said as I continued to cry, "Lin and Vanessa explained the possibilities to me. They were saying if we didn't find you then I would be raised alongside Seb."

I felt a hand land on my back, "You did what you had to," Sammy said, "I will help you raise her as will this cast and the camp."

"Where's daddy," Rachel asked after I looked up at Sammy with a smile forming on my lips

I raced through my mind to think of what to say when Lin said something, "She knows about it."

I looked up at him, "How," I asked simply

"She asked why someone would leave her and we mentioned rape so we had to explain it to her," he began. "He's just as understanding as you are," he finished scratching the back of his neck

"So, you know about rape," I asked her and she nodded, "I was just as knowledgeable at that age," I said as I ruffled her hair. "Well you were a child of rape and two men happened to rape me the same day I conceived you so we don't know who your father is," I explained as she nodded. "If you want, I can explain why I left you later," I offered

"Okay," she said cheerfully

"How did you get to be so smart," I asked pinching her nose making her giggle

"Lin and Vanessa taught me a lot," she said after the giggles, "who's this?"

Her sight was directed to Sammy who had also knelt, Sammy looked at me and winked. "This is Samantha," I began, "she goes by Sammy or Sams, I'm mostly the one who calls her that, but she's my girlfriend."

Right then her face lit up in excitement, "You two are a couple," she said just as I saw Sammy grin and nod. "You are the first all-girls couple that I've seen," she exclaimed as I grinned

"Hey Rachel," Pippa began at the edge of the stage and smiled as the little girl spun around. "There's another thing in that envelope for Sammy and you," she began before sniffing, "I still don't feel very well and a certain someone is still my backup for Eliza," she trailed off as Sammy looked in the envelope and my face went slack

"I get to have my first Broadway lead performance," I asked as she nodded as I smiled. "That means that this has to finish soon, so let's get to the presents," I said as Lin chuckled

"Many of these presents would be better opened in the privacy in your room," he said with a wink and I nodded then I looked at my weapons which were still in jewelry form.

"I can hold those while you're on," Sammy said as I looked at her and smiled and nodded

"That means I have to talk to Mr. Valdez before I get ready," I said as everyone nodded.

"Go on and talk to him, we'll take your gifts up to your room while Renée and Vanessa show the two women what they'll be wearing for the show," Lin said as I picked up Rachel and put her on the stage

"Thank you," I said as I took everything off and handed it to Sammy, "you do know how to use them in case things go south?"

I asked this after everyone was out of earshot even then I whispered it, "Yeah," she began, "Mom will help me with it too," she said as I nodded once more. "Break a leg," she said before giving me a deep kiss on my lips which I savored, "be the best Eliza you can be without trumping Pippa," she added before leaving as I heard a chuckle before a cough

I noticed Pippa was still there, "Go home you're sick," I ordered which made her chuckle once more as she approached me with a notepad. She knelt and gave it to me

I'm staying to see your performance, I'm not able to sing because my throat is raw, I was only able to talk to Rachel because I just drank some tea a little bit ago and it was just wearing off. Don't argue with it, I'd like to see my Eliza trainee take the stage as Eliza for the first time. Also, don't worry I am a demigod so you're fine with what I just heard.

I looked up after reading, "You'll be sitting next to her and Rachel," I asked and she nodded. "Okay just please take care of yourself," I added before the two people left to which Pippa gave me a thumbs-up

At this point, it only left Leo and me in the room, "Do I have to call you Rose still," he asked behind me as I chuckled.

I shrugged, "I don't know who's a demigod here so please do just to be safe," I said as he nodded. "So, what do you want to talk about, you already gave me the threat when I told you that I had a crush on her."

Leo chuckled, "Well there's not much I can do if I threaten you alongside your mother," Leo began. "But I need to tell you that my father wants to see you whenever you get to camp next, I have a feeling it's going to be a bit considering how Pippa's feeling right now."

"I'll see what I can do," I began, "tell him that he can visit me anytime he would like, more preferably after everyone else has left just tell me. I'd rather not have him come in while I'm changing or something," I finished as Leo chuckled

"He'll probably tell you through IM or dream so you can meet him here or on the roof," he said as I smiled. "My only request is to take care of her, Percy, and I will be here to see you perform so there will be no shortage of demigods to help with monsters if they should come."

I smiled, "Thanks Leo," I said, "I'm pretty sure this place has been warded by now," I added as he nodded

"Every theater here is warded because there are usually five or ten demigods in one cast, even more so during the Tony's," Leo explained as I nodded. "Go get ready, I'll make sure Percy doesn't get lost," he said and I looked him up and down. "Yes, I'll get something on more appropriate for the show," he said with a sigh

"Thanks, Valdez," I said with a grin before I ran off to the dressing rooms since all of the sisters got changed in one room, I was able to change in the same room as Renée and Jazzy. They helped me as much as possible with getting the first dress on but I had it figured out before today. I had to touch up with my make-up that the artists did as they commented on how little I already had which they appreciated, "Is it normal to be this nervous," I asked Renée and Jazzy as we headed downstairs for a prayer circle

Renée chuckled, "It is one hundred percent normal to be this nervous for your first Broadway performance," she answered. "I was this nervous for Rent," she added then paused, "this is your debut just as it was Pippa's."

My eyes widened, "This is still counted as a debut even though I'm Pippa's understudy and that I was an ensemble before this?"

"Yes, it does," Jazzy answered with a smile, "if it wasn't then Renée wouldn't have had her debut when she did."

Renée nodded as I looked at her in awe, "That's true and after every understudy first performance as a lead there's a celebration. I think you're the first understudy that we're going to do that for."

"I wonder when that's going to happen," I muttered as Jazzy chuckled

"It's usually when you're done taking the place of the main actor or actress," she said as I nodded

"For me it was when the production ended, we think that you won't need to perform Pippa's part until then," Renée said as I chuckled.

Once I stepped into the circle Lin began to speak, "Okay before we start the prayer circle, I would like to congratulate Rose because this is her Broadway debut," he said as everyone applauded I smiled and curtsied. Some people cheered louder considering I did the smile and curtsy in character and this was the first time they've seen me curtsy in the dress since the shooting. "After this, I would like a monster meeting, there are some things that need to be brought up that has happened the last few days," Lin added as many people nodded. Lin then offered his hand for me to take as I took it Chris began to speak.

"Oh Lord," he began, "let us begin by thanking you for keeping our understudy alive through her hard times. May you guide her through any of the rough spots she may have in her life and please bless today's performance so it may run smoothly, Amen."

After the Amen was repeated everyone cheered as we climbed the steps back to the stage. Soon enough the music began and my cue came on as I carried myself onto the stage and sang. The show went by so quickly that the next thing I knew Sammy was attacking me with a tearful hug.

"That was so good," she said crying into my shoulder, "Rachel didn't fall asleep during it but at the end is when she passed out on Percy's shoulder."

I chuckled as I returned the hug, "Thank you guys," I said, "for being here," I added. "Now I need to get out of this for a monster meeting," I said as Percy came up

"What do you want me to do with this one," he asked as I looked at the sleeping form of Rachel

"I'll take her," Vanessa said, "many of her things are still at our place and usually with these meetings, it takes a while."

Percy nodded handing the child off to Vanessa as I left to get the dress off, "So what do you think the meeting's about Rose," Renée asked as I walked in

I looked at Jazzy and arched an eyebrow, "I'm a demigod," she said then I nodded before answering

"I think it's to talk about the two demigods who disappeared recently and to inform the demigod cast who Sammy and I are," I suggested with a shrug. "I don't know what else it could be, Perce told me who my siblings were and I haven't seen them in about a month. My sisters told me they were going back home for something while my brother was Ric," I explained as they nodded. "Before you ask if it's just demigods in the room then you can call me Zoë, I am comfortable with either-or," I added as I began taking the dress off

"Okay thanks," Jazzy said, "I think it's so you know who's a child of which god or goddess," she suggested as I shrugged once more

"You wouldn't be wrong," I began, "I only know Lin is a son of Athena and Renée is a daughter of Aphrodite. I know you and Pippa are demigods but I don't know your parents," I finished as I hung the dress up.

"Pippa wouldn't mind us telling you that she's a daughter of Hades," Renée began as I started getting my Valentine's Day dress on

"Seriously," I asked and she nodded, "how was she born before the Oath?"

You just beat me to that question, Annabeth muttered in my head

"Lotus Casino,�� Renée began, "her and her mother were put in there like Nico and Bianca but they lived there until modern times."

I nodded in understanding, "What about you Jazzy," I asked, "who's your godly parent?"

"I'm a child of Demeter," she said as I slid the shoes on, "all three of us fought alongside your parents."

"Well then," I began, "I'm glad all of you survived," I said as I looked around the room to see them both dressed. "Are we ready to go," I asked as they all nodded, "Then let's go to a monster meeting."