"I want to try something," Wade said as he walked around the studio with his hands on his hips.

"Okay," I said leaning over, my hands on my knees. I had just finished another run-through of the routine.

"Just as you go into that last spin…don't do the spin and instead put your arms out like this," he demonstrated, "and move your head like this."

I watched him closely and then smiled.

"Just like mama does in the video."

"Exactly. I'm trying to fit in as much of her original choreography as I can and for some reason it just occurred to me that that move will work right there."

He found the spot in the song where we just changed the choreography and let it play. I watched myself in the mirror as I did the end of the routine with the new moves.

"Yeah…that looks great," I said. "You're right it does work right there."

He smiled and clapped his hands. Then we both looked at the doorway when we heard more clapping.

"Daddy, how long have you been standing there?" I ask with a big smile.

"Not long. Just long enough to see the new ending," he winked at me. "It looks great…I can't wait to see the whole thing."

"We can run through it if you want," I said eagerly.

He looked at his watch. "It's after five now. Maybe I'll catch it tomorrow. Hi Wade."

"Hi Justin. It's good to see you again," he said walking over to daddy with an outstretched hand.

I walked over to the area where my stuff is at and picked up a towel and started to wipe my face off. I kept an eye on the two of them from the reflection in the mirror.

Daddy shook Wade's hand and they started talking. I gathered my stuff, threw the bag over my shoulder and walked over to them.

"That's good," daddy said.

"What's good?" I ask, standing next to him. He puts his arms around me.

"I was asking how you were doing."

"It's going to be great. I think mama's going to like it a lot."

"I'm sure she'll love it. Everyone will."

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow at the same time," Wade said.

I nod. "Yeah, I'll be here."

We started to walk toward the door and daddy stopped and turned around.

"Wade…there will be a bunch of us at the concert Thursday night. There's plenty of room in the VIP section if you'd like to join us."

I gave Wade a hopeful look.

"I'll look at my schedule. If it's clear I'd love to see your show," he says smiling at me. "Thanks for asking."

Daddy nods at him and I wave before we walk to his car.

"I don't know how you do it."

I turn and look at Brad. "Do what?"

"Well, you've been rehearsing for Icon for the last three days plus you did the show last night and now one tonight. Aren't you exhausted?"

I shake my head. "A little. I'm pumped tonight because everyone's going to be here."

"Oh that's right. Do they have access to the backstage area too?" he asks with a laugh.

"God I hope not," I roll my eyes.

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

I turn my head to see who Marcus is talking to.

"Well, I've heard I'm in for a treat…so says my niece."

"Excuse me," I say to Brad as I walk over to Marcus and Uncle JC.

"I didn't think they were going to let you all back here," I kid Uncle JC as he pulls me into a hug.

"I wormed my way back. It's been awhile since I've been backstage…humor the old man, would ya?"

"You're welcome backstage on my tour anytime," Marcus tells him.

"Oh God, don't do that Marcus, it will go to his head."

We all laugh.

"So, who's all here?"

"You'll see after the show. I can't even name them all."

"How do you all fit in that little VIP area?" Marcus asks, shaking his head.

"Trust me, they'll find a way to fit," I tell him.

"I'll let you two visit. It was nice to meet you," Marcus says, shaking Uncle JC's hand.

"You too. Break a leg tonight."

"Thanks. See ya around," he says to me, lightly pinching my elbow before he walks back to his dressing room.

I watch him until he disappears down the hall.

"He seems very nice," Uncle JC says directing my attention back to him.

"He is," I sigh.

When I look up at him I see the look he's giving me.

"What?" I ask.

"He was flirting with you."

"Who was flirting with my baby? I have a questionnaire for him to fill out," daddy says walking up behind me.

Uncle JC laughs and I turn around and glare at him. When I look back at Uncle JC I say, "The scary thing is is that he's probably not joking."

Daddy leans down and kisses my cheek. "I just want the best for you."

Tony walks up to us.

"Ana it's time for you to get ready."

"Okay."

I lean up and hug Uncle JC again and then daddy. "I'm so glad you're all here."

"So are we. I can't wait to see you up there," Uncle JC says to me. "I'm so proud already."

I blush. "Oh stop."

"I won't wish you luck because I know you don't need it," he winks at me.

"Love you baby," daddy says, hugging me one more time.

"I love you too."

I turn around and walk with Tony to my dressing room.

"J, I can't imagine how you feel, I feel like I'm going to bust with pride…and she's not even my daughter," JC says to Justin as they walk back into the venue.

Justin shakes his head. "I can't even begin to explain it. I was so nervous her first night but she's such a pro. I should have figured she would be fine. As for you being proud, you guys were such a huge part of her life early on…I'm glad you're proud of her."

They reach the VIP area and walk up to the seating area.

JC smiled. "Yeah, that's true. We did see that little girl grow up right in front of our eyes."

"Kind of like this one," Justin says, pulling Brianna into a hug. "How are you sweetie?"

"I'm good, Uncle Justin. How is Adriana doing?"

JC leans down and gives her a hug.

"Adriana is as cool as a cucumber," Justin laughed. "No need to worry about her."

"Thank you," I say after I finish singing "Mind Games" and walk to the middle of the stage where a stool and a hand held mic is waiting for me.

I lower my headset mic and pick up the towel next to the stool, dab my face and then take a gulp of water.

"How are we doing LA?" I ask as I pick up the hand held mic.

The people scream.

"Good," I laugh. I sit on the stool and look out into the crowd. "Ya'll will have to be patient with me for a second. There are some very very special people here tonight who mean a lot to me and I want everyone to say hi to them. Can you bring up the lights a little please?"

After a few seconds the house lights start to flicker on. "Thank you. Now, everyone, I want you to wave to all those people sitting in that booth in the middle of the floor," I laugh. The VIP area is packed, I have no idea how they can even get anyone else on there.

The crowd all turns toward that area and scream and wave when they realize who some of the people are. I wave and blow a kiss at them. Daddy catches it and blows it back to me.

"There's a lot of them, huh?"

The house lights dim again.

"Thanks for doing that for me. I think I embarrassed them enough." I give a wink. "Now, I'm going to slow things down a little bit…catch my breath," I smile. "This song was written by my daddy…and it's called "It's Me." I hope you like it."

As I sing this song, I close my eyes and think about my family and the support they have given me. I think about my mama and the love she will be shown this weekend. We rehearsed our duet today for the first time and there were moments when I didn't think I would be able to continue because of the emotions that were overwhelming me. I think I saw a tear or two in daddy's eyes as well.

"…it's me…" I sing the last note. When I open my eyes I look out into the VIP area and my whole family is on their feet cheering. I see mama leaning into daddy's side as she wipes a tear from her cheek. "Thank you," I say before the lights completely dim.

The band starts the extended intro to "Wanted." I turn around and take the stool and my mic to the area right by the band. I always look up at them at this point and start clapping my hands. Tonight I catch Brad's eye. He's looking at me differently. I almost forget where I'm at for a second before I smile up at him, pull my headset up and turn around to start the choreography.

"That was an awesome set," Tony tells me as we walk back to my dressing room. He puts his arm around me and squeezes it.

"Thanks. It felt different for some reason. Maybe because my family was there."

"That could be. You might have been more aware of your performance."

"Do I get to go sit with them now?" I ask as we walk into the room.

He doesn't say anything so I look over at him. He shakes his head.

"I talked to security and they don't think it would be a good idea. We'll get to see them all at the party after the show," he says when he sees my disappointed face.

"I really wanted to see them now," I mumble.

"I'm sorry," he says, placing his hands on my shoulders.

"Hey."

I turn to look at the person who's voice I just heard.

"Hi Brad."

"Great show," he said.

"Oh thanks. You guys did an excellent job…as always."

"Sorry Brad, we've got to get her to the limo. There's no time to talk right now," Tony says, trying to usher me to the backdoor.

"Come with us. You're going to the party anyway right?"

"I don't want to intrude," he says.

"No, it's just my immediate family. Oh, Grandma and Grandpa Spears might be in there too…but there's room," I say holding out my hand.

He looks down at it before taking it.

"Okay."

"Come on then," Tony says and we follow him to the limo.

"There she is," Grandpa says as I scoot inside the limo.

I try to hug as many people that I can before the limo takes off. I end up sitting in between mama and Grandma.

"I don't think I could be any more proud of you than I am right now," Grandma says.

"Who's this young fella?" Grandpa asks.

"Oh sorry, this is Brad…he's in my band, if you hadn't realized that already. This is Lynne and Jamie Spears," I say.

"Nice to meet you ma'am…sir," he says shaking their hands.

Grandma gives me a look and I stop her before she thinks too much. "He was coming to the party anyway so I told him to ride with us."

"Well, that's nice of you dear," she says patting my knee.

I notice mama trying to hide her smile.

When we arrive at the club where the party is being held, daddy and Cody get out first. Daddy stands at the opening of the door with Cody right in front of him. He's teaching Cody how to be a gentleman, I guess, because he's helping mama out of the car.

"Well, thank you," she says leaning down and kissing his cheek.

"Go on Grandma," I say, helping her get to the door.

By the time everyone's out it's just Brad and me.

"I hope they didn't embarrass you," I tell him.

He shakes his head. "No, I like being around your family."

I chuckle. "Well good…you're brave."

He scoots out next and then stands at the door to help me out.

"Thank you," I say, looking up into his gray eyes.

"You're welcome."

Suddenly I feel chills up and down my arms…chills in a good way.

We all proceed to enter the club and get ushered to the VIP area where the rest of my crazy family is waiting. It takes awhile but I hug all of my Uncles and Aunts.

There's Uncle Bryan and Aunt Lauren.

Uncle Chris and Aunt Dani.

Uncle Joey and Aunt Kelly.

Uncle Lance and Aunt Joy.

Of course, Uncle JC and Aunt Kristen.

Aunt Jamie Lynn and Uncle Sam would be here except she's about eight months pregnant…so I understand why she didn't make the trip.

Then, standing behind Uncle Joey I see someone who I haven't seen in so long.

"Brianna," I say, running over to her with my arms outstretched.

"Hey girlfriend," she says as we embrace.

"I was hoping you'd be here," I say, not letting go.

We pull apart. "I have to leave Saturday night after Icon but I wanted to be here for this too. You are so amazing on stage. I couldn't believe that was really you. I had to have dad pinch me," she laughed.

"I'm sure it didn't take much convincing," I say glancing over at Uncle Joey.

He gives us an innocent smile and shrugs.

After saying hello to everyone else I had been neglecting I sit down next to Brianna over in the corner.

"So, who's the cute guy you walked in with?"

"Walked in with? Oh, that's Brad. He's one of the keyboardists in my band."

"And very very spoon worthy."

I roll my eyes. "You're such a flirt."

"Well he is. Hey if you don't want him, I'll take him."

I try to spit out an answer to that when Marcus walks over.

"Sorry to interrupt, I just wanted to say that I got to see your set tonight. You were superb."

"Awww, thanks Marcus."

Brianna nudges me in the side. "Oh, Marcus this is my cousin, Brianna…Brianna, Marcus Tyler. I think you might have seen him a couple times tonight."

She smiles and turns on the charm. "I think I saw those hips wiggle a few times," she laughs. "You want to sit down and join us?" she asks, sliding away from me so he has room to sit in between us.

He looks over at me for my approval and I smile at him.

"I don't want to intrude," he says.

"You won't be…come on, join us," I say.

"It's the best invitation I've had in a long time," he says sitting down. As he's saying it, I look across the room and see Brad staring our way.

I try to smile at him but he turns his head and gets involved in a conversation with his Uncle and Uncle JC.