As I sit in the MTV studios, I look at another vase of Gerber Daisies that Brad has sent to me. Thinking about him reminds me of that St. Louis show a few nights ago. Seeing his face when he saw that his mom was at the show, was priceless. I think between my talk and George's evil plan to "kidnap" her, she decided that she wanted to see her son perform too badly to stay away. It was worth it because Brad was so happy…and his mom was so proud. She actually liked my performance too.

"Ana," Rick says as he walks into the Green Room, where I'm waiting.

"Hi Rick."

I stand up and he gives me a friendly hug.

"I wanted to tell you…I didn't get a chance go backstage and see you but I saw you when you opened for Marcus here. You did an amazing job, I just wanted to tell you that."

I smile. "Thank you. I know that's usually not your type of music so that means a lot to me."

He winks at me. "I know a hard worker with talent when I see it. I enjoyed it. You ready?"

I nod. "Yep…let's get the show on the road."

I'm actually going to co-host Uncovered Live with him as we premiere my video. That Making of the Video aired last night so the video has been shown, I'm just going to give it a little boost…that's what they tell me.

We take our places in the studio. Rick walks around and talks to a couple of people in the audience and signs autographs, so I do the same until they give us the cue that we're about to begin.

"Hello…welcome to Uncovered Live, I'm Rick and standing next to me is one of the hottest…no wait, I'm just going to say it…THE hottest female act out there and I'm lucky enough to have her as my co-host today…please welcome Ana."

The audience applauds.

"Wow thank you. That's a lot to live up to now," I kid him.

"Welcome to the show."

"Thank you, I love coming here."

"I'm assuming this is your first co-hosting gig?"

I laugh. "Yes. I've got cue cards, though, so I'll be okay."

People laugh.

"You'll be fine. Even though I wish the reason she was here was because she wanted to see me, it's really because we're going to show your new video today, is that right?"

"Yes…my brand new video…hot off the press. It's called "Mind Games"."

"Now, we aired a "Making of the Video" last night, I hope you guys were able to catch it. That looked pretty intense. Did it feel that way when you were shooting it?"

"We did a lot in the couple of days we had. Wade Robson directed it and he had so many different ideas for the different shots so there were a lot of changes going on with the sets and my wardrobes. It was crazy."

"Sounds like it. But I have to say I think your hard work paid off. I love it."

"Thank you. I think it turned out pretty good."

Halfway through the show, they let the audience ask me some questions.

"What's the difference between opening for Marcus and now almost headlining at Summer Jam?"

"Wow…I don't think that I'm almost headlining," I chuckle. "But the crowd is different…for sure. There's just a different vibe with so many different acts at Summer Jam. I'd say it's more relaxed because the intensity isn't there for just one act, it's kind of spread out. With Marcus the crowd was there to see him so they were more intense about it."

"Which vibe do you enjoy more?"

"Actually I enjoy both. Doesn't get boring that way."

"Everyone get along at the Summer Jam backstage?" Rick kids.

I nod and smile. "As far as I can tell. I haven't seen any cat fights," I say holding up my hand like a claw.

"Good…good. Since we're talking about Summer Jam, I heard a rumor that the concert will be aired on the Concert Network. Is that true?"

I nod. "Yeah actually the details are being worked out but I think it's official. I'm not sure of the exact date so keep checking the listings. I believe we'll be in Dallas when it's taped."

"Kind of hard to do a live show that big."

"Yeah, I guess that's what they decided. It's going to air the next day though…I believe," I laugh. "Sorry, I don't have any details, that's why I have Tony."

Another fan gets to ask me a question.

"Do you have time to do normal things like date while you're on these big tours?"

"Sure. That's actually what helps me keep everything into perspective is doing normal things like going out or hanging out with my friends or family. I remember who Adriana is and get rid of Ana for a moment."

At the end of the show my video airs and that's it. I survived an hour of co-hosting.

"Well, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Rick asks. He puts his arm around me as we walk to the backstage area.

"No, it was fun actually. If you ever need a day off…"

We both laugh.

When I reach my dressing room, I stop when I see Tony's face.

"What?" I ask, rushing into the room.

"Sit down."

"No, tell me…something's wrong, I can tell."

He grabs my hand and makes me feel like I'm ten.

"Your dad called…Ashleigh got sick again. This time they took her to the doctor and he said to put her in the hospital right away."

I feel all color drain from my face. "What?" My mouth is suddenly dry.

"From what they can tell so far, it's a virus. They're trying to figure out if there's anything they can give her to help get rid of it or if it will have to work it's way out of her system on it's own."

"I have to go there."

He nods. "I figured you'd say as much. We're booked on the first flight out of here to Orlando."

I slowly nod and then I feel a tear fall down my face. Tony pulls the hand that he's still holding and wraps me in his arms…and let's me cry.

When I pull back, I wipe away the tears. "How are mama and daddy holding up?"

"Your dad sounded fine. I think he's trying to be strong for your mom. He said she's not doing well."

I shake my head. "I didn't think she would be. So what can happen to her with this virus?"

He quickly checks his watch and hands me a towel. "He didn't give me any more details since he didn't know them. I don't think they want to guess right now."

"It could be really bad, can't it?" I start to wipe the make-up off my face.

"I think that would be the worse case scenario…that it would be bad."

Neither of us want to say what we mean by bad…but I think we both know.

When he sees me grab my street clothes he turns around and I quickly change.

"Let's go."

As we leave the MTV studios, my tear-streaked face gathers a few looks along the way.

"Mama?"

"I'm here baby," Britney says, scooting closer to Ashleigh.

"I'm thirsty."

Britney looks over at the water pitcher on the stand and sees that it's empty.

"I'll go fill the pitcher, it's empty."

She takes the pitcher and walks over to the sink. She looks up in the mirror as she's filling it. God, she looks as tired as she feels. When was the last time she slept anyway?

"Here you go," she says walking back to the hospital bed. She pours a glass of water. "You want some ice in it?"

Ashleigh nods. She helps her take a sip out of the straw and then buzzes for the nurse.

Justin walks in the room.

"Justin, can you go get the nurse and tell her we need ice. I buzzed her, I have no idea where she is." She sounded irritated.

"Okay."

He catches the nurse in the hallway.

"You buzzed?" she asked.

"Yes, my wife said that we need more ice. She also made it seem like she was waiting awhile. Do you know what took so long?"

The nurse shrugged. "I responded as soon as I saw the light."

He nodded. "Oh…sorry."

He walked back into the room and sat down on the other side of Ashleigh.

"Hey Daffodil. You need me to get you anything?"

She shakes her head.

Justin looks over at his wife.

"Brit why don't…"

"Don't ask me to leave." Her voice cracks.

He doesn't say another word. Since they've been to the doctor, she's been like this. It's better to let her do what she wants and not argue with her.

Justin hears footsteps enter the room and he smiles when he sees his mom following Cody.

"Here, the orderly was bringing this in," Lynn said.

She handed the bucket of ice to Justin and then gave him a hug.

Cody walks over to where his mom is sitting and puts his hand on her knee.

"Mama."

She turns her head and pulls Cody in a hug.

"I'm so glad you're here," she whispers, kissing the top of his head.

Justin is busy putting ice chips in Ashleigh's cup so Lynn leans over and kisses her granddaughter on the forehead.

"How's my baby feeling?"

"I'm tired Grandma," Ashleigh says softly.

"Why don't you rest those eyes."

She pets back the hair on her head and then turns to Justin.

"Any word from the doctor yet?"

He shakes his head.

Britney's still sitting on the bed, holding Cody in her arms. Lynn nods her head in Britney's direction and Justin motions for them to go outside the room.

"She looks exhausted."

Justin nods. "She is. She won't leave her side."

"I can understand that. Would you like me to try to talk to her?"

He touches his mom's arm. "I don't know if it will work. She's afraid something will happen or that Ashleigh will be scared if Brit's not there. I've tried everything I can think of and we only end up arguing. I don't want to do that in front of Ash."

Lynn nods.

She catches a glimpse of her eldest granddaughter walking down the hall with Tony behind her.

"Daddy."

He turns to me and opens his arms. I run into them and start crying. He holds me like this for a few minutes until my crying slows down. 

"How is she?"

"We haven't found anything out yet. The doctor is supposed to stop by this afternoon and let us know what he's found out."

"How can this happen?" I pull away just enough to look up into his eyes.

He shakes his head. "There's really no way of preventing it. It's just something she caught."

"Can I see her?"

"Of course…come on."

"Hi Grandma," I say hugging her.

"Hey sweetie."

"Tony, thanks for bringing her so fast," I hear daddy tell Tony.

"Of course. Actually, I'm going to let you guys have your family time. I'll be at home if you would keep me up to date."

Daddy nods.

"Thanks Tony," I sniffle.

He smiles. "You're welcome. I'll say a prayer."

I nod and take daddy's hand. We walk into the room and I almost start crying the moment I see my little sister lying there helpless in the hospital bed. She's got an IV stuck in her arm and she looks pale and fragile.

"She looks so small," I whisper.

I feel Grandma's hands on my shoulders from behind me. I see mama sitting on the bed, with her back to us, holding Cody, who's got his arms wrapped around her. Daddy walks over on mama's side of the bed as I walk over to Ashleigh on the open side of the bed.

Her eyes flutter open when she feels my presence.

"Hey squirt."

She smiles. "Hey sissy. Why aren't you singing?"

I laugh softly. "I didn't have to sing today. I was on MTV, though."

"Really?"

I nod. I sit down and take her hand. "Yep, I was a host with Rick. I had a lot of fun."

"Ohh, I want to see it."

"I'll bring you the tape sometime."

I sit there and talk about my day with Ashleigh…it seems to lift her spirits a little.

She turns her head over mama's way and sees Cody.

"Cody." She almost sounds like she's got more energy.

"Hey brat. I'm mad at you."

"Why?" she pouts.

"We were supposed to play "War Lords" today. Remember, I was supposed to beat you."

She giggles. "No, I was going to beat you."

I look over at mama. She's staring at Ash and daddy's standing right behind her. He wraps his arms around her from behind and she closes her eyes and wraps her arms around his. I realize that I haven't even said hi to her yet so while Cody's distracting Ash, I stand up and walk over to her.

"Hi mama."

She lets go of daddy's arms and stands up so she can give me a hug.

"I'm sorry you had to fly all the way here," she says against my hair.

"You know I'll always be here for you guys. I don't care where I'm at."

She nods, pulls back and plays with the hair that's lying on my shoulders.

"You're good for her. She hasn't smiled in awhile until you started talking to her."

"She just needed to see her big sissy."

Mama nods.

"Doctor…" daddy says.