"Oh good, I'm glad that you're here too," Tony says to my dad as he enters the hotel suite.

"Is something wrong?" daddy asks him.

He shakes his head. "No, sorry. I have good news, actually." He glances over at me. "The Video Music Awards nominations came out today and you've been nominated in five categories."

"No way," I say. I think I'm in shock.

Mama leans over and kisses my cheek.

"That's wonderful…congratulations," she tells me.

Daddy walks over and pulls me up from the couch. He kisses my cheek and pulls me into a hug. "I'm so proud of you."

I pull back and smile up at him. "Thanks. I don't know what to say. I wasn't expecting this."

"What video is it for?" Grandma asks.

"All but one is for Wanted…including video of the year."

"What's all the fuss about?" Aunt Jamie Lynn asks as she and Uncle Sam come in the room.

We all look over their way.

"Sorry, the door was open," she laughs.

Mama stands up and walks over to her sister and hugs her. She then hugs Sam and kisses the baby's forehead.

"He's gotten even bigger since we saw him."

Aunt Jamie Lynn walks over to daddy who hugs her.

"No one answered my question," she laughs.

"My grandbaby was nominated for a few Video Music Awards, that's all," Grandma says as she stands behind me and places her hands on my shoulders.

"Oh, that's great," Aunt Jamie Lynn says as she kisses my cheek and hugs me.

"What about Viewer's Choice?" daddy asks. He's now standing over by Uncle Sam.

"Yep…for Wanted. The other video is Mind Games…for best choreography," Tony adds.

My cell phone rings as everyone else starts talking. I walk over to the balcony and answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hey Miss VMA," Brad laughs.

"I just heard. Can you believe it?"

"Yeah, I can. MTV loves you so…"

"I'm really excited."

"Sounds like you're already partying."

I laugh. "It's just my family. They happen to be here when Tony told me."

"Oh, cool…I won't keep you then. How early are you going to be at the venue today?"

"I'm not sure. Probably not too early since everyone's here."

"Oh." He sounds disappointed.

"Why?"

"Well, I just thought we could hang out in the dressing room or something. You've got your family there, I understand."

"Yeah…sorry."

Ashleigh slowly walks out of the adjoining bedroom and grabs onto my waist. I start petting her hair as she hangs on.

"Brad, I've got to go, I'm sorry. My sister just woke up."

"Okay, well I will see you tonight. You can't avoid me up on stage," he chuckles.

"And I wouldn't want to. See you tonight."

"Bye."

We hang up the phone and I look down at Ash.

"What's going on?" she asks groggily.

Cody is sitting nearby, playing a video game.

"Adriana got nominated for some awards," he says without looking away from the TV.

"Is that good?" she asks looking up at me.

I laugh. "Yes, it's a very good thing. Come on, you want to see Aunt Jamie Lynn and Uncle Sam?"

She smiles, nods and takes my hand. We walk over to the sitting area where the rest of them are. Mama's now sitting on the couch, holding baby Phillip. Ashleigh crawls up next to her and starts to gently touch Phillip's forehead.

"Is this okay?" she asks.

"Yep, just be gentle," mama says.

"Hey you," Aunt Jamie Lynn says, tugging Ashleigh's pony tail.

Ashleigh stands up on the couch and lets Aunt Jamie Lynn pull her into a hug.

"I was worried about you."

"I'm okay," Ashleigh tells her.

After things settle down a little bit, I'm sitting over to the side with Grandma and Aunt Jamie Lynn. Cody, Ashleigh and Uncle Sam are watching TV and mama and daddy are sitting on the couch holding Phillip.

Aunt Jamie Lynn nudges me. When I look up at her she nods towards mama and daddy. I give her a warning glare not to comment on anything.

"I'll be back," Grandma says before she stands up and walks into one of the bedrooms.

"Would you stop," I say.

"Look at them," Aunt Jamie Lynn sighs.

"Good Lord, you act like they've never had children before. I think we know that they're good with babies," I whisper.

Mama looks over at us, because she can hear us whisper. We both smile at her. She smiles back.

"See, you need to stop," I say quietly as I try not to laugh.

Tony came back into the room.

"Ana, you should get ready, we'll have to leave soon."

I stand up. "Uh oh, when he calls me Ana, it's business time," I kid. "So, who's all coming tonight?" I ask looking around the room.

Mama and daddy look at each other. "Well, we are, aren't we?" daddy asks mama.

She smiles and nods. "Yeah."

Grandma walks back into the room. "I volunteered to watch that little angel over there so that your Aunt and Uncle could see your show."

"Oh good, I was hoping you'd both be there," I say, grabbing Aunt Jamie Lynn's hand.

"We didn't want to miss it. Lynn, thanks again."

"So are Grandpa Jamie and Grandma Lynne going to make it?"

"I think Grandma is driving here to see it. She's still worried about Grandpa," mama says.

Aunt Jamie Lynn squeezes my hand and smiles at me.

"Whew, let me sit down," I say after I finish Mind Games. "Before I start my next song…I have to say, thank you for making my video for Mind Games number one on MTV. That means a lot to me." I love this part of the show. I feel the most intimate with the crowd in between Mind Games and It's Me.

I wait until the cheering has died down again. I take a towel and dab my face with it. "Anyway, it's so good to be here in New Orleans. As most of you know, I have a lot of family ties here." I laugh at some of the screams. "So, I always love coming here. Plus that means I get to have my family here with me," I wave at them in the VIP section.

"I'm going to slow things down a little bit though, so I can catch my breath. The next song I'm going to sing is called It's Me."

I start to sing this song I've sung so many times. For some reason tonight, the words hit me. My life has had so many ups and downs in the last few weeks…but all of it make me who I am right now. The good and the bad. So even though I had to live through the trauma of my Grandpa being sick and then Ashleigh, I got to enjoy the newness of my baby cousin and the thought of my soon-to-be baby brother or sister.

I wipe a tear away as I finish the song. I look out at my family and my daddy has his arm around mama and I can tell she's crying. She must have seen my tear…that usually gets her. She smiles and blows a kiss to me.

When my set is over, Tony and Andre greet me backstage.

"Oh, don't tell me we have to hurry to the bus so we can get to the next city," I moan.

Tony looks at Andre and laughs. "No…you get to stay with your family. The Orlando show isn't for two more days. It's really up to you when we leave. Your Uncle Lance told me not to schedule anything until the day of the concert while you were there."

"He did? I knew he was my favorite Uncle for a reason," I laugh.

I make my way to the bus.

"You going to go out and watch Michael with your family? I think they're going to stay for his set," Tony tells me.

I shake my head. "No, I'll wash up and meet them after the show. I think we decided to go out to dinner or something."

"Okay. I'll go let them know," he says before leaving me on the bus.

Before I even have a chance to go to the back of the bus, there's a knock on the door.

I open the door to Brad's smiling face. "Hey," he says.

"Hey you."

"Um, can I come in?" he asks when I don't open the door.

"Oh, yeah sorry. I was just going to wash up. Have a seat…I'll be back," I say before I walk to the back of my bus.

"Hi Tony," Justin says.

"Hi. I just wanted to let you know Adriana decided to freshen up for dinner. She wants you to enjoy the set though."

Britney nods. "Thank you for telling us."

Jamie Lynn leans over toward her sister. "I'm still in awe of your daughter. She's really the best of both of you. I don't know how to describe it. She's got both of your charm and personality up there. Both of your talent for dancing and singing…it's amazing," she says shaking her head.

"Don't keep gushing, you'll make me cry," Britney says waving a hand in front of her face.

Justin laughs and kisses his wife's temple.

"She's a little emotional lately."

"Oh…why's that?" Jamie Lynn asks.

"That time of the month," Justin mouths to her.

She tries not to choke and nods. "Oh, I see," she winks at him.

Britney rolls her eyes and looks at Justin who just smiles at her. She laughs and shakes her head.

"Anyway, Jamie Lynn, thank you. We're very proud of Adriana and take most of the credit."

They all laugh.

"I thought the Concert Network thing was amazing but seeing her in person is just…wow."

"It really is," Sam agrees.

"We couldn't agree more," Justin says.

His arm is still around Britney and he starts moving his thumb up and down on her shoulder.

"Maybe I should go sit with her," Britney starts.

"No, she's fine. Maybe she needs this time to wind down a little."

Britney nods. "Yeah, you're probably right."

Britney bends down to scratch her leg and then she sits up quickly.

"What?" Jamie Lynn asks her. She looks at Justin, who has his hand on Britney's back and a concerned look on his face.

"Sorry…I had to take a shower. I hate feeling sweaty."

I sit down across from Brad as I towel dry my hair. He turns the TV off and turns to look at me.

"That's okay."

"Nothing good on, huh?" I ask nodding toward the TV.

"I wasn't paying attention."

I stop drying my hair and set the towel down. "Is there something wrong?"

He leans forward on his elbows and shakes his head. "No, not really. This should really be a good thing."

"What?" I ask, not really wanting to know the answer.

"Uncle George came up to me today…"

"And?"

"There's a really good opportunity for me…"

I swallow hard. "Okay…"

"It would be a small band…but the opportunities I'd have…" his voice fades.

"Brad, what are you telling me?"

He looks up at me and when he sees the look on my face, he scoots across and sits next to me, taking my hands.

"I will just say it. There's a band that's looking for a keyboardist. I'd be able to help write the music and sing background…"

I feel my lower lip start to quiver. I try to make it stop.

"Oh. Well. I uh…I guess you would have to take something like that, huh?"

I try to pull away from him, but he won't let me.

"I have to think about it, Adriana. You understand that, don't you?"

I feel the tears start to fall as I look down at my lap and nod. "Of course you do. How could you pass up an opportunity like that?"

He puts his arm around my back and pulls me closer to him. He leans down and kisses the side of my head.

"I haven't given an answer. It's something I have to really think long and hard about. I love being on this tour…being a part of your band."

He lifts my chin so I'm looking into his gorgeous eyes. "I'm proud to say I'm in your band because I'm so proud of you."

That only makes me cry harder.

"But as a musician…a growing musician, I need to get out and explore more too."

I nod, trying to sniff away the tears.

"Oh God, I'm sorry I told you tonight. I should have waited," he says pulling me closer to his side again.

I shake my head. "No…now is as good a time as any."

"But your family is here…you should go out with them and enjoy the night."

I wipe my face. "I will. I'll be okay."

We sit there for a couple of minutes while I compose myself.

"You need to do what's best for you and your future," I finally tell him. "I don't want to see you go," I say looking into his eyes again, "but if it means it's better for you, then I want you to do whatever you need to do."

He wraps both arms around me and kisses my cheek. I rest my chin on his shoulder and wrap my arms around him.

"When do you have to decide by?" I ask.

He pulls back a little so he can look into my eyes.

"Not for a couple of weeks. And I wouldn't be needed until well after the Summer Jam tour is over. I wouldn't leave you high and dry like that."

I nod.

"Tony said I might be asked to perform on the VMA's…I'd like it if you were still in my band then…no matter what."

He smiles and nods. "I wouldn't miss it."