CHAPTER 171: CELEBRATION OF LILY

The program wrapped up not long after Lily’s performance, but to Gray, the rest of the show passed by a golden blur. In his mind, it was everything that mattered.

He applauded with everyone else, and smiled at the final acts, but in his mind, he was just thinking of Lily. He was really so proud of her.

He knew that by now, Lily must be so excited and proud of herself.

The moment the principal closed with her thanks and the audience began to leave the gymnasium. Gray stood up immediately and so did Selina.

"She was incredible," Selina said, beaming widely. She chuckled softly, feeling like a proud sister.

Lily might not be her own sister, but in her mind, she was. They might have spent a little time together, but for her, it was already a long time.

"Yup. She really was."

They made their way through the crowd, going past the other parents and students, who were still excited and happy from the night. Some kids were clinging to bouquets almost as big as their torsos.

Others chased each other through the hallways in their costumes as if they were playing. A few teachers stood near the doors, handing out small thank-you favors and smiling as they received compliments.

It took a few minutes of finding, but they finally spotted Lily just outside the gym. She was still surrounded by classmates and a couple of teachers.

She was in the middle of excited conversation, her face brighter than Gray had seen in weeks. Her ribbon had loosened a bit from all the moving around, and her skirt was slightly wrinkled at the hem, but none of it mattered, because her eyes were sparkling.

And the moment she saw them...

"BROTHER GRAY!! SISTER SELINA!!"

She broke away from the group and practically launched herself at them.

Gray caught her easily, stumbling back just half a step from the force of her hug. She threw her arms around his waist, clinging to him like she hadn’t seen him in a month.

"You saw it, right? You saw it?! I didn’t mess up, right?"

Gray ruffled her hair with both hands, pulling her in tighter.

"We saw everything. You were amazing."

"I remembered all the lyrics," Lily said breathlessly, turning quickly toward Selina. "And I didn’t even forget the last verse! Did you hear it? I sang the high part!"

Selina grinned and crouched down a little to Lily’s level.

"You hit it so well, Lily. Honestly, I got chills."

Lily giggled out loud.

"Really?! I was so scared at the start, though. My hands were sweaty, and I kept thinking, what if my voice cracks or I trip or—"

"That didn’t happen," Gray cut in, smiling. "You stood tall, sang your heart out, and made the whole room quiet. That’s not easy, Lily."

Lily’s cheeks were glowing pink now, but not from embarrassment. It was from pride.

She looked up at both of them, almost overwhelmed, her voice smaller now.

"I’m really glad you guys came..."

Gray’s heart softened instantly.

"Of course we did," he said. "Nothing could’ve kept us away."

Selina gently brushed a stray strand of hair from Lily’s face. "You’re the star tonight. And stars need their audience."

Lily giggled again, then suddenly gasped.

"Wait, wait. I wanna show you what they gave us!" She quickly dug into her small bag and pulled out a rolled-up certificate tied with a ribbon.

"They gave us these! It says Featured Solo Performance!"

Gray leaned down to look at it, whistling softly.

"Wow. This looks of fancy."

"And I get a free dessert coupon for the cafeteria! And this sparkly sticker, see?" She held up a holographic star-shaped sticker, proudly sticking it onto the back of her hand.

Gray reached into his jacket.

"Well, I’ve got something, too."

He pulled out a small bouquet of sunflowers and daisies. They were bright and cheerful blooms wrapped in a soft yellow ribbon.

Lily gasped. "You brought me flowers?!"

"They’re tradition for awesome performers, aren’t they?" he said, offering them to her.

She took them like they were made of gold, holding them gently with both hands.

"They’re so pretty..."

"They’re for the girl who lit up the whole gym tonight," Selina added.

Lily’s grin widened until it felt like her whole face was shining.

Just then, one of her classmates called her name from across the path.

Lily turned.

"Oh! That’s Mia. We’re gonna take a group picture!"

She looked back at them, bouncing a little on her toes. "Can I go? Just real quick?"

"Go ahead. We’ll wait here." Gray smiled and nodded.

"Okay! Don’t leave, promise!"

"We promise."

Lily ran off, her bouquet swaying in her arms, her voice mixing with laughter and chatter as she rejoined her friends.

Gray watched her for a moment, arms folded. His chest still carried that same tight warmth.

"She’s... really okay now, huh?" he said quietly.

Selina nodded beside him. "Better than okay. She’s starting to shine."

Gray’s smile was slow but certain.

"Yeah," he said. "She is."

The group photo took a while, but neither Gray nor Selina minded waiting.

They stayed just near the bench outside the gym, watching as Lily laughed with her classmates, teachers, and a few parents who were still taking pictures. The night air had turned a little cooler, but it was the pleasant kind—soft on the skin.

It was refreshing after a long and exciting evening.

When Lily finally ran back toward them, her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her bouquet was now decorated with a new ribbon one of her friends must’ve tied onto it.

She was still smiling.

"I’m hungry," she announced to them without hesitation, as if the thought had just occurred to her.

Selina gave a short laugh. "I thought you’d never say it."

Gray ruffled Lily’s hair again, then glanced at his watch.

"It’s getting late. You still up for dinner?"

Lily nodded fast.

"Yes! Can we go somewhere nice?"

"Somewhere celebratory," Selina added with a grin.

They didn’t go far.

A little family diner just a few blocks away from the school became their destination. It wasn’t fancy, but it had warm lighting, cozy booths, and the kind of handwritten dessert menu on the wall that made everything feel just right.

They were seated at a corner booth, the kind with red cushions and a window view of the quiet road outside. A small table lamp cast a soft glow over their menus.

Lily sat between the two of them, still hugging her bouquet. She looked down at the menu with wide eyes.

"Can I get pancakes?" she asked, even though it wasn’t breakfast anymore.

"Of course," Gray said.

"And a milkshake?"

"Definitely."

Lily turned to Selina next, hopeful. "They have strawberry swirl."

Selina raised a playful eyebrow. "Well, how could we say no to the star performer?"

Lily chuckled out loud and clapped her hands.

They placed their orders, and while waiting, Lily talked nonstop. S

She talked about the performance, about the girl who tripped on her shoelaces during the skit but laughed it off, about how the piano accompaniment almost missed a cue but got back on beat, and about how her teacher told her afterward that she sang like she meant it.

"I really like singing!" she added after taking a sip from her water. "I sang like I meant it."

Gray smiled across the table at her.

"Yes. I could tell."

The food came in generous portions. Lily’s pancakes was stacked high with whipped cream and berries, Selina’s pasta with grilled vegetables, and Gray’s classic burger and fries. They shared everything like a small celebration feast.

Lily ate a lot, humming between bites.

"You know," she said at one point, chewing slowly, "I think I wanna do more singing."

Selina leaned her chin on her hand. "Yeah?"

Lily nodded. "Not just at school. Maybe... maybe someday on a real stage. Like a real theater."

Gray’s eyes softened. "I think you could."

"I wanna write songs too," she went on. "Happy ones. Ones people can listen to when they feel like they’re in the dark."

Selina looked at her for a second before smiling. "I’d listen to all of them."

Lily smiled back, shy but glowing.

After dessert, she finished the entire strawberry swirl milkshake. Lily eventually leaned against Gray’s side, clearly starting to wind down.

Her eyes blinked slower now, her excitement giving way to sleepiness. Her arms were still wrapped around the bouquet, though her grip had loosened.

"I had the best night," she mumbled quietly.

Gray looked down at her. "Me too."

Selina leaned over the table slightly, her voice softening with affection. "You made it the best night, Lily."

Lily didn’t answer this time. She just smiled a little and closed her eyes, cheek resting against Gray’s arm.

They let her rest.

The noise of the diner faded into the background. Outside, the night stretched calm and starry.

Their dinner wasn’t grand. It also wasn’t extravagant.

But it was theirs and they were happy at it.

And in Gray’s heart, that was more than enough.