keeperofwords here:

We've come full circle with this last installment. Its' shorter than the rest, but to me just as meaningful. It means so much to be able to share these characters in the Fragile Universe with you. Thank you for reading. Stay tuned for more of " Fragile Journey"

Hayley here: Thank you so much for letting us indulge in our little proposal quartet during this winter break. Check my page for "Fragile Journey" updates! Love to you all, our loyal readers.

The Biggest Award of All

March 2017

"So, Mommy, that's why you say your biggest award you ever got at the Tony's was not a Tony," Rachel exclaimed excitedly, fingering her mother's wedding ring. Rachel looked back over to the display case with both of her mothers' many awards from throughout their careers. They were shiny, kept behind a glass with a light her mothers could turn on and off if they wanted to look at them. Her mother's ring was shiny too, she supposed, but her young mind had never thought about how smaller could be better.

"That's right, Baby Girl, love is the greatest of achievements that anybody can receive," Shelby explained, tucking Rachel's brown hair behind her ears. "Don't get me wrong, I am proud of what I have accomplished and love performing. It's what I always wanted to do, but your Mama and you are more precious than a room full of Tony's"

"Well, Mama is pretty special," Rachel commented, causing Cass to smirk at the two brunettes. "She had to be, if you interrupted her show just to sing to her. I mean the director could have been real mad at you, Mommy."

"And you know how Mama and Mommy get angry when someone interrupts us while we're teaching," Cassie acknowledged. Their daughter was so damn smart. "But this was a special occasion, and Mommy and Mama had to get special permission to do what we did so people weren't frustrated with us." she sat criss cross behind Rachel and started to braid her hair.

"You know," Rachel told both her mothers as Barbra joined the trio, flopping down beside Cass and stretching out with a yawn. "I can't decide which proposal was bestest . . . I like how mommy sang to you but you proposed at the TONYS… the TONYS!"

"It's not a competition, Rachel," Shelby told her daughter, picking up Rachel's hand and lacing their fingers together. "Like I told Mama that night. The night I proposed, I told her that we're now sharing the spotlight, not fighting for it. I told her we would make music together, and we have."

"But it's also like this, Little Star," Cass spoke to Rachel while continuing to braid her hair. "Your mommy is so talented, special and beautiful, and I work very hard each day to do more to be the best wife I can for her."

"And dance partner," Rachel chimed in, looking back at Shelby. Her brown eyes were wide and her expression more serious. "You sang to me the first night you found me, Mommy. It was the best day in my whole long life."

Her mother's laughed lightly, practically in harmony.

"We don't compete with each other, but we make each other the best we can be," Shelby helped Cassie finish what she was trying to say. "Does that make sense?"

Rachel nodded. "Like how when Brandon had a crush on Mama and he wanted to take dance lessons from her?" she asked, understanding in her own special way.

Cassie gave Shelby a knowing look. She was still young, after all. "Yes, something like that," she admitted. "Like how I perform better when Mommy's in the audience. Like how Mommy makes my favorite breakfast on days I feel sad, and how I make her special tea when she's feeling sick. We compliment each other."

"Like harmony!" Rachel understood better now. "You're different notes, but you fit together."

I have never been more proud of her than in this moment, Shelby thought in awe.

"Exactly like harmony." She nodded. "Very good, Rachel."

"I get it now, Mama! That's why you proposing to Mommy was the greatest award! Even greater than the Tony! Because you're the other part of her harmony!"

Shelby smiled her biggest of Corcoran smiles. The kind that lit up the stage. She bent down and kissed the top of Rachel's head before turning to kiss Cass's lips gently.

Pulling away, she exclaimed, "And the three of us make a beautiful trio together."