Page 56 of Twelve Days and Twelfth Night

The cast cheered for her.

Maggie’s eyes filled. She gave herself a little shake, and she came onstage applauding her cast, avoiding Prescott’s gaze.

She stopped center stage. “May I have the house lights, please?”

Not in the show plan, but soon the house lights came on and the stage lights dimmed.

In the front row, Grandpa beamed at her, as did Mr. Anderson.

Maggie smiled at the sea of blue uniforms. “On behalf of the USO, I want to thank our cast, the city of San Diego, and the United States Navy.”

More applause, and Maggie drew a deep breath. “Now I have a Christmas surprise. In Twelfth Night, Viola was separated from her brother Sebastian, lost at sea and presumed dead. I’m sad to say our own Violet Lane lost her beloved fiancé at sea.”

Sad murmurs from the audience, and a pained gasp from Vi.

Maggie gave her an apologetic look and turned back to the audience. “I’m pleased to present Miss Lane’s very own Sebastian—Petty Officer Frank Sebastian. Mrs. Fernandez?” She nodded to Ria.

At the back door, Ria gaped at her.

“Frank?” Vi murmured behind her. “No, he—he’s . . .”

Carol flew to Vi’s side and wrapped an arm around her waist.

A comforting smile for Vi, and Maggie repeated her request. “Mrs. Fernandez?”

Still gaping, Ria opened the door.

Wearing his dress blues, Frank entered the theater with a questioning look for Ria.

“Petty Officer Sebastian, I have a joyous Christmas surprise for you.” Maggie gestured to Vi, slumped at Carol’s side.

Frank’s mouth fell open. “Vernice?”

“No.” Vi shook her head over and over. “No, he—he’s dead.”

Two lurching steps down the aisle. “Vernice?”

“Frank? You—you’re alive?”

Maggie stepped aside, her heart full. Now they’d run to each other.

“You’re alive?” Vi clutched Carol’s arm, and a strange note elevated her voice. Anger? “You mean to tell me you’ve been alive all this time?”

“I—I’ve been looking.” Frank’s arms rose, open, reaching. “I didn’t know where—”

“I thought you were dead.” Vi’s voice climbed, quaked. “Almost two years. I’ve been grieving all this time, and you—I thought you loved me.”

“Oh no,” Maggie whispered. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

“All this time.” Vi’s gaze swung to Maggie, her nostrils flared, and she shoved away from Carol and staggered backstage.

Gasps and murmurs filled the circular theater.

Maggie’s feet glued to the floorboards, her jaw drooped, her lungs failed to breathe, her heart—was it even beating?

“Vernice!” Frank darted down the aisle, then slammed to a stop. He glanced around the theater, where five hundred pairs of eyes pinned on him. His face stretched long, and he clapped one hand to his belly. Clapped one hand over his mouth.

Turned and sprinted to the lobby.