xp_logs | Log: Callie & her dad!

After the play, Callie gets a happy ending

It was the first time all week that Callie felt she could breathe easy. After months of rehearsals, battling the unseen prankster, and finally performing she was exhausted. A part of her was elated that there would be no more invisible boys pulling pranks, no more rehearsals with feuding fairies, and that she would be able to focus fully on her studies, but at the same time she was sad. Despite all that had happened, she had to admit that acting in this play was the most fun she had experienced in awhile. Sitting in the hall and laughing with her fellow cast mates, watching backstage as her friends performed their roles, and of course the looks on everyone's faces when Karolina's parents had stepped in to act. It had been a blast.

As she handed the costume and the bright green wig (something she would definitely not be missing) back to the costume mistress for the last time, Callie felt a sharp pang of sadness in her heart. Everything was great, she knew. She had performed perfectly on their last night, but something was missing: her father. She understood that flying from Italy just to see her in a play was just a bit silly, and he had been calling and e-mailing to wish her luck each night, but his absence weighed heavily on her heart. And in spite of what she knew in her head, her heart had clung to the hope that when she went to take her bows he would be there. And when he wasn't, well she tried to not let that fact ruin her joy in the moment.

The foyer had cleared out some by the time the former fairy had made her way to it. Family members and friends still lingered and many offered their congratulations as she passed through. She smiled politely and thanked them, returning the congratulations, though her focus was mainly on fleeing what was left of the crowd. Her hand was on the door, but as Callie was about to push it open and escape to freedom her ears caught something that made her pause.

"Calliope!"

It was her name. And sure it wasn't exactly a common name, but it wasn't unheard of. It was probably someone else, she decided. Still, out of habit she looked around, and froze when she saw a familiar face. No, she was definitely the Calliope that the man was referring to. Slowly she lifted her hand from the door and began walking toward him, her pace quickening as she neared until finally Callie found herself running before throwing her arms around him and squealed, "Papa!"

"Hey sweetie," he replied with a smile, catching his daughter as she practically flung herself in his arms. "Surprise!" he held a grocery store bouquet of flowers in one hand that he tried not to let her crush too badly.

"What are you doing here," she asked still clinging to him. The last time she had seen her father had been at Christmas, and while the holiday had ended on quite the sour note that was months ago. It was so good to see him. "I thought you said you were going to be stuck in Switzerland or Germany or some place on business."

"I was," he agreed, letting her down, but not quite releasing his hold on her. He hadn't expected her to be this happy to see him! "But then things changed and I found a good deal on airfare, so here I am. I'm here through Easter," which was just over a week away. "I wanted to surprise you. Is it a good time?"

"Of course it is!" She stepped back and grabbed Giancarlo's hand. "Come on. I'll show you around!"