Finally, it was Bea’s turn. She stepped onto the stage.  The crowd was quiet.  She began her walk.  She walked down the runway into the darkness.  The crowd was so quiet.  She stumbled a bit, but caught herself.

“Keep going, Bea!  You can do this!  We believe in YOU!” Bea recognized the voices.  It was her family members.  In that moment, she knew she could do ANYTHING.  Even if she fell, even if she failed, they would love her — no matter what happened.

Her slow walk became a strong strut.  She whisked past the next model and down the steps to the back stage.

“You did it!” said Donatella and Heidi hugging her.  “We knew you could do it.”

Bea looked in the mirror.  She was very proud of herself.

Later that evening, Bea’s owl costume drawing, which had inspired a Teen Project Runway designer to create an owl couture costume, was presented to the Paris Fashion Elite.  They all loved it, of course.  They all crowded to meet “The Three Americans” who had come to Paris for Project Runway.  The evening slowly winded down as the champagne flowed and the desserts made their way into the main dining hall.

Bea had brought her earbuds and her ipod with her on the off chance she could listen to it.  She decided to sneek a few minutes.  She found a Taylor Swift song that seemed appropriate and hit the play button.

“You fell asleep, Bea,” said Purity.

Bea got up from her bed and looked around.  Heidi, Donatella and Paris was gone. Prudence was gone too.

“I didn’t get to say good bye,” sniffed Bea as tears welled up in her eyes.  “I’m sorry, Purity.”  She started to cry.

“It’s OK, Bea.  We know they love us — that’s what counts,” said Purity.  “Our family – everybody loves us.  Dad, Mom, Prudence, Mari, Kris, Grandma – they all love us.  And no matter what occurs, that is not going to change.”  Purity sat down on her sister’s bed.  “You know what I learned from this experience in Paris – the world is such a bigger place than I thought it was.  I’m glad our whole family was in Paris with us.  I saw other people walking around the city alone.  Family is important.  I know ours can be challenging sometimes, but we’re going to make it through and be that much stronger. I also realized I have bigger dreams.  I want to see more of this world Bea. Thanks for Paris, Bea.  It was really cool.

Purity hugged her little sister.  Then she looked at her sister knowingly.  Purity pulled the extra American Airlines napkin out of her sister’s purse.  “Wipe your tears away, Bea.  Today is your birthday!  Pull those big girl panties on and have a great day! Purity smiled.  And Bea smiled back at her sister.  It was, indeed, going to be “un jour magnifique!