She was still a bit shook when we made it back to the apartment but at least she’d lost that haunted look from her face. Sherrie was pissed and making a lot of noise, she was ready to fight, and I was giving serious thought to taking my girl somewhere away from all this bullshit.

“I don’t understand, who would do that?” I didn’t tell her that I suspected I knew who it was. I hadn’t told her any of what had been going on at the club or even who Ray Morrison really was because that shit wasn’t supposed to touch her.

“Don’t think about it baby, I’ll take care of it.” Yeah, once and for all. It seems like everything and everyone was conspiring to fuck with my life and hers. I pulled her in, giving her some of my warmth and wishing like hell I could be two places at once.

“The only thing I want you to think about is your opening tomorrow. Did you find something nice to wear?” I was trying to take her mind off this shit.

“Yes, but it’s a surprise.”

“I can’t even get a little peek baby?”

“Nope, where’s Sherrie?” She pulled away from me and headed down the hallway to the kitchen where Sherrie was still giving Tony hell.

“Are we still on for tomorrow?”

“Of course, what kind of question is that? I’ve got my sitter all lined up. I’m ready to get my groove on.” The nut did a little jig before grabbing my girl for a hug and heading for the door.

“You better handle that shit before I do.” Sherrie whispered that cryptic shit to me before closing the door. A look at Tony confirmed what I suspected; he told her. I don’t know why the fuck he’d want to do that.

Anna disappeared into the bedroom leaving me alone with him. “Tell me you didn’t tell Sherrie about Arlene.”

“She nagged that shit out of me. Trust me, it was easier than dealing with her shit. She promised not to tell Annabelle.”

“And you believed her?” There was no point worrying about it now. I was going to take care of shit before end of day Wednesday. I’d told him and Travis that I wanted to give Anna my ring but there was something I needed to do first, and I’m still holding to that shit. Nothing is going to derail my plans. If I could just keep shit from touching her in the meantime I’d be straight.

Right now I want to make sure her opening party goes off without a hitch, and then I’d take care of the drama. I’ve never had this much upheaval in my life at once and I wondered if this was going to be the new thing.

Not that I was blaming her, I’m not that much of a dick. But the damn girl was going to keep me worrying for the rest of my damn life if this shit keeps up. Then again Arlene was the one who’d started this shit in the first place so it was really my problem. Damn!

I stayed close to her for the rest of the day while she kept busy with last minute things for the party. I debated whether or not to tell her that her dad was in the city but decided not to in the end. I didn’t want anything else spoiling her time.

She didn’t seem too upset any longer and I knew that was only because she thought that shit was random. So while she played around on the computer I made some calls.

Mom called because of course Sherrie told aunt Jess what happened and she told mom. “What in the Sam hill is going on son? Why all this uproar all of a sudden? Is there something you’re not telling me?”

Her question assured me that Sherrie hadn’t spilled the beans but it wasn’t time to let my guard down because my sister has never been predictable, except when it comes to getting into trouble.

“Nothing’s going on momma I’ve got it all under control. How’s Travis? Did his dad call him again?”

“No he didn’t and he better not mess with that baby. He’s finally settled in, made some new friends and everything.”

“You let me know if that changes I’m gonna take care of all that in a few days. I just want everything to go smoothly for my baby tomorrow night and then this will all go away.”

“We’ll be there. He’s so excited for his sister I could barely get him to settle down.” At least something was going good and I’m going to make sure shit stays that way.

I got her settled before going back to my woman. She was curled up in bed fast asleep. Poor thing, she’s had a rough couple of days, and it was all because of me.

I left her and went back to Tony, I’d forgotten he was here. “You find out anything?”

“I have the boys working on it. He hasn’t left the house since he bonded out.”

“What about the asshole? Anything from his end yet?” I’m still not sure what he had planned.

“No movement but I think you should steer clear of that. Don’t get involved.” Easy for him to say.

“Go over the security for tomorrow I don’t want anything fucking this up for her you understand.”

“Already taken care of. Annabelle gave me the guest list and I cross checked it. The guys on the door already know not to let anyone who’s not on the list past the door.”

“And her father?”

“He and the wife went shopping and headed back to the hotel an hour ago.”

“He hasn’t tried calling her, I don’t know what he’s up to but I don’t like it. If he shows up tomorrow that’s gonna be the last damn straw.”

“I would say go see him, but I don’t think you’re in any condition for that shit. Let’s just take care of shit one at a time. You made the call yet?”

“No, I want to see him face to face. I figure I’ll take care of it after the party. Let’s just get through that and I’ll deal with everything else afterwards.” I’m going to make good on an earlier threat and go visit Arlene’s husband. I don’t know what Cox the asshole has planned for Ray’s ass but like Tony said, it’s none of my business.

Her father is a whole other issue, but one I’m sure I can take care of. I let Tony go since I wasn’t going to need him for the rest of the day and called the club to make sure things were smooth there before going back to her.

She was still out cold and I kicked off my shoes and climbed in with her. I didn’t realize my ass was tired, but I fell asleep not long after my head hit the pillow next to hers.

I woke up hours later to her staring shit. “How long have you been up?”

“I’m sorry I’m so much trouble.” She cupped my cheek and leaned in for a kiss.

“Don’t say stupid shit, how is any of this your fault?” I pulled her onto my chest. “None of this is your fault baby, it’s all on me, but I don’t want you to worry. Promise me.” I squeezed her when she didn’t answer.

“I’ll try. But doesn’t it seem odd that all these things are happening all at once?”

“That’s just the way shit happens sometimes. But I’m here to take care of you now, no more worries.”

“You haven’t eaten all day let’s go find something to eat.”

“I want to go out, I feel like getting dressed up.” She stretched on me and planted a kiss on my lips before jumping down off the bed.

Her excitement was enough to make me put all the bullshit behind me for now and I got out of bed and followed her into the bathroom. She was already in the shower so I opened the door and joined her.

“Don’t get my hair wet.” She ducked behind me, evading my hands making me laugh when I didn’t think I could find anything funny in the middle of all this mess.

“Fine, you stay back there then.” I turned my back to the water and crowded her against the wall. I grabbed a washcloth and soaped it up before running it over her breasts slowly until she was covered in suds.

I worked my way down her middle to between her thighs. “Open wider baby, you trying to keep my pussy from me.” For some reason that made her howl with laughter.

I loved hearing that sound so much I kept finding ways to make her laugh. I’m her personal clown now. I dropped the cloth and used my fingers to clean her and soon her laughter turned to moans.

“Give me your mouth baby.” I held her nape and covered her lips with mine while fucking her with my fingers until she was up on her toes. I got the showerhead from the opposite wall and washed her carefully until she was clean of soap.

After washing my cock clean I got to my knees and lifted her leg onto my shoulder and opened her pussy. I sniffed her fresh sweet scent and took a good long look at her pussy before giving her my tongue.

I teased her with soft slow licks up to her clit before dipping my tongue in and out of her until her juices coated my tongue and her ass clenched in my hands.

“Turn around for me baby.” I turned her to face the wall and pulled her back on my cock, going in nice and slow until my cock was planted deep inside her tight cunt.

I held still when my balls were all that were left and if I could’ve I would’ve tried to get them inside her too. I felt my cock pulse and throb as her pussy walls squeezed around my meat.

“Hold onto the wall for me baby.” She put her hands on the wall and canted her ass while I held onto her hips so she didn’t slip and fall. I had to bend my knees so I could dig deep, till she was practically sitting in my lap.

I fucked her to orgasm and then lifted her and stepped out of the shower, taking her down to the rug to finish her off. I fucked the pink off her pussy and had to hold her up to dry her off when we were done.

I was tired as fuck but she wanted to go out to eat. “Where do you want to eat baby?”

“I have the taste for Italian.”

“Did you make reservations somewhere?”

“Oh, I didn’t think of that, there’re so many places to choose from. It doesn’t have to be fancy, I just want to relax, enjoy some candlelight and look at you.” Say what now?

I walked into the closet to look for something to wear and to hide my stupid grin. Next she’ll have my dumb ass blushing. I chose a pair of slacks and a cashmere sweater in black before choosing one of my many leather jackets to throw over it.

I came out of the closet to find her shoving her feet in some high ass heels, but when she stood up I got the surprise of my life. The thing she had on looked like a sweater but it came to just above her knees.

I wouldn’t say it was exactly clingy, but it was the way it was made. It hugged her tits and hips in a way that drew the eye. It was burning a hole in my tongue to tell her to change that shit but I held it in.

“Your new jacket isn’t gonna go with your dress baby.” That was as close as I got to telling her to go change.

“We’ll be going from the car to the restaurant it should be fine.”

“Why didn’t you get a coat baby?” I remember a coat being among the things I’d seen her look at and put back. “Because you bought me this one.”

That’s two. If she keeps saying shit like that to me she’ll be carrying my balls around in her damn purse before I even get my ring on her damn finger.

I didn’t call Tony from wherever the hell he was, but chose to drive us myself. Del Posto was the best five star Italian restaurant in the city and I wasn’t worried about reservations, I’ve never been turned away at the door before.

We held hands on the way down in the elevator, in the car and once we were seated in the restaurant she took my hand again. I wasn’t sure if she was feeling insecure because of all the mess that happened in the last few days, or if she was just feeling affectionate, but I wasn’t about to complain.

We held hands all through dinner, whispering to each other in between bites like two teenagers, stealing kisses and acting pretty much like we were in our own little world.

“This was a good idea baby.” It was the first time just the two of us were out like this together for a nice romantic dinner and I liked it. In our quiet little corner I could almost imagine it was just her and I there.

The soft music in the background drowned out the voices of the other diners and I only had eyes for her. We didn’t talk about anything heavy, just her expectations for the school; her dreams for the future.

Her excitement was contagious and once again I found myself caught up in one of those moments where I would’ve given her anything if she’d only asked. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her how I felt about her, but I wanted that moment to be perfect.

So all I did was squeeze her hand as I drew her towards me in the candlelight and kissed her softly. “You’re beautiful Annabelle. My beautiful girl.” She blushed sweetly and tried to hide behind her hair.

I brushed it back off her face and kissed her forehead hoping with that kiss that all her dreams do come true. And that the problems we were facing now would soon come to an end.

I’m going to protect you baby with everything I’ve got. That night I took her home and made soft sweet love to her until she fell asleep beneath me.

She hit the ground running the next morning and I had hell keeping her little ass still. She wanted to go to the club as soon as her eyes opened but it was way too early so I conned her into having breakfast with me.

I had a surprise coming for her later. Along with the stuff from Bergdorf’s I ordered her some jewelry for the night. I planned on taking my time and choosing her some nicer pieces later, but right now there was really only one piece of jewelry on my mind.

The courier brought the things I ordered her around ten and she damn near took me down with her gratitude. “How did you know?”

“I saw you on the security screen yesterday remember.”

“And these are for you.” I gave her the blue jewelry box with the diamond studs and matching necklace and bracelet, which she opened with a look of surprise.

“Now why you crying?”

“Because it’s so thoughtful.” I pulled her silly behind into my arms and hugged her. “I’ll always think of you baby. Now go try on your new coat.”

She ran down the hallway and came back a few minutes later. With her straight black hair falling down her back against the white sable she looked like something from a magazine.

I had to accept that I have a serious problem. I want my woman to look good sure, but not necessarily for the rest of the world to see that shit. She’d put on her new jewels as well and the earrings did amazing things to her face.

She was a long way from that ugly ass jacket she was so fond of that’s for sure. And leave it to Sherrie to bring out her beauty with the new hairstyle in a way that was going to fuck with my head. She probably did that shit on purpose.

“Let me give it the litmus test baby.” I ran my hands up and down her sides and back. The soft fleece covering her sweet curves had my dick on the rise and I got an idea. I lifted her until her legs went around my hips and the coat fell open.

“Where are you taking me Max?” Her laughter told me she knew exactly what I was up to. I took her back to bed, removed her clothes and pulled the coat back on over her nakedness.

“This is going to be quick.” I dropped my jeans and pulled my sweater off over my head and just fell on her. I didn’t give her my mouth fingers or nothing. Just took my cock in hand and led it into her waiting pussy.

She hissed and lifted her legs around my hips as my cock sank in deep. We christened that shit twice before I let her up. After that I left her alone to get her shit together.

Sherrie showed up at my house around one for some reason and the two of them kicked me out of my room. If I’d known what they were up to in there I would’ve ran her out of my house.

I spent the time making sure her security was on point for the evening. Tony showed up two hours before call time and the four of us left for the club. I helped her into the car before going around to let Sherrie in.

“Where’s Trevor?”

“He’s meeting us there.” I’m surprised to see my sister this often without her husband in tow, he never lets her out the house without him. Maybe I should get some pointers from him on how to deal with being married to a beauty.

I never used to worry about such things in the past. Once the woman I was sleeping with was out of my sight I never gave too much thought to what she was doing with her days and nights. With this one I want to know what she’s doing every second of every day.

It was only as I was helping her out of the car that I realized I had no idea what she was wearing under her fir. I already knew I was going to have to stick close to her because of all the shit she had on her face. She looked too fucking grown.

I walked her upstairs and left her alone to do her thing as she went over last minute prep and went back downstairs to take care of my own shit.

Tony alerted me when it was almost time for the guests to start showing up and I went to join her. “What the fuck!” I pulled off my tuxedo jacket as I walked towards her. “No fucking way.”

“What, what are you doing?” I put the jacket around her shoulders and pulled her arms through the sleeves. Her dress didn’t have a back, that’s all I saw. The shit was white, clingy, long and way too revealing.

“Chill bro!” Sherrie got between us and tried taking that shit off again. My head was actually spinning because I knew I was about to make a fool of myself.

“She’s not wearing that. Is this your doing?” I looked at my watch to see how much time we had to run back home and throw her ass in some jeans or some shit.

“Tony come and get your boy.” Sherrie had worked the jacket off and passed it back to me. I moved to stand in front of Anna, blocking her from view just as guests started to arrive.

“What’s going on?” Tony asked but I ignored him. My face was tight as fuck. I stayed at her side when she walked off to go greet the newcomers and left Sherrie to explain.

“I’m burning that dress as soon as we get home.” I whispered that threat just before we reached the guests and she had the nerve to look at me like I was nuts.

I kept my arm around her all night as she moved around the room not giving a fuck what anyone thought. Sherrie was shooting daggers at me with her eyes and Tony was in a corner somewhere laughing his ass off.

Her brother and my mom showed up not long after and the party was in full swing. You’d think she was the famous one and I was jealous as hell. Not because of the attention she was getting for her school, but because of the admiring looks from the men in the room.

“Dude chill!” Tony came up to me after one of the women dragged her away. “Don’t spoil her night and change that look on your face.” I was trying dammit, but there was too much happening too fast.

In a matter of a few days she’d gone from my sweet shy babygirl, to this sexy vixen that shone in the room full of beautiful women. It wasn’t just her beauty, but the way people seemed to hang onto her every word as if drawn to her.

I felt like an ass because all I wanted to do was drag her out of there and take her home. “Look at this asshole. His wife is standing right there and he’s eyeing my woman.”

I evaded Tony’s hand and made my way across the room where she was having a conversation with two couples. She reached for my hand as soon as I reached her side and that went a long way to calming the beast that had awakened in me.

I glared at the dick who was trying to see through her dress until he got the damn message and averted his eyes. I wonder what he’d do if I called him out on his shit in front of his wife with his old ass.

She seemed to guess my mood because she squeezed my hand and tried to involve me in the conversation. I’d been worried about overshadowing her tonight, something I didn’t want to do. But nothing could be farther from the truth. She was the obvious star of the show.

Listening to her talk dance, seeing the light in her eyes, it was enough for me to consider forgiving her for the dress. She didn’t even seem to notice the appreciative looks she was getting. Her only interest was in her school.

I still didn’t leave her side for the rest of the night though, and by the time the last guest left I’d forgotten what I was mad about in the first place. The only ones left were family, mom, Travis, Sherrie, Trevor and Tony.

Aunt Jess was home with the baby but she’d called my girl early in the evening to congratulate her. “You two need to head back to the island before it gets too late. Travis you have school tomorrow.”

“You’re right son. Annabelle the evening was a beautiful success. I heard people talking and you’re gonna have a lot of new signees come tomorrow.”

My girl was still flying high but I noticed she’d taken off her shoes and was rubbing her lower back. It was still early, barely ten o’clock in the evening but she’d had a long few days and I wanted to get her home.

The school wasn’t opening until the weekend but knowing her she wasn’t going to rest between now and then. And mom was right, there had been more than a few people interested in signing up their kids for classes.

For some reason I thought she was going to be teaching ballet, but from the whispers I heard throughout the night she was offering contemporary dance as well, which I figured was that shit I’d seen her doing. That’s gonna be a problem.

I’m gonna make a big ass sign. No fathers allowed on the premises. I’ve lost my damn mind no doubt about it, but if any of the men here tonight show up back around here in the future people are gonna get fucked up.

I told her that shit as we headed downstairs for the exit and she laughed and called me crazy like she thought I was playing with her ass. “You not doing

that dance in public.”

“Where do you think I learned it?” This was your idea Max, this is what you pushed for. I had to keep reminding myself of that shit on the way out the door.

“Actually it was Sherrie’s idea to offer adult classes. I’d planned on sticking to my four to eights, but believe it or not I got a lot of teenagers and some twenty-somethings who’re interested in taking classes, isn’t that great?” For who?

We stopped outside the door to say our goodbyes when I heard footsteps coming up behind me. I knew who the couple was as soon as I turned around and saw them.

When Travis came to stand on the other side of her protectively I was sure that it was their father and his new wife. This motherfucker! Am I being tested? Is that it?

I made a move towards them but she pulled me back by my sleeve. “No Max, leave them.” They noticed us coming out the door and made a beeline in our direction. “Hello Belle, Travis.”

He wore a smile on his face while his wife looked me over with a sickening smile on her face. “Didn’t I tell you not to come near them?” I wanted to knock him on his ass, especially when she tried to disappear into my side.

“I just want to talk.”

“And I told you she’ll talk when she’s ready. How did you find this place anyway?”

‘That’s not important, Travis we need to talk.”

“We’re not doing this here…”

“It’s okay Max I’ll talk to him. But you leave my brother out of this. Travis go on home with momma Sophie.”

When did she start calling my mother that? She kissed her brother’s cheek and pushed him towards mom. “I’m not leaving. If he has anything to say he can say it to both of us.”

I need this shit. “Why don’t we all go back inside.” That was Tony’s suggestion as he walked back to the door and held it open. I didn’t want to talk about shit, but maybe this was best for the two of them.

Looks like shit wasn’t waiting for me to get around to it, that shit had decided to find me. “Is this what you really want?” She nodded her answer and I followed her back inside and upstairs to the school, which was the only place not in use.

I sent the cleaning crew away and glared at her asshole father when it looked like he wanted me to walk away. “Speak!” Well damn! I don’t think I ever heard that voice before. Her hand was shaking in mine and I gave it a little squeeze to offer strength.

Why would he do this shit tonight? Does the man ever think about anyone else but himself? Selfish fuck. “I think this needs to stay between us.” He looked around at the rest of us like he thought he was running shit.

He’s out his fucking mind. I was keeping myself in check for her sake, but if he got on my nerves I just might take out all my frustrations on his dumb ass.

“You can say whatever you have to say in front of them. They’re family.” There was some kind of electricity running through her, I could feel it in the hand I held in mine.

Just like a few days ago when she’d been hurt, she had me on one side and her brother on the other. Mom and Tony hovered like they were ready to swoop in at the first sign of trouble and I’m sure Trevor was holding onto Sherrie.

I never asked Anna what she’d shared with Sherrie but knowing my sister I’m pretty sure she was up to date with shit. “Why don’t we all sit down and…”

“Why don’t you shut up? Why are you here?” She turned venomous eyes on the wife who’d opened her mouth. Now her hand was vibrating in mine and I had the feeling that any minute now I was going to be pulling her off this fool.

“You gonna let her talk to me like that?” She yelled at her husband. She might be Anna’s age in years, but this chick was about twelve in everything else.

I was trying to avoid looking at her because her eyes had landed on every man in the room, including Travis in a way that said she wasn’t as in love with her man as she should me. Serve his dumb ass right.

“If you’re here because of me you can forget it. I’m old enough to make my own choices and I choose to stay here. I don’t want you interfering with my sister any more either. We’re fine where we are.”

“You might think you’re old enough but I am still your father and the law says…”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

‘Travis…” He pulled his arm out of her reach and stood in front of her again.

“Sorry sis but I’m not going anywhere with him, not now not ever. And he has no right to come here, especially with that….thing, acting like he cares about us.”

“I know that Travis.” She pulled him back behind her and stepped forward a step. “He’s not going anywhere with you. First of all, mom left me as his guardian after you split. When I had nothing and no way to take care of him. When you were too busy with your new life. You didn’t want us…”

Her voice broke and I was ready to flip my shit and put an end to this mess. “I’m gonna need you to leave and the next time you do this, it’s not gonna end so well.”

“Who are you to threaten me?”

“I’m the one you have to go through to get to them.” Say the wrong damn thing to me. Give me an excuse to take this shit out on your ass.

Tony might be right, he is her father and their relationship could change any minute. But I’m sure she’d get some satisfaction out of me beating his ass in.

“Belle, you know this is not you. You’re nothing like these people.”

“You don’t know who I am. The girl you left to fend for herself is no more. As for these people, I trust them more than I trust you.”

“Tiffany and I just bought a new home and we have two rooms set up for you and your brother.” I should punch this asshole in his face. Is he for real?

She seemed to want to handle shit on her own so I bit my tongue and let her. But somebody better tell Sherrie’s crazy ass to step down.

All her throat clearing and mumbling shit was usually a precursor to hell to come. And this time I just might let her loose since I can’t hit a woman. “We don’t need your charity, we’re perfectly fine where we are.”

“Is that why you’re being attacked and your little brother has to protect you? It doesn’t look like your ‘family’ is taking very good care of you. Besides I’m your father…”

“You stopped being my father when you killed my mother; now can you leave? I only came in here with you because of Travis, but since he wants nothing to do with you either neither do I. My only interest is in protecting him.”

Thank fuck. “You heard her, please leave. Tony.” He looked like he wanted to argue but one look at Tony changed his mind. I started to guide her to the door but she wasn’t done.

“Oh and Tiffany, the next time we see each other, I’m gonna break your face.” Oh shit, now that’s pure Sherrie.

“Excuse me?” This girl is really dumb. She actually made a move towards my woman like she thought that was gonna happen.

“Okay my turn. I suggest you leave, get on a plane and get the hell out of New York tonight and don’t come back. I don’t care what you did in the past, I wasn’t there. But no way in hell are you fucking with my woman. As for Travis, it’s like she said, she has guardianship so there’s really nothing else that needs to be said. They’re both mine.”

He looked beaten, head down, shoulders slumped as he walked out the door. I couldn’t bring myself to care. All that mattered was that one of my headaches was now gone.

“Are you sure baby?” No matter my feelings on the matter she’s my first priority. I know she has a lot of pent up shit from her past to deal with. But when she nodded her head with a smile I knew it was going to be okay.

“Did you enjoy your night baby?” I kissed her head which she had rested on my shoulder and held her hand in mine.

“It was great I can’t thank you enough for doing

this. I even got a few more sign ups.”

“Don’t overdo it now baby. You already have almost thirty five children signed up already.”

“That’s okay, I’ve decided to hire some of my classmates part time and since the kids range in age from three to twelve it’s gonna be a breeze. The adults will be easy. Oh and Sherrie, is going to be my office assistant.”

“Sherrie’s gonna be working with you? When did that happen?”

“I asked her tonight. She’s not ready to go back to work and leave the baby with a sitter and she can bring her here with her everyday, so it’s a win-win.”

That made sense, but those two were getting way too close. Nothing against my sister but I could already see the changes in her from too much exposure. I’d end up at the police station every other week if I don’t keep my eyes on that shit.

I didn’t say any of that but promised myself to keep an eye on their brewing friendship. “Thanks for doing that for my sister Annabelle, really appreciate it.” I forgot he was driving the damn car.

“All in all it was a successful evening then baby. You had them eating out the palm of your hand. I didn’t know you were so well known in the city.”

“That’s my teacher’s doing. She invited some people she knew would be interested. But she told me something tonight that got me thinking.”

“And what’s that?”

“Well, I don’t really need classes per se, I wanted to join the dance troupe in the future. But she reminded me that I don’t need to be part of the school to join if I want to, so basically I can drop my classes for now if I want.”

“Is that what you want?”

“Well, with the school I’ll be dancing everyday anyway, doing what I love. Things have changed for me and I can find new ways to fulfill my dream.”

“What are you saying?”

“Well, I still have to think about it some more. But I was thinking that I’ll drop some of my classes at Colombia but if it’s okay I’ll like to keep going. With that and the school it’ll be the best of both worlds.”

I’m guessing she hasn’t given any thought whatsoever to how babies are made. I’m not gonna be the one to tell her. I’m sure she can still dance while pregnant; I hope. If not it’s my balls.

“You sure about Juilliard? that was your dream baby.”

“I know it was, but like I said, things changed. Now I’m more interested in passing on what I’ve learned over the years. I feel excited in a way that I haven’t in a long time and it’s all because of the school and you.”

She squeezed the arm that she was leaning her head against and I kissed her hair. Those words rose up in me again and got logged in my throat. I’ll just show her when we get home.