Dance For Me Epilogue

Epilogue

Sada settled her messenger bag over her shoulder and approached the front door of the Wolfe house, lifting her hand to knock. It swung open before she reached it; Quinn stood in the doorway, smiling faintly. He lifted a finger to his lips, signaling for her to be quiet, then turned and led her inside. A moment later Sada found out why they had to be quiet: Alastair was asleep on the couch. Grinning, Sada tiptoed past him and into the kitchen.

"Poor baby," she said quietly. "He's been working so hard…"

"Not to mention that he's been shopping around," Quinn added, walking towards the refrigerator.

"Shopping?" Sada peered at him. "For what?"

Quinn just grinned at her mischievously. He took a half-gallon of chocolate ice cream out of the freezer and set it on the counter. Sada watched, licking her lips as he took out a jar of hot fudge and whipped cream. She took the hot fudge from him and stuck it in the microwave as he retrieved a bag of M&Ms from the spot in the cabinet where they kept them hidden.

"Come on," Sada whined, as she scooped ice cream into a bowl. "Tell me!"

"He's told you too much already. And make me one of those."

Sada jumped and whirled around. Alastair stood in the doorway of the kitchen, his hair tousled, blinking sleep from his eyes. She smiled, setting down the ice cream scoop and walking over to him to close her arms around him. Quinn made a gagging sound as they kissed and Sada turned, walking over to him to give him a punch in the shoulder. Quinn yelped and rubbed his arm.

"What the heck?" Quinn muttered. "You get a kiss and I get punched? That's just wrong."

Sada laughed. Although Quinn was usually melancholy these days, occasionally he had his moments of good humor. She leaned against Alastair as she made three sundaes, pleased that he was awake. I don't get to see him nearly as much as I used to, she thought, sighing. With school and work… Alastair bent down and kissed her cheek, then reached out and took a sundae.

"Hey guys! More letters!"

Sada turned, surprise, to regard Alanna. She was holding a stack of envelopes and grinning. All summer Alastair had been receiving letters, from dancers, fans, and dance companies. A video of their dance during the contest had circulated not long after it had ended, and it hadn't been long before newspapers all over the country had reported the story. Sada set her sundae down and reached for her bag.

"I've got some too," she said. "They left them at the apartment."

Something tumbled out of her bag and into her lap as she pulled the letters free. Startled, Sada reached down and picked up the small velvet box. She paused, biting her lip, and looked up at Alastair. He set his own sundae down and joined her on the floor, wrapping his arms around her from behind and taking the box. Alastair flipped it open, ignoring the intent stares of his sister and brother.

"I hate the whole down on the knee thing," Alastair explained, taking the ring from the box.

"Alastair…" Sada murmured.

"Besides," Alastair went on, catching her hand in his. "I figured you can't say no in front of other people."

Sada laughed, feeling tears sting her eyes. She tilted her head back, her mouth seeking his as he slipped the ring onto her finger. A triumphant shriek, followed by the flash of a camera, made her jump, falling back against Alastair. She looked up to see Alastair's parents in the doorway of the kitchen, his mother holding a camera.

"Told you so," his mother gloated.

"Don't be silly, love," his father said, putting his arms around her. "Who do you think helped him pick out the ring? He didn't have a clue!"

"Shut up," Alastair muttered, flushing.

He stood up and helped her up to her feet. Sada turned into his arms, hiding her face, which was bright red, against his chest. I would never have said no, she thought, lifting her head enough to see his face. Alastair smiled at her and gently touched her cheek.

"Happy birthday, little dancer," he murmured.

"Can we go dancing tonight?" Sada asked, her eyes lighting up. "To celebrate."

Alastair groaned. "But we dance all the time…"

"It's my birthday," Sada said, leaning close to him. "Indulge me."

Alastair's eyebrows lifted. A slow, sexy grin curved the corners of his mouth and he bent down, pressing his mouth gently to hers. Sada was lifting her arms up to wrap around his neck when someone clear their throat. She started, and glanced around, turning bright red again. Alastair's mother and father, and his sister had left the room, but Quinn was still there, eating his sundae and glaring at them.

"Want to come dancing with us?" Sada asked, smiling at him brightly.

"You know I don't dance," Quinn hedged.

"Pleeeeaaase?" Sada begged, pouting.

Quinn sighed, but a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I'll think about it."

*****

"I hope Quinn comes with us tonight. It will be good for him to get out."

Alastair glanced over at Sada, who was carefully applying lipstick, leaning over the bathroom sink. She looks so cute, he thought, smiling to himself. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against him, making her laugh. She turned into his arms and he bent to kiss her gently.

"Let's not worry about my brother tonight, okay?" Alastair said, sighing. "I know you're concerned because he's been so down, but it's our night…"

"I can't help it," Sada told him. "Even art doesn't make him happy anymore. He hasn't done anything that had any expression in it since that…"

He followed her gaze out into the living room. Beside the portrait of Sada his brother had given him last Christmas was another, larger, of him and Sada dancing together. It was taken from their dance during the semi-finals and it was the best thing his brother had done in years. Alastair shook his head and wrapped his arms around Sada again, drawing her close.

"It scares me when you talk like that," he murmured. "I don't like feeling jealous. But I get scared you'll end up liking Quinn more than me, too."

"I would never," Sada said, looking up at him. A gently teasing smile curved her lips. "I mean, come on, once was enough, right?"

Alastair couldn't smile. "It happened more than once…"

Sada stilled. She looked up at him, her green eyes wide and startled. He brushed his fingertips against cheek. She opened her mouth to speak, and he knew she was about to ask, so he shook his head.

"I will tell you, I promise," Alastair assured her. "Just…not tonight. I want to go out and celebrate your birthday…and our engagement. Okay?"

Sada nodded, smiling warmly up at him. She stood on her toes and kissed him gently, then headed out of the bathroom. Alastair followed her, surprised when she handed him his jacket. It wasn't freezing yet, but the early autumn had been rather brisk. He laughed and helped her pull on her coat. I want to forget all those things tonight, Alastair thought as he took her hand in his and led her outside. All I want to think about is our life together, from now on.

End Notes: I know it seems a little odd, but I ended it on this note for a reason. Hopefully it won't be too long before you're all able to find out that reason. So another one down. It's really amazing to me when I think about how long I've been doing this now. What also amazes me is that the end of the term is coming up fast. So if I disappear briefly somewhere about mid-December, it's because I'm preparing for finals!