“I don’t know, I think so,” she says a little more timidly than usual.
“You’re going to do a beautiful job,” I smile. I adjust the feathers on her leotard. “It’s just like when you were the Sugar Plum Fairy at the Christmas recital last year. You did anamazingjob then, and you will do an amazing job now too.”
“That was different. This is a more difficult role. Swan Lake is thereal deal.”
“You’re just feeling anxious,” I say gently. “The Nutcracker was every bit as big of a production as this one. You’re going to be a stunning Odette and you’re going to love every minute of dancing your heart out on that stage tonight.”
Finally, her face brightens.
“Thanks, Seraphine,” she says as she gives me a huge hug. “Help dad understand what’s going on. You know how lost he gets during the ballet.”
“I will,” I say as I give her one more hug before heading back to the audience.
“How is she?” Chad asks when I return to my seat just before the production is about to start. He hands Brenna over to me and I happily hold my daughter to my chest. I can’t believe that it’s been a year. I can’t believe the twins are a year old already, and I can’t believe how much of a beautiful dancer Lilly has turned into.
Chad bounces Alexander on his knee until he gurgles playfully. The babies are fascinated by all the lights that are starting to shine on the stage as the show gets ready to start.
Lorna sits next to us, and it’s almost like she has become a part of our family too, especially since she agreed to help out with the babies so that we could both get back to work.
I am inlovewith my life now, and in love with the family that Chad and I have created together. Every day I get to go into my art studio to create new artwork, and then take them to my gallery in the village to display and sell. Chad has a new assistant now, which is great because it allows him to be home more and to spend more time with all of us. And every once in a while, Lilly comes to join me collaborating on a painting. Everyone is happy, doing what they love, and enjoying being together. I guess that elusive fairytale ending really wasn’t quite as impossible as I thought after all.
When the curtains open on Lilly’s spring dance recital, and the beautiful music of Swan Lake begins to play, a hush falls over the audience. Even the twins are mesmerized and quiet as they watch the dancers come onto the stage. Chad reaches over to hold my hand at the exact moment that Lilly walks on her toes onto the stage, and even though things might not have started out as “perfect” that hasn’t stopped them from turning into something absolutelywonderful.
THE END