With the last two beats of the song, I lower her to the ground and into my waiting arms. “How do you feel?” I ask her.
“Alive, Eli. I feel alive.”
There is a rose-colored flush to her cheeks… her whole body really. “Thank you. Just when I think I know how much you love me, you do something else that shows me in another way or just that you love me more. I hope someday I can show you the same.”
“I don’t love you to get love in return. I’d love you anyway. The love you give me is a gift. I treasure it. My love for you doesn’t extend from what you do, it comes from who you are. I hope you’ll believe it fully one day.”
“I’m starting to get it. I am.”
Her tears start to roll again, although, this time, she’s smiling through them. “What is it? Tell me. Are you in pain?”
“Not the kind you think. It’s a good kind of pain. The kind that has to come up and slap you once in a while.” Dylan lowers herself to the floor then reaches up for my hand to join her. I sit down beside her as every move we make creates a new sound in this cavernous space.
She wipes the tears as they flow with the back of her hand. “I want to double the amount of physical therapy I’m doing. Can we make that work with my ALITE duties and my normal AnSa responsibilities?”
“I don’t see that as an issue. That can’t be what’s got you upset. Don’t worry about getting back on the floor. If today is any indication you’ll be there in no time. You took your power back today.”
“I’m starting to. That’s because of you. I do want to be on the floor for all the reasons you think I would. There’s just one more I need to add.”
“What is that?”
“I need to get back on the floor for you, Eli.”
“For me? Your dancing needs to be about you.”
“It is. It is, but I realized something today.” Dylan pulls herself closer to my side. We sit hip to hip as she begins to trace my fingers with hers. “I’m an only child. I didn’t have the opportunity to grow up with siblings. I have a couple cousins, but we aren’t super close. I only babysat like one year before dance took over my entire life.
“I think one of the reasons I’m so scared of babies is because of that. I just don’t have the experience. When I saw Hayley put Michael in your arms, I got it. I understand now. You are meant to be a father. I could see it the minute you held him. You lit up like a fucking Christmas tree. It wasn’t because he’s a namesake for you. It was because you felt complete holding him.
“Eli, I became complete watching you hold him. I need to get back on the floor because I want to give myself a year to dance my heart out so that we can try to have a baby of our own. I know it may not happen right away, but I will have one year of dancing then the rest is up to us and fate.”
Dylan stares deep into my eyes. I’m still processing what she’s just told me. This feels too good to be true. I brush my fingers through her hair before being able to speak. “Are you sure? Are you absolutely sure?”
“I thought you’d be happy.”
“Viper, I’m beyond happy. I’m stunned into silence. I was and would be willing to wait until you’re ready.”
“I’m telling you, Eli. I’m ready. I want to give you the look you had on your face today. I want to have that with you. Every time I think I’m not ready or able to do something, you’re right there holding me up, literally sometimes. I want to create that life. I want you to be able to feel it grow inside me every day. I want you to hold that baby we made together first so I can see it. I’m ready.”
“Do you have any idea how much I love you, Dylan?” I ask as I pull her into my chest.
“I do. I always have.”
Epilogue
Wes
I didn’t know what this day would bring when it got here. Everything feels like it’s gone in the blink of an eye and yet taken forever. Eli and I finish getting Mikey ready and it’s time for one last look for the both of us.
“I thought I was going to have to come find you and drag you out back when this day came.” Eli smirks.
“Not on your life. I was awake and ready to go before this guy was even squawking for Dad-E to get up.”
“That was the only overly clever thing I had to say. I have a few others if you’re ready for it.”
Just then there’s a knock at the door, I open it and Hannah is right outside. “It’s time to grab Mikey.” I lift him up into her arms. “You look really great.”
“Thanks. So do you. I’ll see you out front in a few?”
“Sure. Hey, Eli.”
“Hey.”
Eli and I both fist bump our little guy before I close the door again. “Hey, are those…?”
“Yeah, checkered flag cufflinks courtesy of a certain friend of ours. He had them sent from his hotel this morning with a private note. You know Donavan. He had shit to say.”
“You know, I’m really proud of you.”
“Gee thanks, Dad.” I laugh.
“No. I mean it. That’s part of what I was going to say. You took a situation that at first was unusual, to say the least, and you’ve made it work. I’ve never seen a more happy and well-adjusted kid. You’re the best dad.”
“He really makes it easy. Talking makes it easy. Your sister makes it easy. I could have saved myself a whole mess of trouble if I’d only realized it sooner.”
“Remember, don’t look back. Only forward,” Eli tells me.
“What, did you get that from Pops?” I laugh.
“I plead the Fifth. So checklist. You have your vows in your pocket?”
“Got them. You’ve got your sister’s ring?”
“It’s in the same place it was when you asked me an hour ago, so yes. You know I’m going to roast you tonight, right?”
“I know. I can take as good as I can give.”
“You’d better, Mav, because this might be a speech legends are made of.”
“Oh shit.” I laugh.
***
We leave the confines of Jack and Lily’s suite on the near side of their Hamptons home, walk down the stairs and out into the front yard that has been transformed into a beautiful oasis. Our ceremony, we decided, was going to be intimate. We only wanted a hundred and fifty friends and family present. Our parents could have turned this into the social event of the year, but it’s not that for us.
The yard is lined with equal rows of white chairs on either side of a pale pink silk runner. Nearest the tree line is a massive flower laden trellis-style arbor. That was something I wanted. I wanted to remind Hayley of our Romeo and Juliet beginning to this.
All the guests are seated. The string quartet is set to the far side and begins to play when they see Eli and I emerge from the house. As we walk up the aisle beside our guests, I look at all the people who have had small or even large roles in getting us here today.