by K. A. Linde
She bit her lip and nodded. “That sounds reasonable.”
“Also, probably bake cookies.”
She giggled. “The damn cookies.”
I brushed a lock of her hair out of her face and kissed her thoroughly. “We can do whatever you want to do. As long as I am yours and you are mine.”
She nodded. “Forever and always.”
28
Peyton
The next morning, we baked cookies, as promised.
“I think you have a little flour on your nose,” I said, bopping Aly on the nose.
She gasped. “You just put flour on my nose!”
She grabbed some flour off of the counter and flung it at me, coating my shirt.
“Oh my God!” I cried, flinging more flour in her direction.
Until there was more flour on ourselves and the counters and the floor than in the cookies.
Isaac came in, freshly showered, with wide eyes. “What is happening here?”
Aly froze with a giggle.
“Flour fight,” I offered, stepping toward him.
“Don’t you dare,” he said, using his dad voice as he backed up.
“What do you think, Aly? Does he look too clean?”
She grinned. “Definitely.”
And then we rushed him. He jumped and tried to evade us, but soon, we cornered him, and both of us dove into his arms, coating him in flour, too.
“You two are in so much trouble,” he said through his laughter.
Aly just giggled, and I pressed a kiss to his lips.
“This is all part of the cookie process.”
“Are there actually any cookies to eat?”
“Yes!” Aly said. “Come have one, Daddy!”
We headed back into the kitchen, which was covered in flour. I pulled out a pan of cookies and switched it out with a separate tray. Aly picked one up that was still piping hot, passing it back and forth between her hands to keep from burning herself.
“Do you want icing?” Aly asked. She grabbed a butter knife and slathered white frosting on the Christmas sugar cookie in the shape of a star. Then, she coated it in green glitter sprinkles.
“Thanks, sweetheart,” he said with a laugh. He took one bite and then groaned. “Oh God, are these the ones that your mom used to make?”
I nodded. “Yep. They’re my great-grandma’s recipe. Still my favorite. Buttercream frosting and all.”
“Amazing,” he said, finishing the cookie in two more bites and reaching for a second.
I completed the rest of the batch of cookies while Aly spent time decorating them all, which mostly consisted of excess sprinkles everywhere. Isaac got down on his hands and knees and cleaned the floor and cabinets even though I’d insisted he didn’t have to do it. But he’d just kissed me and gotten to work.
After another hour, the kitchen was spotless, and we’d all washed up and changed into clothes to go outside. Luckily, I didn’t have rehearsal until later this afternoon, so I got to show Aly and Isaac around NYC and bring them some New York Christmas magic.
We started with a horse-drawn carriage ride around Central Park. Then, we wove through the Christmas markets to grab a bite for lunch. I insisted on taking us to Serendipity 3 for a Frrrozen Hot Chocolate for dessert. The thing was so enormous that all three of us ate it together. Aly had the same love for chocolate as her dad.
“What are we doing next?” Aly asked, holding both of our hands and skipping between us. Every so often, she’d run, and we’d lift her in the air.
Isaac arched an eyebrow. “How much time do you have left?”
“Not too much, but I have one more thing in mind. Luckily, we have the rest of the week, so I can show you more things, too.”
“I want every day to be like today,” Aly said with such a cute, innocent smile.
My heart panged with recognition. That this little girl was falling in love with me, too. And I wanted her to. I wanted to be a part of this family. To form this new bond.
As soon as Isaac had told me that he was going to move to New York to be with me, I’d known that this was real. That my feelings about coming back to the city were more than just melancholy about a missed opportunity. And I wanted it as much as he did. I couldn’t pretend like I was happy in New York, even doing what I loved. And I knew that, long-term, I couldn’t dance forever. Another year with my knee in the condition it was in…and I had no idea what might happen.
At least, now, I had a plan. And I got to have the best of both worlds.
“This way,” I said, tugging them down the next block.
Aly’s gasp when we reached the enormous Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza was worth everything.
“This is the biggest tree I’ve ever seen,” Aly whispered, wide-eyed. Then, she whirled on Isaac. “Can I have one this big for my room next year?”
Isaac burst into laughter. “I don’t think that’s going to fit in your room, Aly Cat.”
She sighed with a little pout. “But it’s beautiful.”
“It is,” I agreed. “It’s the biggest tree in the city.”
“Let’s get a picture,” Isaac said, pulling out his phone.
He snapped a few of Aly alone with the tree, and then I took the phone from him to grab some of them together. Then, a woman tapped me on the shoulder.
“Would you like me to take one of your whole family together?” an older woman asked.
I blanked for just a second as I realized she thought Aly was mine. But then I decided that it didn’t matter. Aly was mine. Or at least, she would be. That was the direction we were headed. And I adored her, just like I adored her father.
“Yes, please. That would be wonderful.”
I passed the phone to the woman and then went to stand with Isaac and Aly. Isaac put his arm around me, and Aly stood between us, beaming.
“You have a beautiful family,” the woman said as she passed the phone back.
I looked down at the picture. Family. She was right. We were beautiful. More than that, it wasn’t just a dream anymore. This could be reality.
“I love it,” Isaac said. “We’ll have to print it out.”
I nodded. “I’d like that.”
He pressed a kiss to my lips just as my phone started ringing.
“You get that. I’ll show Aly the ice skating rink.”
“I’ll meet you over there,” I assured him as I dug my own phone out. He was already being dragged toward the rink by Aly when I saw that Kathy was calling. “Kathy, hi!”
“Peyton, I’m so glad you answered.”
“Me too. It’s so good to hear from you. How is Lily?”
“An angel who can’t sleep, unfortunately. But still an angel.”
I laughed. “That sounds like a headstrong daughter you’d raise.”
“You have no idea.” Kathy chuckled. “But not why I called. Are you free for a minute?”
“Yes. I’m just at Rockefeller with Isaac and Aly.”
“Isaac and Aly?” she asked in shock. “They flew out to New York?”
“Yeah, and surprised me.”
“That boy. Ever the romantic.”
A secret smile crossed my face. He was, wasn’t he?
“Well, good. Maybe him being there will help with what I’m about to ask.”
“What’s this about, Kathy?”
“I’m going to officially retire from the Lubbock Ballet Company,” Kathy said.
I staggered backward in shock. “Kathy!”
“I know. I didn’t plan on it, but this baby is taking it all out of me. And having a little one again…it just makes me realize that I’d rather be home with her than working myself to the bone. I love the company and always will, but I think it’s time for someone else to take the reins.”
“I’m shocked, Kathy. I don’t even know what to say.”
“Say you’ll come back as the artistic director.”
My jaw dropped. “What?”
“I want you. Well, not just me. Everyone wa
nts you. Everyone has been singing your praises for the month you worked as the interim here. You handled yourself with poise and confidence. You pushed the students to be better. You dealt with crises, even when it wasn’t your job. And you’re a damn good dancer.”
“Thank you, Kathy, but…wow, artistic director.”
“I know it’s not right for me to ask. You have years left at New York City Ballet. You are a principal there. I don’t know what kind of salary we could match, but cost of living is a big thing. There’s a lot to consider, but I thought I’d shoot for the moon before landing in the stars. You know—”
But I cut her off before I could think better of it, “I’ll do it.”
It was Kathy’s turn to be speechless.
“Kathy?”
“You will?”
“Yes. When would I start? I’m in New York through May. Would that be a problem?”
“No,” Kathy said at once. “We have an interim for the first six weeks, and then I plan to come back. We could still do that until you’re back in Lubbock.”
“Then, I accept.”
“Are you sure? I didn’t think…it’d be this easy.”
“Are you trying to talk me out of it?” I asked with a laugh.
“No!” Kathy said at once. “I want you back. I’m just surprised. Does that boy have something to do with it?”
I glanced over to where Isaac stood against the railing, pointing down at the ice skaters, his daughter at his side. “Yeah, I think he does.”
“Well, tell Isaac thank you from me. We’re pretty lucky.”
“I will. Thank you for thinking of me, Kathy.”
“I’ll email you with all the specifics. I can’t wait to have you back in Lubbock.”
“Me either,” I answered honestly. Something I never thought that I’d feel.
I hung up and slid the phone back in the pocket of my jeans. Then, I headed over to where Isaac was standing with Aly.
“Everything all right?” Isaac asked.
“Kathy just offered me the artistic director spot for the Lubbock Ballet Company.”
Isaac’s eyes bulged. “That’s incredible, Peyton. What did you say?”
“I said yes!” I gushed.
“Yes!” He picked me up and swung me around in a circle.
“Me next! Me next!” Aly cried.
Isaac laughed, setting me down to pick up his daughter and twirl her around.
“When do you start? How is this going to work?” He settled Aly against his hip and smiled wide.
“I start in May after I complete my tenure here. So, I’ll move back, and I’ll have a job.”
“That’s perfect.”
“Group hug!” Aly said, throwing her hands out wide.
I laughed again and joined them in a group hug, feeling like everything was finally falling into place. I didn’t have to give up ballet. I didn’t have to give up Isaac. I could have the best of both worlds. My two true loves.
Epilogue
Peyton
“You did beautifully, Katelyn,” I said, touching her shoulder as she ran offstage.
“Thanks, Peyton!” Katelyn grinned wide, twirling in her Clara dress for our last performance of the season.
She had come back from the Joffrey summer intensive and worked harder than I’d ever seen her over the last six months to earn this role. It had been an easy decision to make.
Bebe stood there, waiting for her. They clasped hands and jumped up and down in excitement. Bebe was already dressed in her Arabian attire, a purple fitted top and sheer purple harem pants.
Some of the professional company members were still irritated with me for giving a pre-professional dancer such an important role. The solos and pas de deux were usually reserved for them, but Bebe was a star. She’d already been accepted to the School of American Ballet for the summer after she graduated. I couldn’t wait to see what she would do in New York. I hoped that she’d take my place one day in the New York City Ballet.
“Your cue, Beebs,” I whisper-shouted.
Bebe came to stand at my side. Her poise and confidence had multiplied since I’d first started working with her.
“I can’t believe this is the last show,” she said to me, her dark eyes wide.
“You will perform The Nutcracker a thousand more times, I assure you.”
“But the last with you, Peyton.”
I laughed and tugged her in for a hug. “You’re going to do great. Go show everyone what I knew the first moment I saw you.”
“What was that?” Bebe asked.
“That you’re going to rule the world.”
Bebe laughed. “Fingers crossed.”
“All right. In the wings.”
Bebe hastened forward, took a deep breath, and said a prayer, and then she was off. As stunning as I’d ever known she would be. And I wasn’t just blowing smoke. She was going to soar.
When the show ended, all the seniors cried and hugged each other. They promised to see each other again for New Year’s. I spoke to each and every one of the dancers as they left backstage until I came across one of Mother Ginger’s children. In the show, Mother Ginger hid the children under her skirt, and then they came out and performed a small number. The one I found was still in costume.
“Aly Cat,” I said, holding my arms out.
She dashed forward and threw herself into my arms. “Peyton! I don’t want The Nutcracker to be over.”
“Me neither,” I said, kissing her cheek. “But The Nutcracker will be here every year. What role do you think you want to play next year?”
“Sugar Plum Fairy!”
I laughed. That was always her answer. At six, she was as precocious and talented as I’d ever seen her. If she continued wanting to dance, then she could go far. But if she changed her mind and decided to be a musician or play soccer like her dad, then I was sure she would succeed there.
“How about we get you out of this costume and find your dad?”
She nodded. We quickly changed her back into jeans and a sweater and then headed hand in hand to the lobby.
Isaac stood there, looking like a dream in slacks and a red button-up, holding two bouquets of flowers. “There are my girls!”
“Daddy, Peyton said I could be Sugar Plum Fairy next year!” Aly cheered, taking the bouquet and sniffing them.
“Did she?” He arched an eyebrow as he pulled me in for a kiss. He passed me the second bouquet.
“Thank you.”
“She did, Dad! I heard her.”
“Well, you will have to work really hard throughout the next year to be in that role, won’t you?”
“Yes.” Her eyes were wide as she whirled on me. “When can I start pointe? I’ll need to start practicing.”
I tried to hide my grin. “When you’re twelve.”
Aly rolled her eyes. “That’s too long. How about next week?”
I couldn’t hold back my laugh this time. “I’ll think about it.”
“Come on, Aly Cat. Let’s get you home.”
“But, Dad…”
“Don’t you want to open a present?” he cajoled.
“Present! Santa!”
That got her moving.
We packed Aly up into the backseat and then drove back to our house, where I knew his family and mine were waiting for us. We’d agreed they’d come over to the house to open one Christmas present. Even Abuelita had said she would be there. I couldn’t wait to see everyone all in one place.
It had been a hard transition, moving away from New York and leaving the New York City Ballet. A part of me knew that the city and the company would always hold a place in my heart. But after I’d finished out my last two performances, I’d been glad that I’d already made the decision to leave because my knee was furious with me. When I finally got up the nerve to go to the doctor again about it, she was mad that I’d waited too long. Words like tendon damage and loss of cartilage still made me shiver at night. She’d put me in a brace and ordered six more m
onths of PT, and things had gotten a lot better after that. Suddenly, I could dance again without pain. But likely only because I wasn’t on my toes eight-plus hours a day.
Working at Lubbock Ballet Company was a dream though. There were still flaws and drama and plenty of high school angst, but Kathy hadn’t lied when she said I would just fit in. I couldn’t have asked for a better position.
And Isaac…well, I’d moved in as soon as I got back to Lubbock, and we’d never looked back.
“Everyone is here!” Aly yelled from the backseat.
“Surprise,” Isaac said as he pulled into the garage.
I helped Aly out of her booster, and she ran toward the front door.
“Grandma!” she called as she practically attacked Isaac’s mom. “Did you know I get to open a present before Santa comes?”
“I’d heard that,” she said.
His mom kissed me on the cheek and then we walked inside together.
Piper and Peter stood in the foyer, passing a flask back and forth. I laughed and snatched it out of Piper’s hand.
“Aren’t you driving?” I asked.
“No, Mom,” Piper said.
“Well, good,” I said and then took a sip, coughing as the heat of tequila went down my throat. “Jesus!”
“Yeah, isn’t it great?” Peter asked with a laugh.
“Put that away or give it to your abuelita,” Nina said, appearing before us.
Peter looked scandalized and hid the flask.
I kissed my abuelita on the cheek. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“I made tamales for tomorrow and brought Mexican hot chocolate with me tonight. Come drink some.”
I wandered into the kitchen with her to pour out the hot chocolate for people in attendance and didn’t say a word as Isaac pulled down a bottle of Godiva Liqueur to add shots for the adults. I hugged my parents and said hello to Annie, who was sitting by the Christmas tree and looking through the few presents, picking them up, and shaking them, as if she could figure out what was inside.
Finally, Isaac got everyone together and held his mug up. “To our first Christmas all together. May we have many more to come!”