Chapter 14 Roan
ROAN
They’d just finished a brutal leg workout when Emma pulled out her phone, her face lit with excitement.
“Guys, I have an idea.” She gathered them all together near the weight bench. “I’m thinking we should surprise Reese with a dance at the gala. As a way to thank her for doing so much for us.”
“Wait? What?” Cody asked. “Now you’re having me dance in front of people?”
“Shush. Just watch this.” Emma tapped her phone, and a group of performers executed a choreographed dance routine, complete with synchronized moves and festive energy to All I Want for Christmas is You.
“Do you see how there’s some parts we already know from Reese’s version, but this one is like a real performance with parts for each of us? ”
“That’s super cute,” Julia said, leaning in to watch.
“I can teach it all to you guys,” Emma said. “It’ll be so much fun. Think of how impressed Reese would be if we pulled it off.”
“I don’t know.” Marcus raised an eyebrow. “Dancing in the studio is one thing. Dancing in front of all those people sounds really scary.”
“But, Marcus, you’re meant to be on stage,” Emma said.
Marcus blinked. “I am?”
“Yes, you’re such a good dancer, and I know you can sing too,” Emma said.
“How do you know?” Marcus asked.
“I used to sing next to you in choir, remember?” Emma asked.
“Yeah, sure. I mean, I do like to sing. My mom always said I had a good voice.”
“I knew it. You’re dying to be in a musical,” Emma said.
“I am?” Marcus asked.
“Totally.” Emma nodded, folding her arms over her chest. “Please, guys, say you’ll do it with me.”
“I’ll do it, even though I’m going to look like a whale out there,” Julia said.
“Do you really think I’m a good dancer?” Marcus asked Emma. “Or are you just saying that?”
Emma playfully shoved Marcus’s shoulder. “I mean it. And even if you were terrible, it doesn’t matter. Reese will love that we worked on something together. Right, Roan?”
“Yes, she will. And I’m in too, if you want an old guy,” Roan said.
“Of course we want you,” Emma said. “Reese will be happy to see you up there with us.”
“What say you, Cody?” Roan asked. “Are we dancing fools together?’
All eyes turned to Cody.
“Fine,” Cody said, trying to sound annoyed, but failing to hide his smile. “But if I look like an idiot, I’m blaming all of you. Or maybe I should say when I look like an idiot.”
“Should we get started?” Emma asked, bounding to her feet. “I have it all memorized so I can direct.”
The others exchanged amused glances. “Yeah, okay, boss lady,” Julia said. “Teach us your ways.”
Four days before the gala, Roan arrived at the gym to find all four kids standing in the alley, bundled up against the cold.
“Sorry I’m late, guys,” Roan said as he got out of the car and headed to unlock the door. “I was in Burlington this morning and am just getting back.”
“We just got here,” Emma said. “So no worries.”
“You all look frozen,” Roan said. “Come on in and warm up.”
“Dancing always warms us up,” Emma said, skipping ahead.
They filed inside, shedding coats. Emma was carrying two large shopping bags that she set down with great ceremony near the stereo.“Okay, guys. We’ve been practicing all week. We know the choreography. But there was one thing missing.” She paused dramatically.
“Costumes.”
“Oh no,” Cody said. “What did you do?”
“Nothing much. Grace helped me.” Emma pulled out a beautiful red velvet vest with delicate silver snowflake embroidery along the lapels. “She made these. Well, she found the vests at the thrift store and added all the decorations herself. There’s one for each of us.”
She held it up, and, even in the gym’s fluorescent lighting, it was stunning. Festive but elegant. Perfect for a gala.
“That’s actually really nice,” Julia said.
Emma pulled out four more vests. Each one identical, each one clearly made with care. “She said we should wear black underneath so the sparkle really pops. Black pants for the guys, black dresses or skirts for us girls. And then these vests on top.”
“I don’t have a black dress,” Julia said quietly.
“Grace thought of that too.” Emma pulled out a simple black dress with an empire waist that would accommodate Julia’s belly. “She said you can keep it.”
Julia held it up to her chest. “Grace made this for me?”
“No, but she got it from one of her daughter-in-laws,” Emma said. “Oh, that reminds me, Julia. Grace has a bag of maternity clothes from one of her daughter-in-laws. She said she’ll bring them out to your grandma’s if you’re interested.”
“I am, yeah,” Julia said. “I have one pair of pants that still fit.”
Marcus was running his fingers over the snowflake embroidery on one of the vests. “Grace is a phenom,”
“I know. And wait.” Emma’s grin widened. “There’s more.”
She reached into the second bag and pulled out five Santa hats with white fur trim and little bells on the ends.
“We put these on right before we perform,” Emma said. “We’ll look all formal and fancy with the vests, but the hats make it a little goofy, so people know we’re not taking ourselves too seriously. It’s festive and funny.”
Cody shook his head, smiling. “I can’t believe I let you jokers talk me into this.”
“Try everything on. We’ll rehearse in them,” Emma said.
Each of them pulled on a vest over their regular clothes, then topped it off with a Santa hat.
Roan looked down at his own vest and hat and couldn’t help but smile. “We look ridiculous.”
“We look amazing,” Emma said. “And Reese is going to love it.”
“Let’s run it,” Marcus said. “In costume.”
“Let’s do it.” Julia clapped her hands together.
Emma connected her phone to the sound system, and All I Want for Christmas Is You filled the gym. They took their positions—Emma and Julia in front, Marcus and Cody in the middle, Roan in the back.
The music started, and they moved through the choreography. They’d been practicing all week with Reese, learning every step, every turn, every arm movement. But Reese thought they were just having fun, burning energy, learning something new.
She had no idea this was for her. For the gala. In front of the entire town.
They hit every move—the hip swivels, the shoulder shimmies, the synchronized turns.
Marcus was confident now, hitting each beat with precision.
Julia was glowing, her movements graceful.
Cody had loosened up and actually smiled as he danced.
Emma was flawless. She was a talented dancer.
Roan really hoped she would continue dancing at Reese’s studio.
And Roan? Well, he was doing his best. He’d never be a great dancer, but he could keep up with the kids, even if he looked a lot less graceful than everyone else. But more importantly, he could show Reese that he was willing to look foolish for her and to give her something from his heart.
When the song ended, they were all breathing hard, grinning like fools in their red vests and Santa hats.
“Why are we doing this again?” Cody asked, catching his breath.
Emma answered immediately. “Because Reese brought dance back into my life and I want to thank her.”
“She reminded me that I don’t have to make myself small just because I’m pregnant,” Julia said. “And like my life isn’t over, just different than I thought it would be.”
“Kiddo, that’s a lesson you may learn again and again in this lifetime,” Roan said. “Change happens. But the people who love you, that stays the same.”
“Not always,” Julia said. “My parents said they loved me, but the minute I did something that brought them embarrassment they kicked me out.”
“You have us now,” Cody said, surprising Roan with his warmth.
“That’s right,” Emma said. “We’re your friends, no matter what.”
Julia sat on one of the benches near the free weights.
“I’ve made a decision. I’ve decided to keep the baby.
Even though I have no idea where we’ll live or how I’ll take care of her.
But I talked with Mrs. Chen and she’s helping me put together a plan.
There’s WIC for food and formula. Medicaid will cover the birth.
And when I’m ready, I’m going to enroll in beauty school.
It’s like a year-long program, and I don’t know where I’d live or who’d watch the baby while I’m in school, but Mrs. Chen said to have a little faith. That a solution will come along.”
“Yes, and you’re not alone,” Roan said. “Reese and Grace and Mrs. Chen will be there to help. As will I.”
“And us,” Marcus said. “I’m great with babies.”
“You are?” Emma’s eyebrows rose. “How do you know?”
Marcus looked down at his feet, the tips of his ears reddening. “Before my mom got hooked on drugs, she used to run a daycare. I helped her after school. I love little kids. And babies.”
“You guys will be busy with school and stuff,” Julia said. “Once the baby comes, you’ll forget all about me.”
“No way,” Cody said. “Not us. We know what it’s like when people we care about bail on us. None of us would do that to you.”
Julia’s eyes filled. “Thanks, Cody. That means a lot.”
“And he’s right,” Emma said, grinning as she held up her hands. “Grace promised to teach me to sew, so I’ll probably be making all the baby’s clothes before long. Me and Martha Stewart—domestic goddesses.”
“You’ll probably be really good at it,” Julia said. “Like you are everything.”
“Aww, you’re sweet.” Emma sat next to Julia on the bench and took one of her hands. “I’m glad we found each other, aren’t you?”
“That goes without saying,” Julia said, leaning her head against Emma’s slight shoulder.
“I’m starting to feel like myself again,” Emma said. “My parents are still a mess, but that doesn’t mean I have to be. I’ve been studying again. Aced my math final even. I’m back to straight A’s for the semester.”
“That’s great to hear,” Roan said. “I’m proud of you. Of all of you.”