Chapter 15 Reese #3
The first verse kicked in, and Emma stepped forward for a quick eight-count solo—fast footwork, slides on the balls of her feet, hip pops that hit exactly on the song’s hooks.
But then she did something Reese hadn’t taught them.
A perfect pirouette, controlled and elegant, transitioning seamlessly into a body roll that rippled down her spine.
The crowd gasped. This was a trained, talented dancer, and everyone could see it now.
Emma’s face was pure joy, living her dream of performing again.
The others watched, bouncing to the rhythm, then jumped back in with power moves.
They dropped into levels—Marcus and Cody crouching low while Emma and Julia reached tall, creating dimension. Roan stayed standing, his movements broader, less precise, but committed.
The chorus exploded with hip-hop isolations. Shoulder pop. Chest pop. Body rolls that Emma executed perfectly, Julia adapted beautifully for her pregnant belly, and the boys hit with surprising strength.
Roan stumbled, his foot catching on a pivot, but Cody was right there, steadying him without breaking formation. They recovered seamlessly, sliding into the next sequence.
The formation shifted. A V-shape with Emma at the point, Marcus and Cody flanking her, Julia and Roan forming the back line. Their arms swung wide in synchronized arcs, their feet hitting stomp-steps that Reese could feel through the floor.
Marcus had a brief solo moment—a quick spin, clean and controlled, his hip hitting the beat on the turn, then flowing into smooth, connected movements that showed natural talent.
When had he gotten that good? Reese’s heart swelled watching him, this quiet kid who’d been sleeping in alleys just a week ago, now dancing with confidence and genuine joy, his Santa hat bobbing with each bounce.
Cody was next in the rotation, his movements sharp and enthusiastic, if not quite as polished. But his smile was real, his commitment total.
Julia moved with grace—despite her round belly—and never lost the rhythm. Her hands framed her face on the next hit, her smile radiant.
Roan’s arms weren’t quite in sync and his footwork was heavy. But he never stopped. When they dropped into a synchronized squat, his legs shook, but he held it. When they popped back up with a jump, he was a second late, but he made it.
The whole room watched in silence, many people crying openly.
The final chorus ramped up. Bigger movements, broader swings.
The five of them spreading across the stage, then converging center for the finale.
Emma hit one last perfect pirouette before they all locked into the final formation.
Arms up, one last stomp-step, and a freeze—bold and bright with their Santa hats tilted at jaunty angles, breathing hard, grinning.
Roan swayed slightly. Marcus’s hand shot out, steadying him. They held the pose as the music faded.
When the song ended, the room erupted into a standing ovation.
People were cheering, crying, clapping. In fact, they clapped so loud it shook the mirrors on the walls.
The five performers stood on stage, breathing hard.
Roan was leaning slightly on Marcus, but he was grinning. The kids were beaming.
Emma hauled out the microphone, speaking into it, slightly breathless. “And now, Roan has something he would like to do. Reese, will you join us for a moment?”
On trembling legs, Reese climbed the steps up to the stairs. The room went even quieter as Roan dropped to one knee.
Reese clasped her hands in front of her, trying to keep it together.
“Reese, I fell in love with you when we were fifteen,” Roan said, his voice carrying across the silent room.
“And even though a lot of time passed between now and then, I never stopped believing that you’re my soulmate.
You’re the woman I would walk through a snowstorm for every single day just to be by your side.
” His voice broke, sounding for a moment like a scratchy record.
“Whatever you need, I will be there for you. Will you marry me?”
He opened the box. The diamond ring sparkled under the twinkling lights.
“Yes,” she said immediately, her voice choked with tears. “Yes, I will marry you.”
Roan slid the ring onto her finger, his hand shaking from cold or emotion or exhaustion. Maybe all three.
She kissed him gently, not wanting to cause him any pain. But he pulled her tight against him anyway. The room exploded once again in applause and cheers. The four kids rushed forward, surrounding them in a group hug. All six of them standing on stage together, crying and laughing.
Roan pulled back slightly. “I’m sorry your corsage was ruined. I really wanted to see it on your wrist.”
“I prefer the ring,” Reese said, flushing.
The crowd laughed—warm, affectionate, joyful.
“I’ll get you a new corsage,” Roan promised. “Every day if you want one.”
“That won’t be necessary.” She waved her hand with her engagement ring on it. “This is a fine reminder of how much you love me.”
“Oh, I certainly do.” He kissed her again, and the room cheered louder.
The doors to the front entrance opened, and paramedics rushed in with a stretcher and equipment.
Dr. Lawrence immediately moved to Roan. “Okay, Romeo, your three minutes are up. It’s time.”
“But—“
Dr. Lawrence put up his hand. “No arguments. That was the deal.”
“You’re no fun at all, Doc,” Roan said.
The paramedics helped Roan off the stage. He was moving more slowly now, the adrenaline wearing off, exhaustion setting in. They loaded him onto the stretcher despite his protests.
“I’m coming with you,” Reese said.
“Wait, it’s our engagement night,” Roan said, grabbing her hand as they wheeled him toward the door. “Jason, take a picture. I want to remember this.”
Jason snapped a photo of the two of them, Reese holding up her hand to get the ring in the picture. Then, the guys took him out on the stretcher, the crowd parting to let them through.
The kids followed them out to the ambulance.
“You’re okay, right?” Marcus asked Roan. “For real?”
Roan nodded. “I’m fine, bud. Just need to get checked out.”
“You better be okay,” Cody said, his voice rough. “Because we just got you.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I promise,” Roan said.
“I’ll follow you in my car,” Jason said to Reese. “If you want to go with him. I think fiancées trump twin brothers.”
“Thank you,” Reese said before turning to give Mauve a hug. “I’ll see you both later.”
They loaded Roan into the ambulance. Reese climbed in beside him.
As they pulled away, she looked back through the window to see eight people standing together in the glow of the restaurant’s light.
Grace had her arm around Emma's shoulders.
Walter stood beside Julia, his hand on her back.
Marcus and Cody flanked them on either side, close enough their shoulders touched.
Jason had pulled Mauve against his chest, her head tucked beneath his chin.
She waved to them and they all waved back.
The ambulance turned the corner, and they disappeared from view. But Reese could still see them in her mind, standing together in the December cold just in case she looked back. Just in case she needed to know they'd be there when she returned.
Then, she turned her attention back to Roan. The man who would soon be her husband had drifted off to sleep, his rugged features soft in slumber. And she said a silent prayer of thanks.
Thank you for bringing him back to me.
The hospital was bright and sterile after the romantic glow of La Danza. They took Roan back immediately, hooking him up to monitors, starting IV fluids, piling heated blankets on him.
Reese stood next to his bed, still in her gala dress, holding his hand, staring at her ring.
The doctor came in after about an hour. “You’re incredibly lucky. No frostbite. Your core temperature is coming up nicely. We’ll keep you overnight for observation, but you should make a full recovery.”
“Told you I was fine,” Roan said to Reese after the doctor left.
“You fell through ice.”
“Just a little ice.”
“You walked two miles in a snowstorm.”
“I’ve had worse on movie sets.”
She laughed, despite herself. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Come lay next to me,” Roan said.
“Is that allowed?”
“No one, not even a moose, is keeping you from me for one more minute.”
“When you put it that way ….” She kicked off her pumps and carefully got in next to him. “This bed is not big enough for two of us.”
“Don’t leave.”
“I won’t.” She turned on her side to give him more room, nestling into his chest. “Anyway, what’s better than my body heat to get you warmed up.”
“You warm me up, baby. Always have.”
“I was so scared.”
“I’m okay.”
“Thank God,” Reese said.
“Thanks for saying yes,” Roan said.
“You knew I would.”
“I hoped you would. Although Cody was worried I’d be embarrassed if you said no in front of half the town.”
“Well, fortunately, I answered correctly.” She leaned over to give him a peck on the mouth before climbing in next to him. “What a night.”
He squeezed her hand. “Best night of my life.”
“You nearly died.”
“But I got you. Worth it.”
She watched him drift off to sleep, her body tucked in next to him. The monitor beeped steadily. Outside the window, snow continued to fall, but not with the ferocity that had almost taken Roan from her. The storm had passed. Finally.