Page 48 of Endless Love

It was all meant to be.

Bursting with energy and carrying a bouquet of wild flowers that I’d spontaneously picked up at a local florist, I arrived home a little before three. My sister and Beth were already there, looking tanned and rested from their long weekend in Antigua. They were seated on my dining area chairs, which were now lined up like a row of theater seats. Some of the other furniture has been moved to the side, making way for a large empty space.

“Where are Willow and Vi?” I asked after chatting with them a bit about their trip. Luckily for them, Antigua was one of the few Caribbean islands spared from the wrath of recent hurricanes, and they had a fantastic time.

“Getting ready for the show,” said my sister after sharing some photos on her cell phone.

My eyebrows lifted to my forehead. “The show?”

Mimi and Beth shrugged in unison. “Take a seat,” instructed Beth.

I did as I was told and sat next to my sister with the flowers on my lap. A few short minutes later, Willow breezed down the stairs and joined us, sitting next to me. She was holding my remote.

“What’s going on?”

A sly smile crossed her kissable lips. “You’ll see in a few seconds.”

My curiosity was piqued as she pressed the remote. On my next breath, a burst of classical piano music filled the room. I recognized the piece—it was some Tchaikovsky waltz that I’d once dance to with this creepy girl in Cotillion. The memory vanished as adorable Violet pranced down the stairs onto the makeshift dance floor. Wearing a pink leotard and tights, a lavender tulle tutu, and pale pink dance slippers on her feet, she looked like a little ballerina. Make that a beautiful little ballerina with her long hair gathered into a bun and a bit of shimmering makeup on her face.

For the next five minutes, the four of us sat silently, mesmerized by my precious niece’s performance as she twirled, jumped, and leaped to the music. I was captivated by both her agility and grace. With her slender arms fluttering like wings, she looked like a delicate little bird. A bright smile lit her face as she continued to dance across the concrete floor. I now realized what Willow had bought on her shopping expedition and what she’d been secretly doing with Violet each evening. Giving my wannabe ballerina niece dance lessons. Watching her effortlessly and passionately perform, there was no doubt in my mind that she was born to dance. As she continued to glide across the floor, I dared to take Willow’s hand. Without taking her eyes off her protégé, she gave mine a little squeeze.

When the piece ended, Willow hit the remote again, turning off the sound system, and as Violet gracefully curtsied, the four of us leapt to our feet, giving her a standing ovation, applauding madly and shouting bravo. Wearing a proud, ear-to-ear grin, Violet skipped up to us.

“Did you like it?”

I was the first to chime in. “Kiddo, you were incredible.” I glanced down at the flowers in my lap. “These are for you.”

I handed her the bouquet. Though they were intended for Willow, the sparkle in my niece’s eyes as she inhaled the fragrant flowers made my heart swell with joy.

“Thank you, Uncle Ryan. They’re so pretty!”

“Sweetheart, that was amazing,” said my sister, rarely one to give effusive compliments.

“Totally,” echoed Beth.

“Willow taught me how to dance. She’s the bestest teacher in the whole wide world.”

Willow blushed; God, she was adorable when she did that, her pale face turning the color of Violet’s ballet shoes. After swallowing a breath of air, she told us Violet was a natural.

Violet cocked her head. “What’s a natural?”

“That means you’re very good at something that’s very hard. Ballet comes easily to you.”

“Cool!” Her attention shifted to my sister. “Mommy, can I take ballet lessons when we get home?”

My sister hesitated, but then agreed to them.

Willow smiled. “I have a friend in Boston, who’s a great dance instructor. I’ll email you her contact info and will personally call her to recommend taking on Violet as a student. She has so much potential.”

“Does that mean I could be as good as you and Angelina Ballerina?”

Willow winked at her. “Better.”

A half hour later, my sister, Beth, and Violet, now proudly holding a quilted pink bag with all her new ballet gear, were on their way back to Boston. There were hugs all around, my niece unable to let go of Willow. The powerful connection between them filled me with a happiness I’d never known before. Willow promised to visit and told Violet to send her videos. Once they were gone, my loft felt so quiet and empty. For the first time, I realized how much a child could fill your life.

After putting back all the furniture, Willow and I ordered in pizza and shared a bottle of wine. I told her about my meeting with my agent and mentioned that I had a surprise for her. Us. As much as she nudged me to tell her what it was, I kept mum.

At close to seven o’clock, my intercom sounded. The movers.

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