Juliet
“Oh my God.” I jerk my gaze toward Daddy, a grin splitting my face. We’ve just gotten home from our life-altering weekend, and I’ve gravitated toward my parents’ bedroom because the door is standing open. I meant to close it. Instead, I’m standing in the doorway, shocked.
No. Shocked is too mild a term.
I look back into the room as Daddy sets his hands on my shoulders. “What do you think?”
“How did you do this?”
He kisses my neck. “I had a lot of people working on it while we were gone. I wanted it to be a surprise for you. I hope you like it.”
I take a step forward. This room was empty when we left on Friday night. Now, it’s filled with furniture, bedding, area rugs, even lamps. “I love it.” I step forward and slowly make my way through the room. The floors are newly buffed and polished. The furniture is all medium-stained wood. The bedding is inviting—a fluffy, colorful comforter with more than a dozen pillows in every color.
The windows, which used to have thick curtains hanging in front of them now have shutters that are currently open but could block out all light. “I can’t believe you managed to get all this done in a weekend without me even knowing.” I’m so very stunned.
“Check out the bathroom,” Daddy encourages.
I spin around and rush into the attached bath only to stop dead in my tracks the moment I enter. I can’t breathe. The focal point in the room is a clawfoot tub big enough for two. The pedestal sink matches the tub. There’s even a separate shower.
I twist to look at Daddy. “It’s like it’s not even the same room. You even had the tile redone and the paint.”
He grins. “Made me nervous not to include you in any of the options, but I wanted to surprise you so badly that I hope I didn’t overstep.”
“Not at all. I love it.” I throw myself at him, hugging him tightly. “And I love you.” Suddenly I have a thought. “Does this mean I can sleep with you from now on? In here?”
“Starting tonight,” he confirms.
I squeal. I’d been uncertain he would change our sleeping arrangements permanently once we got home.
He strokes a hand over the top of my head and down my braid. “I told you once I had you in my bed, I would never let you go.”
“Yeah, but I haven’t done any of the things you wanted me to accomplish,” I point out.
“For one thing, that’s not true. You’ve grown and changed so much in the past month. For another thing, that rule was stupid. I’m sorry I ever implemented it. It was foolish of me to make it seem like there were stipulations on my love. I love you unconditionally, Juliet.”
He holds me tightly. “You don’t have to earn it. It was always yours. No matter what happens, I will love you forever.”
“Even if I never leave the house again?” I ask him, narrowing my gaze.
“Even if you never leave the house, baby girl,” he confirms. He shrugs. “Not sure why I would want you to leave the house anyway. I don’t have to worry about you when I know exactly where you are.”
I smile. “I’m going to leave the house,” I inform him. “I promise.” I’ve made a vow to myself to make some of the improvements Daddy was hoping for. I want him to be proud of me, and though I know his pride doesn’t hinge on my ability to step outside my comfort zone, I also know he will rest easier if he doesn’t have to worry about me all the time.
“Mmm. Make sure you have permission first.”
I giggle. “Are you going to be like Craig and Foster and spank me if I go outside without telling you first?”
“Absolutely. Don’t even think about it. Always make sure you check in with me before you step outside the door.” He lifts a brow.
I roll my eyes. “As if I’m suddenly going to start going for an afternoon walk.” I shudder. That isn’t likely to happen, but I do have a plan. One I’m cultivating in my head. Hopefully, soon I’ll be able to implement it without hyperventilating.
He’s smiling as he stares down at me. “Hey, you didn’t tell me what trope we are. Have you figured it out yet?”
I giggle. “You remember the word trope?”
“I remember everything you tell me, baby girl.”
I grin at him. “Some happily ever afters have more than one trope,” I inform him.
He lifts a brow. “We get more than one?”
“We get several.”
His brow lifts higher. “I feel honored. What are they?”
“Let’s see… Age gap. Tortured heroine. Virgin heroine. First love. Daddy/Little. But you know which one is my favorite?”
He’s grinning wide. “Tell me.”
“Friends to lovers.”
“I love that one.” He bends his face down to kiss me. “Shall we move some of our things into this room?”
I grin. “Definitely.” I’m so happy that I skip across the great room toward the other wing of the apartment. I feel lighter than I have in years. Like an enormous weight has been lifted.
We’re moving forward. Starting a life together, a life that doesn’t involve us tiptoeing around each other, pretending we’re nothing more than roommates.
We’re far more than roommates, and I’m looking forward to waking up every morning in Daddy’s arms, sharing his bed, sharing our bed.
“You can do this,” I tell myself with confidence as I stare at myself in the mirror two days later. I’m in my old pink room, mostly because I still have a lot of my clothes in here, especially my leotards.
I’m wearing one this morning. I’m also wearing tights and a soft tutu. I have my hair in a bun. It was easy to put it up. It was like riding a bike. I’ve arranged my hair in so many buns in my life that I can do it blindfolded.
My mind wanders to last night as I sit on the edge of my bed and put my ballet shoes on. I can’t stop smiling. Daddy made my dreams come true between cooking my favorite meal of mac and cheese, taking a bath with me in the new clawfoot tub, and then making sweet love to me before we fell asleep naked in each other’s arms.
I stand and take a deep breath. I can hear the usual noises of toddlers and their parents arriving for this morning’s ballet class. I’ve chosen this as the first class I’m going to help Daddy with for two reasons. One, I know there are too many kids in this class and he’s needed help for some time. And two, toddlers will not judge me if I panic or leave partway through. They won’t even notice.
After one more quick look in the mirror, I take a deep breath and head down the stairs that lead to the back of the studio. I’ve used these stairs thousands of times in my life. The railing is worn from me dragging my hand down it. It’s loose in a few places from when I swung on it as a small child.
The steps themselves are wooden. Someone painted them a pale blue decades ago, and remnants of the chipped paint linger on the edges. The sounds of children laughing grow louder as I descend.
You’ve got this…
Entering the studio isn’t weird. I do it all the time alone. I’ve been coming down here to dance when I thought no one could see me for years. Today is a new day though. Today is different.
I know Aldric loves me unconditionally. I also know I hurt him when I suggested otherwise. He will continue to encourage me to step out of my comfort zone because he loves me, but he will never again make it seem as if his love is contingent upon my accomplishments.
I want him to be proud though, and more importantly, I don’t want him to spend his life worrying about me. I understand it’s stressful for him to think I can’t handle life without him.
At this point, I doubt I could. I would be destroyed if I lost him for any reason. But for him, I will find the will to make changes. For him, I will leave this apartment and take on new challenges. For him, I will do anything.
And all those things will be for me too.
When I reach the entrance to the studio, the door is open and Aldric is trying to line up all the kids in rows. They’re sitting cross-legged, but somehow they’re wiggly enough that it’s like herding cats.
Aldric is patient though. He’s smiling and gently nudging the most wayward kids. He hasn’t seen me yet.
I step into the room. His back is to me as he drags a small girl into her spot in the second row. She’s giggling at the way he swishes her into place.
A child in the front row notices me first. She’s about four and her curly hair is in a high ponytail on her head. She’s grinning as she sees me, and her eyes widen. “Are you a real ballerina?” she asks.
A few other children notice where she’s looking and glance at me too. Some mouths are hanging open and a few are oohing and aahing. I’m not sure why. I’m just me.
I glance down at myself. I guess I look like a ballerina to them. After all, I’m dressed for the part. I grin at the child who asked the question. “Of course, I’m a real ballerina. Aren’t you?”
Aldric spins around so fast he nearly trips over a child. His eyes are wide. He’s blinking at me in disbelief. “Juliet?”
I offer a slow smile. As if he’s not sure it’s me or doesn’t believe what he’s seeing. I step farther into the room. No, I float. This is my favorite place on earth. The dance studio. The place where magic happens. Where the rest of the world ceases to exist and it’s just me and the music and the amazing feeling of flying through the air.
There’s something about a dance studio. Gravity isn’t the same there. I feel lighter as I enter, like I can float. My regular concerns and fears don’t exist.
Even though the studio is filled with small children all talking and laughing on top of each other, I don’t mind. Maybe one of them will learn to love the studio the way I do. A place that can be their haven too. A place of peace.
“Do you all mind if I join your class?” I ask, looking at the children.
Several of them bounce on their butts and clap their hands. “Yes!”
One small girl who hasn’t said a word scoots over several inches. “You can sit next to me,” she offers in a soft voice. She reminds me of myself when I was very young. Maybe she’s like me. Maybe she will learn to love ballet but not want to go on stage.
I look at all the children. They are all different sizes and shapes and nationalities. They don’t know what they want to do with their lives yet, though several probably think they will become prima ballerinas.
I glance back at the shy girl who’s looking up at me hopefully, wanting me to sit next to her. I take a deep breath and glide across the room to take a seat. She smiles. “I’m not very good,” she whispers.
I lean closer to her and whisper back. “That’s okay. As long as you have fun.”
She gives me a huge smile and reaches to hold my hand. “I get nervous.”
“I get nervous too.” I squeeze her tiny hand. “Don’t worry about anyone else in the room. Just enjoy yourself.”
“Okay.”
I lift my gaze to find Aldric stepping toward the front of the room. “Looks like we have a guest. Can everyone welcome Juliet to the class?”
“Welcome, Juliet,” they all respond.
My face heats as I smile at Aldric. The look on his face is filled with love and pride. I know this was the right thing to do. I can do this. I’m not even nervous. Ballet is in my soul. I suddenly want to help other children let ballet into their hearts.
I take a deep breath and blow it out.
Aldric turns on some soft music. “Okay, everyone. Stand in your spots. Let’s do some warmups. I bet Juliet will help you get into your positions if you forget.”
“I’d love to.” As we stand, I feel like a real ballerina. I feel lighter and happier than I have in years.