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“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 months 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.
