Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 75983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“Good.” I was sure Rudy and Melody were already scheming for Kitty and Victoria’s post-college life in another year or two.
“I’ll go hunt your families down, give you two a moment.” Melody patted me on the shoulder before giving Rudy a conspiratorial wink. “I’m sure you have much to discuss.”
“What was that wink?” I asked as I reached for his hand, desperate to be back home where I could properly recover, but I’d settle for the reassurance of his touch.
“I got a call earlier, right before the foundation reception.” Lowering his voice, Rudy leaned in. I inhaled his familiar scent as he continued, “Naturally, Melody overheard, but she promised to keep the secret.”
“A secret?” My brain was a bit foggy after dancing the performance of a lifetime. Rudy chuckled, clearly enjoying my addled state. “What secret?”
“The agency called,” Rudy whispered. Exhausted or not, I instantly knew which agency. Over the prior summer, we’d taken a series of classes with a nonprofit agency that specialized in adoptions out of the foster care system. In the fall, our home study and application had been approved, and we’d entered a waiting period where every incoming call made Rudy lunge for his phone. Judging by his beaming expression, this had been more than another false alarm.
“And?” My breath caught, my depleted adrenaline giving a little surge of anticipation.
“They think they have the perfect placement for us.”
“Really?” I shook my head. Talk about timing. “Today of all days.”
“I know. When it snows, it blizzards.” Rudy laughed, a giddy sound that had me joining him.
“Ha. Nice bit of northeast winter humor.” It might be March, but there was sadly plenty of snow around. “I’m so ready for spring.”
“Do you miss Seattle?” Rudy’s concerned eyes said he was asking about far more than the weather.
“Honestly, no. I’m grateful for what the company offered me for so many years, but tonight felt like a triumph decades in the making. Wouldn’t trade it for the world.” I pulled him in close for a kiss, not caring about who might be hovering nearby or my own sweatiness. “Or you. Definitely not trading you.”
“Thank you.” He gave me a grateful smile. Down the corridor, Melody was chatting with our mothers. Our alone time dwindled, so I gave him another kiss.
“You’ll tell me everything later?”
“Of course. We’re meeting the social worker on Tuesday to discuss more details.” Rudy bounced on his feet, exactly like his mother did when excited. “It’s siblings, like we hoped. Three-year-old twins.”
“Twins?” I gasped loudly enough that a few nearby heads swiveled. I quickly lowered my voice back to a whisper. “Twin toddlers? And I thought tonight was the performance of a lifetime.”
“It was.” Rudy squeezed my shoulder. “And we’re both ready for this next role as well.”
“Well, you’re certainly ready.” I gave a dramatic sigh as I sagged against him. “I can only hope to follow your lead.”
He snorted. “That would be a first.”
“Hey, I listen to you plenty,” I protested.
“You do.” He gave me an indulgent kiss. “And yes, Alexander, we’re ready. There’s no one else I want to partner me in this next act of our lives.”
“I’ll endeavor to do my best.” Weary muscles be damned, I lifted him off the ground, to much squeaking. If tonight was the pinnacle of my professional ballet life, Rudy was the pinnacle of the rest of my life, a high I could never seek to duplicate, and the only role I wanted to spend forever perfecting.