Note: A year and a half has passed since the final chapter, and everyone is graduating and getting ready for their next steps in life. This is it for this series and I want to thank everyone so much for the encouragement and enthusiasm along the way. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it.
“Alright girls, we’re up next. Everybody line up!” Anna counted heads, trying to keep track of her squirrelly five to seven year old dancers. Julia was so impressed with Anna’s teaching skills the prior year, she gave Anna her own class and allowed her to fully choreograph their routine. The last month had been insane with finishing up finals for her last year of undergrad and ramping up rehearsals for the recital, but she managed to do it all and still graduate Suma cum laude while easily making it into Harvard Law.
Anna looked out into the crowd and was surprised that all of her friends came to watch. She wasn’t going to invite to invite them, because she doubted any of them would really want to watch a children’s dance recital, but Ernest encouraged her to since they were all going out to celebrate their respective undergraduate and law school graduations together right after. And of course her dad was there too with his new wife Barb. They met on a dating site that Anna had sneakily signed Vincent up for. It all happened kind of fast, but they were both at a place in their life where they knew a good thing when they had it and didn’t want to wait.
The girls took their places, and Anna was almost more nervous than if she was performing herself. But she had nothing to worry about because the performance went off without a hitch. Well, as much as could be expected for the age group. Naturally there were some girls out of sync or doing their own thing here and a few humorous moments, but all in all, they did an amazing job and the smiles on their faces made it all worth it.
After the final large group number, the age groups filed onto the stage one at a time for their final bows. Anna was a bit confused when Julia held Anna’s group off until then end and walked them out herself. She had a stack of large cards in her hand and she handed one to each girl as they formed a line across the stage.
“Didn’t these girls do a wonderful job?” Julia addressed the crowd who responded with roaring applause. “I’ve added someone to the studio this year who has been a huge blessing, allowing the company to grow: Ms. Anna Edgewater.” Julia motioned for her to come out on the stage. “Anna has exceeded my expectations with these girls, and I’ve been so lucky to have her. And now, the girls have a little surprise for her. Girls, can you hold up your cards?”
In unison, the girls lifted up the cards and Anna read the message spread across them: W-I-L-L-Y-O-U-M-A-R-R-Y-M-E-? Will you marry me? Certainly Julia wasn’t asking Anna to marry her, but then what was going on?
The girls started to giggle and one of them yelled “turn around.” Anna spun on her heels and covered her mouth in shock as Ernest knelt before her with a ring box in his hands, and it all came together.
“Anna Edgewater, I love you so much, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
“Yes! Oh my god, yes!” She replied immediately, and an applause filled with hoots and hollers resonated throughout the auditorium.
Ernest stood and slipped the most gorgeous engagement ring she had ever seen on her her shaky ring finger with his equally shaky hand. He wrapped his arms around her, and she stood on her tiptoes to meet his lips, kissing him deeply. She almost forgot anything else existed outside of them until she heard a chorus of “ewwws” from the girls.
Anna pulled away with a laugh, noticing some of them covering their eyes. “Maybe we should save that for when we have a little more privacy.” Anna took her final bow and exited the stage with Ernest as the audience roared on.
~~~
“The look on your face was priceless.” Annabelle chuckled and took another sip of her wine. They group had gathered at a popular local Italian restaurant to celebrate.
“I’ll admit, for a brief second I thought I was going to have to turn Julia down,” Anna replied sheepishly, and the whole table burst out laughing.
“Oh, sweetie…” Briar stroked Anna’s hair. “…for someone who is so smart, you can be pretty dense sometimes.”
“I’m just shocked the shy, reserved Sinclaire over here had the guts to do it in front of all those people,” Hamid added. He must really love you, Anna.”
“I do.” Ernest threaded his fingers through hers and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. a slight blush creeping up on his cheeks.
Vincent clapped Ernest on the back. ”Well you know you’ve had my vote from day one. Anna couldn’t have picked a better man.
“Thanks Dad. And thanks for pushing him on me, even though I was mortified at the time.”
“Thank you for letting us old people come to celebrate with you. What are everyone’s plans for next year?” Vicent asked the group.
“I got a job with one of the top Dance companies in New York,” Briar started. I’ll be doing that while I work on my MFA…and Luke is moving in with me!”
Luke nodded. “I am. I don’t have a job yet, but I have several interviews lined up with top firms in the city. I wanted to wait until I got there and settled in to start working.”
“I’ll also be in New York,” Annabelle added. “I got a job with one of the major advertising firms there, so I’ll be selling my soul to the corporate life. Hopefully down the road I can branch off and do my own thing when I have enough experience under my belt.”
“Well I suppose that leaves me, since you probably already know what those two are doing.” Hamid motioned to Anna and Ernest. “I accepted a position at the district attorney’s office and hope to work my way up from there. I also think I might be ready to settle down in my love life as well. His name is Rafael. He’s a paramedic and he’s pretty much a perfect human being. Hamid pulled up a picture and Anna and Briar say “aww” in unison.
“I can’t believe you’ve been keeping that from us!” Anna exclaimed.
Hamid shrugged. “I didn’t want to jinx it.”
“Sounds like everyone is destined for wonderful things.” Vincent grinned broadly. “Ernest has some more news none of you know about yet, don’t, you?”
“Yes, I do. I’ve accepted a position at Edgewater and Associates.”
“Pshh, nepotism,” Annabelle joked and the whole group laughed once again before congratulating him.
“So Anna and I will both be staying in Boston next year.”
“And when’s the wedding?” Briar pushed.
Anna chuckled. “We’ve been engaged for like five minutes, Briar, but when we decide you’ll be the first to know. And of course all of you are invited.”
Vincent and Barb soon excused themselves for the evening, but the friends hung out late into the night, cherishing probably the last time they would all be together before going their separate ways. Not all that long ago, Anna felt like she couldn’t catch a break. But now she felt like nothing could bring her down, and she couldn’t wait for all the good things to come.