Grabbing the studio mail from the box on the front of the building, Zander started carefully walking back inside, shuffling through the letters. The Elysian Dance Studio had been completely renovated, the main room now had an actual reception area and waiting room.

The far wall had been knocked out to allow for more practice rooms and proper storage. There were now up to date changing rooms and a proper daycare. The entire place gleamed with new lights, refurbished floorboards, and a fresh coat of paint covered the walls.

Today, October 31st, a mere five months after Sylvia's plan had been kicked into action, was the 'grand re-opening', consisting of a costume party for all the kids.

"Zander have you seen your damned brother?" He glanced up from a particularly interesting piece of mail, eyebrow arched.

"Yeah, I'm looking at him," he said with the utmost seriousness.

"Not me, you blasted idiot. Jaden." Kam sighed at him.

"Well, you should've specified then, I do have two. 'Hey Zander have you seen Jaden?'" he mocked in a lower voice. " 'Why no, Kam, I haven't, and it doesn't look like I will any time soon.' "

"What are you talking about?" Kam walked up to Zander, angling his neck to see what he was holding.

"It appears he and Ramona have eloped." Zander held out a postcard to Kam, on the front was a small whitewashed cottage with a dark thatched roof and a sign that read 'Old Blacksmith Shop' in large letters.

"They went to Gretna Green?"

"Yup, he said they're honeymooning in New Abbey until next week."

"A wedding and we're not even invited? Bastard." Kam smiled, belying his words.

"You'll be invited to mine." Zander grinned.

"I hope this grievous error on Jaden's part will prove that I should be best man." Zander rolled his eyes, Kam and Jaden had been arguing – good-naturedly – over who would be his best man since almost the second he had proposed to Adelaide last month.

"I guess so. Make sure your schedule is clear in April."

"It already was." His brother laughed.

There was a commotion in the waiting room and Mina's voice could be heard. "Babe!" she called, but Kam was busy reading Jaden's postcard, not really paying attention.

"Babe!" she called again to no avail. "Kam!" she tried and this time he looked up, Zander laughing. "KAMERON!" she finally bellowed and the pair of them rushed into the room, knowing full well something big happening if she had used his full name.

"Is something wrong?" Kam asked, eyes wide in concern.

"LOOK!" She fiddled with the remote control for a moment, trying to get the DVR to rewind to the part she wanted. A news story flashed up and a hush fell across them as Anton's picture came on the screen.

"In other news today, things have not be so rosy for former Intentional Ballroom Champion Anton Cromwell, the son of the late Phillip Cromwell, former member of the House of Commons." The footage cut from the news anchor to what looked like leaked camera phone footage of Anton in a studio with a new partner and coach.

It was difficult to see his partner, cast in shadows, but his coach was clearly visible as she spoke with him, tall with an olive complexion and long dark hair held back in a high ponytail.

"While training with his new coach, Suzanna Madani, and partner, Estelle Abbate, Anton suffered a debilitating leg fracture as this footage shows." As the anchor spoke they could see Anton obviously having a row with his coach, yelling and throwing his arms up. He stormed away from her, but somehow managed to slip on the smooth dance floor, crashing to the ground. The footage didn't show the extent of exactly what had happened to his leg, but pain clearly flashed across his face as he reached for his shin.

Then the camera cut to his coach – up close she was a beautiful woman with the smooth skin and enchanting eyes that seemed so much older than her years. "It's a shame," she said, her accent difficult to place. "All dancers will suffer some form injury at one point or another. I suppose it was only a matter of time for Anton." She shrugged carelessly. "However, it is a pity that this was such a freak accident, I don't know if he'll ever able to recover."

There was more to story but Mina muted it and turned to Kam and Zander. "Well?" she prompted.

"I can't believe it," Kam mumbled, still staring at the screen.

"Karma's a bitch." Zander flipped off the screen for good measure. "Serves ya right, Anton!"

"Hello!?" A voice called from outside the room a moment before Edmond appeared, already dressed in costume – black pants and a white military style coat, gold tassels on the shoulders and a sash across the chest. "We're here to help with the decorations," he informed them, holding up a box. Sylvia popped up at his side dressed in a blue ball gown, her hair up in a French twist with a small tiara glittering on top.

"Yes!" Mina cheered. "If you'll follow me, your highness." She bowed before leading them out of the room. The next few hours were spent decorating and making sure everything was ready for the party – also sharing the news over Jaden and Ramona.

"Oh, it's so romantic!" Sylvia cried, starry eyed.

"Says the girl dressed as Cinderella." Mina giggled, bumping her shoulder with Sylvia's. Over the last few months all the girls had become quite good friends, despite their differences.

As time passed everyone got themselves ready for the party, and eventually Adelaide and Neven showed – her dressed as a blue fairy while Neven only wore black pants and a dress shirt. Zander greeted Adelaide with a big hug and kiss, and Neven with a muttered 'hey.'

"I have favour to ask." Neven sat down his black duffle bag and clasped his hands together. "When Maggie and Dmitri show will you tell Maggie to meet me in the old practice room?"

"You're not picking them up from the airport?" Sylvia cut in. "Don't you want to see Maggie as soon as possible? They've been touring the circuit for months!"

"I do, but I have plan. Just please tell her that?" Neven looked at them all imploringly.

"Will do!" Zander saluted.

"Thank you, friend." Neven patted his back, picked up the bag, and headed down the hall.

As the time of the party came near, people started to arrive, the children excited to return to the studio after it had been closed for a few months. There were old students and newer, friends from competitions and the circuit.

After the party was already underway, a glowing Dmitri showed up with a harassed looking Maggie. He wore a pinstripe suit, a fedora on his head and a plastic Tommy gun in his hand. Maggie was dressed in a pink Genie outfit, the sheer material showing off her long legs, and the cutoff top baring her midriff.

"What are you grinning about?" Zander asked Dmitri, adjusting his matador costume.

"He met a girl." Maggie barked out a laugh. "A journalist, she was covering the circuit. Her name is Courtney and I think he luuuuuuves her," she sing-songed. Completely uncharacteristic of the normally brazen flirt, Dmitri blushed bright red and excused himself, muttering under his breath about having no such feelings.

Dmitri moved toward a group of women he knew from the circuit, all looking beautiful in their costumes – the most adorable Rainbow Brite that Zander had ever seen, a lovely gypsy with a stack of gold bangles on each arm, another girl whose face he couldn't make out, but he had to admit she had a rather hypnotic backside in her pirate costume, and a fourth girl that Dmitri greeted as 'Lysse' while hugging her around the shoulders. The group was joined by a bespeckled Snow White who looked even bustier than Maggie.

All in all it looked like Dmitri was in Seventh Heaven. Zander turned his attention back to Maggie. "You look nice," he said conversationally.

"Where is he? He wouldn't even meet me at the airport and he knows how I feel about flying!" Maggie crossed her arms and tapped her foot.

"He's in your old practice room."

"He's getting an ear full!" she breathed, turning on her heel and marching down the hall. Zander only grinned at her retreating figure and went to find Adelaide.

###

"Neven Veremchuk." Maggie's angry voice sounded in the hall. "Who do ya think ya are? Not even coming to get your girlfriend and brother from the airpo–" She stopped short as soon as she opened the door.

Neven remained standing in the middle of the room, watching as her eyes grew wide as saucers while she looked around. He had strung up lights around the entire room, illuminating it with a soft glow. There were flower petals strewn across the floor, and gentle music played in the background.

"I was busy, I am sorry," he said, lips twitching.

"Wot is this?" Maggie shut the door and shuffled into the room.

"An apology."

Her eyes snapped to his, brows furrowed. "Why?"

"I lie to you."

"I don't understand?" She started walking toward him, but he held up a hand.

"Stay there, please." Maggie gave him a dubious look, but remained where she was.

"I lie about why I don't go on circuit with you and Dmitri."

She screwed up her face in confusion. "You weren't helping with all the studio changes?"

"I did a bit, but mostly I was recovering."

"Wot?" She looked him over, trying to assess his health. He only smiled at her softly, and tossed away his cane.

"Neven?"

"I went to see doctor, like you want, a specialist." He took a step toward her, while he still had a slight limp, his gait just a bit uneven, he could now make the journey to her side without the use of his cane. Maggie watched his legs as he moved toward her, and when he stopped in front her she looked up at him with teary eyes.

"It hurt a bit when I move certain way, but not like before. Is all plastic now." He shifted his weight to his left foot, bending is right knee a couple of times. "With physical therapy he think I will walk like normal again."

"Neven," she croaked, a grin spreading across her face.

He held out his hand, bowing to her slightly. "May I have this dance?"

She gave a watery laugh and nodded happily. Neven drew her close. "I love you, Maggie," he said, laying a kiss against her temple.

"And I fookin' luv ya, even if ya are a liar." She swatted his shoulder and buried her face in his neck. "I didn't think we'd ever get to dance together," she said, voice muffled by his shirt. They spent the rest of the evening together, gently swaying to the music.

That night, for the first time in a long time, the group of friends – no matter where they were – all felt happy. Their future's looking brighter than ever before as they held the person they loved most, dancing to the rhythm of life.

~FIN~