A/N: Thanks as always for reviewing. I think I should go to rehab for this or something, but stuff just keep coming to me!

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Chapter 3: The Dance

Connie Moreau looked up in surprise as Charlie walked through the door.

"Hi," she said. "I figured you'd still be working." He kissed her.

"I let the guys go early," he said. She nodded.

"First practice?" She frowned. He nodded. "Who are you and what have you done with my husband?"

"Where are the kids?" He asked.

"Gordon's at football practice," she frowned. "And Casey's with your mother, what's going on?" She looked at him. "Charlie, what's wrong?"

"Um, Connie, how long ago did we move to New York?" He said.

"Fourteen years," she said. He nodded. "Why? I don't understand," she looked at him and closed her eyes and smiled. "She's here?"

"She's at Eden Hall, yeah," he said. "She wants to see you." She looked at him.

"Really?" She whispered. He nodded. "But I don't," she swallowed. "Do you know if Logan and Claire,"

"She said it was her choice," he said.

"She's fourteen, Charlie," Connie laughed. "We should check with them." He nodded. "Oh God, I've prayed for this."

"I know honey," he kissed her. "Do you want me to find their number?" She nodded. "OK," he said. "Why are we encouraging this whole Gordon playing football thing again?" He frowned.

"Mostly?" She said. "Because he's a terrible hockey player and you can't live with that." Charlie frowned at her. "And he's good at this and he likes it and you love him and want him to be happy."

"Right, the loving him and wanting him to be happy part," he nodded. She laughed. "She wants to meet him too."

"I don't know about that," Connie shook her head. "It's a lot to explain to him."

"He's 10 Cons," he said. She nodded. "I think he's old enough." She sighed. "It's up to you though. I think she's looking for something, and if we can help her find it."

"I understand," Connie whispered. "But I can't imagine," she looked down. "I couldn't take her away from Claire, do you understand that?"

"I do," Charlie nodded. "Of course I do."

Stephanie looked in the mirror and pulled her hair into a ponytail tugging at the straps of her leotard and sliding a sweater over her head. Connie walked in and looked at her.

"Why are you dressed like a chorus member from Fame?" Connie asked. Stephanie looked at her.

"Oh I'm going to that open ballet class in the arts building," Stephanie shrugged, shoving a pair of toe shoes in her bag.

"You dance?" Connie asked. Stephanie nodded.

"A little," Stephanie said. "Because of the last minute stuff I haven't had time to find a studio here yet. But Gabrielle Germaine is amazing, so I'm sure this class will work." Connie nodded. "How did it go with your," she stopped, "with Charlie?"

"Good," Connie said, "I have a little sister that I didn't know about." Stephanie nodded. "It's weird, because my parents were always really upfront about all of it, there was never a 'Oh, right you're adopted' moment. I always knew, I always knew who my biological parents were, I just feel like now, with them so close, I can't pretend it's not there like I did at home."

"Do you ever wonder what it would have been like if they hadn't given you up?" Stephanie asked.

"Sometimes," Connie admitted, "I mean, I don't imagine it would have been easy, and I've had a good life. And I love my parents, they're amazing." Stephanie nodded. "Do you ever…" She trailed off.

"Wonder what it would be like if my parents were alive?" Stephanie said. Connie nodded. "All the time, and I wonder what it would be like if Julie hadn't decided to keep us, or Jimmy had decided he couldn't handle it, or if her boyfriend when it happened Peter hadn't still been in school and thought he could handle it, or if my godfather Steve and Julie had gotten together like my dad always wanted," Stephanie sighed, "I can keep going, when you're in a situation like ours there are a lot of 'what ifs?' And I do think about them, a lot." She picked up her bag. "I'll be back in a little while."

"Have a good class," Connie said.

Gabrielle Germaine frowned watching the girls who had shown up to the open ballet class at the bar. A few were good, but most of them were kind of hopeless. She'd come to Minnesota for Guy, he'd followed her around the world for her dream, and settling down here was for his. She loved the arts program she'd set up, but this wasn't New York City, there was significantly less talent. She scanned across the group again and noticed one girl's body, her extensions flawless and her posture steady and confident, her back gently arched. She looked at the face and smiled. She shouldn't have expected less from Stephanie Gaffney.

"Alright," she said, stopping the girls from their after class stretching. "That was really great. I'll see you all next week." They started to filter out. "Stephanie," she said as the fourteen year old headed to the door. "Can I have a word?"

"Um, sure," Stephanie said. "What is it?"

"Your technique is stunning," Gabrielle said. Stephanie blushed. "How long have you been dancing?"

"Nine years," Stephanie said, "since my parents," Gabrielle nodded.

"Are you enpointe?" Gabrielle asked. Stephanie nodded. "Good. I assume you're here because you haven't found a studio?"

"You guessed it," Stephanie said. "I wanted to mellow a little bit for high school anyway."

"Alright," Gabrielle said. "I run a more exclusive class though, if you're interested. It wouldn't be as demanding as a studio and you'd get better."

"I'm very intereseted." Stephanie said. "That first Christmas, I mean the first Christmas that we," Gabrielle nodded, she could see the girl still had trouble talking about it. "Jimmy took me to see you, well, to see The Nutcracker, just me and him, and you danced The Sugar Plum Fairy, and that was when I wanted to start dancing." Gabrielle smiled.

"And if you still wanted to dance but be more mellow, there's always cheerleading, it would keep you in shape at least," Gabrielle said.

"Cheerleading?" Stephanie raised her eyebrows. "I don't think so."

"That would have been my response at your age too," Gabrielle grimaced, "just letting you know your options."

"OK, thanks," Stephanie said. "I'll think about it." She bounced out happily. Gabrielle smiled and stretched.

"There's my girl," Guy said leaning against the door.

"Hey," she smiled and walked over and kissed him. "How was practice?"

"Good," he said, "how was your class?" She rolled her eyes. "That pathetic huh?"

"Well, I saw Stephie," she said. "I can't tell if she's talented yet, but her technique is unimpeachable."

"I wouldn't expect less of a girl brought up by The Cat," Guy smiled. "Julie used to sit around in the summer trying to catch mosquitoes with her bare hands to keep her reflexes sharp. They're very big on technique in that family."

"Did you know I was the reason she started dancing?" Gabrielle said. Guy looked at her. "Remember the year I danced at Lincoln Center and you sent them Nutcracker tickets?"

"Oh yeah," Guy said. "Sure. That's exciting." Gabrielle nodded. "How are you feeling today?"

"I feel fine," she said. He nodded. "I know you're worried, but the doctor said I can still dance. The baby will be fine." He kissed her. "I'm nervous too, getting pregnant wasn't easy, but now that we are we can't be afraid of life." He smiled. "How's the new team?"

"The freshmen look good," he nodded. "We've got TJ Riley. He plays just like his father, all perfectly harnessed aggression. It's amazing."

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