I disclaim…I don't own SWAC or Channy…yet.

Short chapter, but I have an epilogue coming to wrap it up!

Chapter Ten: May I Have this Dance?

"Looking good, Chad. You sure clean up nice."

"Thanks, Ms Munroe. Is Sonny ready."

"Sure am!"

"Wow!" Chad exhaled slowly. "You look amazing."

"Not so bad yourself, Cooper."

"Here, these are for you. I understand you dropped some at the hospital a few weeks ago."

Sonny smiled brightly as Chad handed her a dozen red roses. It must have been Nurse Shelia who told him. She did like to butt in their personal lives.

"Yeah, it was kind of a chaotic situation."

"Not anymore, Beautiful."

"Uggh, you two just go. Here, Sonny, I'll find a vase for those. Try not to keep her out too late. And for goodness sakes be careful on the road."

"Mom!"

"It's okay, Sonny," Chad laughed. "My limo driver will be handling that for a while. I'm still a little shy behind-the-wheel."

"Well, still…be careful. Both of you."

"Yes, ma'am," Chad added sweetly. He had to make sure to stay on Connie's good side. After all, he planned to be spending a lot of time here from now own. And who knows what may happen in the future…

Chad reached out the door and pulled another bouquet out. He handed this one to Connie directly.

"And these are for you. Thank you for letting Sonny take such good care of me in the hospital and for being there for mom. She really appreciated having you two to help out."

"Aww, that's so sweet. Thanks, Chad. But you still can't keep her out late."

"Mom!"

Chad laughed. "Understood, Ms M."

Chad led Sonny out to the limo. He helped her in and closed the door.

"Sorry my mom is giving you such a hard time."

"Nah, it's okay. She's just protecting her little girl. She knows I feel now, so there's no chance this isn't a serious thing."

"Oh, this is serious?" Sonny said, jokingly.

"Dead serious," Chad replied just a sternly as Sonny had been joking.

"And before we get started, I need to do something that I have been wanting to do for a very, very long time."

"What's that?" asked Sonny somewhat curiously.

"This," Chad answered, taking her face into his hands and pressing his lips to hers. He locked into a passionate kiss before wrapping his arms around her and holding her tight. When he finally let go, they were both breathless.

"Wow!" Sonny said, breathless.

"Now I can die a happy man."

Sonny hit Chad's arm.

"Ow!"

"Don't joke about that, Chad Dylan Cooper. I almost lost you once. I won't go through that again."

Chad, touched by Sonny's confession, reached to touch her cheek.

"I'm sorry, Beautiful. I didn't mean it. I can't die now. I just found you. We've got a lot of life to live…together."

"Yes, we do."

"So let's get started. Ready for the first of many dates together?"

"Ready."

Chad knocked on the driver's window and the limo began to pull off.

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

"And why are we all dressed up?"

"Again…which part of surprise didn't you get?"

"You know I hate surprises."

"No, you hate not knowing things. There's a difference."

Sonny pretended to pout.

Chad laughed and covered her lips once again with his.

"Now, what's wrong again?"

"I don't remember," Sonny said wistfully.

They drove to a beautiful mansion with an elegant secluded garden that belonged to a friend of Chad's mom. They stepped out of the limo and Sonny marveled at the beauty. It had been adorned with candles everywhere, the gazebo in the center was covered with white lights and flowers. There was a small table with two place settings.

"What is all this, Chad?"

"This, Sonny, is your prom."

"What?"

"Since that night wasn't as special for you as it should have been, I recreated it for you. This time you don't have to serve any hors d' oeuvres, or refill any punch, or anything else. You just have to dance…with me."

"Oh, Chad," Sonny gushed.

Chad pressed play and the speakers came to life. The sound of music filled the air and he held out a hand to Sonny.

"May I have this dance," he asked.

"You can have them all," Sonny answered.

They held each other tight as they swayed to the music.

It had been a long, hard road to get to this point. But that was okay, because they had made it. They were both utterly and truly happy. And the long road to love had become well worth the journey.