Chapter Six: May I Have This Dance?

Calabasas, Los Angeles, California – April 2010

"You've got to be kidding me!"

Xander watched as April paced across the dining room. He was sitting at the kitchen island with baby Piper in his arms, feeding her a bottle. April had been on the phone for the last twenty minutes and he wasn't quite sure who she was talking to. She passed by the liqueur cabinet and sat down at the dining table. He could see her clearly through the archway and it was making him smile. She'd arrived home from New York with Hailie a few days prior, completely exhausted. She'd been so drained she'd fallen asleep almost immediately. Chris's funeral had taken a lot out of her.

Now she was pacing the house in an angry stupor. Someone had pissed her off royally and she was starting to lose her cool. He could tell just by looking at her that her fuse was burning and that potent Calaway Family temper was about to rear its ugly head.

Just as she slammed her head against the dining table, her younger brother entered the room. Xander and April had taken Cooper in after his near-fatal overdose and he'd been part of their household for several months now, on the path to rehabilitation. It was nice having another man around the house.

"What's wrong with her?" Cooper asked, reaching into the pantry. He pulled out a package of crisps and looked at Xander.

"Not a clue," he said, though it wasn't entirely true.

As it turned out, Mark, April's father, was set to be marrying his third wife later that year. April had been angry about it since the day she'd received his invitation; Mark hadn't mentioned it to anyone that he'd been dating again, let alone marrying someone. She and Gunner, her twin brother, had both been enraged at the news.

April dropped her phone on the table and curled her arms around her head. The two men watched her until she looked up.

"Anna and Abbi both knew."

Xander blinked. Her twin sisters knew?

"He told them or..."

"Yep. He didn't want to tell me or Gun because he knew how we'd react," she huffed, her fingers curling into fists again. She slammed her fist down and groaned. "He should have just told me."

"No lie there," Cooper said, mouth full of crisps. He smirked when April glared at him. "You seem to forget that he's a colossally selfish dick. If you aren't gonna hype him up, he doesn't care."

Xander smirked. Of course, Cooper felt that way. Mark had abandoned him when he was a baby and only returned when he was a teenager. Cooper had denied him then and Mark had cut him off again. His perception of Mark almost mirrored that of Gunner. Gunner had discovered some of Mark's history and chosen to cut him out of his life completely. He never appeared at family events if he knew Mark was going to be there. The brothers had each others back in that respect.

Xander handed Piper to Cooper and went around to comfort his wife. He didn't like seeing her this way. She had an incredibly dysfunctional relationship with her father and he hated how she suffered whenever she spoke to him.

He took her hands in his. She turned her brilliant emerald eyes his way and he nearly melted at her feet. She was the only woman on earth who could level him with nothing but a look.

"My darling, I think you should take the night off," he soothed, gently stroking her hair. She raised an eyebrow.

"You're aware that it's theme night at the club, and we have a band playing? I have to be there."

"Nope," Cooper called from the other side of the room. They both looked up at him as he held Piper. She giggled and reached up to touch his face. "The staff has you covered, as always, and Xander can pick up the stuff you need later."

Xander smirked as Cooper winked and left the room. The younger man knew exactly where Xander was going with this.

The rocker looked back at his wife.

"In a weird turn of events, Coop's right. We have reliable staff that can run the show without us."

He stood and pulled April to her feet. She gave him a thoughtful look and smiled.

"What about the kids?"

Xander smirked and turned his head.

"COOP! YOU'RE BABYSITTING!"

It took a moment, but Cooper eventually replied.

"GOT IT!"

Xander looked back at his wife, smirk still in place.

"See? If he really needs help, he can ask Scout. No problem."

April smirked and rolled her eyes, curling her arms around his neck. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him lightly.

"What would I do without you?"

Xander gave her a playful shrug before dipping her down. He kissed her, pouring all the love he could muster into it. Her hand trailed down to his face, pulling him closer. Without realizing it, they stood together. Eventually, Xander pulled away and smiled, bumping his forehead against hers.

~X~

It was a rare occasion when Xander had to pull out the fine-dining wear, but April had chosen a venue for dinner that called for it. The Inn of the Seventh Ray was a place they'd eaten before, a fairytale-like restaurant hidden in Topanga. They stepped out of the car onto the curb, greeted by twinkling fairy lights and a beautiful hand-carved archway. The entire restaurant was hidden by a beautifully manicured hedge, making it a perfect venue for wedding receptions. April had said the first time they'd eaten here that if they hadn't been married in Texas, she would have loved to hold the reception here. Xander completely agreed.

Xander opened April's door and offered her his hand. She took it and stepped out, completely taking his breath away. She had her hair styled in loose curls with pretty white flowers dotted around. She had smokey brown make-up that made her eyes pop. Her pink-tinted lips smiled up at him.

"What?"

"Nothing, just reminded how much I love you," he smirked, kissing her knuckles.

They stepped under the archway and were greeted by a long path. It was shrouded in beautiful vines and lilies, lit up by the subtle glow of fairy lights. It was like walking into a dream.

They stepped out from under the canopy into the open terrace. It was just as beautiful as the entrance. White iron tables with glass tops scattered around the area, a table for two sitting underneath a small white pavilion draped in more ivy vines.

There was no one else around except for the waitress who smiled as they approached.

"Mister and Mrs. Levesque, I have your table ready for you," she said with a polite bow, gesturing to the table under the pavilion. Xander smirked and looked down at his wife. She looked up at him and stared.

"How did you hire out the entire restaurant for one night?"

He kissed her knuckles again.

"I'm magical."

The truth was he'd had this planned since before Chris's funeral; he knew April needed some time to be a person instead of the workaholic every one knew her to be. She needed a night away from her children to let herself relax. This was her favorite restaurant and he knew it would make her happy.

They sat on the table and were given menus, though April put hers down and stared across the table at her husband.

"Yes, darling?" he asked, hands clasped under his chin. He gave her a smug smile.

"How did you do it?"

"A magician never reveals his secrets."

"Xander."

"April."

"You're a romantic bastard."

Xander's grin only grew.

"I know."

He looked up at the sound of slow guitar music. It was a melody he knew well; they had danced to it at their wedding. The Only Exception by Paramore. An idea struck him and he stood, offering his hand to his wife. She looked up at him, confusion in her eyes.

"May I have this dance?" he asked, bowing slightly.

April's gaze softened and she took his hand, stepping into his arms. She smiled as he led her to the open terrace, the music swirling around them.

Xander twirled her under his arm, smiling when she turned back to look at him with a beautiful smile on her face. She was genuinely happy and it warmed his heart. She was the first and only person he ever intended to fall in love with. His ride or die. His forever. He loved her with every fiber of his soul and wanted her to be happy forever.

Spinning under the twinkling lights, he felt his heart-melting. She was beautiful to him, scars and all. Everything about her was mesmerizing to him. Her generous heart, her loving soul. The way she could make everyone around her feel like they mattered. She refused to let someone sink if she could help it. She was caring, creative, and kind. No one since Emily and John had treated him the way she did. She treated him like a person, a real flesh and blood human being instead of a burden or annoyance. He felt real when she looked at him. She never looked through him.

As the music swelled, he twirled her into his arms again, kissing her gently. She returned the kiss with just as much love.

When they eventually broke apart, they rested their foreheads together, staring into each other's eyes.

"Thank you," April said, smiling.

"For what?"

"I needed this. You have no idea how much."

He knew exactly how much, but he smiled and kissed her again. She grinned up at him.

"I love you."

"I love you most."

It was true. From the moment of their first kiss, into whatever future they had together, he would love her with every beat of his heart.