Teddy stood in the lobby of the auditorium waiting for Owen to meet her. It was a rare baby free night out. Arizona was babysitting so the others could attend the opening night of the nutcracker.
"Teddy," Helen greeted.
"Helen, James," Teddy replied, "I'm so glad you could make it."
"We wouldn't miss it," Helen beamed, "we haven't seen her in a while."
"We've been busy and you were at the custody hearing," Teddy said.
"Give you and Owen permanent guardianship and custody essentially an adoption is best for Danika," Helen said, "she's well adjusted from what I've seen."
"Is it the tree of us tonight," James asked.
"No," Teddy said, "my mother in law Evelyn will be here. Owen is just parking the truck, Megan and her fiancé Nathan are coming as well. Our family is here for Danika tonight."
"Owens family is involved," Helen asked.
"Very," Owen said joining them, "Danika loves my sister Megan."
"She should have her village," Helen said, "kids need a village."
"They do," Teddy agreed, "she's getting to know you and Evelyn. Megan lived with us for awhile around when Allison was born so they bonded then."
"No Allison tonight," James asked.
"We got a friend to babysit," Teddy said, "tonight is about Danika."
"We've all been enjoying the books," Owen said to James.
"You've read some," James asked.
"I like the Mitchner and the mysteries you've sent," Owen said.
"How's the reading level for her," James asked.
"Mitchner she's working at it but the others are good,"
Owen said, "we want her challenged. It's how she learns."
"College for Danika," James asked.
"We hope so," Owen replied, "the SAT and ACT aren't a choice. She goes to a prep class Saturday mornings. She's taking honors math, English and anatomy now and will do AP next year. Our thought is one year after graduation to get a dance job and we'll help her through that year. If she doesn't have a contract after that she goes to school and we'll help."
"We'll," James questioned.
"Teddy and I get married in July and we both have custody of Danika," Owen said.
"Owen, Teddy," Evelyn greeted.
"Helen, James," Owen said, "this is my mom Evelyn. Mom these are Danika's grandparents."
"June's parents," Evelyn clarified.
"Yes," Helen said.
"I've been hearing about the show every Wednesday when I pick Danika up I'm excited," Evelyn said.
"Do you pick Danika up from dance," Helen asked.
"I do," Evelyn said, "Teddy and Owen both work a bit later on Wednesdays. I pick up the Allison from daycare then Danika at school and bring them to my house for dinner. I get the best parts of having my own kids on Wednesday. Baby cuddles with Allison and teenage chatter with Danika."
"That would be a good day," Helen smiled.
"Danika is a surrogate granddaughter," Evelyn said, "I know she's my daughter in law's baby sister but with the age gap."
"It is an interesting dynamic," Helen agreed.
Megan joined them.
"Meg, Nathan, these are June's parents," Evelyn introduced, "Helen and James. This is my daughter Megan and her boyfriend Nathan."
"Its good to meet you," Megan said.
"I like putting a face to all the names," Helen smiled.
"It's good," Evelyn agreed.
"Where did Teddy go," Megan asked, "she said she was here."
"Back stage," Owen said, "some nerves so Teddy went to check in."
"What is she dancing," James asked.
"Party scene, mouse, snow flake, flower, tea, Dew Drop and an Angle," Owen listed.
"Busy year," James said.
"Better than last she was second cast as clara last year," Owen said, "they only second cast clara, snow queen and sugar plum."
"I never thought I would hear Owen talking about ballet seriously," Megan teased.
"When your 15 year old sister in law is obsessed," Owen said.
"Her sweet 16 is soon," James asked.
"End of Febuary," Evelyn said.
"We'll do something," Owen said, "Teddy wants to make it a big deal."
"Driving," Helen asked.
"We're already reading the manual," Owen said, "Teddy and I will teach her."
"You are not teaching her to drive," Megan said, "you were the worst when I was learning. Megan, megan, stop, no the brakes are on the other side."
"Says more about your driving than my teaching," Owen replied.
"Is Teddy okay to teach it," Megan asked.
"Lessons to start," Owen replied, "Teddy thinks it will be fewer arguments."
"Teaching teenagers to drive is hard," James said.
The lights in the lobby dimmed, signalling the audience to take their seats.
Back stage Teddy stood in the dressing room with Danika.
"You're okay Dani," Teddy soothed.
"What if I mess up," Danika asked.
"Dress rehearsal went well yesterday," Teddy said, "are you worried about your grandma and grandpa?"
Danika nodded.
"This is new to you," Teddy smiled, "what about when Evelyn comes?"
"Evelyn always tells me i did well even if I mess up," Danika said, "and it's the first show Nathan is at."
"Its no different then me and Owen," Teddy promised, "Dani everyone is here because we love you."
"Mom never came she said I embarrassed her," Danika whispered.
"No," Teddy said, "we're proud of you. Your grandma and grandpa are going to love it. Dads parents used to come to my gymnastics competitions and when I fell or messed up they still told me I was great. That's what grandparents do. They just want to see you dance."
"What if I mess up," Danika asked.
"Then you keep dancing," Teddy encouraged, "breathe and just dance. Just dance."
"I can't, I'm scared," Danika whispered.
"You know what you're doing," Teddy assured.
"I don't want to let you down," Danika whined.
"Never," Teddy said, "I am proud of you no matter what. Dani just dance. Breathe and just dance."
"Danika," Mrs Lachance said, "it's almost time."
"Okay sweetheart," Teddy said, "I'm going to go find my seat and you're going to put on your lipstick and dance."
"Can you do it," Danika asked.
"I will then I have to go," Teddy said, "you love to perform sweetheart. Forget anyone is here and just dance."
Danika passed Teddy the lipstick and Teddy put it on Danika before hugging her little sister.
"Break a leg," Teddy said as she walked out of the room. As she walked towards the stage door and back to meet the rest of the family she realized that Danika hadn't grown up with those moments. Mom helping with stage makeup or hair, not that Teddy was the best at it, Dani had never had a big family presence at a show. She had missed out on all of these things and now at nearly 16 she didn't know how to respond to having family. Teddy knew she had to help Danika learn to be cared for and loved. Something most kids always knew Danika needed to be taught to accept love and be loved for her self. Teddy knew herself and Owen were trusted and Megan was up there, she knew Evelyn was close and Danika would talk to Evelyn now. June's parents were hard for Danika, that they had never tried, that June had never tried for Danika.
Teddy found her seat beside Owen.
"Dani Okay," Owen asked.
"Stage fright," Teddy said.
"That's not like her," Owen said.
"She's good now," Teddy replied.
"Teddy," Owen whispered.
"She's good, just needed me," Teddy replied.
The curtains rose on the opening scene with Clara and Fritz. Soon it was time for Danika to make her entrance she danced out with her classmates joining in the lively party on stage.
"Where is she," Nathan whispered.
Evelyn pointed.
"Those feet I would have killed for those feet," Megan whispered.
"She's strong," Evelyn agreed, "much stronger than when she did this a year ago."
"She's better than June was," Helen whispered.
"She's well trained," James agreed.
"I think she's on a tight leash," Helen whispered, "school, rehearsal and youth group. "
"She hangs out with friends," Megan added, "But I even know most of her friends. I've been working with the girls in her grade on using their voices and teach their health class once a week."
"They have health once a week," Helen whispered.
"Twice," Megan answered.
The show continued Teddy beamed as Danika danced Dewdrop the lead in the waltz of the flowers she was dancing well tonight.
After the show Teddy signed Danika out at the stage door and took her back pack from her.
"Let's go see your grandparents then it's ice cream time," Teddy smiled.
"Did they stay," Danika asked.
"They want to see you," Teddy replied.
"Are they okay watching me," Danika questioned.
"They looked happy at intermission," Teddy answered, "we're just saying hi they know we want to get home."
"We have the ice cream cake at home," Danika smiled.
"We do," Teddy agreed, "if you want and it's your choice you can invite them back for cake."
"Maybe," Danika said.
"You can have them in the house," Teddy said, "it's okay to want them around. I won't be hurt and upset neither will Owen."
"Not this time," Danika said, "maybe for recital."
"Okay," Teddy agreed.
"Danika," Helen called.
"Hi grandma," Danika replied.
"That was beautiful," Helen said.
"Thank you," Danika beamed.
"You're a good dancer," James praised.
"Thank you grandpa," Danika smiled, "it reminded me of watching your mom she used to get the same smile when she was dancing."
"Really," Danika asked.
"Really," Helen said, "you're good. You've been working hard on that."
"We have been," Danika agreed.
"How do you celebrate a show," James asked.
"Tonight is opening night so we'll have ice cream at home before bed then after the final show We'll go out for a treat after," Owen said.
"Ice cream," Helen said.
"We don't do many treats," Teddy said, "ice cream is a weakness in our house."
"We always have ice cream or popsicles," Danika smiled.
"Favourite flavour," James asked.
"Cookie dough or raspberry," Danika replied.
"Raspberry," Helen asked, "you like raspberry?"
"Any berry," Danika replied.
"I came home one day in July and she was eating raspberries from the basket with a spoon," Owen chuckled.
"And all my strawberries," Evelyn laughed.
"You'll come visit and meet your cousins over Christmas break," Helen asked.
"Can Teddy and Owen come," Danika asked.
"Of course," Helen said, "and we can finally meet little Allison."
"We'll organize it," Teddy agreed.
Everyone had learned that Teddy had the final say in what Danika did and which adults would be around.
"Getting tired kiddo," Owen asked, seeing Danika yawn.
"Yes," Danika replied sheepishly.
"We'll let you go home and to bed," Helen smiled, "thank you for inviting us Danika."
"Thank you for coming," Danika replied.
Helen was caught off guard when the shy guarded teen gave her a quick hug but gladly returned it.
"See you soon sweetheart and call me in a couple days," Helen smiled.
Helen and James said their good byes and walked away.
The rest of the family made their way to Teddy's house for ice cream cake.
