Katie-Jean walked outside and met Liam, Violet, Emily, and Sara on her front lawn. She waved and smiled as she walked towards them. She couldn't help but throw a wink Violet's way when she noticed Liam take her hand. They piled into Sara's car and headed towards La Reina que Baila. Katie-Jean was nervously flicking her hair. Brooke had curled it and the spirals wouldn't stay behind her shoulders. It looked quite pretty with a checkered scarf serving as a headband. The headband complimented her black dress and combat boots. Liam, the gentleman that he was, helped all four girls out of the car before putting his arm around Violet. They paid the money to enter the dance club and headed towards the bar. Emily and Sara sat down beside Katie-Jean while Violet and Liam headed towards the dance floor. Katie-Jean looked around nervously as she sipped her margarita.

"Hola Senorita." Katie-Jean whirled around as the soft whisper entered her ears. She smiled as she felt Julio's arms wrap around her as he kissed her cheek.

"Hey there." Katie-Jean finished her drink as she walked on the dance floor with Julio. A fast song came on as Julio moved Katie-Jean's body with his.

"You need to come out of your ballet element and learn how to dance freely." He tried to lead her by placing his spinning her so she was pressed against him but facing the same direction. He placed his hands low on her stomach and dipped low. Katie-Jean nervously danced and was happy when a slower song came on. She turned around and wrapped her arms around Julio's neck. He placed his hands on the small of her back and kissed her. They kissed for most of the song, only pausing momentarily to breathe.

"Would you like to go out for some air?" Julio asked, taking Katie-Jean's hand.

"Sure, I just want to tell my friends, okay?" She whispered something to Violet, who was dancing next to her. Julio led her out back and sat down on a bench. She sat down next to him and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Katie-Jean, I'd like to ask you something."

"Yes?"

"What could you have possibly done to Gracie to make her so happy all of a sudden?"

"Well, I just noticed that she was all alone and she wasn't quite sure of the move, so I helped her. She's a real sweet kid." Katie-Jean smiled.

"I've never seen her so happy since Papa left us. She's just been so distant. It worried me, since she's only five."

"What happened?"

"He was cheating on my Mama and just up and left last November. It shocked us all. I had to get a job and I was barely able to finish high school."

"I'm so sorry." Katie-Jean placed her hand on his arm.

"It is okay, I think we all get along better without him. It is hard, with me and Mama looking after Gracie along with an infant and a dog."

"You have a little brother or sister?"

"Si, a brother. His name is Javier."

"How cute. I just have Brooke."

"Maybe you could come over for dinner sometime and meet my family?"

"I'd love that." Katie-Jean leaned in and kissed Julio. They kissed for several minutes, neither one of them wanting to pull out. They finally stopped when they heard Violet calling Katie-Jean's name. "Good-bye, I'll see you around."

"I'll meet you at the dog park tomorrow around 3:00, okay?"

"Okay, Julio." She kissed him goodbye, followed Violet out of the club, and climbed into the car. Sara had already started the car and Emily was looking for a radio station. Violet sat on Liam's lap while Katie-Jean stared out the window looking at the passing scenery. She rushed to bed after she was dropped off and had bid Violet and Liam a goodnight.

A little after 11:00, Katie-Jean rolled out of bed. She pulled on her robe and headed downstairs to get some breakfast. She poured herself a bowl of cereal and ate quietly. She reflected on last night's activities and wondered about what she could do until 3:00. She looked down and saw Sunny sitting at her feet. "Hey girl." She pet the dog on the head and stood up, carrying her dishes to the sink.

Around 1:30, Katie-Jean got dressed. She tied her hair up in a ponytail and headed downstairs. She watched cartoons until 2:30 and called Sunny into the room. The dog anxiously ran into the room and stopped at Katie-Jean's feet. She placed the leash on the collar and led Sunny outside. A little before 3:00, Katie-Jean and Sunny arrived at the park. Not long after Sunny took care of business, Katie-Jean noticed Julio and Medianoche walking down the path. She waved anxiously to get their attention. Medianoche lumbered over and greeted Sunny. Katie-Jean gave Julio a big hug.

"Katie-Jean Anderson, will you be my girlfriend?" Julio looked deep into her eyes.

"Of course." She kissed him and smiled.

"Mama would like to meet you, and Gracie just adores you."

"I would love to meet your Mama, and Gracie is so sweet."

"Please come over for dinner tomorrow night. I will pick you up and we can walk over together around 5:00." Julio suggested.

"That sounds good. My parents might want to meet you as well. Just for a minute though."

"Okay. Are they gonna like me, you know since I'm…?"

"I don't see why they shouldn't. After all, my mom had a fling with some Cuban guy back in the late 50s, so how different could this be?" Katie-Jean offered, hoping her parents would be accepting.

Julio walked Katie-Jean home, Sunny and Medianoche following close behind. They stopped at Liam's house when they saw Violet and Liam on the porch. The walked up and said hello. After chatting for a moment, Julio checked his watch and saw that he had to get home.

"Bye." He kissed Katie-Jean on the cheek and waved goodbye to Liam and Violet. They waved back and watched him and his dog wander down the street.

"I think I'll let you two get back to what you were doing," Katie-Jean said, leading Sunny over to her house. She walked in the door and saw Katey and Arthur watching TV on the couch.

"Hello there, Sunny," Arthur greeted as the dog ran up to him and put her paws on his knee. He softly petted her head and stroked under her chin. "Katie-Jean, where were you?"

"I was at the dog park with a friend of mine." Her reply came smooth and nonchalant. "He's really sweet."

"Liam has a dog?" Katey asked. "I haven't seen one over there."

"No, Liam and Violet are together now. Isn't that cute?" Katie-Jean couldn't believe that her mother was still trying to force them together. "He wasn't really my type," she added quickly.

"Who's this mystery boy?" Arthur inquired, making a weird hand motion.

"His name is Julio. Mom you know him! Remember Gracie from ballet class? It's her older brother! He really is a nice boy, you know."

"I'd like to meet him sometime, before you two start dating." Arthur was always trying to be so over protective.

"Well, his Mama would also like to meet me, so when he picks me up tomorrow for dinner, you can meet him. I'm going to his house for dinner."

"Whoa, wait a minute. Gracie Perez lives in a horrible part of town, I don't know about this." Katey seemed adamant about this.

"But Mom, Julio will take care of me, don't worry."

"I still would like to meet this fellow." Arthur felt it necessary to reiterate things.

"Daddy, you will! Please let me date him. He's so sweet." Katie-Jean was now on her knees at Katey's feet. At this point, she didn't seem to have her eyes focused on Katey. She peered behind her mother and watched the door open silently. Brooke entered, holding the hand of a boy. Just as she was about to lead him upstairs, Katie-Jean gave Katey a gentle nudge. Katey turned around and saw the two, obviously thinking they got away with what they were doing.

"I'll take care of this." Katey stood up and went upstairs. Shouts of "you're ruining my life" and "not in my house" among other words were heard from the second floor.

"Hey, Daddy, at least I'm not doing that."

Arthur chuckled and smiled at his daughter. "Okay, Katie-Jean, you may date this boy as long as he is polite and kind. Only the best for my daughters."

"Oh Daddy!" She bent down and kissed him on the cheek and hurried upstairs.