The afternoon of the Robbie Burns Day dinner and fundraiser Annie was fighting with her hair.
"How did I do this every weekend," Annie groaned.
"What's wrong babe," Josh asked.
"This puff ball bun," Annie said, "I forgot how much time this took."
"You do a bun all the time at work," Josh said. He liked how serious they looked then taking the pins out of her bun when they got home and watching her hair fall over her shoulders and running his hands through the think curls.
"Messy bun, ballerina bun but not a puff ball," Annie said.
"Can I see," Josh asked.
"Still not finished but come in," Annie said.
"I haven't seen this look before," Josh said.
"You don't like it," Annie asked, she knew her stage makeup was way more then she ever wore and the highland bun was different then what she did for work.
"I do," Josh said, "it's just different."
"I should finish getting ready then go," Annie said.
"I'll come with you," Josh said, "I want to meet your teacher. You've had so many stories about Mrs. Laura."
"Then you need to get dressed," Annie said, "your kilt is on our bed."
"Kilt," Josh groaned, "why?"
"Three reasons. It's Robbie Burns Day, it's a traditional ceilidh, and I think its hot," Annie retored.
"You think me in a skirt is hot," Josh said.
"Good looking man in kilt usually," Annie said, "hot husband in kilt for sure. Shirtless would be better but it's a work event."
"Having some brave heart fantasies over there," Josh teased.
"No," Annie smirked, "you in a kilt."
"I need your help with this then," Josh said.
"The shirt goes first then the pleats go at the back," Annie said.
"Just help me babe," Josh said.
"I don't know how men's kilts are supposed to fit," Annie said, "i've only ever worn my dance kilt. But shirt, kilt, bow tie, vest, jacket. There's elastics for the socks and your black dress shoes."
"What about the purse," Josh asked.
"Your sporran is part of your belt, I think it goes through the belt loops on the kilt," Annie said, "my outfit doesn't have belt loops."
"Yours doesn't have belt loops," Josh asked, "how does it stay up?"
"Same way yours dones the buckles. Mine was custom made for me it fits perfectly," Annie said.
Josh came back into the bathroom, "does this look okay?"
"Not quite," Annie replied, "let me fix it."
Annie twisted the kilt so the center line was hanging straight then tightened the buckles.
"Now it's hanging right," Annie said, "put the sporran on so the pouch hangs in the center."
"I can get dressed," Josh said, "why aren't you in your kilt?"
"I'm wearing a black dress for the ceilidh with the plaid from my national," Annie said, "my kilt and jacket are just for dancing in. good to know I'm still the same size I was at 15 because it fits perfectly."
"I don't know if that's a good thing or not," Josh said.
"Teddy," Owen bellowed.
"Yes," Teddy replied, finishing her makeup.
"Why is there a kilt on the bed where's my suit," Owen asked.
"That's what you're wearing tonight," Teddy replied, "I've always wanted to see you in a kilt now I have an excuse to. So go put it on major."
"Do I have to," Owen asked, "really with this group?"
"As your chief I'm telling you to wear it," Teddy smirked.
"Is anyone else," Owen asked.
"Nate and Josh," Teddy replied.
"How," Owen asked.
"Annie and Meghan," Teddy replied, "it was Meg's idea."
"But you get a dress," Owen said.
"I have to figure out that shawl thing," Teddy said, "Annie or Meghan will pin it."
"Wait Annie has the family broach for her plaid," Owen said.
"Your mom had two more Meghan didn't know about. She was saving them for grandchildren then you and Meghan gave Annie the one Meg competed with," Teddy said, "I have the really fancy one from your dad's side and Meghan has the jewled one from your mom's side. Annie has the simple one."
"I can pin it," Owen said.
"Meghan has it and the shawl," Teddy replied, "she'll do it there. We got two new shawls made in Green Hunt. I hope it's okay. I'm wearing your family tartan. I don't think I have one."
"Your my wife," Owen said, "it's yours two."
"Annie will wear the cranberry hunt shawl for most of it but is in her navy McKellar for a few dances," Teddy said, "if she was performing or competing more I would suggest changing her kilt."
"She still wears the same one," Owen looked surprised.
"She does," Teddy replied, "her costumes from highschool. She says they still fit perfectly. I think the kilt outfit was custom made for her."
Annie walked into the hotel ballroom carrying her garment bag of costumes.
"Do you want me to take something," Josh asked.
"It's just my dance stuff," Annie said, "if you can deal with our coats it would be great."
"Annabeth," Mrs. Laura called.
Annie glared at her.
"It's just you and your friend," Mrs. Laura replied.
"Mrs. Laura this is my husband Dr. Josh Riggs," Annie replied, "Josh this is Mrs. Laura she was my highland teacher from the time I was three until I left BC."
"17 years my dear," Mrs. Laura said, "it's lovely to meet you Dr. Riggs."
"Call me Josh please mam," Josh smiled, "I've heard a lot about you."
"Good things I hope," Mrs. Laura said, "Annabeth was my star, my champion of champions."
"She's the only person who ever got to call me Annabeth," Annie said, "Mrs. Laura I need you to use Grace or Dr. Altman here. It's only family and my closest friends that still get to use Annie. Even then it's only at home never at work."
"I'll try," Mrs. Laura said.
"There can be no try," Josh said, "Jessica is actively looking for my wife and about three months ago caused an injury that had Grace off work for almost a month."
"It's that bad," Mrs. Laura said.
Annie scanned the room, the only others in the room were Teddy and Meghan at the far end.
"Mrs. Laura do you remember my surgery the summer I was 19," Annie asked.
"You had an accident," replied, "had to pull out of worlds."
"It wasn't an accident. Jessica nearly beat me to death," Annie said, "she can not know I'm here. Leslie and Dan can not know I'm doing this. I'm essentially in hiding."
"I didn't know that," Mrs. Laura said, "what about your parents?"
"Leslie and Dan the last time I saw them I was 21. We send occasional emails but I have limited contact," Annie said, "my parents are here tonight."
"Your birth mother and father," Mrs. Laura asked.
"Never met my bio dad. But Teddy is my mother in every sense of the word now. My stepdad and I are really close," Annie said, "he acts like my dad."
"Are you heathy, happy, safe and loved," Mrs. Laura asked.
"I am," Annie said, "but I need to get ready to dance. I need help with the back of my national."
"Will your mother help you," Mrs Laura asked.
"Mama is not a stage mom. Nana and auntie Meghan are here," Annie said, "I'll get ready with auntie Meghan."
Annie met Meghan in the dressing room.
"What's with the puff ball bun," Meghan asked.
"Puffed and the braided edges. My competition look," Annie said, "I forgot how much time it took. But if I'm dancing that way I might as well have fun for one night."
"What did Josh say," Meghan asked.
"His kilt distracted him," Annie said.
"What's with that smirk," Meghan teased, "do I want to know."
"Nope," Annie giggled.
"Then get your mind out of the gutter," Meghan laughed.
"You brought it up," Annie replied.
"How much convincing," Meghan asked.
"Not much," Annie said, "what did uncle Nathan say?"
"I have my ways," Meghan said with a smirk.
"Now who's being immature auntie Meghan," Annie teased.
"I want to know if Teddy succeeded in getting Owen to wear a kilt," Meghan asked.
"She was going to pull rank that she's chief if she had to," Annie said, "I think she probably had to."
"Where are Owen and Nathan," Annie asked.
"They dropped us off then kids to Merediths," Meghan said, "mom is bringing Dave tonight."
"Is that okay," Annie asked.
"I'm okay with it. But its here so Owen can't make a scene," Meghan said, "she tried dating when we were in highschool or college and he didn't take it well."
The room began to fill with the younger dancers as Annie and Meghan changed to their kilts. Together they walked back into the ballroom.
"You were serious about dancing," Cassidy said seeing Annie in full costume, "but what are you wearing?"
"My kilt," Annie said.
"Later," Cassidy said.
"Black dress but keeping the plaid from my national," Annie replied, "and my dance shoes."
"Annie Altman out and not in heels," Jenna gasped.
"I can't do these dances in heels. I have a pair of silver ones in my garment bag but you'll want bare feet or flats for these dances," Annie said.
"You were serious," Julia asked.
"I was. Even mama has flats with her," Annie said.
"Do you know why she has a tablecloth on her back," Cassidy asked.
"It's a plaid. That's green Hunt," Annie said, "it's part of highland dress. Josh is in a kilt."
"Why," Cassidy asked.
"Hot man in kilt yes please," Annie said, "finally had an excuse to make him wear one. And the full formal tux jacket and vest with it."
"Really Annie," Jenna teased, "fantasies about Josh in a kilt. Watching too much outlander?"
"If I wanted that he would be shirtless," Annie laughed, "he's my husband no one can judge."
"Annie," Jenna laughed, "who knew up tight, innocent, married Annie Altman had fantasies about men in kilts."
"Jenna enough," Annie laughed, "it's my husband. And my dance teacher is the choreographer. She thinks I'm still the 15 year old kid she took to Scotland for worlds."
"Worlds," Julai asked, "theres worlds for dance."
"There is," Annie said, "I won when I was 18, and was top 3 at 14,15,16 and 17."
"You were good," Cassidy said.
"Google Annabeth McKellar highland dance," Annie said, "but I'm doing a few of my all time favourites tonight."
"Glass of wine first," Cassidy suggested seeing a server coming with a tray of white wine.
"Not until I'm done dancing," Annie said, "after I promise. I'm doing one of the toasts and there's the dancers and band marching in formation that we actually take shots of scotch at the end of."
"You taking shots this I have to see," Jenna said.
"I see Mrs. Laura glaring I should go warm up," Annie said.
Annie rejoined the dancers for warm up wishing she could stay with her friends.
Those watching the performance took their seats and the dancers lined up for the first reel. Annie in the middle of the front row. She wasn't sure how her friends would react to seeing her do this. This wasn't something she talked about other than to say she did it as a kid. The first notes played Annie bowed to her partner then began the dance. The lively springing and leaping.
"Did you know she could do that," Julia whispered.
"No idea," Cassidy said, "she's leading."
"She is the lead look everyone's watching Annie," Jenna said.
"Why didn't you tell us she's that flexible," Jeremy said to Josh.
"Because it's not your business," Josh said.
"Why are you in a skirt," Duncan asked.
"It's a kilt and Annie wanted me to," Josh said.
"You're so whipped," Jeremy teased.
"This is important to her tonight. If she's happy I'm happy," Josh said.
"Like I said whipped," Jeremy replied.
"Happy Annie after this means a good night for me," Josh smirked, "she looks happy. I've seen her dance but never at this level."
"Was she good," Jeremy asked.
"She was Canadian champion a bunch of times and world champion once or twice," Josh said.
The dancers lined up for Highland on the rock. Annie knew this was the big show piece, the last piece of the first set before the more fun choreography pieces of the second after dinner.
Annie took center and brought her hands to her waist; she felt the dancers around her move. On the first beat of the music she rose onto the balls of her feet and prepared for the first split leap the one she would do solo to signal the start of the dance. Hearing the change in the music she leapt into the splits, a second later she crossed one foot over the other the dancers joining her for the first turn of the intricate dance. She flew through her all time favorite group piece coming to the second set of swing turns she took Meghan's arm beaming at her aunt.
"Those two spinning front and center," Evelyn pointed to the older gentleman with her, "the green is Meghan and blue is Annie."
"Your daughters," David asked.
"Meg is my daughter and Annie is my granddaughter," Evelyn said.
"They can't be far apart in ages," David remarked.
"16 years. Annie's mother Teddy was 21 when Annie was born," Evelyn said, "Annie is 28 and Meg is 44."
"You said your kids are both surgeons," David said.
"All of them. Owen and Meghan are trauma surgeons, my son in law and daughter-in-law are cardiothoracic surgeons. Annie is a resident training in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery, Josh is a trauma surgery resident," Evelyn said, she was proud of her children and grandchildren.
"Which one is which," David asked.
Evelyn began to point, "you saw Meghan and Annie. That's Owen and his wife Teddy. Meghans husband Nathan. Annie's husband Josh is over there with the other residents; he's the one in a kilt."
"After this i'm excited to meet everyone," David said.
"This is the last dance of the first set," Evelyn whispered, "it's Annie's all time favourite and Meg learned it this week and was nervous. Annie is having fun."
Teddy leaned into Owen, "she's happy. Annie loves this dance."
"She looks like she's having fun. She's alive up there," Owen said.
"She's just dancing," Teddy said, "that was always her escape."
"She looks free," Owen said.
"She is," Teddy smiled, "we need to encourage her to keep taking her adult class. It's so good for her mentally."
"I think after this she will," Owen said.
The first dance set ended and everyone found their seats for dinner.
"That was amazing," Josh said hugging Annie.
"I'm all sweaty, you don't want to hug me," Annie said.
Josh hugged her anyway, "I don't care babe. I had no clue you could dance like that. That was amazing."
"I used to," Annie said, "I surprised myself that I still can. That felt amazing."
"You looked great, those kids couldn't keep up with you," Josh said.
"It's a Mrs. Laura special," Annie said.
"We should go meet our friends for dinner," Josh said.
"One thing first," Annie said, giving Josh a quick kiss.
Josh returned her kiss.
"Those two in kilts that's not a bad picture," Jenna said.
"How do they make that look hot," Cassidy groaned.
"It's the way they look at eachother," Julia said, "her outfit is pretty covered up, those socks are something else. But look how the jacket fits her it's like a second skin."
Meghan joined the rest of her table.
"Meg that was amazing," Nathan said, kissing her cheek after she sat down.
"That felt good," Meghan acknowledged, "I never would have dreamed I could perform on that level again."
"You looked good sweetheart," Evelyn said.
"Mom are you going to introduce us," Meghan asked.
Evelyn blushed, "David these are my children. Owen, Teddy, Meghan and Nathan."
"It's nice to meet you," David said shaking everyone's hands.
"Its nice to meet you as well," Teddy said, "Evelyn has said a lot about you."
They took their seats.
"Do you have children," David asked.
"Three," Teddy replied, "my oldest was the lead dancer. Annie is 28. Then we have Leo who is 4 and Allison is 3."
"Large age gap," David said.
"We adopted Leo when he was two," Owen said, "there's 25 years between the girls."
"We adopted our son as well," Nathan said.
"Faroke is 14 next week," Meghan said.
"Where are the younger kids tonight," David asked.
"Our head of general surgery arranged her nanny to watch all of the staff kids. Faroke is helping out," Teddy said.
"That must have been a challenge for the two of you to have your oldest so young," David commented.
"Annie is my daughter," Teddy said, "I was 21 and in my first year of medical school. We were separated for her childhood, I was training as a surgeon then serving in Iraq."
"Was she with her father," David asked.
"Very open adoption," Teddy said, "she was in Vancouver BC with the family that raised her and we were in touch as much as possible."
"Annie was 19 the first time I met her," Evelyn said.
"Her first Sunday dinner," Owen said, "she was so shy."
"She hardly knew us," Teddy said, "we were still getting to really know her. I almost had to coax her out of the car then you decided to bear hug her in the driveway."
"I was excited," Owen said, "I hadn't seen her in a while or been around when she called."
"I have to go for the second set," Meghan said, "Nate can you have a glass of wine waiting for me? I'm done after the second set."
"How many sets," Owen asked.
"Two sets and the marching," Meghan replied, "they were not sure if they wanted me and another one of the young teens to march, they wanted lines of 4."
"Can Annie," Nathan asked.
"Her dance groups used to work with afew pipe bands she knows how," Teddy said, "I've seen her do it and if she's in the middle of the pack she's fine."
"Mrs. Laura wants her to lead," Meghan said.
"She used to," Teddy said, "it's Annie she won't say it but she wants to do it and will do it well. Annie likes to blend in. She was unfortunately taught to blend in to keep head down and work being polite to those around you. I love the work ethic and manners but we've worked hard at her being able to showcase what she can do."
"You know your daughter well," David commented, "are you close?"
"We're very close," Teddy said, "my kids are my priority. Do you have children?"
"I was never that lucky," David replied, "I wanted them but it just wasn't god's plan."
"I'm sorry," Teddy replied.
"It allowed me to do other things," David said, "I lived in LA for years and mentored young men who needed a man to teach them how to be one."
"That's important," Owen agreed, "I saw lots of kids in the army that just needed a good example."
"Thank you for your service," David said, "where did you serve?"
"Teddy, Meghan, Nathan and I all served in Iraq with med com. Teddy ran med com in europe and the middle east for a few years until we had Allison," Owen said.
"Thank you all of you," David said.
"What did you do," Nathan asked.
"I'm still working I know at my age. I'm a pastor," David said, "most of my career has been youth and young adults. We met at church Evelyn volunteers with a new program were starting."
"Mom you didn't tell us about a new program," Meghan said, "what are you doing?"
"It's nothing sweetheart," Evelyn said.
"We're creating multi generational connections for at risk children and youth," David explained, "a group of seniors are volunteering a couple afternoons a week to hang out, help with home work teach practical skills and hobbies. To be grandparents to kids that need that support. I did it in LA and it worked well. But my nieces and nephews are in Seattle so I moved to be closer to them."
"If we can help at all, let us know," Teddy said, "I would be happy to send some residents over to do basic health screenings, vaccinations."
"I would really appreciate that Teddy," David said.
"I'll send you fourth years. Annie and Josh for sure I have a group that's a good team I can send good people, my daughter, son in law and their friends," Teddy replied.
"They won't mind," Evelyn asked.
"Annie grew up in a smaller Mennonite brethren church she did things like this from the time she was old enough to help," Teddy said.
"MB girl becoming a heart surgeon that's an accomplishments how did that happen," David asked.
"I'm the bad influence. She always wanted to be a doctor and was thinking family medicine but I would tell
Her about my day and my work and she became interested so she started to scrub in with Owen and I when she was 19 and got brought over to the dark side," Teddy said, "did all her rotations in med school and found her place as a surgeon."
They began the second set of dances cutting off the conversation. After the second set Teddy got up to make her toast, this was a part of her job she hated and would prefer to delegate if she could. After all the formal toasts and events the true fun began. Couples lined up for the traditional dances, there was a caller teaching each of them and reminding the dancers of the steps.
"How do you know how to do all of this," Jenna asked as they lined up for another dance.
"It was part of my dance training," Annie said, "it was fun."
"So what do we do," Cassidy asked.
"Do what the caller says and stay with your partner," Annie replied.
"You two look good doing this," Jenna said.
"She made me learn years ago," Josh said.
"But even your costumes," Cassidy said, "it fits. Annie where do you even get an outfit like that?"
"I've had it since I was 16. The McKellars bought it second hand for me from nana years before we knew it's connection to mama. It was originally made for auntie meghan, then Leslie's mom hemmed the skirt for me," Annie said.
"How can you be sure," Cassidy asked.
"When I got it her name was embroidered in the back," Annie said, "Meghan E. Hunt. Nanna Added both my names in the back as well. But I only have to do the first set of ceilidh dances in my national. I can change to my dress and plaid after."
They finished the first round of dances and Annie went to change. Teddy went to help Annie with the back of her costume.
"How's David," Annie asked.
"He's good," Teddy said, "you need to meet him."
"Does nana have a boyfriend," Annie asked.
"I wouldn't go that far yet," Teddy said, "it's a friend."
"Friend," Annie said and rolled her eyes.
"Annie," Teddy said.
"Can you just get the pins and zipper," Annie asked, "I'm not going to wear my plaid on my dress. My friends are calling it a tablecloth."
"It does look like one," Teddy agreed.
"Just help me mama," Annie said.
"You looked good out there tonight," Teddy said, "I hadn't seen you do that since you were 20."
"I forgot I could do that," Annie said, "I want to keep going to classes for fun."
"Then go," Teddy said, "that made me proud today."
"Thank you," Annie.
Teddy quietly unpinned Annie's back and stood with her back to Annie blocking her while she changed to hide the scar on her shoulder. Teddy still didn't understand why Annie was so self conscious about her scars. Her family and friends knew why they were there but annie hated them.
Annie changed to her black dress.
"Mama can you zip my back," Annie asked.
"Zipper and plaid," Teddy said, "I already took it off your national."
"Josh didn't know I could do that," Annie said.
"He couldn't take his eyes off you," Teddy said.
"Is that a good thing," Annie said, "not my wife is crazy?"
"It was good," Teddy said, "we should get back out there."
"I was enjoying a few minutes of quiet," Annie said.
"Go dance with Josh," Teddy said, "mingle please. You need to meet David and there's a couple big donors I want you both to meet."
"I'm just another resident. Yes to nana's boyfriend no to donors," Annie said.
"One or two donors," Teddy asked.
"It's not a negotiation," Annie said, "I danced, I did the toast, I wore the costumes now I get to go have fun with my friends. They keep mixing up the sets I will be friendly when I'm with board members and donors. I just hate being shown off, it doesn't help me be one of the residents."
"This time," Teddy said, "but you have to learn to face them one day."
"As a fellow, remember residents are seen and not heard," Annie replied.
"Who said that," Teddy asked.
"Bailey after the avalanche," Annie replied.
"Go have fun then," Teddy replied.
"I will," Annie said, "go have fun with uncle owen and stop being chief bossy pants."
"It's a work event," Teddy said.
They returned to the ballroom and Annie found Josh, he handed her a glass of white wine.
"Thank you," Annie said.
"I knew you'd want one," Josh said.
"You are my favourite human," Annie said.
"So what does the rest of the night look like," Josh asked.
"Dancing," Annie said, "more wine, I'm several glasses behind all of you."
"Have you had any water," Josh asked.
"Between dances and with dinner. I finished two bottles backstage," Annie replied, "I'm okay."
"Do we have to stay the whole time," Josh asked.
"We should stay a while," Annie said, "what are you thinking?"
"Just that you might be tired and have had enough," Josh said.
"I'm good," Annie said, "I'll be sore tomorrow. But i want to dance more with you."
"I can help with that," Josh whispered in her ear.
"Post competition soreness was a long epsom salt bath," Annie said, "or an RMT visit, and that is booked for before work Monday."
"You sure you're okay," Josh asked, "I've never seen you move like that."
"Was it okay," Annie asked.
"I loved it," Josh said, "why did you stop?"
"Med school," Annie said, "thank you for finding those classes I love dancing again."
"You're welcome," Josh said, giving her a quick kiss.
"Is it terrible that sometimes I'm jealous of her," Jenna asked.
"That on the surface she has it all," Cassidy said, "the husband, career, is tiny. No I am."
"It's why not me," Jenna said.
"I don't know," Cassidy said, "it gets to me that we have the same thyroid disease and she's able to manage it and stay so tiny but I can't. The only thing we do differently is our work outs."
"She's practically vegetarian," Julia pointed out.
"It's just not fair that she can manage it and I do the same things and can't," Cassidy groaned.
"She's also maybe 5'3" to your 5'8," Jenna said, "but would you trade that for your sister trying to kill you? Your parents abandoning you? Being given up at birth for adoption then that family turning their back on you for following your dreams?"
"When you put it like that," Julia said, "what about the pressure she's under with her mama being chief?"
"Like I said on the surface," Cassidy said, "it's really that she has Josh. I tried to flirt with him intern year before I knew how serious they were. He was nice but he's only ever had eyes for her."
"It would be nice to have a date tonight," Jenna said.
"Why can't we keep guys," Cassidy said, "no guy has ever looked at me the way Josh looks at Annie."
"Maybe if we didnt work so much," Julia said.
"I don't know even the guys we work with are good friends but they're not relationship material," Cassidy said.
"Her brother," Jenna said, "Chris is hot."
"Isn't he in Canada," Julia said.
"Edmonton but he's here all the time," Jenna said, "have you seen Chris shirtless?"
Annie joined them, " stop talking about my little brother."
"Little," Julia said, "he's taller than you."
"Fine younger brother," Annie replied, "I know all of my siblings will be taller than me eventually."
"Allison," Cassidy asked.
"Mama is tall so is uncle Owen," Annie said, "we're actually not sure why I'm short. Works if peds though, closer to the kids I'm less scary. What are your plans after?"
"Uber home," Cassidy said, "hopefully with a hot fireman."
"There were a couple cute ones in the band," Annie pointed out, "go find the younger ones in kilts, they'll know how to dance."
"Are you coming with me," Cassidy asked.
"You want me to be your wingman," Annie asked, "why?"
"You're married," Cassidy said.
"I can actually wear my rings tonight. There about to do another set of partner dances, go ask one if he needs a partner," Annie suggested.
"Come with me please," Cassidy asked.
"I will," Annie said, "so is Josh."
"Just you Annie," Cassidy said.
"Josh will hold our spots in a set," Annie replied.
Annie walked with Cassidy to where some of the younger pipers were standing.
"Dr Altman," one of them greeted, "are you looking for a partner for the next set of dances."
"Married," Annie replied, "my husband is over there with some of our friends. We're looking for a couple guys to complete our set for Arches and Corners."
"I'll come," the fireman said.
"This is Dr Cassidy Liard," Annie introduced.
"It's a pleaser to meet you Dr. Liard," the man replied, "do you want to do the next few dances with me?"
"I'd like that," Cassidy smiled.
"You have a set started," the fireman asked.
"We do," Annie said, "Josh you'd know him as Dr. Riggs or Riggs jr is starting our set over there. We just need one more."
"Brad," The fireman called,"we have a set and a single girl for you."
"Who," Brad asked.
"Dr. Jenna Silverstone," Cassidy said.
"Dr. Silverstone," Brad smiled, "let's go."
Annie and Cassidy lead the way back to their set and took their spots for the dance. Annie smiled, her friends had partners who appeared to be flirting with them.
They scrambled the sets again and Annie and Josh ended up doing the most complicated dance of the evening with their family. They enjoyed meeting Evelyn's friend David. They were all laughing through the turns. Meghan gave Annie an odd as they were about to switch directions, they both leapt to change directions surprising those around them. They knew the other sets wouldn't notice.
The night went well, everyone enjoyed themselves and they raised a lot of money for the outreach and pro bono programs at the hospital.