How did we get to the 700th chapter?

To celebrate we have a little musical number… not sure how well it translates to the written word though but I've done my best.

…

When Erica went to collect Miranda and Spike from their after school dance class she had been a little sceptical; especially when it came to Spike wanting to be a dancer. She thought it was just an excuse for Kendal and Jackson to steer her away from the place she should be, by Bianca's bedside.

She arrived early so she could take a seat at the back of the class and watch the dancers. She was quickly in her element enjoying the scene. Miranda was a good dancer, but Spike… The look of sheer joy on Spike's face as he followed the teacher's dance moves was wonderful to see. He clearly loved it. Unlike most of the girls there (and they were all girls there) he had rhythm and was focused, as if there was nothing else in the room except the dance.

…

"What did you think Erica?" Miranda asked as she climbed into the back of the limousine with her cousin.

"I thought you were both excellent." said Erica. "I really did."

"They put me in Miranda's group." said Spike proudly. "I should have been in Beginners but Miss said I was good enough to be with Miranda!"

"I saw." said Erica. "But you've had no luck finding tap dancing lessons."

Spike shook his head.

"Miss does ballet too but I want to dance like 'Astaire'!"

"A stair?" said Miranda confused.

"Fred Astaire." explained Spike. "He's a dancer from the black and white movie days; from very long ago." He then turned to Erica who had been smiling warmly at the boy's eagerness. "Did you know him, Erica, in your showbiz days?" he asked innocently.

Erica's grin got a little tighter.

"No… no I didn't." she said quickly. "But I was a dancer myself in my youth, I don't know if your mother told you. If you like, Spike, I could teach you what remember about tap."

"Yes please." he exclaimed his already wide grin brightening more.

…

Erica had arranged for the dance lesson to take place in her apartment. She dusted off her old tap shoes, and pulled on her pink leotard and leg warmers which hadn't really seen the light of day since the eighties.

Jackson kissed her cheek after watching her practice steps she hadn't dance for years.

"You look amazing." he said. "Have I told you today that I love you?"

"You did. But I love to hear it."

Jackson kissed her again, on the lips this time.

"Well I love you… Now I've got to go; got to get to the office. You have fun with your grandson."

"I will." said Erica, trying not to wince at the 'G' word.

…

Spike arrived dressed in his dance clothes, his brand new tap shoes clutched lovingly in his hands . When he had fastened his laces and helped Erica clear a space on the floor behind the couch the lessons could begin.

"We'll start with the first basic step." Erica said, "Now watch me. Heel, toe… Swap foot… heel, toe… Swap foot…"

Spike copied her moves and his feet were soon tap-tap-(pause)-tap-tapping along with her.

"Now we speed it up." said Erica pleased to see how quickly Spike was picking it up. "Hop from one foot to the next almost like skipping."

They sped up, Spike keeping up with his grandmother.

Erica was so impressed with Spike she moved the lesson on to more complicated moves; travelling, full-turns; half-turns and quarter-turns; back step… Spike took it all in.

In the end of the session Erica decided to have a little fun.

"Okay Spike," she said, "What do you say we turn everything we just learned into a little dance routine."

"Yeah." cried Spike, doing a little shuffle on the spot in his excitement.

Erica went to the stereo and selected 'Putting on the Ritz…"

"Now follow me." she said, "First three basic steps… now quarter-turn… three basic steps and back step… now travel forward…"

Spike laughed happily as he followed in the dance.

"Full turn and back step… half turn and … travel…"

Kendal chose that moment to arrive to collect her son. She grinned in delight at the sight of Spike and Erica dancing across the floor in perfect unison.

When the dance was over she applauded, shouting,

"Bravo… Bravo… encore..! If I had flowers I'd throw them…"

Spike grinned proudly at his mom and did a little bow.

Then he paused and his face fell.

"Is it time to go home." he said.

"I'm afraid so."

"Well carry on next week." said Erica, giving him a hug. She was a little out of breath. "I'm not as young as I was. You keep practicing at home though."

"Come on Spikey." said Kendal picking up her son's sneakers and handing them to him. "Change your shoes and then say a proper thank you Erica."

Spike carried his shoes over to the couch to change.

"So how was it?" Kendal asked her mom.

Erica smiled and shook her head in amazement.

"I think my grandson is a dancing genius." she said proudly. "We are going to have to get him a proper dance instructor and soon!"

Kendal raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. Her mom had just used the word grandson without flinching.

…