"Ev what is mommy doing," Asher asked.
"Dance," Everly smiled.
"I can't believe you talked me into this," Allison laughed on the warm up platform with Ellie.
"16 and over," Ellie teased.
"I'm just here to dance. I won't place," Allison said.
"But didn't grandma just get you a new National," Ellie asked.
"New to me," Allison said, "still second hand."
"Newer than mine," Ellie said.
"Has nana put your name in it," Allison asked.
"She has," Ellie said, "she said it would be the last name she'll do but I have to make sure the next girls name goes in it."
"Megan Hunt, Annie McKellar, Grace Altman," Allison listed.
"Allison Altman-Hunt," Ellie added.
"Elizabeth Atman-Riggs," Allison finished.
"I remember the first time I came to this," Teddy said, "you and I with Annie and your mom."
"Ya," Annie added, "nana cried over my National. And asked me to make it dance for her one more time."
"Is it always this loud," Asher asked.
"Yea." Annie answered, "and busy. I have three dancing and Matt drumming. Then I convinced Megan to do the 40+ with me."
"I was wondering why you had your costumes," Teddy said.
"Cassie is doing it," Annie said, "some of the girls I grew up in the studio with are coming. It would have been Mrs Laura's 95th birthday today we're dancing for her. Doing one of her broadswords."
"Which one," Teddy asked.
"The eight hand rotating one," Annie said, "two swords and changing when you get to the pass point. Thank god it's not highland on the rocks. The girls want me."
Annie walked to the older girls.
"Annie danced," Asher said.
"She's probably the best of them still," Owen said, "ballet and highland trained. Canadian and world titles in her teens."
"They have the 40 and over doing an JL. It's Annie's best," Teddy said, "Ellie will do Annie's variation on it."
Annie came back to the group, "teens are warm, where is Megan?"
"She'll be here," Teddy said, "the 40 and up could be good."
"It'll be fun," Annie said.
"Annie," a tall woman called.
"Alice, Cassie," Annie beamed.
"Where's your heard of kids," Alice asked.
"Ellie is over there, Heather is at the drumming with Josh and Henry, Matt is over with some friends," Annie said, "I have a premiere and inter and a primary. It's Heather's last primary. I almost moved her up to beginner but she's not 7 for 3 weeks and her reel and sean tribhuas are close but not there yet, she doesn't know Flora. I want to wait. She stays in primary for this then they won't compete until the Halloween Howl."
"I still don't know how you do it," Cassie said, "my one was enough."
"She's 18," Annie said.
"But it's 16 -20 today," Alice said.
"I know Ellie's first adult championship," Annie said.
"I can't believe we're doing an over 40 championship," Alice said.
"Mrs Laura would be pleased," Cassie smiled.
"She would," Annie replied, "it's the three of us from our class. 3 from the group 2 years ahead of us and then 2 from the group ahead of them."
"Do you know any of the others," Alice asked.
"It's only 2 others," Annie said, "Megan Hunt is my aunt and Jillian Grant is a friend of Allie's mom. Ava is dancing the 16-20."
"Allie," Ava squealed walking to the warm up platform, "you didn't chicken out."
"Nope and Ash came with Ev," Allison said, "first time on stage in almost 3 years go easy on me Ava."
"I haven't competed much," Ava said, "where is our princess?"
"With Ash under our tent," Allison said, "I'm dancing and he's playing baseball again. I like going to his games. Ev and I watch and play on the playground."
"You ready," Ava asked.
"I am," Allison said, "Annie is dancing in the 40 and over," Allison said.
"You've said she's good," Ava said, "but I've never seen her dance."
"A whole group of her old dance friends from before we were born came in honor of their teacher's birthday," Allison said.
Soon all of the premieres over 16 were lining up for the reel on the 4 platforms.
"We need fill ins for the over 40 group," the line up volunteer asked.
"Who are we dancing with," Ellie asked.
"Grace Altman and Megan Hunt," the volunteer said.
"I'm in," Ellie said.
"I'll do it," Allison agreed.
When it was time for Annie and Megan to do their reel Allison and Ellie appeared.
"We're your fill ins," Allison said.
"This has never happened," Annie smiled.
"Why were doing it," Allison said, "I've always wanted to compete with you."
"In 20 years I don't know if I will," Annie smiled.
"I am," Megan laughed.
"Four kids," Annie said.
"You're insane," Megan teased.
"I love them," Annie smiled.
"Mom," Ellie groaned.
"Let's go," Megan said, "Annie on the end your low number."
"I've been competing in reels for 40 years I know," Annie said, "then I want Allie right after Megan and Ellie on the other end."
"So we pas de bas together on the half tulloch," Ellie asked.
"Yes," Annie smiled.
They stepped onto the platform.
"Why isn't Allison facing the judge," Asher asked.
"She's filling in the reel," Teddy explained, "so is Ellie. They've already competed their reel and now there's not enough dancers for groups of 4 in Megan and Annie's category. Ellie and Allison would have volunteered. They won't get marked on this one. But it's fun to see them together."
"Is it the same dance," Asher asked.
"It is," Teddy said, "I'm excited to see Annie and Allie do reels together."
The piper began the song and the four family members began weaving through each other.
"Are they all in the same costume," Asher asked.
"It's three are Hunt tartan," Owen confirmed, "Annie's is blue, Megan is green, Allison is purple and Ellie's is blue McKellar."
"The McKellar one was Annie's," Teddy said, "it's Dan's family."
"They're having fun," Owen smiled.
"Whoah," Asher gasped.
"Annie and Ellie just double leaped," Teddy said, "that's the hardest variation."
"Allison and Megan's looked different," Asher said.
"They do a different ending," Teddy said, "better suited to their longer legs. That double leap is best for shorter legs. Ellie has to do the set one in her championship but in 30 and over they can choose endings. So Annie and Meg choose what they like. I'm surprised Annie did that she usually does the one Meg and Allie did."
"Annie hasn't done that in ages," Josh said, "why?"
"She's with Ellie," Teddy said, "I used to run harder with Annie because she pushed me and I wasn't going to let my daughter beat me."
The music changed and Annie and Ellie traded spots with Megan and Allison before spinning each other.
"Teddy," Owen asked.
"That makes me happy, both my girls on the comp platform together with my oldest granddaughter and sister in law," Teddy said, "but to see Annie and Allie in the pivot turns like that."
The dancers were finishing the last set of pivot turns and Annie and Allison were dancing them together each with a hand under the other's elbow and smiling at each other.
"Clear the area by the bags," Teddy announced.
"No," Josh said, "pre premiere before nationals but yes beware of flying kilt jackets."
"Why doesn't Heather have a jacket," Asher asked.
"She's too young," Josh explained, "she has to be in premiere or 12 before she gets a jacket. Ellie was 10 when she moved to premier and got her first we don't rush our kids up the levels."
The four dancers returned to the tent.
"That was cool," Allison said.
"It was," Annie agreed, "thank you for filling in."
Annie got Heather and Matt ready to compete and signed in at their platforms.
The call backs for the championships were posted with all 4 premieres placing and Megan pulled Ellie aside.
"Ellie," Megan whispered, "you know this one if you're in the top 3."
"I know the parade of champions at the end of the day," Ellie said.
"But here the 16-20 and 21-24 classes find the under 10s and lead them," Megan said.
"It's a weird thing at this event," Ellie said, "if I place, do I get to lead?"
"You do," Megan said, "I want you to find the smallest, shyest little 7 or 8 year old. The one who looks like she's afraid of her own shadow in the line up."
"Why," Ellie asked, "why not the one that finds me?"
"Do you know how this tradition started," Megan asked.
"You lead mom I know that," Ellie replied.
"I started it," Megan said, "it was the first time. Your mom was 7 and tinier than Heather, she was so shy but I knelt down and my mom got mad because I got grass stains on my kilt. But I knelt down and talked to her and got her to take my hand and I spent the whole hour we had to line up, walk and do the big presentations trying to make her smile at me."
"So you and mom," Ellie said.
"Me and your mom," Megan replied, "if we're called we'll walk together today."
"Do the people know," Ellie asked.
"I don't know," Megan replied.
"Mommy," Everly smiled when Allison sat on the blanket beside her.
"Hi princess," Allison smiled, "are you having fun?"
"Me dance," Everly asked.
"You can dance," Allison said, "stand up."
"Allie," Asher asked.
"She's going to do her arms," Allison said, "she's two."
"Mommy dance to," Everly demanded.
"Mommy," a girl Allison had always competed against asked.
"She's my daughter," Allison smiled.
"That's why we haven't seen you in three years," the girl said.
"Senior year," Allison admitted.
"Will she dance," the girl asked.
"We don't know," Allison said, "she's only been walking a few months and uses a walker 90% of the time. With the crowds we're carrying her today."
"How old," the girl asked.
"Two," Allison said, "today is the first time I felt ready to compete."
"You had a baby," a third girl asked, "in highschool?"
"Yes," Allison said.
"Her dad," the third girl asked.
"My fiance," Allison smiled, "this is Asher."
"So you have a kid and are getting married," a fourth asked.
"Yes," Allison smiled, "we're happy."
"You can still dance," the first girl asked.
"I took just over a year off," Allison said, "I've been doing classes fo a year and a half. My sister convinced me to compete."
"Sister," the third girl asked, "I've never seen another Altman-Hunt. There's the Altman-Riggs family."
"Grace Atlman in the 40 and over," Allison said.
"But the Altman-Riggs new girl," the fourth girl asked.
"My niece," Allison replied, "my sister and I are 25 years apart."
"So," the third girl asked.
"Did you see the call back list," Allison asked.
"It looks like only one in the category didn't call back," the fourth girl said.
"Eight of us and one didn't," ALlison said, "it's probably me."
"You called back," Ellie said, joining them, "it's Celeste that didn't. It's her first championship."
"First adult one Ellie," Allison said.
"I've done 16 and 16/17," Ellie said.
"Two," Allison said.
"Ya," Ellie agreed, "it's the fun steps."
"That reel you did with the old people," the fourth girl said, "why did you offer? They would have made someone else. You were high numbers."
"It's my aunt and sister," Allison said, "then when Ellie and I could do it with them. I thought my mom would like it."
Megan slid her sandals over her dance shoes and walked with Cormac.
"You looked like you were having fun," Cormac smiled taking her hand.
"I like doing that. But a championship in my 60s," Megan asked.
"Why not," Cormac asked, "you enjoyed it."
"Dancing with the girls was fun," Megan smiled.
"Grace," Cormac asked.
"Annie is kinda a weird half and half," Megan said, "we're 16 years appart."
"So Teddy," Cormac asked.
"Was 21," Megan replied, "then she's a couple years older then Owen and Owen and I are 2 almost 3 years apart. I actually met Annie before I met Teddy."
"How," Cormac asked.
"This," Megan said, "Annie was 7. We hadn't met Teddy yet. We didn't meet Teddy until 2002. This would have been about 97. I was adult champion for 18+ and Annie was childrens for 7-9. She was so little and so shy but I got her to take my hand and follow me through a couple things. My mom has the picture up still because it's the only one of Annie as a kid she has and all her kids, grandkids and great grandkids need to be up."
"But Owen is her step dad," Cormac said.
"Yes," Megan said, "and my ex is Josh's uncle. We're just all connected."
"How," Cormac asked, "Grace and Josh?"
"Met in med school were best friends and didn't know until their third or fourth year Teddy and Nathan knew each other," Megan said, "they both went to see the kids at the same time and ran into each other. Then Nathan was upset when Owen was also there and seeing Teddy and Annie."
"Next weekend," Cormac asked.
"Cat is with her dad," Megan replied, "Nate is taking her to Disneyland they leave Thursday. It was her choice to go there because she loves disney."
"Do you still want to go away," Cormac asked.
"I've been looking forward to it," Megan smiled, "do you want to join us for Sunday dinner tomorrow? It's at Annie's."
"Will she mind," Cormac asked.
"No," Megan replied, "she said just burgers in the backyard. They leave this week. What did you think?"
"I like it," Cormac said, "reminded me Ireland."
"Scottish," Megan replied, "but theres Irish music later and a dance."
"Do you want to," Cormac asked.
"I always like the beer garden and the dance," Megan replied, "will you dance with me?"
"Of course," Cormac replied, "I like dancing."
"Do you," Megan asked.
"I love it," Cormac assured, "I miss dancing."
"Mommy," Everly complained, "I'm hungry."
"There's snacks in the cooler," Allison smiled.
"Fishies," Everly asked.
"We have gold fish," Asher agreed, "should we have lunch?"
"Sure," Allison said, "you two eat, I'm only going to snack until I'm done."
"Allie," Asher said.
"Not when I'm dancing like this," Allison said, "weighs me down."
"Eat," Asher insisted.
"I'll snack," Allison said.
"Modeling for Ev," Asher hissed.
"I'm eating what I'm hungry for and healthy food," Allison said, "I'll have fruit, veggies and cheese cubes."
"Meat," Asher asked.
"You and Ev eat it," Allison said.
"Allie," Asher asked.
"Too hot and nervous," Allison said, "I will be starving when we get home."
"Okay," Asher said.
"Ev do you want your sandwich," Allison offered sitting back down on the blanket with her daughter.
"Fishies," Everly demanded.
"With your sandwich," Allison agreed.
They sat on the blanket eating lunch together.
"That looked good," Teddy smiled sitting beside Allison.
"It felt great," Allison said, "maybe one or two a year."
"I don't see why not," Teddy said.
"It's fun," Allison said.
"Me dance," Everly demanded.
"We can dance once you've eaten," Allison promised.
"Do you like to dance," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Everly yelled.
"Do you want to dance with me," Teddy offered.
"Mommy dance," Everly demanded.
"Eat first," Allison said.
"No dance," Everly demanded.
"Mom we don't have her walker," Allison said.
"I noticed," Teddy said, "you have the wagon and have been carrying her."
"It's easier today," Allison said, "we'll take her walker to Europe?"
"You should," Teddy said, "even if she just uses it in the air bnbs."
"I don't want her to regress," Allison said.
"She's so independent in her walker," Asher said, "since we put the basket on it."
"She's cute going to get the mail with me," Teddy smiled.
"There's hope," Allison said, "physio wants to try crutches in a few months."
"Go for it," Teddy replied.
"We will," Allison said.
They finished eating and Allison and Asher took Everly to see the petting zoo and the sheep dogs.
"Puppy," Everly pointed to the sheep dogs.
"Yes," Allison said, "the puppies are catching the sheep."
The day ended with all of the dancers placing. Allison was surprised to come out with two seconds and two thirds coming in third over all while Ellie was in second overall. Annie and Megan tied in a few dances and both ended up top three. No one had won their category that day but all had placed well and done well.
"Annie," Megan offered her hand.
"I can do it this time," Annie smiled, "but I will walk with you."
"One for a photo op and show my mom," Megan asked.
"One for nana," Annie agreed.
"All of you," Teddy smiled, "Evelyn would love it all of the premiers going to the parade of champions holding hands."
"Once," Allison agreed.
"I have to go find a little," Ellie said.
"You do," Annie smiled.
After taking the picture Allison and Ellie ran off to find the two youngest champions 7 and 8 years old. Both looking for the shyest little ones.
"I'm Ellie," Ellie smiled crouching beside a little one in a pink kilt, "do you want to walk with me?"
The little girl nodded.
"Take my hand," Ellie smiled offering her hand, "you can do this. We'll go together."
The little girl nodded again.
Allison found a little boy looking scared, "hi buddy I'm Allie. Do you know where to go?"
The little boy shook his head.
"What's your name," Allison asked.
"Colton," the boy said.
"Would you like to come with me Colton," Allison offered.
The little boy nodded.
"Come on," Allison said, "we'll join everyone. You're a champion you won! Is this your first championship?"
"Yes," the boy whispered.
"That's exciting," Allison smiled, "are you happy?"
"Yes," the little boy said, "do we really go with all the big people?"
"We are," Allison promised, "do you want to walk beside me or hold my hand?"
"Walk," the boy said.
"Come on then," Allison said, "lets go."
From the back of the pack Annie and Megan smiled seeing the tradition they had started nearly 40 years before continue.