Leilani patted her mother’s hair blonde hair tenderly, as she helped tuck an extra hair clip in.

“Thank you sweetie.”

“Yes, mommy, you look beautiful.” Sylvia leaned against the kitchen doorway and grinned at Chelsie.

“You…you just be quiet. This is all your fault.” Chelsie wagged her finger at Sylvia. “I know darn well you convinced Gev to come over.”

“Don’t you want to have dinner with Uncle Gevvy?” Leilani looked from one woman to the other in confusion. “I like him.”

Chelsie knelt down and pulled Leilani into her embrace. “Of course I do, honey. And I like him too. Gev is a good friend and we haven’t seen each other for a while. We have lots to talk about.”

Sylvia nodded, a smile still playing on her lips. “Oh yes, they do.”

“I’m warning you.” Chelsie shook her fist at her friend behind Leilani’s back, but she was smiling now as well. She gave Leilani a peck on her cheek, then sent her out of the room to flip on the television. She straightened up and ran her hands down her thighs, smoothing her skirt down nervously. “How do I look, really? Is it too much? To I look like I’m trying to hard?”

“You look fine, Chelsie. You look like someone going to a nice restaurant to have a nice dinner, with a nice man.”

“I haven’t gone out to dinner with a nice man in a very long time.” Chelsie flopped down on a dining room chair with a sigh. “I don’t know if this is such a good idea.”

“God, Chelsie!” Sylvia exclaimed. “You aren’t going to sleep with the guy, it’s just dinner!”

“The walls have big ears, Sylvia.” Chelsie muttered, a smile frozen on her face as she prayed that Leilani hadn’t heard Sylvia’s last statement.

“Ooops. I forgot about the munchkin, sorry!”

Fortunately, Leilani was blissfully unaware of anything her mother and her friend said. The TV was tuned to her favourite show and she was singing along at the top of her lungs, most likely unable to hear anything, even if she wanted to. She heard the doorbell ring though, and made a beeline for the front door, hollering out Gev’s name as she did.

“Go.” Sylvia urged Chelsie, giving her a small push towards the door. “Forget all the shitty things that have happened in your life and go have fun for once.”

*****************************************************************************

“Wow. That’s just…wow.” Gev took a sip of his drink as he tried to absorb everything Chelsie had just related to him about her past week. “Do you really think she sees Mark?”

“I don’t know.” Chelsie balled her cloth napkin in her fist, twisting the corners into tight knots. It gave her something to occupy her mind, something for her to look at, something other than Gev. “It seems so real. There’s no other way she could know some of the stuff she’s told me.”

“Maybe he does want you to find something.”

“Maybe. I just wish I knew what it was.”

Gev reached for Chelsie’s hand, gently pulling the napkin out of it. “Quit terrorizing the napkin!”

Chelsie offered a sheepish grin. “Sorry. I’m nervous. I don’t know why.”

“Don’t be.” He patted her hand. “It’s just me. You know me.”

Chelsie nodded. Yes, she did. He was a good and true friend. There was nothing for her to be nervous about.

“Can I tell you something? You probably already know this, but I know Mark loved you very much. When we were on tour and rooming together, well, when he was in the room, that is, which wasn’t very often.” Gev offered Chelsie a wink, noticing that she had begun to blush furiously. “All he could talk about is you. Chelsie this, Chelsie that. It’s not that surprising to think that he might be trying to look after you, even now. I know something else too.” He proclaimed cryptically, causing Chelsie to raise her eyebrows.

“What else do you know, was he spilling all my secrets?” Chelsie laughed nervously.

“I know Mark would not have wanted you to stop dancing after he died. That would have made him so unhappy. He thought you looked so beautiful, so carefree when you danced.” Gev confessed.

“I know, but I just…Gev…this is so hard.” Chelsie reached for her napkin and dabbed at her eyes. “I started dancing because it got me out of the house, away from all the fighting and nonsense there. But I fell in love with it and I wanted to keep doing it. So my parents put me in all the best classes, the best teachers, whatever. Then, when I was good enough and started to compete, it became like a job. Always on the go, up early, practice, compete, travel, repeat. I was getting sick of it. I wanted to quit, just a little bit.” Chelsie paused and Gev nodded his head, urging her to continue. “Then, when I made the show and meet Mark, and he made all my joy come back. He made dancing fun for me again. He made me want to dance. When I was dancing with him it was…amazing. But now that he’s gone…it’s just not the same. It’s my job. Just a job. There’s no passion in it now.”

“Maybe that’s what Mark wants.” Gev mused.

“What?” Chelsie sniffled.

“Maybe he wants you to find the joy in dancing again. Maybe he wants you to enjoy living again and not to be sad all the time because he’s gone.”

“Gev, I’m not sad. Not…not all the time.”

“Chelsie, every time I see you I can see it in your eyes. You smile, but it’s just with your mouth. Leilani must notice it too.”

“I try not to let her see when I’m having a rough time. This week has not been very good though, I will admit.”

“She’s a pretty smart little girl, Chelsie, just like her momma. I’m sure she knows.”

Chelsie cast her eyes down, twisting the napkin in her hands once again. Gev reached over and placed one hand over hers, lifting her chin with the other.

“Think about it, please Chelsie. I know everyone would love to see you dance again. I won’t ask you to do anything but what you are comfortable with.” He let two fingers graze her cheek slightly. “If you want to dance with me, by yourself, with Leilani. I don’t care. I think this will be really good for you. I think it’s something you need to do, not for me or anybody else, but for you.”

*****************************************************************************

Chelsie waved goodbye to Sylvia, shut and locked the door and practically ran to Leilani’s bedroom. She leaned against the doorjamb for a few moments, just watching her daughter sleep. She had her collection of stuffed animals lined up at the head of the bed, her favourite bear, tucked under one arm. Under the other, was her photo of Mark. Chelsie held back a sob and moved closer to the bed, quietly pulling out a small chair as she did so. She settled on the chair, once again admiring her little girl.

“Are you here, Mark?” Chelsie whispered. “Look at this beautiful little girl we have.” She reached out and stroked Leilani’s curls, pushing them off her forehead and smiling when they bounced right back down. “She’s pretty special, but I think you already know that.” She adjusted the covers around Leilani, making sure not to disturb the sleeping child. “I can’t thank you enough for giving me such a wonderful gift before you left me.” Chelsie could feel the tears falling again, but she didn’t care. “She’s made it easier for me, she’s such a good girl.” She rubbed her arms as the cool breeze from the open window wrapped itself around her. Leaning over, she placed a gentle kiss on Leilani’s cheek, shivering slightly as the breeze blew across her face. As she turned to close the window, not wanting Leilani to catch a chill in the night, she pushed the little chair back to its table. When she placed her hand on the window sill, her mouth dropped open in surprise. It was already closed.

******************************************************************************

Chelsie changed quickly, pulling on one of Mark’s old t-shirts that she always wore when sleeping and plucking out the clips from her blonde hair letting it fall into waves around her shoulders. Entering the living room, she blindly grabbed one of the DVD’s from the box and shoved it in the machine. Grabbing the remote, Chelsie huddled in the corner of the sofa, pulling the cushions around her for comfort. She had so many thoughts running through her head she was afraid she might be going crazy. Mark had been in the room with her as she watched Leilani sleep. She was positive of that. Had she conjured him up by asking if he was there? Was he always with Leilani or did he follow her around? Had he been at dinner with her and Gev? Why could Leilani see him? What did he want? Chelsie barely paid attention to the scenes flickering on the screen; images were flooding her brain without the benefit of modern technology. The day she first met Mark, their first dance, the first time they sat on the beach and talked for hours, their first kiss, the first time they…Chelsie glanced up at the television and saw Mark enveloping her in an enormous hug.

“I love you, Chels. I won’t ever leave you.” She glanced around fearfully; positive she had heard those words from so long ago spoken out loud. Seeing and feeling nothing around her, Chelsie let her eyes gradually drift back to the television screen. She must have hit the pause button in her confusion as the screen was frozen on the image of their hug. She studied the screen, remembering the feeling of his arms tight around her body, his every word, and every small kiss. There was no way she would ever forget that night.

Chelsie nervously adjusted her clothes as she gazed at herself in the mirror. “What’s the big deal, he’s not going to come anyway. He was just being nice.” She walked over to flip on the CD player when a quick knock sounded at the door. Chelsie checked herself in the mirror again before she pulled the door open, drawing in a breath when she saw who was standing outside. He came.

“Hi.” Mark grinned and waved. Chelsie leaned against the door, staring at him, knowing she had a goofy smile on her face, but not really caring.

“Maybe I could come in? Before one of the chaperones sees me?” Mark questioned.

“Oh, yeah, right, sure…uh…come in.” Chelsie awkwardly backed up and tried to open the door wider to allow Mark entry, almost tripping over her own feet in the process.

“Courtney’s not here?” Mark observed, taking in the view of the tidy room.

“No, she’s helping Kherington pack, she said she might stay with her tonight, since she’s by herself and all. You know, since Jessica got hurt. Would the chaperones do anything if they saw you come in my room?”

Mark threw his head back, laughing. “I don’t know, kick us out maybe?

“Out of the show?” Chelsie was horrified; they couldn’t jeopardize their chance at winning, just for…well, whatever they might end up doing tonight.

“I’m kidding. The chaperones are probably still at the after party. I know Josh and Twitch are still there and they never let those two out of their sight. They don’t care about me, I behave.” Mark nodded smugly.

“They must not know you very well.” Chelsie relaxed slightly, punching Mark in the shoulder playfully.

“Again with the hitting.” Mark shook his head. “You invited me to your room tonight so you could beat me up?”

“No, I…hey! Dance with me! I love this song.” Chelsie ran over to the CD player and bumped the volume up a few notches.

Mark turned his head toward the player and listened to the song. “You want to dance to this one…with me? I’m no Patrick Swayze.” He chuckled.

“No…you’re better. This song means everything to me right now; it’s like my anthem. Please dance with me.” Chelsie took his hands, pulling him toward the middle of the room.

“Isn’t it kind of cheesy?” He’d regretted that the minute he said it, she was younger than him, more impressionable. He knew he shouldn’t have teased her, not at this moment.

Chelsie pouted. “But this is the time of my life, Mark. I’m dancing every day. I’m learning every day. I’m working with the most amazing people. I met you…”

Her voice trailed off as Mark captured her lips with his.

“Do you know what scared me most about almost being kicked off tonight? Mark pushed her hair behind her ear and whispered to her, his breath warm on her skin. Chelsie, breathless from their kiss, could only nod in response. “I was afraid I would lose you.”

Chelsie wrapped her arms around his neck. “I wouldn’t let you lose me.”

Mark bent his head down to meet hers and resumed the passionate kiss. Chelsie clung to him, barely noticing that he had easily picked her up in his strong arms and was making his way to the bed. He set her down gently, breaking their kiss only long enough to adjust his position beside her.

“Mark?”

“Hmm?” He deepened the kiss, letting his tongue explore her eager mouth. Chelsie relaxed, letting him ease her down, his weight on her body feeling strange, but comfortable at the same time.

“Mark, mmmmm, Mark!”

He leaned away from her, his hair mussed, cheeks and lips red with passion and probably, some of her lipstick. “What’s wrong?”

“This is Courtney’s bed.” Chelsie giggled at the absurdity of it all. Who cares whose bed it is, especially at this moment?

“Oops.” Mark laughed with her and quickly scooped her up in his arms once more. “Let’s try this again. He deposited her on the bed, the right one this time, and lay down beside her. “Where were we?”

Chelsie snaked her arms around his neck, planting her lips on his and letting her tongue flick over the outline of his mouth. She was aware of his hands roaming under her shirt, pulling it up, then undoing her bra and tugging the offending garment off over her shoulders. She didn’t want to break contact with him, but she allowed him to lift her arms in order to remove her clothing. She couldn’t stop herself from moaning loudly when his tongue glided over her breast. Her body began to shake and the only thought that she could fully form was that she wanted to be as close to this gorgeous man as humanly possible.

“Chelsie.” Mark murmured, as he traced his fingertips along her bare arms. “Have you done…anything like this…before?”

“I trust you, Mark.” Chelsie offered quietly in reply, her body anxious for him to satisfy these new feelings he’d woken up in her. “I want you.”

Mark tore himself away from her and stood at the side of the bed, gazing down at her with a look that told her all he wanted was the same thing. He padded to the door, making sure it was bolted shut, then the window, drawing the curtains closed. Finally, he flicked the lights off. Chelsie lay on her back, watching him intently as he moved around the room. He sat back down on the edge of the bed, allowing Chelsie to remove his shirt and helping her fumbling fingers unzip his jeans. Her breathing grew shallow as his naked body pressed firmly against her. He deftly unzipped her jeans drawing them down her legs slowly, teasingly, before she kicked them off hastily. She gasped out in surprise as Mark pushed his fingers into her gently. He kissed her swifty, promising he didn’t want to hurt her, that he would go slowly, but Chelsie shook her head, wanting more, wanting him.

“Please. You. Now.” Chelsie mumbled incoherently, her body quivering from the tension.

Mark raised himself on his knees slightly, settling her legs around his waist, before he eased their bodies together. Chelsie cried out in pain, surprise and delight all at once. She felt like she was soaring high above the clouds, in a fog as all these new sensations coursed through her. She was aware of Marks body pressed tightly against her, their sweat mingling and trickling down their sides as they moved, Mark’s lips and hands – everywhere – in her, on her, around her, and the pressure, feeling like she was going to burst just before she did, crying out once more, grasping at Mark, holding him to her with all her might. She could feel him still moving within her, before he too uttered a soft cry and collapsed against her chest. She ran her hands through his hair, the dampness from his sweat making it curl. She rained kisses upon his cheeks and eyelids, thanking him for being so tender and gentle and loving.

“I love you Mark.” She whispered softly in his ear.