Adopted Parents (21 page)

“Jen’s backstage with Ahn,” Roberta said. “She said she’d find us after the program.” But Roberta couldn’t resist scolding Hallie when she said, “Why are you late?”

“Traffic,” Hallie explained.

“That’s the reason The Colonel and I left an hour early.”

Hallie groaned inwardly. But she was not going to let Roberta ruin Ahn’s recital for her. She hadn’t been late, thank you very much. She’d been right on time. And Roberta could just get over it.

“Welcome to our program tonight,” the instructor in charge of the program said as she stepped in front of the microphone. “On behalf of all of our dancers, I want you to know we couldn’t be more pleased to see this theater filled with family and friends.”

Hallie leaned forward in her seat looking for Ben. She smiled when she found him exactly where Jen said he’d be, crouched in front of the stage, his video camera already poised and ready.

The instructor left the stage and the music started.

A mild disturbance sounded at the end of their row. Hallie purposely ignored whoever it was slowly inching toward the only vacant seat, which was right beside her. She was too intent on finding Ahn when a group of adorable pink tutus flooded the stage and everyone clapped in approval.

“There she is. Third from the left,” Hallie whispered to Roberta as the person sat. “Isn’t she the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?”

“She’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.”

Hallie froze.

She’d know that voice anywhere.

When Hallie turned her head, Nate said, “I’m looking at the other most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen right now.”

Someone behind them shushed Nate.

They looked back at the stage in time to see Ahn lift her arms above her head and do a three-year-old’s version of a perfect pirouette. Hallie kept her eyes straight ahead, her heart pounding and her head spinning with anticipation at what Nate sitting beside her might mean. Finally, Hallie found the courage to ask.

“How long are you home?”

“Forever,” Nate said. “I promise.”

Hallie didn’t pull away when Nate’s fingers closed tightly around hers. The man she loved had promised her forever as they watched their amazing niece make her debut as a ballerina—together—the way it should be.

The world might not be perfect.

But for Hallie, this moment was.

ADOPTED PARENTS

Copyright © 2010 by Candace Viers

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