Obsession

Epilogue

"Wow! Is this even my studio?!" mom asks, all smiles as she walks into her newly renovated dance studio.

"Do you like it?" I ask her.

"Like it? This is amazing! You two have really outdone yourselves!" she gushes, wrapping an arm around Leo and an arm around me and hugging us tight.

"We didn't really do much," Leo chuckles.

"You used your competition winnings to pay off and remodel my studio! You two are little angels, straight from heaven!" she says, kissing our heads. "I can't thank you enough!"

"I'm glad you like it. I really like it too," I say, looking around at the newly painted walls, state of the art sound equipment and the black and white logo that hangs above the entrance. Mara May Dance Academy, named after me.

"I just hate that you won't be here to enjoy it with me," mom pouts.

"Actually, I've been doing a lot of thinking. I didn't think I wanted to go down the same career path as you at first. I was so sure I was destined for something else. But I don't know, after all that's happened...I know this is where I belong. So...I've decided to stay," I shrug, making her blue eyes light up.

A beautiful smile sweeps across her face. "Really?!"

I nod, smiling at her reaction. "Leo has agreed to come on board as well. We were thinking of adding some classes for...different styles of dance."

"I love that idea!" mom gushes.

This is truly the happiest I've ever seen her and it makes my heart soar. She's been so good to me, she deserves every bit of this. And nothing would give me greater pleasure than working alongside her until she retires and this place becomes mine...

And Leo's.

I look down at the engagement ring on my finger and smile. He just asked me last night, but I probably would've said yes a long time ago. Living the rest of my life with such an amazing man by my side is far more than I ever deserve. He loves me with all his heart and takes care of me in a way that makes even my dad proud.

After Leo and I leave the studio, we walk back to our apartment, which is just a few blocks away.

I haven't stopped smiling since last night and come to think of it, I don't think he has either.

"You've known for a year now that you wanted to take over your mom's dance studio someday. Why did you wait until now to tell her?" Leo asks me as we walk along.

"I wanted to be sure it's what I wanted. I mean...before my accident, I was against the idea. I wanted to be a fashion designer, not a dancer. Then I woke up and...I don't know, I feel closer to her now than I did before. I'm more grateful for her. More than I ever realized. Following in her footsteps seems like a good way to honor her and dancing...it's become my favorite thing again because of you."

"Ah, because of me, huh?" he smirks, wrapping his arm around my waist.

"I never would've entered that contest if it weren't for you. And my mom would've lost her studio while I struggled to be a fashion designer as if I have any business trying to do something like that. Look at my fashion sense," I say, motioning to my tights and t-shirt, a daily look for me.

"You look like a dancer," he shrugs.

I smile, looking down at my feet and trying to find the right words. Leo has come to mean a lot to me over the past year and he takes no credit for how wonderful he's made my life. But it's all because of him and the way he loves me that I'm where I'm at today. It only makes sense that he's a part of my future. I can't even imagine my life without him in it anymore.