ℒ𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒪𝓃 𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝒟𝒶𝓃𝒸ℯ ℱ𝓁ℴℴ𝓇 [𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟏]

𝟐.𝟐𝟔- 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝟗𝟎𝟐𝟏𝟎

Authors Note!

Hey, y'all!
For those who celebrate it...
Merry Christmas! 🎁🎄
Part 2

That's right, I posted two chapters in one day. Hope you enjoy your present and the season 2 wrap up.
(Get it?)

- Emms

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˚✧.⋅₊˚ ‧ 🩰⋅୨୧ ⋅🦢  ‧₊˚ ⋅.✧˚

["Dance To Express, Not Impress"]

The Fourth of July was shaping up to be a perfect day for the Abby Lee Dance Company team. With no rehearsals scheduled, the moms and Beckett decided to take the girls to Santa Monica Beach for a day of relaxation and celebration. The plan was ambitious: a parade in the morning, hours at the beach, dinner, sparklers, and fireworks to cap it all off.

Everyone was buzzing with excitement as they piled into their cars, all decked out in red, white, and blue outfits that coordinated just enough to show off their festive spirit without looking like a costume contest.

By 9:30 a.m., the group had found a good spot along the parade route, setting up their folding chairs and laying out blankets. The moms sipped iced coffee and chatted while Beckett stood a little off to the side, keeping an eye on the girls.

The girls were thrilled by the parade floats, which were decked out in patriotic themes. Some floats had live music, others showcased dancers, and a few had fireworks sparking off the back. Maddie and Emily, sitting at the front of the group, were especially interested in a float with dancers twirling batons.

"I could totally do that," Emily said, nudging Maddie.

"Maybe, but we'd make it way more dramatic," Maddie replied with a grin, gesturing with her hands as if planning choreography.

Further back on the blanket, Chloé, Paige, and Nia were, pointing out her favorite floats and waving enthusiastically at the performers. Brooke and Mackenzie were huddled nearby, laughing as they shared a bag of red, white, and blue popcorn Kelly had bought from a vendor.

Beckett leaned down toward Emily, "You enjoying yourself so far?" he asked.

Emily nodded, her eyes sparkling as she waved at a group of performers on stilts, "This is so much fun! The dancers are amazing!"

Holly overheard and smiled, "Don't get any ideas, Emily. You're not joining a parade troupe; Abby would never let you."

The moms all laughed, but Beckett gave Emily a supportive smile, "If you ever want to try, you'd be great at it. But Holly's right Abby would never let you do it."

Emily blushed but smiled back, turning her attention to the next float.

After the parade, the group made their way to Santa Monica Beach. The moms set up a base with umbrellas, beach chairs, and a cooler full of snacks. As soon as everything was in place, the girls raced toward the water, squealing as the waves crashed against their legs.

"Emily! Come on!" Paige called, motioning for her friend to join her, Chloé, and Nia as they ran deeper into the surf.

Emily hesitated for a moment, glancing back at Beckett, who had taken off his shoes and was watching from the shore, "Go ahead!" he called out, waving her on. "I'll be right here if you need me."

Reassured, Emily ran toward the water, laughing as a wave splashed up and soaked her. For the next hour, the girls played in the waves, diving under the water and trying to body surf. Mackenzie, who was a little more hesitant about the ocean, stayed closer to shore, collecting seashells and building a small sandcastle.