All for the Mirrorball

Chapter 36 - This Is It

Ilona exhaled slowly, rolling her shoulders back as she stood side stage, the energy of the night humming around her.

Alan's final "show nerves" playlist played softly through their headphones - his latest attempt to keep her calm - but this time, she caught him fidgeting more than her.

She nudged his arm. "Hey. You good?"

Alan blinked, snapping out of whatever thought had him zoned out. "Yeah. Totally."

Ilona gave him a look.

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Okay, maybe I'm feeling it a little."

"We should go," she said suddenly.

Alan blinked. "Go where?"

"Trailer."

"Ilona, we have to -"

"We have time," she said firmly, already pulling him by the hand. "Come on."

The second the door shut behind them, the tension cracked.

Alan rubbed his hands over his face. "Holy shit."

Ilona sat beside him. "I know."

They sat there for a beat, breathing through it.
Then she spoke. "I hope you know how much all of this meant."

Alan looked up, brows furrowed.

Ilona swallowed. "Not just us - which has been everything. But the show itself. The experience. You as my coach. The fact that we get to be here."

His shoulders finally relaxed.

"And," she added, a teasing glint in her eye, "I love your playlist. But I have a better idea."

Alan exhaled a laugh. "I'm afraid to ask."

She pulled out her phone, setting a timer for five minutes. "We forget about the finale for this long."

Alan's grin was slow and knowing. "And how do we do that?"

Ilona leaned in, her breath brushing his lips. "By making out like crazy."

Alan laughed. "Best plan of the season."

She hit start on the timer.

—

The moment they stepped back into the lights, their nerves were gone. Their video package for the week played as they hugged, whispering encouragement in each others' ear.

When Ilona took her position - solo, reminiscent of when she first stepped out on stage in the premiere - her sequined bodysuit caught the light.
The music started.

She took a deep breath as Alan cartwheeled his way over to her.

And then, they danced like their lives depended on it. Neither of them could contain their grins.

The second the final beat hit, Ilona barely had time to process before she was back off the floor and airborne - her legs wrapping around Alan's waist, her arms tight around his neck, pure euphoria flooding through her. We got through the jive.

Alan laughed, breathless, holding her effortlessly, spinning her in the air before setting her down.
The crowd exploded, her family cheering loud enough to shake the room.

Ilona pulled back just enough to see Alan's face - his eyes wild, exhilarated, alive.

She grinned. "Told you we'd kill it."

Alan just kissed her forehead, still grinning like a maniac. "And we're just getting started."

The judges were so happy with her performance, emphasizing her improvement and how well she had bounced back from her worst week on the show. Ilona couldn't help but look around in appreciation, taking it all in. Carrie Ann excitedly squealed "redemption is yours!" and Derek even told her he was proud of her.