Dancing In His Arms

Chapter 36

After tensions ran high at the Thompson dining table no one talked. Now Christmas morning, Aria makes way to her truck with her overnight bag.

"Sweety? Going so soon?" She hears her mother call from behind her.

Turning around to face her she is glad to see her mother is not upset about her sudden departure last night.

"Yeah, sorry mom. I just can't stay hiding in my room like I did something wrong for defending something I care about. Plus I still have the gift exchange at Cece's." Suddenly remembering, she grabs the gift she got her mother and hands it to her. "I almost forgot, here."

Accepting the gift she asks "Dancing or the boy?" while walking back in the house to grab the gift for her daughter.

Flabbergasted by the sudden question, Aria stumbles over what to say. "Wha- why.. Uh. say what?"

Chuckling, Gina hands her the present she got her. "Dancing or the boy. Which one are you defending?"

"Oh" Suddenly feeling sheepish, knowing her mother heard her confess her love for Luke, something even she didn't know till it came out of her mouth, she takes a moment to think about her answer. "Both?"

"You sound as if you don't know. You were quite adamant at dinner."

"I don't know where that even came from! I was just upset with dad not taking what I care about seriously.... Then... I don't know. That last part just came out. I don't know if it's even true." Looking down at the box in her hands, she plays with the ribbon to distract herself from the penetrating gaze her mother is giving her.

"Honey" She hears her say in a soft voice. "Look at me." When she doesn't look Gina takes a finger and places it under her chin, forcing her to look into her eyes. "I saw the fire in your eyes as your spoke. At the very least you care deeply for him. If it's not love, maybe it will become it. If it is... well, just see where it goes. You are a wonderful, beautiful, human being that I have the pleasure of saying I gave birth to. If he is not the one for you, know that I will be here for you. I love you. You are my baby and he would be lucky to earn your heart."

"Thanks mom" Her voice choked up with emotions as she hugs her tight. "I love you too."

Sniffing she pulls back. "I,uh I have to go. Don't want to be late. The Andersons were visiting family a couple hours away so I want to get it set up before they get back. Ya know, surprise them and what not."

"Ok, see you when I see you. Just don't make it long okay? You may be grown up but you're still my baby." Pulling back she watches her daughter nod before she hops in her truck and leave for the hour and a half ride back to school.

...

Parking on the street Aria notices that Luke has shown up early too. Curious as to him being there before everyone else she quietly slips into the house to see what he is up to.

Tip toeing towards the sound of rustling paper and the ripping of tape, the sight of Luke placing a panel of wrapping paper over the last glass window to the backyard comes into view.

"What are you doing?" She asks in an amused voice, leaning against the doorframe. Startled by her sudden presence he dropped the role causing it to unroll, stopping once it hit her feet. Picking it up, Aria begins to roll it back up all while raising an eyebrow at a fidgety Luke. "Well?"

"Present" is all he says with a shocked expression still painted on his face.

"Present?" she muses as he tries to act off his skittish behavior. "What kind of present is it then?" Walking towards the doors he covered, she is quickly stopped by Luke blocking her path.

"No! You can't see it! Not yet, I want everyone to see it at once." Not wanting to mess with him and his crazed eyes, a clear sign that this is important to him, she nods and steps back taking him with her as his hands had grabbed her shoulders to halt her movements.

"I'll leave it alone if you help me set up." Bribing him into getting some help. Usually she has Donny but with his injury he hasn't been helpful lately and chose to sleep in today.

"Help?" He asks, becoming less tense, now curious as to why she is there too when no one else is. "What do you need help with?"

Delighted that he is so quick to give in she smiles at him. "Food and presents. Grandma Anderson always sends them home with leftover turkey that we heat up. I want to get a head start on the sides so Mrs. A doesn't have to worry about cooking today. She already did Thanksgiving so this will be one less thing for her to do."

"That's...nice. And the part about presents?" He asks with an impressed smile on his face.

"Arranging them under the tree in the living room. I have everyone's gifts in the back of my truck if you would mind retrieving them while I start the food. And no peaking mister." Wiggling her finger as if to deter him.

"Aye, Aye milady." With a mock salute, Luke turned around and skipped out the door. Just as she was about to crack the back door she hears him shout "No peaking goes for you too." from the front door.

"I was doing no such thing." She denies as he walks in with presents under his arms.

"Uh huh" Failing to hide his smile, knowing she was lying as she won't look him in the face. As well there is a slight blush on her face.

"I'm telling the truth" was her squeaky rebuttal.

"Ok I believe you...if" Smirking as she relaxed then tensed at his words, Luke can't wait for her to say something.

Hesitantly she looks at him and asks "If?"

"If...you give me a kiss." Grinning like a mad man, he sets down the presents to open his arms wide.

"You're ridiculous" Trying to be mad at him and his silly request, she fails and he lifts her off the ground, twirling her. "Luke" She calls out in between bits of laughter.

"I'm yours" was his whispered reply before his lips descended on hers in a soft gentle kiss. 'Luke loves to dance with me, just like i love him.' As that swirl around her brain Aria knew she had her answer.