Dancing In His Arms

Chapter 43

The week after Aria and Luke returned from their cabin vacation, they got back to work on practicing for the competition. Now Wednesday of the second week in the new year, Aria waits sitting in the Andersons kitchen, wondering where Luke is.

"Still not here?" Asks Cece who popped in for some orange juice to take back up to her studio.

"NO. And now he is officially... an hour and a half late. Do you think something happened to him?"

Seeing her friend starting to pace the floor, Cece calmly says "Why don't you try one of his friends? See if they know where he is."

Tossing the idea back and forth in her head, Aria finally picks up the phone to call Ace.

"Hello"

"Hey Ace, it's me Aria." Biting her nail, she wishes formalities weren't needed.

"Aria, hey what's up. You need something?"

"I was wondering if Luke was with you or if you knew where he is. He didn't show up here like he is supposed to."

"He's not with you? I thought he would of spent today with you considering" Shock clearly evident in his voice.

"No" She answers hesitantly "What's today? Is it important to him?"

There is a slight pause before Ace quietly says "It's the day his mom died."

Not being able to let out more than a startled gasp as scenes of what Luke could be doing to cope with the pain of remembering such a loss, Aria is brought out of her dark thoughts when she hears him say "He probably went to one of their secret spots or to her grave. He doesn't really go there except for today. Me and the guys have never been shown any of them so it's up to you to try the one he told us he took you to on your first date. Though I would try her stone first."

"Thank you Ace. I feel like such a fool for not knowing. Can you send me the address of where she is buried please?"

"Sure thing. Take care of our Luke, Me and the guys worry about him on this day."

Not wanting to ask how bad it can be, she ends the call and starts heading for her truck, typing in her phones map once the text comes through.

...

Driving around the richer part of town, she finally spots the graveyard entrance. Recognising Lukes car in the distance she heads over to park behind him.

Walking through the expensive lot of extravagant headstones for about 5 minutes, she finally finds him sitting on the ground. Getting closer she sees the lifeless look in his eyes as he looks past her with dried tears on his face.

Kneeling down in front of him, she slowly cups his cheeks, not wanting to startle him. As soon as her hands make contact he is broken out of his thoughts, snapping his head towards her. "Aria" Is all he says in a sad whisper that shows his pain.

"I'm right here. I'm not gunna leave you... Not unless you want me to." Instead of speaking he just grabs her, bringing her to his lap into a bone crushing hug.

Rubbing up and down his back as she gentle sways them back and forth, Aria lets Luke cry into the crook of her neck for his loss. The loss of his mother. The loss of the sister he never got to meet. The loss of a once loving father. The loss of his family.

Sniffling as he pulls back with his head hung low, Luke quietly asks in a voice that can only be described as a scared little kid, "Do you think she would be proud of me?"

Lifting his head up, she looks him dead in the eye and says "I know she would be proud of you. Both of them would be- are, both of them are proud of you. You have paved your own path. Done what makes you happy while being selfless and helping others. Despite hard times you continue to be the respectable man your mother raised you to be. If that's not something to be proud of then I don't know what is."

Seeing a spark of life return to his eyes, Aria feel successful in her speech as Luke hugs her again.

After a few minutes Luke breaks the silence "Thank you. This day always gets me hard. If it weren't for you I would probably have been flat out drunk for the whole week."

Pulling back to look at his face she scrunches her eyebrows in confusion. "What did I do?"

Tracing her jaw with his finger he says "You keep me grounded. Made me want to be strong. To look for closure"

"Have you found closure?"

"No, but I have an idea I would like to try. If you're up to it, I would like to dedicate a dance to my mom and sister."

Nodding slowly, she leans in to softly peck his lips. "I think that would be a wonderful idea. We can start it whenever you want."

Looking up at the woman on his lap with hopeful eyes, he gives her a cheeky grin. "How about today?"

Laughing lightly, Aria agrees. Standing up they make their way back to their respective vehicles to head over to the Andersons house.