Dancing In His Arms

Chapter 52

It's the day after her 21st birthday and Aria can't help but be a little sad.

If she was back at college, the Clan surely would of taken her out for drinks, now that she is technically legal to drink. Luke of course would make sure nobody got to crazy before coming back to her apartment where they would cuddle up in her bed. Possibly do other things if Donny wasn't home.

The door bell, signaling a customer breaks her out of her day dreams.

"Hello, welcome to Thompson Hardware. If you need help looking for something just let me know." Moving some boxes, she so she can see their face she stops, frozen when he speaks.

"Well, I've been looking for about a week now. You wouldn't happen to know where I could find a dance partner would you? Ya see, we have this big competition coming up, and well my old one just up and left."

Slowly looking up at him, she sees him browsing through the end caps.

"Kind of a pity really, I happened to grow quite fond of her. She became everything in my life."

Now looking up at her, meeting her straight in the eye, there is no trace of anger or betrayal for leaving. Only longing.

"Luke...I..can't. I'm needed here."

"No, you're wanted here. You're needed with me. With our friends. What happened to the girl who ambushed me at the school dance back in september. The one who convinced me to give dancing a shot. To move on. Where is that Aria? Where is my Aria?"

"GET OUT!"

Turning to the sound of a shotgun, they see an angry Ronaldo aiming at Luke.

"Mr. Thompson-"

"I said get out!"

Quick to cover Luke, Aria shields him with her body, raising her hands in an effort to calm her father.

"Let me escort him out daddy. We just need to talk real quick. Wouldn't want the bank representative seeing you point a gun at a potential customer now would we?"

Knowing they desperately need that loan, Aria uses it in hopes it will make her father see some sense.

Lowering the shotgun, Ron points a finger at them. "5 minutes. He better be gone in 5 minutes or I'm shooting him in the ass."

Walking him out the door, she takes them towards the raised platform the town uses for bands at fundraisers.

"What are you doing here Luke?" Taking in his all black ensemble, she can't help but remember every curve and muscle of his body.

"I came to bring you back Aria. Why did you even leave?" Thinking back to what she said to her father, as a damn gun was pointed at him, Luke realises her problem. "If you needed money all you needed to do was ask. I would be more than happy to help."

Scowling at how low he made her sound she snaps "I don't need your damn money."

"OK that came out wrong. But it is why you left isn't it? Your parents hardware store needs a loan."

"We don't need a loan, we need money to stay open thanks to your father so we have to get a loan."

Now confused as to how his father is involved, Luke asks "My father? What did he do?"

"Try looking a few towns over. I'm sure you can't miss the shiny new hardware store over there. I'll give you one guess as to who the funder was."

As the puzzle pieces come together in Lukes mind he sees Mr. Thompson talking to a friend of his fathers. Knowing Carl Fredricks owns a wealthy bank and all their schemes to takes honest peoples money he quickly calls them over.

"Mr. Fredricks!" waving his hand, the two men make their way over.

"Ah Luke, what a pleasant surprise, what are you doing here?" Completely ignoring his question Luke asks one of his own.

"How much do the Thompsons need, and what percentage of interest are you charging them?"

"Now Luke you know I can't divulge such information. Confidentiality of course. The Thompsons will be well taken care of in my hands."

"If they are present then they can conceded to letting me know."

About to call bullshit, Ronaldo gets cut off by his daughter. "Let him."

Not wanting to upset a Kane, Carl speaks. "They want $50,000 to be payed off over 10 years. I am prepared to give it to them with 6% interest."

Thankful to of actually been paying attention in his business classes, Luke raises an eyebrow and says "If I am not mistaken the current rate of interest is 4.5% not 6. What makes you think you can charge them extra?"

Sputtering trying to come up with an excuse for being money hungry, he sees a crowd has formed around them.

Cutting off his failed attempts to speak, Luke turns to an angry Mr. Thompson. "You could take his deal and be indebted for a long time or take mine."

Snapping his attention over to the young man, he cautiously asks "Your deal?" still not trusting a Kane even though he just unveiled light on the situation with his bank.

"I am prepared to give you $60,000 with no interest. You can take however long you want to pay me back, I won't care."

"What's the catch?"

"You let Aria come back to college with me." Confident in his response, Luke wasn't expecting the reaction he got.

"And have her waste her time dancing, I think not!"

Quick to recover he asks "Have you ever seen her dance? Have you gone to even one competition?" Already knowing his answer will be a big fat 'No' he jumps up onto the small stage. Turning around, he offers a hand to Aria. "Come on, isn't it time to start fighting for what you want?"

Sparing her father one last glance, she takes his hand stepping out of her shoes and joins him on the stage.

Glancing to someone in the distance, the music starts letting Aria know just what to do. For it is their dance. The one meant for them, no rules, no competition. Just them.

Everyone in the crowd stares transfixed as they watch. Feeling the connection between the two. The trust in the other to catch them when they fall. The love in their eyes, and the strength in one another to share something so intimate, so openly that they can't decide to look away-feeling like they are intruding on a moment, or to continue watching for they have never seen anything like it.

Once done, Aria is surprised to see the Clan jump on stage with them, strangling her in a group hug.

"What are you guys doing here?" Beyond happy to finally see them again, even if it was just a week, she hugs them again.

"Well Luke here came bursting into our apartment demanding to know where you were. Couldn't let our boy get you back without some back up now could we?" Teases Donny, hoping she won't be mad he ratted out her location.

Squeezing his hand she lets out a small "Thank you." before kissing him on the cheek.

As her father solemnly approaches, Aria makes her way back into Lukes arms.

Clearing his throat, Ron begins "That was...beautiful honey. I... I'm sorry I've always...always"

"It's ok dad." Sending her a weak smile, he nods to his daughter, grateful she understood his failed attempt to apologize.

"So..." Looking at Luke, he doesn't know how to approach the subject.

"So, will you take my deal Mr. Thompson. Or shall I let Carl know he has won?"

Sticking his hand out he says "Call me Ron and you have a deal. Just take care of my little girl would you."

Taking the outstretched hand, Luke firmly shakes it looking him straight in the eye. "It would be an honor sir."