Dancing In His Arms

Chapter 59

Waiting on baited breath, everyone in the ballroom is on the edge of their seat waiting for the final vote as the 3 other couples leave the stage.

"The rules are simple. The couple with the loudest applause win. Let's begin. Addison and Sebastian Prince." In a flurry people start to shout and cheer in hopes their choice wins.

"Okay! Okay! Settle down......Aria Thompson and Luke Kane"

For two whole seconds there wasn't a sound heard.

Then screams so loud Aria and Luke had to cover their ears erupted throughout the entire room.

No one could hear the Dean as she screamed into the mic for everyone to stop. Eventually a stage hand came running up to her with a bull horn. Even that was barely heard over their noise.

Eventually they quieted down enough to hear the horn in her hand and settled down, raw throats and all.

"Well..." wiggling a finger in her ear in efforts to stop the ringing, the Dean says "we have our winners."

...

Once the announcement was made Aria and Luke were thrown into a tirade of pictures, school briefings and congratulations.

Finally free and changed back into normal clothes, they head out the door to Lukes car.

Not even two steps out and they are attacked into a swarm of hugs by their friends and family.

"I'm so sorry for ever doubting you sweetie, you did amazing up there." whispers Ronaldo into her ear as he hug her tight to him and his wife.

As the love fest clears up Luke catches somebody walking to him out of the corner of his eye.

"Luke" everyone goes silent as they watch the scene unfold.

"Dad" keeping his response just as clipped as his father, he feels Aria come up beside him and take his hand, meeting him head on together.

"I'm sorry" Blinking thinking he heard wrong he asks for clarity. "I said I'm sorry. You were right, I haven't been raising you since...since her. She would be proud of you and all you've done for yourself. And damn disappointed in me." A pained expression crosses the elder Kane's face. "I was supposed to take care of you and instead I ignored you and submerged myself in work. What kind of father does that to their child. I was to busy trying to get over my own pain for the loss of your mother I never thought to take time and see how losing her affected you too. Looking back I see it now. I see it all. How lifeless you were without her. You changed too when we lost her."

Glancing over at Aria, even a blind man could see the love they have for each other. The total and unconditional support they give to one another can not be put to comparison.

"I see....how you were better this year. On the anniversary. And every day after. I can only assume it is because of this lovely young lady here." Sending her a weak smile of appreciation, he gets a slight blush in return.

"She is" Luke answers back strongly taking his hand from her to wrap his arm around her waist, pulling her into him. "She helped me see a brighter future than the one you planned out for me. I love her and I always will."

Taking a moment to look between the two of them, George sighs. "You don't want the business do you." more of a statement than a question.

"I never did." Seeing the sullen look on his fathers face he continues. "But I know some people who do." Gaining a curious look from his father, Luke simply turns his head to look at Ace, Tim and Jack, raising an eyebrow at them as if to say 'you want the company or not'

Quickly stepping forward the trio eagerly looks towards Mr. Kane waiting on his decision.

"How do I know they will take care of my company?" Seeing a spark of hope Ace takes over.

"We are in all the same business classes as Luke. Some training and mentorship till your ready and we can take over. Believe me sir, your company would be in good hands with us." he states strongly, trying to keep from bouncing in excitement.

After a long long pause as George Kane mulls it over in his head he speaks up.

"I'll see you three next week in the morning to see how you do." before sending one last look to his son and leaving them there.