Emma playfully shoved Marcus’s shoulder. “I mean it. And even if you were terrible, it doesn’t matter. Reese will love that we worked on something together. Right, Roan?”
“Yes, she will. And I’m in too, if you want an old guy,” Roan said.
“Of course we want you,” Emma said. “Reese will be happy to see you up there with us.”
“What say you, Cody?” Roan asked. “Are we dancing fools together?’
All eyes turned to Cody.
“Fine,” Cody said, trying to sound annoyed, but failing to hide his smile. “But if I look like an idiot, I’m blaming all of you. Or maybe I should saywhenI look like an idiot.”
“Should we get started?” Emma asked, bounding to her feet. “I have it all memorized so I can direct.”
The others exchanged amused glances. “Yeah, okay, boss lady,” Julia said. “Teach us your ways.”
Four days before the gala, Roan arrived at the gym to find all four kids standing in the alley, bundled up against the cold.
“Sorry I’m late, guys,” Roan said as he got out of the car and headed to unlock the door. “I was in Burlington this morning and am just getting back.”
“We just got here,” Emma said. “So no worries.”
“You all look frozen,” Roan said. “Come on in and warm up.”
“Dancing always warms us up,” Emma said, skipping ahead.
They filed inside, shedding coats. Emma was carrying two large shopping bags that she set down with great ceremony near the stereo.“Okay, guys. We’ve been practicing all week. We know the choreography. But there was one thing missing.” She paused dramatically.
“Costumes.”
“Oh no,” Cody said. “What did you do?”
“Nothing much. Grace helped me.” Emma pulled out a beautiful red velvet vest with delicate silver snowflake embroidery along the lapels. “She made these. Well, she found the vests at the thrift store and added all the decorations herself. There’s one for each of us.”
She held it up, and, even in the gym’s fluorescent lighting, it was stunning. Festive but elegant. Perfect for a gala.
“That’s actually really nice,” Julia said.
Emma pulled out four more vests. Each one identical, each one clearly made with care. “She said we should wear black underneath so the sparkle really pops. Black pants for the guys, black dresses or skirts for us girls. And then these vests on top.”
“I don’t have a black dress,” Julia said quietly.
“Grace thought of that too.” Emma pulled out a simple black dress with an empire waist that would accommodate Julia’s belly. “She said you can keep it.”
Julia held it up to her chest. “Grace made this for me?”
“No, but she got it from one of her daughter-in-laws,” Emma said. “Oh, that reminds me, Julia. Grace has a bag of maternity clothes from one of her daughter-in-laws. She said she’ll bring them out to your grandma’s if you’re interested.”
“I am, yeah,” Julia said. “I have one pair of pants that still fit.”
Marcus was running his fingers over the snowflake embroidery on one of the vests. “Grace is a phenom,”
“I know. And wait.” Emma’s grin widened. “There’s more.”
She reached into the second bag and pulled out five Santa hats with white fur trim and little bells on the ends.
“We put these on right before we perform,” Emma said. “We’ll look all formal and fancy with the vests, but the hats make it a little goofy, so people know we’re not taking ourselves too seriously. It’s festiveandfunny.”
Cody shook his head, smiling. “I can’t believe I let you jokers talk me into this.”
