Chapter 7 - The Wedding Henry Planned
Ethan returned three weeks later.
The investigation continued.
David agreed to testify.
The network unraveled.
Anna's death was officially connected to the conspiracy.
Henry's name was cleared.
But Ethan cared about only one thing.
Clare.
He found her at the studio.
She was teaching a group of children their first dance.
When the class ended, she saw him.
He stood in the doorway.
She smiled.
“You're late.”
“I know.”
“How late?”
“Twenty-eight days.”
“That seems serious.”
“I'll make it up to you.”
“How?”
He held out his hand.
She took it.
“Dance.”
They stepped onto the floor.
No music.
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
He began humming.
She laughed.
“This is terrible.”
“I know.”
“But you're trying.”
“Yes.”
They danced slowly.
When they finished, Henry entered.
He was wearing a suit.
Clare stared.
“What's going on?”
Henry smiled.
“Wedding.”
Clare looked at Ethan.
“What wedding?”
“Yours.”
She laughed.
“Absolutely not.”
Henry looked offended.
“Why not?”
“Because nobody asked me.”
Ethan smiled.
“I was waiting for the right moment.”
“When is that?”
He pulled out a ring.
Clare stopped.
“You're asking me?”
“Yes.”
“In a dance studio?”
“Yes.”
“While your father is standing there?”
“Yes.”
Henry raised his hand.
“I supervised.”
Clare laughed through tears.
Ethan knelt.
“I spent most of my life thinking love meant responsibility.”
He looked at her.
“With you, it feels like freedom.”
She covered her mouth.
“I don't want to promise you perfection.”
“Good.”
“I don't know what the next year will look like.”
“Neither do I.”
“But I want you there.”
She cried.
Then smiled.
“Yes.”
Henry wiped his eyes.
“I knew it.”
Ethan stood.
He kissed her.
The children from the class cheered from the hallway.
Within six months, the wedding was planned.
Margaret's favorite flowers.
Anna's favorite song.
A small ceremony.
No business guests.
No cameras.
No press.
Only family and friends.
On the morning of the wedding, Clare found Henry sitting alone.
He held the old dance card.
“Nervous?”
“A little.”
“What are you worried about?”
“That I won't remember the steps.”
She smiled.
“You don't have to.”
“What if I forget?”
“Then I'll lead.”
Henry's eyes filled.
“Your mother would like you.”
Clare hugged him.
Then the music began.
The doors opened.
Ethan stood at the front.
But he did not watch Clare first.
He watched his father.
Henry was the one walking with her.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Every step.
Every smile.
Halfway down the aisle, Henry whispered,
“One more.”
Clare smiled.
“What?”
“Dance with me.”
She squeezed his arm.
“Always.”
They reached Ethan.
Henry placed her hand in his son's.
Ethan looked at his father.
“Thank you.”
Henry nodded.
“Take care of her.”
Ethan looked at Clare.
“I will.”
Then Henry stepped back.
The ceremony began.
When it was time for the first dance, Ethan took Clare onto the floor.
The song started.
He looked at her.
“You remember your first lesson?”
“Yes.”
“You told me I danced like an accountant.”
“You did.”
“And now?”
She smiled.
“Still do.”
He laughed.
They moved.
Perfectly imperfect.
When the song ended, Ethan whispered,
“Another?”
May you like
She smiled.
“Always.”
