Final Performance (TW Ellen)

“You’ll be fine, Elle,” Laura told the five year old female wolf. “Besides, Peter has already told Derek that if he steps on your feet that he won’t be going to the batting cages for a month. Dad, even agreed with Peter on the punishment. And we both know how pouty, Der gets if he doesn’t get to do his sports.”

Ellen giggled as she thought about the last time Derek had been without his sports. He had worn a frown for weeks before Talia had relented and allowed him out of the house. But he had been miserable for all those days with not being allowed to leave the house except for school. David had not be allowed to go to Hale house either to spend time with friend, for fear of riling up his friend.

“But what if I make a mistake?” she hesitantly asked Laura with wide brown eyes.

The fourteen year old looked down at her friend and hugged her. When Laura pulled away, blue eyes met brown, “Then you make it seem as if it was part of the routine. If you don’t react to it, then no one is going to know.”

Ellen’s brown eyes widened slightly as she heard Laura’s words, “You promise?”

“I promise,” the older girl swore as she squeezed one of the Ellen’s hands. “For now, though let’s finish getting you ready for your dance." Laura picked up the white foundation and brush.

She quickly began to pale out Ellen's caramel colored skin, so she looked pale like death. Both girls could hear Derek in the next room grumbling as Talia and Elizabeth put Derek in similar makeup. Ellen's giggles brought a smile to Laura's face, her friend and godsister had been racked with nerves the last few days as Peter had them practice the dance until Derek wasn't stepping on her feet. Laura could taste the nervousness in the air, but she knew that Ellen could do it.

Laura did quick work with Ellen's makeup, she enjoyed Ellen's giggles from the brush as it tickled her skin. Soon enough, the five year old girl was ready with her makeup and dress. She was sill missing her shoes but Laura helped her friend into the kitten heeled dance shoes.

"Okay, you're ready to go. Let's see if we can find Derek," Laura suggested as she helped Ellen down from the counter top she sat on.

Hand in hand the two girls made their to the dressing room next door. The door open, for the pair to step inside. Laura gasped as she took in the sight of her little brother. He looked a lot like Gomez Adams, the fourteen year old laughed at her brothers pouty face that didn't fit with the suave and smooth man.

"Oh Der, look at you little brother," Laura teased as she stood behind Ellen. "Nice work, mom."

"Thank you, it took a while to get the mustache down. He wouldn't stay still," Talia remarked as she frowned at her son. "Ellen, you look so beautiful. Are you both ready?"

The pair who were set dance reluctantly nodded. Talia motioned for them to wait out of sight, not fair from the ballroom. The group of dancers on the floor finished and passed the pair. Ellen's grip on Derek's hand tightened before they made their way out onto the floor.

She trailed after Derek, as they took their first position. Patiently, they waited for the music to start. The opening beats began and the pair took off into the steps they had practiced. It went smoothly, at one point while Ellen was spun away from Derek, she tripped slightly on her skirt. But she caught herself before she fell on the floor to hurt herself. Derek was quick to catch her and move on with the dance.

After three minutes, the pair were tired as they finished the dance. Both were panting as they moved back stage. Once out of view, Ellen cried out an apology for almost falling. Derek hugged her tightly. "Don't worry, no one noticed, Ellen. You're fine. I didn't step on your toes," he joked to try and stop her from crying.

Ellen giggled as she realized that Derek was right. All of her worrying about Derek stepping on her feet had been for nothing. Instead, she had been the one to make a mistake. Ellen knew that her parents, Talia, and Peter had seen the mistake. Disappointment emanated from her little self in quiet waves. Ellen didn't hear the applause as she tried to fight the tears that stung her eyes.

-TBC

A/N: Sorry guys I thought that I would have this finished but I don't. I'll get back to it in December. Happy early Halloween. I won't be posting tomorrow so I wanted to wish you all those now.

Also, there won't be any posts in November since I'll be doing NaNoWriMo, again. This is my third consecutive year. I've given myself the goal of writing 2000 words per day, I did okay for the first couple of days with this last year. I am hoping to actually hit the 50000 word mark but if I don't, it's not the complete end of the world.

See you all in December with Christmas and Holiday themed pieces. 

-ADF