Rosalie prepared the large dance studio for all the students that were about to arrive for their first class. She swiped the towel paper across the large mirror that was gleaming, with no dirty smudges or dust any longer, which was just the way she preferred it. The light brown floors were polished and wiped down as well. All of the barre stretch bars were set at a lower height and mounted onto the walls for the younger girls, which are essential for every ballet class. A barre is a stationary handrail that a dancer lightly holds onto for balance.

Rosalie cleaned all the equipment for the first lesson. She didn't need to turn any of the lights on, since the glass windows allowed bountiful sunlight into the studio. She rolled out the radio system and plugged it in and positioned it in the corner of the room.

She had a total of twenty-five students this year including Vivian, because she knew her own limitations to only tutor that many. Only girls had joined the class too, Rosalie really wanted some boys to join, she would've loved to teach them as well. But, this year it was just twenty-five cute little girls who were excited to learn. She didn't want to have too many at the start of this new school and overestimate her abilities.

Rosalie opened the equipment closet and had racks of gleaming pink pointe shoes, many clean leotards, tights and other necessities for her students. She grabbed the keys from the counter and went off to the locker room where the students would put their belongings, change and prep before coming to the studio. Finally, the last task was to put the rock rosin at the entrance on the classroom. So, the girls would apply it on their hand and feet to prevent any slipping.

Rosalie took off her own coat and hung it in her office, that was cozy and she was glad that the room was big enough to fit quite a few people inside. If parents wished to talk to her or kids needed her help, then this was a nice place to sit. Especially since, the interior was done to perfection.

Rosalie today chose to wear her own black leotard, that was backless and had mid-length sleeves. For dancing, she usually would've opted for the camisole style, but she wasn't dancing, she was teaching today. She had thin black leggings and a black tulle skirt that reached her calves.

Rosalie took off her heels and prepared her ballet shoes, that were old and worn in, which was how they should be. The silly pink ribbon and elastic were purposely sewed on, so that the shoes remain secured on the foot while hopping and turning and balancing. It was a common mistake that many didn't know, but Rosalie never danced with a brand-new pair of pointe shoes. Rosalie was strict to tell all the parents on orientation day to break in their kids' ballet shoes. They needed to break in and form the foot snugly, if one wished to dance openly. Even with her old pair, she bent and folded the shoe before she laced it onto her foot.

A smile crept up her lips as Rosalie stared down at her feet, when she saw the shoes on. It had been a half a year since she had danced properly. Since quitting professionally and going back home to adopt Vivian, then handling all the paperwork with the lawyers, she never got the chance to practice.

Eagerly, she tied her hair into a high chignon and ran to the studio to have her own little fun before classes started. She powdered her hands and walked into the large studio with a smile nonetheless.

To her, this was home; polished floors that smelt of wood and the large mirror to help her keep her form. She had already stretched at home. So, without hesitation, she fisted her sturdy hand around the wooden barre rail and begun her old but beloved routine that she had learned long ago.

Rosalie remembered the sensation in her body. The thrill of this art as she used the grand space to practice what she hadn't lost at all. How could she lose it? When she had breathed and lived for ballet all her life. Ballet was the reason she left her home and came to New York with her trainer when she was eighteen.

Rosalie's blood drained and she lurched with a hard jolt when she remembered that terrible day. Thankfully, she didn't lose her grip on the handrail. But her heart had jumped out of her chest and she collapsed on the floor.

She closed her eyes and took deep breaths in to calm herself down. She never understood why her past haunted her so much, even now. Despite her entire family already buried in the ground, far away from her, she still felt the weight of them all.

Her father, Theo Lenoir was nothing worth bothering herself over because he was a vile old man who abused them. The only thing good about her childhood was the memories of her mom Adele who was a quiet, sweet woman who wished nothing but good for everyone. Sadly, no one wished it for her. Rosalie loved her mom and pursued ballet for her, since she had to quit because of her forced mating with Theo.

Rosalie got off the ground as she recalled her mom's face and the sweet smile of her sister's face when Rosalie had left her all alone back home. Madeleine's death wasn't something Rosalie had moved on from, because Rosalie was the one who abandoned her sister and left her alone in the hands of their father.

"Aunt Rosa," a voice called out behind her.

Rosalie turned with a jolt as her heart leaped out of her chest. "Vivian?" she astounded.

Vivian stood with her back-bag strapped onto her small figure. She wore a simple white dress, black sandals. Rosalie had braided her hair this morning, just as she picked her outfit for school too. Her niece was adorable in anything she wore.

"Vivian, what are you doing here?" she astounded, as she got to her feet.

"I walked here," Vivian replied, as she put the key to the studio in her bag.

"Why? I was going to pick you up from school," Rosalie said.

"School is only ten minutes away from here," said Vivian. "Isn't that why you picked this studio?"

Rosalie agreed that she picked a place close to Vivian's new school, but that didn't mean she wanted her niece to walk herself here. Rosalie went up to her and got down on her knees to her niece's level.

"I got you a cellphone for a reason, Vivian," said Rosalie. "You have to call me when school is finished."

Vivian's eyes seemed to take in all of Rosalie's words. And then, carefully the kid thought of an answer. "I can walk myself," she said.

Rosalie took a deep breath. "I know you can," she said evenly. "But just promise me, that you will call me after school is done. So, I know you are on your way. That sound reasonable?"

Vivian nodded. "Okay, aunt Rosa. Can I get dressed now?" she asked.

Rosalie beamed a smile. "Of course. Let's get you ready to teach all these newbie's how the Lenoir's dance," she gloated making Vivian giggle too.

Vivian was already past the preliminary training for dancers. She was well stretched and her pointed foot was perfect too. She wore a pink leotard, pink tights and had a pink tutu on as well. Rosalie didn't need to help Vivian as she stretched her legs on the barre rail. She was flexible for her age and very well disciplined too. As excepted as Rosalie's niece.

Rosalie was so proud. "You're getting better every day," she praised. "Soon you will beat me."

Vivian was touching her toes as she bent down fairly far. "I don't know if I could beat you, aunt Rosa," she said.

"Well, you certainly have talent," Rosalie responded. "Keep working on it."

Vivian smiled up at her. "Yes, I will," she said.

Rosalie looked at the clock and it was about to hit three o'clock. Usually, ballet classes were held eight thirty in the morning to three thirty in the afternoon. Ballet students should be getting practice for seven hours and six times a week. But Rosalie wasn't dealing with adults, she had kids who went to school every day. And school ended at two thirty around here. So, she set up classes to fit that margin. Lessons would last only three hours for now, and then maybe, she would increase the practice time later.

As the clock hit the time, Vivian was into her stretching routine, so Rosalie left to the main doors alone.

She unlocked the massive glass doors and held them open with the peddle on the bottom. Rosalie was glad to see that the weather had brightened up as well. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, nice fluffy white clouds, and the air wasn't bitter either.

Eventually, cars started to arrive and Rosalie was ready to greet her new students.

"Good afternoon, ma'am," the girls greeted as they walked in through the doors.

"Welcome, girls," Rosalie said. "I want you all to head to the lockers and get changed."

Vivian was fast to help the new girls. She quickly took the girls towards the open locker room and helped them choose a place to hold their belongings.

Rosalie waved at few of the parents who had waited until their kid went safely inside. The cars drove off and then the last few arrived too. The last ten girls arrived and they all went inside, but Rosalie only counted twenty-four right now. One was still missing or did she mess up her count.

A black mustang drove up into the parking lot. Rosalie saw the driver's door open wide, when suddenly, her heart stopped and her knees slackened. Her wolf took guard as fast as she could, like she was prepared to protect Rosalie from whoever arrived.

A man who stood over six-foot rounded the hood of the mustang. He moved with precision and every muscle calculated to move on his command. He was built like a powerful machine; his muscles roped onto his sturdy physique and he had a glower that could scare anything in its path. He wore a long leather trench coat over his dark clothes, which fit perfectly to his figure.

Even from this distance, she could sense the feral pheromones of his wolf, like it was pissed merely for being outside in the sun. Rosalie didn't miss the tattoos either, they were all over his rough big hands, his corded neck and down the unbuttoned area that exposed his chest.

The man opened the back door and the woman from yesterday got out with haste.

Rosalie froze. She recognized the woman right away from the styled blonde hair, big blue eyes and heels to die for again. Ashley Iron, but she was with another man yesterday. Who was this man? wondered Rosalie.

Ashley walked across the parking lot, with her daughter holding her hand. "Sorry for being late," she said.

Rosalie ripped her gaze off the man still beside the car. "No, you're just on time," she reassured her.

"That's a relief," she said. Ashley smiled as she looked at her daughter, "Evelyn, will you be alright?"

"I'll be fine," Evelyn expressed chirpily. "Can I go inside now?"

"Of course, you can," Rosalie answered the little girl. "Lockers are right around the left. So, change your clothes and put your stuff away."

"Yes, ma'am," she said before she scampered inside.

Rosalie tried so hard not to look back at the man near the car. "Classes end in three hours," she told Ashley.

"Yes, I remember," said Ashley. "I will leave my girl in your care then."

Rosalie nodded. "Have a great day," she wished.

Ashley turned away, when Rosalie locked eyes on him. She felt his cold blue eyes all the way from the car. The vibrant blue was as if an electric surge flashed through entire body and lighted her of fire to burn in her own desire. Rosalie in that moment that froze for her, she studied his handsome face that was rugged, harsh scowl that didn't face her. She picked up the moment when he had frowned and when the angry scar across his right eye stretched matching his cold disposition.

A chill crawled down her body, when he turned his intimidating body to face her fully now. She had never felt such raw power before. Rosalie knew right away that this man wasn't some mere person. 

Rosalie closed the glass doors hastily, because she needed to stop that fiery scent from reaching her. But she doubted that this mere glass door would prove to be no real security for her safety if that man decided to come for her.

"Aunt Rosa," it was Vivian who had called out for her.

"Huh?" she looked back blankly.

"Some girls are having a problem putting their shoes on," she said wearily.

Rosalie straightened her back and knew that this was no time to think about some man. Well, there was only that man that piqued her interest so far in life.

Rosalie helped all the girls before they ended up in the studio. It took longer because this was the first day. Once all the girls spent a good thirty to forty minutes to stretch, they settled on the floor with their legs crossed. And it seemed they already made friends with each other for the tweet minutes they were in the lockers together.

"You all met me yesterday," began Rosalie, "but I will introduce myself again. My name is Rosalie Lenoir and I was a ballerina."

Unexpectedly, the class broke out into a cheer and applauds, making Rosalie laugh at how sweet they were.

"Today, I'm going to teach you the five basic foot positions, which is the foundation of every other step in classical ballet," she explained. "First, we'll learn the positions for the hips, legs and feet. And then, we'll go forward and learn the positions with the porta barre, in the arms, head and hands. And then we will put it all together."

Rosalie went over to the far side and pulled the porta barre to sit in front of the kids. So, she could personally demonstrate.

"Normally, we start facing the bar, both hands on the bar, very gently. Hips and shoulders same alignment. The knees and the hips and then the toes are lifted so the arch is not sagging down and forward," Rosalie said clearly. She went into first position, which allowed her heels to touch and her toes faced away from each other.

"Now, second position," Rosalie moved her feet a bit wider apart, matching her shoulder width. "Again, the torso should match your feet alignment. Lifted and strong."

Rosalie now moved her feet into the third position. As she did, a slight twinge of excitement grew inside her heart. She felt as if she was the one learning all over again. That she was the little girl, sitting in front of her old teacher as she showed her everything.

"Bring your right foot to the front," Rosalie said. "Now, this is where you need to pay attention." All the girls zoomed their eyes onto her feet. "Notice that my right heel is at the arch of my left foot. Also, the rotation should come from your hip line. Is everyone following along so far?"

"Yes!" They shouted.

Rosalie saw some of the girls hesitate. "Don't worry too much. Today, we will practice these formations," she said. "And I will give you each personal assistance."

"Now, I will show forth position," Rosalie moved her right foot directly in front of her left foot. "Heels are forward and lifted, again rooted from the hips only." Rosalie could clearly see that the girls were lost at this point, but interested to try it themselves, which was a great thing. "Now, our final fifth position," Rosalie brought her right foot back and connected it to her left foot. "Here you can see, that I've put my heel directly connected to my toe. Right?"

"Yes," the girls answered.

"Then, we end it off by me bringing my feet back to first position," said Rosalie.

A girl with pitch black hair put her hand up stopping Rosalie.

"Yes, questions," said Rosalie.

"What about the other side?" asked the little girl.

"I'm glad you brought that up, um-" Rosalie paused for a second.

"Oh, it's Sara," the child said.

"I'm glad you brought that up, Sara," said Rosalie. "Because I was just about to tell you that when we practice formation of the feet, we have to make sure to do both sides."

"Ms. Lenoir, can we try it now?" asked another student.

Rosalie was about to teach arm formation, but the girls seemed eager to get started. "Alright," she gave in. "Everyone, use the porta barre and space out evenly," she instructed. "If you have any questions, you can ask me or you can ask Vivian as well," said Rosalie. "She knows the positions just as well as I do."

The girls rushed off the floor and got into position. The noise in the class grew as Rosalie went through groups of girls, telling them what to do over and over again. Rosalie was glad that the girls were all eager to learn and improve.

Soon enough, Rosalie taught them the arm and hand positions to match their feet and legs. It was five o'clock by the time the girls had gotten the hang of it. Most of the girls who were quick to learn helped the ones who were slow to understand. Rosalie worked with those girls more and made sure they got it and flowed through all the moves using their entire body.

Rosalie played a sweet symphony by Félix Mendelssohn called I. Allegro vivace, which Rosalie loved practicing to back in the day. The girls didn't mind either, so for the rest of the class she let it play for them as they all practiced.

Rosalie occasionally searched for Vivian who was helping the bumbling little girl with black hair and grey eyes. Evelyn had kept Vivian all to herself the entire time. The two girls even ate lunch together, which Rosalie was glad to see that they were all getting along swimmingly.

Rosalie looked at the clock and saw that it was reach five forty-five in the evening. She turned the music off. "Alright, girls, that's it for today," she announced.

"Ooooh, no!" The girls collectively expressed their displeasure.

"I will see you all tomorrow at three o'clock again," said Rosalie. "So, I want all of you changed and in class for me in fifteen minutes."

"Yes, Ms. Lenoir!" they chimed back.

The girls went to the locker room and changed out of their clothes. There wasn't anything to clean in the studio, except that Rosalie needed to sweep the floors. But she'd do that before starting class tomorrow.

All the girls were done getting dressed before six o'clock. They waited in front of the foyer for their parents to come pick them up. Rosalie grabbed her jacket from her office and put it on since it was chilly out tonight.

"Make sure to stretch before going to bed," she told them as they all waited with their bags strapped to their back. "Just like how I taught you, so you aren't sore for the next class."

"We will, Ms. Lenoir!" they said together.

Rosalie opened the glass doors. The sky had darkened to a grim blue, clouds festered but it didn't feel like it was going to rain tonight. The sun was completely hidden behind the thick grey clouds though, which stole the spring warmth and reminded them of winter again.

Eventually, cars started to arrive. Rosalie didn't need to say anything because the girls recognized their mom or dad or sibling who was waiting with the car for them. One by one, the girls left in a hurry to meet their guardian.

Rosalie looked behind her, and alone on the bench, sat Vivian with her head down and her eyes regarding her ballet shoes. She seemed lost in thought or maybe she was just tired after today's hectic class.

"Vivian, will I see you tomorrow too?" Evelyn asked as she sat on the bench too.

Vivian looked at the little girl, her green eyes surprised and a little nervous. "Yes, I will be here again," she answered.

Evelyn's smile widened. "How old are you?" she asked.

"Six," replied Vivian.

Evelyn's eyes widened. "You're so old!" she exclaimed. "I'm only four."

"Oh," muttered Vivian.

"Do you go to school?" Evelyn asked later.

"Yeah," answered Vivian.

"I do too," Evelyn shared. "Do you like school?"

"A little," responded Vivian.

Evelyn scrunched her little nose. "I don't," she pouted. "I like to play and dance more. Not sit at a desk."

"I don't mind it," said Vivian.

Rosalie was blown away by the little girl who managed to get Vivian to share her thoughts. She couldn't believe her eyes or ears.

"Hi," a voice startled Rosalie.

Rosalie flinched and saw Ashley Iron behind her. "Oh, you scared me," she said.

Ashley laughed. "Sorry," she said, when her curious gaze went into the studio and she saw her own daughter lost in conversation with Vivian. "Is she your daughter?" asked Ashley.

Rosalie hesitated whether to say anything or not, because despite Ashley being a nice woman. Rosalie couldn't forget that she was a celebrity and if media caught a whiff of this, things could get nasty.

"It's alright," Ashely saw her hesitance. "But, you don't need to think you're alone. If you need anything, I'm here to help."

Rosalie was never told that once ever since the whole incident. A small ache in her heart prickled and she felt herself melt from Ashley's kindness.

"Vivian's my niece," she decided to trust this woman who could clearly see past Rosalie's strong attitude.

"Oh, that makes sense why she doesn't resemble you," said Ashley. "I thought she went after her father."

"No, she doesn't go after him," Rosalie spoke sternly the moment Vivian's father was mentioned. Ashley's eyes widened but she stayed quiet. "Sorry, I meant that she looks more like my sister."

"Gotcha," Ashley beamed a smile. "What about you? Are you mated yet?"

Rosalie stiffened. "No, not yet," she told her. "I'm not really looking to be mated yet either. I just want to run my school and raise Vivian the best I can for now."

"I understand that," said Ashley. "But you can never be prepared for when your mate comes along."

Rosalie suddenly remembered the man that came with Ashley this morning. His handsome face, burning blue eyes and those tattoos covering his neck and chest. She looked behind Ashley but didn't see him though. He hadn't come back this time.

"Evelyn, your mom is here," Rosalie announced.

Evelyn's greyish-blue eyes beamed in joy, as she ran off the bench to her mom. Ashley swooped down and picked up her daughter in her arms. "Hi, mom," she greeted.

"I'll see you tomorrow then, Evelyn," said Rosalie.

"Yes, Ms. Lenoir," Evelyn answered. "Bye-" the girl turned and looked at Vivian. "Bye, Vivian!"

Vivian rose to her feet with a jolt, like she was startled. "Er- bye," she waved awkwardly.

Ashley let Evelyn down as they climbed the steps and went back to the car.

Rosalie was about to head inside, when her whole body stiffened in its tracks. She looked back and saw the man from this morning getting out of the car again. He opened the door for Ashley and her daughter it seemed.

Ashley got into the passenger seat beside the driver's side. And then he was quick to open the door for Evelyn who was jabbering on to the man or to her mom, Rosalie couldn't hear the kid clearly. But she could see that Evelyn wasn't frightened of the domineering man. So, maybe that meant he wasn't as scary as he appeared.

Evelyn clambered into the high car, with a bit of difficulty, but the pup managed. Rosalie noticed from the distance, that the man's hand turn into a tight fist like it pained him that he hadn't helped her. The man saw the girl struggle, so he should've reached down and helped. Rosalie wondered why he hadn't done that, anyone would have helped the kid.

Rosalie got her head out of the clouds and ignored the man as he got back in the mustang. She went inside, locked up the studio and gathered her own belongings. Vivian and she went to their own car together by that time it was six thirty.

They drove home, which only took them thirty minutes with all the traffic. Vivian was sitting patiently in the back, her eyes focused on the road and other cars beside them.

"What would you like to eat for dinner, Vivian?" she asked. "I was thinking chicken parmesan or a Greek salad."

Vivian met Rosalie's eyes through the rear-view mirror. "I think salads are easier," she opted.

"Salads may be easier," said Rosalie. "But chicken parmesan, with a little oregano sprinkled on top sounds mouth-watering."

Vivian chuckled briefly. "I think you want to eat chicken parmesan more than me, aunt Rosa," she remarked.

Rosalie was caught in her fib. "Alright, I confess," she said, making them both laugh.

She drove up to their lonesome house at the edge of the street. As she turned the car onto the drive-way, the lamp in front of her porch lit up gold.

They both unbuckled their seat belt, grabbed their bags and climbed up onto the white porch. Rosalie unlocked the door and pushed it open. Home, sweet, home, she thought.

Right away, she felt the hunger in her stomach grow. Her body ached with exhaustion and she recognized the familiar aroma of their home, which was indeed a comfort.

Rosalie locked the door behind them, as Vivian took off her shoes. "Should we take a bath first?" she asked.

"Okay," replied Vivian.

Rosalie followed Vivian up the stairs to their separate bedrooms to clean up for the night.

As, Rosalie had finished her bath and walked out in a robe, tied at her waist. She wondered if her students had stretched before going to bed. That was probably going to be the first thing she'd ask them in tomorrow's class.

Rosalie grabbed her comb off the counter, as she took a seat in front of the mirror. She opened her hair and gently brushed out the tangles, like her mom taught her. The memory of her mom was always vivid and bright in her head. She loved the way her mom smiled, despite being hurt by their dad all the time.

Rosalie never understood why her mom never stood up to him. She had taken all the harsh words, beatings and insults. But not Rosalie, she didn't care at all that he was her dad when she insulted him or pushed him back. But despite her efforts, she couldn't protect her mother or her sister. The only two people that believed in Rosalie the most.

"Aunt Rosa-" a voice called out- "aunt Rosa!"

Rosalie snapped out of her thoughts. "Sorry," she looked at Vivian who had cleaned up, changed into her pyjamas. "Ready to cook dinner?"

Vivian nodded. She didn't ask any questions though she may be curious of what Rosalie was thinking.

Rosalie got up after she braided her hair. She quickly changed into a t-shirt and shorts before she joined her niece to cook some dinner. They decided for the chicken parmesan and a light Greek salad on the side too.

Both of them enjoyed the meal, sitting at their dining table this time, with no other sound bothering them. Vivian was eating well, which was a relief to Rosalie, that her niece hadn't ruined her appetite and stayed healthy too.

Who knew where the time flew as they finished dinner, cleaned the dishes and went to bed.

Rosalie tucked Vivian in bed, although Vivian told her that she didn't need to and said that she was fine. But Rosalie still tucked her niece in, closed the lamp for her and closed the door leaving it slightly open.

Rosalie went to her bed, closing the door but not fully just in case Vivian needed her. She closed all the lights in the house and in her bedroom, before she got under the welcoming duvet. Sleep was quick to capture her in its grasp. She could only keep her eyes open long enough to see the crescent shaped moon peeking out from behind a cloud.

The last thing she thought about as her eyes closed was her niece Vivian, their goddess Maya and that strange man from the parking-lot. How odd? she thought to herself, before she fell asleep all snuggled up under her warm blanket.