James brought her water.
The guests resumed talking, giving her some space.
Then Elena asked Marissa whether she could hold the tablet so June could see the dance floor clearly.
“Of course.”
Marissa took it from Theo.
James returned from the DJ’s booth.
“Ready?”
Elena looked up.
“For the dance we actually planned together? Absolutely.”
He offered his hand.
She accepted.
Then he stepped beside her wheelchair.
The music began again.
This time, Elena didn’t try to stand.
She moved forward slowly, then turned toward James as he stepped around her.
He followed the rhythm.
She guided her wheelchair through a gentle curve, adjusting the movement to match the space around her.
Their timing wasn’t perfect.
James nearly stepped into the chair’s path once, caught himself, and laughed.
Elena laughed too.
Then she reached for his hand again.
He bent toward her.
They moved together beneath the warm lights while the guests watched quietly.
It wasn’t the dance they’d rehearsed before the accident.
It wasn’t the dance she’d tried to recover three weeks earlier.
It was theirs.
When the music ended, James leaned down and kissed his wife.
Elena rested her forehead against his for a moment.
Then she looked toward the tablet.
“June?”
