The living room floor was scattered with crayon drawings and paper dolls, but Alice's focus was elsewhere. She stood on her toes, wobbling slightly, her arms raised awkwardly like wings. With brows furrowed in concentration, she tried again, whispering the steps from a ballet book Chris had gifted her days ago.
"El-e-vé… plié…" she murmured, her feet shifting clumsily on the wooden floor.
From the hallway, Elvin watched silently, arms crossed and gaze soft. She was unaware of his presence, lost in her own little world, where ballerinas danced gracefully in pink tutus and satin shoes. He saw her wince slightly when her socks slid on the floor, nearly causing her to fall.
"Alice," he called gently, stepping in before she could hurt herself.
She spun, startled, nearly tumbling over. He caught her just in time, steadying her in his arms. Her cheeks flushed.
"I—I was just practicing…"
"I saw," he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You were doing well."
She dropped her gaze. "Not really. I keep slipping… I need real ballet shoes."
There was a moment of silence.
Chris, lounging nearby with a comic book, peeked over. "She's been talking about them nonstop, Elvin. Pink ones. With ribbons."
Alice looked up again, hesitantly. "They're… really expensive, right?"
Elvin didn't respond right away. Instead, he crouched beside her. "Do you really want them?"
She nodded slowly. "It's silly, I know. But in my dreams, I always dance. Mama used to say I had twinkle toes…"
His heart twisted. How could he deny her something that made her feel close to her mother?
"Get your coat," he said suddenly.
Alice blinked. "Now?"
"Yes. We're going shopping."
Chris perked up, cheering, "Ballet mission initiated!"
Within twenty minutes, they were in the car, Alice nestled in the backseat, her eyes shining with excitement. The city was still unfamiliar to her—its towering buildings and unfamiliar language—but next to Elvin, she felt safe.
The store was nestled on a quiet street, its front window displaying mannequins in flowing tutus and elegant leotards. The sign read "Dancing Dreams."
Inside, the wooden floor creaked slightly beneath their feet. Shelves were lined with delicate shoes, their satin ribbons gleaming under the soft lights. A tall woman with silver hair and kind eyes approached them.
"Looking for something special?" she asked warmly.
Alice stepped forward shyly. "Ballet shoes. For me."
The woman beamed. "First pair?"
Alice nodded.
"Then it must be the perfect one," the woman said, guiding her gently to the fitting area. "What size are you, sweetheart?"
Elvin stood nearby, silently watching as Alice tried pair after pair. She pointed to one set immediately—a soft pink satin pair with long, elegant ribbons.
"These," she whispered.
The woman helped her slip them on, tying the ribbons with practiced grace. Alice stood, carefully raising onto her toes again. This time, she didn't slip. She turned slowly, arms lifted, her movements graceful, and for a moment—just a moment—she looked like the ballerina she dreamed of becoming.
Elvin felt something tighten in his chest.
Chris clapped. "Princess status achieved!"
Alice giggled and did a clumsy curtsy.
"How much for this pair?" Elvin asked quietly.
The woman named the price. It was steep—but Elvin didn't flinch. He didn't care how much it cost. That smile on Alice's face was worth everything.
"She's… had a rough start," he said under his breath, passing the card to the woman.
The woman nodded, a soft look in her eyes. "She's lucky to have someone like you."
Elvin didn't reply, but his gaze lingered on Alice as she admired her reflection in the mirror—hair braided, cheeks glowing, and the soft pink shoes peeking under her hem.
They left the shop with a carefully wrapped box in Alice's arms. She clutched it tightly all the way home, as if afraid it might vanish.
That night, she wore them again, dancing alone in her room under the fairy lights, her movements clumsy but determined. Elvin watched from the doorway, arms folded, lips pressed into a quiet smile.
"You're really watching me?" she asked, twirling in place.
"I always do," he replied. "You just don't notice."
She stepped closer, ribbons trailing softly behind her. "Will you stay till I fall asleep?"
He nodded and sat on the floor beside her bed.
"Thank you for my ballet shoes," she whispered.
He leaned over and tucked her in, his voice softer than usual. "Twinkle toes."
Her eyes widened.
"You remembered…"
He just smiled. "Sweet dreams, ballerina."
And under the glow of fairy lights, with her shoes beside her bed and her heart full of joy, Alice dreamed of dancing across a pink stage—with her Elvin waiting in the wings.