#who taught him that his entire purpose was to serve fix and help dancer???

[the-matron-of-ravens]

I just gotta make peace with the fact that I see the relationship between FCG and Dancer VERY differently than the majority of the CR fandom.

But ho boy every time I see a post about how FCG is abusive and Dancer is standing up for herself I just die a little inside

[kumkaniudaku]

BROWN SKIN GIRL: TWO

A/N: Read part one. Thank you for your support. You da best. Yes, you. And you. You too with your cute self. 

With extra TLC, Micah progressed through the week with no issues. By Friday, she was back to her normal, giddy self, partially due to the news that she would still be able to dance. When the time came to enter the Debbie Allen Dance Academy for her first day of classes, CoCo could feel the excitement radiating from her tiny body. 

“I wish Daddy could come,” she spoke from the backseat. “But it’s okay. I’ll tell him all about it when we home.” 

“That’s the spirit baby girl.”

Tearing her attention away from the happenings outside the window, Micah looked up at her mother in the rearview mirror. “Mommy, will they like me this time?” 

“I know they will, sweetheart.” 

“Pinky promise?”

Tasha made sure to focus on the road as she extended her arm into the backseat and presented her finger for Micah to grab, “Pinky times two.” 

Their small display of unity was enough to calm both mother and daughter during the remaining ride to the dance studio. 

From the moment they entered the building, Tasha was in awe of the sheer majesty of the environment. Brown bodies of varying ages trickled in and out of studio spaces for instruction, everyone laughing and smiling in small pockets of conversation. Micah walked down the hallway in wonder as she took special interest in the music seeping underneath the doors that were shut for classes. At her previous studio, she was forced to dance to boring classical music in monotonous repetitive motions, a far cry from the bass-heavy tunes shaking some of the classroom doors.

“Well, hello there!” A sweet voice nearby caused both ladies to snap out of their trances and follow the sound to a woman standing in the doorway for one of the buildings many classrooms. She waved them over excitedly, paying special attention to Micah as she approached. 

“I like your clothes,” Micah complimented with a smile.

“And I love your hair. What’s your name?” 

“Micah Noelle Boseman. This is my mommy and my daddy is famous.” 

Tasha laughed and use her hands to smooth her daughter's jacket, “Good thing you don’t have any warrants with the way you just give out information. Hi, I’m Tasha. I think we spoke over the phone.”

“Ah, yes, Tasha! We’re happy to have you all join the Debbie Allen family. I know that being in a new environment can be scary, but-” Before the young instructor could finish her sentence, Micah gently tugged her arm away from her mother and rushed inside the classroom to join the other children. 

Tasha looked on with a smile and a small laugh, “Yeah, she gets that from me. Sorry.” 

“No, don’t apologize! We love that type of enthusiasm. My speech still applies to you, though. A new space is scary, but please know that she’s in good hands. We’re looking after her.” 

Her eyes carried the type of warm reassurance that instantly made Tasha relax her shoulders while releasing the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. A final look inside the classroom calmed her nerves as she watched her baby girl interact with her fellow dancers. 

The instructor, who later became known as Ms. Vikkie around the Boseman household, couldn’t have been more right from that day forward. In just under six weeks, Micah was thriving and enjoying her time in the studio more than her parents had ever seen. Each day she would gather everyone in the living room to show off a new combination or rave about a friend she’d made in class. 

By week eight, CoCo couldn’t hide her smile as she practically floated into the bedroom and flopped onto the bed next to her husband and son. 

“They said she’s advanced for her age, baby. She’s six and they want to put her with the Red Bird group. That means she was hand-picked by Debbie Allen!” 

Chadwick’s smile stretched across his entire face to match the twinkle in his eye. “My baby the dancer, huh? I can’t wait to see her in action.” 

“Your time is coming, my sweet. Our girl has her first recital next month to celebrate Juneteenth!” 

“I like it already. Am I invited? I don’t wanna take the attention from her.” 

“Funny you think you can take the attention away from the real star in this family,” CoCo scoffed, earning a laugh from her husband. “They know already. She told them on the first day. You may have to take a group picture or twelve, but things are under control. We need you there. Tell ‘em, Noah. Say pleaaaaase.” 

Clasping his hands together the way he was taught, Noah fixed his mouth to find the right syllables. “Peeaaaaas!” 

Chadwick and Tasha fell into a fit of laughter at their son’s plea before finally calming down to continue the conversation. 

“You know, you two drive a hard bargain,” he smiled as he used his thumb to brush debris from Noah’s face. His attention soon traveled to CoCo’s smile which he returned before grabbing her hand to plant a kiss on her knuckles. “I’m in there with bells on, girl. One month from now it’s gonna you, me, a baby, and Juneteeth.” 

“That’s what I like to hear. I also like to hear pots and pans sizzling on the stove. Get to it, Dad of the Year. Mama’s hungry.” 

--------------------

“Welcome to the Debbie Allen Dance Academy’s Summer Showcase, The Gift: Embracing the Culture. The production will begin in five minutes. Please, take your seats, silence your cell phones and enjoy the show.” 

Noah became a human hot potato as he was passed down the long row of velvet seats that held various members of the Boseman-Greene extended family. Had Tasha been able to secure more tickets, she would have made it her personal mission to fill the entire theatre with familiar faces, but one row was all that she could squeeze out of the program directors. 

“She’s opening the show, right? My grandbaby should be opening the show!” 

“Mama, she’s in the opening number just like everyone else,” Tasha answered while cleaning the lid of Noah’s cup and passing the item along with his headphones down the line of people beside her. 

Mrs. Greene continued to flip through the recital program, peering at the words and photos over her cat-eye glasses.“She better have a solo.” 

“Ma, sh-” 

Tasha’s second attempt at correcting her mother was halted when she felt a familiar hand cover hers. Looking over, Chadwick flashed a bright smile. “Hey, hey. Let it go and enjoy the moment. Look around.” 

Chadwick smoothly gestured to all of the family friends to left and right of them to refocus his wife’s energy. 

CoCo took a look at each face that her eyes fell on as a smile slowly graced her face. Her natural inclination to control every situation wanted to rob her of the beauty around the room, and if not for the man beside her, the desire would have succeeded in stealing her joy. 

Noah’s giggle at the hands of one of his many unofficial aunties made Tasha laugh before she turned back to Chadwick. “Thank you for always helping me see the bigger picture and knowing what to do.” 

Dimming lights in the theater forced Chadwick to save his comments for later and. Instead, he showed his appreciation with a light kiss on the cheek as darkness slowly consumed the room. 

Seconds later, the loud thump of drums commanded the attention of all within earshot. As the percussion continued to build, dancers populated the stage and aisles. Their bodies moved in perfect sync to the rhythm in vibrant costumes that matched specific age groups. 

Though no one would dare speak during the opening, everyone associated with Micah silently scanned the various bodies moving as a unit. A small shift in the music reflected a contemporary take on traditional West African rhythms to introduce the Red Bird groups with Micah standing out in the mix. 

“Look at her,” Tasha whispered. 

She could feel the excitement and pride coursing through Chadwick though he chose to keep his comments to himself. Micah moved like a seasoned dancer in the warm lights brightening the stage, effortlessly keeping up with an age group that featured students almost two years her senior. 

After the groups came together to conclude the opening number, the mistress of ceremonies began her formal introduction. She quickly explained the purpose of the showcase and what the audience could expect from what she called the academy’s “most talented group yet.” 

As the night progressed, spectators were left in awe of the talent that graced the stage. Each performance featured expert mixes of modern and classical music and dance styles. The ensemble company carried many of the performances, periodically broken up by the younger dancers. 

Though part of a group, Micah’s performances had amassed a fanbase that stretched beyond the row of familiar supporters. Her hip hop routine to original music from one of the academy’s alumni got people to notice her spunky attitude, but her star power during a short ballet number won over their hearts. Noticeably smaller than the girls around her, she managed to stand out for her agility and the emotion she brought to the routine. 

In true grandparent fashion, both couples took grainy pictures of Micah at every possible moment despite the cell phone warnings at the beginning of the show and during intermission. Chadwick’s promise to purchase the official performance DVD quelled their urges for a moment, but seeing Micah positioned in the center of her classmates at the start of the final performance sent their phones shooting into the air. 

Brown skin girl, your skin just like pearls. The best thing in the world. I’ll never trade you for anybody else, singin…

“Oh my God.” 

All eyes fell to Micah as she danced at center stage, serving as her age group’s representative and executing perfectly timed turns and poses. Older dancers sported proud smiles while they watched, waiting for their chance to join the number. 

“That’s right, Nugget! You better dance.” 

Light chuckling rumbled through Tiana’s outburst which would have received a reprimand from Tasha had she not been stuck with one hand clutching her chest and the other gripping the armrest to keep her from sliding out of her seat. 

Chuckling at her animated shock, Chadwick extended his arm to wrap her around her shoulders and bring her closer for a kiss on the forehead. “There she is. Our little star snagged a solo.” 

“I think I’m crying. I’m totally crying right now!” 

Memories of playing Beyonce’s song for Micah after all that had led to this moment became the source of the tears welling in Tasha’s eyes. The only thing she ever wanted was for her daughter to understand how beautiful she was no matter who attempted to pierce her self-esteem. To see her dazzling to the song that was introduced to her in a period of pain was enough to create a lump in CoCo’s throat. 

The climax of the song featured beautiful brown girls commanding the stage like royalty. Even when the moves different from group to group, they still moved in perfect harmony. It was easy to get lost in the majesty of the live work of art. 

As the performance neared its end, Tasha’s tears blurred her vision and morphed the dancers into cloudy blobs moving around a bright space. But nothing could stop her from noticing Micah take centerstage alone to close the show to Blue Ivy’s solo. 

Her tall frame gracefully moved about on her toes, turning like an antique ballerina in a music box. The small demonstration kept the audience captivated until her final turn signaled the end of the dance. 

When the crowd stood for a standing ovation, CoCo and Chadwick remained seated to observe Micah. Her naturally bright smile was magnified in the midst of raucous applause. Surveying the crowd, Micah’s eyes landed on her parents and she waved in their direction seeking approval for her performance. Instantly they showered her with praise, blowing kisses and returning her excited smile. 

“We made the right decision, babe. I can feel it,” Tasha spoke to Chadwick as they stood to their feet to join the audience. 

“I think we’re doin’ alright at the raising kids thing.” 

There wasn’t much time to revel in their parenting success once the showcase concluded. All of the attention and positive affirmations were poured into Micah until she physically couldn’t keep up. 

Sliding into her room, Chadwick and CoCo found Micah partially draped across her bed, completely oblivious to the party happening downstairs. CoCo quickly undressed her sleeping body with no fuss as Chadwick set up her pillows and flipped on her night light the way they did for every bedtime routine. As they attempted to slide her body into bed, Micah stirred awake. 

“Hey, Princess,” Chadwick whispered before bending to kiss her forehead. “You were so good tonight. I’m proud of you.” 

“Did you see my turn? The big girls taught me how to do it like them.” 

“We saw it. Mommy even cried because you did such a great job.” 

“Really,” she yawned, her eyes still closed. “You were sad?”

“No, baby. They were tears of joy. How did you feel up there, superstar?” 

Micah took a second to turn over on her side and open her drowsy eyes, “Pretty, like the song! Can I stay at my new studio forever? I wanna be a ballerina doctor when I grow up.” 

“You can stay as long as you want my little drunk girl,” Chadwick chuckled. “Good night, sweetheart.” 

“Mommy...I’m happy to be brown again.” 

Using the tips of her fingers, Tasha dabbed away tears before responding. “We’re happy you’re brown too, baby. We love you so much.” 

“I love...I...Iloveyout...” 

A final kiss sent Micah into a happy slumber and her proud parents into the hallway to join the festivities. They didn’t need to exchange words to acknowledge their shared triumph. A mutual understanding that they had survived their first major parenting battle was conveyed through a single fist bump before starting toward the living room to celebrate success.

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