Nick was grinning. His regular turtle face had curved up in each corner and his eyes crinkled and sparkled at the beautiful woman sitting very close next to him. Their shoulders were touching, and their hands were linked; the cold smoothness of the two rings caressed both Nick and Jess' fingers. It was a reminder of the promise they had made to each other, and this was the cause of Nick's elation and Jess' infectious joy; present on her small, soft face; her bright teeth and eyes heightening her beauty.
Nick looked into Jess' cerulean eyes as he had done so many times before, and he could not believe how lucky he was. She, the breathtaking woman who sat contentedly beside him, elatedly twirling the ring that now adorned her finger, had sung and tap danced her way into his life and as a result made Nick the happiest man alive. With all these feelings for the woman beside him filling him up, Nick spontaneously grabbed Jess' arm and tugged her determinedly to the glittering dance floor. Jess moved hesitantly, aware of the delicacy of her dress and her unfamiliarity with heels. Nick stopped in the middle of the dance floor and the music ceased, every guest now anticipating the first dance of the new couple.
"Nickā¦" whispered Jess softly, staring at him inquisitively with a half smile.
Nick was momentarily stunned into silence as he saw Jess' exact expression in his mind from two years previously. He had just gained closure from Caroline and had taken a confused Jess onto the dance floor to thank her for being there for him in the photo booth. While Jess gazed doe-eyed at Nick, unsure of what would happen next, Nick raised his arms and began to peck thin-air. A giant smile erupted on Jess' face then, and had been burned into Nick's mind ever since; he felt in that moment, maybe there was something there between them, but he carried on dancing with his friend Jess, not anticipating the future, happy for now.
Nick pulled his thoughts away from Jess so that he could motion to the DJ and do what he knew was right. He carefully positioned Jess in front of him and moved her hands in a slow pecking motion just as 'Groovy Kind of Love' came on the speakers. Nick looked down, suddenly shy, but Jess, who was softly giggling, took his chin in her hand and lifted it so she could plant a tender kiss to wipe away his stubborn turtle face. This affectionate gesture earned some muffled 'aaws' from the crowd and with new found confidence from their first kiss as a married couple, Nick went all out with the slow motion chicken dance, inventing new moves that provoked a face palm from Schmidt. Jess chuckled affectionately at his interesting moves, warmly watching her crazy clown make a fool of himself. Nick. Her Nick. She kissed him again, impulsively and passionately, wrapping her arms freely around his neck; and they melted into each other as a slower tune began. Others joined the floor as Nick and Jess twirled clumsily, soaked in each other's happiness, drunk with love.
