AN: Alright, so this will be my series of short stories about Atticus and Jean Finch. I had already written short flashbacks in my other story. Anyway, I'm starting off with the two dancing, they aren't married yet but know each other for quite some time. Don't know if it is something, but I was playing with the idea for a while. Furthermore, I'm not from the US (although I'd love to, American dreams :))so there might be mistakes as I don't know much about Alabama in the twenties/thirties. But enjoy!

Fall in Alabama isn't really fall. It's more like an extended summer, so Jean Graham and Atticus Finch were already very hot before they entered the hall where the party was going on. A coworker of Atticus at the state legislature was celebrating his fiftieth birthday and there was to be an informal party. It was a nice, warm evening. As soon as it was time to dance, Jean and Atticus were both hesitant. They were still a bit shy around each other, but after a while Atticus did invite his date for a dance. They waltzed around somewhat, and when the next, jazzy music came up, Jean, who was familiar with the song the band was playing, looked up to Atticus. "You know the dance?" she asked in a turn. "No." Atticus answered. "Teach me." Jean nodded slowly, took him to a corner of the room and discretely taught him the steps. "Left foot out...step...in!" Not long after, they flaunted across the hall, other duos looking surprised as everyone found the dance hard to learn. Atticus eyes were tightly focused on Jean's. They smiled at each other, and when the band paused to play, Atticus led his dance partner outside. They stood silently, a whiff of cool air blowing through the warm night past their bodies. Suddenly, Atticus wrapped an arm around Jean and kissed her. She returned it and put one hand in Atticus's black hair, the other around his shoulder. The kiss took minutes, and when the two got out of air and pulled loose, they looked into each other's eyes, breathing heavily. "Atticus..." Jean began, but Atticus put a finger on her lips. "Shht...don't ruin it. Look, how beautiful." He made a broad armgesture across their view. Then, he wrapped the arm back around her. Jean didn't mind him cutting her off, she didn't have anything to say. Suddenly, she felt so much love and affection for the man next to her. She got all her courage together, reached up to his face and kissed him. Atticus was fully taken by surprise but returned it. When they finished, they looked bewildered at each other. This time, Atticus was the one to speak first. "Jean...I love you." Again, he pulled her into a kiss. After that one, their lips felt numb. Suddenly, Atticus felt so much love and affection for the woman in front of him. He got all his courage together, reached down, sat on one knee and spoke: "Jean Graham, will you marry me?" Jean clasped her hands against her face,then pulled them away. "Yes! Yes, yes, I will!" Atticus stood up and hugged his wife to be. "I don't even have a ring yet," he whispered. "I don't care,"Jean whispered stood there longer, kissing and hugging, and then walked back.

Well, that was the first one! I hope you liked it and it wasn't too cheesy.