Keeping Warm

Special dedication to my special Law and Order friends: Abby, Amo, Angie, Diana, Ella, Felice, Kat, Mandy and Selene!

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Chapter 7

The New Year's Eve party was held in the Applewood community center.

It was an everyone-pitched-in event, with the women providing potluck dishes and the men providing the drinks and condiments. The city council threw in the party hats, favors and decorations.

Everyone in town seemed to have been invited to the event. Although the affair was informal, everyone wore his or her best finery to help ring in the New Year.

Balloons attached to gold and silver streamers were used as decorations, hung with tape from the ceiling or against the dark wood panelings. A huge sparkly "Happy New Year 2012" banner occupied one wall.

The hall was already echoing with conversation and laughter when Mike and Connie entered.

Mike was beaming as he escorted Connie into the party. He liked the intimate feel of her arm hooked into his. Mike's breath felt warm on Connie's ear as he leaned in and spoke in a low tone.

"Connie, I'm so proud to have you by my side."

Connie felt a prickling blush rise in her cheeks.

"I'm glad to be here with you, too, Mike," Connie said, scanning the room, "But I'm sure you'd want to re-acquaint yourself with old friends here...perhaps I shouldn't be monopolizing all your time…"

The remnants of a grin lingered on his face as he leaned in again and murmured, "There is no one else I would rather be with."

She felt as if she were in a dream. This couldn't be happening to her…the holiday music, the festive surroundings, the handsome man, next to her.

And not just any handsome man, but Mike.

Being the two newcomers in town, they were instantly bombarded by the residents of the town, some who wanted to congratulate both of them for their court victory and others who merely wanted to learn more of the attractive couple.

Festive music began playing.

The party had officially started. Some people partnered off to the dance floor, others went to get some food, while the rest found seats or stood and socialize.

It was not lost on Connie that Mike had a distinctly proprietary air as he escorted her around. Moving from one group of smiling guests to another, he deftly made the introductions, exchanged good wishes, and made a few jokes with a natural ease.

As they made their way around the room, Mike may have been outwardly socializing with everyone, but his thoughts were of Connie. The sound of her dress swishing, the sleek movement of her body filled his mind with an intoxicating fog. He concluded that all he wanted for tonight was one midnight kiss from Connie.

For the next two hours the dreamlike feeling remained with Connie as she drank, laughed, snacked and conversed.

"So, from what I gather from everyone here," Connie commented when they were at last alone, after being greeted by many of the townsfolk, "You were quite the 'whippersnapper' in your day!"

"True, although I think 'whippersnapper' is a really polite way of saying I had been stubborn and impertinent as a boy!" Mike responded.

"I see time hasn't changed you much," Connie teased, just as someone walked up to them.

"Hello, Connie," a male voice greeted her.

Mike and Connie turned to face Jefferson Shaw. The Shaw family were the owners of Applewood's famous homemade apple jelly. Connie had interviewed the town's favorite son, Jefferson, heir apparent to the company, as a possible witness in court. In the end, she decided not to put him on the stand as a witness, for he would come off too unlikable, too arrogant.

"It's so nice to see you, again!" Jefferson stated to Connie, sounding too slick. He then turned and disdainly looked at Mike.

"Cutter." He curtly said.

Mike nodded at his childhood nemesis, "Shaw."

A new song began. Jefferson turned back to Connie, attempting a charming smile.

"Connie, I came over to see if you would like to dance," Jefferson offered, as he darted a look at Mike's direction, "since others do not care enough to ask you."

"Well, I…" began Connie as Mike intervened.

"I don't think she would care to dance," said Mike coldly.

Connie gave Mike a stunned look. She had been hanging on to Mike arm, but now she removed her hand.

"Mike, " she said, "I can certainly answer for myself."

"Not when it comes to Shaw," Mike responded, and instantly regretted his words. He should have known better. Connie would not appreciate him speaking for her.

Connie's annoyance showed on her face. Although she had been having a grand time, she had hoped Mike would have asked her to dance. She had then accepted the fact that maybe he felt uncomfortable to dance, but who was he to decide whether or not she could dance?

She turned to Jefferson.

"A dance would be nice, thank you," she decided. Jefferson gave Mike a look of satisfaction while Mike glared back at him.

How had the night that started out so promising turn out like this, Mike asked himself as he watched them walking towards the dance floor. He wanted to call out, to ask Connie to dance, but his apprehensions regarding dancing won out.

He didn't want to continue staring at them and start the town gossiping, so he tried to busy himself by talking with other people in the room.

Connie made certain to keep a wide berth as she danced with Jefferson. Jefferson was trying to engage her in conversation, but frankly she was bored with his talk of the family fortune and his stamp collection. He even implied he was the most eligible bachelor in town.

At one point, Connie looked out at the crowd and caught sight of Mike. To her delight, he looked back at them with a frowning gaze. Let him stew, she thought. She wanted Mike to know that she had her own thoughts, her own opinions.

After the dance, Connie did not return to Mike, but decide to socialize on her own.

From where he stood, Mike could see Connie involved in an animated conversation with various townspeople. He anxiously watched Connie's face in the soft glow of the room's lights, her expression looking, by turns ,thoughtful, amused or lively, her lovely brown eyes gleaming more brightly than the candles on the table.

His pride would not allow him to go to her.

When the most recent song ended, the Mayor stepped up to the podium, microphone in hand.

"Ladies and Gentleman! Thank you for coming to our annual New Year's Eve party! I hope everyone is having a grand time!"

Shouting and clapping could be heard everywhere.

"…and now," he continued, "I would like to announce that it is almost the start of a New Year! It is time for the last dance! So grab the one you want to be with when midnight strikes!"

Connie hadn't realize the two hours had slipped by so quickly.

The stroke of midnight was soon upon them.

A slow waltz had started to play.

(Music) The snow is snowing and the wind is blowing
But I can weather the storm...

Connie glanced in the direction Mike had last been standing. He was gone. She looked left and right and scanned the room. He was nowhere to be found.

(Music)What do I care how much it may storm?
I've got my love to keep me warm...

Someone tapped her from behind. Smiling and relieved, she turned around. Her expression changed however, when she saw Jefferson standing in front of her.

"Connie," Jefferson was saying, "Lucky you! You get to dance your last dance with me!" He started to reach out for her.

"Uh, I'm sorry, Jefferson…but, no, I can't..."

Jefferson scowled, surprised someone would turn him down, "What do you mean? What's wrong, Connie?"

Connie panicked.

The dance floor was fully occupied as the music played on. Her head continually turned as she tried to make out the shadows. She did not see Mike anywhere. Had he had enough and left? What if she had missed her one chance for a dance with him?

"Hey! I can't wait forever!" Jefferson was getting impatient.

Connie was preoccupied.

"Jefferson... just... go!"

"I'm giving you one more chance-" began Jefferson.

A low, controlled voice could be heard from behind.

"You heard what Connie said, Shaw...just go."

Connie and Jefferson both turned to see Mike, his blue eyes blazing and insistent.

Connie's heart thundered with excitement at Mike's appearance. Jefferson started to open his mouth in protest, but when he saw Connie reaction, he indignantly turned and left.

(Music) My heart's on fire and the flame grows higher
So I will weather the storm...

Connie could not breathe at all. Mike was near her again. The air vibrated with feelings as they longingly gazed at each other.

"Connie." Mike requested, "Would you do me the honor of the last dance... with me?"

Connie regarded him with a smile, "Mike, I would absolutely love that."

(Music) What do I care how much it may storm
I've got my love to keep me warm...

Mike slowly let out a relieved breath.

"Connie, about what I said earlier…"

Connie didn't let him finish.

"…Mike, right now, I just want to dance with you. Only you."

(Music) My heart's on fire and the flame grows higher
So I will weather the storm…

They exchanged relieved smiles as Mike lifted his arms out to Connie.

"Come sail into my arms, then..."

Connie thought he was trying to be teasingly romantic.

"Really, now?" Connie gave him a slightly jesting glance, "Did you just say, Come sail into my arms?"

His arms were open, his expression serious.

"…it's the harbor of my heart, Connie…"

"Oh, Mike..." Connie said shakily as her breath caught.

Mike's gaze remained on her astonished face as she came into his arms. One of his hands caressed her waist, while his other hand reached over to clasp her hand.

(Music) What do I care how much it may storm
I've got my love to keep me warm…

A heavy, sweet ache formed inside of Connie. Her gaze never left his as they glided around the room, their steps in perfect sync. They were as one.

Just the feel of his hands touching her lightly made her whole body quiver. She felt the incredible warmth of his body against hers as they continued twirling around the dance floor.

Several older couples had stopped to watch, recalling what it felt like to be young and in love.

(Music) My heart's on fire
The flame just leaps higher
So I will weather the storm...

"Connie, "said Mike as they turned and circled amidst the other couples, "I've been waiting to get this close to you ever since I saw you sitting at my desk that one day, pouring over that note…"

Connie looked surprised, as she made another turn.

"Your desk? A note? You mean the Mila Lingard case? But...wasn't that our first case together?"

He nodded.

"I observed you casually reading the note while you sat comfortably in my chair. That one moment in time felt so natural...as if we had known each other forever."

Connie's mouth formed into a smile as she was being twirled around.

"I recall that moment quite well, Mike. I was thinking how adorable you looked sitting across from me munching away as you read to me the note you held," she responded, "I could barely comprehend the contents of the note!"

Mike's eyes sparkled.

"So you do remember that time quite clearly…"

"I remember everything about you, Mike..."

(Music) What do I care if icicles form?
I've got my love to keep me warm...

...

The music suddenly stopped.

Most of the lights had been turned low as everyone in the room was shushing others from talking. The Mayor had the microphone again.

"Everyone! The countdown now begins to the year 2012...starting NOW!"

The crowd counted down in unison.

"10! 9! 8!."

Connie gave a warm glance to Mike.

"Mike, I never knew you had...those thoughts of me...so early..."

"7! 6! 5!"

"And why wouldn't I? Couldn't you tell I was mesmerized that day? That's because I was already falling for you…"

Connie's heart skipped a beat.

"4! 3!, 2! ONE!

Mike's eyes were riveted on Connie's. He pulled her even closer to him, urging her hips forward until their bodies were molded together as tightly as the layers of their clothing would allow.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

A cacophony of voices, horns and shouting joined together in celebration. Confetti mysteriously appeared, sprinkling everywhere throughout the opened room.

But Mike and Connie were only aware of one another.

Connie reached up and slipped her arms around his neck. Her body reacted of it own accord as she felt the urge to pull closer to him, the sudden warmth tingling throughout her body.

She wanted a kiss from Michael Cutter.

Mike's desires burned hotly as he caught her mouth with his, kissing her with undiluted passion. He had waited so long and she was as luscious and sweet as he imagined.

Her body was caught securely in his arms as he explored her with deep strokes of his tongue, trying to be gentle, while a great heat stirred within him.

Mike's compelling kiss was so searing, she could not help but to respond. Wild pleasure flared inside of her, an eager response that was immune to reason.

They strained to be even closer as the seeping excitement of the kiss intensified.

Mike and Connie had managed to block off the noise, shouting and confetti. They were only aware of the sweet joinings of their lips and tongues.

When they finally separated, they both attempted to hold still the jerking rhythm of their breathing. Yet, they could not stop the tremors that coursed throughout their bodies.

The song "Auld Lang Syne" was already nearing its end.

(Music)…we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne…

"Happy New Year, Connie," Mike said it so softly that only she could hear.

"...it will be, Mike," Connie responded breathlessly.

Meanwhile, heavy snow and winds continued to pelt the small, rustic town of Applewood. But the freezing weather did not faze Mike and Connie, for love was all they needed to keep each other warm.

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So there it is! It had started as a one-shot and became this! Thank you so so much for reading my story! It was a pure joy to write!

(Special thanks: 25thday for her 'gif' episode of 'Called Home" inspiration.)

Please review.

Happy New Year!