(A/N: I apologize for taking so long to update this story. I haven't been in the habit of placing notes at the beginnings of a new chapter, but this one I feel needs a bit of introduction. There is some mild content in this and the next chaper, not added gratuitously, but because I feel it is critical to the character's development and will play a role in the story to come. So consider Chapters 10 and 11 to be rated Teen +. Thank you for reading. I hope you are enjoying the book. I am currently working on a third book in this series. Watch for more to come and please feel free to review.)

Chapter 10 - The Date

There had been a lot of giggling coming from the girl's room all afternoon. When Lucy and Susan had heard that Peter and April were going on a date, they coaxed April into letting them do her hair and makeup and had been at it all afternoon. The door was open just a bit, so he tapped on it then pushed it open. April was sitting in front of a mirror that was opposite the door, so she saw him enter and gave him a bit of smile. He leaned against the door frame watching his sisters' chatter and twitter around her like little birds and tried to hide his amused smile. That made April smile bigger and his sisters turned to see him there.

"If you two are done, I think I'll take my girl out now," he teased.

April stood and hugged his sisters then came toward him. He gave a low whistle and she blushed. The girls had swept her hair over to one side, leaving a cascade of flowing blond curls down the other. She normally didn't wear makeup, he had never thought she needed it, but tonight it only enhanced her natural beauty. Her eyes were larger and more luminous. The red on her lips made her that much more desirable. Like he needed any additional encouragement to kiss her, he thought ruefully. Her dress was a white muslin with short flowing sleeves, and a low scooped neckline. The waist was fitted and the skirt full and flowing. She seemed to float on the air over to where he stood. She was wearing low heels for a change that evened out their slight height difference. A very enticing package in general.

"Well, I will certainly be escorting the prettiest girl in London tonight!" he exclaimed.

Lucy squealed, "I knew you would like it!"

"Have a good time," Susan said.

~~Section Break~~

Their walk to the restaurant was short and the sun was setting over the war torn city. It was sobering to see the effects of the air-raid bombs still lingering from the evacuation days. It always threatened to draw him back into the terror he felt during that time. But tonight, he refused to think about it. He felt his hand being squeezed and looked over. She always seemed to read his moods. He smiled intertwining their fingers and she sighed.

"Tonight is about us, not about past battles," he said, looking into her questioning eyes.

The restaurants these days were small and run by individual families. He opted for Italian, since they didn't normally get that fare at either of their schools. They were seated in a corner table for two, the light was dim, lit mostly by candles. They ordered and he took her hand. She looked into his eyes.

"Thank you for tonight. This is really nice," she smiled.

He grinned, "It is long overdue for us. And, it is my pleasure."

They talked lightly of their week and their families. She had received a letter from home and shared with him her younger sister's Elisa's antics making them both laugh. The food arrived and it was delicious. They lingered after eating trying to decide if they wanted dessert when the waiter came over with a bottle of wine. He informed them the table near them didn't finish the bottle and offered to share it with the rest of the patrons. Would they like a half glass? Peter agreed and the waiter set glasses in front of them.

"I feel so grown up," April giggled.

Peter smiled, she rarely giggled. He raised his glass to make a toast. She giggled again and raised her glass as well.

"To us, and a bright, happy, adventurous future together!"

She laughed, and said in a teasing voice, "You would add the adventurous part. I think we have had plenty of adventures, don't you?"

He shot her a mischievous look, "One can never have too many adventures, right?"

"That's one thing I love about you Peter, you are never afraid of the next thing. So confident and in control. It amazes me."

"And, I love that you trust me. Among other things..."

"Oh...care to share?" she asked, taking a sip of her wine.

He leaned closer, "I love that your beauty is not only on the outside, but extends to every part of who you are. I have never met someone so kind and gracious, who loves with all of who they are. And, I have met plenty of people and beings," he added with a smile.

"Thank you," she said blushing, "And, I love the way you make me feel safe. In case I have not said it before, thank you for protecting me. You are so good at it."

He winked at her, "I've had a bit of practice."

~~Section Break~~

Warmed from the wine and rich food, they walked leisurely arm-in-arm to the dance hall. They heard the music long before they got there. It was crowded and they had to wait in line to get in. April shivered in the cool night air. He put his arm under her cloak around her waist and pulled her next to him. She sighed and put her head on his shoulder. All too soon, they were inside where it was very warm. They found a place to hang her cloak and his coat. He rolled up his sleeves, took off his tie and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt breathing in relief. She smiled flirtatiously at him and quickly unbuttoned the next button as well.

"What was that for?" he asked, his eyes lighting up.

"It will keep you cooler. Besides, you look great that way!"

He tried to pull her toward him, but she smiled, grabbed his hand, and led him to the dance floor.

The band was just beginning a fast paced number perfect for swing dancing and so they joined the fray. Peter thought how much he loved dancing her with her and marveled at how differently they moved together than they had just six months ago at the spring formal almost as if they anticipated each other's next steps. They danced until they were out of breath and then the band switched to a slower song. She started to move off of the floor since they usually stopped to get a drink and to catch their breath, but he wasn't ready to let her go. He pulled her back to him.

"Don't you want to rest?" she asked.

"Not yet," he murmured into her ear as he pulled her close and led her into a simple foxtrot step. They had not done this dance much, but she instinctively matched his steps and moved as one with him. He pressed her closer.

"I love dancing with you," he said softly. "You are the only dance partner I ever want to have."

She melted slightly more into him in response. As the music faded away and the band prepared to take a break, Peter reluctantly pulled away and looked into her eyes. They had a soft, warm look in them and he would have kissed her only people were pushing past them.

They grabbed a drink of water from the cooler. He knew they wouldn't be served anything stronger because of their age. Besides, it would not be wise in his current state of mind to drink anything that might lessen his self-control. All the tables were full, so they leaned against the wall talking. She surprised him by echoing his thoughts from earlier, saying they danced so well together, and how different it felt now than back in the spring.

It was starting to get late, but they decided to stay for one more set. The band played two slower songs at the end of that set and they danced the foxtrot and balboa in unison together. At the end of the last song with her lithe body pressed close to his, he couldn't resist. He pulled her closer and tried to kiss her. But, she turned her head so that his kiss landed on her temple.

"Not here," she whispered.

He nodded and asked if she was ready to go. It was her turn to nod. He helped her put her cloak on wrapping his arms around her and giving her a quick hug from behind. Her eyes lit and she smiled. He grabbed her hand and led her out of the building.

Outside she heard her name, and saw a friend from school. While she chatted Peter glanced over and saw a flower vendor behind them. He quickly made a purchase. When she turned around, her friend having left, he was standing there with a long stemmed red rose. He gave it to her.

"Oh, Peter, it's beautiful! Thank you!" she said with a flush of pleasure on her cheeks.

"Have I ever given you flowers before?"

"I don't think so. But, really, it's not necessary. They are expensive."

"But, they bring you pleasure," he smiled. "I will have to remember that."

"Just being near you, brings me pleasure." she said, looking into his eyes.

He took her hand and they began the walk to his home. Both were quiet at first.

Peter sighed, "I wish we could do this all the time."

"Then it wouldn't be so special," she replied practically.

"I just want to be with you all the time," he said.

"One day..."

"That one day cannot come fast enough," he said a little frustrated.

She put her hand around his arm hugging him closer to her. "That day will come. Let's enjoy the time we have together now."

"You're right, as usual," he grinned. "But, after we are married, we are going to do something special on a regular basis. If for nothing else, just to forget about regular life for a while."

"That sounds wonderful," she breathed.

"Which part?" he teased.

"All of it, but especially the married part!"

~~Section Break~~

So engrossed in their walk and talk they were surprised to see they were back at his home. It was really late so Peter unlocked the door and quietly closed it behind them. The house was still and dark. A bright moon was shining through the windows and he looked over at April who was putting her flower on the table by the door. The moonlight was casting a soft light on her. Peter swallowed hard, his breath quickening. She was so lovely. She took off her wrap and time seemed to slow down. Her motions caused his mind to jump ahead and he imagined her taking off more than her cloak. She turned to him and touched his arm. Shaking his head slightly as if to clear the vision, he turned to her.

She reached up and touched his cheek. His eyes closed at her gentle touch. All evening he had been hungry to be alone with her. She touched the hair above his ear, running her fingers through it. He slipped his hands around her waist. Her hands went to his neck and she traced the soft skin around his collar where she had unbuttoned his shirt. He sighed, pulling her closer. He didn't want this night to end.

She lifted her head to whisper in his ear, "I had a wonderful time tonight. Dancing with you is one of my favorite things to do."

He started to sway slowly side to side with her. She pulled back slightly and said in a soft teasing way, "But, I am not sure this counts as dancing."

"There are all kinds of dancing," he said in a low voice, his eyes holding hers.

Blue eyes looked into green for a long moment and he could resist no longer. He slowly lowered his head taking his time. When their lips finally touched a warmth spread through him. The pressure of her lips was dizzying. It was like tasting the sweetest fruit. He knew that he could kiss her forever and it wouldn't be long enough. He increased the pressure and she made a soft noise. His hands moved to her hips and she seemed to melt against him. He deepened the kiss and she raised up on her tiptoes bringing her to his height. All he could think about was carrying her up the stairs to his bed and...She pulled away slightly sensing the change in him. He put his forehead on her shoulder, he couldn't speak. She was playing with his hair and the back of his neck. He sighed and pulled back. He knew this was the time to stop, but the words that came out of his mouth were not what he had planned to say at all.

"I need you," he whispered.

He couldn't and wouldn't take the words back, knowing it was the truth and that he wanted her more than anything. She nodded and tenderly brought his lips to hers. Incapable of another thought, he lifted her in his arms and carried her over to the couch. He gently laid her down and moved next to her. He began to slowly kiss her mouth, her cheek, then her jaw. He breathed softly in her ear, and kissed her neck. Her body arched in response.

"Peter," she breathed.

His mouth found hers again with a fierce passion that he had felt once before, in the grove. Thinking of the grove should have cooled the fire inside of him, but instead it fed it. He kissed her deep and insistently. His hand started to move down toward her chest.

She sat up pushing him up too. She started unbuttoning his shirt very slowly. When finished, she pushed it off his shoulders. He shivered at her touch and began to kiss her again. She dropped back down and he lowered himself over her. He lost all sense of time and reality. It was like a wonderful dream that he didn't want to end.

So, when he heard someone whisper his name his mind refused to respond. The whisper came again and said April's name too, more insistently this time. Who was it? Edmund? Why was he trying to wake him? He opened his eyes and April looked at him. It wasn't a dream. He started to kiss her again but heard his name in a louder tone. Peter raised up and looked up over the back of the couch. Edmund was at the door and was motioning to him. He looked down at April, who had a slight smile on her face. He lifted himself up off the couch and went over.

Seeing his shirtless state, Edmund whispered, "Do you know what you are doing?"

Peter, still dazed, looked at him in confusion forgetting for a minute that he had asked Edmund to keep him accountable about spending time alone with April.

"Should I not have come down? I heard you come in and when you didn't come upstairs, I gave you a half hour and then thought you might want me to check. Of course," Edmund added with a grin, "I can always come back in the morning."

Peter nodded, "We'll be right up."

Edmund left and Peter went over to April and sat beside her on the couch. He took her hand and kissed her tenderly. He didn't want there to be any awkwardness between them.

"You are incredible," he said caressing her wrist. "We pushed some limits, but I'm not sorry. Are you?"

She bit her lip and looked up at him, "No, I wanted you too. But, where do we go from here?"

He grabbed her hands and pulled her to stand with him. He held her close, "We go to sleep in our own beds. And, in the morning I will look at you and smile knowing that I love you and that we will be dance partners for as long as time will give us."