Prompt: At Elizabeth's Inaugural Ball, a dance between Henry and Elizabeth is interrupted so that Jason can dance with his mother, and Henry with his girls.
Elizabeth was aware that their lives were irreversibly changed, and the idea that very, very soon, she would be sitting in what she still thought of as Conrad's office. However, she was choosing to let that thought hover at the edge of her consciousness for the time being, and enjoy the elegant evening that celebrated her inauguration. Henry smiled at her as he twirled her across the dance floor. The ballgown that Alison had chosen swept the floor with a light rustle, and Elizabeth smiled. Her middle child had risen to the occasion magnificently; Elizabeth was pretty sure she'd never worn a dress that was more beautiful, or more her. Henry had concurred; he'd not been able to take his eyes off her since she'd put it on, though she thought that might have had something to do with the fierce pride he'd expressed than what she looked like.
Maybe a little of both, she thought as he pulled her in close.
Their dance was interrupted suddenly by someone tapping on Henry's shoulder, and they both looked in surprise, only to find that it was Jason, dressed handsomely and looking way too old to be their baby with his tuxedo and styled hair.
"Hey, Jace," Henry said. "What's up?"
"I was, uh, wondering if I could dance with Mom," he said. Henry and Elizabeth exchanged a look, and Henry nodded, stepping back and letting go of his wife's hand.
"All yours," he said with one final smile for Elizabeth before he faded into the crowd, leaving the new President and her son standing in the middle of the dance floor. Jason took his dad's place and Elizabeth smiled at him.
"Where'd you learn to dance like this?" Elizabeth asked. Jason grinned.
"From Piper," he replied. "She said I had to learn because my mom was going to be President someday." He smiled at her, shrugging his shoulders. "And here we are," he added.
"Here we are," Elizabeth echoed. There was silence as Jason spun his mom around and then took her hand back.
"You know, Mom," he began, taking in a breath as he met her eyes. "I'm really proud of you."
Elizabeth smiled at him. She was certain that her heart could burst with the love she held in her heart for the golden-hearted rebel she'd raised.
"What happened to not giving in to the system?" she inquired, and Jason smiled.
"I still don't have a lot of faith in the system," he said. "But I have a lot of faith in you. If anyone can do some good in this screwed-up system, it's going to be you."
Elizabeth could feel tears stinging the back of her eyes and blinked rapidly, laughing when Jason rolled his eyes at her.
"Mom," he groaned.
"Sorry," she laughed. She smiled at him as they moved across the dance floor.
"Jace, I'm really proud of you, too," she said softly.
"For what? I didn't win the Presidency," he joked.
"No," she agreed. "But you're a lot to be proud of. You speak up for what you believe in, and that's inspiring to everyone around you." She smiled and leaned in, adding, "including the President." Jason laughed, and over his shoulder, Elizabeth glimpsed Henry twirling Stevie around the floor, both of them laughing. Stevie was stunning in a gold dress, and Elizabeth was filled with pride once again.
She leaned in, pressing a quick kiss against Jason's cheek before she pulled back to meet his eyes and smile at him.
"I love you, Jace," she said softly. He grinned at her.
"Love you too, Madam President."
"Hey," she laughed. "That's Mom to you."