It was the night of the dance competition; Mary was a nervous wreck as Martha was fixing her red dress and giving her tips on how to remember each step.
"Remember, let him take the lead, don't look at your feet and keep your back straight"
"Right, right, so easy to remember, but why I am a nervous wreck?"
Martha laughs as she was zipping her up, "thank you, Mary for everything you have done for Simon and I, these past weeks. You have become like a sister to me, and Simon, James, Jane, you and your mother, are the only family I have right now. When my mother found out I wanted to be a dancer, she wouldn't even talk to me. But after I found out I was pregnant, she kicked me out of the house."
Mary hugged her, "you have become like a sister to me too." She said with tears in her eyes, "so, how do I look?"
"You look beautiful and a lot like your mother."
"Except, the dress and hair are shorter." Mary said and they both laughed as Simon came into the dressing room and was speechless.
"Simon, are you ok?" Martha asked
"Yes, just wow, Mary your beautiful"
"Thank you, Simon. You look good as well" Mary said with a smile
"Thanks. So, are you ready to do this?" Simon asked
"Yes…I'm just"
"Nervous, don't be. Just let me lead…please" Simon said with a smile and reach his arm out to her.
"Oh, the arm, what a gentleman" Martha said
Mary laughed as they linked arms, "Martha, are you going to be in the crowd or?"
"Backstage, supporting you both. Good luck"
A few minutes later the announcer called all the dancers to the dance floor, for the first dance. As, Mary and Simon got on the dance floor, she was shaking like crazy and couldn't remember anything, when Simon whispered in her ear, "just breathe, and follow along with me."
She nodded and whispered back, "what if I fall?"
"We'll pretend its part of the routine"
Mary smiled, while looking into his brown eyes, as the music started, and let him take the lead. As they were dancing, she felt like they were the only two people in the world. When the music was about to finish, Simon finished, "we need a big finish"
"Dip me" she said as he turned her and then did a dip and remained in that pose as they looked at each other and smiled.
Mary was thinking of kissing him, when the audience was clapping for them, and they bowed to them and headed backstage, waiting for their score.
Martha was clapping and cheering for them as they got backstage and hugged them, "you guys were so amazing."
"Thanks, need a towel and water" Mary said out of breath
"Oh, allow me" Martha said as she went to get her a towel and glass of water
5 minutes later, she came back, "here just dab yourself, and try not to ruin your makeup."
Mary giggled and dabbed herself with the towel, and chugged the water, when Simon hears their score and jumps, "Mary, were heading into the second round. So, we get to do the waltz."
"Well, let's hurry and get your dress on." Martha said as she pulled Mary into the dressing room
Few minutes later, Mary and Martha came out of the dressing room, and cleared their throat, "Simon"
Simon turned, and was again speechless, "woah, that dress is beautiful. I can't believe it's over 20-year-old dress."
They laughed, "thank you, Simon"
A few minutes later, they headed to the dance floor again, but this time Mary wasn't nervous, because she knew with Simon, she would never fall.
When they danced, she placed her cheek against his cheek, smelling his cologne, feeling safe. She had courted many men over the last 3 years, but with Simon it was different, and she immediately knew she was in love.
As they continued dancing, she looked at him, as he did the same, she leaned in and they kissed, not realizing the music had stopped. They continued kissing, when the audience, gave them a standing ovation, and they laughed and headed backstage waiting for their score.
It was 5 minutes later, they went back out to the dance floor, and received their score and got 2nd place. They were so happy, Simon twirled her around and they kissed again, and got a trophy and some money.
When they headed backstage with their trophy, Martha was happy crying, "I'm so proud of you guys, and that kiss…one word…damn"
They laugh, "it was quite something and I'm sorry Mary, if I went too far."
"No, I wanted it too"
Simon nodded and gave her a weird smile, "well, thanks again" and headed into his dressing room to change.
"What was that, Martha?"
"Remember, what I said, he never mixes…"
"I get it. But you're his dance partner and I would never be jealous of you, if we were a couple"
"You don't know the whole story, Mary"
To Be Continued…