The car easily glided through the snow as we rounded the turn into the visitors' center. Cars were lined to the entrance; tanks, military jeeps, vintage cars like ours not excluded. As we pulled up to the valet, I handed the "officer" the keys and a hefty tip.
"There'll be more if she remains scratch free." I warned with a wave of fear over the stout man.
I made my way over to Alice's door. The other valet had reached out for the handle as I walked up to him. I glared at him protectively and he instinctively backed off. I flashed an…appreciative smile in his direction.
"My Darlin'." I charmed as I offered Alice my hand. The sound of Harry James & Kitty Kallen, It's Been a Long, Long Time, was wafting out from the double doors. There could not have been a more perfect choice.
The crowds of people made their way from the front door directly to the bar before the dance floor.
"What shall it be Darlin'?" I offered to Alice with a waive towards the bar.
She looked at me confused, "I'm not…A gin and tonic will do." She laughed.
"And here I thought your drink of choice was hot chocolate and vodka." I teased before turning back to the crowded bar.
I gestured to the bar tender followed by waves of anxiety and amenability. He did not hesitate but a fraction of a second before handing over the cocktail. I handed the glass to Alice and gently guided her to the closest, open, high-top table aside the dance floor.
I carefully removed her jacket and draped it over the back of her chair.
"This is fantastic Jasper. It is better than I could have even imagined. But there's so many people here who really know what they're doing." She uttered.
"Don't you worry your beautiful little head about that," I said as I kissed her crown taking the seat across from her. "Look at the woman in the red polka dotted dress." I instructed.
"She's perfect" Alice expressed with fear in her voice.
"She's only doing two things Darlin'. She's stepping back, right, then left. And she's not letting go of his hands."
She paused, slowly examining the woman's movements. Her head tilted to the side in close concentration, and then a light came to her face as she came to the realization of the woman's gestures. "That's it?" she asked incredulous.
I nodded. "It's all in what he's doing. Any aerials they do are the same. Any spin, twist, turn, or flip…it's all him. And I can assure you, I am perfectly capable of leading your delicate frame across that entire dance floor." I drew at her with a half-cocked smile and a wink.
She raised herself straight in her seat and took a long sip of her drink. "I can do that." She self-assured.
"I have no doubt of any of your capabilities my love." I laughed.
She looked at me for a long moment, finished off her drink, and rose from her seat all the while holding her hand out at me. I let out an amused huff as I took her hand without hesitation, leading her to the out skirts of the floor to allow her to get used to the movement.
"Remember Darlin', back, right, then left. Only tapping back, step right left."
She nodded in understanding with a confident and concentrated look on her face. She locked eyes with me as she fell into step easily. I smiled with content as I quickened our pace and began adding twirls and spins into the steps until we were in the middle of the floor. She was beautiful with that huge smile plastered on her face. She never looked at her feet, not once. I envied her fearlessness and determination.
I winked at her before throwing her back into a hard spin. As I brought her back to my chest, I whispered into her ear "Hold on, and don't let go.". Just then I spun her out again, bringing her back to me and over my arm, swinging her back in front of me and over my back. I ended the move with a twirl and returned to an easy sway.
"That was incredible!" she shouted filled with laughter. "It really is only stepping and hanging on for dear life."
"You look amazing my love." I brought her close to my chest yet again and held her even closer to me for the slower song.
"Thank you, Jas. This is…it's perfect." She nestled into my collar with a content sigh. "Is this what it was like before? Before I…" she trailed off lost in thought."
"When we first met in Philly, it was difficult. We were both getting used to each other's nuances. There was a lot of frustration with my hard-headedness. But you broke me down eventually." I let out a playful titter. "When we were alone, this is exactly like it was. I was able to be open and free with you. Not when there were others, especially not humans." I admitted in a low voice.
"What changed?"
"I lost the only thing in this world that mattered to me. I realized that I had been putting you through hell. You are and always were a free bird, outgoing, brilliant, and bright. You wanted to be out in public, you wanted to show us off, but I could never endure it. I blamed, and still do, myself for you leaving. I thought you had finally gotten tired of moping around." I spoke looking through half lidded eyes, ashamed of how I had been.
"Jas…I can assure you that is NOT what happened. From what I've seen in my visions and gathered from my own experiences, I understand everything you say or do. You are exactly perfect, and I would never want you to be uncomfortable. It was enough for me to know you wanted to do these things."
I kissed the top of her head yet again. "I love you Alice." The words had come out of my mouth before I could think to contain them. I grew stiff as I feared her repulse was imminent.
She surprised me as she nuzzled further into my collar. "I love you too Jazzy." She gushed as she looked up into my eyes. I leaned down, guiding her chin with my fingers. I kissed her slow and deep. I pulled back to see the sparkle gleaming in her eye.
Just then, the music picked back up and I lifted her effortlessly, throwing her to either side of my hip, dipping her with ease. As I twirled her back into position, I gazed down into her over-joyous face. "You have no idea how amazing it feels to hear you say that."