It Had To Be You
Pairing: Danny/Mary
Disclaimer: I don't own Las Vegas. Things would be a lot different if I did. Also, I was not alive in the 60's so if anything is not historically accurate then I apologize.
Summary: This story takes place in 1962, immediately following the 60's portion of the episode Everything Old is You Again. It's a bit of fluff about a budding romance between Danny and Mary with some mobster drama thrown in for fun. This chapter was originally written with an NC-17 scene,but it has beenedited for this website.If you are over 18 and would like to read the uneditedversion justsend me anemail and I'll send you the link.
-9-
"Say something," Danny finally urged as Mary sat stunned, her mouth slightly open, eyes fixed on the ring.
"I…I don't know what to say," she stuttered, still in shock.
"Well, I was kinda hoping you'd say yes."
Mary stood and moved to the couch, before responding, "Danny, you don't have to do this."
"What do you mean?" he asked, confused as he joined her on the couch.
"I'm not going to leave if that's what you're afraid of," Mary assured him, placing her hand over his own where it lay across the back of the couch.
"That's not what this is about," he told her before anticipating what she was going to say next, "I know this seems sudden."
"Seems? Danny we've only known each other a couple of months."
"So? Ed and Jillian only knew each other for 6 weeks."
"But, Danny…," she tried again to argue.
"Look, Mary, I've given this a lot of thought. I've been with a lot of girls…," when both of Mary's eyebrows shot to her hairline he tried to rephrase, "What I mean is…of all the girls I've known not one of them has ever made me feel the way I feel when I'm with you. Not one of them has ever made me want the things that I want with you."
"What kinds of things?" she asked quietly.
"A house, kids… but mainly… someone to come home to." Danny cupped her cheek, tracing soft circles on her skin with his thumb.
"How long have you been thinking about this?"
"Probably since the day I met you, but it hit me like a ton of bricks when I woke up with you Christmas morning," he said, leaning forward and capturing her mouth. When he pulled back he realized that Mary's smile did not match his own.
"Danny, I love you so much, but… you and me—we're two very different people. I mean, up until just a few weeks ago you were living the high life with a different girl every night."
"Mary, that's not true. I…," he tried to argue, but she cut him off.
"I'm not trying to make you feel bad about it, Danny. That's just who you are and I'm afraid you're going to end up hating me for taking that all away from you—for being the one to rain on your parade. I mean, you say you want to be with me now, but what happens in a year or two when you're strapped with a wife and a couple of kids?"
"Mary, I'll be the happiest man on earth."
"Danny…"
"I'm serious. That guy you just described. That's who I used to be. It's not me anymore, Mary. It's like the song says, 'It had to be you'. No one else could have made me want these things. I'm not saying that my life has been miserable because that's far from the truth, but that morning when I woke up with you in my arms I knew. I knew that everything that had happened in both of our lives had led us to each other. And by that afternoon I realized that I wanted to be with you and only you and I'll admit that's part of the reason why I went a little crazy and acted like such a jerk. It scared the hell out of me." When his statement seemed to prove her point, Mary opened her mouth to speak, but he stopped her again—this time placing his finger against her lips, "But, Mary, the thought of losing you scared me even more."
It was obvious Mary was touched by his words, but Danny realized she still wasn't convinced. "Okay. How 'bout you wear the ring on this finger for now," Danny said as he slowly slid the ring onto the third finger of her right hand, "and once you're convinced that I mean what I say then we'll talk about moving it to the other hand. Deal?"
Mary waited only a moment before responding, a soft smile finally reaching her eyes,"Deal."
When Danny's face lit up, Mary couldn't help but throw herself into his arms. She let him hold her for a moment before she suddenly felt a surge of braveness. Mary turned her head and began to softly nibble on his ear. Danny responded in kind by running his hands up and into her hair, moving her head to the side so that he had better access to the smooth column of her neck. He traced her jaw line with soft open-mouthed kisses, before eagerly devouring her mouth with his own. As their kisses became hungry, Mary pulled his head away from her so she could look in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, sweetie. Do you want me to stop?"
"Danny, I think I want you to take me to bed," she told him, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Mary, we don't have to do this. I want you to be sure, baby."
Mary was nervous and afraid and excited all at the same time, but was she sure? One look into Danny's warm and worried eyes and she had her answer.
"I'm sure."
Danny smiled as he leaned in to kiss her again before slowly helping Mary to her feet and leading her by the hand towards the bedroom. The room was bathed in the soft glow of moonlight and standing before the large round bed, Mary reached out to slowly begin working on the buttons of his shirt. The trembling that had consumed her suddenly made the task difficult and Danny stilled her movements, taking both of her hands in his and bringing them to his lips.
"I love you," he whispered as he placed soft kisses across her knuckles.
Tears pooled in Mary's eyes before she responded, "I love you, too. I'm just nervous."
"I know. It'll be okay. I promise I'll be gentle."
"Oh, Danny, I know you will. It's just…I just want to make you happy." Unable to meet his eyes, she stared at the floor—trying to keep herself from blushing, "I mean, what if I don't… please you," she told him.
Danny grasped her chin and forced her to meet his eyes. "Mary, believe me when I tell you that's not possible."
She visibly relaxed at his assurances and together they slowly began to do away with their remaining clothing. Mary's dress and Danny's shirt soon lay in a heap on the floor as he helped her sit on the bed to remove her stockings. Goosebumps dotted her flesh when he left a trail of kisses down each leg as her soft skin was revealed to him for the first time. When he was finished, Mary stood on wobbly legs and slowly undid the buckle of Danny's belt, easing the pants over his hips and helping him step out of them as they pooled at his ankles. Reaching for the clasp of Mary's bra, Danny was stopped by her hands suddenly crossing in front of her chest. Sensing her uneasiness, Danny kissed her gently while moving her hands away and reaching for the clasp again. "I want to see you," he said. Mary closed her eyes and sighed as the straps slid slowly down her arms-- Danny's hot kisses following each one until they stood bare before each other—only her silk panties and his boxers separating them.
Danny pulled back the covers and helped her lay down before settling himself next to her. Their kisses and soft caresses continued until Mary began to feel the urgency in Danny's touch and the evidence of his arousal against her thigh. Realizing he was waiting for her permission, she kissed him softly on his temple before whispering in his ear, "It's okay, Danny. I'm ready." Danny let out a sigh of relief as Mary positioned herself on her back and helped him move until he was cradled in the valley of her thighs. Removing the last barriers between them, Danny looked deep into her eyes—searching again for any hesitation on her part, but seeing nothing but love and desire reflected back at him.
After their passionate neither one of them was ready to break the connection they'd just shared, Danny was afraid his weight on Mary's small frame would soon become uncomfortable. He gave her one more lingering kiss before moving to the side and pulling her body tight against his own, resting his head on her chest and drifting almost instantly into a quiet slumber. Mary held him tightly to her breast, kissing his head and whispering, "I love you" before succumbing to sleep herself—the events of the day finally taking their toll.
---
Several hours later their positions were reversed. Danny sat with his back to the headboard as Mary's head lay on his chest—her fingers tracing random patterns across his skin.
"Tell me something about you, Danny--something that I don't already know."
"Like what?" he asked, crushing his now finished cigarette in the ashtray by the bed.
"Tell me about your parents."
When Danny didn't respond right away Mary quickly tried to apologize, "I'm sorry. If it's too painful…"
"There was a fire in our building. Mom couldn't get out and Dad went in to try to save her. When I got home from school they told me they were both gone. I ran, Mary. I ran as far away as I could and I never looked back. Ed found me about six months later and well, you know the rest."
After Danny's story, neither said a word for several long moments. Finally, Mary broke the silence, "A penny for your thoughts."
"I was just thinking. My mom would have loved you. I was a bit of a handful--always getting into trouble for something." Danny chuckled at the memory, "She used to tell me that someday I'd meet a nice girl who'd straighten me out because Lord knows she'd tried her best."
Mary smiled as she thought about a young Danny terrorizing his poor mother with his shenanigans.
"It's funny the things you remember," he continued. "I remember I used to hide in the hallway so I could listen to the radio past my bedtime. My mom would be washing dishes or putting on a pot of soup for the next day and my dad would come in and pull her away from whatever she was doing and twirl her around like he was Fred Astaire. She'd throw her head back and laugh and they'd dance for what seemed like hours—just swaying back and forth in that tiny little kitchen…. God, I remember the way my dad looked at her—like she was the only woman on earth. I didn't really know what that meant, but I remember wondering if I'd ever have that—if I'd ever be that happy." Danny stared out the window where the sun was just peaking out above the horizon. "Thank you," he whispered.
"For what?"
"For giving me that feeling. For making me happy."
Mary's eyes once again filled with tears before she propped herself up so she could she could see Danny's face.
"Danny?"
"Hmmmm?" he responded distractedly, fingering a lock of her hair that had fallen across his chest.
"Ask me again."
"What?" Danny looked up at her confused.
"Ask me again," she said pointedly—staring at him until he finally realized what she meant.
"Marry me?"
"Yes," she smiled.
"Yeah?" he questioned with a grin.
"Yeah."
Danny suddenly flipped them over so he was hovering over a giggling Mary.
"Say it again," he demanded playfully, tickling her sides.
"Yes, Danny McCoy, I'll marry you," she laughed.
"Tonight," he added, "say you'll marry me tonight."
At her dumbfounded expression, Danny went on, "It's New Year's Eve—a time for new beginnings. I think we should get married tonight."
"Danny," she chuckled incredulously, "what's the rush?"
"I don't know. I guess when you find the person you want to spend your life with, you really want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."
Mary smiled at the sweet expression on his face. How could she deny this man anything? She leaned up and kissed him softly before responding, "Okay."
Note: I shamelessly stole the premise for Danny's last line from When Harry Met Sally.