After President and Mrs. Santos' speech, President Bartlet shares some words of wisdom (only a few in Latin, much to everyone's relief) as the final speech before the couple shares their first dance. Amy excused herself when he was finished, and Sam follows her with his eyes until he loses sight of her when she turns a corner potentially to head for the restroom.
He turns his head then and watches the newlyweds begin their first dance as a married couple, and he can't help but think back to the many times he's seen them dance together at White House functions. Even then they were undeniably perfect for each other.
"Hey," he hears from behind him, causing his nostalgic smile to break into a wide grin. He turns his head to face Amy, who's just taking her seat back. "That was some speech," she compliments, crossing her legs and sipping from her glass of red.
"Thanks," he replies, swiveling his body in the chair so that he fully faces her. "It's pretty easy to do when you've got good inspiration."
She nods, looking past him at the happy couple. He takes the moment to study her then, seeing the slightest tinge of melancholy in her gaze, and he wants nothing more than to make that sadness go away.
The music ends and everyone claps as a new song begins, Elton John's voice coming through the speakers. Couples start to dance together, and Sam stands to offer his hand to his companion. She looks up at him then, seemingly surprised at the gesture. "Just one dance," he urges gently.
Amy grins softly as she puts her glass on the table. "Okay," she agrees, taking his hand and allowing him to guide the way to the dance floor. He then pulls her to him, taking her left hand with his right and wrapping his other arm around her at the waist, his hand coming to rest on plum-colored silk at the small of her back.
He smiles down at her before lifting his head and seeing the bride and groom both looking at him. Donna smiles and gives him a little nod before turning to hug Josh's mom. Josh, on the other hand, looks at him with a bit of confusion – he never was quick to notice these things. But after a short moment, he quirks his lips into a grin and raises his drink to Sam.
He looks back at the woman in his arms and delves in. "So about last night…"
"Sam, you really don't need to explain," she promises.
"I think I do," he insists, looking down at her face in earnest. She just swallows and nods her go ahead. "I don't want to be your rebound, Amy," he murmurs.
Amy nods in understanding, sliding her hand from his shoulder to the base of his neck just under his jacket collar. Sam moves with her, his arm holding her a little closer as they continue dancing. "I like you way too much for that," Sam adds after a long moment. "So take all the time you need. Whenever you're ready, I'll be here."
He feels her fingers start to toy with the hair at the nape of his neck. "And if it takes six more years?" She asks quietly.
"You'll know where to find me," he promises.
"And…if I'm ready now?"
He feels his heart start beating faster and he swallows his nerves. "Then so much the better."
She smiles at him and then tips her head down, resting it on his shoulder, her forehead nuzzled into the crook of his neck. It's an odd display of affection for Amy. When she and Nick were together, he never saw them being particularly affectionate. And with Josh he only ever saw her publicly loving when she was trying to get something she wanted.
But neither of those relationships ever seemed right, and that gives him a little hope as they continue to sway together. Sam has never been a great singer, but he can carry a tune alright, and as the song comes to an end, he softly sings along:
"I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
how wonderful life is now you're in the world."
He feels her shiver a bit as she slowly lifts her head to look at him, and he's not sure he's ever seen this particular smile on her face. It warms him thoroughly from the inside out, and despite his immensely impressive vocabulary, the only word he can think of to describe it is sweet. She moves her hand to stroke her fingers through the slightly graying hair at his temples, and he has to actively resist the urge to purr.