A/N I wrote the basic version of this ages ago. For some reason, I've been thinking of this tidbit a lot lately so I decided to post it. Enjoy.

John was just finishing his drink and deciding whether or not to pour himself another when Anna came out of the bedroom.

"How do I look?" she asked.

She was wearing a black lace dress that came to mid-thigh and her hair was put up in some kind of configuration he had never seen before. Her make up was understated, highlighting her natural beauty perfectly. The heels she wore made it look as though her legs were miles long. John had to make an effort to swallow. He wondered for the millionth time how he could possibly be lucky enough to be married to this woman who was so utterly beautiful inside and out.

"You're breathtaking, love" He rose and made his way across the room to her side.

"Really?" she looked at him skeptically, "because I'm not sure about…"

Before she could finish her sentence, John had taken her in his arms, pulled her tightly against his body and kissed her deeply.

"What was that for?" she asked, slightly breathless from their kiss.

John responded by lowering his head and planting delicate kisses up and down his wife's neck, his hands caressing her back and shoulders.

"Let's not go tonight," he whispered in her ear.

"What?" she swatted his chest as best she could considering how closely he was holding her. "John, don't be silly."

"I mean it," he continued, gently sucking on her earlobe. "I don't want to go. Let's stay here, just the two of us."

"But it's for charity and we've already bought the tickets."

"Exactly, they've already gotten their money. I can write them a letter of apology and include a nice fat check with it. I'll say I wasn't feeling well or your train was late and I didn't know when you were going to arrive." He continued to kiss and nuzzle at her skin, seeking out the places he knew she would find hard to resist.

"Please, Anna?" he whined, "I don't feel like spending the evening having drinks and nibbles, making small talk and chatting up other people's spouses while I stare loving across the room at my own. And every time I try to dance with you I'll get pulled away for some publicity picture. I'd rather stay here, light about a hundred candles and slow dance with you, in that dress," he eyed it appreciatively, "for hours on end."

"After that, but only after that," he continued, "we can go to the bedroom and 'slow dance' with you out of that dress for hours on end."

Anna looked in his eyes so full of wistfulness, love, and desire in equal measure. It was a hard combination to fight against, especially with the way his attentions were making her feel tingly all over.

"Please, love?" he repeated, "Our courtship was so unconventional that I never really got to take you on many romantic dates. Let me treat you to one tonight. You deserve my undivided attention and I'm dying to give it to you."

Anna had one of those moments when she couldn't quite believe this was her life. Here was John Bates, John "Fricken" Bates, a man literally thousands of women would pay money to go on a date with, asking her, begging her, to let him lavish all his attention on her. She took in his appearance, dark blue suit, red tie, perfect hair and amazing eyes. All he wanted to do was dance with her for hours. This was the man she got to spend the rest of her life with. What had she ever done to deserve so much?

"What shall we dance to?" she said as she leaned into his chest.

"Ah," he smiled happily, "I happen to have a playlist of all slow songs. Just perfect for a night of private dances." He smiled happily and went over to boot up his list.

"You just happen to have a playlist?" Anna asked skeptically while waiting for John to light the candles and start the music.

"Yes," John said somewhat self consciously.

"And am I the first woman to reap the benefits of this playlist, Mr. Bates?" she accused him teasingly.

"Whatever do you mean?" he asked, sounding not at all innocent.

"You wouldn't have used this playlist on any women in your past or anything, would you?"

John to dimmed the lights and set the last of the candles aglow. The music was softly playing as he returned to Anna's side, took her right hand in his, and placed his left hand on her hip. They began to sway to the music.

"Well," he admitted, "I won't swear that I've never used this idea before, but the music on this particular playlist is all ours. And I promise you Anna, you're the only woman I'll be playing it for for the rest of my life."

She intended to tease him a bit more but one look into his eyes sent all thought from her head. She buried her head into her husband's neck and hummed her satisfaction.

They danced in silence for a few moments when John whispered into her hair, "Now isn't this better than some loud charity function with a bunch of other people about?"

"It is," she agreed, "I had no idea I had married such a romantic."

"I know, and that's a shame. There were so many things I wanted to buy for you, so many notes I wanted to leave you or do for you, but I couldn't because we weren't really together."

Anna thought back to all the kind and thoughtful things John had always done for her, even before they were an item, "You did pretty well," she smiled up at him.

"Still," he insisted, "You bring out the best in me and I'd like to do a better job of showing you just how much I adore you."

"You do a wonderful job."

"I can always do more," he purred, "Let me do more." And then he kissed her.