DISCLAIMER: I own nothing except Julianna. All characters belong to Mark VII and NBC Universal.
"Juli, You look beautiful," Chet said.
"Thanks, Chet," she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek and a hug.
"Wow, Juli. You look amazing. We're going to have to beat the guys off with a stick," Cap said.
Julianna's cheeks reddened with all the compliments.
They headed into the room and presented their invitations.
The ballroom had a quiet, sitting area at the entrance. A dramatic staircase led the way to the dance floor and the ball room area. The guys took the ladies coats to the coat room, leaving them standing off to the side of the staircase.
"This is amazing. I had no idea this was so...glamorous," Julianna said.
"It's kind of like Prom," Joanne said.
Roy watched the women and he and Bob slipped out the door to the lobby. They found Johnny standing there with Bob's girlfriend.
"Is she here," Johnny asked.
"Yeah and, sorry Beth, but she looks amazing," Bob said.
Beth smiled. "Julianna's lucky to have friends go to such an extreme for her," she said.
"Well, how about you two go in. You and Jo can keep Julianna distracted, right," Bob asked.
"I'll head back in and give Jo the signal. She'll take Juli to the restroom to touch up before the entrance. Then you and Beth can head down the stairs," Roy said.
"Good luck, Johnny. I hope this crazy idea of yours works," Bob said.
"Hey, you all helped. It was a Station effort," Johnny said.
Roy pointed at the box in Johnny's hand. "What's that," he asked.
"This is an orchid corsage. I know it's corny, but I never put a corsage on her and this feels like Prom. I'm going to get my Jules back," Johnny said.
"I'm sure you will," Roy said. He headed back into the entryway and caught Jo's eye.
"Come on ladies. Let's touch up before we head into the ball. Don't want to have our photos taken with shiny noses," Joanne said, taking Julianna's hand and pulling her to the restroom.
Barb, Kathy, Estella and Chet's date, Sara, followed behind Joanne and Julianna.
Roy gave Johnny a thumbs up and he headed around the corner to wait for Julianna. Bob and Beth stood to the side.
One by one the women came out of the restroom and took the arm of their date.
Cap and his wife headed down the stairs and stood off to the side to wait for the rest of the group.
Chet and Sara were next, followed by Marco and Estella.
Mike and Barb walked down next, followed by Joanne and Roy, leaving Julianna at the top of the stairs.
Bob came around the corner. "Juli, I think there's a guy that really wants to be with you tonight," Bob said.
Julianna looked at her friend in bewilderment. "Beth? What are you doing here," she asked.
"You'll see," Beth said.
She and Bob went down the stairs leaving Juli at the top alone.
"Jules," she heard. She turned around and saw Johnny, standing just off the side in his dress uniform. Her breath left her body. Johnny was always a striking figure, but seeing him in his dress uniform, took her breath away.
Johnny couldn't believe how beautiful Julianna looked. Her white dress was just dressy enough to be an evening gown, but the simplicity was all Julianna. Her hair was half up with soft waves cascading down her back. Johnny came closer to her.
"Would you do me the honor," he asked, taking the orchid out of the box and grabbing her hand. He slipped the corsage on her wrist and that's when he noticed it.
He took her other hand and fingered the simple bracelet on her wrist. "You kept it," he asked.
She smiled, tears brimming on her lids, and nodded. "I couldn't cut you out, completely."
"Shall we," he asked, holding out his elbow for her to take.
"Yes," she said. She slipped her hand through his arm and put her other hand on his forearm.
Together, they went down the stairs into the ballroom and Julianna had to admit, she felt like a princess. As soon as they were at the bottom, Johnny took her hand and led her to where their friends had gathered.
"You look beautiful, Jules. This is how I imagined you'd look if we'd have made it to Prom," he said.
They sat at the table with everyone from A-shift. Chet was supposed to sit with B-shift, allowing Julianna and Bob to sit with Joanne and Roy, but Bob swapped with Chet so he could sit with his crew.
Julianna was enjoying the night. They spent the evening celebrating the firemen and their sacrifices and handing out the awards for valor, which she was amazed to hear Johnny and Roy receive. She was also surprised when she was asked to stand with Johnny, Roy, Joanne and the chief as they had their picture taken.
When Johnny led her back to the table, she turned to him. "Why didn't you tell me," Julianna said.
"Didn't want to brag," he said.
Julianna laughed. "You not brag about winning an award," she said.
Johnny shrugged. "Well, I wanted it to be a surprise for you," he said.
They spent the rest of the evening dancing and laughing with their friends.
"Can I take you home," Johnny asked Julianna.
"You're place," she asked.
"Wherever you want," Johnny said, his brown eyes twinkling.
"Let's go," Julianna said. She went to the table and said good night to her brother and friends. "It's been a lovely night. I'm heading home," she said.
"You going back to the house," Mike asked.
Julianna tried not to blush. "No, I'm going to Johnny's apartment and talk. We have some things to figure out," she said.
"See you later, sis," Mike said, hugging his sister.
"Bye, Jo, Roy," she said.
"Bye," Johnny said. He shook hands with Mike and hugged Barb.
"Good luck," Roy whispered to his friend as they shared a one-armed hug.
Johnny smiled and kissed Joanne on the cheek. "Don't screw this one up, Johnny," she said.
He waved to everyone and nodded to Bob. He took Julianna's hand and guided her up the stairs. He stopped and got her wrap from the coat room and they headed out to his car.