Chapter Four

It's crazy to think another year has come and gone.

Although this could be a better year

for everyone including Mr. Henry Schoonmaker.

All of us are desiring to know who he

will take for his next bride.

-From the New-York News of the World Gazette, December, 31st 1901

"What about her?" asked Teddy Cutting pointing to a very young woman in a pink ball gown chatting quietly with her friends. He watched the girl's gloved hand grab a glass of champagne from a passing by waiter. Henry and Teddy had been talking and looking for a suitable girl for over an hour now. It was almost midnight which meant they only minutes before the party was over. The music still drifted from the lively band and all the guests seemed to be having a good time. Teddy was pleased with the outcome of the party except for his dear friend's problem. He finally looked back at Henry only to see him taking of drink from his own glass. Teddy gave him a questioning glance and Henry shook his head.

"She seems too shy," he explained watching the girl throw back her head laughing at another girl's remark. Teddy rolled his eyes knowing not to argue with him. Just by watching her, he could already tell she was the opposite of shy.

"You're obviously not into this. You are not trying to see the positive side of any of the girls I point out," he told Henry.

"I am too, your just not picking the right girls." Henry replied.

"Fine you pick one." Henry searched the room filled with many of New York's most beautiful women.

"That one," Henry soon pointed to three girls all crowed onto one side of the floor.

"Which one?" Teddy asked following Henry's gaze.

"The one in the red." Teddy examined the girl and shook his head in disgust.

"Henry, you do realize that girl is over sixty years old," Teddy laughed but Henry just shrugged.

"I seem to have lost my touch."

"Fine, I will try harder. What about that one?" Teddy pointed at a girl with her back to the two men. Her lightly colored hair was put up into a tight bun spotted with diamonds. Her lilac colored gown hung off her shoulders and flowed behind her into a short train and off her neck hung silver necklaces of different sizes. She stood by a tall man that seemed to be companying her but to Teddy's relief disappeared into the dancing sea of guests. The girl stood alone and began to fix the front of her dress.

"She seems nice from that back," Henry commented and Teddy clapped. Neither of them knew who this girl was but it was time they did.

"Go ask her to dance," Teddy advised nudging Henry's arm.

"I don't even know who she is!"

"So, go find out." The girl then turned around making Henry's eyes look directly at her. Her tan arms were crossed over her small body and she scanned the dance floor with her light blue eyes. Her dark red lips smiled at a passing gentlemen and her light blond hair almost matched Teddy's. Henry turned back to his friend and smiled. He patted Teddy's shoulder and took another sip of champagne.

"I'm going to go talk to her," Henry announced setting down his glass.

"Sweep her off her feet," Teddy encouraged as his friend walked across the room. He was happy that finally his friend had the strength to forget about Diana and at least ask a stranger to dance. Teddy smiled at himself for he knew that he accomplished something tonight that may be a start of something new. He looked over at his friend who was nowhere in sight but the girl was talking some else. Teddy recognized the girl and looked away silently cursing. The girl was Penelope Hayes.

Teddy looked around for Henry but there was no sign of him. Ever since his divorce, he made sure he was never around his ex-wife after everything she had done to him. Teddy blamed himself for his friend disappearance thinking that Henry would be on his way home within the next couple minutes. He knew what he friend was like and that incident probably set his mind back to Diana. He waved over a waiter to bring him a glass and picked one off his silver plate. He then took a quick sip and leaned against the marble column by the stairs.

For awhile, he stood watching his guests glide around the dance floor hoping to find Henry being among them. He then set down his glass and decided he was not needed here and started to walk up the steps. After he reached the top, he kept walking down the hall. He kept walking till he reached the servant stair case which lead down to the kitchen. He only had one thing on his mind. By now all the noise was left behind him and he could only hear his own footsteps. He ended up in the kitchen where he left as soon as he came. He took a hard right and found the hall he was looking for. He walked slowly trying to not to make a sound. When he reached his destination, he glanced behind him as he reached for the cold doorknob.

Teddy pushed the door open very quietly and let his eyes adjust to the dark room. For a minute he stood with the door open behind him before he finally could see inside the room. He walked inside and over to the crib where Keller Cutting slept. Teddy looked down at his step-son and reached down to tough his little hand. The baby felt his father and wrapped his hand around Teddy's finger. Teddy smiled and watched the boy's chest rise and fall.

"I think he likes you," he heard a whisper behind him. He turned to see Elizabeth standing in the moonlight that came from the window across the room. His heart began to beat faster just by the look of her. She is beautiful he thought to himself.

"I hope so," he whispered back. He watched Elizabeth walk over to him and look down upon her sleeping son.

"How did you find me here?" Teddy asked her as she looked up.

"I had a feeling," she said reaching for his free hand. They locked fingers as they both watched their son sleep peacefully.

"You don't need to worry about Henry," Elizabeth informed him. Teddy was surprised at this remark.

"How so?" he asked.

"Well if you were worried about sending him to Penelope's cousin, don't worry I saved him."

"That was her cousin?"

"Yes, I have met her once before and she is most defiantly not the nicest person."

"Well where is he now?"

"He is in the ballroom dancing with his step-mother," she stated. She gave him a welcoming look and the both stood silence. Keller moved slightly, letting go of Teddy's finger.

"Don't worry about Keller either," Elizabeth said making him turn to her.

"I just am afraid I won't be a good enough father to him."

"Teddy, you're his father now and he will love you no matter what."

"I believe you," Teddy said letting go of her hand and placing it on the small of her back.

"I hope so. We should really be getting back," Elizabeth urged but he just pulled her close to himself. He could feel her breath on his skin as she brought her gaze to him.

"They won't miss us," he whispered in her ear. Elizabeth smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck bringing her face inches from his. From the window, they could see a fire work shoot off into the starry sky, indicating the New Year had arrived. But neither of them cared.

"Happy New Year," she wished him and teasingly brushed her lips against his.

"Happy New Year," he said. He picked up his wife in his strong arms, and gave her a long passionate kiss that was long overdue.