AN: So, this one goes along with the earlier drabbles dealing with Nathan and Elizabeth's first dinner date. This would be Elizabeth's reaction to the kiss Nathan mentions in the Dear Gabe drabble.
Elizabeth had not been this happy in a long time. Not since Jack had left for Fort Clay.
The evening had been perfect. Nathan had been thoughtful just like he always was. She had felt no pressure to do anything. That had made her able to enjoy the outing all the more. The carved flowers had been a lovely, personal touch to the table. They had come from the heart and that made them more priceless than anything money could buy. The food and the conversation had been enjoyable. Maybe she'd had to carry the conversation for awhile, but Nathan had finally found his tongue and Elizabeth found that the more she knew about him the more she cared for him.
The only thing that had not happened yet was a kiss.
No sooner had the thought crossed her mind, then she had looked up at the sky. The stars twinkled down. Not a cloud in sight. Apparently the heavens did not disapprove of the thought.
As they reached her row house, Elizabeth couldn't help but wonder what Nathan thought on the subject.
"I enjoyed the evening, Elizabeth. Thank you for having dinner with me," Nathan told her as they stood at the bottom of the steps of her home.
"I enjoyed myself as well," Elizabeth told him, looking up at him. She hoped that her eyes would tell him that she wanted him to kiss her.
Elizabeth felt her heart beat quicker as Nathan leaned his head toward hers. When he bumped his nose against hers, she fought back the urge to laugh. She remembered how awkward some of her first kisses back in Hamilton had been. Back then though, both her and the boy that was kissing her were trying to figure things out.
Feeling the trembling in the hand still clasping hers, Elizabeth knew Nathan was nervous. There was nothing suave and practiced about this kiss. There was only raw emotion and she found that endearing. She also felt the spark of electricity, like the day their fingers had brushed in the library, as Nathan finally figured out the right angle and pressed his lips against hers.
Instinctively, Elizabeth returned the kiss. Her lips exploring Nathan's lips happily. When he drew back, she felt the absence. However, looking into Nathan's uneasy and unsure expression, Elizabeth felt endearment course through her again. She could see the uncertainty in Nathan's eyes. Knew he was wondering what she thought of the kiss.
However, before she could offer him any reassurance that she had enjoyed his kiss very much, Nathan was saying good evening. She replied the same as he turned and headed down the row of houses.
There was a time when the abrupt departure would have caused her concern. A time when she would have been left wondering if she had done something wrong and why her date had not asked to see her again.
Not tonight though. Nathan may not have asked to see her again but she new he would. She knew it was only his nerves winning out tonight that had brought about such an abrupt departure.
Alone, her fingers touched the side of her nose that Nathan had bumped with hers and she giggled. Yes, it was sweet and endearing to know that either she made Nathan so nervous he forgot how to kiss or that he just did not have much experience with kissing. She was fine with either scenario, though she thought she might prefer the later.
Turning to head into the house Elizabeth knew that she would not mind at all teaching Nathan Grant all the nuances of kissing in the very near future.