I Could Have Danced All Night

London was still celebrating the end of the war. The Rats were preparing to catch a plane in two days that would take them to New York City where they would be guests at the home of Hitch's parents. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of activity. They had arrived in London by cargo plane and spent a week with Moffitt's family then traveled to Scotland where Isla was staying at her Granny Mac's vacant house. While there, the love of Tully's life, Army nurse Mary Ellen Hayes had joined them and the two were married in a small ceremony. They had spent a week traveling through Scotland on a honeymoon before joining up with their friends in the British capital. Isla had been in London for a week preparing for an encore performance of the ballet, La Sylphide as part of the victory celebration. They were all planning to attend since they had not had the pleasure of seeing her dance the lead in a full-length ballet. Moffitt's parents were joining them as was Troy's younger brother, David, a pilot in the RAF.

Isla had arranged box seats for the performance, and they were chatting as they awaited the start of the program.

"So, David, what are your plans?" Troy asked his kid brother.

"I'm going to stay in England, at least for now," David replied. "Commercial flying is going to take off, pardon the pun, and I plan to become a commercial pilot."

"Any plans on visiting Mom and Hank now that they're settled in Texas?" Sam was curious.

"Maybe in a few months. I have some things to do here first. They'll just have to be content with your smiling face for a while longer," David grinned.

"We were privileged to see Isla dance last year when the company danced for the King and Queen. It was lovely," Moffitt's mother, Helen, was saying to Mary Ann and Tully. "She has amazing control and passion in her dancing. We were moved to tears."

"I got to see her do a dying swan dance that brought tears to my eyes," Tully admitted. "I'd never seen a ballet before and I'm really looking forward to this."

"She was so helpful with our wedding plans," Mary Ellen spoke. "I've never met anyone like her."

"So, Tully," Moffitt's father addressed the Kentuckian, "when will you start your studies?"

"Planning to start in the January semester at the University of Kentucky," Tully responded. He was going to be the first member of his family to attend college and planned to major in anthropology.

"Well, if there is anything, anything at all, that I can help you with, please don't hesitate to call," Charles said sincerely.

"Thank you, sir," Tully said as a murmur went through the crowd and the audience stood. All eyes were turned to the royal box where the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret were taking their seats, escorted by two young men in British uniform.

"Impressive. This is Isla's third time to perform for them. They must be fans," Jack commented to Hitch who grinned.

"I'm so excited for her I can't even chew gum," Hitch said sincerely. "Afraid I'll make too much noise." Moffitt laughed as the lights flashed and began to dim. The orchestra began the overture at the end of which the curtains parted revealing a kilted male dancer asleep in a chair next to the fire and Isla, as the sylphide, kneeling on the floor at his feet with a look of adoration on her face.

Her performance was breathtaking, every movement, mesmerizing. Hitch was so proud of her, He knew the commitment and dedication she put into her dancing and being able to watch it all come to fruition made his heart swell. For years, she had dreamed of dancing professionally and through years of hard work, she had made that dream a reality.

Sniffling was heard throughout the audience when Isla's wings dropped to the ground, and she was carried offstage by the other fairies (sylphides). Numerous handkerchiefs dabbed at watering eyes and even Troy brushed away a tear or two.

The ballet ended and the applause was deafening. When Isla appeared for her bow, they leapt to their feet to show their admiration. She was handed a large bouquet of pink roses, and several baskets of flowers were placed next to her onstage while others threw roses at her feet. Tears were openly streaming down Hitch's face and Troy asked if he was all right. Hitch nodded and huskily said,

"I am just so happy for her." He cleared his voice and wiped away the tears.

As the audience filed out, they slowly made their way through the crowd to backstage. They saw the two princesses speaking to her and a photographer snapping pictures. The waited while other well-wishers told her how marvelous she was and congratulated her on her performance. Then Hitch swooped in and swung her around in his arms, both of them laughing out loud. He pulled her in close for a hug and whispered in her ear. She hugged him tighter before turning to greet her other guests.

They all shared an enjoyable dinner and Mary Ellen got to hear more about the patrol's exploits during the war. At the end of the meal and after-dinner drinks, Hitch leaned close and spoke to Isla who nodded in agreement. The two excused themselves and left together. Their friends knew they needed time to say goodbye, since Isla was remaining, and they were heading to New York City in the morning.

The young couple walked for a while, holding hands. Isla knew Mark had something on his mind and he finally got around to sharing.

"I'm nervous about the guys meeting my parents," he confessed.

"Mark, your parents are lovely people, even your dad," Isla answered. "They are going to be so glad to see you safely home that nothing else is going to matter."

"It's not that," Hitch was troubled. "The guys know my dad is a successful businessman. They know I went to private schools. They know I come from a wealthy family. They just don't know how wealthy. They don't know my father is Daddy Warbucks wealthy. I'm afraid it might change their opinion of me."

"Mark, you can't help who your father is or your family. You have never been some snooty, pampered rich kid, in spite of all the privileges you've had. The guys know the real you. They aren't going to see you differently. You've saved each other's lives time and time again. You're their friend, their brother," Isla assured him.

"It's just that money can make things complicated between people," Hitch was still worried. "I don't want to lose their respect."

"That's not even an option. If anything, they will respect you more for not relying on your father's influence and connections. They know how you and your father fought when you enlisted and refused becoming an officer," Isla led him to a park bench where they sat with her head on his shoulder and his arm around her.

"Yet, here I am, an officer now," Hitch sighed.

"Through your own merit, not anything your father did," she reminded him. "It will make him a bit happier, though."

"Yeah," Mark admitted. "I just don't want the guys to be uncomfortable with the big house and servants and everything."

"You need to have more faith in your friends. They won't let you down or draw away from you. You're still Hitch to them." She stroked his cheek.

"I wish you were going to be there," he confessed. "You're always a good buffer between Father and I."

"You will be just fine. I think you've earned your father's respect and admiration."

"Really?" he sounded like a young boy instead of a battle-hardened commando.

"Really," she said soothingly. "Now, let's go find the guys and you can ask me to dance."

"Aren't you tired yet?" he groaned playfully.

"Come on," she pulled him to his feet and gave him a quick kiss. "I think I can wheedle a tango out of Jack and a quick step from Troy. I'll save you for swing dancing. Ooh, I wonder if Moffitt's father can waltz. And does David dance?"

"Ah Zu's" he pretended to be annoyed but took her arm in his as they headed to the ballroom where the other Rats were celebrating their final night in Europe.