Erik shifted his eyes downward - "I apologise. I didn't mean to upset you. I just... want to be sure I won't say anything out of line, later on." They sat there, close to one another, for quite some time... The water's calm shimmer was soothing and Erik didn't even notice the music started again.
A few minutes passed before he turned his head and noticed two other couples were enjoying the pianist's talent quite differently - dancing. It was a generic Crayterian behavior, so most restaurants around here had at least a small dance floor. Grabbing Doreen's hand with enthusiasm - Erik motioned towards the "stage" and asked "Would you join me for a dance?" A spark deep inside him had been born anew right here. He was hoping she'd say yes, just for the sheer joy of it. It wasn't the dance itself that mattered... but the concept of making this night memorable and creating a stable basis for their relationship.
"I apologise. I didn't mean to upset you. I just... want to be sure I won't say anything out of line, later on."
She turned to him and smiled with a single head shake. "No, no, it's all right. I'm not upset....at all. Everything will be fine. She took a step toward him in the process. It was at this point when she heard the words, "Would you join me for a dance?" as he took her hand.
She smiled brightly, "Why I would love to dance with you, Erik Corvin."
Walking with him to the stage, the placed her hands on his shoulders while his found their way around her waist. She kept her smile and looked up at him the whole time. She didn't know the words to the song nor did she even know what it was but it was pretty and with the stage occupied with couples dancing, he kept playing.
She was speechless, lost in the moment. She was feeling closer to Erik. She hadn't felt this happy in a very long time.
The two allowed their bodies to follow the flow of music, swaying elegantly among the other couples. Holding his partner just tight enough to keep her at a breath's length, Erik was trying to control the steps of the dance. He kept his eyes locked onto her face, admiring her smile and her chestnut locks as they balanced left and right.
One, two, three... one, two, three... they kept moving in a small circle, like water in a glass, calmly - yet vibrating with love. Erik's heart was perplexed. The moment was so perfect and relaxing that it could not pound with joy as it wanted to. In truth, for him... this was a unique moment.
It felt like forever, embraced with Doreen, before Erik suddenly noticed his wrist-device beeping wih a specific pattern. Still dancing, his smiled turned to a curious smirk and he commented "Peter's calling..."
New Corinth, Planet Yuma, Coronadolate evening of 12 Sept. 824 A.S.
The smile never left her face. She was locked step in step with him. One, two, three....one, two, three. She hadn't danced like this since her father taught her as a young girl before a school dance. She was infatuated with him. She felt close and it was a wonderful feeling for her. Her fingers held tight to him and her heart thumped strong.
"Peter's calling..." A part of her was annoyed but she still found it sort of amusing. They were out later than usual and the kids were probably worried. Still, the night was so perfect and child interference for once was a bother. Still, she found the sweet humor of it.
"I guess we had better answer," she said to him. "We don't want to end up being grounded by the kids for staying out."
"We don't want to end up being grounded by the kids for staying out."
Erik chuckled audibly, then pulled Doreen closer to him and resumed his earlier smirk. "I'm sure they won't worry if we call them back after the dance." With that, he took Doreen's right hand in his left, gripping gently, and began waltzing to the ending of the pianist's song. Smiling bright at her, he too was both amused and a bit irritated by the boys' call.
After a couple more minutes, it was over. Taking back their seats at the table, Erik pulled out a small holo-pad and dialed for home. Seconds later, it linked. "Dad! Why didn't you answer?!" - Peter asked with curiosity and a bit of discontent in his voice. However, before Erik could say anything, the boy heard the music in the background. Puzzled, he continued his questioning: "Uh... is that music?"
Not wanting to discuss the entire situation through a transmission, Erik's first reaction was a stuttered "Uhm..."
New Corinth, Planet Yuma, Coronadolate evening of 12 Sept. 824 A.S.
She was chuckling as she found the humor in a young boy totally confused and an even more confused father. To her, it was kind of cute seeing Erik bumble over what to say. Should she help him out? Should she interrupt? She did, after all, get him involved. She patted her chest as she looked at Erik and smiled as she silently mouthed, "I've got this." She jumped in as soon as Erik got stuck with his, "Uhm."
"Hello, Peter," she said as she got closer to the pad, "I hope you don't mind but I'm borrowing your father." She took a second to wink at Erik with her smile before continuing, "I had some research that needed his attention and it's taking longer than I expected. I play music in my office when I'm in it.....piano music mostly. Are you OK if we keep working? I would be most grateful and I'm sure Ben won't mind more time with you."
Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
evening of 12 Sept. 824 A.S.
Benjen's idea of "spies" had gotten into Peter's mind, perhaps a bit more than it should have... At Doreen's reply, he pondered for a moment, then requested "And what are you woLking on?" Still, he waited a second or two, and then his manners got the better of him. Realising he might be interrupting, he continued with "Oh, we're pLobably interrupting... yeah... uh, Ben and I will go watch TV. SoLLy."
The boy then turned the comm. off and turned to Ben who was nodding in agreement. As they sat on the couch in the living room, nobody else nearby,
Peter commented "You think youL mom would let you stay here more often? Like... even if she's not busy with my dad...?"
New Corinth, Planet Yuma, Coronado
late evening of 12 Sept. 824 A.S.
As the comm. cut off, rather abruptly and unexpected, Erik remained partially dumbfounded. "That was... odd. I guess they just missed us?" - he asked, placing the holo-pad down.
She still thought it was.....cute. "Well, if our kids were late, I bet we would be doing more than calling them." With a gentle laugh, she took Erik's hands in hers.
"I don't have a problem with them spending more time together," she stated, "but I don't expect you to do all the hosting. I guess I can stock up on more entertainment at my place..
She then looked into Erik's face. Light from somewhere in the restaurant gave a gleam off of the pendent hanging off of her necklace. The night was beautiful and comfortable.
"We can head back if you want to," she said kindly, "it'll be at least a nice walk back anyway and the water is well, beautiful......unless you want another dance first before we leave?"
"Well, if our kids were late, I bet we would be doing more than calling them." "True." - he chuckled right back at her.
Although everything was lovely, Doreen's comment about going back made Erik realise just how late it was. He let out a sigh of both frustration and content. "Agh, I would so love another dance... but I suppose we should go... Alas, we both have work tomorrow, and Ben school."
After signaling the waiter, Erik took care of the check, then stood up and took Doreen's hand so they may exit the restaurant. Before going out the door, he also tapped his wrist-device a few times - signaling for a pick-up vehicle to be on its way. While the sky was lit only by a faint view of stars, the water continued to glisten vividly due to the city's activity. With one hand at his back and the other wrapped around Doreen's waist, Erik was walking slowly towards the flight-pad.
He sighed while maintaining a big smile on his face... he was just... happy.
New Corinth, Planet Yuma, Coronado
As with Erik, she had one arm around him as well as they walked. She was happy as indicated by the gleaming smile on her face. A night of dinner, dancing and companionship, a void in her life was now filled. She didn't want the night to end but it had to. The good news? It wouldn't be the last. While they waited for their ride, she turned into him and placed her arms up over his shoulders, looked up at him for a moment and then kissed him before resting her head on his chest. Finally, she stood before him until the vehicle to arrive.
Riding together in the back seat, she sat tight to him, turning partially to kiss him when chance allowed. She knew the next day of work for both of them would be one of interest. She would be unusually giddy and Erik, well, she guessed he would feel better as well. During the ride, they made small talk until finally they would arrive at the Corvin Estate. It was in front of the door that she stopped him and took his hands in hers as she faced him as the vehicle pulled away. The light of the entry way gave a bit of a romantic glow as she looked up to him.
"If it wasn't so late and there was no one about, I would suggest a night cap," she commented with a smile, "but for now, I can only say thank you for such a wonderful evening."
She clutched his hands a moment as she sighed, "I came clean with you about my past and you still accept me." She then put her arms up over his shoulders again, looking into his face, "When can we do this again?"