"Oh, aren't you adorable!"

Cas gushed, enclosing Amelia into a friendly hug as though they were long-time friends. Amelia squealed, reciprocating with as much familiarity. "Oh my! It's really nice to meet you. You look so beautiful!" Amelia matched her excitement. I smiled, it was nice to see them get along. Turning to Bran, I gave him a dap.

"Nice to finally meet you, Bran."

He let out a loud laugh, "It's a pleasure." Bran was tall, built and honey-skinned. He matched Cas' description to the T. A lively and wholesome man, not too bad on the eyes as well. "So, a married man now, huh?" Bran chuckled, nodding his head proudly before his hands sneaked a hand over Cas' waist. "Surreal I tell ya. But it's pretty darn amazing already." Goodness, the sweetness was almost unbearable. "It better be." She replied snarkily.

Amelia fiddled with the present, was she waiting for the perfect time to present her gift? A smirk stretched on my lips, gosh, this little lady was too cute. "Amelia got you two something." Amelia's gasp made me purse my lips instantly. Oops. She straightened up, "It's nothing special, I just thought to get you a congratulations gift. I...I hope you like it."

Cas awed, taking the box from her. "Bran, look! It's one of those matching bracelets."

"Thanks a lot, Amelia! This is lovely."

"Really? It's my pleasure, I'm really glad you like it." She said, beaming. "We have other guests to greet. Enjoy the rest of your day! You better keep in touch, Everest Simon." We hugged goodbye and waited until they were out of sight. "See? I told you she'd like it." Amelia grinned, holding her palms against her chest. "I was super nervous, I thought she'd find it weird." I pulled her in, shortening the distance between us. "Of course not."

The waiter came with glasses of champagne on the tray, and since I was driving, I declined. Amelia stared at me as if asking if she could take it as well. It wasn't like I'd like to tell her what to do, so I shrugged. Hiding her smile while biting her lips, she took a glass, thanking the man.

"You don't drink? I've never seen you drink before."

"I'm driving us back, so I'd rather not. How about you? I didn't know you had an acquired taste." I teased, could she even handle her alcohol? Proving my question, Amelia shook her head. "I don't really drink, I just want to have a taste. It looks good." Knowing how much she fancied sweets, this would definitely not be to her liking. "Go ahead, then."

Slowly, she rose the glass to her lips, "It doesn't smell so good..." She trailed off before taking a gulp. Her face scrunched up right on cue, bringing out her tongue in disdain. "Evie! This is horrid! You should have warned me!" Oh? Her words made me laugh. "Warned you? You seemed determined to taste it, so why would I?"

"It's bitter. Why are they drinking it like it's so tasty?" Amelia's button nose was still scrunched up. "You're not going in for seconds?" She glared at my teasing. "It burns my throat. I'd be a giggling mess if I do." She handed me the drink.

One drink wouldn't hurt. I gulped it down.

"It's pretty good."

"Huh? Your tastebuds must be asleep." Amelia jested with a snicker. "Asleep? Here I was thinking they put a bit of sweetener in it." She scoffed, tucking her arm into mine.

"You promised me a dance." It was then I realized people around us were paired up and swaying to the music. When last did I dance like this? It'd been a long time. Hopefully, I hadn't developed two left feet over the years.

"You're going to have to lead me, baby. I'm not a dancer by default."

She hummed, looking up at me. "I don't mind." Could I ever get used to being this close to her? Amelia placed her hands on my shoulder, her chest pressed close to mine. Her waist felt smaller wearing this gown, the silk material making the feeling better. "I used to take classes on etiquette in high school. They thought us the ballroom dance there." Her voice was soft, her hips moving to the rhythm of the song.

"Etiquette? Ah, no wonder you're so polite." Amelia smiled, nibbling on her lip. "So, we go left, then right, then left twice." Our eyes were jammed together in a daze, those beautiful added green orbs had me in a haze. Being this close felt so intimate, it was sheer willpower that kept me from kissing her right on this dance floor. "Oh, you're not as bad as you say." We were in sync.

Left.

Right.

Left two times.

It wasn't that hard, especially when she moved her body in such a sultry way. "Aren't I?" I was at a loss for words, we continued dancing in silence until she placed her head close to my neck. "I don't want to smudge my make-up on your suit." She was close, but not touching my chest. Amelia was a thoughtful lady, shaking my head softly, I used one hand to place her head against my chest.

"It's just a suit, love."

I knew how hard my heart was beating, so there was no doubt she could hear it thump. Lia didn't ask, she just continued moving to the song.

"How were you like after graduation?" After graduation? How far back was that anyways? I hummed, trying to remember. "Well, I usually kept to myself in school, after graduation, I went to university. Studied Physics and after that, well, I was kind of stuck." I admit, studying Physics was simply to do my late mother's bidding. She simply loved that course, and when she passed, I did it to honour her.

"Oh..."

"I was kind of jumping from job to job, then I began training for the army."

"So, you always wanted to join the army?" I wouldn't say I wanted to from the start, but I admired Pa for being one of those in his days, seeing as I was quite unsatisfied with my job, I thought, why not do this? "Not always, but it became an interest of mine." Amelia looked up at me.

"Weren't you scared?"

Was I? I guess one could say I was more excited than scared. A chuckle left my lips. "No, not really. I wasn't too serve and I've always been quite adamant about what I want." Like you, for instance. But she didn't have to know that yet. "Your sister...uh, Saffron? How did she take it?"

"Saffron's my step-sister." I wasn't sure if I had told her this already. "My mom passed a while back and my dad remarried. I wasn't as close to her at the time, and I guess I was angry. At my dad, at his new wife..." I twirled her, to lighten the mood. She squealed, stumbling back into my chest. "And at myself. But after a few years, I began talking to them again. It was...nice."

"I guess we do have something in common."

We only had our fathers. I hummed, tracing circles around her waist. "I never really wanted to go to college, at least not yet anyways. I'm just...scared you know?" I didn't but hummed anyways. "But, I think I'd love to give it a try, go to a baking school. Then start my own bakery."

Oh?

"A baking school? That's adorable." Amelia giggled. "But I don't know when, I doubt Papa would want to pay for the tuition, plus, it's a bit on the high side." Baking school, I didn't know anyone that had gone to that, or maybe even hosted one. Honestly, if she wanted to, I didn't mind paying, it wasn't like I earned a lot, but I'd been saving for years, and the money the military gave was more than enough for me. "You know what?" I began, pulling her closer than she already was.

"When you're ready, I would help you get into one of those."

Amelia looked up, eyes wide. "W-what do you mean?" Perhaps our dance had come to an end. I held her hand, taking her to the balcony, as we made our way upstairs, she continued to ask what I meant, if I meant it and how I didn't have to. Flustered, was her obvious emotion. We reached the balcony, the sun had begun to set; a mixture of orange and bright yellow coloured the sky beautifully.

"Evie hold on a second!" Amelia huffed, pulling on my blazer. "Your steps are like twice mine! And I'm in heels." She huffed, pouting at me. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize."

"What do you mean you'll get me into one of those?"

"I mean I'd pay the tuition, or at least part of it if you let me." Her lips parted, eyes wide. "No, no...no you don't have to." Ah, gosh, I knew this offer was going to be a stretch. If she really wanted to, I honestly didn't mind. It wasn't like I spent my money on anything other than saving for an apartment, and that was still in consideration. "I know I don't have to but...what if I just want to?"

"Everest..." She sniffled, "You're making me emotional! I-I don't want to ruin my make-up." I laughed, holding both of her arms, "It's okay Lia, please don't cry alright? It's my pleasure." Amelia didn't say another word, she just launched on me, wrapping her arms around my neck, the force nearly pulling me forward. "Oh!" I secured my arms around her waist in reflex.

"Evie...thank you, thank you, thank you!" I hugged her tighter.

"You're very welcome, baby."

"What am I going to tell my dad when the time comes? Or Abel? O-or even Darrick?" I didn't fancy hearing Darrick's name at a moment like this but I smiled through it. "You'll know the words to say to them, trust me." She nodded, nuzzling her head into the nape of my neck.

"Why're you being so good to me?"

Amelia whispered into my neck, pulling away a bit so we could be staring at each other. That was a good question, it wasn't simply because I wanted to be romantically involved with her, I just...cared for her. So, that was what I said. "Y-you do?" I affirmed with a nod.

Amelia continued to stare at me, her hands slowly trailing until they reached my shoulders. "Are we going to dance again?" I asked, my voice low, face close to hers. Biting her lip, she shook her head. I could feel her gaze linger on my lip, then go to my face shyly. I wasn't going to kiss her. Not unless she asked me to, that was simply to tell myself that I wasn't coercing her into anything. Even though my entire being pulled me to do just that.

"Then what?" This was just plain teasing now, I knew it. She opened her lips to speak but closed them, peering her eyes at my lips again. Should I lick them to make them more tempting? My conscience snickered at the thought, don't blame me, I kind of liked feeling this attractive.

"We could...do something else..."

Her thumb was tracing circles on my shoulders, the gentle touch causing goosebumps to assault my skin. "Do what?" Clueless should be my middle name after this act. Amelia huffed, scrunching her eyebrows, her eyes still not leaving mine. I could see the desire in her eyes. Darn, was this really happening? "We could...you know." Ah...did she want me to say it? I smirked.

"Be more direct, sweetheart."

She sighed.

"I just...really want to kiss you right now."

My heart grinned at her words, here I was thinking she'd never get it out. This feeling right here, I didn't think I would trade. Breathing out in happiness, I held in a silly grin, a hand going to arch her chin.

"Then I'm all yours, Amelia."

When she realized I was waiting on her to make the first move, her eyes narrowed, before meeting mine again in determination. "Close your eyes, you're making me nervous." Obeying, I shut my eyes, waiting for her lips to reach mine.

I felt her warmth and flowerlike scent before I felt her lips. They were softer than they looked, they pressed against mine slowly, then parted and this time she opened her lips a bit more. When she kissed me again, my patience definitely grew thin. Pulling her closer by the waist, I deepened the kiss, taking her lips. Did kissing always feel like this?

Ah, darn I didn't want to be cheesy but goodness, kissing Amelia was much better than I anticipated.