Observations: The Courtship
Follows The Lesson and The Dance
Five months. I can't believe it's been five months since the dance. Since the kiss. Oh the kiss. The feel of Vin's lips on mine still sends my mind reeling. I want to feel them on mine again. Since that night I have found little things just for me. Flowers in my office, a butterfly set loose in my rooms. I know they are from Vin. I can sense it. And I can smell it. Literally. I can smell his distinctive scent in a room now, even after he has left hours before. It's almost like he is indented in my memory. Is he that imposed in my being that I can sense him? My skin starts to tingle. I slowly turn and see a figure outside of my window. A knock gently sounds.
"Come in," I call. I smile inwardly in amazement as Vin walked through the door. He smiled at me. The look in his eyes took my breath away. He was so gentle in the things he did, it amazed me.
"Afternoon Mary," he said tipping his hat to me. I smiled at him. Slowly he moved, and I notice for the first time the flowers in his hand. He reached out to give them to me.
"Vin they're beautiful," I say smelling them. I look up at him, in awe of him. He was so handsome, so gentle. So right for my life and me. I just can't believe it.
"They aren't as beautiful as you are," he says. I feel a blush creeping into my cheeks. I turn to put them in to a vase then smile not turning.
"Thank you for the others over the past few months, and the butterflies in my room. How did you know I like butterflies?" I ask him. I turn and try not to laugh as he fidgets. Vin gave me a sheepish grin. He raised a shoulder in the lazy manner I have grown accustomed to associating with him. I turned back around to gaze at the flowers he gave me.
+ + + + + + +
She knows. I'm glad she does though. I watch her as she looks at the flowers I gave her this afternoon again. I smile. How did I know she liked butterflies? I really don't know, I just thought maybe she would. Or maybe I did it cause the butterflies reminded me of Mary. So beautiful, so resilient but so delicate. I slowly walk over to Mary, but I know she can hear me. My spurs give me away, but I don't care. I placed my hands on her shoulders. Slowly she turned around to face me. I let my hands travel up to cup her face and leaned down placing my lips on hers. Gently my tongue runs along her lower lip and I smile against her mouth when she opens her lips allowing me to deepen the kiss. There's that feeling again. That feeling like I'm coming home. I feel my heart start pounding as she wraps her arms around me, returning my kiss with feelings as strong as I am. Maybe she does feel the same about me as I do about her. Slowly we pull away from one another. I leaned my forehead against hers.
"I've been waiting for five months to do that," I whisper. Mary smiled stroking my cheek, her fingers tangling a bit with the ends of my hair.
"Why did you wait? I've been wanting you to since the night of the dance," she said to me. I wanted to holler for joy. But I refrained. I need to know first.
"Mary, you know who I am, what I am. But I want to be in your life. I want to court you like a man normally courts a woman, but I ain't quite sure I know how to," I explain. I close my eyes, almost fearful that if I look in her eyes I will see something I don't want to see, despite how she kissed me.
+ + + + + + +
He closed his eyes. I can't see those beautiful blue eyes any more. I want to see them. I touch his cheek and smile inwardly and at him as well as his breathtaking eyes open to gaze at me.
"Vin what are you saying?" I ask. I want to hear him say it.
"You are so special, and you need some who can properly court ya," Vin says to me. I look up at him and gently kiss his lips.
"Vin, however you court me is the proper way to court me," I say. Vin looked down at me raising his eyebrow.
"Mary?" he questioned. I never intended to tell him first, but I am.
"I love you Vin, and you have been going about courting me in the right way. It's been your way," I say. I watch with glee as Vin's slight smile turns into a happy boyish grin.
"I love you too Mary," I hear him whisper. I had looked down at his chest briefly, but I yanked my head up at his words, my vision starting to blue from my tears.
"I want to court you, and you know it. Will you let me?" he asked me. I touch his face gently laughing slightly.
"Of course I will, just don't change your mind about me," I say. Vin gave a wide grin and kissed my nose gently. I felt my heart melt.
"Not a chance ma'am. Can I interest you in dinner tonight?" he asks. I smile at him.
"Try and keep me away," I say. Vin grins at me and tips his hat opening the door.
"See you tonight Mary," he says.
"See you tonight Vin," I return as he leaves. I smile and touch my lips again. I can smell him and taste him again. I didn't realize just how much I missed that taste and smell. I went about my work the rest of the day with a smile on my face.
+ + + + + + +
She said yes! Again! I can't believe it. I feel like I am walking on a cloud as I make my way over to the sheriff's office.
"She said yes didn't she?" Chris asked me as I walk up. I jumped just a bit. I didn't notice him and Buck sitting outside. I gave them a grin and a nod.
"Bout damn time you start courtin' her properly. You waited any longer Ezra was gonna beat you to it with Inez," Buck commented.
"He already has," Chris noted. I barely hear them though. My mind is still whirling from Mary saying yes. And so it begins I think. I smile and head off to make plans for it all to be perfect for us.
The End