Coral

I'll always remember the song they were playing,
The first time we danced and I knew.
As we swayed to the music and held to each other,
I fell in love with you.
Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?
Would you be my partner, then every night?
When we're together it feels so right,
Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?--

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The ceremony itself was blessedly simple, and somewhat anti-climatic in comparison with the frenetic preparations that had been involved. Amanda hardly had time to notice it was begun before it was over.

Months later, when trying to write the events in her journal, she would realize with curiosity, that she could not clearly recall all of those small details that other married women could describe so readily.

Eloise, true to her word and despite her instincts, had kept it as small as possible, without offending anyone too important. There were faces she did not recognize, and faces that she did recognize...but could not for the life of her put a name to.

All of those faces belonged to Witches and Wizards who, unlike Muggle wedding guests, were attired in the most outrageous of costumes and robes, in bright colors and wild patterns.

She had sought out Edward's face, and kept her eyes riveted on him, using his solid presence to help ground herself. To all outward appearance she was beautiful and serene, just enough of a smile on her painted lips, eyes tilted coquettishly, every step a smooth graceful work of art.

Inside, she was praying to whichever god, goddess or saint might be listening to help her please not be sick, and to ensure that she glided to the bottom of the stairs, instead of tumbling head over heels.

At last she was relatively safe, standing beside her husband-to-be, who suddenly seemed very nervous, and trembled noticeably as he took her hands in hers. A man with a sand-papery voice began to speak, and by sheer luck, they both managed to muddle satisfactorily through their responses.

After the kiss, the audience converged upon them, and Amanda found herself hugged, congratulated and introduced to more people. Ladies gathered around to compliment the dress, and didn't seem to noticed that when Stella had embraced her, she had left a few tears stains on the shoulder.

Everything that followed was a mish-mash of Muggle and Wizarding traditions, old and new, and Amanda was ushered from one task to the next, signing the papers the Ministry official thrust at her, smiling for cameras, saying hello, and thank you; accepting gifts, declining champagne and avoiding anything on which her hem might become snagged.

The entire group, seemed to know when to move en masse to the next room, where the tables and dance floor loomed menacingly. Amanda was trying to remember what she was supposed to do next, and Edward was trying to read her expression. Was she actually happy? Or was that the insane workings of his dusty imagination?

They found themselves seated at the longest table. In the center of the table, Eloise's most clever idea rose abruptly. They had never quite managed a cake. Amanda had chosen the one cake, but after discovering it was to be a fruit cake for the sake of tradition, she had rebelled, and had asked that, since this was a magical world, wasn't there something unusual that might be done instead of the traditional, and in her opinion unpalatable, wedding cake?

Eloise had been delighted at the prospect; and congratulated Amanda for finally getting into the spirit of the whole event.

The result was the peanut butter fountain.

A lavish, three tiered fountain, it resembled in shape and color the most elaborate of cakes. However, what it really served was a hot peanut butter and fudge sauce that was charmed to be just as white as the fountain, without losing any of it's flavor.

The guests used silver spoons to dip the sauce into dainty white bowls, with or without ice cream. Not a few of them moaned in ecstasy over the rich goodness of the unique confection.

All of the Rookwood women were possessed of an insatiable fancy for sweets, and had decided that a dessert reception would be much more elegant than a true luncheon. The tables were laden with everything from simple bowls of cherries, to elaborate cream-filled pastries.

The toasts were offered, after everyone had gorged themselves on sugar. Then the married couple had to lead the first dance. At first this was awkward, being the sole dancers and the center of attention in what seemed a vast empty expanse of polished wood.

After a suitable interval, or perhaps the music changed, Amanda couldn't be sure, other couples joined them. Both she and Edward relaxed considerably. Humans were fickle in their interests, and once they began dancing with each other, they quickly lost interest in the bride and groom.

" It seems I haven't spoken to you in ages." he said in a low voice. The lights were low, and he had her pulled very close, so that they could at last talk in relative privacy.

" Thirty six days, if I'm not mistaken. " she said coyly. " It seems like all I've done for the last three months is try on clothes, and be poked and pinned."

" You look lovely though. Very elegant."

" Thank you. You look nice too." she whispered. They twirled past Eloise, who was in the arms of a broad shouldered man sporting a set of glossy brown mutton chops. " But, you always do." Amanda added bravely.

He was flattered, but unconvinced. The girl was polite, was all, and very generous.
" Thank you, Amanda, but you never have to lie for my sake." he led them out of Eloise's earshot.

Amanda tilted her head, and gazed up at him with her agate-grey eyes.

" I'm not lying. If I lie, I get a distinctive twitch beneath my left eye. I've learned to never depend on lies." her southern accent washed over him like warm honey, and he felt he could easily melt in her hands.

" I don't see a twitch." he said, pulling back to peer closely at her face.

" That is because I am not lying." she informed him.

" You are a peculiar girl."

" Thank you. I hope you won't find me too tedious."

" I don't believe so. We do have a few things we need to discuss, though."

" Such as?" they executed another escape from Eloise, who insisted on circling close.

" I think perhaps it would be best to wait until we are not in such close proximity to your Aunt. I cannot concentrate with her bustle behaving in that fashion." without taking his eyes from Amanda's he had managed to keep watch on Eloise's escapades.

Amanda risked a brief look to the side, and noted that Eloise dress did indeed have a bustle, a rather large bustle, and it was bouncing in a ridiculous fashion as her partner danced her around the floor, at a rate much faster than the tempo of the music.

The sight was so amusing, and Amanda was so relieved to be through the ceremony, that she began to laugh, and once she began she could not control it, and had to hide her face against his shoulder. He rested his chin lightly on her hair, and glared at Eloise, who was staring triumphantly at them.

" Well, I've embarrassed myself." Amanda stated softly, after her laughter had subsided.
" No shame in laughing." he said.

They continued to dance. The music changed to an even slower waltz, and since he didn't seem inclined to stop, she didn't suggest it. Here, they were safe from the 'people'.

" Why are you smiling?" .

" I'm happy. " she stated simply, with a petite shrug. Or relieved...she couldn't quite be sure.

" Do you like the locket?" he asked suddenly.

Her smile grew even broader.

" I love the locket!" she exclaimed, and surprising him, she bounced up on her toes and kissed him swiftly on the cheek. " I'm very sorry I couldn't thank you until now."

Her birthday fell on the 29th of May, which was eighteen days before the wedding. When asked by her family what she wanted, she had requested only to be able to sleep in an extra hour or so, and to have an entire day free of any talk or shopping that had to do with the wedding.

Coming down to breakfast at the late hour of eleven o'clock, she had a discovered a long thin box wrapped in purple foil, waiting on the table.

" Edward left it for you this morning," Winter had said.

Amanda had taken up the package and shaken it gently.

" Oh, just open it." Eloise had said in exasperation.

" Should I?"

" He assured me it was nothing embarrassing." Eloise replied drily.

Peeling back the foil had revealed a creamy wooden box with gold leaf accents.

Inside of the box, she had discovered a locket. A stylized oval locket, consisting of polished coral encompassed by gold filigree. Over the coral lay a delicately carved, lace-like cameo bust of mother-of-pearl.

Except for having Roman clothing and hairstyle, the woman resembled Amanda very closely.
Amanda had fallen in love with it immediately, and after a short debate, they had all agreed it would be appropriate for her to wear it with her wedding dress, provided that Amele change the color of the rosette from lavender to coral.

Now, as they danced, it hung around her slender neck, on it's elaborate chain of delicate, inter-locked flowers, the pendant resting just above the swell of her bosom.

" Corallium secundum, in a rather rare shade. I couldn't help but be reminded of your hair, when I saw it." he confessed. " You seem just as fiery and delicate."

With a shy smile, she returned her face to his shoulder. Behind him, she espied Amele, dancing with a man that could only be Jean-Paul, her husband. The crown of his head only came to Amele's nose, and was as bald as an egg.

When Amele glanced up and caught Amanda's eye, she gave a dramatic wink, and grinned, showing her lovely gapped teeth.

This time when the music changed, Amanda found herself handed off to the man Eloise had earlier danced with. This was Edward's friend and sometime chess partner, Colonel Giles Barkwater.

Barkwater had become a Colonel by running away from the Wizarding world in his youth and joining the Muggle army. Retired now, his only battles were fought after dinner and brandy, over the chess board.

Amanda learned this during his extremely fast dance. He was a jovial fellow, but she was relieved when another person cut in to the dance, at a much more normal pace. A glance across the room showed Edward dancing with Stella, who was lecturing him sternly about something, while he looked indignant and somewhat chastised.

Returning her eyes to her partner's face, Amanda was suddenly frozen by the man's appearance. He was a youngish man, with nondescript brown hair, a square face and close set blue eyes. He seemed vaguely familiar, and might have seemed kind, or even intelligent, had it not been for the rather sullen expression with which he regarded her. His grip on her arm was uncomfortably tight, yet he kept her a safe distance from his immaculate suit.

" Well, you've done well for yourself, haven't you?" he asked, his tone smooth and even.

" I'm sorry? I don't believe we've been introduced."

" Hmmm...I don't believe so either. Now why do you think that is?" he asked in a thoughtful tone.

" You're hurting my arm, sir."

" I suppose you'll get accustomed to that, unfortunately."

" I don't understand. "

" You will understand. Do you know who I am?" he asked, easing his grip, slightly.

" No."

" Elias Ollivander Blackmoor." his tone was slightly contemptuous, of herself or his own name, she couldn't be certain.

" Oh. " she came to a halt. " I'm sorry I haven't had the chance to meet you before. Have-"

" You needn't play with me. I have no interest in your little games. " he jerked her slightly back into the dance, smiling without humor. " I just wanted to come and see the little Muggle girl that not only captured my father's attention, but has my good friend Martin in such a state of distress. I'm rather disappointed actually. You know, my mother, she was a beautiful woman."

" Well, I'm very glad for her." Amanda replied coolly.

He shrugged.

" Well she survived him. He really can be a bas-"

His face broke suddenly into such a winning smile, that she was disoriented. Had he been teasing? A step-son's joke on a new mother? Then she saw the reason for his false amiability. Edward was striding toward them, a rather stern expression on his face.

" Good afternoon Father. And congratulations. She really is charming." Elias passed her to his father.

" Thank you." Edward replied, taking her arm. " I'm honored you could be here. And how are the Blackmoor's?"

" Oh...you know. As well as can be expected, what with this law. Fancy that, Father.
People like us...forced into such unions." he shook his head sadly, at Amanda.

Edward and Elias exchanged a few more clipped pleasantries, before Edward led Amanda back to the table. After he had seated her and called for her another glass of champagne, he rubbed his forehead and sighed.

" I'm sorry if he said anything rude to you."

" He wasn't being exactly rude." she assured him, only to have her nervous eye begin to flicker a slightly. He noticed, and gave the slightest smile. " He was merely testing me."

Edward kissed her hand and they turned to watch the dancers.

The party went on all afternoon and in to the evening. There were some Wizarding games, all of which were slightly dangerous, and then a feast which consisted of samplings of foods from around the world, including, Amanda noticed, her own American South. She gratefully enjoyed a plate of the first white hominy she had seen in over eleven months. She excused herself once and stood in the upstairs hall window for some air.

For several breaths she was alone, listening to the distant sound of laughter coming from downstairs. A loud pop indicated yet another bottle of champagne opened. Cheers. Another pop, this one from outside. Amanda peered into the growing dusk and spotted Polly. The whole time the festivities were going on, Polly, and two temporary servants hired for the day, were Apparating Amanda's things to her new house, which had been opened and aired. She had asked that as little was to be uncovered and cleaned as possible.

She wanted to do that much herself, and he had agreed. It seemed foolish to take the time, even with magic, to clean the entire house, when she would only see it for two days before they left for Paris. Courtesy of Eloise.

Footsteps sounded on the stairs accompanied by the sound of a woman's voice.

"It's disgusting if you ask me. She is what? Perhaps twenty? Nineteen? "

" Hmmm...I've seen worse. Have you been reading the papers?"

" It's not the same as seeing it. I mean, just look at him."

Amanda waited until they both entered the upstairs bathroom, and the sound of their giggles were muffled by the door. Then she squeezed out of her corner and went back downstairs. She edged up to Stella who was eating olive's off of toothpicks and trying to listen to young, plump woman in a black suit. The woman had a handful of fliers.

Amanda rose up higher on her toes and tried to spy her husband among the people now crowded around a table with some sort of flaming dessert in the middle. Whenever it was served, pink fireballs popped from it's center and gave fortunes, causing gales of laughter and groans from the crowd.

Elias had disappeared shortly after their meeting, and Amanda wisely did not inquire further about him. She wasn't sure that she wanted to know the details of Edward's first marriage, at any rate. As she watched, Edward was evicted from the group by Giles, who pounded his shoulder heartily over whatever a pink ball had predicted. Edward's face was flushed, and he smiled accepted a glass from Eloise.

Amanda smiled as well, then tried to see him as the woman on the stairs must see him. It had been a short time, a very short time that they had known each other, but already in that time, he had become familiar to her. She looked at him.

He was short for a man, she supposed. Only an inch or so taller than Eloise, and nearly as thin. His frame was quite slight, but preposterously straight. Long hands with long fingers. She tilted her head to view him better. His hair was completely white, but it was very thick and curly and fell below his collar.

Perhaps it was just the hair, his face was reasonably unlined, except for a few creases around his eyes caused by squinting in the dim light of his shop. His nose was long and sharp, his cheekbones high and well defined under his large eyes. His mouth was well-formed as well, thin with the bottom lip pushing the top one upwards whenever he became thoughtful.

She tilted her head the other way, and at the same time he glanced towards her. Their eyes met and she raised her eyebrows slightly. He raised his glass in reply, and she decided that he was not bad looking at all. His nose was much finer than Martin's, his smile more genuine than Hannigan's. Unlike Cosmo and Philo he had did not fidget nervously or clutch his glass desperately. He held it in his long fingers as delicately as a woman might.

" You look as though you were shopping for jewelry." Winter commented. Amanda looked around, startled to see her grandmother where her mother had been standing only a second before. Or had it been longer? The windows were completely dark now, and the fortune-telling dessert had been completely depleted.

Edward was coming toward her now.

" I told you...that you would be just fine. " Winter said, and patted her arm.

At last the time had come to leave. The send-off was enthusiastic, not because the guests particularly wished them well, but because the alcohol had flowed freely, and the desserts had been expensive. It had startled Amanda a bit when everyone began to shoot sparks, confetti and colored rice from their wands, complete with loud noises, pops, whistles and music.

Edward and Amanda stepped out beneath the canopy of magic sparks, and as soon as they passed Eloise's ward, he Disapparated them, before someone could catch her dress on fire. Safe on their own doorstep at last, they both took a well earned breath, and sighed in relief. She needed a moment to collect her whirling mind, as Apparation, and Disapparation were a means of travel she had only experienced once or twice.

The sky overhead was clear, and starry, and instinctively they both gazed upwards for a few moments. The air was still cool however, much cooler than she was used to, and she tried to suppress a hard shiver.

" Well...I suppose we should go inside." he murmured at last, reaching to unlatch the door.

As soon as he entered, he gave a wave of his wand and several antique gasoliers ignited. He then took her cloak, which Stella had hastily thrown about her shoulders as she left the house, and hung it neatly on the hall tree.

" The grand tour?" he asked, guiding her into the main house. He then led her through the rooms, one by one, waving lights on and off for her. Downstairs there was a long, old fashioned kitchen, with a rough wooden work table; a dining room, a study, a library, a parlor and a maid's room behind the kitchen. There were two staircases. The main one that led upstairs from the foyer, and then a steeper, narrower back stair in the kitchen.

Upstairs there was a set of double rooms, joined by a bath. Two smaller bedrooms, a hall bath, and a large laundry cupboard. An empty room at one end was filled with stored items, and he mentioned that there was more furniture in the attic.

At the far end of the upstairs hall, a door opened out onto a small balcony.

In all of the rooms, the furnishings were covered with white dust cloths, the rugs were rolled up and propped in the corners. Even the desks, tables, and shelves were covered, obviously with whatever objects they had held still in place.

She was overcome with a desire to strip away the coverings and explore all of the nooks and crannies. She resisted the temptation to peek under even one corner, as he gestured for her to proceed into the kitchen once more.

" Sit down, Amanda." he said. It was the first time she had heard him call her anything except;

" Miss Garrett"

But then, she was no longer Miss Garrett, was she?

A bottle of cold champagne sat on the table, and he insisted she have another glass. She was grateful enough for it, even if she didn't enjoy drinking it, it gave her something to fiddle with, and occasionally hide behind. She felt a little light-headed already from the countless toasts, and having danced so long with her waist cinched so tightly.
" Amanda, we need to discuss our arrangements." he said bluntly.

He went on to offer the chance to ' take the second chamber', a term she quickly understood to indicate the marriage would be in name only, and therefore illegal.

Of course the Ministry would find out, they had a binding charm on the contract they had signed, and it was only viable through midnight.

After that, his rights would be completely stripped, his wand broken,and they would most likely be banished from the Wizarding world.

When Amanda declined his selfless offer, he gave his secondary offer, which was that she could have the same freedoms , after the Ministry's requirements were met and a healthy, magical child was born to her.

He wouldn't allow her to decline that offer, but told her to answer him when the time came. She finished her drink.

They talked. The table wavered pleasantly under her hand, and when she wriggled her fingers, her ring shone dully.

The hall clock struck nine, and she froze. Three hours to midnight. Three hours. It would take at least five to walk to the stairs, she was sure. Especially the way the room was tilting.

When he reached across the table, and took her hand, she started, nearly upsetting her glass. She gave a nervous laugh.

" Shall we go upstairs?" he asked.

Amanda only nodded, her eyes wide, her bottom lip captured in her teeth.

He helped her to her feet, and she instantly stumbled against him. As easily as though they had known each other for years, he slipped a supporting arm around her waist, and led her to the staircase. For no good reason, she giggled on the second step.

A wave of his hand extinguished the kitchen candles, and re-lit the gasoliers that led the way to the rooms above. This time he did not lead her into any of them. Instead, he released her waist, slowly, once they came to the master chamber.

" I'm stepping out for a cigarette." he informed her, nodding toward the balcony door at the end of the hall.

When she fumbled at the door handle he opened it for her, and held the door until she could enter. He lit the candles, then turned to leave.

As soon as the door closed, Amanda began attempting to remove her wedding dress.
He was nearly to the end of the hall, when she suddenly realized, with the greatest mortification, that Amele had charmed the knots on the dress, so that it was impossible for her to unlace herself!

Frantic, even though she knew it was an overreaction, she flung open the door, and called to him just as he was prepared to step out onto the balcony. When he returned to the bedroom,s he ducked her head and half whispered that she required help unlacing the dress. It was perhaps the most mortifying moment of her life, yet he seemed to find it quite entertaining, and had her lean against he door frame so that he could un-worked the tight knot Amele had tied. Then he patiently loosened the laces, until he reached the lace of her undergarments. He paused, and just lightly ran his thumb over the top of the lace. He felt her breath catch at the touch, and sighed.

" I think you can managed from there," he said softly.

" Thank you. I thought I was stuck." she blurted out, searching for anything to say.

He only smiled at her as he stepped out and closed the door.

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Once she was alone again, she hurriedly found her nightgown, and ran into the bath. Fighting to catch her breath, she quickly worked her way out of the dress, her fingers trembling as she tried to hang it on the padded hanger Amele had sent along earlier.

Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, clad only in the white 'undergarments' with which they had attired her...she burst into laughter. It was a culmination of the stress, the relief, the excitement, the anticipation and anxiety...and the champagne.

She had to lean on the counter for support, stifling the loud guffaws with her hand. She laughed until her jaws ached and her sides cramped. Then she gasped and grinned spasmodically for a few minutes more. Never had laughter been such a release and such an agony, but when it subsided, she felt much steadier, though still somewhat unsure of how to proceed.

As far as she knew there was no certain ritual for a bride's nightly preparation...or at least if there was she had been horribly ignorant of it all these years and now needed it desperately. For a brief moment she turned back and forth, uncertain as to what she should do first.

Her teeth. She must brush her teeth, she decided...and dropped her toothbrush on the floor. She couldn't know that outside on the balcony, Edward had just dropped his book of matches, his hands were shaking harder than hers.

Standing upright again, she rinsed the brush and hastily brushed the taste of champagne from her mouth. Then she unpinned and brushed her hair, listening as the static sparkled noisily in the quiet room. She wondered if she should take another bath? What if she had perspired sometime during the day? A bath would take several minutes...but a bath was out of the question. The tub was of strictly magical design, having no knobs. The water was activated by magic, and came in a variety of flavors and temperatures. She sighed, and satisfied herself with a quick washing from the basin.

Eloise had given her the nightgown and specified it was for this night. But Amele and Winter had insisted the same thing about the garters and corselette. Amanda decided in favor of the more comfortable gown, and began stripping away the undergarments. They had left very unattractive red lines on her skin, and she rubbed them vigorously but they wouldn't fade. They were joined shortly by goosebumps from the chilly air.

Hastily she pulled the gown over her head. It was not white, which she was thankful for. Instead, it was a creamy peach color, almost the same color as her own flesh, and twice as smooth as any silk she had ever felt.

Now what? she silently asked her reflection. Well, I guess you get in bed. For a moment she was stationary, holding eyes with herself. Stella had applied a staying charm to her makeup, it looked just as fresh as this morning. Her hair was brushed, her teeth cleaned, her perfume lightly reapplied to all the important places.

There was nothing left to do.

She cracked open the door and peered out, then in a very unladylike moment, ran to the bedroom. She didn't want to be caught between the bath and the bed, as that seemed very unromantic and awkward. The bedroom was empty of anyone but herself, so she jumped up into the massive bed, and wriggled under the thick coverlet and sheets. She pulled them safely to her chin and wondered what she should do next.

Wait? Run? Die form an anxiety attack?

Remain stiffly in a semi-sitting position, clutching the sheets with white knuckles?

That seemed to be the most logical and natural thing to do, so she did it well, but she was annoyed that her heart beat so loudly she couldn't hear Edward's footsteps when he approached. It seemed like she remained there for hours, staring at the door, straining to hear any noise,allowing her mind to wander over thoughts both pleasant and unpleasant. Then suddenly a soft knock sounded, and she jumped so hard she struck her head against he wall behind her.

She was very surprised that her own voice sounded so calm when she bade him enter. His own, when answering her, seemed rather hoarse, and he was careful not to look directly at her as he passed, for fear of embarrassing her. Or himself, he wasn't sure which.

While he took his turn in the bath, Amanda's heart slowed it's pace. Breathing became easier, her mind was no longer buzzing, but the room was still spinning slightly. The fragile state of relaxation was shattered as soon as the door to the bath opened, and the room fell into darkness as he waved off every light except a dull pink bulb in the bath. The light was just enough for them to barely distinguish each other, but not enough to illuminate the floor. He uttered something that might have a jinx, might have been a curse, as he tripped over a rug he was sure had not been there fifteen years ago.

She couldn't quite bring herself to look directly at him as he climbed into the bed beside her. For a moment, they rested in silence like mountain -breathless as climbers who have reached the first plateau. Then he began to search for her hand, a disastrous idea, as there was a great gap between them on the bed and for a whole minute he was only grappling at cold, empty sheets. When he found her at last, his aim was slightly off, and he seized her elbow instead. Amanda couldn't help it, she giggled as his fingers traced the inside skin of her arm down to her hand.

" Found it." he quipped, relieved at her laugh. It served to ease some of the sense human anxiety, and he dared to edge his entire body as close as possible without touching, yet.

First he had to navigate her face and neck and find her mouth, which he had every intention of kissing,. He discovered it eventually, after touching her cheek, her ear, and what must have been her shoulder.

Then it was her mouth, soft and warm. Her lips parted.

" You aren't scared are you?"

" No."

His hands were already on her nightgown, and she was glad. She wanted to just surrender, to lay and feel. The ceiling, barely lit by the bulb spun dimly in the far future, sometimes close enough to touch, sometimes so far away it looked as though the roof had come away. Was it always like that...or was it the champagne?

She couldn't stop thoughts from crowding her mind. There were hands under her gown now, on her skin...and it felt good, but she couldn't thinking about things. The more serious she tried to be, the more silly the thoughts that came into her mind--would the wedding rice take root and sprout in Eloise's garden?

Were the slats in the bed old and splintery? She didn't want to crash through the floor. What would it feel like if that cold, slithery measuring tape were to wrap itself around her naked waist? Where had her nightgown gone? It hadn't gone over her head. He had said...some words, and it had vanished. Where was it now? She thought hazily as she felt his warm touch over her breasts, and down her stomach. Reflexively, she caught his wrist, then tried to make him understand.

"It's not flat..." she said humbly " Not at all."

She relocated his hand to her hip instead and he kissed her throat, tracing his fingers down her hip and underneath. She thought briefly that she should have been embarrassed, but all she could feel was something warmer than a pool of sunshine beginning at her breastbone and blanketing her entire body.

When he kissed her now, she raised her head from the pillow. When he pressed her leg, it fell open without her consent...a lost part of her body divorced from her will. There were words spoken at her ear, but she couldn't hear them, her heart was pounding again, and then there was a burst of something that was neither pain, nor pleasure, but a wholly alien sensation.

Amanda rose up against it, first to fight it away, which only made her accept it deeper. Then she could not stop rising. He was very warm, she thought, and she liked the feel of weight pining her down, and the almost suffocation against his chest where the scent was rich and spicy.

The hairs there tickled her lips so that she parted them and kissed what she could reach. Inside of her there was a great drawing down of something. It was the childhood trick of drawing electric strings from palms, only it was not in her hands. It was in her feet and her chest and her belly and her breasts. Then it came down completely, causing her to arch her back in surprise as her deepest places were seized by soft flutters.

There was silence for a long time in the darkness. A silence broken only by ragged breathing, and a soft sigh.

Then he murmured in a thoughtful tone, his lips against her pulse.

" I didn't think it would happen. Not the first time..." and then he was gone from her, pressing one last kiss to her mouth. For a moment she was terribly cold, then he pulled the coverlet high over them both, and after a moment's hesitation placed an arm over her waist.

There was silence again.

Then sleep.











Could I have this Dance-Lyrics, Anne Murray