Party Gathering

Subject: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:18 am

Everyone, male and female, will be meeting up here before the parties for Praxis and Andrew go their separate ways. Feel free to rp here until the parties are ready!

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 11:23 am

Alice was the first to arrive in the gathering place, where all of the party goers would meet and toast the happy couple, mingle for a while, and be on their separate ways for the bachelor and bachelorette parties. Her pink dress clung to her tightly, though surprisingly left room for her to move. The silver decorations made a point in the center of the dress, just below her breast line, and continued down to tease the eye. Her dress was quite revealing, but then again when were her outfits not? She was actually a little excited to see Praxis, she was one of the only few females Alice could stand, other than Leilah. Since Maurice and Alice split just a few months before she graduated Hogwarts, Alice moved to Greece where she'd since made a life... of work. Alice didn't sleep with random men anymore, in fact, she had been rather stingy with her body since Maurice. She just... couldn't bring herself to sleep with another man without his face popping up in her mind, and mind you she tried to throw herself into a frenzy of one night stands. The first one or two were a success, and after that it was always Maurice's face she'd see... So she stopped. Of course, she knew how to take care of herself just fine in that area as well as just about any other, and had since made a wonderful, job ruled life, in Greece. She bred Chimera's and other exotic creatures, which she also sold from her own place. Her land was massive, holding many acres, and she had little to no friends. The only people she ever saw really were Leilah and Aaron, but it had even been a rather long time for that.

She walked over to an area that, as the others filed in, remained unoccupied, and leaned against a pillar, sipping on a glass of a special Gin she noticed was being served. Her long purple hair still fell gracefully down her shoulders, but had been pinned back from her face today, her pinkish purple colored eyes transfixed on a piece of nothing out in the distance.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 11:37 am

Muarice walked in with his hat down over his face and his hands in his pockets. He looked drastically different. After he and Alice split up when she was due to graduate he worked hard to become someone else. He wanted to be someone that it didn't matter if he was a muggle born. He at least would have the strength to make people believe he was something more. By now he was rather tall, up in the six foot range, and still rather lanky. At the same time his arms were muscular and his body was tone under the dark suit he wore. He always had a hat on to cover his face, which had scars around his eyes from his work. He was a freelance worker for the minstry, testing and using dark art objects or spells to see how they should be categorized. If he died no one would even know because he kept to himself now a days. A rather large Lynx walked in behind him, her face dangerous as it took in the area around. This was Maurice's partner, and the only female he bothered with. His old little kitten was given to Alice as a gift when she left hogwarts.

Maurice kept to himself even here. He didn't talk to anyone as he went to the bar and got a drink. One could see his buzz cut black hair with bloody red tribal scars littering him and the tip of his goatee but otherwise his face and features of his head were hidden. After getting his drink he sat in the back, not noticing anyone, and downed his drink. His mind was still plagued with Alice...he had to do a lot to keep his thoughts at bay.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 11:47 am

Alice noticed the man walk in, but nothing happened. She felt a skip in her heart beat, but assumed it was because she'd recently been struck ill. She'd been hit with a curse during a fight with a neighboring witch, who thought Alice was sleeping with her husband [which wasn't true], and had been struck down with something that had kept her in bed mostly recently. She came out here anyway, though she had a sad look about her. Her skin was still radiant, though it did not glow even a little anymore, and her eyes were dull orbs. While they still lured others in, she often pushed them away.

She looked quite different now too, but her purple hair and pinkish tinted eyes still stood out amongst the crowd. Her form was possibly a little thinner than it used to be even, her attempts to gain weight futile with her job driven life and the depression.Alice walked over to a different area, sipping her beverage and ignoring the stares she was starting to get as males filed in. When one approached her to speak, she spun swiftly, her temper flaring a little. The male had touched her backside thinking he was sly. Her eyes darkened to more of a purple color and she slapped him in the face with an open palm. she hadn't realized how close to Maurice's table she'd gotten, but she wouldn't have recognized his hidden features right away anyway. "Touch me again and you'll wish you didn't have hands when I'm finished with them," she growled and sneered at the male. When he gave her a look like she'd gone mad and walked away she sighed and let her gaze fall to the ground. Alice walked past the stranger that was nothing of the sort at all, and ordered herself another drink from the bar.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 12:04 pm

Maurice noticed who she was rather quickly. After all, who could forget a wonderful woman like Alice? He got up after she walked to the bar and followed, not to bother her but to save her. Another male was heading her way and he was large and seemed like the kind to use force. After the male touched her arm, grabbing it, Maurice stepped in and grabbed is hand himself. He held the male strongly and nearly snapped his wrist. "You will not touch her," he said dangerously, his tone like a knife to cut through the weak. "Pay attention to your surroundings," he added, referring to what had happened moments ago. The male tried to fight Maurice but by now he had become skilled in magic and nonmagic fights and was able to easily take the man down and send him on his way. The whole time he kept his head tilted down. When it was taken care of his tipped his hat toward her and walked back to were he was sitting. Same old Maurice. Her outfit had him flustered and she herself had him feeling strange.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 12:12 pm

Alice sighed as the bartender poured her a -strong- drink. Cami was sitting in the black bag she always carried, and remained hidden for now. Occasionally he'd mew, a sound much larger than when he was a kitten, and she would reach in and pet him. She sipped on her drink, staying at the bar rather than mingling, and when another male approached she gathered her things to be gone quickly. The man that was approaching her she recognized as someone who'd tried in the past to force himself on her and had lost the fight thanks to a friend she'd made shortly before hand. This time she had no friend and wanted to be away from this man, but he reached out and grabbed her arm just before she had a chance to leave. She turned to ask him not to touch her, to be a bit more polite to this man. She knew he wasn't one for even her to trifle with.... but he wouldn't let go.

Cami meowed again, this time a growl ensuing as he could see his owner being touched in a way she obviously didn't like. Suddenly someone else stepped in and Alice froze. That voice... She couldn't recognize the male, though she tried to see his face, but that voice had her heart stopping, her body shimmering just barely, and her soul reawakening.

Cami popped his head out of her black bag when he heard Maurice's voice. While Alice remained frozen in place the cat quickly found a plan of actin. He hopped from her bag onto the bar, then the bar stool, then the floor. He quickly trotted over, mewing repeatedly as he rubbed against Maurice's leg. He was begging for the male to pick him up, Alice always showering him with affection. Cami propped himself up on his hind legs, his front claws poking at Maurice as he meowed and tried to rub against the male still.

Alice remained where she was, tears threatening her from the inside out. She didn't move at first, but swallowed the nothing of a lump that was in her throat. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to approach him yet.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 12:28 pm

Maurice watched Cami for a while, remembering the little kitten during the times when he was with Alice, and grinned at last. His new partner, the Lynx, didn't seem threatened for his affection at all and instead laid at Maurice's feet, feeling rather bored with the setting. Maruice picked up Cami and let the cat curl up in his lap as he showered him with affection. "So you remember me huh?" he asked, his voice a bit rougher but otherwise the same. He doted on Cami as he finished his own drink and watched the whole area from under the tip of his hat. He couldn't help his glances falling on Alice multiple times. Did she recognize him? Know his voice? Did Cami give it away? No matter what he wasn't sure what to do from here. He'd keep anyone who was after her away but otherwise...should he talk to her? Remembering how he hurt her made him shake his head mentally. He wasn't and couldn't talk to her. She'd just lash out on him. He couldn't deal with upsetting her again. It broke his heart last time.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 12:43 pm

Alice took a few minutes, but she was finally able to get herself under control. She quickly ordered and downed another drink. "Alright, Alice... don't be a pansy," she muttered to herself, facing the bar still. Finally she turned and pushed herself from where she stood. She had to get the cat back anyway.... so one way or another she had to talk to him. She could approach this many ways, but she figured she'd just be as civil as possible, and not try to get him back... yet.

Walking over to him, Alice gave a small smile, as big a one as she could handle right now without bursting into tears, and after a shaky breath she finally spoke. "Hello, Maurice," he said. That was all she could muster... That was it!? Alice mentally slapped herself and tried again. "Um, thank you, for that," she said quietly, gesturing behind her to where he'd helped her at the bar. "He'll be back I'm sure, but thank you," she relaxed a little, but not much. "...May I sit down?" she asked him. Sadness was etched in her features, a look she'd acquired the day he turned her away. Remembering it only brought pain to her insides, so she tried not to think about it. Cami meanwhile was curled up in Maurice's lap, content and happy to feel his love again.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 1:03 pm

Maurice watched the place for a while until his eyes searched for her...but she was gone! He felt a twinge in his chest but tried to ignore it, knowing if he let his thoughts of her drift back it would open a floodgate that he wasn't prepared for. As he tried to regain himself she popped up and he glanced at her from under the hat he wore. "...Hello, Alice..." he said with a whisper, knowing that she hated that name but he always had called her that.

When they both were silent for a moment he moved to speak but he was beaten to the punch. "Its not a problem, Im glad I could help." he said with his slightly rough tone. When she asked to sit down he nodded and motioned to the book across from him. As she sat he reachd up and pulled his hat off. Before he put it on the booth beside him he smirked down at Cami and laid it on the cat's head. Now one could see his skin cut black hair and the scars, that looked fresh though they weren't, that left almost a bloody tribal marking across his cranium. At the same time his face had scars too. His job was not a safe one for sure. His eyes were the same as always though. He really only looked older and dangerous now instead of the meak young man he use to be.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 1:46 pm

Alice's breath caught in her throat as he pulled his hat off. In school she'd fallen for him because he was unlike any of the others. He was different, and he was good at being himself. He was a bit shy, but she had fun toying with him all the time and being cute. He made her so happy with his corny jokes and sweet gestures back then and now... now she couldn't help the beat of her heart skipping and speeding up at the same time, as if it were tripping over itself every few beats. She finally pulled herself together again and managed a small smile as she looked out to the crowd. Her dress was quite revealing and when she sat down it pulled up just slightly in the front, exposing a little more of her smooth thighs, and leaving her just out of view if one were to try to lean back and see up her dress. She was nothing more than a tease to most of the people in here, but it wasn't their attention she wanted. The dip in the front of her pink skin tight number plummeted to just a few inches above her belly button, and spread out over her breasts, containing them but showing the teasing inward curve of them both.

Alice managed a smile. "How've you been?" she asked him, leaning forward a little to pet Cami in Maurice's lap. The cat looked up, used to wearing things thanks to Alice. She hadn't said a thing about him using her name because... well quite frankly it only sounded decent when it came from his lips.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 2:00 pm

Maurice smiled at her in a calm little way when she sat down. He didn't bother trying to sneak a peek up her dress or down it for that matter and actually kept his gaze on her eyes and face rather than anything else. When she leaned forward he picked up Cami and laid the cat on the table, just like he use to be when they were at Hogwarts. He really missed those days. "I've been fine. How have you been? Well I hope. No one causing you any problems?" He would have offered to get rid of them for her if she wanted but he didn't want to scare her by such a thing. With a growl his Lynx stretched out at his feet before closing her eyes again, seeming just to grab his attention for a second. He gave her another smile, which looked somewhat odd on his new features, but she was the only one to get a smile out of him in a long time so he didn't care.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 4:02 pm

Alice glanced at Cami, the cat laying down comfortably on the table. He wasn't a fat cat, Alice wouldn't let him be, he was slender and fit for a house cat, but he lay down happy to be lazy and sleep in the hat. She smiled softly, rubbing his furry stomach briefly before glancing back up at him as he said he hoped she was doing well. "I'm doing well," she said in a sad tone, looking away from him for a moment. She wasn't lying, her career was doing wonderfully well, but her social life... was pretty much non-existent anymore. "Bothering me? Occasionally, but I'm a big girl," she said, giving him a sad, but confident grin. When he looked back up at her, her smiled spread a little, unable to hold it back when looking at his wonderful eyes. His smiled made her insides squirm pleasantly.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 7:26 pm

Maurice nodded but he couldn't help the fact that his shoulders rolled and he seemed to make himself larger. Whenever he heard of people bothering Alice it just...just...it drove him mad. He gave her a gentle smile though. "Even if you are a big girl, everyone needs help now and then...if you ever need anything taken care of I'll be around." he added the last part because...well...he would be. If he had to he would drop everything for Alice. After all this time he still loved her. After a few minutes of the two just looking at each other he cleared his throat and started talking again. "So...guessing you were invited to the wedding...?" he asked quietly. In all honesty he had no idea why he was here. Sure he and Praxis and Andrew knew each other, but that was mainly through Lazarus and Lazarus through Leilah who was through Aaron. So since all of them were here did that mean Maurice was just auto invited or was something else going on?

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 8:20 pm

Alice let another smile slip through. All these years and she'd managed to cage her emotions after him... and here she was, failing at containing the natural smile her body took on when he was around. When he said he'd be around... pfft, he wasn't before. Sadly that's what she thought. He wasn't there for her when she wanted him to be... when she needed him to be. No, he wanted her to leave, he wanted better for her, or so he'd said... and as far as company went she had none... other than Cami, who she loved with her whole heart. He was all she had left of Maurice, and the only pet she owner right now, other than a Chimera back home. But he loved Cami too. Looking away from him rather than spitting a harsh reaction at him, Alice looked out at the crowd... or more so through it, she didn't care for the people there. "Oh, um, yes. I know Praxis a little bit," she said quietly, lifting her hand to rest her elbow elegantly on the table, her fingers resting against her lips gently,as if it were helping her to not say the things he'd made her feel. She half wanted to hug hm, cuddle in his lap and never move, and she half wanted to scream and yell at him, cry, and leave.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 8:34 pm

Maurice could see it in her eyes. She didn't believe him. And at the same time he understood why. He sided and put his hand in his face, knowing he shouldn't have said that. He ignored whatever she said next simply because he wanted to explain himself, he had to. "...Alice...yell at me. Beat me, scream, hallor. Cry do whatever you have to do just please don't act like it was nothing. I know I hurt you, and I'm sorry. You needed better than me, you deserve better than me. I've spent my life since then trying to be better...but I'm still nothing close to what you deserve." He sighed and rubbed his temples with one hand. "I'm sorry Alice." he whispered, his dark tone dripping with sadness.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:00 pm

When he started speaking her eyes lingered over him. They watered almost instantly but she fought the teas back as best as she could. When he said it again... that she deserved better than him, that she still did, that he was sorry... That was it for her. "Sorry...?" she repeated, her voice breaking as she spoke in a tone no higher than a whisper. She glanced around, but thankfully no one important was there yet. She didn't want to ruin Andrew and Praxis' parties. Looking back at him tears broke fear, and many fell right away from her slightly shaking gaze. She did not sob, only let the tears fall freely. "Maurice, when will you wake up and realize..." She had to pause for a moment, looking away and sniffling slightly. Her heart was breaking all over again, welcome back to high school Alice... "...I never wanted anyone else...I wanted you, I've always wanted you..." Her voice fell, broken as she was obviously destroyed inside. She got up and quickly walked away from his table, leaving her drink behind. She walked through the crowd right to the unisex bathrooms here at this place. She closed the door and leaned up against it, finally letting free the sobs that were clenching her throat before hand. Alice sank to the rather clean bathroom floor, crying her little heart out. She could feel it splitting all over again, what was left of it becoming nothing more than mush as she sobbed uncontrollably. How could he keep doing this to her... turning her away was bad enough, why couldn't he just let her try to forget it! Alice just wanted to leave...but she knew there was no way she'd get out of here without Aaron stopping her. She continued to keep her thoughts closed off from Aaron, her thoughts since the day it happened all about him and she didn't want anyone to know that. Her sobs were quiet, barely making any noise at all. One would have to be pressing their ear against the door to hear her soft crying just on the other side of the door,near the floor.

Cami meowed at Maurice,and hopping down from the table. He trotted to the bathrooms and then he came back, pawing continuously at Maurice's leg as if demanding he go after her.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:09 pm

When Alice got up and left Maurice stood as well but he didn't go after her right away. He almost felt as if it was better for her to hate him Then he realized he wasn't suppose to be like this any more. He got up and was walking over as Cami came back. His new partner trotting behind him and freaking out a few people as they went. When he got to the door he tried to open it but, as he expected, it didn't work. He stopped trying to open the door and instead knocked on it, already hearing her sobs. "Alice let me in." he said, nearly demanded. "I want to tell you something but I need to see you, let me in Alice. I don't want to hurt you any more just let me in." He whispered this a bit before knocking again. He needed to tell her the things that he hadn't said in eons. She...well she deserved to know and dammit he was going to tell her one way or another.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:35 pm

The first thing she heard was the soft and panicked meowing outside the door. She was going to open it to let Cami in, the cat hated being away from her when she was like this, but then she heard the approaching footsteps... and then his voice... Alice wasn't about to open the door, no way in hell. He demanded it, but she still refused. She couldn't help listening to him... oh she hated this so much. He spoke and she had to listen... even became curious about what else he might have to say to her. Standing up Alice did her best to clean herself up, though tears continued to fall down her cheeks. She held the sobs back, opening the door with nothing short of depression evident in her eyes. "Must you? Maurice, if you have anything to say along the lines of deserving better just... don't. I don't want to hear it anymore, I got it," she said. her tone wasn't cold or hash, but broken... She sounded like she'd had her heart recently stomped on even though it happened years ago. But it was broken... shattered and in many little pieces even as she stood there and looked up at him, fresh tears falling at will.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:44 pm

Before anyone could see Maurice slipped through the door the second she had it open and moved her away from it. He closed it, locked it, and turned on her. In any other situation, to anyone else, he would have looked dangerous and likely to kill. But this was Alice...dammit this was his Alice. "No, I'm not saying that any more. There's no reason for me to say that any more. Dammit Alice, I changed for you, to be someone worth you. And you know what..." He moved over to her, grabbed her and kissed her suddenly. He didn't force her to stay there but he held her like he use to. When he pulled away he put his forehead to her's. "Dammit Alice, I love you. I'm sorry I hurt you, I get it, I'm a jerk. Beat on me, scream at me, please. Just do it. But I wont say it again because with Merlin as my witness I can't stand to walk away from you again." He cupped her face and kissed her again, if she didn't storm out or push him away at least. Cami sat on the floor, mewing happily.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:57 pm

Alice angled her brows somewhere between anger and confusion. He just... just said he hadn't been good enough for her... out there... She looked toward the door and then to him, just as he swore at her. Anger this time, yup definitely anger, bubbled in her and she moved toward him to slap him. He just made her so angry, all this having to change nonsense. He could have stayed the same and her love for him would have remained just as strong! Why couldn't he see that!? Her motion was stopped as her face and then lips were suddenly captured. Anger slid away and while Alice's eyes widened, her lips didn't miss a beat. While she was utterly confused now, her body still knew what it wanted. Her skin lightened a little, and even seemed to get back a little bit of that glow. She stood there, her arms up and out but not touching him or anything else. She needed out of here... far away from here... but he spoke again. And when he did she looked up at him. Fresh tears fell as he said it... he loved her. But did he really? Alice prayed with all her might he wasn't lying, and even as her tears streamed down her face and over her plump, very soft lips [thanks to sobbing], he kissed her again. This time her eyes closed and she cried. She cried into the kiss, emptying her heart of all the hurt he'd caused her and she'd caused herself. Cami purred and stayed where he was, watching them with approval. When the kiss broke, Alice curled into him, her knees falling from under her as her helpless, frail form let out all of the pain she'd felt for years without him. She still didn't cry loudly, but she sobbed hard, her hands clinging to the chest of his shirt as she buried her face against him.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 10:29 pm

Maurice knew she was mad. He wanted her to attack him, to take out her anger and her sadness on him and he wanted, so badly wanted, her to be okay. He knew he was a bastard, he knew he had to go and leave her alone to get over it, but he just couldn't do it any more! If they hadn't crossed paths he might have been able to go through his life using his danger as a method of hiding his madness over loosing her but seeing her broke it all. The fact she kissed back when his lips were against hers was a good sign, at least he thought so, so that pleased him. He slipped his arms around her as the kiss ended and held her up against him, one hand around her back the other on the back of her head, trailing through her hair. He leaned back against the wall and held her tightly to his body. "Alice...Alice..." he whispered as he held her, his lips pressed against her temple as he closed his eyes and let her cry against him as loud or quietly as she liked. "I do...I really do Alice...I was an idiot for pushing you away. A scared, meek, idiot for loosing someone like you. I love you Alice. I never stopped. I never can." he whispered the words that didn't seem to match his new look at all. This time he didn't try to force his lips on her. Instead he just held her up, making sure she didn't fall and making sure she had him to hold or hit as she liked.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 10:57 pm

Alice cried every last bit of the heartache he'd caused years ago out. She cried against him, clinging to him for dear life for a while. She had no strength to hit him or fight with him... and the more he talked the more she cried. His words hurt even now... after waiting years to hear this again she could barely stand it. He was just hurting her more... But then he said it again. Her tears kept falling, but the sobbing slowly stopped. She looked up at him, her eyes puffy, red lined, and glossy as tears continuously fell from the pinkish colored orbs. They were a soft pink color at the moment, looking up at him with a completely helpless look about her. Alice was an independent woman, had been such when they first met... but right now she felt like she needed him more than air. "I... love you Maurice..." she managed to stutter through her choked breaths. She leaned up and pressed her lips against his, sobbing just slightly against them. "Please... please don't leave me...." she begged him, curling into him more if that was possible. Her dress didn't really expose any more of her than her panties, and only barely those. They were a soft pink under the dress, a garment worn to match the dress perfectly. She didn't care right now though, she just wanted to know he was going to be there even after she let go of him... which she was frightened of beyond all belief right now.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 11:04 pm

Maurice held her tightly, rubbing her back and trailing his fingers through her hair to sooth her. He kept his lips against her temple, kissing her over and over again as he did so. He didn't kiss her lips so she could breath and speak if she needed to. When she looked up at him he frowned and looked down at her, wanting to make her feel better. When she finally said she loved him he gave her a weak smile and mouthed it back, whispering that he loved her more than anything, needed her more than air. As her trembling lips touched his he held her, cupped the side of her face and kissed her lovingly. "I wont," he promised as he slipped both his arms around her and didn't care to look over her body just her beautiful face. "I will never do it again, Alice. Never again. My world was you even when I pushed you away. I can't live with you gone again." He kissed her lips once more before finally pulling back and just holding her, hugging her to him. He never wanted to let him go so he didn't have to worry about having to let go of him.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 11:38 pm

Alice eventually managed to calm down... with his help and constant soothing motions and words. She looked up at him again, still meek and helpless looking, but she smiled just slightly at his words. When she finally calmed enough for the tears to stop she stood fully and on her own. She fixed her dress and looked down at herself,again looking up at him but this time sighing a little. "I must look a mess..." she mumbled, trying to smooth out her makeup, which was stuck by magic and not messed up at all, and wishing the redness wold go away. She looked back at him again, leaning against him with a finally sigh as her breathing calmed from crying. She sniffled a little, but otherwise stopped. Slipping her arms round him finally, Alice clung to him tightly, burying her face in his chest.

Subject: Re: Party Gathering Sat Oct 01, 2011 11:46 pm

Maurice gave her a smile as his hand cupped her face. "No, you look beautiful." he whispered before he leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. It was a slow, careful but loving kiss that lasted a few moments before he finally pulled back and smiled again. When she leaned into him and burried his face in her chest Maurice couldn't help but smiled and hold her tightly. At one point he knelt down, hooked his arms under her bum, and lifted her up, spinning around as he looked up at her. When he set her down again he grinned. "Yep, absolutely beautiful." And he held her again, prepared to stay here until she was ready to leave. Hell, he'd leave the parties if she wanted to, he didn't care.