I slipped the carnation from my coat lapel and handed it to her and I could tell I'd made an impression on her young life. I straightened up to see the girl's mother whisper, "Thank you." wordlessly as tears fell down her face.
I nodded and reclaimed Zora's arm and headed for the open ballroom beyond snapping off an orchid bloom the color of Zora's dress on a nearby display to replace the carnation I had given away.
It was time to dance.
The ball had just begun upon our entrance and I led Zora through the throng, which made a way open before us at the sight of us.
In the middle of the floor I turned and took Zora's hand lightly, as I brought her against me with my other hand commandingly placed against the small of her back as her other hand settled on my shoulder. The orchestra started and we began to flow with the music never once breaking eye contact with each other.
Her eyes looked wet as she stared at me, as I dipped her in a move of the dance over my arm. I thought projected into her mind, "Don't you dare cry!"
Her smile widened and she blinked her eyes to get rid of the moisture that had gathered, "Thank you for this so much Elon! You've made a dream of mine come true."
"You've given me a new goal to achieve in life Zora." I said as I twirled her way on one hand.
"And what's that Elon?"
"To make you ridiculously happy every moment that I'm blessed to share with you." I said as I pulled her back toward me.
My words were rewarded with a smile that would've outdone the sun for brilliance.
We moved on across the floor in the rhythm of the dance when she spoke, "Still I am sorry for your sacrifice."
Sacrifice?
She had to be joking. I was having the time of my life!
Her knowing eyes rose to mine and she said, "I know you would rather be exploring me in the privacy of a bedroom rather than waltzing me across this dance floor."
Her directness was astounding, but she spoke the truth. Truth or not I was glad that this moment was happening just the way that it was.
"I can wait. I'm enjoying this almost as much as I think you are."
I spun her away in one movement only to spin her back into my arms. Her head was turned to me as she pressed back against me and her words though softly spoken, resonated deeply throughout me, "I can't wait to experience you having your way with me."