I'm late.

Saturday, The Stork Club. 1945.

Peggy walks in, holding back a waterfall of tears. She turns the corner and sits at the bar. Looking up at the clock it reads 08:03pm, *I'm late* she thinks.
"One whisky please." she asks, "Straight.". She puts her head in her hand and the bartender places a glass of drink beside her. Lifting the glass slowly, she takes a sip. Eyes are on her, Peggy can feel it. She turns her stool slightly to the left and looks up. She freezes.

It feels like forever she's looking at his face. Two stools away he sits, with a glass of schnapps. His face looks different somehow, years older. A single tear rolls down her cheek. She lifts herself from the stool, weary she may imagining it in her grief. With each step she walks in his direction, more emotion clouds her mind. She stops in front of him.

"Steve?" in a questioning tone. She tucks in her lips, stopping herself from letting more tears fall. He stays sat down, looking up to her. "I'm not- is it you?". She puts her hands lightly on his shoulders and eventually he stands. He holds her tight to him, she lets herself cry.
"Yeah, Peg." he says softly, "I'm here.". After a minute, they separate. She cups his face in her hand and strokes his cheek bone with her thumb. He smiles,
"You know you're late, right?" he says, then looks at his watch, "It's now eight o eight." he raises his eyebrows and looks back to her. She laughs a little.
"So I guess we'll dance next time." she says jokingly.

She begins to walk away, he quickly pulls her back and places a hard kiss on her lips. He holds her face and she holds his waist. The club is pretty full and many people look at them. When they pull apart from one another, Steve looks up and everyone quickly averts their eyes.
"Do you care to explain why and how-" she begins
"Later," He interrupts, "first we dance.".

He holds her hand and pulls her onto the dance floor. Backing up towards the band, he turns his head and asks them to play something slow. They do. Everyone begins to slow dance and Steve looks around nervously. Peggy turns his head towards her.
"Look," she says placing his hands on her waist, "like this and I just-" she puts her hands resting over his shoulders. "Easy.". A small smile paints his face, they sway side to side slowly turning.

"I can't believe you're here," she says, tears swelling in her eyes again.
"Neither can I," he replies "but God am I happy as ever.".