Pitschen ma en gamba - Small, but powerful [A Band of Brothers Story]

Memories, Dancing and a Wedding

A/N: Hey guys, sorry for not updating yesterday. We cleaned the underground garage of our block of flats. Waterblasting a steep driveway in the blazing sun when it's 30 degrees before noon... I thought I was going to melt.

To my readers from Switzerland: I hope you had a lovely national holiday yesterday, even if fireworks were banned almost everywhere due to the drought.

Anyways, here is the new chapter and I hope you like it.

The new year began with lots of laughter and dancing. Isabel had already anticipated that Ella and George would be uncomfortable with the noise of the fireworks, so she had decided that they should go to a party.

As it turned out, Johnny and Pat Martin had had the same idea. Heading inside together, they pushed two tables together and sat down. Johnny and George went to get drinks for everybody. Ella didn't even bother telling them what she wanted, they knew anyways.

While they waited, the three women struck up a conversation. The venue had a sizeable dance floor and there was a band playing, but it was at just the right volume so that people could talk without having to shout over the noise.

"How has school been going for you, Ella?", Pat inquired.

The small girl shrugged. "It's alright, I guess", she replied. "It isn't all that hard and I'm looking forward to starting nursing school in summer."

She nodded, a smile gracing her pretty face. "I bet. And your volunteer work? Do you still like it?"

Ella grinned, nodding enthusiastically. "Oh yes, very much", she confirmed. "The people are nice and I learn so much every day."

Isabel smiled at her daughter and added: "She does a great job, too. My colleagues are quite impressed with her and rumour has it that Head Nurse Marlene is pushing for you to be hired as trainee first thing in summer."

"Wow, that's great", Pat enthused, congratulating Ella, who simply blushed.

"There ya go, kiddo", George said, putting a club soda in front of her, "same as always."

She grinned up at him. "Thanks, George."

They chatted for a while before Isabel spotted some of her friends from work in the crowd and waved them over. Introductions were made and soon, George jumped up from his seat and held out his hand to Ella.

"May I have this dance, my lady?", he asked, mirth dancing in his brown eyes.

"Why thank you, good sir", she replied, playing along. She took his hand and gracefully got to her feet.

***

Leading her to the dance floor, George spoke up: "By the way, have I told you how pretty you look in this dress?"

The brunette smiled, slightly embarrassed by the compliment, but a bit flattered nonetheless. "Thank you. You look pretty good, too."

He beamed, pretending to be flustered and taking an exaggerated bow before leading her through a twirl.

As was their wont, they talked as much as they danced, joking and goofing around a little. Whenever they heard a remark like "Oh what a lovely couple", they had to fight hard to keep their laughter in check.

"Say, Isabel mentioned a Winter Ball?", George commented casually. "Somebody ask you already?"

Ella smoothly switched sides and turned. "Nah", she answered. "I don't think I'll go anyways."

"Why not?"