Abe Sapien and the Witch

Chapter 16

Chapter sixteen.

Her hair draped down in loose curls that cascaded over her shoulders. The dress she wore was a stunning ocean blue which tapered in at her waist, darkening in colour the further down it went, spreading out around her like a pool of water as she started down the steps. It was an off-the-shoulder style dress, with delicate white lace worked across the bodice and down long, sweeping sleeves that flowed behind her with light wisps as she moved.

Abes breath caught in his gills, he had truly never seen anything as beautiful as this, and now he understood why Liz had told him to wear a blue flower- to match her dress. As she took each step, the fabric swayed around her in delicate waves that were to him the embodiment of the ocean itself. Her makeup was understated, delicate even and on her neck sat their necklace, the white stone shimmering in pride of place.

Her gaze never left his, never moved to survey the room or anyone else. She reached the bottom of the staircase and Abe stepped towards her, his arm outstretched so that she could loop her own through his. "You are so beautiful..." he said, taking in the details of her face as she looked him over, equally as impressed. _Abe, you look so dashing! What a lovely suit, you really are so handsome. _ The two blushed at the compliments simultaneously, and Abe could sense the thoughts of the room, disbelief that they were together, surprise that these two were here as a pair...

_Abe_ she said, her voice a pleasant hum to distract him, _Thank you for asking me to the ball. I've never dreamed of anything like this, it's breath-taking. _ He smiled then, a genuine smile that caused her heart to thump even harder in her chest than it already was, though it eased her nerves. "Thank you for coming with me." he said, raising her hand to place a gentle kiss on her fingers.

He guided her with pride through the onlookers, finding Red and Liz near the buffet. "Wow!" Red said, a sandwich half stuffed into his mouth, "you sure know how to make an entrance, tiny! You look real nice. Right, Liz?" he asked, turning towards his partner, "though, 'course, nobody can look more beautiful than you, babe. You're hot." Liz squeezed his arm, and turned to the duo, "You both look so gorgeous together. Before the dance gets started, let's get to the photographer and have a picture done! Before this guy drops any more food on his shirt." she said, scolding Red with a grin.

"It was the cream!" he protested, "ain't my fault they over-filled the profiteroles..." he muttered to himself as they made their way across to a section of the room that was well decorated and dedicated to taking pictures. Each couple had a picture taken together, then as the four stood together for a group picture She spotted Krauss at the far end of the hall, standing by himself.

_Abe..._ she whispered with a gentle squeeze to Abes hand, and he understood exactly what she wished of him. "Krauss!" he called, and the man jolted around towards their direction with surprise. She waved her hand at him and Abe did the same, beckoning him over. He rattled towards them, and as he realised that he was being added to a photograph, his step quickened.

"Oh, how vonderful!" he said, squeezing in between the group, as she and Liz each looped an arm through one of his before the photographer took more pictures of them all together. Soon a bell was ringing, and Tom Manning was speaking into a squealing microphone, asking that the ladies and gentlemen separate to their designated half of the hall so that the dance could officially begin.

Liz hooped her arm through hers as Red and Abe stood back, reluctant, and each pair headed towards opposite sides of the room, with Krauss making a beeline towards the safety of the buffet. She tapped Liz's shoulder and raised her eyebrows in question, not knowing what was going on.

"Oh, it's a silly old rule Professor Broom used to have, us ladies are going to dance over here together for a bit while the guys hang out over there, and when the slow music starts then the guys have the chance to come over and ask us to dance- I guess that's how things were done back in his day, he always insisted on it so it's tradition. Don't worry, in just a few dances Abe will come and ask you."

She nodded, understanding the concept now, and they started to laugh as the band began to play a cheesy pop song. They started dancing, feeling silly bopping around to such upbeat music in their heavy gowns while the men mostly crowded together on their side, watching the women move.

"I've never felt so lucky in all of my life..." Abe said to Red, who nodded his agreement. "Well, it's not my favourite song but it's okay..." "No, No, I mean with...oh, you are joking with me again. I'm getting better at this." he said, seeing the amused glint in Reds eyes.

"I know buddy, I feel the same way every day I spend with Liz at my side. Look at them out there, dancing together like they've known each other for ever. Liz likes her a lot, you know. I guess I do too, I mean I don't want you to ever get hurt by her but, Abe, you be careful with her too. She's lived a pretty messed up life, I mean in some ways she's kinda like a kid seein' the world for the first time...well, anyways. You get me."

Red couldn't blush as such, being red skinned and all, but Abe thought if there ever was a moment for the big guy to blush, he was doing it right now. "Don't worry, Red. I will protect her, always."