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THE PARTY WAS IN FULL swing. Belle had been happily dancing around with Doc until the two had worn themselves out.
The new couple was sat on a bench on the edge of the dancefloor, with an exhausted but happy Dick beside them.
"So, Miss Belle, Doc, I'm guessing you're together now?" Dick asked with a grin. Belle blushed and Josiah beamed.
"Yes, Dick, we're together," Josiah smiled, pulling the ginger girl closer to his side, using his arm that was wrapped around her shoulders.
"Well, it's about time," Dick commented with a laugh. "But, Doc, could I possibly have one dance with the little lady?"
"What do you say, darling?" Doc asked down to Belle. Belle nodded with a smile. "Alright, Dick, have fun you two," Belle stood up, smoothing out her dress. She brought her hand to under Josiah's chin, bringing his face to look up at her. Belle pressed a gentle kiss to his lop-sided smile before grabbing Dick's hand and pulling him onto the dancefloor.
Josiah watched Belle and Dick dance happily together with a love-struck smile on his face. Billy sat next to him, following his gaze, spotting Belle and Dick easily. "Does that not bother you?"
"Of course not, why would it?" Josiah frowned at the boy.
"Well, I wouldn't want another man touching my sweetheart, especially when said sweetheart is a new thing," Billy answered back, turning back to the dancing couple. Josiah also turned back, examining them both in full detail. He noticed Dick's hand, planted firmly on Belle's waist. He noticed the way that Belle laughed at something Dick said. He noticed the smile that was evident on both of their faces.
To any other man, this site would've made him feel livid, but Josiah found himself unbothered. Of course, he wished that he were in Dick's position, but he knew that Belle would not drop him for the dark-haired man. "Billy, I understand where you're coming from, but all I see is my sweetheart dancing with one of my best friends,"
"Whatever you say, amigo," Billy patted Doc's shoulder. Billy turned his attention to John and a mystery man. The man pushed at John's chest, sending him a few steps back. Billy hit Doc's chest a few times, grabbing his attention. "Doc, look." Josiah turned to watch Charley push himself between John and the man, pointing at him accusingly.
Belle peeked over Dick's shoulder with a smile, but her smile twisted in distress at the site before her. Dick stretched his neck to see what made Belle's expression turn sour. "Do you want to go see how that rumble is gonna turn out?" Dick asked.
Belle nodded, grabbing his arm to pull him back to where Doc and Billy were sat. "What did Charley do for this to happen?" Belle asked Josiah, running her fingers through his long blonde locks. Josiah hummed with delighted.
"For once, Charley didn't start this fight, believe it or not," Josiah smiled, pulling the girl down beside him on the bench. "Did you have fun with Dick, over there?" Josiah whispered into Belle's ear.
"Yes, but I think I might collapse from exhaustion. I don't think my feet can take anymore," Belle laughed, smoothing down Josiah's tousled hair. Josiah chuckled and glanced back at the fight, seeing Charley easily having the upper hand.
"So shows the snowy dove trooping with crows. As yonder lady order her fellows chose," Josiah mumbled.
"Did you write that, Josiah?" Belle quietly asked, taking her eyes off the unconscious man who was lying on a broken wooden table, and to her partner. Josiah nodded, bashfully. "It's beautiful, Doc."
"Thank ye, Belle," Josiah pressed a peck to Belle's temple. A group of men began shooting into the air, screaming 'Happy New Year!'. Belle lifted her head from Josiah's shoulder to face him. "Can I kiss ye, sweetheart?" Belle radiated with happiness and approved. Josiah pressed his palm to Belle's cheek, bringing her head closer to his own. His lips melted into hers in a sweet and loving kiss. Josiah broke away from the embrace reluctantly, reaching for his gun, joining in the celebration, with Belle laughing by his side.
