Chapter Text
My fingers begin to trace an increasingly familiar melody across the keys of the grand piano in the foyer.
I’ve been practicing the first song that Alastor and I danced to for months…for this exact day.
Our first Valentine’s Day.
Slim even said he’d let me play it on the Club’s piano tonight if we swung by!
“So it has to be absolutely perfect…” I mutter to myself as I fumble the keys and begin anew. Much to my sister’s apparent chagrin, she groans aloud as she reaches the foot of the stairs.
“You’ve been practicing that same song forever… and the sun’s barely risen! Can’t you at least wait til’ ‘radio man’ arrives before you play that same refrain again?!” She grumbles and I chuckle, ignoring her whining as I continue to play. Calling over a shoulder,
“Please! The sun has been up for hours! Maybe someone’s just crabby ‘cause she spent all night drafting love notes for a certain paper boy…” I tease and chuckle again as her face goes bright red.
“I-it’s not a love note! It’s a …telegram. People give paper boys telegrams all the time!” She stammers and I laugh, rising from the piano bench, hands raised in mock surrender.
“Oh? My mistake then I suppose…” I say teasingly as I stretch my limbs and crack the joints in my hands. My younger sister makes a face at the popping sound.
“It’s a miracle ‘radio man’ tolerates you…” she grumbles and I flash her a grin.
“Indeed, it is. In fact, I think I shall need your help if I’m to make myself presentable for when he picks me up…” I say, trailing off at the look of joy on her face, which she quickly tries to mask with a look of indifference.
“Well…I suppose someone has to help you tame that mane you call hair…and I am rather skilled with a brush,” she says with a teasing grin. I roll my eyes.
“How generous of you-” I mutter sarcastically before chuckling again as she grabs my hand before I’m even finished speaking- tugging me along upstairs with a million questions.
“Where is he taking you anyways? Do you know what you’re going to wear? What color for your eyes do you think? Grey is classic- but I have plum, brown, and green as well…oh! And my classmate Maggie says she’s even seen some flappers using their rouge on their eyes as well for pink!” She chatters animatedly as we ascend the stairs.
Seated in front of the vanity, my sister eyes my face with a near clinical stare, standing behind me in the mirror with a hand on her hip.
“How much time do we have?” She mutters as she begins to tug my hair loose of its braids, little ringlets curling around her fingers as she does so.
I glance towards the clock on the wall. Nearly half past four…sun barely risen indeed, I think to myself with a smirk
“He said he’d be by around six…” I offer, and she sighs.
“Then we’ll leave your hair like this. It looks decent enough curly, just needs an accessory…be right back!” She says before darting off to her room and returning with a crimson silken cloth in hand.
My little sister quickly and expertly takes the cloth and twists it, threading it through my hair along the hair line… I wince at the tugging sensation along my scalp.
Yet…when she pulls back…
“That’s…actually quite lovely…” I murmur, lifting a hand to tentatively touch where she’s woven the ribbon in my hair, creating a headband that appears to be woven look along my hairline. She smacks my hand away.
“Don’t touch! Now, with that shade you should wear something red…you do have something red don’t you?” She asks before turning to my closet and checking for herself.
She returns grinning ear to ear holding up a knee length red dress with a sweetheart neckline I’d been letting collect dust after being told by a former coworker it didn’t ’suit my skin tone’…I frown at the garment.
My sister frowns back.
“Don make that face! It’s perfect! Isn’t radio man’s favorite color red anyways? Plus it matches the ribbon!” I open my mouth to protest but she shakes her head.
“Don’t argue! Just get changed so I can work on your make up!” I sigh and take the garment from her, changing quickly in the closet before plopping back down in front of the vanity as my sister arms herself with make up brushes…
*******
By the time six rolls around I can scarcely recognize the woman in the mirror.
She’s painted my lips a red that matches the dress, dusted my eyes in warm browns, and lined them in a dark black that somehow makes my almond-shaped eyes seem wider than before…
“I have to say I’ve outdone myself!” She chortles, flitting around me and tugging at my dress to adjust it here and there.
I chuckle in response and nod in agreement.
“Indeed, you have…” I mutter as the doorbell rings. My eyes fly to the door and then back to my sister who is already grinning mischievously.
“I’ll get it!” She yells before bolting out the door and down the stairs!
I chuckle and stoop to grab my shoes- simple black heels, tall enough to add some height- much needed when dancing alongside someone as tall as Alastor- but short enough that they’ll still be suitable for dancing too.
Fastening the buckles quickly, I make my way down the stairs… to find Alastor in the foyer.
He’s smiling amicably down at my younger sister with a mildly amused expression. Though at the sound of my heels on the stairs his gaze lifts to me.
For a moment, it feels like time is standing still.
Alastor is never truly surprised, he’s too aware to be caught off guard like that…yet he’s looking at me like I’ve somehow managed to do just that…
The spell is broken by my sister’s self-indulgent giggle as she elbows Alastor in the ribs.
“I’ve made her nearly unrecognizable, don’t you think?” She asks him and Alastor’s face schools itself back into a mask of mild amusement.
“I disagree…though, I do think you’ve managed to make her even more beautiful, a feat I previously thought impossible,” he says with a grin towards my sister.
“Congratulations. I’m not often proven wrong.” He says smoothly and my sister, despite herself, turns pink. I chuckle as I finish descending the stairs.
As I do, Alastor takes my hand in his, lifting my knuckles to his lips and placing a gentle kiss there.
“You look radiant, my Dear…” he says softly as his eyes meet mine. I feel my own cheeks flush at the compliment, but manage a smile.
“You cleaned up pretty nice yourself.” I offer with a gesture to his immaculately pressed striped suit coat and pants- a similar shade of red to my own ensemble.
“A necessity, when escorting the most lovely lady this side of the levee.” He replies smoothly as he offers me his elbow.
“Speaking of, were going to need to get moving if we’re to be on time for my surprise for you. Shall we?”
I arch a brow as I take his offered arm with a surprised smile.
“A ‘surprise’ for me?” I ask. Alastor grins as he opens the door and arches a brow back in turn.
“Honestly Darling, do you think I don’t know what day it is? Surprises for one’s partner are all but required today are they not?” He asks grin widening as my cheeks pink at the word partner on his lips.
“I wouldn’t say required, but it’s certainly a nice touch…” I murmur as we make our way down the front steps off the porch. Calling over my shoulder to my sister as an afterthought,
“Tell Papa I’ll be out late tonight… and good luck with your ‘telegram’.” I add with a grin as I turn to catch a look of something like admiration and joy on her face…before she quickly schools her face into her usual mask of resigned annoyance and nods with a dismissive gesture, closing the door as Alastor and I depart.
*******
I arch a brow as we deviate from our usual path into town, away from the tango belt and towards the Mississippi and Alastor chuckles.
“So what is this mysterious surprise of yours?” I ask him, my eyes scanning his smug grin for any sort of clue I might glean.
“If I told you before we arrived it might lose some of it’s magic, don’t you think?” He asks before offering,
“But we’re not far off now, in fact-” He steps towards a dock worker with a familiar wave and calls out,
“Jean-Claude! This is the lovely lady I was telling you about.” He says as we come to stop alongside the man. I grin and offer him a small wave. Jean-Claude looks me up and down with a grin before saying,
“Ah, so you’re the young Miss, Alastor here can’t stop yammerin’ about! Just so you know, he’s smitten - never seen him call in so many favors for any one, let alone a young lady.” He says in a deep drawl with a smirk towards Alastor.
Alastor maintains his smile, but narrows his eyes slightly at the man with a pointed cough as he interrupts before Jean-Claude can say anything else flattering.
“Speaking of those favors- is it ready?” He asks and I turn to him again with curiosity.
“Is what ready?!” I press and Jean-Claude beams at me.
“Oh, he aint told ya? He rented out a whole river boat- the Lady Luck -she’s right over there. All set to go! Got everything you asked for in the Captain’s Quarters too.” He says with a wink towards Alastor as he points towards a house boat docked behind us- bedecked with glowing golden lights.
Steps leading up to the roof of what is presumably the Captain’s Quarters, reveals a small seating area. A small table with two chairs and a beautiful bouquet of flowers sitting atop it sits on the elevated deck of the boat. I blink up at the elaborate display before turning back to Alastor who is grinning down at me.
“What do you think Ma Cher?” He asks as I continue to stare at him, utterly dumbfounded.
“I…I don’t have the words Alastor…” I murmur, all my focus dedicated to not tearing up at the sweet, romantic, elaborate gesture. Alastor grins, prodding me in a teasing tone,
“If you had to pick just a few?” He teases as he nudges my side and tugs me towards the boat and I laugh.
“You’re…you just…this is the most romantic thing anyone’s ever done for me…” I murmur, offering him genuine smile as he hops over the gap between the boat and the dock and offers me his hand as I do the same.
He smiles down at me, steadying me with a hand at my waist, as I adjust to the slight bobbing motion of the boat as our movement causes the Lady Luck to tug at the ropes tying it to the dock. Jean-Claude makes quick work of the ropes before tossing Alastor some keys and shoves us off with a wave.
“You two have a pleasant evenin’ now!” He says before dusting off his hands and returning to his work. Alastor dangles the keys, jingling them between us for dramatic effect.
“Shall we head out then?” He says and I grin wide and nod, following as he steps to the wheel at the front of the boat and turns the key in the ignition. The motor beneath rumbles to life as he steers us out towards deeper water.
I stand at his side, quickly distracted by just how much of the city you can see here from the river. My eyes scan the shoreline and then ahead of us where there are several larger riverboats- big enough to house whole restaurants and bars, all parked on the open water. Music and lights in the distance, Alastor shut’s off the motor and moves to drop an anchor over the side. He points to the larger river boats ahead.
“I had thought of taking you to one of those tonight, but decided I’d rather not share this particular view with anyone but you.” He says softly, his arms coming to wrap around my waist as he hugs me from behind and we stare out over the water under a setting sun.
“It is beautiful…” I murmur.
“You certainly are, yes.” He says smoothly and I chuckle as I twist in his arms to face him.
“I still can’t believe you did all this for me…” I say grinning up at him as I wrap my arms around him and give a light squeeze, allowing myself to murmur against his chest,
“Thank you, Alastor…” I turn my face back up to his to find him grinning down at me.
“You are most welcome, Mon Coeur. In fact, I have more to show you.” He says as he drops the embrace and leads me by the hand, towards the small enclosed room at the center of the boat- the Captain’s Quarters- Jean-Claude had called it.
Alastor opens the door into the room and I gasp aloud.
Not only is this room also bedecked with glowing lights, a small love seat in the corner, along with champagne, a record player, more flowers, and chocolates…but there’s also a small piano in the corner of the room. I whirl back to face him, grinning like mad.
“Have you truly thought of everything?” I ask him increduously with a light laugh and he chuckles.
“I believe so, why? Did you think of something I missed? Ask for it and it’s yours.” He replies, words smooth and honeyed like always. I shake my head, twisting to face the piano again.
“Alastor it’s all so …perfect. You even managed to arrange it so that I can still give you my surprise as well…” I murmur. Alastor arches a brow at that.
“Have I?” He asks curiously, eyes searching my face and I grin as I gesture to the small piano as I take a seat at the bench.
“Unless the boat came with the piano already?” I ask teasingly and he grins.
“Ah yes, that one did take some convincing. I had to find a piano small enough to fit through that door too…but I wanted to play for you…” He trails off, eyeing me on the bench before adding,
“But by all means, after you Darling.” He says with a gesture for me to play as he leans against the wall, still eyeing me curiously.
I take a steadying breath before finding the melody I’ve been practicing for him all these months. Alastor’s eyes alight with recognition and his smile grows as I progress through the song.
I try to keep my eyes on the keys so that I can focus on the song and not stumble over any notes…but his gaze is like a tangible thing along my skin. By the time I’ve reached the final measure and my fingers trace the last lingering notes, I can’t stop my eyes from meeting his.
He’s staring at me with a look that’s a mixture of something like pride, adoration, and utter devotion. I can barely breathe under the intensity of it and my cheeks burn as I rise from the piano bench, offering an explanation.
“I picked that one cause-” I start but he interrupts.
“-the first song we danced to. I recall. I brought the record along as well, but it appears that’s now unnecessary. You’ve been practicing.” He says smoothly, eyes still trained on mine as he draws close and cups my cheek before placing a kiss on my brow.
“Thank you, Ma Cher, I’ve never received such a beautiful gift.” He murmurs against my forehead before pulling back to beam down at me. I feel my cheeks grow warmer.
“You don’t think I stumbled a bit at the end?” I ask teasingly, though, my voice wobbles slightly at his nearness.
“Not even a little bit. The original pales in comparison to your rendition. Though, I suppose I’m glad I brought that old record along, because now we simply have to dance to that one again.” he says as he turns to grab that record and set it on the player before returning to take my hand in his.
His other hand finds my waist and we easily find the rhythm of the old familiar song. Dancing in step, as in sync as the first day we met.