After years of being starved of both affection and love, Melody was completely stunned by Mr. Longbottom's compliments. While her marriage had improved within the past six months, it hadn't yet evolved into outright adoration. Ben had most certainly never made her feel as beautiful as Mr. Longbottom presently was. Not that Ben could even compare to Mr. Longbottom, with his warm brown eyes and strong physique. And that grin! It was as though the sun shone through the night clouds when he smiled.

"No, please. I've never felt so beautiful before. It isn't too forward at all." Melody replied, reaching out to lightly touch his wrist. Around them, the crowd began to cheer with the final two minutes to midnight. (Distantly, Melody was able to recognize the confusion over how her task of finding Ben was so easily forgotten, but it disappeared with the final sip of her drink.)

"It's a shame neither of us will have a kiss for midnight." She commented, silently praying he would recognize her request for what it so plainly was.

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