“Please, Christopher,” Milly blinked up at him with wide eyes. “Just one song.”
Veronica sighed. “You are more than welcome to play after dinner, but that doesn't mean that you can force him to play as well.”
“Oh come on,” Milly insisted. “Just one. It can even be a short one.”
“You didn't even ask if he could play the piano.”
“Of course I can,” he cut in, speaking before he could even think about it. “And I don't see the harm in playing with her, especially if it is only one song.”
“That is kind of you to offer,” Veronica said, stunned. “But I can assure you it will be far more than one song. My little sister doesn’t know when to stop.”
“If she tries to push for more, we can discuss that when the time comes, but for the moment I don't see any harm.”
Milly let out a small cheer of delight. “I knew he would want to play with me! Oh! Veronica, just you wait until you hear me. I have gotten so much better since you last heard me.”
“I'm sure you are.”
The conversation shifted and the meal continued. Christopher could hardly believe he had agreed to such a thing, but it was too late to have second thoughts now.
And so, a short time later, he found himself in one of the parlors he hadn’t been in in years.
It looked rather different than it had the last time he had used it, being one of the first places to be involved in Veronica’s renovations. He had to say, she had done a good job.
The space was warm, inviting, welcoming, in a way it had never been before. Veronica and Rose took up a seat on one of the sofas near by while Milly raced over to the piano that sat near the window.
He followed behind her, no longer quite as sure about this choice. It had been years since he had touched the instrument. Part of him wasn’t sure he would even remember what to do.
But he didn’t say that. Instead he simply took his spot beside her and set his fingers on the keys.
By some miracle, he wasn’t as rusty as he feared, but it probably helped that the person he was playing with was still learning. The only thing that made his playing a bit difficult was the soft chatter he could hear coming from the sofa.
He couldn’t help but wonder what the pair of them could be talking about. Was Veronica pleased? Were things going well?
The piece came to an end before he was ready.
Milly sighed. “I don’t think I did that very well, did I?”
Christopher smiled. The girl had made quite a few mistakes, but he wasn’t about to tell her that. Instead, he said, “I think you did amazing. How long have you been playing for?”
“Almost a year now.”
“Only a year? And you’re already this good?”
She lit up. “Do you mean that? You really think that I played well?”
“I do.”
“Do you want to play another?”
“Actually, I think he wants to dance with Veronica,” Rose cut in.
“What?” Veronica squeaked.
Milly lit up. “Oh! I can play a waltz for you! I just started learning a new one.”
“Come now you two,” Veronica stammered a soft flush creeping up her neck. “I doubt he wants to-”
Her words died in her throat when he got to his feet, walking over to her with a soft smile before extending a hand.
