Cinderella Moment

Commission from Etsy

Summary: Lucia is giving a speech at an important event when she loses a shoe.

Joe walked to Lucia’s apartment door with firm long strides as he adjusted the cufflinks. He had no doubt he looked good in the suit, he just preferred something less pressed. But this event was important for Lucia and he could not let her down.

Lucia’s bright smile when she opened the door to his knock coaxed an answering one onto Joe’s face in return. “Right on time.”

“Never keep a lady waiting.” Joe smiled in return letting his eyes roam over the black dress that fancy name slid up the sides from her waist and wrapped around her arms. She was slightly taller than normal which told Joe that whatever shoes Lucia was wearing was some kind of heel even if he could not see them beneath the dress.

Joe could not quite remember what the event was for, only that it was some kind of charity event she organized. Unlike other events she organized though, this one she was the hostess, she would be giving the opening and closing speeches as well as introducing the other speakers and acts for the night.

Lucia clapped with the rest of the gathered crowd smiling softly. The evening had gone by splendidly. She could not have asked for better. The caterers had outdone themselves, the staff was in sync, and all the acts had been there on time. And every speech had gone without a hitch and there had not even been any hiccups with the sound equipment. They had reached the donation goal halfway through the night but the donations had not sopped rolling in.

She glanced over at Joe as she stood up, smiling at him with warm gratitude. She understood this was not his ideal date. She knew he did not particularly care for high society functions that were filled with so many people. But he had come for her. She doubted he even knew this event was to help a few of the local orphanages build new group homes and provide better clothes and bags for those in foster care. But he returned her smile anyways.

Joe felt Lucia’s pride at how well the night had gone. It radiated from her in a nearly tangible aura and Joe could not help but feel an answering pride at all she had accomplished. She was stunning and beautiful. They had spent part of the evening dancing and he got to feel the eyes of all the men watching them and wishing they could hold her as he did while they danced. When they sat down to eat he could feel the same eyes watching their every move. So he had fed her and let their eyes burn with jealousy from men and women alike. He did not flaunt their relationship in public. He was confident and comfortable with their relationship and had no fear or doubts. But every once in a while he wanted the world to know she was his as much as he was hers.

Joe’s eyes burned with a promise of things to come as he watched Lucia stand up and begin walking toward the stage to deliver her closing speech. Her stride was strong and radiating a confidence he was not sure anyone else could ever hold a candle to.

Then Lucia stumbled.

There were only three steps to the raised platform that was the stage for the event. Three steps when over her lifetime Lucia had climbed perhaps thousands in heels with no incident. The second step though proved to be a problem. The whole night had been perfect until that moment and Lucia could not say with any certainty what had gone wrong. Just that one moment she was walking up the stairs and the next she was stumbling. Lucia’s right foot was bare when she regained her balance. She glanced back at the stairs and a cute black heel laid on its side on the second step.

Joe heard the other people filling the small hall begin to whisper. He felt his heart seize for a moment when Lucia paused. Then she brushed her hand down her dress, straightening the small folds, and continued on her way.

Lucia considered putting her shoe back on but that would only attract more attention to her wardrobe malfunction. She would need to be able to sit to get the straps around her ankle right herself. Instead, she turned to continue to the mic with an air of confidence she hoped no one would see through. There were whispers and mumblings through the crowd that she hoped she could quiet with her closing speech. But as she got to the podium the volume seemed to increase.

Joe watched Lucia limp her way with one shoe towards the podium for only a couple of steps then he was moving without even really registering he was doing so. He felt a slight blush cover his cheeks when he made it to the stairs and realized there were eyes on him. But he pushed the knowledge away and reached down to scoop up the lost shoe. Joe lifted his gaze and met Lucia’s gaze when it swung to his.

Joe hesitated, knowing that instead of all the attention being on his girlfriend, all the attention was on both of them. But he could no more abandon her after drawing attention to the lost shoe than he force himself to stop breathing. He straightened his stance, rolled his shoulders back, and confidently climbed the stairs with the shoe in his hand.

Lucia glanced towards the crowd knowing Joe was not comfortable being the center of attention outside of his classes. He was not paying any attention to the crowd, his attention only on her.

“Joe.” Lucia’s voice was a low whisper that asked a million questions. Joe just gave her a small smile rather than any vocalized answer. He dropped to one knee in front of her with her shoe in one hand. His large hand gently reached beneath the hem of her dress and gripped her ankle lightly. Lucia placed her hand on the podium for balance as he pulled her ankle up lightly. His thumb gently rubbed against her ankle as he softly lowered her foot into her shoe. He carefully wrapped the elegant straps around her ankle and up her calf. He let his fingers brush softly against her leg after buckling the small silver clasp.

“Thank you,” Lucia whispered when Joe stood up. He reached out and took her hands, gently pressing his lips to her knuckles before turning and walking back to his seat, doing his best to ignore the feel of eyes on him as Lucia began her speech.

Joe couldn’t remember ever being as relieved to be home as he was when the door clicked behind him and Lucia. It had not taken long to convince her to join him at his house and the taxi driver had not been upset to go through a drive-through and pick up greasy hamburgers and salty fries. The food at the event had been good but it had been a bit too rich for Joe’s taste. He removed his jacket and shoes with a sigh and let his shoulders relax back. He was just reaching for his sweats when a small hand landed on his arm.

Lucia waited until Joe turned to look at her and she smiled brightly pulling him into a brief kiss. “You were my knight in shining armor tonight. Rescuing me from disaster.”

Joe smiled reaching for her waist and resting his forehead against hers. “My very own Cinderella.”