70

When she awoke next morning, the memories of their night flooded back, causing a huge wave of elation and a smile to break over her face. She sat up with a start and planted a kiss on his cheek excitedly. All the vigor and energy of an excited child on Christmas morning.

‘You asked me to marry you!’ She declared in a bright cheerful voice, to no one in particular.

‘I did!’ Came the mumble from the pillow beside her; still half asleep, his eyes firmly closed and obviously unwilling to open. His body laid out in its normal pose and looking lifeless. She slid out of bed, pulling on a robe and almost danced into the kitchen, humming to herself loudly as she went.

Filling the kettle, clattering cups noisily and noting the sun was coming out and hinting at a beautiful day. The birds already singing. She was buzzing with life and energy, whipping open the blinds to let the early light beam in.

Rob staggered through moments later, eyes half shut and rubbing them childishly. His naked torso looking tanned and firm with jeans lazily pulled on, the waist still unbuttoned. The scattering of hair across his chest and snaking down below the denim like an invite. His normally cropped and styled hair looking a tad bed ruffled and sexy along with morning stubble.

‘If this is a wake-up call to go get your ring then I’m not going anywhere until I’ve had coffee.’ He groaned huskily, almost staggering to the kitchen table.

She spun around, planting a kiss on his mouth in passing as she headed to the fridge and ran a hand across his abdomen, making him flinch as it tickled. She laughed lightly, aware of how boyish and fragile he seemed today.

‘Nope. I just woke up wide awake and happy. Wonder why?’ She giggled merrily.

‘It has to be a woman thing.’ He groaned, grinning her way and reaching for the nearby chair, sliding in before planting his arms and face on the table. ‘What time even is it?’

She watched him stifle a yawn with his fist and ruffled his black hair on passing, back to the counter. Her mood infectious.

‘It’s six am.’ The kettle clicked, drawing her focus back to her task.

‘Jesus Rose!’ Another yawn. ‘You realise I’ve had about four hours sleep if even that.’ She had to admit he did look utterly exhausted.

‘Go back to bed then, I didn’t tell you to get up.’ She smiled while pouring the water into the mugs.

‘You’re going to be the death of me, woman! I doubt I’ll get much sleep with you Snow Whiting it around the kitchen.’ He sounded grumpy, but he was watching her with a smile on that gorgeous face and resting his chin in the crook of his elbow.

‘Snow what’ing it?’ She frowned and slid a mug in front of him.

‘You’re seconds away from dancing in the flower beds and talking to birds. Your mum was onto something when she called you a princess.’ He sat up wearily and gratefully took a gulp of the hot liquid, grimacing and laying his head back down.

‘Maybe I have something I’m happy about... You, on the other hand, are a bit lack luster darling. Having second thoughts?’ She was only half teasing as she moved to him, mock pinching at his cheek.

‘Never! But... I may have to tie you down and gag you if you’re going to continue waking at dawn to sing at the rising sun.’ He reached out, pulling her into his lap playfully as he sat up. ‘Give me time to wake up. I’ll show you how happy I am... Again!’

‘I’m serious. Go back to bed. You look shattered’ She kissed him lightly, but he shook his head and took another gulp of coffee.

‘I’m up now anyway. I want that ring on your hand and I have so much to sort out today. It’s not a bad thing getting an early start... I also want to go see my dad and Abby. Tell them face to face that they’re going to have a new Munro in the family.’ He caught her mouth and firmly planted a hard kiss on it, making it clear he was not having second thoughts.

‘Abby will start planning the wedding immediately, you know this, right?’ Rose breathlessly pulled away. He shrugged.

‘Need to start sometime.’

‘I think waiting for the ring to hit the finger is usually the order of events.’

‘It will be on that finger before normal people start getting out of bed at a normal hour. That much I can promise you.’ He stood up, lifting her with him and depositing her on her bare feet. A hand cupping her butt as he slid past. Taking his coffee mug with him through to the lounge and sliding onto the couch. ‘We’ll go to the house and get it before I do anything else. Sooner it’s on your finger the sooner I’ll feel like I’ve done this right. Then we can tell the family together, later.’ He stretched out his arm to her as she slid down beside him. Balancing her cup carefully and allowing him to nestle her into him.

‘I’m not harassing you to do that Rob.’ She smiled up adoringly, so enamoured with him right now it was almost painful.

‘I want to see it on your hand. Make it more real.’ He pushed his forehead against hers, nudging her gently and smiling.

‘It is real.’

‘I just want to make it official okay? I almost lost you baby, this matters to me.’

‘Okay.’ She let him kiss her slowly, lingering together for a moment before breaking apart to smile.

They both turned and watched Muffin as he strolled in lazily, stretching out before making a quizzical yawn sound. Also protesting at the early hour.

‘I need to figure out what I’m going to do about Morag too.’ He kissed Rose’s temple through her hair, a little habit she was starting to notice he did when he mentioned the red head. Like a little gentle assurance for Rose’s benefit.

‘There’s nothing you can do while she’s in there Rob; maybe the time to let things sink in and talking to the therapists will help.’ She looked up at him wide eyed and hopeful.

‘Maybe!’

He kissed her forehead now she was facing him, draining his cup and jumping to his feet, turning to hold out a hand to her.

‘Come on Miss infectious. You want a ring on your hand then you better get dressed. I have plans for you in a really large shower cubicle in my room.’