71

They snuck into the house, aware of the early hour. Headed down the hall and let themselves into his room quietly; Muffin running off to find his usual space in the cosy room by the kitchen, knowing he had left something tasty under the couch. Rose stood awkwardly by the bed as he walked to the drawer and began moving clothes aside to locate the box she had held in her hand weeks ago. Awed at the fact that back then she had held it and wondered what it would be like to be the girl Rob gave it too, and now here she was.

Finding it easily, he turned to her smiling and slid down on one knee smoothly, A smile on that perfect face and eyes locked on hers, he took her hand and pulled her closer. Cracking open the box to reveal the beautiful sparkling heirloom.

‘I love you more than life Rose. I can’t imagine a life without you and I don’t want too. Marry me.... Make me the happiest guy alive.

I will always love and cherish you, protect you over all others baby.

Trust me to make you happy and I swear I will never stop trying too.’

She slid down to her knees, smiling tearfully and nodding. As overwhelmed as the first time he had proposed, she was too overcome to reach out and take it, waiting instead for him to remove it from its velvet cushion and slide it on her hand.

Surprisingly it fit perfectly and shone even more brilliantly against her ivory skin, taking her breath away. The soft silver and sparkling diamonds and pink stone looked as though they had always belonged on her hand. She was in love with it and would cherish it always.

They both stared at the ring now in its place silently. Both aware that this was a huge moment for them. The beginning of a life together. Promises! A future! Children!...Eternity together.

She cried; not out of any sense of sadness but extreme happiness. Allowing him to pull her up to him, his eyes full of raw emotion.

‘To us! For the rest of our lives Rose. It’s us against the world.’ He cradled her face against his throat.

‘To us!’ She had agreed, feeling the warmth of his fingers tracing her tears away and knowing this is what she had been looking for her whole life. Rob was everything she needed. Savouring the minutes they sat on the floor and just let it all sink in.

True to his word, it did not take him long to coax her into the shower and have his wicked way with her. One thing she could always count on was his never ending high libido, his insatiable need to have her naked and pressed under him in at every opportunity. And today he was in more high spirits and good form.

They ended up back in bed, despite his intentions to get an early start, the shower session bringing out a need in them both to sleep some more; wrapped up in naked cosiness. He woke and left her asleep, leaving her a note that he had gone to see his father and had work related errands to do. She was dead to the world, unaware of his kissing her face and gently stroking her hair before he left.

Rose finally stirred mid-morning, read his note and ventured into the kitchen in search of coffee and toast; Alice warmly greeted her in passing, informing her Abby had left for the day too. She had college this morning. The close of the term was fast approaching for Abby and soon would be done for good.

The large empty kitchen and bare tile floors were a welcome sight; glad to be alone once more. She loved the old-fashioned country units, homely aged room and thick pine central island. The large brick fireplace still off at one end with the original hooks, metal oven and bars from when this big old house had used it as the main cooking stove. She loved the cream ceramic containers, holding baking powders and spices that brought such gorgeous smells under the experienced hands of the delightful housekeeper.

She loved Alice to death, but this morning found her feeling unwilling to engage in small talk. She had kept her hands by her side, not drawing attention to her new precious addition. Feeling funny about telling her before he did; about telling anyone before Abby or her parents knew.

It wasn’t something you casually announced over the phone or in passing, not for her anyway. She wanted him beside her when they told the people that mattered. Cradling her cup and lost in thought, unaware of her surroundings. The memories of last night niggling at her, pulling her in two directions.

Happiness and complete euphoria, then dread and unease at the unresolved.

She knew she shouldn’t let it stain her happy mood. He would take care of it. He always took care of everything. It was what he did... But this time was different. She tried to push down the building tension into the pit of her stomach and shake it away.

Maybe it was the admission that in the past he had let relationships end so as to avoid any unnecessary drama. Appease Morag and keep her happy. Maybe it was that despite everything all these years, Morag had remained constant when everyone else had been left on the sidelines of his life. Or maybe it was just the fear of how Morag would react when she found out Rose was the future Mrs Munro and wearing a ring that Morag had never been allowed.

* * *

Back at the cottage an hour later, only half emerged in her work; checking her phone absently and wondering how his day was going; she knew he had a busy day so did not expect him to call or text her randomly until he had got through his to do list. He rarely did when he was at work, knowing how much of an easy distraction she was. How easy it was to drop everything for the lure of her body against his. He also knew she would be lost in her own work, deadlines to meet.

Today she was feeling fragile. Her emotions on edge and aware that this neediness and insecurity was out of character. Especially after he had proposed to her. She could not get any more of a reason to feel secure than a man asking you to share his life for an eternity and proclaim undying love.

Muffin, who normally left her alone and opted for the fireside rug, was curled round her feet indicating he too could sense her tension.

What was wrong with her? This should be the happiest day of her life!

Instead, it was clouded with an overwhelming nervousness, feeling on edge and unable to formulate a reason. She knew it wasn’t the engagement, she had no doubts. She loved him more than enough and she was ecstatic. She wanted nothing more in the world than to be his for an eternity. To have a life with him and a future with children and a real home together.

But it was un-hide able and final!

Not merely a blossoming romance anymore, a real bound together for life kind of symbol. One that everyone would know about soon enough. Words spreading like wildfire in this county. The seriousness of his intentions would make its way to that curly red head in no time and that was the route of her anxiety.

Having her know that he had been sleeping with someone was one thing; dating someone. But having her know he had asked Rose to marry him was a whole different ball park. She wasn’t a minor threat or accused affair anymore. She was the person destroying all Morag’s hopes and illusions. A real threat not to be taken lightly or passed off as a whore. Someone to be despised. Someone to be blamed for the loss of any hope of a future between them.

The mood followed her, ever present, causing her jitters and making her hands clumsy and uncoordinated. Dropping her pens and brushes so many times, even knocking her water jar at one point soaking a piece she had barely started and cursing out loud. Burying her face in her hands for the umpteenth time that day, she just wanted it to be over, back in bed, surrounded by him, to start again. She was a nervous wreck and knew deep down it was the real reason she had not wanted Alice to see her ring. To congratulate her and dance with joy at the news, which she knew she would have. Alice had made it clear so many times over the last weeks that she was in full support of Rose and Rob as a couple.