When she awoke the next morning, the memories of their night flooded back, causing a huge wave of joy and a smile to break over her face. She sat up with a start and planted a kiss on his cheek excitedly. All the vigour 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 unwilling to open. His body was laid out in its normal pose and looked lifeless. She slid out of bed, pulled on a robe, and almost danced into the kitchen, humming loudly as she went.
Filling the kettle, clattering cups noisily and noting the sun was coming out, hinting at a beautiful day. The birds were 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 normally cropped and styled hair looked a tad bed-ruffled and sexy, along with morning stubble. His naked torso looked tanned, and firm with jeans lazily pulled on, the waist still unbuttoned. The scattering of hair across his chest and snaking below the denim like an invite.
‘If this is a wake-up call to 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 was 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 watched her with a smile on that gorgeous face and rested 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 gulped 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 lacklustre, darling. Having second thoughts?’ She was only half teasing as she moved to him, mock pinching his cheek.
‘Never! But... I may tie you down and gag you if you 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; I have so much to sort out today. It’s not a bad thing to get an early start... I also want to 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?’ He shrugged. Rose breathlessly pulled away.
‘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. He took his coffee mug to the lounge and slid onto the couch. ‘We’ll go to the house and get it before I do anything else. The 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 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 redhead 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 her hand.
‘Come on, Miss Infectious. If you want a ring on your hand, you better get dressed. I have plans for you in a large shower cubicle in my room.’
* * *
They snuck into the house, aware of the early hour. Heading down the hall and quietly letting themselves into his room, Muffin ran 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. She was awed that she had held it back then and wondered what it would be like to be the girl Rob gave it to, and now she was.
Finding it easily, he turned to her smiling and smoothly slid down on one knee. With 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 don’t want to. Marry me... Make me the happiest guy alive. I will always love, cherish, and 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 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, sparkling diamonds, and pink stones looked like 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 were 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 was what she had been looking for her whole life. Rob was everything she needed. Savouring the minutes, they sat on the floor and 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 at every opportunity. And today, he was in more high spirits and in 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 for 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 she 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 was 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 ceramic cream 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 felt unwilling to engage in small talk this morning. 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 he had let relationships end in the past to avoid any unnecessary drama. Appease Morag and keep her happy. Perhaps 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 she 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 work and deadlines to meet.
Today she was feeling fragile. Her emotions were on edge, aware that this neediness and insecurity were out of character. Especially after he had proposed to her, she could not get more of a reason to feel secure than a man asking her to share his life for eternity and proclaim undying love.
Muffin, who normally left her alone and opted for the fireside rug, was curled around 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 than to be his for eternity. To have a life with him, a future with children, and a real home together.
But it was un-hideable 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. The seriousness of his intentions would make its way to that curly redhead in no time, and that was the route of her anxiety. Words spread like wildfire in this county.
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 different ballpark. She wasn’t a minor threat or accused affair anymore. She was the person destroying all of Morag’s hopes and illusions. A real danger 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. She dropped her pens and brushes so many times, even knocked her water jar at one point, soaking a piece she had barely started and cursing loudly. 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 repeatedly over the last weeks that she fully supported Rose and Rob as a couple.
Walking Muffin for the fifth time that day had offered no comfort, and she sighed with relief and dread as she caught sight of Abby walking down the gravel road towards her. She was dressed in black jeans, a floaty top, and a heavy cardigan with her silky black hair in a messy ponytail. Dragging a large portfolio folder in one hand and steadying her shoulder bag with the other. The girl flashed her a huge smile and closed the gap between them.
‘Afternoon, lovely!’ it felt like an age since they had been alone.
‘Hey, Ab’s.’ Genuine happiness at her appearance. That immediate flow of warm affection.
‘No Rob lurking in the background then?’
Rose smiled at the cheekiness in her childlike tone and twinkling eyes, looking up in mock surprise as Abby gently sucker-punched her.
‘No Duncan hiding in the bushes?’ She jibed back, pushing her shoulder playfully.
‘Touché!’
They both laughed and hugged briefly before stepping apart. Pulling back to look at one another, Abby halted, her face instantly dropping, a strange look of calculation followed by realisation as she reached again for Rose’s hand and grabbed it to her eye level.
‘Oh my god!’ The straight face suddenly illuminated with undeniable joy. ‘When?’
Rose laughed, glad to have had the task of announcing taken away from her, out of her control. No longer having to ponder or decide about what to do.
‘Last night.’ She couldn’t help but beam and admire the sparkling beauty nestled delicately on her hand.
‘I need details!’ Abby hauled Rose into another stronger hug and danced her around in a circle affectionately. Her hyper-ness was infectious.
‘I’m pretty sure you don’t want the details, Ab’s! But there’s a PG version for innocent ears.’ She laughed out loud, instantly breathless from Abby’s shenanigans.
‘You hussy!’ Abby giggled, leading her by the hand towards the door. Scooping for a second to ruffle Muffin's fluffy head.
‘I’m sorry, Ab’s, but I can’t help myself. It’s those Munro genes. They’re irresistible to me.’ She jested
‘I guess that’s why he was texting me this morning, asking if he could take me to college!’ She reflected. ‘I was already on the bus. He said he’d see me tonight!’
‘Sorry!’ Rose looked remorseful, wondering if he had wanted to see Abby’s reaction first-hand
‘Oh shoosh. I’m glad I found out this way. This means I can torture him later, acting dumb and dragging it out. Like to see him tongue-tied and awkward when talking about his feelings, pah!’
‘Really? I’ve never seen him that way.’ Rose grinned, disbelief on her pretty features.
‘You’re not his baby sister, whom he assumes is an innocent child-minded airhead. He still acts like I should be in nappies. He also doesn’t like to appear anything but strong and capable in front of me! None of that gushy love chat!’ Abby rolled her eyes and immediately looked as young as she claimed she wasn’t.
Rose smiled, never thinking he had different faces for different people. Realising with Abby, he had taken over the role of protector and father figure when their lives had fallen apart, and their father had recoiled in his sadness. It made sense. With her, he was never afraid to tell her how he felt. Well, most of the time.
‘Does my dad know?’ Abby blinked up at her, pushing her bags onto the couch and kicking off her shoes.
‘I think so. He got up this morning to see him before leaving for work, so I’m assuming he would have told him then.’ Although she thought back to Rob’s ‘we will tell the family later’ comment this morning.
‘He will be happy. He’s been rooting for you from day one, apparently. He told me that Rob ended up there daily when you broke up. They have always had that male closeness thing. Turns to him when he’s got crap going on. Too alike!’ Abby threw herself on the couch and sprawled out.
‘Well, that makes two of you then.’ Rose winked and tried to haul Abby back to her feet by the arm. ‘Come eat with me.’
* * *
The girls sat at the kitchen table, eating the remains of their sandwiches and sipping tea. Abby had immediately gone into excited ‘Maid of honour’ mode. Pulling out a pad and pens and trying to engage Rose in making a to-do list.
Rose had declined initially, trying to tell her that her family did not even know yet, but it was pointless. Her enthusiasm and flow of beautiful ideas and vision drew Rose in. She had told her to take creative control if she was that impatient, that Rose and Rob would happily look over her ideas together. An excuse not to get caught up in table runners and floral arrangements via Google on Abby’s phone. ‘Oh, you would look beautiful in a vintage lace wedding dress Rose. You’re so effortlessly romantic looking. I think it would suit you.’
‘Ummm, thanks.’ She wasn’t sure what that meant but laughed, feeling lighter than she had all day. Letting herself relax into the fact that this was real and enjoying it briefly when surrounded by the infectiousness that was Abby’s way.
Abby hauled out her tablet from her bag. Anxious for a bigger screen than her mobile afforded, and began scrolling google for bridal websites and examples of elegant dresses. Rose had been right about one thing. Abby would have this wedding planned before the week ended.
Feeling that familiar flutter of dread, she got up to shake it free, pulling some cookies from the bread bin and sliding them on the table. Abby was engrossed on Pinterest, already creating her ‘inspiration board’ of fabulous garden weddings and rustic centrepieces. Chatter bubbling forth of how amazing a wedding marquee would look on the south lawn behind the house. Rose smiled, watching her. Wishing she could feel the same enthusiasm and dive right in, helping choose out the biggest day of her life. Yet all she could think about was Morag.
Her tumbling fiery red wild hair. Her darkening green eyes and smooth, creamy freckle-spattered face. Like a looming serpent in her mind’s eye, devouring her in one easy strike. A growing presence, reaching over her and shadowing everything else out of her mind like a thick black toxic smoke.
She knew one thing for sure... There had to be some climax to come from all this build-up, and it only made her feel weak at the knees, shivers and goosebumps running uneasily up her spine. Her chest was heavy with foreboding and anticipation.