Loving in Scarlet {Book Two in the Loving Series}

Epilogue ~ Red

Dedicated to those who are strong, like Rose.

And to those who hold them up when their strength falters, like Scorp.

Thanks for sticking with them, everyone-I know they can be really stubborn.

Epilogue

Red

          The magnificent dunes that gave Dune Cottage it’s name was completely covered in snow, as was the house below them; smoke curled towards the sky and Christmas lights shone outside and in the house.

“Jasper, give that back right now!”

The screech of Dawn Malfoy’s annoyed voice travelled up three flights of stairs to Rose’s studio in the attic, were she was adding a few finishing touches to her latest painting; a daisy in a sidewalk crack on a rainy day. Putting her brush down, Rose took of the oversized white button down shirt she’d stolen from Scorp and undid the loose bun so her hair fell in curls over her shoulders. She had on a sleek black dress and long string of white purls-a mother’s day gift from her children.

Slipping on a pair of black heels, Rose descended the spiral staircase and then the regular one to see her nineteen year old son, Jasper, dancing around the living kitchen with a spoon in his hand, dripping with batter; on his hip was Rose’s youngest daughter, Celeste Mona, who was giggling like a maniac. And with her hands on her hips in a very Weaslette pose was Dawn, fourteen and as feisty as Rose had been as a young girl-and she was furious.

“Mum!” she cried “Jasper continues to act like a hooligan and mess around with my cake-could you kindly order him to cease his childish manners?”

Holding in a laugh, Rose plucked the spoon from her son’s hand and licked it herself “Of course darling, but only if you let me have a lick.”

Dawn narrowed her eyes at her mother, and then snatched the spoon back; she was wearing an apron over a pale blue dress that went nicely with her strawberry blonde curls, peaches and cream skin and grey eyes-she was every inch Scorpius’ daughter. “You are all children, honestly.”

Rose giggled and kissed Dawn’s cheek “Why Dawn Adele, are you calling your own mother a child?”

“Yes.”

Rose laughed again and smoothed her daughters curls “Alright love, we’ll leave you to your cake. Celeste, let’s go get you dressed before the party, okay?”

“Okay!” Celeste said, and Jasper set her down.

“Ugh, you’re getting heavy, Cel!” he groaned jokingly; Celeste was seven and small for her age, petit and weighing far less than she should. Healers chalked it up to her being born so premature; Jasper and Dawn had both been born between 28 and 29 weeks, but Celeste had been born at 24. After being in intensive care for a month and a half, Celeste was still very small and had never recovered from her dangerous birth.

Leading Celeste upstairs, Rose helped her daughter slip on the white frock; it was soft linen with a lace trim, very Celeste-she was a girly girl, but loved to get absolutely filthy.

“Now Celeste, honey, try not to get anything on your dress tonight, okay?” Rose asked, taking a few wisps of her daughter’s fiery red hair in gentle fingers and tying it with a scrap of lace.

Celeste made a face in the mirror and reached for a tube of lipstick; she was sitting on Rose’s lap in front her vanity mirror in the master bedroom. “But Mumma, I like getting dirty!” she said sadly “And besides, I can’t help it!”