Just Rose

29

They ate together on the couch, morning TV droning on in the background as they chatted lightly about nothing in particular. Muffin was gnawing on a bone she had been keeping in the fridge from Friday's butcher trip.

Her phone vibrated across the table, Rob's name beaming on its screen and making her heart swell, she excused herself, taking it to her room before answering him.

'Hey beautiful.' That familiar wash of coming home at the sound of his voice, Rose gushed.

'Hey handsome.' She replied, smiling like a loony, aware how easily he could make her feel this way. Just a call and two little words.

'Is it okay to head down and finally meet my future in-laws? You know as the idiot who broke their daughters heart instead of the Laird.' He sounded more upbeat than this morning, his normal humour present in that sexy voice. Rose giggled.

'Only if you're prepared to be interrogated and made to explain yourself in detail. My mother isn't the push over that I am.' She warned lightly, knowing that despite saying it jokingly, there was a little truth to it.

'Don't worry I brushed up on my spy torture evasion techniques, I'm ready for it baby. Damien is bringing me down in a few minutes.

He popped by to say goodbye.'

'Tell him I said goodbye too.' She replied coquettishly with a smile on her lips.

'Don't make me hurt him.' Rob threatened in humour, hinting that he had not forgotten Damien's attempt on Rose at the dance.

'Oh weesht, you know it's only ever been you.' Rose sighed. 'Hurry up and stop making me wait.' She giggled girlishly.

'You're wish is my command gorgeous, and it will always only ever be me, baby.' He ended the call with a goodbye and Rose rolled her eyes with a happy grin. Her heart was beating fast to the thought of him and her parents meeting again in this way, knowing the truth finally, but she was also just eager to see him again. She hated when they were apart, more so now than before after losing him for so long.

Moments later the car tyres on gravel alerted her to his arrival. That surge of anticipation rising in her stomach, she rushed to the door to answer it as he chapped lightly, being pulled out the door slightly by him so he could kiss her without her parent's keen eyes. Leaning close to her ear and keeping his voice for her ears only he muttered huskily.

'Best friend brought up to speed and dutifully warned off. He apologises profusely for trying to steal my girl and told me to man up and make my claim public.' He smiled, brushing her temple with a kiss and winking at her amused expression. She shook her head as she brushed past, leading the way to where her parents were waiting, jumping slightly as his hand pinched her butt from behind. She glared at him and put distance between them as they met her parents in the lounge.

It was tense at first; her mother grilling him unashamedly. Wanting to know what his intentions were with her daughter after Morag was stable enough to come out. Chiding him over the whole messy situation and the stupidity of thinking he could carry on a secret romance in a town as small as this.