Sorry this took so long!
1979, a winter's ball
And the Schuyler sisters are the envy of all
Yo, if you can marry a sister, you're rich son
Is it a question of if, Roi, or which one
It was a hot night in Everlock. Rosanna Schuyler was attending the winter ball her father was hosting.
She was also laughing at her sister Nikita, who was dancing like no one was watching. Except that everyone was watching.
Ro turned her head just in time to see a stranger enter the room. Her heart jumped in her chest.
Silky soft hair, perfect lips-- and those eyes. Deep brown pools that revealed themselves when he took off his sunglasses.
Ro tried to get his attention, but he seemed too focused on his surroundings. He had clearly never seen a house owned by someone rich, as he was marveling at all his surroundings.
Strolling over to Nikita, Ro grabbed her sister's arm and whispered, "Yo, this one's mine."
Nikita winked at her sister and walked over to the stranger. She grabbed him by the arm, and Ro bit her lip. Did she make a mistake? What would Nikita do?
Suddenly, the stranger turned back to Ro and caught her eye. Instantly, she melted inside.
Nikita walked the man over to her sister. "Where are you taking me?"
"I'm about to change your life."
"Then by all means, lead the way."
They had reached Ro now, and she curtsied. "Rosanna Schuyler. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Schuyler?"
"My sister," Nikita replied.
"Thank you for all your service."
"If it takes fighting a war for us to meet, it will have been worth it." He took her hand and kissed.
Nikita smiled (a bit sadly) and walked away, saying," I'll leave you too it."
************************************
The stranger's name was Matthew, and within a week, he was writing Ro a letter every day. Their love grew and grew.
Nikita watched her sister read Matt's latest letter and smiled. "He's such a great guy."
"Yeah, so great that you want to form a harem together."
She held up her hands in defense. "Hey, I'm just saying, if you really loved me, you'd share him."
Ro rolled her eyes. "Good luck with that."
************************************
Three weeks after the couple initially met, Matt was at dinner with Joey, Ro's father. He casually brought up the relationship, then flat-out asked for his blessing.
Ro was in the kitchen, hyperventilating. What if he said no?
Joey stood up, made his way over to Matt, then shook his hand, and said, "Be true."
Matt turned to Ro, smiling, and she couldn't help but squeal in delight.
After dinner, the couple went to the living room. Ro sat down on the couch. Matt took a deep breath, and began to speak.
"Rosanna, I don't have a dollar to my name, an acre of land, a troop to command, or a dollop of fame. All I have's ny honor, a tolerance for pain, a couple of college credits and my top-notch brain.
"Insane! Your family brings out a different side of me-- Colleen confides in me, and Nikita tried to take a bite of me. No stress, my love for you is never in doubt. We'll get a little place downtown and we'll figure it out.
"I've been living without a family since I was a child. My father left, my mother died, and I grew up buck wild. But I'll never forget my mother's face, that was real. As long as I'm alive, Rosanna, I swear to God you'll never feel so--"
He couldn't even finish, before he was on one knee and holding out a ring.
Ro choked back the tears, before pouncing on him and shouting, "I do, I do, I do, I do!"
************************************************
It was the day of the wedding. Matt stood at the altar, nervously shifting back and forth as JC rubbed his shoulder comfortingly.
Nikita and Colleen, dressed up and looking gorgeous, waited for their sister to get married. Nikita smiled brightly, although she seemed to have tears in her eyes. Not the kind everyone was expecting, but they didn't notice.
The organ played, and Ro came down the aisle, led by her father. Matt stared in awe as his beautiful bride-to-be.
They reached the altar, and Joey planted a kiss to his daughter's forehead before letting her go. The couple stood together, ready for their big moment.
After the vows were said and the priest pronounced them husband and wife, Matt and Ro kissed each other passionately. The crowd erupted into cheers, and the newlyweds made their way down the aisle.
And so began the start of their long and happy life together. Through the ups and downs, they would stick together, until the very end of their lives. In this moment, Ro felt exactly as she had when she met the man of her dreams on that very special night.
Helpless.
