I wake up in a hospital bed. I look around me and see the room empty with only one person there, Queenie.
"I see you got my message."
"It's good I cured you this morning or else they would've seen your little secret."
"I sense you also have something to do with me being alive right now."
"Not entirely. I should go before either the doctors come storming in or your friends."
"Thank you."
"Don't get used to this. I just had nothing better to do."
Later on, after the doctors checking up on me a few times, I got visitors. First Alex who was just ecstatic to see me awake.
"Don't ever do something stupid like that again. Leave the stupid stuff to me. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I should have prevented this. I should have rescued you. This is my fault."
"It's not, I chose to do this. Don't think this is your fault."
Then it was Jim. Who just like Alex felt horrible that I laid in this bed.
"I'm so sorry this happened."
"No need to cry for me Jim, I'll be fine."
"How are you feeling?"
"In all honesty? Horrible. I'm not much of a drinker, but I could use something strong right now."
"I never meant for you to get hurt."
"You wish you could've saved both me and Lee. But that can't always happen, Jim. Did you at least catch Tech? "
"He's still in the wind. Listen-"
"Jim, I already had Alex apologize for hours, I'd rather skip all that. Look, I told you to choose me which you did. I know you did the whole reverse thing. I'm going to alright, I'm a strong girl."
Lee also came and apologized, though thankfully it didn't fill our entire conversation. Eventually, she left, letting me get some rest. The next morning I'm allowed to leave the hospital. I go home, thankful all of that is over. Happy to move on with my life as nothing happened.
Tonight I'm going on a long-overdue date with Edward. Especially since recently, I've been feeling a little insecure. Like I don't deserve to be with such a man. Like he's bound to leave me at any second. It doesn't help that I've been keeping a few things from him. And I know it's probably me just being very paranoid. But just can't shake this feeling away. It's like this happiness that he gives me is a rug and someone is about to sweep it out my feet. And I'm scared because I don't know what I'd do if that were to happen. But I don't want to tell Edward any of this because I don't want to come off as needy, or untrustworthy, or weak.
I get ready for tonight with butterflies in my stomach. It's amazing how he still makes me feel like this. When I see him the butterflies start fluttering even more. And when he calls me beautiful it feels like more butterflies are added to my stomach and my face gets turned into a pink shade. We go to a museum, where we shared facts about the paintings to each other. Then we go back to the manor for dinner. He had made it himself. We sit down and eat.
"This has been an amazing date. How did I get so lucky to end up with a man like you?"
"Rosabelle, there is something I'd like to confess."
Oh my god. Is this it? Is the rug being pulled out my feet.
"You can tell me anything. You know that."
"See, the reason I was in Arkham was..."
"Edward you don't need to-"
"I killed Kristen Kringle and Officer Pinkney. And I framed Jim Gordon for his murder. And I know how that might sound but-"
"Edward, Edward.", I grab his hand. "I know. I've known for a long while. Alex thought she was being smart by not leaving any newspapers around, but it wasn't enough."
"You know what I did and yet you still stayed with me?"
"Of course. Besides if it makes you feel better I used to be the Sweet Serial Killer, Apate."
"Wait, that was you?"
"I'm a pretty good botanist."
"It all makes sense now."
"Yeah, though, that phase is over for me. Also since we're confessing things here, I was kidnapped by Jervis Tetch yesterday, for some revenge thing he had with Jim and got shot in the process, but I'm okay now. I didn't call you or told you about this sooner because I didn't want to worry about you. But now that I have I actually feel better."
"You should know you can always tell me anything. And I promise I will find the man that shot you and make him pay forever hurting you."
"Right now I want to focus on us and this wonderful date. So, I believe dessert is next."
"Absolutely."
When I get my dessert plate I notice something is in it. I grab it, it was a small scroll. I unrolled it and read it out loud.
"I am something, I am an endless chain. Once you have me you are bound for life. What am I?"
I think about it for a moment.
"A wedding ring."
"Rosabelle Darling,"
I turn to see Edward kneeling in front of me, with a ring in his hand. I gasp in shock, putting my hands over my mouth.
"Being with you has made me the happiest I've ever been. You've always been there with me. I feel as though I've finally found my other half. And I do not wish to spend the rest of my life without it. Will you marry me?"
Tears started gathering in my eyes. But they're out of pure happiness.
"Yes, of course. A million times yes!"
He puts the ring on my finger and stands up, pulling me in for a deep kiss.
"From the moment we met I knew I'd always love you, but you were to have told me that I would end up in your arms and engaged to you, I don't think I would've believed it. It almost feels like a dream."
"Maybe it is.", he tells me.
"Then damn anyone who dares to wake me up."
That night when I get home, I am still starstruck and smiling like a damn fool. I find Alex and Queenie in the living room. It looked like they had just been in an argument.
"Hey, how was the date? You two finally seal the deal.", Queenie asks me.
I show off the ring with a huge smile on my face.
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~ her ring ~
"You could say that."
Queenie comes over and grabs my hand to take a good look at it.
"Wow, that's beautiful. This guy clearly loves you. Right, Alex? Congrats Rose. Aren't you going to congratulate her Alex?"
"Yes, of course. I am so happy for you, Rosie. Though it is a bit young for you."
"She's just jealous cause she's older and you're getting married first. She's also not one for weddings."
"Well, I hope you can get over that cause I'd love for you to be a bridesmaid. And you too Queenie."
"Awesome. We'd be honored. Isn't this just the greatest thing ever Alex?"
