Beep! Beep! Beep!
The alarm clock on the bedside table began it's daily chirping, awakening the slumbering wesen. A sleepy Rosalee reached to her left, trying a few times before hitting the button to shut it off. Monroe lay beside her, eyes fluttering open to meet the early morning light that peeked through the blinds of his bedroom.
"Rise and shine Cuddle Bug!" Rosalee almost sing-songed, running her fingers through the Blutbad's curly black-brown locks.
"Hmm, morning already?" Monroe hummed happily, smiling up at Rosalee. "If only last night hadn't ended."
"I know what you mean. That's one of the best nights I've had in years." Rosalee winked. Monroe smiled, a small chuckle rolling through his body.
"Alright, just give me a bit to do my pilates, and I can make us some breakfast." Monroe said with a grunt as he peeled back the covers and sat up.
"Or, we could have a workout of our own." Rosalee purred, lightly running her fingers across the stubble of Monroe's beard.
Monroe side-eyed her, his eyes glinting red. "Screw the pilates."
It was about six-thirty when Monroe and Rosalee had both finished breakfast. They both got dressed and ready for the day, and headed out the door.
"Don't forget to drop off that tea to Bud. I promised him I'd get it to him as soon as we got it in stock." Rosalee smiled, stepping off the porch to her car.
"Will do dear. Tell Andrea I said hi when she comes by today." Monroe chimed back, climbing in his bug. Rosalee waved goodbye from her window, and drove for the spice shop. Monroe turned the keys in the ignition, and the whirring of the engine intertwined with the whirring of thoughts in his mind.
Today was the day. This was the day he had been waiting months for. It was going to be the first step in a new direction for him and Rosalee. After delivering Bud's tea, Monroe was off to the jewelry shop to pick out an engagement ring. Being the dedicated, albeit picky man he was, Monroe had already planned out everything about the ring. The exact cut, jewel, design, every last detail.
Cushion-cut lotus ring, green amethyst center stone, smoky quartz and emerald accent stones, platinum band. He thought, recalling what he had spent days and nights perfecting. He could practically envision the way the gems would highlight Rosalee's beautiful hazel eyes, her beautiful soft skin, the tiny callouses on her finger tips...
Monroe was pulled from his thoughts when he realized he must look ridiculous sitting with a love-stricken face as the motor of his vintage yellow bug rumbled and sputtered. He took off the parking brake , shifted gears, and was off.
The bells above the jewelry shop door tinkled as Monroe stepped inside the building. A sweet tang of coffee filled his nose as he walked to the counter. A shorter woman with a brunette pixie cut peeked her head out of the back room behind the glass display case.
"Mister Monroe, nice to see you!" She smiled, coming around through the small door on the edge of the counter. "So, today's the day, huh?"
"Hey, Sam." Monroe smiled warmly. "Yep, it's time. Hope puttin' that ring together wasn't too much of a bother for you."
"Psh, for you? It's no trouble at all, really. You deserve it after helping that cop figure out Mister Gabaldi's murder last month." The brunette chuckled. "Just give me one sec here, hun." She said, walking around and unlocking one of the display cases. She scanned the numerous rings until she found the right one, and carefully plucked it out. "I'll tell you, that Rosalee is one lucky girl. You have quite the eye for gems."
Monroe blushed a bit at that. "I don't know if I'd agree with that..."
"Are you kidding? She is going to love this." Sam almost squealed, coming back around to where Monroe was standing. "So, have you decided how you're going to propose yet?"
"Well, actually, I'm planning to take her to dinner tonight. There's this great little place not far from the ballet studio that she just adores, and then I'm going to take her on a walk in the park. Then, when we get to the rose garden, I'll look into her eyes, and ask her to be mine forever." Monroe sighed dreamily.
"Oh my goodness, that's just beautiful Mister Monroe!" Sam squeaked, sniffling a bit. "Good luck with everything dear. I know she's going to say yes."
It was seven-thirty that evening as Monroe sat at the center table in Carafe. He tapped his fingers nervously on the solid oak table, looking up from his watch every now and then to see if Rosalee was there. Tick, tick, tick, tick...
"Hey, don't wait up on my account!" A familiar voice chimed. Monroe looked up, and his jaw almost dropped at what he saw. Standing there was Rosalee, her hair in a ballerina bun, a black lacey dress and sweater, and black shoes with roses on the toes. The dim light of the restaurant seemed dull in comparison to the almost angelic glow that seemed to come off of Rosalee. Almost as if on cue, Frank Sinatra's I Get a Kick Out of You played throughout the place.
"Y-you look... I mean, you... wow..." Monroe stammered, his normally broad vocabulary escaping him.
"So do you." Rosalee giggled. Wow, even her laugh sounds heavenly. "So, anything on the menu look good?"
"Hm? Oh, yeah. I was thinking we could split the pasta primavera, and we could even order some of the French wine."
"Hm, that sounds divine." Rosalee smiled sweetly, peering at Monroe under long, fluttering lashes. She slyly snuck a foot under the table, wrapping around Monroe's ankle.
"I, uh, I'll get on it now. W-waiter!' Monroe stuttered.
The two wesen finally finished their meal some while later, and Monroe led Rosalee down the sidewalks to the park. Portland was bright and alive for a Friday evening, and the hustle and bustle of people only added to the already movie-like quality of the night. They turned a corner, and a young man was playing In The Mood on his trumpet. Monroe looked to Rosalee with a small nervous smile.
"May I have this dance, my lady?" He blushed. Rosalee laid one hand on his shoulder, the other on his waist. He did the same, moving along in time with the music. He twirled Rosalee around once, then pulled her back into a dip. Rosalee giggled, reaching up and placing a kiss gingerly on Monroe's nose.
A few people around them clapped, and they both laughed. They continued their journey to the park. The late summer air smelled sweet and fresh as they entered the park, travelling slowly by the large oak trees. Rosalee rested her head on Monroe's shoulder, holding his hand in hers.
Finally, they reached the rose garden. A small fountain trickled, and old-fashioned street lamps lit the path. A few other lovers were out for an evening stroll, and so Monroe waited until they were alone. He watched happily as Rosalee marvelled at the plush pink flowers. He loved the way her gaze settled on the flowers. Reaching in his suit coat pocket, Monroe gripped the ring box. The stragglers had finally cleared, and it was now or never. Monroe tapped Rosalee's shoulder, and she turned to meet him with those big doe eyes of hers.
"Rosalee, there's something I need to ask yo-" Monroe could barely finish his sentence before his phone rang obnoxiously in his other pocket. He sighed, recognizing the tone as Nick's. He cursed under his breath, pulling the phone out and answering it.
"Monroe, where are you right now?" Nick asked on the other line. Monroe picked up the fear in his voice, and knew something was wrong.
"In the park downtown, why?" He muttered back, somewhat annoyed.
"You and Rosalee need to find somewhere safe to go. There's a Reaper in town, and he's after you two because he knows you associate with me."
"Sweetie, what's wrong?" Rosalee asked, picking up on Monroe's worry.
"Rosalee, we have to go, now."