Chapter 2

Ruth opened her door, picked up a few cards and letters off the door mat and hung her coat on the stand. When she turned to drop her keys on the dresser, she stopped short. There was a small white envelope in plain sight on the table lying next to a single white rose in a crystal bud vase. Her name was on the card. 'Ruth'.

She was panicked for a moment. Who had been in her house? But as she looked closer at the envelope she realised she recognised that writing. It looked very much like… Harry's. Had he done this for her? Was this where he'd snuck out to in the afternoon?

She picked up the bud vase and sniffed the rose, taking in the scent. She put it down and opened up the card. Harry's distinctive scrawl was inside;

Happy Birthday to the best analyst
I have ever had.

White is for trust.
Go to the coffee table next.
H

Ruth was confused for a moment. Trust wasn't the generally accepted meaning for white roses, that was innocence and purity but Harry was hoping she would have some further knowledge. She racked her brain for a few moments; she knew it could also mean secrecy, something rather apt for their jobs, but that wasn't what Harry was saying either. Then she remembered something she'd read not three months earlier. White roses had held great significance during the War of the Roses; it was said that the white rose signified death to those who betrayed their word, tying the meaning of the white rose to loyalty and trust as well.

She smiled despite herself and made her way into the living room. There on the coffee table was another rose in a vase, yellow this time, and another card. She opened it.

Hoping all your dreams come true.

Yellow is for friendship.
Kitchen next
H

She was enjoying this now. She loved little games like this. Last year, Harry had…. Even though this wasn't as challenging as that, she found herself excited, wondering what this was all leading to. It was quite sweet that he'd gone to this much trouble for her birthday. Although sweet wasn't a word many people would use to describe Harry Pearce, Section Head. But Ruth was in a unique position; she had often had the privilege of seeing the man underneath his tough persona.

The kitchen table held a pink rose and another card which read;

To let you know that I appreciate
the times you have been there for me.
I know I don't always accept your offers
of support or thank you for them I want
you to know that I do appreciate them.

Pink is for appreciation and affection.
Go upstairs.
H x

Upstairs? He had never been upstairs in her house before. On the few occasions he had reason to call on her, he'd remained in the living room or kitchen. She didn't think he had ever even stayed long enough to need to use the bathroom. She felt her throat getting tight and anticipation rising within her as she climbed the stairs. She hurried into the bedroom. There on the chest at the foot of her bed was an enormous crystal vase containing two dozen blood red roses.

Ruth gasped; they must have cost a fortune. Next to the vase was a rectangular package about the size of a book, neatly wrapped in gold foil. A small tag on top said: 'Open Me'.

She picked up the present and sat down on the bed. Her hands were shaking as she slowly removed the paper to reveal a black velvet box. Her mouth went dry. This certainly wasn't a CD or a book about cats. Several long minutes passed before she could bring herself to open the box. When she finally did, another gasp escaped her and her hand came up to her mouth. She stared, her breath hitching.

In the centre of the box was an ornate, white gold heart pendant; the most beautiful Ruth had ever scene. The heart was cut out in the middle, in fanciful swirls, that reminded her of the scrolled iron gates of the 19th century which lead to lavish estates and secret gardens. At the bottom of the heart, a small diamond was sparkling from where it was cast into the gold.

The lid of the box held a note on heavy bond paper. She unfolded it, hands still trembling.

Ruth,

This is for the most extraordinary woman I have ever met. She
is clever, compassionate, gentle and loving. This is to tell her
something that I should have told her years ago…

I'm in love with you Ruth. You have stolen my heart completely.

Red is for love and passion.

Harry x

Ruth sat stunned her brain struggling to process what was happening. Harry was in love with her! After basking in this revelation for a few moments, she stood and made her way to her dresser. She removed the chain she had worn for work that morning and placed the new one around her neck. She reached behind to fasten it, but the clasp was fiddly and her hands were still trembling slightly, making it difficult.

"May I help?" a voice asked, startling Ruth and almost making her drop the necklace.

Her head whipped round and her eyes fell on him, standing in the doorway to her bedroom, having snuck into her house once more. "Harry!"

Wordlessly, he approached her and took the chain from her quivering hands. She relinquished it to him and held her hair out of the way as he fastened it. "Beautiful," he whispered, bringing her hands to rest on her shoulders.

"It's gorgeous," Ruth agreed as she reached up to finger the pendant, not realising he was referring to her as much as the jewellery. She met his eyes in her mirror. "It must have cost a fortune."

"I wanted to get you something nice," he said.

"Some people would regard this as considerably more than 'nice'.

"Well, I also wanted to get my point across and I didn't think a CD or a book screamed romance."

"Oh, I don't know Harry. I mean yes, this is an obvious expression of love, but I would have been just as happy with your confession alone."

"R-really?" Harry's mouth had gone dry and he was struggling to speak. He had hoped Ruth would feel the same but he hadn't been certain. One could never be certain about matters of the heart.

Ruth nodded. "It would have been the best present I've ever gotten."

"Okay then." He paused, turning her to face him. "I am in love with you Ruth; I have been for a long time." He held his breath, waiting for her response. Saying it to her face hadn't been as difficult as he'd imagined and now he'd done it, he didn't know if he'd ever be able to stop himself. He wanted to tell her every day.

She raised her hand to his cheek. "I love you too, Harry."

His arms slid around her waist and he tugged her closer to him, bringing his lips down on hers gently. He swallowed her little gasp of surprise and took advantage of her open mouth. His tongue swept inside, slow and lazy, tasting her, savouring the jolts of sensation passing between them. Her lips were so full and soft. She shivered and tentatively rolled her tongue around his and he groaned heavily into her mouth and deepened the kiss. They teased each other with their lips and their tongues and soon it became impossible to know who was sighing and who was gasping.

Ruth's head was spinning. Harry was kissing her! He was very good, frighteningly good! His kiss was soft but insistent and her ears were buzzing with the rush of blood in her head. Kissing him made her feel ... complete. It felt so right. Nothing had ever felt this right.

Harry could feel himself reacting to the kiss and he knew that they needed to stop and talk about this. So, reluctantly, he broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against hers. They both smiled as they caught their breath.

"We've both made some pretty big declarations tonight, Ruth so I understand if you need some time…"

She shook her head. "I don't need time, Harry. I want this. I want you. I want us."

He kissed her again. "Does this mean you'll let me buy you dinner on your birthday?"

"I'll let you buy me dinner any day, Harry. But can we stay in and get a take away? I've still got to pack for tomorrow and I'll have an early start in the morning."

"Whatever you want; it's your birthday after all. How about this, I'll go and get us some food and a bottle of wine, while you pack. Hmm?"

"Sounds good. You'll be able to let yourself in when you get back won't you? I mean, you've had a lot of practise with my front door today," she teased.

"And aren't you glad I did?"

"Definitely," she replied with a smile. Today had turned out be a very happy, very memorable birthday after all.