Monroe woke up a little confused at first, then completely satisfied as the events from last night came back. He smiled and looked down at the naked Fuchsbau on top of him. He wrapped his arms around her, snuggling her close. She looked incredibly peaceful and satisfied as well. Monroe looked at his clock and saw that it was only 4:30 in the morning. He lightly trailed his fingertips on Rosalee's back. She giggled in her sleep and woke up groggily, smiling, "Can I help you, sir?"
"As a matter of fact, yes." He smiled back.
She lifted her head and let it rest on her arms lying on his chest.
"Then pray tell, what can I do?" she asked, suspiciously.
"We have a little time before breakfast." He hinted.
"Have you no shame?" she glared, playfully.
He shook his head, "Not when there's a foxy lady in my arms."
Her eyebrows raised, "Foxy? Really?"
He shrugged, "It's early, give me time to come up with better pick-up lines."
"Maybe this will help." She winked.
…
Juliette and Rosalee were helping Holly in her room. Callie and Rainie were also getting ready. Holly was beginning to feel like a princess already and just couldn't contain her excitement.
Rosalee was finishing with her makeup while Juliette was curling her hair.
Callie was helping Rainie put a couple of bows in her now curly blonde hair.
Rosalee was so glad she'd found her emerald green knee-length cocktail dress. She was afraid she'd look like a hobo in jeans tonight. She felt somewhat…sexier today. So she didn't mind dabbing on some makeup and doing her hair different.
Juliette had also made sure her girls looked adorable. Rainie was wearing the cutest pink summer dress with roses on it. Callie wore a gorgeous royal blue sleeveless homecoming dress. And although Nick had nearly made her go change, Juliette's stunning sexy black dress, the one that always made Nick drool, left him forgetting what he was even saying to Callie.
"I never thought I'd look so…pretty." Holly said.
"You look amazing." Rosalee said, giving her a hug. Holly got up and looked in the mirror. Everyone oohed and awed as she showed off her gold taffeta one-shouldered homecoming dress.
"BEAUTIFUL." Rainie signed.
"Let's go show the guys, ladies." Juliette said as they cleaned up and ushered the girls out of the room.
All of the girls came into the kitchen where Nick and Monroe stood waiting with some beers. Both wore simple yet nice suits for tonight.
"Look at my girls!" Nick smiled as Rainie did a twirl for them. He kissed Juliette then quietly asked if Callie had a jacket she could wear. Juliette playfully punched him. Rosalee came in with Holly and Monroe felt like the proudest man in the world.
"Oh Holly…" he breathed as she came over to him, "You look so lovely." She beamed at him. He saw Rosalee and felt his breath catch. She looked…incredible. She smiled when she saw his face turn a little red.
"We ready to go?" Nick asked.
"Roddy's coming." Holly said.
They all heard the doorbell and Holly went to answer it.
Sure enough, Roddy, who had cleaned up nicely wearing a suit and tie, felt his jaw drop when he saw Holly.
"Hols…you look…so amazing." He swooned, coming in. She glowed as he kissed her.
He pulled a package out from his pocket, "Happy Birthday." He said, giving it to her. She opened it and gasped. He'd gotten her a beautiful diamond necklace, in the shape of a heart.
"Roddy…" she said, ready to cry.
"Let's put it on!" he said, helping her with the clasp. She turned and he grinned.
"Thank you." She said.
"Hey Roddy." Monroe said, coming in.
"Dad, look what Roddy got me!" Holly said, showing Monroe.
Monroe looked at it. He had to keep his face from falling a little. He smiled at her and Roddy, "That's really nice."
Roddy nodded politely and Monroe nodded back. He liked the kid, but he was still dealing with the fact that he had Holly for only one more year. After that, she was free to make her own choices. He didn't want to think about her choosing to live on her own.
"All right, let's head out." He quickly said.
…..
Monroe covered Holly's eyes before he brought her in. Everyone was waiting inside.
"Be careful with my makeup, Dad!" she laughed.
He paused a minute, "Hols, wait just one moment, I want to give you something before you go in."
She turned around. He got out a small package and she opened it. It was a bracelet with a heart shaped locket on it. Holly opened the locket and saw a picture of her and Monroe. She remembered someone took the picture while both were on a hike. She felt tears coming to her eyes, "Thanks Daddy, I love it." She said. He helped her put it on.
"I'm always here if you need me." He said.
She nodded, "I know."
"Let's go in."
She smiled and turned around. He opened the doors and sure enough, everyone yelled "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" when she came in.
She was so excited to see so many people she knew. All her friends from the dance studio were there, ready to party the night away.
She even saw her tutor who was extremely excited that Holly was wearing the new makeup she'd given her.
Holly squealed when she saw her grandparents. Ellie rushed over and squeezed her tight and Sam made her twirl for him.
"Happy Birthday, sweetheart!" Ellie said.
"You look beautiful, Hols." Sam added.
She even saw her aunts and uncles come in with their kids. Jackie of course was very pregnant.
Everyone was having a great time. Roddy's friend made sure the light system was a hit and that the music was tasteful.
Monroe couldn't be happier for Holly right until the boys started asking her to dance. Monroe was proud she turned them all down except for Zeeke and Michael, considering they had girlfriends.
Another boy decided to cut in while Michael was dancing, and before Roddy could save the day, Monroe decided to jump in. He growled at the boy who scurried away.
"Dad…" Holly warned.
"Just making sure my girl doesn't dance with the wrong guys." He said.
They danced for a while until Roddy came up and cleared his throat.
"Not now Roddy." Monroe growled again.
"Dad!" Holly laughed.
Monroe sighed, "Fine, but no inappropriate touching!" he warned walking away.
Luckily he didn't need to watch out for Holly much longer as Rosalee came up to him. He couldn't deny she looked stunning.
"You wanna dance?" she asked.
"You bet." He said, smiling.
Just then, they heard laughter and screaming. Monroe looked and chuckled at his brother Alan chasing his naked toddler son, Connor, around the room.
"I think the party just got hoppin'." Rosalee laughed.
"Thank God that's not my kid." He grinned.
He looked over toward Nick who was dancing with Juliette. Then noticed Rainie was dancing with Evan's son Elliot. He looked a little awkward dancing with a kid but he was nice about it.
He looked over and noticed Callie had a few boys vying for her attention. She looked so nervous she wasn't even signing. At one point Nick came to her rescue. As soon as they saw he was a Grimm, they scurried away. Callie looked a little annoyed but relieved at the same time. Nick asked her to dance and she turned him down. Nick seemed a little sad, but understanding about it. Monroe couldn't help but feel bad for the guy. He knew the only reason Callie wasn't close to him was because of her run in with men his age.
He finally had his attention back on Rosalee, she had her head in his chest, smiling, "You worry too much, the party's a hit."
He nodded, "Yeah, I know how to throw a great party."
She laughed.
His parents came over and he groaned.
"Be nice." She said.
"Rosalee, it's so good to see you!" Ellie said, hugging her. Sam did the same.
"It's great to see you both as well." She said a little nervously. Granted both had helped her out, and accepted her, but how would they feel knowing she was now moving in with their son…unmarried?
Both were fine and chatty for a while, then Monroe finally growled that he wanted to dance. Sam took Rosalee's hand, "Then may I have this dance?" he kissed her hand.
"You're dad's more a gentleman than you are." Rosalee teased Monroe.
Monroe couldn't resist taking his mom on the floor. She was thrilled, "I haven't danced with you since you were so little."
"We danced at Evan's wedding." He said. He was hoping the song would end soon. Not that he didn't love his mother, but he really wanted to hold Rosalee again.
"Oh, that's right!" she smiled, "Ed, honey, this is a wonderful thing you've done for Holly. She's so happy."
Monroe smiled at his mother, but she could tell he was bothered by something.
"She'll always be your girl, Ed. Don't worry about it so much. They grow up, but not all of them leave."
"I left." He said sadly.
"Of course you didn't. You're still here. You just chose to live your life. That's what we raised you to do. Live on your own and be your own man."
Monroe nodded, "Hope Holly learns from me."
"She already is. In more ways than you think."
The song ended and he hugged his mother, "Thanks Mom, you always do know what to say to make me feel better."
After cake and some presents, the party resumed well into the night. Holly hoped it never ended. She and Roddy hadn't stopped dancing for the longest time and they were both content to stay together till dawn. Roddy seemed distracted, however, and it finally got to Holly.
"Roddy, is something wrong?" she asked.
"No." he said quickly. She wasn't convinced.
"Really, what is it?" she asked.
"Can I…talk to you…outside, real quick?" he asked. She nodded, not sure what to think. They quickly snuck out to the terrace. There was a fountain, a stone walkway and a garden. Holly thought it was lovely, but then realized she was out here for a reason.
"So…what's up?" she asked Roddy, who was looking nervous about something.
"I was hoping to find a way to do this…better." He said, rubbing his neck. He finally looked her in the eyes, then smiled. He took her hands in his, "Holly, I love you."
She was relieved a little, then realized the impact of those words. They'd never really said them, they just sort of knew.
"I love you too." She said, hugging him.
"I want to ask you something." He said, his voice shaking a little.
She pulled away, "What?"
He got down on one knee. Holly had no clue the significance of this move, considering she'd never really seen it done. She just thought Roddy was tying his shoe, so she turned around and looked at the fountain for a minute.
"Holly?" Roddy asked.
"Yeah?"
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"I'm waiting till you're done down there." She said, absentmindedly.
"Umm…turn around." He chuckled.
She did and looked down. Roddy was still on one knee, but he was holding something. A small box and a…
"A ring?" she asked, "But you gave me a necklace already."
Roddy realized she'd never really seen something like this, so he decided to just say it.
"Holly, it's a wedding ring," he chuckled, "I want you to marry me."
Now that Holly had heard of. A look of shock crossed her face and she looked at the ring. It was small and silver with 3 small diamonds in the middle. Roddy was smiling up at her. Holly stood for a moment, unsure of what to do.
"Holly, will you marry me?" he asked.
She looked from the ring to him. There were so many questions she had on this topic.
"Do we have to do it now?" she asked.
He shook his head, "I'd prefer we wait until we're both of age and have our lives ahead of us." He chuckled.
"So why are you asking me now?" she asked.
He shrugged, "I guess I just want to see you wearing the ring I gave you and know that I have a future with you. I want us to make plans and really be together."
She smiled, "You really want to be with me? Forever?"
He nodded, "Absolutely."
"But, there's so much I have to do, places Dad and I are going and school and-"
"Holly, we have time. This is just a promise. I want you to be able to live your life, I just want to know that I'm in the future."
She thought long and hard about it. Then looked Roddy in the eye and realized she couldn't imagine her life without him. She loved Roddy, they were mates. She smiled at him then nodded, "Yes." She said, softly.
"Yes? As in you'll marry me?" he asked, excitedly.
She nodded, "Yes."
Roddy hopped up and put the ring on her finger. They kissed, the rest of the world forgotten.
….
Monroe was pleased the evening turned out spectacular. Everyone left and Holly made sure to say goodbye as they did. Finally, his grandparents took their leave. Ellie hugged Holly and Sam's face suddenly grew puzzled. He quickly grabbed Holly's left hand.
"Hols, what's this?" he asked.
Holly drew her hand back quickly, but not before Monroe saw it.
"Umm…" she said, nervously. She was hoping to tell them later, hoping they wouldn't notice it. She looked towards Roddy, who was helping his friend pack up, "Roddy got it for me." She said quickly.
"Maybe you should put it on another finger." Her grandmother said, laughing a little. She assumed Holly didn't realize the significance of that finger having a ring on it. Monroe relaxed, feeling the same as him mother.
"I can't." she said, quickly.
"Why not? Does it only fit on that finger?" her grandmother offered, praying that was the case.
"Because it's supposed to be on this finger." She said.
Monroe shifted and stomped towards Roddy before anyone could stop him.
…..
Uh oh! Stopping it there to leave you in suspense. Hope you liked it.
