Thanks for the reviews. This is a little less depressing.
"I remember that day," Ruth said quietly, thinking about Cyprus. "The day when I knew that I would be coming back. Coming home." Harry raised an eyebrow but said nothing, not wanting to interrupt. They were both the last on the grid that night. They were in his office after an incredibly hard day. Key members of the government had been held at gun point and it had taken hours of work to find out who was doing it and talk them down.
"When I knew that I would see you again… I can't even describe it." Ruth felt like she had said far too much. She knew if she hadn't been working twenty four hours straight, if she had had more sleep and if she hadn't had a drink she would never have said this. Not that it wasn't true. Because it was.
"Then why Ruth?" Harry asked slowly. Ruth didn't even pretend to misunderstand. She knew what he was really asking her. Why had she said no to him. She had asked herself the same question repeatedly since that had happened a few weeks ago.
"I don't know," Ruth said honestly. "But asking at a funeral isn't exactly the best way to sweep a girl off her feet, Harry."
He smiled at her over his glass of whiskey, his eyes sparkling. "I'll remember that." After a slightly awkward pause he went on in a dangerously low voice. "What proposal would have made you give a different answer?"
"A thousand yellow daisies," Ruth said looking at her hands and smiling. "Never mind. Just… next time? Don't wait until a funeral to ask me."
Ruth couldn't stay in his office anymore. Not when it seemed to be getting smaller with every passing second. She got up gracefully and left Harry on his own. He stayed stock still, watching her leave the grid. Her words had given him hope. And that was something he hadn't felt about Ruth in a long time.
Ruth came in to work the next day feeling a little foolish. She had said far too much to Harry yesterday and was almost hoping that he wouldn't mention it. Or even better that he'd forget about it completely. But her luck didn't often run the way she wanted it to.
She sat down behind her computer and began to get to work for the morning. Then her eyes were drawn down to her desk. Something wasn't right. She couldn't believe she hadn't seen it before she sat down. A small box was sat on her desk. It had a single yellow daisy resting on top of it.
"Oh my God," Ruth said quietly. She delicately touched the petals of the daisy thinking that this was the most romantic flower in the world. After several seconds she put the flower down and snapped open the box. A beautiful diamond engagement ring sparkled back at her. She closed her eyes, knowing that her second chance had come around. What she hadn't realised was that Harry had come out of his office and was watching her. He moved and leant over her desk, his head closer to hers than she had expected.
"Marry me," he said in a low voice. Ruth looked at the daisy so she wouldn't have to look at Harry. She smiled, and in that one moment, she knew that Harry would do anything for her.
"Yes."
The yellow daisy reference is a personal one to me. I was being self indulgent but I hope it still reads ok. Reviews always welcomed. I have a busy weekend so there won't be anymore until Monday at the earliest.
