Chapter 11
My life has become more complicated since I have been having these vivid dreams. I now have been dreaming of this world for a week now. Since then, in the dream world, 8 months, a couple of weeks and a few days have passed.
Ross and I haven't been able to continue our relationship. He had been too busy working hard on the mine. We do sleep in the same bed together, but no hanky panky has happened. In a way, I am glad it hasn't. I am still not ready to give myself away. I do love him, but I just don't feel it yet. Maybe I am broken? Maybe he deserves better?
My love has respected my choice in not having any sexual intercourse. We have kissed before and we occasionally get too heated up. He and I know each other too well, though. We work around each other and before I say something or he wants something, we know what each other wants.
Demelza has grown over the past year. Her hair is much longer, healthier, and she has grown in her womanly way. She and I have become friends as well. We gossip over the little things. Ross still doesn't understand why we giggle when he walks by. We usually giggle about how Ross and I are together.
I think we are dating. I would consider it as so. We never talked about it too much, which I don't find odd. We are going in our own pace and that is fine for me. I do not wish to push myself onto him. Well, not in a relationship kind of way. He would want me to get on him with no complaints at all. Pervert.
I have called him that a few times. He either agrees with me or says "look who's talking". He is everything I want and I pray to whomever that he wants me too.
Ross, Demelza and I had all gone to Wheal Leisure to open up the mine. Demelza and I were passing out drinks to all the miners and guests who have come to the opening. Ross stood tall and proud on a higher leveled ground. He raised up his cup.
"My friends, when my father closed this mine twenty years ago, he thought it had little future. Today with your help, labor, and good wishes we aim to prove him wrong. Gentlemen and ladies, I declare the Wheal Leisure Mine open!" Ross announced to all.
Everyone clapped and cheered for Ross. I couldn't help but smile at Ross. He had come so far since I've arrived.
Demelza tapped my arm and reminded me that people needed refills. She and I walked around, refilling everyone's cups. I looked up towards Ross, who was with some men. Demelza and I walked together over to Ross and the men.
We each poured more wine into their cups. I refilled Ross's cup and gave him a smile. He gave me a little wink before thanking me. I curtsied to Ross before turning to see Demelza walking over to us.
"I'm glad for ye, Sir. The families are all happy." Demelza said.
"My neck is on the line. Are you glad about that?" Ross asked in a sort of mean tone.
"Oh no, Sir." Demelza said and shook her head.
"Don't mind him; he's just being a big baby right now. He didn't sleep well last night." I said jokingly.
Ross raised an eyebrow at me. I turned on my heel and walked away with Demelza. I was proud of what I said.
As I walked with Demelza to pour more drinks for people, I overheard some people talking about Ross and I or Ross and Demelza. So, the rumors began. I knew one day I'd hear a rumor start about Ross and her. Ross and I were something, but there was even a rumor going around saying that I was pregnant. Uh, no! The only pregnant one, that has any relation to Ross, is Elizabeth.
Elizabeth is almost nine months pregnant. I have seen her belly and it's wonderful when the baby kicks or moves. She had this motherly pregnant glow to her that made her even more beautiful than she already was.
At the corner of my eye, I spotted Francis and Charles Poldark on top of a hill, on their horses. I waved towards them and Francis gave me a slight wave before they turned and rode away. Francis and I were on okay terms now. He apologized for being rude to me and I apologized for putting my nose in his business.
Demelza and I walked home together with her dog. As we made our way home, we heard shouting from the house. Prudie and Jud were fighting again.
Demelza ran into the house and I put Garrick in his little dog house. I went inside and saw Prudie holding her arm to her chest.
"Don't just stand there! Get to work while I rest me broken wing." Prudie ordered.
Demelza glared at Prudie before she started to do her duties.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Prudie's wrist is sprained; she can't work for a month or so." Demelza told me with slight irritation in her tone.
"I'll help you, if you'd like." I offered but she shook her head.
"The clothes are done drying now. Can you go put them away?" Demelza asked kindly.
"Sure," I said and walked out of the house to retrieve the dried clothing.
I came downstairs after I had put the laundry away. Ross was sitting at the table, eating food that Demelza had cooked for him. He took a bite and nodded to himself.
"So, Prudie's recovery will take some time?" Ross asked and took another bite.
Demelza nodded and fidgeted her fingers. "'Bout a month or so, Sir."
"Have it delayed as long as possible." Ross grinned up at her.
I sat down next to Ross and smirked. "I can always sprang her wrists when it heals." I joked.
Demelza laughed. "Then it be a reason for she to not be workin'."
"She already doesn't work. At least this is a way to have her not cook." I continued to joke.
Ross held a fork full of the food he had on his plate, offering it to me. I took in the bite and was shocked. It was delicious.
"Demelza, you are amazing!" I complimented and she flushed a bit.
"Oh shush!" Demelza said and turned around, walking to the kitchen.
Ross looked over at me and gave me a smile. I returned one to him. I brought my hand to his hair, brushing it out of the way.
"Ross, there are rumors going around about you and I or you and Demelza." I admitted.
Ross put down his fork, giving me his full attention. "I have never heard any rumors. Are you sure they are of us or her and I?"
I nodded. "Unless there's another Ross and Demelza here in town." I muttered.
"Well, if there are rumors going around, they aren't true. You of all people should know I only have eyes for you." Ross said and then picked up his fork, eating again.
"Just because I know the truth doesn't mean it'll stop the rumors. Plus, they say I am pregnant." I gave a small laugh. "I, for one, know I am not."
"Pregnant huh, that would be interesting." Ross said as he continued to eat.
There was a moment of silence before I replied. "We discussed babies before." I reminded him. "I'm not going to give up on the name Rose or Isaac."
"We aren't even married yet and you're speaking about babies." He teased me.
Yet? Is that a way of telling me that we will be? I couldn't help but wonder.
"By the way, I gave Jimmy and Ginny a house. They won't pay rent." Ross told me.
"Why did you do that? I mean, not like it's a bad thing but-…" I stopped. "Is she pregnant?"
Ross nodded to me. "They are marrying tomorrow. Which I haven't asked you and Demelza, would you like to come?"
Demelza's face lit up. "Yes!"
"It's been a long time since I've been to one. I wouldn't see the harm in going. Maybe this time I can bug you." I teased as I referred to the last wedding he went to.
"Now, I have to watch how much your drink." Ross teased me in response.
"You know better than anyone that I don't drink." I poked his nose.
"Ali, can ye sing a song from your world to me? I like songs and I've ain't ever listened to music from yer world." Demelza asked and sat down next to me.
"Sure! I would have to think of a song though. There are a lot of them in my world." I thought for a moment. "What kind do you want to hear? Romance? Musical? A child's song?"
"Musical, please!" Demelza looked over at Ross. "If Mr. Ross is okay with me playin' around."
"I have no problem with it, Demelza. You deserve a break." Ross answered while finishing his food.
"Okay…so do you want a happy song or a sad one?" I asked Demelza.
"A sad one." Demelza said. "Later you can sing a happy one, right?"
"Sure." I said and thought more.
What the hell was I going to sing? I thought back to the songs I was listening to on my lunch break at work. One song I listened to was called 'At the Ballet'.
"I thought of one to sing." I told Demelza and she clapped happily.
I began to sing to her and Ross, if he was paying attention. I kind of got into it.
"Daddy always thought that he married beneath him
That's what he said, that's what he said
When he proposed he informed my mother
It was probably her very last chance
And though she was twenty-two
Though she was twenty-two
Though she was twenty-two
She married him
Life with my dad wasn't ever a picnic
More like a come as you are
When I was five I remember my mother
Dug earrings out of the car
I knew that they weren't hers
But it wasn't something you'd wanna discuss.
He wasn't warm
Well not to her
Well not to us
But everything was beautiful at the ballet
Graceful men lift lovely girls in white
Yes, everything was beautiful at the ballet
I was happy at the ballet.
Up a steep and very narrow stairway
To the voice like a metronome
Up a steep and very narrow stairway
It wasn't paradise
It wasn't paradise
It wasn't paradise
But it was home
Mother always said I'd be very attractive
When I grew up, when I grew up
Different, she said, with a special something
And a very, very personal flair
Though I was eight or nine
Though I was eight or nine
Though I was eight or nine
I hated her
Now, different is nice but it sure isn't pretty
Pretty is what it's about
I've never met anyone who was different
Who couldn't figure that out
So beautiful I'd never live to see
But it was clear
If not to her
Well, then to me
That everyone is beautiful at the ballet
Every prince has got to have his swan
Yes everyone is beautiful at the ballet
I was pretty at the ballet"
As I sang I could see the look on Demelza's face. She had tears in her eyes but she wasn't crying. I knew what she was feeling. I knew she could relate to this song. Even though she and I have never been to ballet, I could substitute that to living here. It was true, living here wasn't paradise, but it was home.
"Everything was beautiful at the ballet
Raise your arms and someone's always there"
My heart broke at that part. I have always felt alone in the world, with no one to be there. Now I have Ross, I think. I wasn't one hundred percent sure, but he without a doubt had me. Forever I hoped.
"Yes, everything was beautiful at the ballet
The ballet
The ballet!
Everything was beautiful at the ballet
I was pretty
I was happy
I would love to
At the ballet."
Demelza wrapped her small arms around me, tears falling onto my shoulder. "That was beautiful, Ali. Thank you for singing that song."
"You're welcome." I said as I patted her back.
"That was very beautiful." Ross spoke softly and I smiled sheepishly at him.
The next day was the day of Jimmy and his Ginny's weeding. I wore my other dress, which I only got for special occasions. This would have been my first time wearing it.
The dress I had on was a milky white color with a blue floral print. Around the collar was a see through white fabric. The sleeves went down to my elbows and more white fabric ruffles draped down from the sleeves. The dress was as long as my other one.
I came down the stairs and looked towards Demelza. She had her hair up and wore very little makeup. I let her barrow some of mine. Ross came out of his study, looking down at his coat that he was folding over his arm.
He stopped when he spotted me. I think I shocked the poor man. It took him a second to come back to Earth. Making his way over to me, he held out his arm. I took it gladly, wrapping my arm around his.
"You look stunning, Ali." He said softly as he led me out of the house.
"Thank you…" I muttered. "It won't be a crime that I have on white at someone's wedding, right?"
"Not at all and really it's not all white." He reminded me as he looked my dress over.
"True." I agreed and hopped onto his horse.
"Demelza, would you like to ride with her?" He asked.
"Sir, where will ye be sittin'?" She asked as she walked next to her dog.
"I'll walk beside the horse." He stated.
"No thank ye, Sir. I'll be walkn' next to Garrick."
"If you wish." Ross said as he got on the horse, sitting right behind me.
Demelza skipped along the trail with her dog. I leaned back against Ross, content with my life.
"Are you happy, Alianna?" He asked as he ran his free hand over my arm.
"I am…" I sighed out. "I'm living with the man of my dreams. I am not starving. I have a roof over my head. Just the simplest things in life I have grown fond of."
"The man of your dreams?" Ross repeated and I turned my head to face him. I nodded and he gave me a crooked smile. "We should talk about us."
"Yeah, I've been meaning to ask. What are we? Are we dating? Are we just friends?" Of course I knew we weren't just friends.
"I am courting you, if that's what you would like." He answered.
"I'd rather be more…" I whispered and he shook his head at me. "What?"
"You want to marry a Poldark. Are you sure you're ready to face our curses?" He asked and kissed my neck.
"If that's what it takes to be with you, yes." I responded without hesitation. "Alianna Poldark…it has a nice ring to it."
"That it does..." Ross trailed off.
"But you and I both know I wear the pants in this relationship. So, it would be Ross Shields." I joked and shook my head. "Oh god, never mind. I like Poldark better."
Ross let out a laugh. "You believe that if you want. I know it is not wise to argue with a woman."
"I've train you so well." He knew I was joking but I could tell that he lost some humor. "What's wrong?"
As Ross admitted to me, his voice was low. "I've changed since I have been with you. I am a more patient man. I listen more and I tend to be less reckless."
"Is this a bad thing?" I asked and he looked at me like I asked a stupid question. "I thought so. Now, back to marriage…"
Demelza and I were dancing like fools with a group of people, while Ross was over by the priest chatting. She and I were laughing, spinning around in circles, and bouncing around to the music. I was having so much fun.
We were bouncing around, going in a circle. I looked over at Ross who was staring at me with a look I have never seen him make. His facial expression showed that he was falling for someone. His awed expression was towards me.
I couldn't help but grab his hand, when I walked out of the group. He tried to get out of it but I wasn't going to allow that. I dragged him over to the group and we started to dance. His smile was wide and boyish. He looked so young.
After the wedding and dancing, Ross, Demelza, her dog, and I were going home. I rode on the horse with Ross again. Demelza skipped with her dog, singing and enjoying life.
"Did you have fun?" Ross asked when I leaned back onto him. His free arm tightened around my waist. "You'll sleep well tonight. You danced a lot."
"I did have fun. My favorite part was when you danced with me." I answered and turned my head to look at him. "Maybe next time there will be a slow song that we can dance to."
He kissed my temple and I smiled widely at him. "You are a wonderful woman, Ali." Ross whispered into my ear.
"And you are a wonderful man, Ross." I replied back.
I really was in love with Ross Poldark. I admit it. Everything about him I love. How stupid of me to fall for someone who I dreamed about? I wished that this was the real world instead. I wished it so much.
A/N: I know I have been slow with updates, but as I have been saying in my other stories work has been a big problem. I've been working a lot lately, which takes away muse and inspiration. :( I hope you enjoyed my update. Please let me know how you feel about Ali and Ross. :D And if you wish for something to happen in the story let me know, I will try adding it to my story for any of you. :)