Every one was coming to their wedding this Saturday. Ruth smiled as she woke up. She was getting married this weekend. Her hands started to drift over Harry's sleeping body next to her. She knew when he woke up because he groaned in appreciation of her explorations.
"What time is it?" he asked quietly, pulling her body on top of his.
"Almost eleven," Ruth replied in between kisses. "But if you're worried about the time I'm clearly not doing my job properly." She laughed as she felt Harry's hands grip her hips firmly.
"Be quiet," he said in a gruff voice. She laughed before leaning over to kiss him again. Then the doorbell rang. Ruth groaned but Harry pulled her even closer. "Ignore it. They'll go away." But thirty seconds later it became clear that their visitor wasn't going to simply disappear. Ruth sighed and pulled herself away from Harry, throwing her dressing gown on and raced to the door. She opened it and felt a moment of shock.
"Catherine?" Ruth said dumbly.
"Hi," the blonde said with a smile. A smile which faltered when she looked at Ruth's dishevelled appearance and messed up hair. "Oh my God, you… you were in bed weren't you? I'll… go. Leave you to it. Forget I even turned up."
"No, no, no," Ruth said instantly smiling at the younger woman. "Come in and make yourself at home." Ruth opened the door wider and Catherine entered warily, taking a look around. "I'll go and get dressed. I'll be back as soon as possible," Ruth said quickly. "Please don't leave. Your father will want to see you."
"Okay," Catherine said slowly. Ruth smiled and raced upstairs. Once in the bedroom Ruth threw a pillow at Harry's sleeping figure.
"Harry get up now," Ruth said in a tone that wasn't taking no for an answer.
"I thought the point of leaving work was that there was no need to get up early," Harry said rolling over as Ruth quickly shrugged into her jeans.
"Your daughter is downstairs. Move." Harry rubbed his eyes while his brain caught up.
"Catherine's here?" he asked sitting up.
"Yes, and I wasn't exactly presentable when I answered the door," Ruth added buttoning up her blouse.
"Oh God," Harry said as he realised what she was saying. Ruth hurriedly tied her hair up as Harry started to move.
"I'll be downstairs," Ruth said taking a last look in the mirror. "Can you just get dressed?"
"Yes," Harry said with a sigh. Ruth left the bedroom and went back to the kitchen where she saw that Catherine had made herself a cup of tea.
"Hope you don't mind," she said.
"No," Ruth said simply. "I'm sorry about how I opened the door," she added a blush on her cheeks. "I hadn't expected you. And that was not the way I intended to meet you for the first time.
"That's okay," Catherine said with a smile.
"Your father will be down in a minute."
"When I met up with him the other day," Catherine started slowly. "He was happier than I ever remember him being. How long have you been with him?"
"This is going to sound crazy," Ruth said. "Only a few weeks. But I've known him for nine years. And I've been in love with him for most of that time. I met him at work."
"Okay," Catherine said. The silence wasn't uncomfortable and both women felt at ease with the other. "You really marrying him on Saturday? He's not… he isn't an easy man to live with."
"I know it might not all be easy and sunshine and happiness," Ruth said. "I know that. But I want to marry him. So yes, I am. I'm hoping you're going to come this weekend."
"I said I would and I will," Catherine said with a smile. "Have you picked a dress?"
"No," Ruth said firmly. "I hate shopping at the best of times but something as important as what I'm going to get married in? I don't know. Plus I don't want to wear white, but I'm not sure what that leaves me with."
"Do you… forget it," Catherine said.
"No go on," Ruth said.
"I love shopping," Catherine said almost shyly. "If you wanted a second set of eyes…"
"Do you mean that?" Ruth asked unable to believe it. "You've only just met me."
"Yes," Catherine said. "I know my father, even with the shaky relationship we've had over the years. I can see he's happy with you. His eyes sparkle when you come up in conversation. Anyway, I have a free day today. So if you wanted help…"
"Thank you," Ruth said sincerely. At that moment Harry walked into the kitchen and was surprised and pleased to see his two most important women getting along so well.
"Hi Catherine," Harry said with a smile. "Its good to see you."
"Well, I'm going to be leaving soon," Catherine replied. "Ruth needs a dress for Saturday. I'm going to help her."
"You don't have to do that," Harry said. "I'm sure you have more important things to do."
"Thanks a lot," Ruth said sarcastically as Harry put some bread in the toaster. Harry looked at her and his eyes softened. He would have kissed her but didn't want to embarrass his daughter.
"You know what I meant," Harry said to Ruth. Then to Catherine, "are you sure you want to help her?"
"Yes," Catherine said, finishing her tea. "I'll wait in the car if you're ready?"
"Sure," Ruth said. Catherine smiled and left the kitchen but stayed hidden from sight at the door frame to watch Ruth and Harry together. She was curious about the woman who had melted her fathers famously hard heart.
"You haven't eaten this morning," Harry said in a concerned voice as Ruth put her jacket on. Ruth popped up the toaster and took a bite of warm bread.
"Happy?" Ruth asked.
"Forgive me for being concerned about you but you were stabbed not too long ago. You nearly died in my arms. Your… heart stopped and for a second you died. You should keep your strength up. I'd rather see you alive than concerned about wedding dresses." She took another bite and swallowed, loving how worried he was about her.
"I'm fine." Harry rolled his eyes and drew her in for a soft gentle kiss, hands resting on her hips. He leant his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. "I love you," she whispered.
"I know," he said. "Go shopping." She rolled her eyes in exasperation. "I know you hate shopping but this is quite an important purchase. And Catherine offered to help. She likes you. Must be a Pearce family trait."
Ruth didn't say anything. Instead she gave him a final quick kiss on the lips and then turned to pick up her handbag and her keys. Catherine thought this was an opportune moment to leave and closed the door quietly behind her, Ruth only a matter of seconds behind her.
"I'm sorry I'm so fussy," Ruth said after the eighth dress in the third shop.
"Is my father aware of how stubborn you are?" Catherine asked as Ruth shook her head at the light blue dress she was currently wearing.
"Yes actually," Ruth said. "He once called me a stubborn old mule."
Catherine let out a snort of laughter. "That sounds like him." Catherine handed her the next dress choice and Ruth retreated to the changing room. Catherine waited patiently and caught her breath when Ruth immerged. "That's perfect," Catherine said. Ruth looked in the floor length mirror and knew that she was right. It was a simple dress in blue silk neither pale nor dark. A medium blue and almoost floorlength. It had small sleeves and it fitted her perfectly.
"Really?" Ruth asked nervously.
"That's the one," Catherine repeated. "Dad'll go crazy when he sees you in that. Especially if this morning is anything to go by."
Ruth blushed vividly and started shaking her head. "I'm really sorry about that."
"Forget it," Catherine said sincerely. "That's the dress." Ruth looked in the mirror. Catherine was right.
On the way back home Catherine turned to Ruth, wondering how to mention what she'd overheard. "I'm not meaning to be an eavesdropper," Catherine started. "But I heard you talking to dad this morning. He said you were stabbed."
"Yes," Ruth replied simply.
"He said that your heart stopped."
"Yes."
"Can you tell me what happened?" Catherine asked gently.
"No prizes for guessing where you got your interrogation measures from," Ruth said, focusing on the windscreen of the car.
"I didn't mean to sound like him," Catherine said honestly. "I just wanted to know."
"I can't… relive that day. Its too horrific and painful," Ruth said quietly. "I can't talk about it with anyone. I can only talk to Harry, and even that is really hard for me. I'm sorry."
"I shouldn't have asked," Catherine said feeling embarrassed.
"All I can say is that someone wanted to kill Harry, but I got in the way to protect him. I can't say more."
"I'm sorry," Catherine said. "I now feel like an insensitive idiot."
"Its okay," Ruth said. "Thank you for helping me today."
"You're welcome," Catherine said as she pulled up outside of the house. It took a few seconds before either woman opened their car door.
I'd love a review if you have a spare moment, they let me know if I'm on the right or wrong track. xxx