2 years later.
Ruth awoke slowly, feeling so comfortable. She reached across the bed and found it empty, much to her surprise. She opened her eyes and wondered where Harry had got to. It was a Sunday, so he had no meetings and if he'd been called in to the grid on an emergency he'd have at least roused her to say he was leaving. Sunday, she thought. And then it clicked. It was mothering Sunday. So Harry was enviably downstairs with Lucy, trying to surprise her. And to avoid a repetition of last year. Sugar and flour had been flung everywhere when Lucy was attempting to make her mum breakfast on her own and it had taken hours to clean up. She had appreciated the gesture, but she appreciated it even more that Harry was helping this morning. So she rolled over and went back to sleep, in a light doze, not knowing or minding what was going on downstairs.
Lucy carefully put a little bunch of spring flowers in the vase on the breakfast tray and smiled. "She's going to love this isn't she?" Lucy asked eagerly.
"Yes," Harry said easily. "It was our little secret wasn't it?"
"Yes!" she said, putting the box of chocolates on the tray, next to a mug of tea for Ruth. Harry smiled at her, blonde hair in messy tangles this morning. Lucy wouldn't even wait to brush her hair, she wanted to give Ruth her mothers day present.
"Come on then," Harry said, smiling to hide his nervousness. Lucy grinned back and Lucy carried the tray as they went upstairs.
"Wake up mum!" Lucy said in a very loud whisper. Ruth rolled over as Harry perched on the bed and smiled at Ruth.
"Morning," he said as she smiled tiredly.
"Hi gorgeous," she said to Lucy. "What've you got there?"
"Its mothers day!" she said happily, thrusting the card at her. Ruth smiled and opened it, finding a home made card with primroses on the front. It was beautiful. "Thank you sweetheart." Ruth kissed the top of Lucy's head and then looked at the tray. "Did you pick the chocolates?"
"Harry helped," she said sweetly.
"Thank you," Ruth said. She took the lid off and offered Lucy a chocolate.
"That one's yours," Lucy said, pointing to one wrapped in tinfoil. Ruth frowned slightly but didn't say anything. She picked it up and unwrapped it.
"Harry…" she said as it became clear what it was. She was looking at an engagement ring.
"Marry me Ruth," he said quietly.
"Harry…" she said, unable to believe it. She looked from Lucy's smiling face to Harry's nervous one. So he wasn't sure she'd say yes then, she thought. "God. Yes," she said with a smile. "Yes, of course I will." She grinned widely at him and he kissed her, briefly because Lucy was present. He slid the ring onto her finger where it fit perfectly. It had three diamonds in a cluster and a white gold band. It was absolutely gorgeous, and she dreaded to think how much it had cost.
"Did you know about this?" Ruth asked her daughter.
"Of course I did," she said indignantly. "I found the ring," she added in a loud whisper. "So Harry told me."
"How long did you keep it from me?"
"A month?" Lucy asked, looking to Harry for confirmation. He nodded.
"You kept a secret from me for a month?" Ruth asked in surprise. Lucy giggled happily. Ruth shook her head and looked at her left hand. The ring really did look beautiful. "Harry its perfect." He smiled at her. Suddenly the doorbell rang and Lucy jumped up and raced downstairs.
"That'll be Kate," Harry said. "She's taking Lucy out for the morning. So we can celebrate our engagement in privacy." Ruth blushed slightly.
"You really think of everything don't you?" she said in wonder.
"I love you," he said, kissing her before she could reply.
"I love you too," she said. "A lot." She kissed him again and got lost in him. She loved this man so very much and she couldn't believe that she was lucky enough to spend the rest of her life with him.
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