Going back to work felt good. Kanaya and Rose had truly enjoyed their time off together and they were both looking forward to seeing everyone again, even if they had already seen most of them at the local New Year's party.
Kanaya had stayed at Rose's place last night and they were going to work together this morning.
"I hope you slept okay" Rose smiled, walking with her girlfriend to the museum steps.
"Pff, I can't exactly say I wasn't tired" Kanaya gave Rose a look and she knew exactly what it meant, given last night's events.
"Well, that's good thing right? That means you enjoyed yourself?" Rose asked with half-lidded eyes and Kanaya laughed.
"Yes, of course" She responded climbing up the stairs.
They saw John and Karkat stood at the top, John entering the door and Karkat on the outside. They said something to each other and then quickly pecked each other's cheeks. Kanaya and Rose's mouths dropped. John went inside and Karkat turned around seeing them.
"Karkat?!" Kanaya gasped.
Karkat blushed and spoke loudly, "Don't say anything okay! He's still jumpy about affection".
"Well, well. I see it finally happened" Kanaya grinned.
Karkat looked away, "Yeah, over Christmas. We talked about that time ages ago and then about Aranea's party and I told him how I felt all over again. He said he'd changed we...just, sort of...".
"Kissed or made-out?" Rose grinned.
"Shush lalonde" Karkat mumbled. Rose giggled.
"Basically you were right Maryam. He did come around" Karkat informed and Kanaya smirked.
"I knew he would" She nodded, "A bit of faith and honesty, look where you are now".
Karkat grumbled and began to climb down the stairs, "Yeah yeah whatever. Just...thanks okay. You helped me through it".
He turned and walked away but gave one last word, "I hope everything works out for you two. You both deserve each other's happiness".
He hurriedly left the scene as Kanaya and Rose exchanged warm glances and went to work hard in the morning shifts until lunch. Everyone couldn't wait to catch all the stories of all their Christmas holidays and recall what gifts they received. John and Karkat had finally gotten together as Kanaya and Rose now knew, along with everyone else it would seem. Aranea had fun with her family, as well as seeing Meenah near New Year's. The whole museum was refreshed and ready to work as always so you could tell they'd enjoyed themselves. This motivation lasted all through the rest of winter and into spring when the snow had long melted and there were new blooms all over.
The sun was warm and the sky blue. Flowers decorated the fields and florists were full of stock. Many children came into the museum since it was half-term for them and they had time off. All departments were busy, whatever it was they had to do. No one was an exception. Rose was on her way home from a long day and couldn't wait to get home.
She quickly stepped up her front stairs and unlocked her door. As soon as she stepped in, her mobile phone rang. She sighed but smiled even so. She kicked off her shoes and dropped her things in the living room. Pulling her phone out her handbag, Rose peered at the screen to see who was trying to get in touch. She smiled when she saw Terezi's caller id.
She pressed the answer button and put the phone to her ear, "Hello you've reached Rose Lalonde".
"Great, I was hoping I would" Terezi giggled, "I would be in a mess if I had reached some one random...like a Chinese takeaway".
Rose giggled too, "Hey Terez, what's up?".
"Not much, just wanted to know if you felt like a relaxation night?"
"Oh my god, that's just what I need tonight. Work has been busy".
Knock Knock.
"Oh that's my door hang on a sec" Rose paused Terezi and went to the front door.
She opened it, only to be greeted with a red faced, upset Kanaya who had tears streaming down her face.
Rose's mouth dropped and she immediately put the phone back to her ear, "Terez, I'm gonna have to take a rain check on that. I'll call you later".
She pressed the end call button and pulled Kanaya inside, closing the door behind her.
"Kanaya oh my god, what's wrong?" Rose asked, two hands on her shoulders.
Kanaya sniffed and looked up at her with grief in her eyes, "Rose, I-".
Rose blinked, "Take your time...what's happened?".
Kanaya took a shaky breath and choked out, "It's my mother... she's dead".