Over the next month they worked on the new house, making small adjustments, buying furniture and putting Ruth's flat up for sale. Nothing had been mentioned about the ring Ruth had discovered. Ruth wasn't sure if she was relieved or let down that it hadn't been discussed. But she was happy that their house was nearly finished, and just the way she liked it. In fact it was turning into her dream house. It was amazing how much work two people could get done when they didn't have jobs to go to.

The last thing they had to do was the bathroom. They had decided to get a two person free standing bath and once it was installed Ruth couldn't wait to try it out. She looked at Harry that evening, a certain glint in her eyes and he got the point immediately. He pulled her close and kissed her, then whispered in her ear. "Go on up. I'll lock the house and be up in a minute. I promise." She smiled and kissed him passionately, her hands in his hair, pulling him close.

"We've done it," she said. "We've actually made a house for ourselves. A perfect home for us. I can't believe we did it."

"Well we did," Harry murmured. He kissed her again. "Now get in the bath and wait for me."

"You will join me?" she asked, a hint of a question in her voice.

"You even have to ask?" he said with an amused look on his face. "I wouldn't miss an opportunity to have you at any time, and you wet and naked in our bath? Of course I'll join you. Give me a minute. I'll lock up." She nodded and went up the polished wooden brand new staircase that Harry had wanted and went to the bathroom. God she loved their bathroom. Everything was new and perfect. She started filling the bath with hot water and bubbles, quickly stripping and getting in. She felt the tension draining away the second the hot water washed over her body. She leaned back and when the bath was full turned the tap off, waiting for Harry. Which took less than a minute before he opened the door and smiled at her.

"You started without me," he said, bending down and leaning over the bath tub to kiss her. She pulled him close, her arms dripping over his shirt. "Ruth?" he whispered into her mouth.

"What?" she replied breathlessly before kissing him again.

"Can you stop for a second?" he asked.

"You usually don't ask me to stop," she said with a raised eyebrow and a smile on her lips. He smiled back and then took her completely by surprise. He reached for something she couldn't see, and she didn't bother looking as she was focused on his face.

"Ruth, will you marry me?" Then she looked down and saw the velvet box, now open for the first time revealing the ring she'd never seen. But she didn't give it more than a quick glance. Instead she was watching his face intently, and knew hers was registering nothing but shock.

"You planned asking me when I was in the bath?" Ruth asked.

"No, I wanted to ask you when the house was finished," he said. "And I thought it might not be a bad idea if I cut off your escape options."

Behind the confidence of the words, she knew he was nervous, so she forced the shock off of her face and smiled at him slightly. He sighed slightly and she saw the tension in his shoulders vanish. "Yes," she said simply. "I will. Of course I will." His face split into a grin and he kissed her passionately and deeply, pulling her close and spilling water on the floor. But neither of them cared. "If you don't get undressed and join me I'm going to scream."

"In a minute," he said. He got the ring out of the box and held her hand, ignoring the fact it was wet. He slipped it on her finger and it fit perfectly.

"How did you know?"

"I measured your hand when you were asleep," he admitted. "I got the ring adjusted. I wanted it to fit." Ruth looked at her newly adorned hand and admired the large diamond, with two light blue stones either side.

"What are the blue ones?"

"Aquamarines," he said. "Not traditional but they match your eyes. And I thought you'd like them."

"I love them." She bit her lip slightly before speaking again. "Now Harry, do me a favour and get in this bath." He grinned and quickly undressed, getting in the opposite end of the tub. Ruth smiled and leant over him, the water rippling around them. She kissed him passionately, the water making their skin slippery as she straddled him. "We're engaged," she whispered.

"We are," he agreed, a wide smile on his face. She had never seen him look so happy. Not when they slept together for the first time, not when she agreed to live with him, never. She kissed him, and would give an awful lot to see that smile on his face more often. While they remained lip locked her right hand drifted downwards and gripped his erection tightly. He groaned into her mouth and she smiled. Very slowly she ran her fingers back and forth and his breathing turned very harsh. She stopped kissing him and watched his eyes cloud over with a haze of passion as she kept touching him. After a moment he suddenly pulled her hand away from him. "I won't be able to hang on," he said. "And I'm not young enough to go twice so quickly."

"Shame," Ruth said but she smiled as she kissed him again. He reached between her legs to make her ready for him but she shook her head. "I don't need it. Just you." He smirked and then let her make the first move. They'd never had sex with her on top because she tended to be uncomfortable like that and he wondered if she'd insist they move. But she didn't. With her hands on the edge of the tub she lifted herself up and pushed herself onto him with a gasp. Her eyes were closed and her head was leant back, exposing her breasts and her throat. She looked fantastic. Harry reached forward and fondled her breasts delicately. He kissed every part of her he could reach and her breathing was so erratic that he felt thrilled he could do this to her.

Moving her hands to his shoulders she set a slow rhythm for them, relishing every single second between them. "Are you okay?" he asked hoarsely.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because…" then he couldn't bear to say that she might be uncomfortable in this position.

"I'm more than fine," she said pushing herself onto him again with a sigh. She pushed herself closer and with every movement her breasts rubbed against him. He held her tightly, feeling the tingles of a fast approaching orgasm. But he was surprised when he felt her suddenly clench around him and come without warning. She didn't cry out or scream but he could feel it. So he let go of his restraint as he pushed into her again and climaxed himself.

When he felt Ruth move away from him the water was lukewarm and he opened his eyes. "I like this bath," he said and she laughed. "Lets go to bed." She smiled in agreement.

Harry woke up in the middle of the night and he had no idea why. He looked to his right and could just make out Ruth on her side in the darkness. Then he realised what was wrong. She was shaking slightly and he knew she was crying. He flicked the lamp on and then turned back to her. He put a hand on her back lightly and could hear her ragged breathing. "Ruth, what is it?" She shrugged her shoulders but didn't answer. "Please talk to me."

"I didn't mean to disturb you," she said in a ragged breath in between quiet sobs.

"Don't be silly," he said. She didn't reply. "Look, if you don't want to marry me, then that'll… that will be okay."

"No, its not that," she said finally turning over and facing him. "I'm really happy."

"You look happy," he said sarcastically, noting the tracks of tears on her face and her red eyes.

"I forgot," she said simply, shaking her head. She smiled through the tears. "I was thinking about our wedding," she said quietly. "Just random thoughts, you know. And I thought that my father couldn't walk me down the aisle. And then I remembered what day it is. It's the anniversary of his death today. I forgot. I suddenly felt so guilty that I hadn't even remembered and then I couldn't stop crying. I didn't mean to disturb you. Sorry."

"You don't have to apologise for missing your father," Harry said, stroking her hair, feeling a mixture of sadness and relief that she wasn't regretting their engagement. "Its okay to cry. I'd never have proposed to you today had I known."

"I'd forgotten too," she said wiping her eyes and trying to hold herself together. "I feel guilty for being so happy I guess."

"Please don't try and apologise," he said, holding her close. "You can cry. Its okay. I have to admit I'm slightly relieved that you're not crying over our engagement."

She chuckled weakly into his chest. "Of course not. I've been waiting for you to do it for more than a month. I thought you'd changed your mind."

"Don't be stupid," Harry said. "I've wanted you for eight years, I'm hardly likely to change my mind now." She smiled into his bare chest.

"I am happy, please don't think otherwise, I just came over very sad about my dad. But I am so happy that I'm finally wearing the ring."

"Did you look at it? Before hand?"

"No," she said. "I didn't dare open the box. I wanted to wait until you popped the question." She kissed him briefly and closed her eyes wrapped in his arms. He stroked her hair, whispering words of comfort to her. But it was a long time before they slept.

Well, it couldn't be all sunshine could it? I wanted to add a little realism as opposed to complete happiness and I hope I've succeeded.