Rosie was panting slightly as she jogged to keep up with her father's faster than usual brisk walk. He was dragging her through the streets of London for some unbeknown reason to everyone but himself! He'd lied to Alice either way, claiming that he was taking Rosie to look at a university there. God, she was only year 11! Still, it had rubbed off and now here he was making her follow him all through the London streets.
"You drag me all the way out here without a bloody explanation!" Rosie exclaimed breathless, "Right Dad!" Rosie grabbed his arm, "What are we doing?"
"We're shopping."
"You shop?" Rosie asked sarcastically, raising an eyebrow. Danny stopped with a sigh before turning round to face his daughter.
"You're happy with me and Alice aren't you?" Danny asked in a serious tone, a tone more serious than Rosie had heard in a long time.
"Of course I am! Look Dad, what's brought this on. I mean, why would you lie to Alice?" Rosie frowned fearing the worse. Was her Dad and Alice... but they couldn't. They'd been great recently, a bit busy but... well their performance last night and this morning of sickly parental PDA's... she shuddered slightly.
"Because I need too..." Danny smiled, "Look Rosie, Alice and I... Alice..." Danny scratched the back of his head with his hand as he awkwardly tried to get his words out, "The thing is Rosie... you know about me and Alice going away?"
"Yeh..." Rosie replied drawing out the word.
"I want to... I want to do something whilst I'm there. Something massive, life changing... see I can't imagine my life without Alice and I want to..."
Danny didn't get chance to finish his sentence as Rosie flung her arms around his neck tightly; Danny slightly taken aback frowned as she hugged her back gingerly.
"Dad! You must ask Alice to marry you!" Rosie exclaimed in a girlish squeal, clapping her hands together for effect, "Oh come on Dad! We need to find a ring for you to put on her finger!"
"You mean, you're ok with it?" Danny asked as Rosie grabbed his hand and pulled him in the direction of what appeared to be the largest and most expensive no doubt shop in the entire of London.
"Duh! Now in you go, the nicest and most expensive ring you can find..."
"I don't have millions Rosie... or hundreds or tens of thousands!" Danny added quickly.
"Ok so we have thousands to work with!" Rosie beamed happily, "Come on Dad."
"Rosie!" He squeaked as she pulled him to the rings cabinets.
Slowly he began to walk around them, studying each and every ring closely. He didn't even look at the price; all he cared about was Alice having the perfect ring. A large one caught his eye but immediately he shook his head; Alice wasn't into the big rings with the huge stones. A small one, tiny as anything caught his eye next but he shook his head, too gold. Alice liked white gold and silver and it was far too small.
"Anything Dad?" Rosie asked.
"Not yet..." Danny admitted as he walked over to another cabinet. His eyes bugged wide as he took in all the beautiful white gold rings that were situated there. His eyes scanned them all before they fell upon one ring, hidden away in the corner but oh so very perfect. He grinned before signalling Rosie over. "That one." He said pointing at it.
Rosie peered into the cabinet and gasped as she took it in; her dad actually had some taste! It was exquisite! Beautiful... no actually BEAUTIFUL in capital letters. It was simple but not to plain, yet at the same time not too elaborate, it wasn't big but it wasn't small either. White gold, a simple diamond set within it. Perfect.
"Dad, it's... it's perfect!" Rosie exclaimed. It really was and practical too! A ring with massive stones would have been awful for a vet. Her eyes cast down to the price, "Woah! Dad..."
"Price is irrelevant." Danny quickly interrupted, "In fact Rosie... go and choose yourself something whilst I get this sorted. You've been an awesome help."
"No way Dad... no bloody way. You're gonna bankrupt yourself!" Rosie protested.
"Rosie." Danny tried to argue but Rosie shook her head.
"Just take us out for a meal or something Dad as a family before you and Alice go away?" Rosie suggested, "I'll go look over there so can get your soppy engraving done!" She winked before walking away leaving her Dad to talk to the assistant, telling him the engraving he wanted on the ring.
(x)
(Later in the day, Alice is done at the surgery and is chatting to Clare. Danny and Rosie are on their way back)
Alice laughed gently as she leant on top of the receptionist desk, her chin on her arms.
"It was great, back then before kids." Clare admitted, "Guess you and Danny don't get that often."
"No, I can't thank you enough for taking them whilst we head away. We've never really had time alone as such, except for our dates of course but you know... be nice to have him all to myself for a change!" Alice chuckled, "That sounded really selfish... but... I'm not gonna lie, it's true!"
"I understand." Clare admitted, "So how do you feel about him?"
"What do you mean?" Alice asked totally perplexed, god, was it not obvious she loved him... more than life itself? It was then that Alice paused, she did? Love him for than life itself?
"Well... do you see you and Danny getting married? More kids?" Clare expanded.
"Yes." Alice said without a moment's hesitation, "I can't physically imagine a life without him! I mean I know, I know we've only been together what a year? But..." Alice shook her head with a dumb grin plastered on her features. "I love him... I love Rosie too... I just... I'm so settled."
"I'm glad." Clare admitted, "Danny needs you, you know."
"I need him too... I don't like to delve into my past." Alice stopped herself admitting about her life prior to Danny, only he knew and he didn't even know all of it. Time would bring out all her secrets as his too would appear. Well... history, flaws. Not really secrets...
"Well, I gotta get off." Clare smiled noticing the time, "See you Alice."
"See you Clare, thanks for the chat." Alice smiled putting her coat on as she picked up her bag and car keys putting the alarm on before following Clare out the door and locking it. "It's been nice, see you later."
Alice took a deep breath of fresh air before climbing into the Jeep. She glanced at the time, she was late; 6.45. "May as well go get Charlie then" She murmured to herself before placing the car in gear; a smile on her face as she thought about her life and how great everything appeared to be.