Alec barely had enough to pay for the ring he'd chosen to give to Rose on Christmas Day. He'd confided in John, who had said not to worry about having any money when they went to see Rose, he would lend him enough if Rose wanted to go anywhere. College had now broken up and they were getting ready to leave.
"So, do you have the courage to ask her properly?" his dad asked him.
"I think I'm ready, although I'm nervous about it," Alec admitted, John listening with amusement.
"Well wait until Boxing Day and I'll take you both somewhere," John offered, his arms behind his head.
"I really wanted to ask her on the day, after that first one we spent together," Alec replied.
John remembered it well.
"The time you both disappeared," he grinned, raising an eyebrow. "Well, if you insist? You can both sneak out while Jackie watches the Christmas special of Eastenders. Still want driving lessons in the new year?"
"Yes, I want to surprise her, don't go saying anything," Alec made him promise.
"Me? I'm not brave enough," John laughed.
Alec's dad had to smile at the thought of John giving driving lessons. He had forwarded the provisional licence to Alec a few weeks before and wondered if he'd actually do something with it.
"Want to get some practise in before we leave?" John then offered. "You can sit in the car and get used to it."
Alec agreed and went off with John, his aunt watching them out of the window as Alec actually started the car engine and went forward to the edge of the driveway.
"He's growing up fast," she remarked. "I hope he's really going to propose to Rose while he's down there."
"We all do Mary," Alec's uncle agreed. "They won't do anything else until she can return and I wish I could do something more but my hands are tied. I have no proof that man did anything wrong towards Rose and if I do go to the police, he's got that covered. I'm sorry I can't get any more information."
Alec's aunt knew they were all sad Rose couldn't return. They'd made plans for when she could but John had said Rose was already saving up to move nearer Alec or wait until he could get transferred to somewhere across the border.
Alec thought he'd be nervous and give the game away when they finally reached London, John wishing he'd taken the other route as they got stuck when they joined the motorway. Alec was studying the map as they'd stopped.
"John, there's a turn-off coming up. If we follow that road, it will take us back to the A1. It's got to be better than this? Why did you leave the other road?"
"To save time?" John grinned as they moved a few feet. "I bet you some idiot's forgotten to switch off the sign that says queue ahead and everyone's started one. We shouldn't have turned off back there, wherever we were."
"The same place we stopped before though I don't remember there was a choice back then," Alec replied.
"No, they should have left it that way," John suggested. "I bet when we turn off again, this lot will get moving. Sure you're not trained in traffic control?"
"Very funny John. Besides, I left my ID at home or Rose would have wanted to keep it."
John smiled to himself, thinking why did Alec need to give Rose a ring when she already had him wrapped around her little finger. If Rose turned Alec down this time, well not turned him down but kept delaying it, he didn't know what poor Alec would do. He hoped she'd seen how disappointed Alec had been each time.
Rose was tidying her room, mainly to stop driving herself crazy waiting for Alec and John to arrive. Jackie was working as normal, asking Rose if she wanted to help but Rose had been too highly strung and Jackie thought she'd be best left alone.
Before Jackie had left, she'd left some money for Rose to go shopping, which she was about to do when her friend rang.
"Hey Rose, are ya coming to the party tomorrow night?" Shareen asked her.
"It depends on Alec, mum will be goin' though, you know her and parties," Rose laughed. "I've gotta go get some stuff for our Christmas party before Alec and John get here."
"I didn't think ya'd answer the phone, I thought ya'd be helpin' your mum?" Shareen wondered.
"Nah, I'd have put all the rollers in the wrong way and dyed someone's hair pink," Rose laughed some more. "I think Alec's up to something, he was very quiet when he rang last night."
"Whatcha think he's up to?" Shareen wanted to know "Asking ya to get engaged for the millionth time?"
"I dunno Shareen, it could be anything? I mean it could be he's quitting college, getting a transfer or he's taking on even more classes."
She said goodbye and got the bus to the supermarket, hoping when she returned, Alec would be waiting outside the flat for her. She knew he'd think she'd only gone shopping. John had parked where they normally did, getting everything out of the back. John was going back after the festivities so he'd tried to give Alec some money as they entered the block of flats.
"Take it Alec, you can give it back to me," John was insisting. "Tell you what, if Rose says yes, then keep it."
Alec shook his head and accepted it, they never spent a lot but Rose may want to go off and celebrate he supposed. He knocked on the door, not as nervous as last time he'd visited when she wasn't expecting them but when no-one answered, he began to wonder where she was.
"Knowing her, she'll have gone shopping," John was laughing, looking over the glass partition.
Alec went to take a look as Rose was just entering the precinct below.
"Well go down and help her then," John nudged him.
Alec was nervous enough, without Rose seeing he was nervous, she would surely suspect something, the way he'd been on the phone recently. He managed to get away with it because she was pleased to see him and she talked both him and John into going to the party with her. They were all talking when they got back, Jackie being in a talkative mood and John was silently pleading not to be left on his own with her.
"Rose, remember that last Christmas before we moved to Scotland?" Jackie laughed loudly.
Rose wished her mother wouldn't keep reminding her she couldn't safely go back even though she had enough people on her side.
"Yeah Mum, ya keep saying," Rose complained as she got closer to Alec, his arm around her. "I have to be up early to get that turkey in the oven, are ya goin' to bed?"
Alec sometimes wondered why Rose still did most of the cooking but he expected she had got so used to it. He always tried to help her where he could but she liked to take charge.
"Come on Rose, ya can stay up a bit longer," her mother told her.
"Well if ya want the food to be half cooked?" Rose asked her.
"I can take a hint," Jackie huffed. "Night then," she relented as she tried to get up.
John got up and offered to help her.
"You're a gentleman," Jackie giggled, John hoping it was just the drink talking. "I hope Alec's gonna take after ya?"
"Mum, Alec's grown up now," Rose reminded her.
"Never mind Rose," Alec told her, trying not to delay her mother's departure to her room.
Jackie let go and went off to the bathroom, everyone else heaving a sigh of relief.
"She's a bit much in large doses," John remarked.
"If ya think that's bad, good thing ya won't be here for the new year," Rose replied.
"Come on Rose, let's go," Alec suggested as he moved his arm.
"Let's make sure mum goes to bed first," Rose suggested.
When they got to Rose's room, she went to get a small present from the dresser.
"Still want to open one present early?" Alec smiled as she gave it to him. "It had better not be a joke present."
"Open it and find out," Rose started to giggle.
By the shape, Alec thought he was fairly safe it wasn't Rose hinting she was off slightly and she wanted him to put something on before they had sex but he thought she wasn't due yet. He tried his best to keep track but it wasn't easy. Taking off the paper, he revealed a small clear plastic box with just one pair of bright red what could only be described as 'skimpy' underwear and saw the grin on her face when the size was XS.
"Very amusing Rose, I expect you want me to wear them?" he tried to ask seriously.
"I betcha can't fit in them," Rose giggled again.
"Are you trying to tell me something?" he tried not to laugh.
"Mmm, I just wanted to see ya in them, I miss you so much," she replied, going to put one arm around his neck and going for his jeans button.
"You want to watch?" he teased her as she poked her tongue out slightly.
Satisfied he had got the message, she went to sit on the bed, leaning back on her arms as his jeans fell to the floor and he stepped out of them. He supposed she deserved it since he'd not stayed long on his last visit. He saw the wicked grin on her face as he took the item from the box and held them in front of him.
"I won't get in these Rose," he tried to convince her.
"Ya have to try Alec," she teased him. "I'm not gonna be happy unless ya at least try."
He thought he would tease her further by trying to hold the item in front of him while trying to tug at the shorts he was wearing, making Rose giggle even more.
"Need some help?" she spluttered at his attempt to maintain some modesty.
Alec could only think this was only the beginning of what she would expect as they got older.
"No, I'm good, thanks," he replied as he pulled at one side then the other and bent over.
"Ya can turn around if ya want?" she tried to ask seriously.
"You just like staring at my ass," Alec replied as he tried to put one foot then the other into the new pair. "Really Rose, bright red? You had better not have your mother finding them in the laundry."
"She'd probably just say not to put them in with the whites," Rose continued to giggle to herself as he tried to pull the item up and knowing they were going to be a tight fit.
He also knew she'd chosen the size and colour on purpose and bet she had taken her friend with her to choose them. He could image the pair of them getting a kick out of it in the department store men's section and narrowly avoiding getting thrown out.
"Well close your eyes," he told her as he was about to attempt to fit into them and she was already giggling enough to disturb her mother and all he needed was Jackie knocking on the bedroom door asking what was going on.
Rose sat up and covered her eyes with her hands.
"No peeking," Alec warned her. "Close your eyes as well and no looking between your fingers.
Rose moved one hand and did a mock salute like John always did.
"Yes, Sir," she tried to say as she spluttered again.
"You are enjoying this," he told her as he was about to try and tuck himself into them and making sure her eyes were closed.
He stood up straight and was surprised there was enough give in the material to get them around his waist but they felt a little tight and a bit too 'cosy' that Rose would find interesting, knowing what she was like.
"You can look now," he finally told her as he threw his t-shirt on the chair.
Rose could only stare open-mouthed and was lost for words.
"Whoa," she gulped and stood up. "I didn't think they'd fit."
"Is that why you bought me them, as a challenge?" he asked as she went up to him.
"They're a bit 'cosy'," she teased him as she touched one side and pulled them back down over his hip, Alec trying to battle with her hand.
"Stop it Rose, you wanted to see me wearing them," he reminded her. "You and I are going to have a discussion tomorrow, when the drink has worn off."
"I didn't have that much," she objected, putting her finger down the side and sticking her tongue out again.
"Well maybe not as much as your mother," he had to admit, as Jackie had been too busy trying to feed him some 'nibbles' at the party. "Your turn."
"What?" she asked as she withdrew her finger before he thought she was going to torment him even more and he would start before they got into bed.
He let go of her and went to his overnight bag, handing her a small present.
"Open it Rose."
He saw her face as she revealed what was inside, a see-through negligee with matching underwear in pale blue.
"You never went in a ladies shop and bought this?" she dared ask.
"Why not? There were just as many men in there as women, trust me," he replied. "Are you insinuating I am not brave enough?"
"No. Just as long as ya never said anything when ya were paying for them," Rose replied as she fingered the flimsy material. "Wanna watch?"
It was his turn to sit on the bed and Rose loved nothing more than teasing him. She took her jeans and her t-shirt off and reached to unfasten her bra, holding onto it at the front and trying to gather the material and put one arm in then the other, Alec wondering why she was bothering to cover herself when he would see through the flimsy item she was trying to put on.
She fastened the ribbon at the top, then the one in the middle, then held the matching underwear in front of her, she stepped out of what she was wearing and into the new underwear. Deciding enough was enough, she went over to the bed, Alec pulling her down to sit on him.
"I have to admit, that was rather good, watching you like that," he smiled as she went for his neck. "I thought you had bought me something else."
"Such as?" she wanted to know, not wanting to stop what she was doing but something beneath her was stirring.
He whispered in her ear, making her giggle.
"Geez Alec, seriously?" she laughed.
"Why, what did you think I had got you?"
"Something similar but for women," she tried to reply through the laughing.
"You can get such things?" Alec wanted to know as he pulled her down on the bed with him.
Rose never replied as she put her arms either side of him and he put his hands on her hips to steady her.
"Shut up Alec," she finally replied as the kiss ended and she tried to scramble into bed. "It didn't feel like there was anything gettin' in the way just then."
"Rose, there wasn't anything getting in the way, your underwear is so thin," he replied as he followed her, trying to adjust his.
Rose giggled, she knew his had moved to one side as she had rubbed against him.
"Just take them off me then," she suggested.
They finally went to sleep, then Rose got woken by her alarm clock and Alec moaned.
"Rose, leave it," he told her.
"I can't. I have to get the turkey ready," she told him as she silenced the offending alarm. "I'll be back before ya know it."
"Just make sure you put some other clothes on Rose," he reminded her.
Christmas dinner was a success, Alec and John decided they were clearing up, then Alec suggested he and Rose went for a walk but got as far as the playground.
"Let's go further?" Alec suggested as she sat on a swing.
"There isn't anywhere, not like when we were in Paisley. That's just it Alec, why have ya been acting funny since you got here?" she wanted to know.
This wasn't the place Alec imagined he'd ask her properly but it was slightly better than in front of her mother watching her favourite soap opera Christmas special. He let go of her shoulders and pulled round the swing next to her.
"Rose, you know what we've been talking about for a while now?" he asked her.
"Yeah, that I wanted to wait? What's wrong Alec, you don't want to wait any more, do ya?"
"Well, no, do you? I know you said you wanted us to be together but that's a long way off yet. Please Rose, forget about that. Getting engaged is more than just a ring, it's making a commitment and leading to getting married. Is that what you are scared of?"
"Oh no Alec, I know what it means, I thought it was you who was scared?" Rose half laughed and half cried. "I thought ya just wanted to do that, get engaged?"
"No, that wasn't it Rose, although my dad reminded me and when I thought about it, well I thought that was why you wanted us to be together when we did, to see if you did want to get married?" he tried to explain.
"I get it Alec, a lot of couples try living together before they get married these days, ya should see them all around here," Rose laughed with relief they were now both on the same page. "Did ya think that was all I wanted?"
"Well yes, I thought that was why you were insisting we waited? You mean you don't?" he asked.
Rose got up and stood in front of him, taking his hand.
"No you plum. I just thought because other couples round here never even bother gettin' engaged, let alone think of getting married. It's just with us being so far apart, you'd get tired of waiting?"
Alec got up and made her sit down on the swing again.
"You really thought that?" he asked. "After all we've been through together? Don't even think that Rose, please. Do you know how serious I am?" Rose shook her head. "Well I will show you."
He went in his jacket pocket and brought out the ring box and when Rose saw what he was doing, she gasped and covered her mouth. Alec took her left hand after opening the box lid, Rose astounded.
"I want us to make a commitment Rose, by you wearing this ring and knowing what it means. When we can be together again, then we can make real plans. So, what do you say? Do you just want to get engaged, for now and we'll talk about getting married when you can return to Scotland or I can get a transfer?"
Rose could only manage a nod before she found her voice again.
"Alec, I'm so sorry I insisted we waited, I thought you wanted to wait as well? I'm sorry I insisted you went to that college and not one down here, I didn't want us to end up like everyone else and I just wanted the best college for ya."
Alec knelt down and started to put the ring on her finger, relieved it fitted her.
"Rose, we won't end up like everyone else. You were right, going to the police college down here, well I would not have fitted in and I would have hated it but I would have done it just for you, even though I would spend ages travelling."
"No Alec, you were right, what would have happened? We couldn't have lived with my mum forever, she'd have got tired of us and renting privately would have been impossible. Yes, we can talk about gettin' married, you just do well at college and get a transfer or if not, when I can go back."
"I love you Rose, we will make it work until then. We should go back inside, it's freezing out here," Alec smiled.
"I love ya too Alec and yeah, we will make it work. We'd best go break the news then?" she smiled back, letting him help her off the swing.
They were so engrossed with what was happening, they never saw Mickey across the other side of the playground, standing on the corner of the block of flats. He'd seen Alec bend down and could just make out something glittering. He thought that was it now, Rose was getting engaged, he'd never stood a chance before and he never would.
Rose had a big smile on her face all the way back upstairs but stopped outside her door.
"You go first," she turned to Alec.
"We go in together and besides, John has probably already told your mother this is why we went outside, they won't be that surprised."
"Wanna bet?" Rose laughed. "Well, here goes then?"
She took her key out and turned the lock and in the living room, her mother heard the door opening and got up turn the TV down, since John had the control.
"Where did you two get to then?" she asked them.
"As if you didn't know Jackie," John laughed when he saw Rose and Alec were being coy about it. "Alec, I hope you took my advice?"
"Of course he did, ain't that right Alec?" Jackie asked him.
Rose tried to bury her head on Alec's shoulder but held out her left hand. Alec wished he'd had more money to spend on the ring but Rose seemed happy enough with it as Jackie rushed over to take a look.
"Well about time," Jackie almost burst into tears. "So, what ya gonna do about it then?"
"We're just engaged Mum, we're gonna wait a while before we talk about gettin' married," Rose laughed.
"Well come here then," Jackie reached to give Alec a hug, Alec expecting to get crushed as usual.
John got up to join in.
"Well about time," he agreed as he went to give Rose a hug, since Jackie wasn't letting go of Alec.
Alec tried to get free again.
"Like Rose said, we haven't made any plans yet. We have plenty of time."
"You should call your dad," John reminded Alec. "He'll be at my house."
Once Alec broke the news and handing the phone to Rose because his aunt wanted to talk to her, it never occurred to either of them that getting married now would solve Rose's problem of Bob trying to grab her if she returned to Paisley. Not that it would have really solved anything, with Alec being in Glasgow and them only being able to see each other at weekends until he got into the police academy properly.
John was watching them the rest of the evening, thinking just that but weighing the pros and the cons and wondering whether to suggest it to Alec. Rose had a place to stay but at least they see each other more often he supposed. He decided to leave it to them to work out, it maybe wouldn't make it easier on either of them, Rose would still have to get a job and save for a place of their own.
John went off the day after Boxing Day, saying he'd be back for when college started again and went to see Alec's dad.
"I was thinking if we could help them," John was saying.
"I know you are trying to help them John," Alec's dad told him. "Have you any better ideas than them still being apart?"
"Well, I know they will be but they'd get the extra time together. They could get married, then Bob won't be able to touch Rose when they return," John argued.
"Do we know that, for certain? I have doubts John, I want them to be happy and for Rose to come back but will they be happy? I know it would save you taking Alec down there but now he's bought a ring, he'll be able to take the train down there."
"Oh, I don't mind taking him down, it means they can get out a bit and I don't have anything to do anyway," John told him.
"Aye, well don't go neglecting your own love life," Alec's dad smiled.
John thought if only he had one but that was his own fault and Sophie, the new art teacher had given him a few looks recently, maybe he should ask her out? If he did, she wouldn't like him going off every holiday, would she? Alec would then be on his own.
To Rose and Alec, the holiday seemed to go fast and before they knew it, Alec was going back.
"Remember what I said," Alec was telling her on their last night together. "About making it work."
"Yeah, I know Alec. We're not like everyone else."
