The very next morning, there was long white parcel addressed to Rosalie Hale left on the front porch with the early milk delivery. Despite having no return address, just tied together with an enormous elegant red ribbon, Lillian Hale assumed, correctly, who this package was from. She smiled to herself in soft contentment as she considered how carefully she had planned her daughter's hopeful courting.

George had come home two days prior excitedly talking to his wife about how he was about to have his most prestigious client yet- the son of millionaire Wall Street giant Royce King. Living under his father's name and money for his entire life, Royce King II was eager to begin his portion of the family business. The younger man had made his appointment with the bank's most esteemed employee: Mr. George Hale. Upon meeting Royce King II for the first time, George spoke with Lillian about how young he was and how smart of a match the son of the wealthy Royce King, who was being set up to soon take over the family business, would be for their daughter.

The very next day, Lillian Hale had conveniently planned for George to leave his lunch at home. She knew her daughter would come home from her morning stroll with Vera about midday- just in time for George's appointment with Royce.

Now, as Lillian stared at the box addressed to her daughter with elegant script, she was overwhelmed with pride. If Rosalie could secure this match, the family would be secure for the rest of their lives.

"Rosalie!" Her mother called from the kitchen as she brought the package inside, "Something in the mail for you, dear!"

In her room, Rosalie had just painted her nails the palest pink that contrasted perfectly with her suntanned skin. Rosalie fanned her fingertips to dry them quicker, checking quickly to see that they were dry and perfect, she capped the varnish and returned it to the vanity drawer.

She checked her hair in the mirror, leaving it falling softly down her back as she didn't plan on going anywhere today.

"Rosalie!" Lillian was anxious to see her daughter's reaction to what she was sure to be the first of many courting gifts from the most eligible bachelor in town.

"Coming, mother!" Rosalie responded. She sighed and smiled, retrieving her matching pink floral skirt and white blouse from her bed. Dressing quickly, she was still tucking in her blouse as she descended the stairs to the kitchen.

There, on the dining room table, was a long white parcel with a large satin ribbon. Rosalie walked over to it, frowning in confusion touching the stiff acetate gently between her thumb and forefinger. Today wasn't any sort of special occasion for surprise presents, and while her parents would give her anything on any day of the year, Rosalie hadn't asked for anything that she could remember.

Lillian stood behind her, her hand gently posed in anticipation on Rosalie's shoulders.

Rosalie looked over the box, saw her name in matching elegant red ink, but no return address or clue as to who it was from. She looked over her shoulder at her mother, "Did it say who?"

Lillian smiled knowingly at Rosalie, narrowing her eyes and wondering if her daughter was just being silly or genuinely didn't realize the sender.

"Open it," her mother squeezed her shoulders gently, kissing her daughter quickly on the cheek.

Rosalie carefully detached the ribbon, opening the white box. Her hand flew to her mouth in surprise as the air left her lungs in a shocked gasp.

Twenty four pristine red roses laid encased in white satin lining . The long manicured stems were tied together with a soft maroon ribbon that perfectly matched the petals. Furthermore, on that ribbon in the center of the bow was a shimmering pendant that, if Rosalie's eyes were correct, was inset with small diamonds and pearls in the shape of little rosebuds.

This was easily the most extravagant display Rosalie had ever seen.

And it was for her.

"Rosalie…" her mother seemed as equally lost for words as she was. Rosalie's eyes felt as if they were about to bulge out of her sockets.

Sure, she had received compliments from all the boys at school, and occasionally a single rose when asked to a dance, but this was something else entirely.

She saw an envelope peeking out of the base of the box, right where the satin met the hard packaging. She shimmied the card out, careful not to disturb the satin lining or the roses. Again, there was no sender or name, but Rosalie knew as she opened the card who this gorgeous gift was from.

For the lovely Rosalie.

Sincerely,

Royce King II

"I…" Rosalie stuttered, looking for the right words, "I didn't know I made such an impression." She touched the smooth stems as if they weren't really there, then turned to face her mother. "I hardly said two words to him."

Her mother was still staring at the gift.

"Well apparently," she began in a whisper before clearing her throat, "you made quite the first impression."

Rosalie blushed. While male attention wasn't a foreign concept to her, this was something completely and utterly romantic. She felt her heart flutter. Immediately, she wondered when she would see him again.

"I hate to touch them because it's such a stunning display, but the rose stems need a little trim and some water before they wilt. Go pick out a vase from the cabinet, sweetheart." Rosalie could only numbly nod and follow her mother's instruction as her mind raced. Finding the loveliest vase she could, the crystal one they normally reserved for the centrepiece at Christmas dinner, she returned to find her mother cutting the edges of the stems to prepare them for the vase. The diamond pendant was set aside on the counter.

Rosalie set the heavy vase aside and picked up the pendant to discover a small comb on the back. A hair brooch. A diamond hair brooch shaped like little rose buds.

Her hair currently hung loose down her back and she self-consciously touched at it. She would wear her hair up every single day if it meant she could wear this beautiful hairpiece. She silently went back upstairs to her room, diamond roses in hand, and sat at her vanity. She stared at her reflection. Her index touched at the faint freckles that smattered across her nose and under her eyes. There was a small pimple on her cheek that made her frown. Hardly noticeable, but enough to make her self-conscious if she was about to begin courting the Royce King II. She grabbed a jar of tinted powder and quickly dabbed at the offending spot before blending the product evenly over her face. She grabbed a tube of rouge that had been hidden behind her hair products- she never really wore rouge before, but she might as well start.

She dabbed the pad of her finger on the product and robbed at the apple of her cheeks, then lightly applied it to her lips as well. Leaning back on her little stool, she smiled at herself in the mirror. Perfect.

She touched her hair hesitantly, then she began braiding and twisting the long strands into an elegant bun. Like her mother said before, she was extremely glad at this moment that she hadn't followed the bobbing trend- she wouldn't have anything to pin this beautiful brooch to otherwise. Once her hair was secure into an ornate little bun, she tenderly reached for the diamond roses and placed them on top of the twist.

She sat back again on her stool. Observing herself in the mirror, she sat a little straighter and blended the rouge a little more into her cheeks. She breathed a deep sigh and smiled at her reflection. She felt perfect.

She made her way back downstairs to her mother, her hand trailing the bannister of the stairs and her back and shoulders straight as she tried to make herself seem as sophisticated as possible.

"Oh Rosalie! Don't you look absolutely gorgeous!" Her mother had looked up from her place at the dining table where she was arranging the roses into the crystal vase.

"I put the pendant in my hair, do you like it?" Rosalie turned to show her mother.

Lillian wiped her hands on her apron as she stood observed her daughter's artistry. "Utterly perfect, darling!"

Rosalie grinned and touched at the pendant in her hair. "Thank you, you know I was wondering…"

There was a sharp knock at the front door and Rosalie's eyes flew to it. Her eyes were wide as she looked from the door to her mother.

"I'll get it," her mother whispered and they shared a hopeful glance. They were not expecting visitors today, so it was very likely it was indeed-

"Mr. King!" Lillian's voice shook with genuine shock, though she had hoped Royce would visit to explain the flowers. Rosalie's heart pounded as she was rooted to the spot, but careened to catch a glimpse of her suitor from the cracked door.

"No need for that sort of formality. Please call me Royce," his rich voice oozed charm as he spoke to her mother. "Your husband gave me the address yesterday. I was wondering if Rosalie was home?"

Her mother opened the door wider, exposing Rosalie not twenty feet behind her. Royce laughed and Lillian reached for her daughter with a wide smile. "Rosalie, Royce is here," she said as if it were the most commonplace occurrence.

"I can see that," Rosalie retorted before she could before she could filter her own words. Royce gave a sharp laugh and his eyes widened as he took her in. He looked behind her at the massive vaseful of two dozen roses on the dining room table behind her.

"Rosalie!" Her mother admonished, but Royce cut her off.

"And I can see that you received my gift this morning," his smile was truly dazzling, tugging on the tips of his well-groomed moustache as he looked back to Rosalie. "Did you like them?"

"I loved them!" Rosalie responded quickly, ducking her head to subtly show the pendant in her hair.

"And you have the little trinket in your hair, how lovely!" He boomed proudly.

Rosalie and her mother shared a glance. If he considered the diamond hair piece was a little trinket…

"Actually Miss Rosalie," he stood up almost imperceptibly straighter, "I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me on a stroll. I'd like to get to know you better if that's alright with your mother?"

Rosalie's mother all but shoved her out the door towards Royce and Rosalie had to stifle a laugh.

Rosalie tentatively linked her arm within Royce's elbow that was outstretched for her to take, expectantly. Rosalie looked up at him and couldn't help the smile that lit up her entire face. Suddenly, her mother cleared her throat and Rosalie realized her father wasn't home to chaperone. Lillian was two steps ahead of her. "Normally I wouldn't have her on an unsupervised stroll with a stranger…" Lillian said sternly, in warning.

"Oh but I'm not a stranger, Miss Hale. Nothing but a respectful suitor. Besides, I spoke with Mr. Hale yesterday after out appointment." His chin inclined with the air of superiority. It was clear George had given his approval already. Of course he did.

"Mmm," Lillian raised her eyebrows as sternly as she could. It would be idiotic to ruin this chance- chaperone or not. "Well then, please have her home in time to help me prepare dinner."

"Of course," Royce patted Rosalie's hand that was entwined with the crook of his elbow. He swiftly turned and led them down the front steps to the Lincoln that Rosalie had seen him in yesterday.

He stood by the door to the convertible, holding it open expectantly for her.

"A walk?" Rosalie questioned, before chiding herself at her boldness.

Royce coughed to cover another sharp laugh. "I thought you might like a ride first. I saw how you looked at my car yesterday. I've never seen a lady really appreciate a nice care before."

Rosalie's mouth dropped before she could stop it. Her mother had never let her outwardly talk about her love for cars, saying it was unladylike. Feigning ignorance, Rosalie smiled sweetly. "It's just such a lovely shade a blue," she looked deep into his eyes, hoping that sounded flirtatious enough.

"Ah," he leaned forward and she could smell cigars on his breath. Another inch and they would kiss. "I suppose… Just like your eyes."

Rosalie blushed deeply and nearly fell back into the passenger seat. He closed the door for her and went to the driver's side before revving the engine.

Rosalie folded her hands delicately in her lap as she looked up at him.

"So, where are we going then?"

"How about a stroll in the park?" He answered before pulling away from his parallel parking spot.

"Sounds wonderful to me," Rosalie smiled up at him. He nodded, grabbing her hand with one hand and steering with the other. His forwardness surprised her, but she let the nerves roll down her spine and away with the breeze that brushed past them as he drove towards the park.