Chapter 2:

THREE MONTHS LATER

"Someone get the door! I'm busy!" Nellie shouted, she was upstairs fixing her short auburn hair. The door opened and a voice echoed through the room "Aunt Nellie!"

Nellie smiled "Ah Rosalie!" she marched down the stairs picking up the skirts of her dress "Good to see you darling! You must come visit more often."

Charlie came through with a tray of tea and scones on a plate, As the mouse placed the tray on the table, he pushed the seat open for Rosalie and she sat down.

After a while of talking, Nellie finally pushed the news out of her "So…." She stirred her tea "Any news on the wedding?"

"No." she simply said, Nellie sighed and crossed her arms "Still? It's been three months Rosalie!" Rosalie got up and paced back and forth "I know! I know!.."

She started to fiddle with her fingers "He's just been busy… I do love James.." she looked at the large diamond ring on her finger, on the inside was inscribed Forever & Always. She held it in her hand and slipped it back on "But we haven't planned a thing.. I feel that if I do bother him it will even delay it more.."

Nellie shrugged her shoulders "Maybe he's afraid.. I mean living as a criminal can have it's risks." She touched Rosalie's hand "…He's afraid to lose you…" Rosalie smiled "He has to learn that I am more than capable of handling myself… as a team though, we are unstoppable."

The white mouse laughed at her remark "Marriage is about compromise, just talk to him.. there is no harm." Rosalie nodded and grabbed her coat, she opened the door and smiled back at her aunt "Wish me luck.."

At the Rat trap, Rosalie was talking to the barmaid who patted her on the back "Of all these years, I never would have thought Ratigan would settle down any time…" Rosalie laughed lightly "Well Margaret when we first met I never thought that either…" Ratigan came through the secret passage and smiled at his fiancée "Hello my dear." He kissed her on the head and she smiled back "Hello darling."

Margaret wiped the table down chuckling "Darling? Pinch me I'm dreaming." She walked away as Ratigan quirked an eyebrow. Rosalie chuckled at his curiosity and let her breath out "James, I know that marriage is a compromise."

Ratigan's yellow eyes became wide and he stroked his black hair "Darling I realize that we have taken a long time to-" she brought a finger to her lips and continued "I believe that when two souls are meant for each other, some things are not going to be perfect and I-" a cloaked figure, hiding their face stopped in front of them. The figure said not a word when Ratigan spoke "Can we help you?" he suddenly held Rosalie's hand tightly and whispered in her ear "Whatever happens…run."

The figure pointed a knife at Rosalie and spoke with a cruel haunting voice "What is the difference between ignorance and apathy?"

Rosalie's look of fear instantly became a bright smile, she replied "I don't know, and I don't care!" the cloak instantly revealed a beautiful grey mouse with bright blue eyes and long curly black hair, underneath the cloak she was wearing a sleek dark purple dress. Rosalie rose out of her seat and instantly hugged the girl, bringing shock to Ratigan's large yellow eyes "Rosalie!"

"Ginger! What in blue blazes are you doing here in London!"

She shouted "I caught the next boat, train, and carriage to see you! And most importantly Samantha is getting married!"

"NO!"

"YES!"

The girls giggled when Rosalie held up her ring "Me too!" she sang the words lightly and Ginger gasped at the sheer size of the diamond "Oh my word, you can sink to the bottom of the ocean with that rock!"

Rosalie grabbed her hand "You're looking amazing as usual!"

Ginger gasped back "Well look who's talking! Mrs- well.." she smirked "Who's the lucky guy?!" Ratigan cleared his throat, Rosalie instantly grabbed his nervous arm "This Is Professor Padriac James Ratigan..My fiancée" she proudly displayed him, making him feel less nervous. Ginger raised an eyebrow at his stature and how he presented himself, she shook his gloved hand "Nice to meet you Professor." She looked at Rosalie and loudly whispered in his ear "Look out for this one… she's mentally insane."

Ratigan smiled "I know." making Ginger laugh "Nice to meet you Miss Ginger." He kissed her hand making her blush "Oh my word what a gentleman!" Rosalie smiled proudly at him.

Ginger sat around her friends and took a drink. Rosalie spoke "So Samantha is getting married? I didn't think she was the kind to settle down… seemed more the hustle and bustle type.."

The grey mouse shrugged her shoulders "I know.. but she wanted to give you this." She handed Rosalie a white envelope, she ripped it open and read aloud:

Please let us all join together to celebrate the union of:

Samantha Alexis Grant and Rodger Allen Brewster

On the day of May 12, 1900

The Grant Manor, 1298 Fallon Drive, New Orleans, Louisiana

Formal wear

INVITATION ONLY

"Wow.." Rosalie pushed her hair back then stood out of the chair "What day is it?!"

Ratigan touched her shoulder "May sixth my dear..Rosalie you're not thinking of-"

She smiled while still holding the invitation "Well. Yes I am.." Ratigan sighed and touched her hand "Darling may I talk to you alone.." both of them rose out of their seats and walked to the corner of the room. Ratigan started "Rosalie, we can't go… With my record-"

She raised an eyebrow and sighed "James, one of my best friends is getting married… it only happens once and I want to be there. If you are so afraid of America you can stay with the children and I can go."

He scoffed "Afraid? Who says I am afraid?"

"When I came here I was afraid…" she fixed his cravat "In a new environment is perfectly normal.."

She began to walk away when he grabbed her hand "I don't want to lose you again.." She touched his face softly and he smiled "I can take care of myself, I think your training has taught me well." She laughed and noticed he didn't let go, he held her hand tighter and she spoke again losing her smile "Professor P. James Ratigan are you holding me hostage?"

He raised an eyebrow "If I need to, I will do anything to keep you safe." Her green eyes turned brighter and she looked at Ginger who was looking at her with the same amount of surprise "Ginger, How do you like sword fighting?"

In two years, Ratigan was able to train Rosalie to take care of herself, at his discretion. He taught her sword fighting, how to handle a gun, and how to pick a lock.. for protection of course. Back in the lair, all the boys and the children included were sitting in wooden stadium seats with small amounts of food and money flailing around, placing bets. Nicolas, Ratigan's new right hand man walked in. He was a scrawny light brown mouse with a grey cap. Underneath his grey jacket was his red striped shirt tucked into his grey pants. He walked in and saw Ginger sitting alone, His brown eyes widened and he instantly checked his breath and slicked back his hair underneath his hat. Bill and Fidget watched as He walked up to the grey mouse and leaned on the wall next to her chair, forcing her to look into his eyes "Excuse me miss, I've noticed you noticing me, so I'm giving you the notice that I've noticed you.." he looked at the boys and gave them a thumbs up.

Ginger crossed her arms and replied loudly "Did you notice my lack of interest?" she turned her chair and heard the boys snicker, Nicolas's look of smugness turned to defeat. He walked back to his seat and plopped down.

Bill nudged him "Nice job Nicky!"

Fidget cackled "Yeah! You really make em swoon Casanova!"

Nicolas turned around "Hey Shutup! I'm warning ya!" at his last word Ratigan walked out of the entrance of the lair with a long sword.

Rosalie walked out from her room, and softly shut the door. She had changed out of her dress and into a white shirt with tan pants and knee high brown boots. The thugs hooted and whistled instantly stopping at Ratigan's cold glare. He looked at his fiancée and sighed "Rosalie you know I am much more experienced than you are.. if I win, we do not go." He touched the sword gently with his gloved hands "Under any circumstances."

She slid the sword out of her belt handle "And if I win, we go..."

"Your pretty confident darling.." Ratigan smiled showing his sharp white teeth.

She shook her head and held up her sword "I should be… darling.."

And off they went, their swords clanged again and again, Ratigan aimed as she spun around and tapped him on the shoulder. Ginger shouted "Get em honey!" as they clanged once more, their faces met.

Ratigan whispered "Tired yet?"

Her green eyes peered into his "Oh no… I'm just getting.." they both pushed away "STARTED!" she laughed and watch her fiancé stumble back still hanging on to his sword. Ratigan smiled as she held up her sword to his face "You know you fight just as good as a man."

"Funny.." she chuckled "I was gonna say the same thing about.." Ratigan used his tail to trip her, she ended up on the floor with an oof, dropping her sword. She was going to reach for it when Ratigan lightly stepped on her hand "…You…"

Everyone sat at fainted breath as he jokingly threatened her "Any last words my dear?" she sighed in defeat and blew a strand of hair out of her face "Yes darling…"

Rosalie grabbed his cravat and kissed him, making his eyes close. Rosalie's eyes opened and she grabbed his sword and used all her force to push him to the ground. He scowled and felt the tip of the sword touch his nose. Rosalie bent down smirking "Should I pack your good trousers?" she attempted to help him up but was picked up by all the thugs and cheering her name, carrying her into the lair to celebrate.

Off to New Orleans….

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