A lot of good guesses as to what's in the container! I'm sorry that this update is in the afternoon rather than the morning, but tonight's will be posted on time.

And I can't believe how much you're all enjoying this story and the little details. Thank you!

Chapter Two.

3rd April 1960.

Rose swallowed thickly, smoothing out the creases in her dress. She'd worked hard and fast today, eager to finish the rooms on her floor early so that she could run back to her room and shower.

She'd taken the time to brush her hair out, enjoying the way the dark curls fell down her back. Normally, it was always tied up into a tight bun on the top of her head. It felt good to let her hair down, and to dress up a little. Gone was the plain black shift she had to wear during work hours, instead she wore a soft, yellow cotton long sleeved shirt, and a flowing white skirt. She'd added a little of the make-up Lissa had given her, that Christian had brought back from one of his deployments from some exotic country. It was only a little smudge of lipstick and a thin layer of mascara, but Rose still thought of make-up as an extravagance. It was certainly something she couldn't afford and so she used it sparingly. Today was special, and she felt that it was worth using a little of the precious cosmetics.

She looked, and felt, pretty. Pretty enough to talk to Dimitri a week after he'd given her the two small slices of cake, one fruit and the other sponge, topped with a thin layer of icing. Three large, fat strawberries had been hidden in the container too, and tears had sprung to her eyes when she opened the envelope, revealing a small card.

Rose,

Happy birthday.

From, Dimitri.

That was all it had said, but it was more than enough. Strawberries were a luxury that Rose couldn't afford, and fruit cake was for the higher classes. The fact that Dimitri had snuck her some meant much more than could ever be put into words. Lissa and Rose had celebrated privately, with a cheap bottle of wine Lissa had saved up to buy especially. They'd giggled and gossiped as the alcohol began to share its effects, but Rose had hidden away her present from Dimitri beforehand. Lissa would make too much of a fuss, turn the small present into something much larger than it really was and blow the gesture way out of proportion.

No, Rose wanted to enjoy this small moment and gift by herself. She would tell Lissa later, when things had blown over.

And that brought her to where she was today, stood by the kitchen doors, waiting for Dimitri to finish his shift so she could thank him.

The doors opened, and a few people exited, casting her curious glances, surprise even flitting across the faces of a few staff members at her attire, but none of them stopped to talk to her.

Then, after the wave of staff had trickled down and stopped, Dimitri exited. Rose took a moment to study him, her breath catching as her gaze raked over his long legs, his muscled back and broad shoulders, arms toned from years of carrying heavy dishes. She wondered what it would feel like to have those arms wrapped around her waist, to have his large hands holding her tiny body gently.

"D- Dimitri?"

Her voice trembled, but caught his attention, his head whipping around towards her.

"Rose," His eyes crinkled up as he grinned, and again she wondered why he seemed so happy to see her. His long legs ate up the distance between them as he strode towards her, and a little flutter of panic and insecurity lodged itself in her chest. What if she didn't look good enough up close? What if he didn't like the way she was dressed? Or- "How was your birthday?"

His voice was soft, and filled with genuine interest as he laid a hand on her arm lightly.

"It was good." Rose was thankful that her voice didn't break or waver, and she even managed a tiny smile. "That's why I'm here. About my birthday. Well, the cake. And the card. To say thank you."

Rose blushed as she stumbled over the words she wanted to say, but Dimitri didn't seem to mind. Instead, he offered her his arm. "Do you want to sit down and talk?"

Rose couldn't remember ever having laughed so much in her life.

Despite her previous nerves, talking with Dimitri had been easy and their conversation had flowed without any awkward pauses. Eventually, they made their way outside, walking through the hotel gardens, arm in arm, as they enjoyed the last few rays of sunshine before making their way back inside.

They'd talked about their families, well, Dimitri had since Rose had no family anymore, and her heart swelled in her chest when he walked her to her door, pressing another short kiss to her forehead before he said his goodbyes and left.

Hehe, say it with me... 'Awwwww!' :')

Any theories as to why he chose to talk to her all of a sudden?