Same as before, there is a picture of Rose's outfit in the album.

Thank you so much for the continued reviews! It's great hearing your thoughts. :)

Chapter Seven.

27th December 1960

Rose's hands trembled as she waited behind the curtain. The 'uniform' Adrian had had made was something she'd have expected to see on a singer or showgirl. It reminded her of the flappers from years before; with a tasselled dress, her eyes heavily outlined with black kohl and mascara, bright red lipstick that made her lips look 'pouty', two strings of pearls wrapped around her neck, and her long hair twisted up into tight pin curls.

"Roza," An arm slipped around her waist and she jumped before settling back against the warm, broad chest that pressed against her, loving the sense of tranquillity and calm that surrounded her mind whenever Dimitri was near.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the kitchen?"

His lips pressed to her temple and she felt him smile against her skin. "I'm ahead of schedule, so they don't need me right now. I wanted to come and check on you. How are you feeling?"

Rose sighed and then turned so she could rest her forehead against the hard planes of his chest. "I'm nervous. What if I mess up? Or I'm not as good as we all thought and I ruin things?"

Dimitri's fingers tilted her face up and his soft lips on hers silenced her worried mumbles. "You will be amazing. You know these songs inside and out, Roza. Nothing can go wrong." Then he chuckled. "Except for the fact that I smeared your lipstick."

Rose giggled and pulled his face back down to hers so she could kiss him quickly once more before she grabbed the lipstick Lissa had placed behind the curtains in case a last minute touch up was needed. "There, all better."

He smiled and kissed her forehead once again. "And with that beautiful smile, it's perfect." Adrian's voice flitted through the curtain, his announcement of 'a special addition to the band' making Rose's stomach clench. "You'll be fine, Roza." Dimitri squeezed her fingers and then turned her around. "Don't think about it, just play."

She nodded and took a deep breath as Dimitri stepped back, out of sight as the curtain opened.

Polite applause echoed around the dining room as Rose stepped out and took her place behind the piano, using the drum beat intro to steady her shaking hands and breathe deeply. The guitars joined in, adding a little depth, ready for the piano accompaniment.

And then she started to play.

The murmurs of quiet chatter slowed, and then stopped completely as people stared at her in awe.

The drum beat slowed and stopped, as did the guitars so that the beauty of the tune wasn't marred, and Dimitri felt a jolt of warmth as the sweet melody followed him as he slipped out of the room back down to the kitchens. It was his song. Thinking of You. And Rose had done him the greatest honour in the world – next to agreeing to become his wife – by dedicating her debut performance to him.

"You were amazing!"

The knock on Rose's door late that night startled her, and she opened it cautiously, only to find herself scooped up into Dimitri's arms as he pressed a hard kiss, full of emotion and passion and excitement to her lips, kicked the door shut behind him, and then lifted and carried her petite body over to the bed.

"Thank you." His voice softened as he laid down next to her, his large hand cupping her cheek as his large brown eyes stared down into her hazel ones. "That meant so much to me, you playing our song."

Rose shrugged, a little smile pulling at her lips while happiness filled her chest as she slipped underneath the covers. "You deserved it. If not for you, I wouldn't have done it. So thank you."

Dimitri smiled and Rose giggled as he pulled her securely against his chest, his face resting on top of her head.

"I love you."

"I love you, too." She breathed in deeply and then leant back, her fingertips lightly tracing the circles under his eyes. "What are you doing up so late?"

"We finished late in the kitchen. Everyone stayed so long for your encore that they grew hungry again." He grinned and Rose rolled her eyes at his light teasing. "I wanted to come and congratulate you. And to say good night."

He yawned, and Rose bit her lip as she struggled with what she should do, and what she wanted to do. Surely it would be okay if he stayed, just one night? But what if someone saw him leaving the next morning? Most people didn't know that they were engaged, and now, what with Mr Ivashkov giving her a more prominent job, she couldn't afford any mars against her reputation.

"Get in."

Dimitri's eyes widened at Rose's words. "Are you sure?"

She hesitated, and then nodded. "I know you won't push for us to take that step, but I want to sleep with you tonight, wrapped up in your arms."

"Okay." His voice was soft as he quickly pulled off his shoes and socks, laying them neatly by her dresser before he placed his dressing gown over the back of the chair and then crawled into bed beside Rose, pulling her body flush against his so neither of them fell out.

"We need to get a double bed when we married."

Dimitri grinned as she giggled.

"Definitely. We still have time though. And if we're still working here, maybe Mr Ivashkov will let us move into a larger room together."

Ooh, looks like Rose is definitely having a bit of a confidence boost! ;)