Chapter 75

"Good morning, did you miss me?" Daisy called to her from the doorway of Rose's office. Rose looked away from her computer and spreadsheets, already smiling at her friend.

"Irrefutably so," Rose replied, getting to her feet to greet her friend with a hug, suddenly feeling as though it had been ages since she had seen her friend. "How was your day off with the dynamic duo?"

Daisy let an amused sigh at how Rose referred to her children. "Pretty much as you'd expect. Spent half the day trying to explain to Johnny why he can't take a power tool to his first day of school for show in tell, and the other half trying to reassure Becky that her brother won't embarrass her on their first day of school."

"Aww bless them," Rose sighed. "So, hoping September could come sooner than?" She joked.

"You have no idea," Daisy laughed. "Anyway, it's just one more week now. How did the weekend go? Sort things out with Scorpius?"

"Yeah, we did and we had a great time. The wedding was great, everything worked out and we all enjoyed the rest of the weekend away. It was just perfect, actually."

"Aw I'm glad, but don't think that is all you are going to say on the topic. I want the full rundown after I get the kitchen started, I need details please."

Dom sat in her sister's lounge room, quietly watching as Victoire bounced and cooed at her goddaughter/niece on her lap. "Daddy's gone to work, so it's just us today Sammi-moo." Vic turned and smiled at her sister when she heard Dom giggle quietly at her mushy Mummy behaviour. "What?" Dom just smiled and shook her head, no comment, but enjoying the break from being solum at her current situation. "This will be you soon," Vic added, turning Sammi around to sit in her lap facing her Aunt. "All the baby talk and cooing you'll do, even tough Aunty Dom won't be able to resist, right Sammi?"

"Maybe," Dom replied, reaching out and giving her finger for Sammy to grasp and hold onto. She was smiling but it was a soft and tiny smile, almost like it was barely there. The sisters sat in silence, just smiling and enjoying the company of their young companion before Victoire spoke about the topic they were trying to avoid.

"You know, Mum and Dad are going to love having another grandchild too spoil soon, just give them some time."

"Maybe," Dom replied again, with a sigh. After feeling the squeeze of her sisters hand in her free one, she felt like she could continue. "It will never be the same as it is for you though."

"Oh Dom, you know-"

"It's okay, I'm not mad or sad about it," Dom cut off her sister from trying to make her feel better and spare her feelings. "I resigned myself to the fact that this would be the case a while ago, long before Jacob. I always knew that if I did ever get pregnant, it would be treated different from yours. I was always okay with that, but now, after what I have done, it will be worse. Even after the baby is born, this will always be hanging over me and the baby, won't it?" Dom expressed, tears welling in her eyes.

"No, don't be barmy," Vic replied, teary eyed herself. "Dominique Weasley, you are loved. Not only by your husband, but all of us Weasley's, including Mum and Dad. And that baby, will be loved just as much, and let's be honest more then you or I. Just like Sammi, the next generation always is. Now, you listen to me," Vic continued, giving Dom strength and maintaining eye contact. "Families fight all the time, it doesn't mean they stop loving each other. You will get through this, we all will together. Because we are Weasley's, for crying out loud," Victoire smiled at her sister, proud to get a teary chuckle out of her.

"Thank you for everything Vic, I don't know what I'd do without you," Dom said sincerely. "I really am sorry for putting you and Louis in the middle of this, I just didn't think that-"

"Hey, hey, it's okay. Like I said we all will work it out together, alright?" They were interrupted by Dominique's muggle phone ringing. Dom quickly reached for her bag, while wiping her eyes and righting herself, to search for the phone. When she found it and saw Rose's name on the screen she quickly answered.

"Hey Rose,"

"Hey, I wasn't sure if you'd be up this early. How are you doing? Vic and Teddy told me about what happened."

"Yeah, I'm okay. Just not sure how to fix this right now. It's really bad Rose, I really have hurt everyone," Dom explained to Rose as she locked eyes with her sister, still getting strength from them. "I'm just sad and so disappointed in myself. I should have listened to you and Vic when you tried to talk me into to telling them."

"Dom, you did what made you happy and you had a beautiful wedding day and short honeymoon weekend. Don't let this cloud that. It's okay, though cause you will figure this out and make it right. You are brilliant and I know that both Bill and Fleur love you very much. We all do," Rose quickly replied.

"Thank you," Dom said sincerely, feeling the love from her cousin.

"Is there anything I can do for you to help or take some pressure off?" Rose asked.

"No, it's all good, but I will let you know if that changes."

"Alright, I am here for you," Rose sighed wishing she could help more, but know this is something Dom and her family will need to sort out on her own. They chatted for a few more minutes about Dom's plans on how she hope to smooth things over and start fixing her family and agreed to talk again that night.

"Scorpius?" Albus called out as he entered the house, soon to be his house.

"Hey Al, what are you doing here so early?" Scorpius replied as he came down the stairs, wiping his hands on a rag.

"I could say the same to you," Albus replied. "I thought you said you were finished?"

"Mostly, just a few touch ups here and there, but it's ready for you."

"Well, I am glad I caught you actually," Albus said, still running his eyes around the house, before directing them back to his mate. "I have a plan for how I am going to propose."

"Great. Let's hear it then," Scorpius replied enthusiastically, proud to see his mate almost bursting with love and happiness.

"So, the plan is to have a great dinner and then to come here after and have a surprise engagement party with everyone. If she says yes, though. Hopefully, she will."

"Well, it is you who's asking though, so chances are slim," Scorpius joked.

"Oi, you-"

"I'm kidding, c'mon you numpty if she didn't want to marry you, she would have split a long time ago," Scorpius encouraged with a laugh at his mate's nervous expression. "Back yourself mate."

"Yeah, all right. Anyway, Hugo has helped me out with getting me a special table in that really fancy restaurant in Notting Hill, apparently he knows a part owner from the Cannons alum or something. So, I was hoping that you could help me get everything else organised for Friday night?"

"Friday? As in this Friday?" Scorpius asked.

"Yeah, I know it's short notice. It's just that Hugo got the me the spot at the restaurant and I'd feel bad if he wasn't there at the party cause of his tour, but I can't wait 4 or 5 weeks anymore. I have just got to do this, you know?" Scorpius internally sighed as he knew he'd have to postpone his date with Rose. He didn't want to, but he also knew how important this was to his friend and he wanted to make its super special for him.

"Yeah, I know," Scorpius replied. "Okay, Friday it is."

"Sounds magical," Daisy said with a whimsical sigh as Rose explained the wedding in more detail.

"Yeah, it really was. I know how happy she was too, that's what made it so special," Rose replied, as both women worked together rolling out pastry at the back of the kitchen. "Unfortunately, I know things are going to be tense now. Her parents found out about everything," Rose explained.

"Oh, not good," Daisy reacted with a sigh. "Is she okay?"

"No, she feels terrible that they found out before she could tell them. We talked a little earlier this morning and she is going to try patch things up with her Dad today so hopefully it will all work out."

"She's so brave," Daisy commented.

"She is, always has been, but I was always worried this could happen. Vic and I both tried serval times to talk her out of shutting them out completely."

"I understand why she did it though," Dom replied. Rose spared Daisy a questioning look. Daisy sighed and then explained.

"When I fell pregnant, I had some similar decisions to make when it came to my parents." The friends had stopped their work with the Pastry and Rose gave Daisy her full attention, knowing that Daisy had never really opened up much about this before. "David and I, we're talking about what to do and marriage came up. We talked about running away, eloping, having the baby on the road and then just seeing what happened. Where life would take us. I was so scared, but he made its seem so romantic and thrilling." Daisy smiled at Rose, a little glassy eyed as she remembered her younger self in love, and Rose comforting placed her hand on her friends arm in support. "See my parents never really liked him and thought he was a bad influence on me, but put up with it because they thought he was just a phase. He knew they didn't like him too, so he was really pushing leaving it all behind. So, it was really up to me, and what I wanted to do. If I told them, I knew they would be so disappointed. They were so old fashioned, I thought that they would insist on a marriage and that we settle down and do the right thing. If I didn't, I thought I probably wouldn't see them again, at least not for a while. He and I had a few arguments over it, because he knew they would want a proper wedding and neither of us could afford that and a baby. I mean we couldn't afford anything period. I wasn't even sure what I wanted to do yet, was just enjoying my late teens in a little run down flat, working at a bar. At the time, I hated the thought of a wedding. All the fuss, I knew my mother would insist on it. I almost did it. I almost terminated the pregnancy and ran away with him." Daisy explained slight tears running down her cheeks as she thought on a world without her babies. Rose slid her hand down a gripped Daisy's with her own, showing her support but not wanting to interrupt. "I couldn't though, couldn't take their life away. And then after that decision was made. I quickly decided that it wasn't fair to cut my parents out of my life and our baby's life. I quickly realised that was what David really wanted, to not have to answer to anyone and to be free to do as he pleased. You can see why it didn't take long for him to leave once I decided to keep the baby and tell them. He tried for a few weeks but then, poof," Daisy chuckled at her own attempt in humour.

"His loss," Rose said with a smile.

"Too right," Daisy replied with a sassy smirk. "Anyway, at least after that my parents were more mad him than me and I was mad too. It really brought us together. It all worked out in the end, you know the rest." Rose pulled her in for a hug, holding each other tight. "I understand, how fear and judgment can lead to making bad decisions." Daisy continued to explain over Rose's shoulder as they held each other tight. "I know how the thought of parading around in a white dress for people that mostly don't really care about you, can push you down paths you know isn't right. I almost made the most unforgivable decision ever because of those feelings, but I found my way in the end." Daisy pulled back and smiled back at her friend. "Dom's brave cause she took a stand for what she wanted, now she and her family will have to learn from this and work it out to move forward."

Rose, glassy eyed and emotional, took Daisy's hands in her own before saying "you are one of the bravest and strongest people I know, and I am so lucky to know you." The two friends embraced again, giving in to their emotions as they smiled and light tears ran down their cheeks.

"Good morn-" Nate called as he entered the kitchen. He stopped suddenly as he saw his friends. "Hey, what's wrong?" He asked moving quickly and reaching out to them both, placing a hand on their shoulders, unsure who to comfort.

"Nothing, we're fine," Rose said, as they released each other, wiping their eyes and composing themselves.

Nate said, "Okay." However, he still continued to look confused and worried about them.

"Anyway, still lots to do, no faffing around," Daisy instructed, clapping her hands together to get everyone back on track.

"Come in," Bill answered the knock at his office door.

"Hi Dad." He looked up to see his daughter's head sheepishly poking around the door, still hesitant to enter.

"Good afternoon Dominique," he responded, looking back down at the reports from their new excavation site on his desk. When he didn't hear the door close he silently, lifted his hand and signalled for her to enter with his fingers. Dominique took a deep breath and entered her father's office, closing the door behind her and moving towards the chairs in front of his desk.

"How's the new Dig going?" She asked in an attempt to make it feel as normal as possible. Trying to be in denial about the real reason she was here and the fracture she has caused within their relationship, even for just a moment longer.

"It is going well. Stealing a lot of my time, but no set backs so far," Bill added as he inked his quill and signed the report. "But that is not what you came here to discuss with me, is it?" He added as he put the quill down and finally looked up at his daughter who had sat down in the chair on the other side of his desk.

"No, it's not," Dom sighed.

"Well?" Bill prompted.

"Dad, I really am sorry. I didn't intend for you to find out that way," Dom explained "We wanted to come over for dinner sometime this week and explain everything to you and mum." Bill didn't respond, he simply sat pondering and looking at his daughter. He prided himself on really knowing his children. Therefore, despite his disappointment, deep down Bill always knew that when the time came Dom would do something completely different from her sister and her cousins with her wedding. He knew that she would want to avoid a classic Weasley/Delacour wedding, especially since she is already pregnant. Bill knew that once they worked through this as a family Fleur will be overjoyed for Dom and Jacob for their baby. However, Grandma Apolline will not be as impressed and that would've caused tension throughout the planning stages as well as on the big day.

"Dom, darling," he started with a sigh. "I know that had you been given the opportunity you would have told your mother and I everything. Maybe that would have been better, and maybe we will have a big family celebration now, but none of this changes the fact you choose to exclude us from one of the most important days of your life. Now, what does that say about us, and our family." Dominique dropped her gaze to her hands with an exhale of sadness, tears welling in her eyes as she heard pain in her father's voice. "No matter how hard it may have been, why couldn't you at least tell us that Jacob had proposed and that you were going to elope? Explain what you wanted, but shared the joy with us? Been honest from the start?"

"Do you really think there would have been a different outcome if I had?" Dom said through her tears and sniffles as she lifted her eyes back up to her father. "You and Mum have never liked Jacob, and you haven't been the most supportive of my decisions throughout the years. How can you really think me being honest with you from the start would have made this better?"

"That is not true, your mother and I love you, your sister and your brother so much. We support you with everything we have and then some. Being honest with us would always be better, despite what you might think we always support your best interests."

"Bullshit! You support your best interests. If I had been honest, we would still be in this mess, fighting with Louis and Vic in the middle, and all of us upset. Only difference now is that Jacob and I got to have our perfect, beautiful day, so Mum can't try and separate us now because divorce would be even more embarrassing for our family."

"Is that what you really think of your mother?"

"How could I think otherwise? Dad, when Mum found out I was moving to France, she almost got me fired so that I wouldn't leave England."

"That was actually my accident and your mother tidied it up," Bill responded with an embarrassed sigh.

"What?"

"Yeah, I don't really want to explore that. It's a long story, but your mother stopped you getting fired actually."

"And what about how she always sent Aunt Gabbi to spy on me," Dom exclaimed.

"Oh come on Bub, she was worried about you and wanted to know you were okay. You weren't speaking to us then."

"Both of you have never approved of my choice of career, it's just luck that it's worked out okay, right?" Dominique ranted and her father just sat there, shocked and trying to keep his emotions in check. "And let's not forget my scandalous lifestyle of travelling, adventures, parties and wine." Bill didn't know this. Didn't know how much judgement his daughter felt from him and his wife. 'Clearly, we must be doing something wrong', he thought. Now, he was wondering if his other children felt this way as well. Maybe he didn't know his family as much as he thought he did. "Then you add in what she said to Jacob when she first met him. Plus, all the things she has implied every time after that. All the thinly veiled distain. It's a wonder I still see any of you at all," Dom finished puffing and out of breath, staring back at her silent father. Only then, did things start to sink in. She could see it in his expression, his hurt and pain. Dom knew, deep down that he didn't deserve this, but she couldn't stop herself and now she was hurting him again, and she couldn't handle it.

"I'm so sorry, Dad," she sobbed, before getting up and fleeing the office.

Rose had just got out of the shower when she heard a noise from her kitchen.

"Scorp? I didn't expect you so early. I'll be out in a minute." After texting Scorpius through the day, she was expecting him to drop by tonight. He said he wanted to discuss something with her face to face. She was quietly excited and nervous about what this could be about after last night and this morning. Hoping he wasn't having second thoughts about them as a couple, she quickly got in the shower after getting back from work, so she was ready to see him again later tonight.

After getting dressed in something casual, jean shorts and a plain wide neck tee, she magically dried her hair before making her way out into the main area of her flat. Who she found in her flat was not who she was expecting. A sobbing Dom laid on the couch, attempting to eat from a pint of ice cream with a blanket over her legs. "Dom!" Rose rushed over to her friend and quickly wrapped her arms around her. Dom held her back and buried her face in Rose's chest as she continued to cry. Instead of trying to comfort Dom with her words, Rose focused on trying to just hold Dom and let her get all her emotions out. Only concern was the ice cream kept getting in the way. Awkwardly, Rose tried to retrieve the ice cream pint out of her distraught cousin's hands. However, it seemed that Dom did not want to let it go. Wordlessly, they had an awkward and childish wrestling match over the pint before Rose finally managed to get it free from her crying cousin and place it on the coffee table. "There now, come here," Rose said, moving more onto the couch and hold her cousin like one would a crying child. "Shh, everything will be okay. You're safe, and I am here for you," Rose whispered, as she waited for Dom to calm down. Eventually, after several minutes and a few hiccups, Dom seem to have calm down enough to talk and have only a few leaky tears escape. "Shh, you're okay."

"Thank you, I'm so sorry for coming in here and-"

"Don't be draft, I told you today I am here for you," Rose jumped in to reassure Dom and to save here from feeling embarrassed. Dom still clung to Rose, and the redhead continued to rub her back. "If you needed this, you are more than welcome to be here."

After a few more minutes of silence between the friends, Rose asked, "Do you want to talk about what happened?" Dom didn't reply straight away, but Rose didn't rush her or push, just patiently waited.

"I spoke to my dad. I just keep making things worse and hurting more people I love," the blonde said, muffled slightly by Rose's clothes as Dom held her cousin so tightly. "I don't know how to do this, how to fix this. You should have seen his face, he looked so defeated. I did that to the Great Bill Weasley. How will anything ever be okay again?"

"Hey, they will be you'll see," Rose comforted again as Dom cried a little more. After another half hour of talking about what had happened and more advice and comforting words, Rose was finally able to help Dom enough that she resembled as least a little of her normal self. Sitting across from Rose now on the couch Dom asked if they could change the topic and pretend that its wasn't happened for a bit.

"Okay, what do you want to talk about?"

"So, you were expecting Scorpius over? Things between you too are going well I assume?" Dom pried teasingly. Rose was happy to see a hint of Dom's cheekiness return.

"Yes, they are going well so far," Rose admitted with a tint of blush in her cheeks. "We are taking things slow."

"It is serious though, right? Like not casual?"

"Yeah, we don't want to go too fast, but we both know that it's…not casual," Rose tried to clarify, but wasn't sure that it was making sense or was enough. A confused and unsure expression came across her face, Dom quickly jumped in, not wanting to cause doubt or confuse Rose.

"Hey, you don't need to explain or define it to me, I'm sorry I asked. As long as you and Scorpius are happy with where you are at, then that's all that matters," Dom said as she smiled and reached out placing a comforting hand on Rose's forearm.

"Thanks, I-"

Rose was interrupted by a knock at her door. She quickly got to her feet and rushed to the door. Opening it, she smiled at the blond man on the other side. "Hey."

"Hi," Scorpius replied, smiling just like the redhead before him. They were completely consumed by each other, locked in a heated gaze, as Scorpius stepped towards her, completely unaware of their audience. Rose seemed to forget to and out of pure self-preservation Dom quickly interrupted the couple.

"Geez, get a room why don't you?" Dominique teased, enjoying the physical jolt both had at the sound of her voice. Rose took a deep breath and bit her lip slightly, as if she held herself back, dropped her gaze from Scorpius's and blushed. Scorpius looks around Rose to see Dom, smirking at them from where she sat on the couch.

"Hey Dom, sorry I didn't realise you were here," he said, a little awkwardly.

"Yes, clearly," Dom almost giggled back, as Scorpius stepped around Rose and into her flat.

"Dom just stopped by to chat," Rose explained as she closed the door, before turning back to face her cousin.

"Yes, and it has been extremely helpful, but I should go," Dom added, as she stood up from the couch and looking around for her purse.

"Please don't leave on my account," Scorpius said, wholeheartedly. "How is everything after last night? You never replied to my texts." Scorpius moved to sit on the unoccupied side of the couch next to Dom, concerned for his friend.

"Any one fancy a cuppa?" Rose asked, standing beside her man, clearly letting Dom know that it was more than okay to stay.

Dom smiled at her and sat back down, "Milk and sugar, please." Rose nodded before casually placing a hand on Scorpius shoulder to gain his attention.

"Love one, thank you," he replied with a smile to her unspoken question. As Rose left for the kitchen, Dom smiled to herself as she couldn't help but noticed that clearly Scorpius didn't need to tell Rose how he had his tea. "So, how are you and Jacob managing?" Dominique managed to fill Scorpius in without getting to upset, a few tears but nothing like what had happened with her cousin. When Rose came back in, she was levitating a serving tray, complete with their mugs of tea and a saucer with some biscuits, while also dragging over a chair from her dining table. She left the chair for a moment as she made sure to place the tray carefully on the coffee table. Rose was surprised to see Scorpius had moved from the couch and was now sitting in the chair still talking to Dom. His gaze quickly flicked to her and with a smile on his face, he gestured for her to take the soft and more comfortable seat on the couch. She blushed and smiled at him before moving in to sit down anyway. Once she did, she continued to blush as Scorpius shuffled his chair closer to her. She looked up at him slightly and took the time to admire him as he talked to her cousin. Clearly, they had changed up the topics and he was making jokes and laughing along with Dom as he cheered her up. While the conversation between the two blondes continued Rose passed Dom her tea and when she turned back she realised that Scorpius had already reached his own and was dunking a biscuit into his already. She picked up her own tea before sitting back and listening to two of her favourite people banter and quip back and forth, feeling content and happy in their company.

Soon, after a quick toilet stop, Dom left her flat feeling a great deal happier then when she arrived. Both Rose and Scorpius promised to check in with her throughout the rest of the week to support her and Jacob as best they could.

Scorpius turned to Rose after the flash of the Floo had settled, "Do you think she will be alright?"

"Eventually," Rose replied with a sigh. "I hope they all will," she added, as she turned back to the Lounge area and moved to tidy up. Scorpius assisted by taking their dishes and the tray back into the kitchen as Rose took the chair back and fixed the pillows. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Rose asked, unable to hold back the question any longer, as she entered the kitchen and helped dry as Scorpius washed. "It seemed like it was quite serious." As Scorpius finish the last mug, he picked up on her nervous tone.

"Hey, it's not a bad thing," he said quickly, before grasping her waist and turning her towards him so that he could reassure her. "Well, it is…kinda…but it's not as well," he stuttered before chuckling at his own words. Rose couldn't help but laugh with him as he tried to explain himself.

"Just tell me," she smiled, putting down the last cup she dried before sliding her hands up his arm to his shoulders.

"Well, there's a couple things. Do you want the kinda good news first or the kinda bad?" he replied, pulling her closer, so that they were pressed together.

"Mmm…the bad, I guess," Rose replied.

"Okay. Unfortunately, we will need to postpone our date this Friday," he said, nervously smiling down at her, trying to read how she might react.

"Ah okay…why?"

"Well, that is because of the good news," Scorpius explained.

"Okay, what's the good news?"

"I will tell you but there is one condition. You can't tell Alison," Scorpius replied seriously.

"Why?" Rose stared up at him a little suspiciously.

"You just can't. Trust me."

"Okay, fine," Rose said with a sigh after only a moment's hesitation.

"Albus is planning a party on Friday, that we will need to attend and…just before that he is going to propose to Alison." Rose squealed and jumped up into Scorpius arms, locking her arms around his neck.

"Merlin's Beard! Are you having a laugh?" She pulled back slightly to ask quickly.

"Do you think I would postpone our date for anything else?" Scorpius laughed, as he slid his hands down to her arse to support her, before following her legs and a pulling Rose's knees up to wrap her legs around him. Rose took the hint and moved her legs, they got more comfortable as they held on to each other rather effortlessly.

"Oh, I'm so happy for them," Rose said as she clung to him, her legs around him, her fingers sliding into his hair, looking straight into his blue eyes.

"Me too," Scorpius added, as he squeezed her arse cheeks, his eyes dipping to look at her lips. Both of their breathing grew ragged, as they anticipated the inevitable. Rose moved in first, lightly grazing her nose against his, before their lips locked. It started slow but quickly grew in intensity, they couldn't get enough of each other. Scorpius transferred Rose to the top of the kitchen island bench, as he kissed down her neck, drawing more noise from the redhead. His hands, slid up her thighs, enjoying the feel of her smooth skin. Soon, her hands found the bottom of his tee and she pushed him back to lift it up, trying to get it off him. He took the hint and removed it, dropping it down on the floor beside him. They shared a smile, before Rose pulled him back to her, her lips finding his again quickly. All was going well, until they heard the Floo come to life. Scorpius pulled away from her lips and groaned, burying his face in her neck, when they heard Alison call out for Rose from the Floo.

"I'm sorry," Rose said after letting out a groan in frustration herself.

"I know," Scorpius replied with a sigh, pulling back and smiling at her. "Can't be helped, just feels like we can't catch a break," he said, as he tucked her hair behind her ear. Rose leaned in kissed him again.

"Stay, I will tell her I can talk to her later," she offered, keeping him close with her arms still around him.

"Rose, are you home?" Alison called out again.

"Yeah, just give me a minute!" Rose turned her head and called back. Turning back to Scorpius, finding herself lost in his eyes again. He pressed his forehead against hers.

"You have no idea, how tempting it is, b-"

"Don't say but," Rose interrupted him, drawing a chuckle out of Scorpius. The blond kissed her again before pulling away this time Rose released him, and he bent down to get his shirt. After Scorpius put his shirt back on, they heard the Floo again this time signally that someone had come through.

"Oh…I'm sorry, I thought…ah," Alison said, when she saw them. Rose still had her back to the fireplace and Alison, Scorpius smiled at Alison over Rose's head.

"It's okay, I was just leaving anyway," he said to her. Scorpius moved back to Rose, this time pressing a kiss on her forehead. "I'll call you tomorrow, we can discuss details for Friday, okay?"

"Yeah, sounds good," Rose replied with a bittersweet smile. Scorpius then stepped out from between her legs and walked around the island bench. With a quick, 'I'll see you around' to Alison, he moved towards the front door. Once, Rose had heard the front door close, she hopped off the bench and faced Alison.

"Hey, so what's up?" she said smiling at her friend.

"Oh Rose, I'm so sorry," Alison said sheepishly.

"Don't even worry about it," Rose reassured her friend, as they heard the rumble of Scorpius' bike fade away. "Anyway, what's going on? Everything okay with you?" Rose said as they made their way to the lounge room.

"Yeah, I'm good. Al is working late tonight, and I though we could have a sort of ladies night. Just us," Alison explained as she dropped down onto the couch. "I really am sorry for interrupting and assuming you'd be on your own."

"Honestly, it's fine. He just dropped by to talk to me about our date on Friday, we got kinda distracted," Rose explained, blushing slightly.

"You know, we haven't officially talked about you and him yet. Why is that?" Alison asked as both friends turned to face each other.

"Well, we have just been trying to keep it low key and keep it special between us," Rose explained, as she got comfortable and tucked her feet up on the couch. "We are still just getting to know each other. Plus, you do know, so that's the main thing."

"True. Well, can I just say that…it's about time!" Alison teased, and Rose laughed as Alison playfully threw a cushion at the redhead. "But seriously, I am very happy for you both," Alison added, smiling at her friend. "I really think he has been so good for you and you are good together."

"Really?" Rose asked.

"Absolutely! I don't think I have seen you this happy in a while," Alison replied, sincerely. "I'm proud of you for giving this a chance, truly."

"Sometimes, I worry that we are moving too fast though," Rose expressed nervously.

"I think you're finally moving in the right direction, and that is the main thing," Alison replied. "My advice would be to trust your gut, keep talking things through together and you will be stronger together, I just know it."

"Aw thanks," Rose replied, reaching over to hug her best friend.

Hey all. So that is Chapter 75. What do you think? I know it is a bit of a broken record at this point, but I am sorry for the lack of update. Thank you for those who keep reading and following. Hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year. Hopefully, 2023 is off to a good start for you all.