Unforgiven - Complete

Epilogue

Dimitri snorted. Rose had become less and less patient. While she'd been over the moon for Lissa when Christian had popped the question a year and a half ago and had been the perfect Maid of Honor at their wedding twelve months later, Dimitri knew Rose had hoped Christian's proposal might have prompted him to do likewise. When it hadn't, the comments had started, getting less and less subtle over time. Christian had taken Dimitri aside after his medicine graduation for a quiet word; he'd been shoed out of the unit he shared with Lissa when a despondent Rose had arrived bemoaning the fact their romantic graduation dinner hadn't included the proposal she'd hoped it might.

"She's ready," Dimitri confirmed. "I've been getting pointed comments, and she's started leaving jewelry catalogs on the coffee table with rings circled," he said with a laugh. "The diamonds get bigger each month - if I don't pop the question soon, I won't be able to afford to!"

Dimitri joked, but affording a ring had been part of the delay. Studying medicine was a full-time job, so hadn't been able to work much at all over the last four years. Any money he'd earned during the holidays had gone towards expenses. It was bad enough Rose had been more or less supporting them since she graduated – he didn't want to add insult to injury by asking her to finance her own ring!

Once he'd graduated, he'd been able to pick up casual shifts at the hospital. It had meant odd hours, and constantly having to rearrange plans at the last minute, but working every shift he was offered over the holidays, he'd finally put aside enough to buy an elegant solitaire diamond ring. Set in rose gold to match her promise ring, the diamond was large enough to impress without being ostentatious. He couldn't wait to see it on her hand! Pulling out the black velvet box from his coat pocket, he gave it to Abe.

Abe opened the box and nodded. It was a beautiful ring, and he knew his daughter would adore it.

"I wasn't sure about you when Rozalia introduced you to us," Abe said nostalgically. "She's our only child, and you and I didn't start out on the best foot. But she loves you, and I know you love her. I speak for Janine as well when I say you have our blessing. When are you thinking of asking her?"

"I thought I might ask her now before the guests arrive? That way we can tell all our friends, and she can show them the ring. It will be the last chance we have to see some of them for a while."

"Why don't you take her for a walk down to the park? It's still light, and you can sit amongst the trees and ask her there?"

Dimitri thought about it. It was a good idea. Better than asking her upstairs in a half-packed bedroom.

"Ok," Dimitri said nervously draining the last of his beer before taking the ring box back from Abe and tucking it back into his pocket. "I'll just go up and suggest a walk now..."

The two trudged up the stairs, finding Rose and her mother in the kitchen.

"Roza? Why don't we go for a walk before everyone arrives?" Dimitri suggested, trying not to sound as nervous as he felt.

"I can't. I need to help Mom with the food," Rose said dismissively.

"Nonsense," Abe said. "You've been stuck in here cooking all afternoon. We're leaving first thing in the morning, and this might be the last you see of your childhood home for a while. Go for a walk, take your time and commit where you grew up to memory."

Rose looked at her father curiously. This was positively florid and poetic, especially for him!

Dimitri shrugged, taking Rose's hand and leading her to the entryway. Switching shoes they walked down the front steps, turning left and heading to the small park at the corner of her street.