Chapter 13

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After having spent the morning cooped up in the betting shop, Tommy decided to take a walk out to find Rosie, who had told him she would be spending the morning at Charlie's yard, checking over the horses with Curly as she did at the start of every month. He smiles as he enters the yard, finding Rosie whispering to the horse she was stood beside, rubbing his nose lovingly. She glances up at the sound of footsteps approaching the pen she was stood in, smiling at Tommy as he leans against the door frame. "Hello."

"Hello. Where are you off to?" He asks, noting the saddle on the horse.

"Just going for a ride. Care to join me?" Rosie replies, rounding to Tommy's side of the pen, wrapping him in a hug.

"I'd love to." He says, pressing a kiss to her temple as he hugs her back.

"Really?" She asks, pulling away to look him in the eye in surprise.

"Yes." Tommy replies, smirking at her shocked expression.

"Ok!"

"You sound surprised." He teases, unwinding his arms from around her, and heading over to the horse in the next pen.

"I figured you would be needed in the shop." Rosie replies, leading her horse out into the yard where she pauses for him to catch up with her.

"I can spare a couple of hours." He replies, noting that this would be the perfect opportunity to discuss something that had been on his mind with Rosie.

"Ok, then. Let's go!"

"Tommy?" Rosie says as he helps her down from her horse, keeping her hand tucked tightly in his as they head off through the field to find a spot to sit.

"Yes?"

"Are you ok?" She asks, watching him through the corner of her eye as he keeps his focus on the path ahead.

"Yes." He repeats, brow furrowed. "Why?"

"You seem distracted." She comments, looking up at him as he sends her a small smile.

"I'm ok."

"You're sure?"

"I am." He reassures her, giving her hand a quick squeeze. "It's just business, Ro."

"Ok." She replies, not convinced, but deciding to drop the matter nonetheless.

"Rosie?"

"Mhmm?" She hums in reply, glancing briefly up.

"Do you want to know what's been on my mind?" He asks, clearing his throat as she nods.

"I do."

"I've been thinking." Tommy replies, pulling a cigarette out of his jacket. He offers one to Rosie, which she turns down with a shake of her head.

"When are you not?" She teases, winding her arm through his.

"I've been thinking." He repeats, bringing the cigarette to his lips as Rosie sighs.

"About what?" Rosie prompts, dropping her head to rest on his shoulder as they continue their walk.

"About your position in the company." Tommy replies around his cigarette, rubbing his thumb against the back of her hand.

"Umm...ok?" She mumbles, peering up at him.

"I want to give you a promotion."

"A promotion?" She repeats, lifting her head fully to look up at him.

"Yes."

"To...?" She prompts, brow furrowed as Tommy takes a deep breath.

"I want you to own part of the company." Tommy replies, keeping his gaze on the fields ahead.

"Wha- Tommy. Stop." Rosie stutters, pulling on Tommy's arm to make him stop. "What are you talking about? I don't need a share of the company-"

"Not your own share, a shared part of the company." He emphasises, taking Rosie's hand in his to continue walking.

"What? Tommy! You're not making any sense!" She exclaims, pulling him to a stop again. Tommy sighs, dropping his head back to look at the sky in mock frustration, before meeting Rosie's eye.

"I want you, to take on half of my share of the company." He states, pausing to take a deep breath before continuing again. "As Mrs Shelby."

"Mrs-" Rosie gulps, her heart racing. "Mrs Shelby?"

"Yes." Tommy replies with a nod, reaching into his pocket to pull out a velvet covered box.

"Oh my God... Tommy..." Rosie gasps, coveting her mouth with her hand and taking a small step back as Tommy drops down on one knee.

"Rose Lane, I should have done this years ago, I don't know what took me so long, but I know now. I know what I want. And it's you. Forever. So. Rosie? Will you marry me?" He asks, hand shaking slightly as he raises the open box to her, revealing a delicate diamond ring.

"Tom- yes! Yes, of course!" Rosie exclaims, jumping into Tommy's arms once the ring had been securely placed on her ring finger.

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Tommy smiles up at Rosie as she drops down on to the bed beside him, curling under the arm he had lifted for her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head as she rests her cheek on his bare chest, sighing contentedly. "Can you believe we're getting married?" She whispers breathlessly, holding her hand out in front of her, eyes glued to the ring on her finger.

"I can. I did ask you to be my wife." Tommy teases, giving her arm a gentle squeeze as she rolls her eyes up at him.

"That's not what I meant, and you know it." She scoffs, rolling her eyes up at Tommy who smiles, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head.

"I know."

"But can you? Believe it?" She mutters, wrapping her arm around Tommy's body, hugging herself close to him.

"Not really." He replies, reaching a hand up to run his fingers through her hair.

"It's crazy." Rosie breathes out with a smile as Tommy nods in agreement.

"It is."

"I can't wait."

"To marry me?" He clarifies, teasing smile on his face.

"To be your wife. To be with you forever."

"Me too."

"And ever. And ever. And ever...really, you're stuck with me now. You're never get rid of me." Rosie sings, looking up at Tommy who rolls his eyes this time, letting out a playful groan.

"If you keep on like that I'll find a way." He teases, digging his fingers into her side, smiling as she lets out a shocked squeal.

"Hey!"

"I'm joking."

"I hope so!" She exclaims with a laugh, dropping her head back to Tommy's chest.

"I am." He replies, placing his lips on her forehead again. "I love you."

"I love you most." Rosie sighs, glancing up at Tommy with a smile.