ROSE

Callum and I had been courting for three days now. We spent every second of our spare time during day with each other, and stayed together longer when dusk fell. Sometimes I dropped by when he was working, but he didn't dare come near the salon when I was on the clock because he was intimidated by Madam Monica. I didn't blame him. If she could successfully chase Ed away, Callum was small fry.

We spent long hours talking about our childhood, his dislikes, my homeland, the seasons and Harkfeld, where he wished to travel.

We kissed a lot. And I mean, a lot. We considerably got better at it, although I didn't want to try the tongue stuff Ed talked about yet because it sounded unappealing and gross.

Speaking of Ed, 8th July had finally arrived. I had lunch with Callum, but reluctantly had to leave him so I could go to Ed's house in case she needed me. Besides, Ed and I had planned to dress up together before I started courting Callum.

The furniture in the dining and sitting room at Ed's house had been moved to make space for the interaction and dancing. Her mother was supervising the decoration which consisted of flower arrangements held together by black bow ties. She was a tall elegant woman who wore the most fashionable dresses and hats, and often hosted women's tea parties. In other words, she was the complete opposite of Ed. One wouldn't believe the two were mother and daughter.

Needless to say they had a lot of spats in the past about their contrasting identities, and there was a time Mrs. Chester blamed Ed for her falling out of favour with the women's society she so adored.

That was all in the past now and things had gotten better. It seemed Mrs. Chester realised she loved her daughter more than popularity or favour. Otherwise, she wouldn't be yelling at the help to make sure everything was and I quote, "to my daughter's design!"

She pranced off to the back yard before I could greet her so I shrugged and trotted up the stairs to Ed's bedroom.

The moment we'd bought my gown last week, Ed had brought it home with her to make sure I came to dress up from there.

It was a grey and silver gown, with a sweetheart neckline plus a round neck made of silver sheer that extended into long fitting sleeves. The floor-length skirt was light grey with a silver flowerlace layer coating it.

"Happy birthday!" I shrieked the moment my friend opened the door in her bathrobe and I threw myself at her in a tight hug.

"Thank you!" she laughed. "Did you bring my present?"

I rolled my eyes and pulled back. "I didn't know our friendship was based on materialism."

Ed only put forward her palm and gave me a blank look. "Give it."

I stuck my tongue out at her, but placed a small blue box I'd been hiding from sight in her hand.

"Present!" she chanted, grinning like a manic scientist as she opened the box. Her grin vanished when she saw what it was.

She frowned at me, her face fallen in disappointment. "Earpins? Really, Nkwanzi?"

Beaming, I leaned my face close to her and whispered, "For your second piercing."

Her eyes lit up like the street lamps, and her mouth fell open as she let out a gasp. "Seriously?"

I nodded fervently. "I'm in full support and I'll pay for it too."

Ed had once brought up the idea of getting a second ear piercing, and I'd shot it down because it was a bad idea. We'd argued a lot about the pros and cons until she gave in and said she'd only do it if I gave her a go-ahead.

"Yes!" Ed jumped on me and I stumbled from the impact. "Thank you! Ugh, I love you."

I laughed. "I love you too, Ed."

She pulled away and looked at the golden pins with longing this time, then grabbed my arm. "Let's dress up!"

"But what about the preparations?"

"My mother's got everything handled so come." She yanked me into the bedroom and shut the door behind me.

*****

We were ready by six. Ed looked really good in her black tuxedo and dress shoes which her father, Doctor Felix Chester had given her as an early birthday gift.

After wearing my gown and silver pumps, I'd clipped a few strands of my braids back at the back of my head, leaving the rest to fall on my shoulders. Mrs. Chester applied light make up on me because I always cried when applying the eye stuff and I wasn't used to it.

Doctor and Mrs. Chester went downstairs first in case guests arrived early. Ed and I came down at 6:15pm with one hand of mine in the crook of her elbow and the other slightly lifting the skirt of my dress. We then went to greet the guests already arrived, and those still arriving.

Ed hadn't invited a lot of people. There was my mother and Jerry - who had brought a date, Mr. Vincent, Madam Monica, Father Montgomery, Inspectors Raphael and Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Knight together with their two stubborn boys who called Ed 'Mister Uncle', Mr. and Mrs. McGregory, The Vaughn family together with Abe's date. Levi and Isabelle had also been invited.

I admit I had been jealous of Isabelle in the past, but now that I was courting Callum, I felt no need to be.

Callum looked dashing in a black suit with a white button-up, and a black fedora on his head. As Ed talked with Levi and Isabelle, Callum approached me, smiling from ear to ear. I was as well.

"Wow," he said, his eyes admiring my form. "You look breathtaking."

I bit my lip and replied, "I know."

Chuckling, he placed his hand to the small of my back. He then leaned in and pressed a lingering kiss on my cheek.

"I missed you," he whispered in my ear.

I giggled. "It's been what, four hours?"

"That long?" he whispered again and I laughed, giving him a playful punch in his shoulder.

"Flirting out in the open, I see."

We pulled a part at the sound of Ben's voice. He stood with his hands in the pockets of his grey slacks, smirking at us. Unlike Abe and Callum, he wore no coat.

I grinned at him. "Well we're allowed to do that now."

Ben clicked his tongue. "Cocky flower you are, young one. But I do congratulate you on your courtship."

I curtsied. "Thank you."

Once he left, we greeted more people as the waiters passed around drinks. We had just finished chatting with Livy McGregory when Callum turned his attention back to me.

"I think you should get the Mayor involved with Gareth, Rose."

The statement shocked me, and my nerves rattled for a moment. "Wh-what are you talking about?"

Callum looked at me with eyes full of care and concern. "Mrs. McGregory told me everything. How you've always wanted to sing in the choir and that he doesn't let you. How you've never told anyone of his discrimination."

Oh God, Livy!

I sighed. "Callum, forget about it. It doesn't matter."

"Yes it does," he insisted. "Rose, you have a marvellous voice. And if you want to sing a cappella in the choir, then one unjust man shouldn't stand in your way."

I clutched my fingers instinctively as memories of Gareth smacking them brutally filled my mind. "He's not only unjust, he's..." I bit my lip and lowered my gaze from Callum's searching one. I wasn't ready to tell him exactly how afraid of Gareth I was. At least not here. "He's mean and terrible. He's a-" Monster. "-bully."

"Hey," Callum's voice turned soft as he took my hands in his warm ones. "We can fight him. I say 'we' because you're not alone in this."

I shook my head. "Against Gareth, it's-"

"Possible," Callum finished. "I already spoke to Levi. He's willing to put in a word to his father so Gareth can be ousted and replaced."

I looked up at him, my heart pounding in slight panic. "Why would you do that?"

"For one thing, he seemed to already know more about the issue."

I recalled our Establishment Day get together when Levi had told me Gareth was an ass for not hearing my voice. So he did know after all.

"And the other thing-" Callum placed his hand on my cheek, his thumb caressing the skin there. His touch was so soothing, I leaned into it. "-Is that I care about you, Rose. And I want you to be able to do the things you desire without illogical barriers."

That sounded familiar. Oh yes. It was my conviction. And yet here I was, shaking like a leaf because of one measly man.

"Can we really do it?" I found myself asking. I had to be strong, but I didn't know how. I needed reassurance.

A smile lifted a corner of his lips. "We can. Remember that I'm with you, and I will remain by your side. And so will your mother, brother, Ed and Inspector Raphael." He glanced around. "Heck, every single person here tonight will be on your side." He chuckled. "Gareth doesn't stand a chance."

That put me at ease and I let out a breath of a laugh.

"Just say the word," Callum added.

I looked into his awaiting blue eyes, and I saw no reason to be afraid.

"Yes," I answered, nodding. "The word is yes."

A triumphant smile blossomed on his face and he enveloped me in a hug, pecking my forehead.

"That's my Rose," he sighed.

I hugged him tight.

My Rose. I quite liked the sound of that.

*****

At seven o'clock, we all moved to the back yard for the meal. A tent had been set up over a platform to act as a dining area. Strings of numerous bulbs lined up against the underside of the tent, illuminating the platform and the serving tables next to it, which were packed with several dishes of food.

Upon the platform were three dinner tables. According to Ed's design, one was for the grownups and parents, another for us the youth, and the third for the little ones.

So once we served our food from the serving tables, we sat at our respective dinner tables. Of course, Callum and I sat next to each other. On our table was Levi, Isabelle, Ben, Abe and his date Linda, with Ed at the head.

Dinner was great. Everyone had something to say or talk about, even Linda and Isabelle who seemed like the quiet kind. We laughed at Ed's childhood tales, Abe and Linda got teased about their relationship, and Callum and I didn't escape it either. The only good thing that came out of the teasing was that Callum was the one whose blushing was visible so it must have been more embarrassing for him.

Ha.

Ed then stood up to give a toast. She clanked a knife against her glass of red wine to get everybody's attention. The tent fell quiet as we all turned to look at her.

"Alright!" Ed beamed. "Firstly, I'd like to thank you all for coming to celebrate my birthday with me. And as the birthday girl I've got a few words to say. They're mostly about giving thanks to the special people in my life. Don't get me wrong. I love you all, but I'd like to dedicate this particular day to them."

She looked to the grownups. "Firstly, my parents; Doctor and Mrs. Chester. Obviously since they did birth me after all."

Some chuckles filled the tent.

"But the role of a parent doesn't simply stop at birthing, does it?" Ed added. "It's a long and tiring process of feeding, nurturing, advising, putting up with, teaching and the like. And boy, with a daughter like me, hasn't it been tiring for them."

Everyone laughed at that, including me.

"Uh, it hasn't been easy - this road of growing up," Ed continued. "Not on my side and not on my parents'. I admit we've been quite a dysfunctional family in my eyes and in the eyes of many. But the thing I'm most grateful for is that despite all the trials and mishaps, Dr. And Mrs. Chester have always considered me their daughter. Not a tomboy, or a man wannabe. It's always been daughter or my girl. Also, they didn't do anything stupid like disowning me or shunning me so hats off to them!"

More chuckles followed accompanied by claps.

"The other person I'm grateful for is my dear friend, Nkwanzi Rose."

Uh-oh.

Ed looked over at me and beamed. "Some people will call her my partner-in-crime, and others will call her my minion."

I rolled my eyes.

"To me she is just my dearest friend, Nkwanzi. My little bead," Ed added. "The first person to understand me despite having different tastes herself. She's my diary and the bucket for my tears on the very, very very rare occasions when they do come. The one person I can truly count on to stay beside me no matter what happens because well, you can't really spell Ed and Nkwanzi without Nkwanzi.

"And if anyone wants to get to me - either through my rage or my sorrow, all they'd have to do is mess with her. Callum, buddy, I'm talking to you."

I flushed with embarrassment as people hooted.

"So be careful with her and do things right, and I won't have to borrow Inspector Raphael's musket, okay?" Ed smiled sweetly at Callum as everybody laughed.

I buried my face in my hands and groaned.

"Which brings me to Inspector Raphael," I heard Ed's voice chirp in excitement, but it deflated as she added, "I will give you your speech next year."

More laughter, and I couldn't help myself as well.

"You all didn't see his glare," Ed declared. "I mean, the man silences you with one look."

I shook my head at her theatrics. She was really perked up today.

Ed sighed. "And lastly, Father Monty." She looked at the old priest with a fond smile. "Only you, the Lord and I know those deep battles I've faced these past years. And you know exactly what I'm thanking you for."

The priest nodded sagely and returned the smile.

Turning her attention back to the rest of us, Ed continued, "A toast to my new age into adulthood. And to you all, for being a part of my life so far. I hope to keep seeing you in it in the future." She lifted her glass and beamed. "Cheers to being able to finally drink!"

We all lifted our glasses in chuckles and chorused, "Cheers!" and gulped our drinks.

I was having the cocktail juice, since I was still seventeen years old. As I drank, I felt Callum's lips touch my cheek in a quick peck and I nearly snorted my juice.

A/N:

The big one eight, eh? Are you above or below 18 years old?

Was Ed's speech long?

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