Chapter ONE

 
Rozario was raised in a good home with both parents, and two siblings. She never lacked for anything. She was average throughout school and never managed anything higher than a C. She started working at her father's office in Belleville when she turned 16 and that's where she met her future husband but not the one she originally picked out.
 
"Dad, whose he?"
"That's Victor, youngest doctor I have on staff."
"Okay."
 
"Hello young lady, are you Dr. Grace's daughter?"
"Yes I am, will you marry me?"
 
Victor laughed ‘til he had tears in his eyes.
"Have you even been on a date yet? You’re no more than 15."
"16"
"You have long before you even think of getting married and besides you aren't my type."
 
"What's your type? White, blonde and giggly?"
"No. Black, older and not the boss's daughter."
 
"I'm giving you two years then I am coming after you."
"See you in two years."
 
Rozario was dead serious. She could see her future as a Doctor's wife as her mother was. Big house, three children, 4 cars, vacations in Italy. Yes she could definitely be his wife. She put her plan into place as she went back to the reception desk to do some filing.
 
Two years later as promised Rozario came back from college and went to see her father or rather to find out if Donovan was still there waiting for her. Much to her disappointment, he had just married one of her friends from high school and they were on their honey moon. Rozario was mad. She was determined to find a husband and spend her days shopping and living the good life.
 
Just as she was left her father's office and turned the corner she saw a tall, dark gentleman coming towards her. He looked about 25, 6ft tall and his jeans fit him as if they were stitched onto him. He was about to walk past her when he stopped and looked at her.
 
"Hello miss, can you tell me where Dr. Grace's clinic is?"
 
"Oh, sure, I just left there, follow me."
 
"Thanks a lot, I just moved into town and I got lost on the way here. I hope he isn't totally mad at me for being late."
 
"Oh he won't he's a nice man."
 
Rozi lead the way to the clinic and showed the gentleman the door. She watched as he greeted her father and they shook hands then disappeared into his office. She wondered if he was there to get a checkup or if he was a part of the staff. He didn't look like a doctor but you can never tell these days. She left and went in search for her friends whom she hadn’t seen since she left for college.
 
Rozi decided to go check up in the new guy and see what he was up to. To her surprise, not only was he a doctor but he was now her father's business partner. He was a surgeon and wanted to move his office nearer to the hospital to ease his patients.
 
She was standing at the reception desk talking to the head nurse when the new doctor appeared in the door way.
 
"Sasha can you send in the next patient, please?"
 
"All done Dr. Merrick, Dr. Grace just saw the last one. You are free to vacate the premises."
 
"Oh great, I can have an early dinner and relax tonight with a movie and some popcorn."
 
"Can I come and watch that movie with you?"
 
"Sure this is my address or would you like me to come pick you up?" He scribbled his address on a prescription pad and handed it to her.
 
"Oh no you might get lost again and end up over the bridge. "I know where this is, I will drive over, shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes."
 
"Cool see you then."
 
Donovan turned and went back into his office.
 
Rozi giggled and decided it was now or never. Either she would snag a new husband or go bust but this specimen was worth the effort.
 
She went home and turned her wardrobe inside out. She finally settled on a black jersey wrap skirt and lilac halter top. She took a shower and dabbed on her favourite perfume - Diable Bleu. She slipped on a pair of black LifeStride Women's Bloom Espadrille Sandals and a simple bag to match her top. She grabbed her S4, her car keys, told her mother she was leaving and she would be in late. She kissed her dad as she was going out.
 
"He's too old for you pumpkin."
 
"You weren't too old for mom, you don't approve?"
 
"I don't need to sweet pea, you are old enough to see whoever you want just be careful. Love you have a great night."
"Thanks dad. Don't wait up."
 
Rozi drove to the address and when she pulled up, her heart sank. The house was a rundown old place but he did say he just moved in and she hoped he would fix it up. She got out of her black 2013 Toyota Highlander a gift from her father and made her way to the house. She knocked on the door and a sweet old lady opened it and smiled.
 
"You must be Rozario, Donovan is in the kitchen eating all the muffins you better go get some before all of them disappear."
 
"Thank you." Rozi giggled at the old lady.
 
"There you are! I didn't think you would come. Sit, you just ‘gotta taste these coconut muffins."
 
"I thought were doing popcorn and a movie, not that I mind but I would have dressed differently."
 
"We aren't staying, I just needed you to meet me here. That's my gran, I visit her every night before I crawl into my dungeon."
 
"Oh okay, well I guess I better have a muffin then, can't let Gran take my head off for letting you eat all."
 
"Oh gosh these are to die for............... You need to give me this recipe, Gran. I could make you a millionaire."
 
"Oh shush child, I will give you the recipe but whatever money you make keep it for the grand children."
 
"I smell a hook up coming."
 
"Donny has never brought a girl to this house, you must be special. Anyhow, I am going to bed. Donny you lock up when you are leaving. Night you two and have fun with your movie. Come again soon Rozi."
 
"Nice meeting you as well Gran."
 
She watched as Gran sauntered into the bedroom just off the living room and closed the door.
 
"I love her. We can stay here if you like, I don't mind."
 
"Nope, I want to show you my house, I need a female opinion. Grab that paper bag on the counter let's go."
 
Rozi grabbed the bag and followed Donovan out the door. She watched as he checked and rechecked the door and they walked down the pathway.
 
"Wait, we aren't taking the car?"
 
"What for? my house is right there." Donovan turned and pointed in the direction of his house and Rozi almost fell backwards.
 
"Oh Jesus. That's not a house, that's a small castle. Why didn't I see that on the way in?"
"The directions I gave you came from the other side. There is a reason I let you see my gran's house first. I needed to know what kind of person you were. Gran has a nose for these things and she likes you so I trust her judgment. Let's go, we have a movie to see and we can get to know each other."
 
Donovan walked up to the front porch and punched some numbers into a keypad. The door opened and he stepped aside for Rozi to pass in.
 
The house was void of furniture, there were boxes everywhere but when she went into the living room, there was a Chinese table in the center of the room, to huge floor cushions and a 72" flat screen television fitted into the wall. Donovan picked up a remote and switched it on and lowered the volume down to 1.
 
"Now, do you want to talk or get right to the movie and talk later?

"Can we talk now?"
 
"Sure. I'll be right back."
 
When Donovan came back 15 minutes later, he was pushing a cart with a bowl full of butter popcorn, a large bag of gummi bears, a 2 litre Sprite, a large Cadbury Bourneville dark chocolate, a pitcher of water, a bucket of ice and a Kahlua cheese cake.
 
"Oh God, I'm gonna be fat by the time I get out of here."
 
"I don't mind, I can help you work it off."
 
"Don't talk like that."
 
"Like what? You think I don't know you have been asking about me? Ask anything you want I have all the answers."
 
One by one they asked questions, laughed, ate, drank and talked some more. They never got to see the movie. Around 4 in the morning Donovan followed Roz to her home and waved goodbye.
 
 
Roz slept well that night know she had found someone who was happy with talking all night and falling asleep in each other’s arms.
 
Roz and Don got married after dating for 2 years, they had twin boys in their third year. Roz has a change of heart and wants to work. She wants to take Gran's recipe and open a bakery selling only the muffins. She can work while the boys are at pre-school and when the business takes off she will hire staff. Don is against it. Her father died when she was 24 in a car accident and he left the business to Don. Her mother wanted no part of it and Don paid her 1/4 of what the clinic was worth at her request. She could live on that comfortable for 20 years.
 
"Please let me do this honey, I have never asked for anything other than this. We got married when you wanted to, you decided when we would try for a baby, you decided where we would live and this is all I am asking for you can't let me do it. Why? Am I such an selfish person to want to do something with my life?"
 
Donovan realise what she was saying was true and he felt ashamed.
 
"Honey, I'm sorry, I never really looked at it that way. Look, do whatever you want, you have always made good decisions in the past so why not. Gran would be proud of you."
 
"Oh thank you, you won't regret it. I love you so much."