After a few days of rest and recovery at the hospital, it was time for Rosetta to leave the makeshift infirmary and be taken to Ronan's home. Mathew accompanied them, offering his support as they prepared to depart.

He helped her get into the car, making sure she was comfortable before they set off. Mathew sat quietly in the backseat, occasionally glancing at Rosetta with concern.

"Feeling better?" Ronan asked gently as they pulled out of the hospital's driveway.

Rosetta nodded, offering a small smile. "Yes, much better, thank you," she replied softly, her eyes meeting Ronan's briefly in the rearview mirror. 

"How are you?" she asked Mathew, who sat beside her. "How is work treating you?" 

"I'm alright, thank you for asking Rosetta," he replied as she nodded. "Although work hadn't treated Ronan favorably..."

She frowned and glanced at Ronan for answers who was glaring at Mathew. "Quit glaring dumbass. He got shot in the arm." 

Rosetta gasped, moving forward to look at him. "What? What happened? Are you alright?"

Ronan sighed, glancing briefly at her before focusing back on the road. "It's nothing serious. Just a scratch," he said, downplaying the injury. "It happened a few days ago. We're handling it."

Her eyes were wide with concern. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? You should be resting, not taking care of me."

Ronan's expression softened. "You needed help. Besides, I'm fine. It's not the first time I've been shot." 

A shuddering exhale escaped her lips, as she settled back and glanced outside, watching the trees go by. "You okay?" 

"Hmm," she mumbled to Mathew, feeling uneasy. "I'm just thinking about how everyone will feel once they find out I'm pregnant." 

"Rosetta, you don't have to worry," Ronan responded instead. "Everyone is super supportive, trust me. They are like my family, they'll never judge or abandon you." 

Her eyes pricked with tears as she smiled, wiping her eyes. She couldn't believe she had found her people. Both the men had been supportive. Maybe his family will be the same. 

"This way," Ronan said, helping Rosetta out of the car. Mathew followed closely behind them.

They walked toward the shed, and Ronan opened the door, revealing a hidden staircase that descended into the darkness. "Don't worry," he reassured her, sensing her hesitation. "It's safe."

Rosetta took a deep breath and followed him down the stairs. The dim light grew brighter as they descended, and soon they reached a sturdy door at the bottom. Ronan knocked in a specific pattern, and the door slowly creaked open, revealing a stunning underground home.

Her eyes widened in awe. The underground home was vast and beautifully decorated with warm lighting, comfortable furniture, and elegant touches that made it feel cozy yet sophisticated. Despite being hidden away, it was clear that a lot of effort had been put into making it a welcoming space.

Ronan led Rosetta inside, where they were greeted by a group of people. Millie, Ronan's sister, was the first to approach. She had a warm smile and open arms. "Hi, Rosetta! Welcome," she said, giving her a gentle hug.

Rosetta hugged her back in surprise as Ronan separated them and stared daggers into her eyes. "Let her be comfortable first. We talked about this Mills." 

"No it's alright," his baby mama dismissed him as she turned to a smiling Millie. "It was nice seeing you." 

Next was a blonde who shook hands with Rosetta. "It is really nice meeting you. I'm Carla, Mathew's fiance," she introduced herself and gave her a smile. 

His other friends, Chris, Jake, Mandy, and Giselle were as nice as Carla and Millie. They introduced themselves and made Rosetta feel at ease with their genuine smiles and supportive words. Harlow, a dark-haired girl, his other friend, was mostly quiet but talked in-between yet keeping her silence. 

"Okay, I'll show Rose to her room now," Ronan said as all of them agreed and he offered Rosetta a hand before leading her down a hallway. It was decorated with beautiful plants and random paintings which looked homely. 

As the friends watched the duo leave, Millie spoke lovingly. "He's totally in love with her; they are such a pretty couple." 

"I agree, he lies that there's nothing in between them but there definitely is," Mandy chimed in as everyone around them went along, affirming the truth. "Yeah of course," Mathew also endorsed while his fiance agreed as well. 

The only person whose heart had shattered was Harlow, her eyes held the invisible sadness that no one could decipher. 

Ronan showed Rosetta to her room which was a spare guest room. He opened the door for her to enter she was awed at how clean and tidy it was along with the beautiful admirable furniture. 

"You can shower and relax. I'll bring you something to eat later," he announced while placing her luggage on the floor. "Here's your stuff." 

Before Ronan could leave, Rosetta held out her hand and grabbed his, making him pause. "Thank you, Ronan, this means a lot to me," she confessed as he stared at her sweetly before passing her a grin. 

"This is just the bare minimum, Rose. I'll do everything I can to make you comfortable," he said as she nodded. He left the room and let her know he would get her snacks to which she denied and told him she would eat with others. 

As the evening progressed, the atmosphere in Ronan's underground home became more relaxed and lively. Rosetta, now clean and showered, sat on a comfortable couch in the main living room, surrounded by Ronan's friends, who were eager to make her feel welcome.

Millie started the conversation, leaning in with genuine concern. "Rosetta, how are you feeling? That accident must have been terrifying."

Rosetta smiled, appreciating the concern. "I'm doing much better, thanks to Ronan and Mathew. It was scary, but I'm just glad to be safe now."

"So as you know, we're in the middle of planning the wedding." Carla beamed, showing off her engagement ring.

"Lovely!" Rosetta said, her eyes lighting up. "That's wonderful news."

"Thank you," Carla replied, her eyes shining. "It's been a bit stressful, but I'm so excited."

Mathew, sitting with his arm around her, chimed in. "Yeah, weddings can be crazy. Mandy and I have been through our own ups and downs, but we're doing great now."

She nodded, smiling at Rosetta. "Mathew and I have been together for a while. It's been an adventure, to say the least."

Chris and Giselle, sitting nearby, joined the conversation. "We're siblings," Chris explained with a grin. "We always have each other's backs."

The older sister nodded in agreement. "Chris has been my rock through everything. I don't know what I'd do without him."

Ronan, who had been quietly observing, smiled at the camaraderie. "This is what family is about. Supporting each other through thick and thin."

Mathew added, "We've all been through a lot, but we stick together. That's how we get through the tough times."

Rosetta felt a warmth spread through her as she listened to their stories. "You all seem so close. It's really nice to see."

Millie leaned in, her expression sincere. "We are. And now you're a part of this too. We're here for you, Rosetta, whatever you need."

As the night wore on, the conversation flowed easily. They shared stories, laughter, and support, making Rosetta feel like she truly belonged in this unique and caring family.

As midnight approached, the underground home grew quiet. One by one, Ronan's friends bid Rosetta goodnight and retired to their rooms. She felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her as she headed to the room Ronan had prepared for her. He followed her, making sure she was settled in.

Rosetta began placing her clothes in the cupboard, her movements slow and deliberate. She sensed Ronan's presence behind her and turned to see him watching her intently. His gaze was soft, filled with an unspoken tenderness that made her heart flutter.

"Do you need any help?" Ronan asked, his voice low and gentle.

Rosetta shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "No, I'm almost done. Thank you, though."

He nodded, stepping closer. As she finished putting away her clothes, she turned to face him, their eyes locking. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, a silent understanding passing between them.

"You've been so kind to me, Ronan," she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude. "I don't know how to thank you."

Ronan reached out and gently took her hand in his. "You don't have to thank me, Rose. I'm here for you and the baby. That's all that matters."

They stood there, holding hands, the intimacy of the moment wrapping around them like a warm blanket. Rosetta's heart beat faster as she looked into Ronan's eyes, feeling a connection that went beyond words.

"You should get some rest," He said, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand. "It's been a long day."

She nodded, but neither of them moved. "What about you? You need rest too."

Ronan smiled, a rare warmth in his eyes. "I'll be fine. Knowing you're safe and comfortable is enough for me."

They shared a quiet laugh, the tension easing between them. It felt natural like they'd known each other for much longer than they actually had.

"Tell me about your day," she said suddenly, wanting to prolong the moment. "What did you do today?"

Ronan chuckled softly. "Well, aside from making sure you're okay, I dealt with some business matters. Nothing too exciting."

She squeezed his hand, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Come on, there must be something interesting." He thought for a moment, then shrugged. "I guess I did have a run-in with a very persistent supplier. We had a... lively negotiation."

She laughed, the sound light and musical. "I can imagine. You must be quite the negotiator." Ronan grinned, his gaze never leaving hers. "Only when I need to be."

They continued talking, their conversation flowing easily. Rosetta felt a sense of warmth and comfort in Ronan's presence, and it was clear that he thought the same.

Finally, Ronan gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Get some sleep, Rose. We'll talk more tomorrow." She nodded, her heart full. "Goodnight, Ronan. And thank you, again."

"Goodnight," he replied softly, reluctantly letting go of her hand.

As Rosetta climbed into bed and Ronan quietly left the room, she felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. The room was dark and quiet, and the events of the past few weeks began to flood her mind. She thought about her father and his cruelty, his harsh words and actions that had driven her away. 

Gradually, the exhaustion from the day's events began to overpower her anxiety. Her thoughts became hazy, and her eyelids grew heavy. She clung to the comforting image of Ronan's gentle smile and the warmth of his hand holding hers. With a deep breath, she let the tension in her body melt away, allowing herself to drift into a much-needed sleep.

A/N

How is this? I forgot to update this yesterday lol.

Don't you love the small moments between Rose and Ronan? 🥰

Anyways, please vote and comment.

See you soon!

xoxo

-lily