The Auction and The Aftermath (Part 5: Insert)

Part 5 (Insert): JD and Rose
JP with Redsword

JD had seemed nervous about something but then seemed to calm down. Rose didn't really know what that was about. Now, though the pizza was ordered and everyone seemed to be discussing their own thing. Rose turned to JD. "Is everything alright?"

"I am a little worried about you." JD paused and smiled, "I am not sure I can make this up to you. Are you sure that you won't get in trouble for spending that much on me? Someone you just met. I do love the fact you did that. But I don't want to get you in trouble," he said, sounding a little worried.

"Do you want to take a walk?" Rose asked. It might be easier to explain some places outside. "I'll be fine but I think I need to explain to you why."

JD thought then answered "I will follow you anywhere, you know that. This does not change the way I feel about you. I'm not going anywhere without you." He says giving her a reassuring kiss.

She smiled and returned the kiss, then took his hand and led him outside. Finding a place where they could talk alone was easy as there was barely anyone outside. She sat down at one of the picnic tables. “Where to start?”

JD gave a smile sitting next to her putting an arm around her. "The beginning is best. I know you are wealthy. To the point, I can't even wrap my head around it. I just don't want to cause problems for you. I have a feeling just dating you will make enough problems," he explains.

"Okay, I told you about my parents ignoring me unless they want something from me or to criticize me. Well, one thing they do is give me unlimited access to money. They never pay any attention to how much I spend and they won't even notice it’s gone." She then said, "Trust me they won't care. I suppose it's a good thing I'm not into anything bad because they wouldn't notice that either until it affected their reputation." The sudden comment that came out surprised even Rose and she said. "Sorry, just ...It’s fine really. Besides, you're worth it." Her voice turned lighter. "And it'll make my accountant happy as it's tax-deductible."

JD stared at the table thinking. "Reputation I know well enough. My father told me lots of times children are a reflection of their parents. Everything good or bad affected my dad's reputation in the military. So I can relate to you on that." He looked back at her. “I think I get it now. I am sorry about your parents. I do know the feeling of being pushed aside. I think military families feel that more than they should in different ways." He said softly. He gave her a kiss. "Heaven or hell I am here with you," he said, kissing her again.

The air had that chill of the start of autumn but between the kiss and JD's words, Rose felt warmer. There were parts of her life that JD understood, which was nice because it was hard to find people who did. "I'm sorry you've ever felt pushed aside." No matter the cause it’s not a feeling Rose thought anyone should experience. "Thank you for that. Are you sure you're ready for my dysfunctional family?" She half-joked.

JD chuckled, "More like are they ready for me." He paused looking at her, "I did text my mom and dad about you. They are happy that we are dating, you don't have to worry about them. Just so you know my mother comes from the same background as you. Not sure if they have the same money as your family." He took a deep breath. " My father told me before I start a war I had better know what it is I am fighting for. I know my reason and it is you. If that's what it takes to stay with you. That's what I will do." said JD.

She smiled and kissed him. Rose was still, kind of, not believing they had found each other. She hadn't been looking, not really, but what was happening between them was undeniable. She kissed him and then said. "Well, I'm glad your parents approve." It did mean a lot to her. She wished she could say her parents would approve of JD but it just wasn't in their favor. "I'm really glad that we found each other." She snuggled closer to him and put her head on his shoulder.

JD kissed her on her head then laid his head on hers. "I know I was not looking but when I helped you that day I could not get you out of my mind. Sam did say go for it." He laughed some. "When I asked her it felt like asking your parents if I could ask you out," he said thinking back. "It seems so long ago but it has been a short time. There is no one else I would want to spend my time with," he said softly to her.

Rose laughed slightly when he said Sam had said to go for it. "She told me the same thing. That she had a good feeling about you. She's really good at reading people." She took a small breath and then said, "Well, I guess we can thank her and Kyle. He was the one that told me to ask you to go for a walk the day that we took our first walk by the lake." She then said, "It does feel like I've known you a lot longer. And the same goes for me." There was no one else she wanted to spend time with other than JD.

JD snuggled with Rose to keep her warm. "You know I will have to come up with something new. I already carry things for you and walk you to most of your classes. What most guys will do I already do with you. Is there anything special I can do for you tomorrow?" asked JD.

What JD said was true but Rose was having a hard time coming up with anything else for him to do. "I don't really know. Maybe we could do one of those picnics that the cafeteria sets up. It’s not something you pay for but you'll need to go to the cafeteria in the morning, before breakfast, to set it up."

JD smiled thinking of the idea. "I will look into that," he replied. He just was enjoying the moment. He was with Rose. He was so glad that they both ended up at this school. It was strange how fate had brought them together. He could only dream of how their future would be. "I want to say so much to you but just don't have the words to express how I feel about you," JD said holding her in his arms.

Rose smiled and said, "I think the words will come for both of us. It’s okay, you show me all the time how you feel about me." The two snuggled together for several more minutes catching a few kisses. When Rose's phone vibrated. She reached into her pocket to pull it out. As she looked at the text, she breathed a laugh. "Sam says and I quote: 'Stop making out and come inside. The pizza is almost here.'"

He let out a laugh. "Let's get back before it's all gone. I would stay here all night with you if I could," he said reluctantly, standing up. He held out his hand to lead her up and back to the others.