Rosie's Sparkle

Back with another tale inspired by a great writer on this site. I read a recent story of theirs and was struck by a small section of one of the final lines they wrote in the postscript. It said: Write a story about me, but give it a happy ending. The line stayed with me for most of the day. It is a beautifully sad and touching line that grew and transformed itself into the following tale. For that writer, I thank you for your inspiration. To everyone else, I hope you enjoy it. JJJ

*

Rosie and I met at university. The first thing I noticed about her was the sparkle in her eyes when she spoke. It was the most beautiful thing, a small glimmering shine that was always present. It was my favourite thing about her and I never tired of seeing it shining like the stars. Of course, that wasn't the only thing I noticed about her.

She was short, only a shade over five feet compared to my six. But what she lacked in height she made up for with her towering personality. She was a force of nature. When she set her mind to something, she would not stop until she achieved it. Coupled with that was a deep loyalty and affection for the closest people to her. She did not have a huge friendship group, but those lucky enough to be counted as her friends regarded her as the most trustworthy, loving person they knew.

Her personality wasn't the only thing that was striking. Despite her diminutive size, her looks and figure were the stuff of legend. Long waves of blonde hair flowed over her shoulders like molten gold. Cute cheeks with dimples, luminous green eyes, and rose-red lips that begged to be kissed. To complete the perfect package, Rosie was slim but possessed curves that turned heads, man and woman alike.

To say I was smitten from when I first laid eyes upon her would be an understatement. I crossed paths with her at the library one Saturday afternoon. I had planned to do a last-minute day of desperate revision before my exams.

Being summer, the library was blissfully empty, save for a single chair occupied by an angel.

She glanced up at me as I passed and I saw that tiny silver sparkle in her eyes. I was enchanted. I quickly averted my gaze, embarrassed to have been caught staring with such open admiration. I looped around to the rear of the library and took a seat in the back corner, where I could hide my embarrassment. Two coffees and countless pages of notes later, I still couldn't get her out of my head.

I was no slouch myself. Tall, athletic and what many of my female friends called 'traditionally handsome', whatever that meant, I never wanted for attention from the fairer sex. But the woman I'd seen was perfection. I was a peasant in the presence of a queen... or that's how it felt.

So, when I heard a melodic voice speak from beside me, I was shocked to the core.

"Excuse me, do you have a pen I could borrow?" I looked up and there she was, illuminated by the dim lights of the library. She smiled and held up her pen. "Mine's run out. Last minute revision's a bitch."

"I-uh-yeah!" I said, stumbling over my words. I quickly dug around in my bag and found two pens for her. I held them out. "You can keep them."

She took one of the pens. "Thanks..." She waited expectantly.

It took a moment to realise what she was waiting for. "Oh, Ben!" I said, blushing. I held out my hand.

She shook my hand with a firm grip. "Hello, Ben. Thanks for the pen. My name's Rosie."

My mouth responded before my brain could stop it from fucking up. "Rosie, that's a beautiful name." I cringed and berated myself.

Rosie laughed. "Thanks." She saluted me with the pen. "Thanks for the pen, Ben."

She turned to walk away, leaving me to my humiliation. "That's a beautiful name!?" I whispered to myself. "Who the fuck says that!?"

It was another two weeks before I saw her again. I was at a student bar celebrating the end of exams with a couple of close friends from my course when I saw her across the crowded room. She was talking with three girls, laughing at something they'd said.

Where her friends were wearing low-cut dresses that displayed a dangerous amount of leg, Rosie was dressed conservatively, with a thigh-length skirt, flats, and a white blouse that made her look incredibly cute. Despite the contrast, she stuck out like a diamond amongst coal. There was something about her that drew my eyes to the sparkle in hers.

I was about to go over to say hello when a guy appeared beside her. He tapped her shoulder, leaned to her ear and whispered something. Rosie smiled and said something to him, then shook her head. The guy slouched away a few seconds later.

Thankful I'd been saved by another's failure, I returned my attention to my friends. I did my best to focus on them, but I couldn't help glancing over at Rosie throughout the night. I noticed a never-ending stream of males approach her only to be shot down in the same manner as the first. It made me even more thankful that I hadn't gone over and become one of them.

Eventually, she moved with her friends to the dancefloor and out of view. I sighed, wishing I had said something better than, 'That's a beautiful name' to her when I had my chance.

"Why the heavy sigh?" Perry asked. "You should be happy! No more lectures until September! A summer of freedom and fun awaits, my friend!"

"Yeah, cheer up, mopey!" Sammy chided, poking my ribs.

I smiled, putting Rosie from my mind. "You're right, next rounds on me!"

Perry, Sammy, and Alex cheered and quickly downed their drinks. I went to the bar and joined the throng waiting to be served.

"Are you planning on staring at me all night? I thought we bonded over the whole borrowed pen and beautiful name thing!"

I turned and found Rosie grinning up at me, her eyes sparkling. "Shit, you noticed?" I said, cursing myself. I thought I must have looked like a gormless idiot.

Rosie laughed. "Hard not to."

"Fuck, that sounds so creepy," I replied, shaking my head and berating myself again. "In my defence, it was interesting watching you reject every man in this bar."

She smiled in a way that made my heart race. "Not every man," she said with a wink.

I smiled with her, my confidence growing. "Well, I feel like we had a good thing going with the pen and name thing. I wouldn't want to ruin it by annoying you on your night out."

"You wouldn't have. I have to get back to my girls, but I still have your pen. What do you think about meeting sometime so I can return it? There's a coffee in it for you if you say yes!"

"I-uh-yes!" I took out my phone and we exchanged numbers. Rosie went on tiptoes to peck my cheek and told me to message her. The rest of my night was something of a blur that had nothing to do with the alcohol I drank.

I met with Rosie the following Monday at a quaint Italian café beside a small park in the city centre. She was wearing an ankle-length summer dress that did little to hide her curves. I was thankful I had sunglasses on, because the bounce of her breasts and sway of her hips as she walked towards me were like irresistible magnets to my eyes.

She ordered her coffee and joined me at a two-seater table that overlooked the park. She rummaged in her bag and pulled out my pen. "Here you go, thank you very much. It helped me through a week from hell."

"Keep it. I don't want to brag, but I have plenty more."

Rosie laughed and put it back. "Ah, Mr. Big Bucks! Let me guess... accounting and finance or business?"

I shook my head. "Nope!"

"Medicine?"

"Closer, but still no."

She quirked her head to the side and narrowed her eyes. "Hmmm, not medicine but close.... Does it have something to do with the human body?"

I nodded.

A waitress appeared with her coffee. She took it and ran her thumb around the edge as she thought. "Dentist?"

"No. I don't think I could spend all day looking into people's mouths. Want me to tell you?"

Rosie shook her head. "No, I'll get it. Tell me a bit about yourself. The highlights, not the autobiography."

"Well, I'm close with my mum and dad. No siblings, but I have three best friends who love and annoy me in equal amounts. I like to keep fit, although I was never talented in a particular sport. I like to travel and I have a job lined up after I finish my Masters this year. I'll give you a clue, my job takes place at a clinic, in a gym, and in a hospital."

"Physiotherapy?" Rosie guessed.

I clapped, impressed. "Yes! Your turn, tell me about yourself, Rosie."

She sipped her coffee and wiped her lips on the back of her hand. "OK... I am also close with my parents. I am an only child like you, but I definitely wasn't spoilt growing up. I too like to keep fit and travel, and I do not have a job lined up after university. Oh, and my best friend isn't human, but my degree has everything to do with him."

"You're an alien?"

She snorted. "Ha! I wish! No, I am not an alien."

I sat back and stretched my arms overhead. "Easy. You're studying to become a vet or vet nurse. The best friend not being human is a huge giveaway, a dog is a man's best friend and all that."

Rosie clapped. "Oh, you're good at that. I'm studying Veterinary Science and my best friend is a barmy dog called Jax. He's big and mental but the biggest softy you will ever meet."

We finished our coffees and took a casual stroll through the park together. I'd never met anyone like her. We laughed together like we'd known each other for years. Rosie was funny, engaging, intelligent, and not afraid to speak her mind.

At some point, her hand found its way into mine and we circled the park three times before stopping. It was with some sadness from both of us that we had to say goodbye at the end of the day. We reached our cars and Rosie hugged me.

"Thank you for today," she said. "It was amazing."

"It was," I agreed, enjoying the feeling of having her so close. "What happens now?"

"Well... we have an entire summer before lectures start again. Do you have any plans?" She smiled at me hopefully

I leaned down and kissed her. Her mouth met mine and she moaned softly as her lips parted and our tongues twirled around each other. I could feel her heart beating rapidly against my chest. When we parted, I said, "So, fancy a summer together?"

She beamed, her eyes twinkling brightly. "Yes!"

What followed were some of the best months of my life. Rosie and I connected on all levels. We couldn't get enough of each other. My friends loved her, and her friends loved me. We went on nights out together, we spent lazy days in bed, and we took day trips. It was a summer painted with golden memories.

In addition to our growing friendship, our physical connection developed exponentially. We were insatiable. Rosie had a body that defied belief. She had a flat stomach but large breasts that looked almost too big for her body. They were perky with big nipples that she loved sucked while she rode me. Her pussy was shaved and got incredibly wet when we had sex, so much so that we often needed to change sheets after long bouts of lovemaking.

One night, we had just finished a particularly vigorous session. We collapsed beside each other, breathing heavily. Rosie rolled over and rested her head in the crook of my shoulder. It was her favourite place.

I idly stroked her back, enjoying the feel of her heavy breasts against my side. She gently rubbed my still semi-hard cock, running her fingers over the sensitive tip.

"Why did you come up to me that night at the bar?" I asked her.

She lifted her head. "What do you mean?"

"That first night at the bar. You could have had anyone in there that night, why me?"

"Because I didn't want anyone in there," Rosie replied. "I saw you watching me but not coming over to talk. You don't know this, but I was watching you just as much as you were watching me. My eyes were drawn to you. You were handsome yet cute. You were friendly and kind. I saw you talking and laughing with your friends. Not once did you leer at any of the girls in the bar, even though a lot of them were hoping you did. I was so, so attracted to you, even more so after we spoke. Did you know I felt like I was high after we exchanged numbers?"

I laughed. "Me too! I was in a daze for the rest of the evening." I kissed her and pulled her on top of me. Her pussy, still wet from before, slid over my hardening cock. "This summer has been the best summer of my life," I told her.

She bit her lip and closed her eyes, grinding her clit against me. "Me... too..." she said with a throaty moan.

I lifted her hips and lowered her onto my cock. Her wet warmth captured me, sending jolts of pleasure through us.

Her breasts were entrancing as she rose and fell on my cock, beads of sweat dripping from them onto my body. She leaned down and crushed herself against me, kissing me deeply as we fucked.

"Promise me we'll never lose this," she panted.

I was lost to pleasure but managed to say, "Lose what?"

Rosie groaned. "Fuck... Lose us... this... connection."

I started to slam into her from beneath, the sounds of our sweaty bodies slapping together joining our moans of pleasure.

"I promise," I said.

Rosie opened her eyes and held my face with her hands. "Good." Her breathing quickened. "Fuck baby, you're going to make me cum."

I fucked her harder, soaking the sheets beneath us. Rosie screamed as she came, her pussy tensing around my cock. I cried out moments later, my second orgasm of the session striking as I filled up her pulsating pussy.

We collapsed together for a second time that evening. Rosie fell asleep on top of me and I held her. I think it was then that I knew I loved her.

*

The final year of university and the following years passed in a blur of wild happiness in which Rosie was the shining star at the centre of my universe. We got our degrees and then went into successful and well-paid jobs. Rosie worked at a large practice in the city and I split my time between two private practices, a gym, and the city hospital.

With our jobs, we were able to buy a nice house on the outskirts of the city. It was ideal for Jax, who required a good walk each day. I became his dad and although Rosie was the boss of the pack, I think I was his favourite. It probably had something to do with the number of treats that I snuck him when Rosie wasn't looking. Jax was an absolutely mad lurcher. He delighted in doing zoomies on our long walks and then often crashed at home for the next twenty-four hours.

During our second year in the house, I proposed to Rosie. After many tears, she said yes and a date was set for a winter wedding. Our friends and family joined us at our small ceremony and more tears were shed as we became man and wife.

I couldn't believe how perfect my life was. I was living in a dream with a soul mate who was my best friend, a job I loved, a beautiful home, and amazing family and friends. Things couldn't possibly get any better.

People often commented on how good a couple Rosie and I made. They asked us what our secret was. I told them it was a mixture of things, but trust was a huge aspect. Rosie had no shortage of propositions. She attracted them simply by walking down the street, let alone on nights out. The thing was, I never got jealous or worried. Even before our relationship started, I'd watched her bat away unwanted advances. Rosie was an expert at shooting down guys.

Most of the time, I let her handle it. There were only a few occasions over the years that I stepped in and came to her rescue when the guys were too persistent. Each time, Rosie had literally jumped on me and declared that I was her hero in front of the humiliated guy. After that, she made sure to reward me with a night filled with passion.

Our relationship was as solid as it could possibly be. Unshakable and permanent. Rosie's sparkle lit up my world from the moment she opened her eyes in the morning until she closed them at night.

So, when that sparkle went out one day, a fear such as I had never felt before gripped my heart and refused to let go.

*

On a normal work day, I was home about an hour after Rosie. I had slightly further to drive and our shifts didn't quite align. On the fateful day the sparkle left her eyes, she arrived home two hours later than me. It wasn't an unheard-of occurrence. Sometimes, Rosie would get caught up with a patient or have to cover an emergency that took her beyond her working hours.

Since I was first home, I decided to surprise her by cooking her favourite meal: lasagne. I prepared our food, cracked open a bottle of wine to let it breathe, and then gave Jax some much-desired attention while we waited for Rosie.

The first sign that something wasn't right was when she didn't text me that she was going to be home late, or even when she'd be home. It was out of character but I didn't pay it much attention. I tried ringing her but my call went straight to voicemail. I was more confused than worried. Rosie never turned her phone off, but the reception at her practice wasn't the best.

When she got home, Jax and I jumped up to greet her. Jax got to her first, his tail wagging furiously from side to side. He wouldn't leave Rosie alone until he was satisfied that she'd greeted him with enough attention. Only then would he move aside to let me say hello.

I knew something was wrong the moment I looked into her eyes. They were just as green as always, but the sparkle I had seen every day since we'd met was gone. Vanished. The change it made to her was staggering. She looked lifeless, bereft of happiness.

"Rosie! Is everything OK? What happened?" I asked. I quickly stepped forward and hugged her.

She grabbed me and squeezed me as tightly as she could, burying her head into my chest. She didn't let go for a full five minutes. When she did, she had to quickly wipe her eyes.

"Babe, what's wrong?" I asked, taking her hands.

She wouldn't meet my eyes. "Nothing, it was just a very long, tiring day. I-I lost a patient today."

As terrible as it sounds, I was relieved that it wasn't something worse. As the mind has a tendency to do, it searches for the worst answers to worrying questions. Rosie had lost patients before and she always took it hard. I hugged her and kissed the top of her head.

"Well, it's just as well I have an evening of pampering and looking after my gorgeous wife planned!" I told her. "Why don't you go upstairs, have a shower and change into your comfy clothes? I've cooked your favourite and there's a bottle of wine with our names on it too."

Rosie clenched her hands so tightly that her knuckles turned white. I thought she was going to break down in tears but she turned and jogged hurriedly upstairs. Frowning, I prepared our food and waited for her in the kitchen.

She came down twenty minutes later. I'd always thought she looked cute when her hair was wet after the shower. As we ate, I studied Rosie. The sparkle wasn't there and she looked... stressed and anxious. She wouldn't meet my gaze and when she spoke, it wasn't with her usual happiness and warmth.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked her after we'd finished our food and cleared up. We were sitting in the living room, cuddled into each other.

She shook her head. "No, I'll be OK."

I squeezed her. "Well, if you need to talk, you know I'm here for you. Jax is as well, aren't you boy?" Jax raised his head and his tail thumped his bed several times. "See? Jax will listen."

To my surprise, Rosie gripped me tightly like she had before. "I love you so, so much," she whispered.

"I love you too. What's going on?"

"Nothing, can we go to bed? I'm tired and it's been a long day."

I kissed her head. "Of course, but there's no way that you're walking up." I scooped her up into my arms and carried her to bed. Rosie hugged me all night and didn't let me go. I'm not sure if she slept, but I didn't.