The First Snow

The year 1881

Rosalie walked up the path leading to her house. She was practically bouncing on her feet and she had a huge smile on her face.

Their little cottage came into view. It looked beautiful under the dull sunlight. She spotted Hakeem in the yard planting more flowers and her lips stretched even wider. She had great for him.

Stopping to admire Hakeem, she tried to catch her breath. His veins and biceps flexed as he dug the hoe into the hard soil, pulling out stubborn weeds. The sweat glistening on his forehead made his dark skin shine. Her husband was a handsome man.

"And I’m one lucky woman," she whispered under her breath.

He’d once told her he was planting these flowers, to make their little cottage a happy place for their children. The wistfulness in his eyes had told her he wished they could live like normal people, and not like prisoners hiding out in the living mountains.

“Hakeem,” She whispered, bringing her train of thoughts to a halt.

Hakeem stopped digging and turned to her, instantly smiling. His wife looked radiant in the yellow sundress he bought her about a month ago.

Wife, that word gave him butterflies. The fact that he got married to the love of his life and got to call her his wife overjoyed him.

His eyes narrowed as he noticed the mischievous smile on her normally serene face. He was usually the goofy one in their relationship, while she was the calm, level-headed one.

Today, she looked especially happy and excited. Her cheeks were rosy and her eyes shone like diamonds on her heart-shaped face. He loved the smile on her face and wanted to keep it on her face and the image of it ingrained in his heart forever.

Rosalie could read the question in his eyes regarding her current demeanor.

“You keep smiling like that… ” He trailed off, his smile widening to match hers.

She tried her best not to bounce on her feet or squeal as she handed him a beautiful white rose she'd picked on her way up the mountain.

Realization dawned on him as he met her eyes, clutching the white rose between his thumb and index finger. In their relationship, a white rose signified good news.

“You have good news?”

Rosalie smiled and nodded tears welling up in her eyes “Guess.”

The grimace on his face made her smile wider. “You know I never guess correctly.” He said.

“I’m pregnant,” She blurted.

Rosalie watched fascinated as Hakeem's expression slowly went from shock to happiness, to something indescribable, but could be interpreted as pure joy.

Hakeem crushed her in a tight hug trembling slightly. His hug carried every emotion soaking through his pores, she felt his joy through it. This baby was going to be the first gift they've gotten ever since they wedded.

Rosalie had never felt so complete, she belonged nowhere else but in his arms like this. She held him tightly, not minding his muddy hands.

The only day she’d felt this amount of happiness in her entire life was the day they got married, even if it happened in secret.

That was the first time in her life she experienced the feeling of actually getting what she wanted. All her life, her every move was dictated by her father, even her choices, that’s if she had any. She never had any teeny little bit of freedom until Hakeem came into her life. He showed her that life could be beautiful and that it was worth living. He saved her.

She loved this man more than anything in the world, even more than she loved herself. He was her best friend, lover, and everything. And now he was going to be a father to their child.

Rosalie sighed happily as they held each other, not wanting to let go. She rubbed her stomach, wanting their baby to be included in the embrace.

After a while, he pulled back and held her face with tears gleaming in his eyes, prompting her waterfall.

“You’ve made me the happiest man in the world!” He said, hoisting her easily into the air, and spinning her around. Their laughter and cries echoed in and around the forest they lived in.

When her feet hit the ground, his gaze flickered down to her stomach and he rubbed it tenderly.

“Our child..” He whispered in awe.

“We’ll have a little cocoa bean.” She smiled, the image of a little brown curly-haired, cutie pie warming up their lonely cottage life. They only had each other, which was more than enough, but the more the merrier.

“I love you so much, Rose.”

I love you so much more Hakeem.” She rubbed her belly tenderly “You've given me the best gift in the world.”

“No, you gave me the best gift,” Hakeem said as he pecked her luscious lips. She smiled into the kiss, wounding her arms around his neck.

From nowhere they heard clapping sounds and they sprung apart, unaware that they'd had an audience all this time.

The color drained from Rosalie’s face as she recognized the face of Thomas, her ex-fiancé.

“Thomas.” She gasped, her hand going to her stomach.

“Rosalie,” Thomas said in a flat greeting.

Thomas eyed her protective gesture with a smirk. His smirk was purely evil, it made the hairs at the back of her neck stand and her stomach churned.

He walked towards them with malice and hate shining through his eyes, the eyes which were focused on her husband.

She took a protective stance in front of Hakeem when she caught sight of the armed guys that had come with Thomas. They looked like thugs who could snap a neck at any moment. Her stomach started to protest wildly, and dread washed over her.

Hakeem in turn stepped in front of her, “What are you doing here?” His voice shook with rage, his fists clenched tightly.

“I’m not talking to you kaffir,” Thomas spat, deadly malice in his voice.

This time, Rosalie stood beside Hakeem her nails digging into his arm which she held tightly onto. “What do you want?”

Thomas let out a bark of sarcastic laughter, taking a few more threatening steps toward the couple. “Your father wants you home dear Rose, he is very angry that you eloped with a... Worker.” He spat the word 'worker' like it was a bitter taste in his mouth."

“She’s not going with you!” Hakeem boomed, red hot rage flashing through him.

“Shut up! How could you dare to think of eloping with your boss's daughter?” Thomas sneered.

Rose shook with rage at the slur. “He is no longer a worker in my home Thomas! He is my lover, my husband.” She slipped her hand into Hakeem’s palm desperately needing strength.

Thomas scowled “I don’t care. Your father has searched far and wide for you after you caused him irreparable embarrassment by eloping with Hakeem the night before our wedding.” He inhaled deeply as if the memory alone scarred him. “He is very angry dear Rose, he’ll never approve of your love for such a lowly person. You know the daughter of wh