Christmas Day evening.

Beth –

– Any get the door please. Beth finished for her mother.

Yes, its the Rowans.

Oh great. Darren called from the living room with sarcasm thick enough to need a steak knife to cut it.

Joe, Mary nice to say you. Beth smiled as she tried to ignore the comments coming from the living room.

Yes definitely Beth. Joe Rowan told her, he was an old work mate of her fathers and always came at Christmas; Year after year he always managed to convince himself that Beths eyes were somewhere down the front of her top, he always got a slap from Tasha when she caught him.

Once in the living room Mary took her first proper look at Beth:

Bethany Aliss Charlotte Rose Elizabeth Jones, youve become such a lovely woman!

Thank – you Mary.

So are we hearing wedding bells or the pitter patter of tiny feet? Mary asked.

Not yet Mary, Im content as I am.

Ahhh, well at least your parents have other grandchildren eh, Bethany? Joe spoke to her chest.

Tasha walked in and hit him around the back of the head then proceeded to give Darren and Elliot the look Dana immediately knew where Beth got hers.

Thank – you Tasha.

Dont do it again Joe.

Yes Tasha. He replied meekly.

*********************************************************************

A few hours later.

Beth?

Yeah Dana? Beth turned round and stopped watching the snow fall out side of the pub her parents dragged her too.
I um wanted to ask you something.

What? Beth hadnt seen her this nervous before.

Look I uh no its probably rushing and um its a big thing and Dana babbled.

Dana what are you asking me? If you want an answer form a coherent question.

Will you marry me? Dana then produced a sparkling ring and waited.

Oh, uh, wow, Dana. I uh

It was a bad idea. Dana told Beth then ran into the pub no doubt holding back tears.

In the darkness Beth watched Dana and became oblivious of the snow falling on her. She finished her sentence, without the woman she loved around to hear it.

Yes Dana, Id love to marry you.

*********************************************************************
Bert can you do me a favour? Beth asked the bartender.

Wellas its you go on then.

Beth leaned over and whispered to the bartender who had known her since she was gurgling in a carrycot.

*********************************************************************

And now ladies and gentleman, Id like to present some live entertainment. Bert then stepped away from the microphone and let Beth get to the stage in darkness; once she had given the nod, he flicked the lights up.

Dana watched Beth come to the centre of the stage and couldnt help but be entranced, as Beth never did anything like this in LA. Must be another tradition she mussed.

My skin is like a map,
of where my heart has been.
And I cant hide the marks,
but its not a negative thing.
So I let down my guard,
Drop down my defences down by my clothes.
Im learning to fall,
with no safety net to cushion the blow.

I bruise easily
So be gentle when you handle me
Theres a mark you leave
Like a love heart carved on a tree
I bruise easily
Cant scratch the surface
Without moving me underneath
I bruise easily
I bruise easily

I found your fingerprints,
on a glass of wine.
Do you know youre leaving them,
all over this heart of mine too.
But if I never make this leap of faith,
Ill never know.
So Im learning to fall,
with no safety net to cushion the blow.

I bruise easily
So be gentle when you handle me
Theres a mark you leave
Like a love heart carved on a tree
I bruise easily
Cant scratch the surface
Without moving me underneath
I bruise easily
I bruise easily

Anyone who can touch you
Can hurt you or heal you
Anyone who can reach you
Can love you or leave you
So be gentle

I bruise easily
So be gentle when you handle me
Theres a mark you leave
Like a love heart carved on a tree
I bruise easily
Cant scratch the surface
Without moving me underneath
I bruise easily
I bruise easily

I bruise easily
So be gentle when you handle me
Theres a mark you leave
Like a love heart carved on a tree
I bruise easily
Cant scratch the surface
Without moving me underneath
I bruise easily
I bruise easily

Beth finished her song and focussed on Danas tear stained face. She left the stage and walked outside picking up her bag on the way. Dana followed.


*********************************************************************


Beth Im sorry, I should

Its ok Dana dont worry.

So Dana took a deep breath Will you marry me?

Yes, nothing would make me happier. Beth watched Danas shaking hands try to put the ring on her finger when she had finally done it Beth took her hand and sat her down on a snow covered bench.

Dana, when I was seven my mums mum died and she left me her engagement ring because I was the eldest and I dont know supposed to get married first or something. But seeing as Im so taken with this rock of Gibraltar imitation youve bought me, and you seem to be quite without a ring I was wondering if youd wear it?

Really? Dana asked, trying to take in the entire storyDead grandma, one ring for Beth, no ring for Dana, ring for Dana. Yeah thats about right.

Really. Beth smiled.

Ok

Really? Beth asked making sure this was Dana Fairbanks making a quick decision.

Yup really. Dana watched Beth put the diamond and ruby set ring on her finger.

Do you think we can celebrate inside, because I dont know about you Dane, but Im starting to freeze. Beth asked.

Sure. Dana quickly kissed her on the nose then contemplated calling Bette and Tina, then quickly decided it could wait, Bette wasnt the easiest person to be around on Christmas, she tended to get stressed when Tina was the one who handled Christmas.

Her thoughts were interrupted by popping corks, Jess and Shane had been spying on the pair and much later in a champagne induced slur Shane told Beth how Dana made her shop for three hours to find the perfect ring; the Saturday before they left, as a new years day present.