After Erik and Rosaline had innocently indulged in the feeling of each other's bodies in the shower, they towelled off in the bathroom, facing the mirror together. Stealing shy glances at one another and peppering sweet kisses along the other's skin when they were certain they wouldn't be caught, it was safe to say they were both positively beaming after an unforgettable night. Regrettably, a sense of quiet unease overtook their minds when it came to leaving the alpine retreat, as it meant they would no longer have the opportunity to momentarily forget the troubles that awaited them back home. Erik didn't even bother considering his own feelings, when he thought of how nervous Rosaline must be feeling. Realistically, he knew that as soon as they stepped off the plane in Dalmerlington, Rosaline would be left little to no choice about having to speak with her family and the issues they left unresolved. Erik couldn't help but become frustrated at the fact that it was himself who had essentially caused such palpable tension between Rosaline, her parents and brothers. He only wished that they would put their prejudice aside, long enough to see how happy and fulfilled their daughter and sister were with him. Sadly, Erik was beginning to notice how his chances at convincing them of Rosaline's worthiness was quickly dwindling. The thought alone scared him like nothing he had ever experienced before and he was confident it was because nothing and no one had ever meant so much to him as Rosaline did.

"What are you thinking about so hard that is making you frown?" Rosaline closely observed.

"I hadn't realised I was frowning, sorry." Erik apologised.

"Don't be sorry, just tell me what's wrong." She offered in a caring voice.

"Truthfully, I'm thinking about what will change when we arrive home." He numbly answered.

"What do you mean by that?" Rosaline warily spoke.

Sensing her cautious demeanour, Erik swung his arm around her shoulder and gently manoeuvred her head so that she was leaning against his shoulder. She continued to stare into Erik's eyes for any signs of an explanation, but was only rewarded with a saddened and tight lipped smile.

"Nothing, or at least I hope not." He vaguely responds.

"Erik, please help me understand what it is that's troubling you." Rosaline pleads, whilst caressing his cheek in a tender fashion.

Despite his own desires to not want to hurt Rosaline any further, he knows he will only cause more sadness if he hides his thoughts and feelings and not tell her the underlying truth.

"I'm afraid of what potential abuse you'll have to endure when you eventually speak with you family. I'm afraid they still won't accept our relationship no matter how hard you try to persuade them, but most importantly, I'm afraid I'll lose you to them and I know that's incredibly selfish of me to even ask but I can't help but want to keep you with me Rose, especially after the amazing weekend we just had together." Erik sincerely tells her.

"Oh, Erik." She miserably whispers, before wrapping both her arms around his middle in an affectionate embrace.

Rosaline continues to rest her head against Erik's chest and silently allows a few stray tears to escape her glassy eyes, as she listens to the steady beat of his heart as it thumps along in a rhythmic tone. For whatever reason, she is so overwhelmed by his words, she vows in that moment to make amends with her family no matter what it takes, simply to see that Erik doesn't blame himself any longer. The pain she feels for him is indescribable and wishes to try harder at making her family see the brilliance behind Erik as a man.

"I love you." Rosaline murmurs into Erik's neck, after leaving a soft kiss along his pulse point.

Within a few short hours, Erik and Rosaline had arrived back at Erik's house. They begun slowly unpacking their few belongings, before Rosaline would inevitably have to leave and return home to her parents house. She figured that she had spent enough time away from them and needed to speak with them sooner rather than later given how close her and Erik had become over the weekend. She needed to first make peace with them and then proceed to help them understand why Erik was perfect for her.

"I wish you weren't leaving." Erik admitted, whilst tenderly stroking her hair as the two lovers stood just outside his front door.

"I promise I'll be back soon." Rosaline replied with a hopeful smile.

Erik merely stepped closer towards her and wrapped his arms around Rosaline's modest frame. He inhaled the scent of her hair and pressed his lips against her temple a number of times, before reluctantly pulling away from her.

"I love you sweetheart, please don't ever forget that." Erik reminded her, with a solemn look.

"After the weekend we just had together, I couldn't even if I tried." Rosaline sweetly replied.

Rosaline's response was enough to elicit a small smile out of Erik, despite his despondent mood. He knew as well as Rosaline did that in an attempt to have a harmonious relationship with her family in the future, she would need to speak with them alone. Unfortunately, that very action meant that Rosaline would not be spending the night with Erik, which was something Erik found particularly difficult to want to accept given how intimate they were just the previous night. With a long and sensual kiss exchanged between the couple, Erik watched as Rosaline walked along the pavement and entered through the door of the awaiting car that Mr Arnold would be driving. With a final wave sent in her direction, Erik prayed that Rosaline would experience better luck with her family during this next occasion, rather than have to replay the heartache of their previous encounter. If this were to happen, Erik knew deep in his soul that he would indefinitely return to soothing her worries away as she cried woefully into his arms.