Chapter Ruby
Ruby
She spent Christmas Eve at her parents’ house, sitting by their enormous tree in a new set of pyjamas as she sketched out a commission.
Her mother brought her the occasional refill on hot chocolate and when she couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer, she retreated into her childhood bedroom.
Curled up with lots of pillows, she finally found a moment to dial Morgan’s number.
“Hey darlin’. I didn’t think I would hear your gorgeous voice tonight.”
Butterflies fluttered up in her belly. “I couldn’t go to bed without wishing you a good night’s sleep.”
He chuckled and let out a nervous breath. “I’m not sure that’s what lies ahead of me.”
“Nervous, huh?”
“Apparently so.”
“Close your eyes and repeat after me,” she said with her smirk audible in her voice. “‘I am worthy.’”
Deep inhale. “I am worthy.”
“‘I am strong.’”
“I am strong.”
“‘I have nothing to fear.’”
There was a pause, before he slowly repeated the words back to her, “I have nothing to fear.”
“I think you did fantastic.”
“Thank you, darlin’.”
“When I woke up this morning and questioned my outfit I did the same, but it didn’t feel as good without your arms around me.”
“You wanted to be praised afterwards, didn’t you?”
“Seeing right through me,” she giggled. “Let me know once you’re on your way tomorrow.”
“I will. Now get some rest.”
“Only if you try too.”
“Emphasis on ‘try.’”
She blew him a kiss and cuddled the pillows to rest up for the day ahead.
The next morning, Remi walked into the house and dropped his bags just as she made her way downstairs. She was swept up into a bear hug before she could gather her bearings.
“I missed you,” she mumbled into his shoulder.
“Give it an hour and you’ll be ready to kick my ass across state lines again,” he joked and kissed her hair. “Now tell me when that new man in your life is going to show up.”
“Later, but please be nice.”
“That depends on how much I like him.”
“So, the more you mess with him the more you approve?”
“Something like that.”
Remi stepped into the kitchen where their mom was already preparing their enormous Christmas breakfast. He was greeted with a tight hug, a kiss, and instructions to help set the table.
Ruby excitingly eyed the presents already waiting under the tree.
Even though they were adults, there was always something for them to unwrap.
The presents sat untouched until Rhett and Denise arrived and the second Jude laid eyes on them, she was the one to play Santa, even though everyone was starving.
Besides the usual knitted socks, her mother always made for everyone, Ruby also got a piggy bank, filled with a head start for her trip to Germany.
Once breakfast was devoured, they hung around lazily, with Jude asking Ruby to draw lots of sketches so she could colour them in.
The four-year-old loved all kinds of things unicorn and magical creatures, so she kept Ruby busy all morning.
Still stuffed from breakfast, they decided to skip lunch and continued right to the Christmas treats.
Even though she tried not to show it, she was anxiously awaiting Morgan’s arrival.
When the text finally came that he was on his way, her mother made Jude pick up all the toys while her dad whisked Percy upstairs to avoid any problems with Blue.
“What else will help him?” Denise asked, closing the lid on Jude’s toybox.
Ruby’s heart melted. “You’re all already doing everything you can. Well, besides being nice,” she added with a pointed glance at Remi.
“Rhett said he’s fine with him and apparently he’s used to brotherly treatment of his own.”
“Please?”
Remi sighed and rolled his eyes. “Fine, I’ll be nice—at first.”
“At least that’s something.”
“Is Uncle Moe’s dog coming too?”
Everyone chuckled, with Denise’s eyes widening and mouthing an apology behind Jude’s back.
Ruby pulled Jude into her lap. “Yes, Blue is going to come too, but remember—when he has his harness on, it means he’s working so you can’t pet him. He has to concentrate on keeping Morgan safe.”
“And no jumping on Morgan,” Rhett added. “He can’t see you. So, when you need something from him you have to say so.”
“Why can’t Uncle Moe see?”
“Some people are born that way. Remember the book that we read last night?” Denise said.
“Just like Grangran. She can’t see well either.”
Grangran was what Jude called her great grandma on Denise’s side. Ruby nodded and combed through Jude’s hair. “So, when you talk to Morgan you have to use your words. He can’t see you nodding or shaking your head.”
“Can he see me dance?”
“We can record it for him. He will be able to see it on his phone.” Ruby held her hands in front of Jude’s eyes. “He can see everything up to my hands, so he has to be very close to see something.”
Jude nodded and then proudly announced she had to go potty, hauling Rhett with her.
“I didn’t know you got her a book.”
Denise grinned and pulled it out of her bag. “I just hope she doesn’t say something rude.”
“I think he can handle that,” Ruby chuckled, flicking through the pages. “He thought it was super helpful that Dad gave him a virtual tour of the house.”
“Loved Mom’s commentary,” Rhett laughed. The video had made its rounds the past few days. “Very insightful.”
That earned him a smack on the shoulder. “We just wanted him to feel comfortable. I’m sure a new environment is stressful enough for him without adding meeting the family on top of it.”
When her phone chimed, she jumped off the couch and opened the front door to see Morgan’s Uber arrive in the driveway and him directing Blue to find the front door.