𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐞 | 𝐣𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧

𝟎𝟎

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐

𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐑𝐔𝐁𝐘 𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍 had woken up, her heart full of excitement -the morning sunlight streamed through her bedroom window- casting a beautifully warm glow on the walls. her eyes darted to the calendar hanging on her door. today was the day she'd been eagerly awaiting, her birthday. a bright red circle marked the date, coupled with her scribbled words, 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒅𝒂𝒚 ... seemed to sparkle with anticipation. 

with a burst of energy, she pushed her duvet aside -her small feet touching the cool floor as she dashed out of her room- her path had led her straight to the living room, where she found her grandparents liz and don, seated on the sofa. the room was a delightful mess of color wrapping paper and ribbon and the table was piled high with gifts, each one waiting to be unwrapped. 

"good morning mimi, good morning papa!" ruby called out cheerfully, enveloping them in a warm hug followed by a kiss on the cheek. 

liz's face lit up with a radiant smile and she exclaimed in a voice brimming with genuine joy. "oh good morning sweetheart, happy birthday!" 

ruby's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the numerous gifts. the anticipation was almost overwhelming. before she could say anything, liz gently interrupted her thoughts. "your uncles got you so many presents, but you can't open them just yet, ok!" 

ruby giggled and shook her head, "i don't want to open them now, mimi. i do want the letter, though." she pointed to a beautifully folded pink envelope resting on the table, her eyes shining with curiosity and excitement. 

liz's smile softened, a touch of nostalgia in her gaze -the envelope felt heavier than usual- a stark contrast to the previous letters ruby had received before, liz carefully opened the envelope; handing the letter to ruby who sat down beside her, eager to read the message penned by her mother, eliana. 

the letter said, 

my dear gem, my lovely ruby, 

happy birthday! i can't believe you're eight now -it's incredible to see how much you've grown- i'm certain you've inherited your father's eyes, smile and mannerisms. and i know you will continue to make me proud, i'll always watch you with immense and pride and joy, always remember that. 

now tell me ... does your father still forget to put his clothes in the hamper on laundry day, does he still sleep with the duvet under him not over him after a tough football match? I used to nag him about it but he never seemed to listen, oh well ...

you're a big girl now ruby, which means you are now old enough to understand something your father and i have kept close to our hearts, mostly me as your father was and still is clueless, when your father and i first learned about, i knew immediately that i wanted to name you ruby because rubies are my favorite gems. but when it came to choosing your middle name, there was only one person i had in mind, and this person was crucial to the story of how i met your father ...