Strawberry Red

Chapter 19 Ruby

"Let's do this," mumbled Ruby as she knocked onto her grandparents' door. Buck and Bucky were standing next to her. When Ruby had revealed her and Buck's plan, Bucky couldn't help but tag along too. He had nothing else to do in London and seen as Ruby thought of him as a brother figure, he wanted to meet her family as well.

"It'll be all right, love," tried Buck to sooth her nerves. She had been incredibly nervous during the whole car ride to London.

"I just hope Victor doesn't do anything stupid," responded Ruby. She was playing with her skirt.

"You don't have to take his bullshit to heart," said Bucky and shrugged with his shoulders. Ruby had told them of the last conversation she had with Victor. It ended up in a huge fight and many tears had been shed. After that Ruby had left her home and moved in with Helen and Tatty.

"Strawberry!" exclaimed her grandmother happily as she swung open the door. "It's good to see you. And you brought company."

"I did. Grandmother, meet my- my boyfriend, Buck, and our friend, Bucky," explained Ruby with a big smile on her face.

"Oh, we didn't you were betrothed, Strawberry."

"Not engaged, grandmom. We're just dating." Ruby's cheeks were bright red.

"He's a keeper," whispered her grandmother and pulled her into a tight hug. "He'll propose soon. He would be stupid not to."

"It's a pleasure to meet to, Mrs. Davies," said Buck and shook her grandmother's hand when she had finally let go of Ruby.

"Please, come in." The group of three followed her grandmother to the back garden where the rest of her family had gathered. When her cousin's little boy spotted her, he immediately ran over to her.

"Ruby!" He hugged her legs tightly. "Will you play football with me? Please."

"Sure, just let me say hi to my father and brothers, okay? Then we can play, and maybe you can convince Buck and Bucky to play too." Ruby had leaned down to him. Michael nodded shyly.

Ruby went to greet her family while Buck and Bucky were helping Michael set up the goals in the garden. They started to warm up and passed the ball between them.

"Is that your little one?" asked Ruby as she sat down next to Florence. Flo held a newborn in her arms. Ruby had sadly missed the birth because she was away in Africa at the time.

"Her name's Selene," answered Florence and smiled brightly. "She's an angel. She hardly cries and always sleeps through the night."

"She looks like you," said Ruby. Selene had the same eyes as her mother.

"Not sure how long it'll last. I can already spot some red hair strands on her head. And I'm sure once she grows up, she'll get the Davies confidence and fierce personality."

"That wouldn't be bad, would it?" Albert sat down on his wife's other side and put an arm around her.

"It wouldn't," assured Flo. She paused for a moment. "He's great with kids."

"Who?" questioned Ruby confused and raised an eyebrow.

"Buck." Ruby followed Flo's gaze and saw Buck playing with Michael. It looked like they were having a blast. "He'll be a great father one day."

"That's years away. First, we have to get through the war alive." Ruby's eyes were still locked on her boyfriend.

"Don't say that." Flo grabbed Ruby's hand. "We didn't expect little Selene so soon either. But it happened. And now she's our little miracle. Miracles happen even in war."