Strawberry Red

Chapter 20 Ruby

"I was supposed to marry him. He was really important to the SOE as I was able to gather much intel through him," said Ruby. Earlier, she had walked away from the table to calm down. Buck had followed her swiftly. "But I- I couldn't."

"It's okay." Buck pulled her into a tight hug. Tears were streaming down Ruby's face as she recalled memories of her almost-husband.

"He hurt me. So, I hurt him too which-which made me exactly like him." Ruby's voice broke down. And all she could do was sob. "It was unfair of Victor to bring him up. You're not like him, I would never hurt you. Even if that's what everyone and-and you think."

"That's not what I think. I have never and will never think that you'd want to hurt me," responded Buck. He was drawing small circles on her back.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about him. I just wanted to forget about everything that happened and especially what he did to me." Ruby buried her face into Buck's shoulder and held onto him so tightly as if he was her lifeline.

"I love you, Ruby. Nothing is going to change that. Not your past, not your brother's words, nothing," revealed Buck. Ruby abruptly looked up into his eyes. "I want to marry you. I wanted to propose to you later this evening, just the two of us. I'm-"

"Yes," interrupted Ruby. "I want to marry you too, Buck."

"You do?" Buck asked surprised. He lifted his hand to wipe away the tears on her face.

"I do. And for clarification I don't care about a special proposal or a fancy wedding. I just want to be married to you and spend the rest of my life with you by my side."

Buck let go with one arm and pulled out a little box of his pockets. He handed it over to Ruby. She carefully opened the box and saw two silver wedding rings in it.

"The lady who owns the jewellery shop said you'd want simple rings." explained Buck.

"Barbara's right. When I was a child, I used to hang out at her shop all the time. I loved watching couples pick their wedding rings. And I'd always fantasise about my Prince Charming."

"What is your Prince Charming like?" questioned Buck smirking and raised an eyebrow.

"He is really handsome. He's got those electrifying blue eyes and blond hair. He's a very brave pilot. And I love him very much." Ruby took the bigger ring out of the box and smiled playfully. "Well, Major Cleven, do you want to marry me?"

"How could I say no to you, Mrs. Cleven?" Ruby carefully placed the ring onto his finger.

"I like the sound of that," said Ruby. It was now Buck's turn to place her ring onto her finger. Even if it was just a symbolic gesture, it meant a lot to Ruby. "Let's get married tomorrow."

"So soon? Are you sure, Ruby? Don't you want your family to be there?" asked Buck.

"Just the two of us. We can get married in the chapel in Diss. Bucky could be your best man and our witness," proposed Ruby. "The war has taken so much from us already, I don't want it to take away our wedding too. Tomorrow is the perfect day."

"Tomorrow it is." Buck pulled her closer and kissed his fiancé.