Strawberry Red

Chapter 34

Buck was flying back from another mercy mission. This time they dropped aid over a small city in Norway. It became a routine for him; waking up early, flying missions and spending the afternoon and evening with his son. Helen and Tatty had been incredibly kind and baby-sat Louis in the mornings. And whenever he needed help Otto was by his side just like he had been for Ruby. Otto continued to stay at Thorpe Abbotts even though he had gotten an American passport and a ticket to New York. But he wanted to stay until the war was over.

"Clear up tower, this is Chowhound 1. Requesting landing instructions. Over," said Buck over the radio when they were approaching the runway.

"Chowhound 1, you are clear for overhead approach. Runway two, eight, one at one-thousand and two hundred indicated. Winds are three, zero, zero at one two. Altimeter two, nine, nine, six. Over," was the response.

"Clear, up tower. Please repeat," requested Buck. "Over."

"You heard me the first goddamn time, Gale," answered Bucky sassy.

"Don't be rude, Bucky," added Ruby and laughed. Buck's heart was a fluttering mess. His best man and his wife were on the radio with him.

"Love?" asked Buck with a raspy voice. The thoughts in his mind were racing and spiralling. Was he slowly going mad or did he really hear Ruby's voice? He casted a glance at his copilot, Rosie.

"When have you known Ruby to not be fine?" repeated Rosie grinning.

"I'll be damned," said Buck. He couldn't stop smiling. He was smiling like a cheshire cat during the entirety of the touchdown and even when he left the plane. The most important two people of his life were with him again. He got into the car with Rosie's crew and drove towards the base. When they reached interrogation, he saw Ruby standing outside with Bucky. Meatball was laying on the ground next to them, happily chewing on a bone. For a moment all he could do was stare at his wife. There she was standing with their son in her arms. A sight he thought he'd never be able to see. Her red hair was falling of her shoulders in long curls. She was laughing at something Bucky said. Her angelic laugh was like music to his ears, and her smile was godly – it could light up even the darkest places. Buck was utterly enchanted by her, just as he was the first time he saw her. Every time he looked at her, he fell in love with her all over again, and he didn't think that would ever change. He knew in his heart that she was the light of his life, which lead him through the misery and pain of the past year. She was the love and hope that could guide him through anything.

Ruby noticed her husband staring at her, so she carefully handed Bucky her son and started running towards him as Buck strode in big steps in her direction. They met in the middle and wrapped their arms tightly around each other, as if afraid their love would slip away the moment they loosened their grip.

"Don't ever let me go," whispered Ruby with a shaky voice. Tears of joy and relief were streaming down her face, soaking Buck's uniform.

"I won't, I promise," said Buck. They slowly let go of each other, but Buck kept his left arm wrapped around Ruby's waist. "What happened to your neck? Otto said something about you being caught by the Gestapo."

"I was but I handled it. Don't worry, it's just a bruise, it'll fade soon," answered Ruby. She was looking at Buck's face which had a few small scares. She lifted her hand and carefully brushed over them with her fingertips.

"Souvenirs of Stalag." Buck's jaw tightened ever so slightly, she pulled her hand away again.

"Well, I think you're as handsome as ever." Ruby stood on her tip toes and kissed him. Her hands were capturing his cheeks while his found the small of her back and pulled her closer. Time seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in their own bubble of love and passion. The kiss deepened, becoming more urgent, trying to make up for the time they lost. His fingers traced gentle patterns on her back. A shiver ran over her back that made him smile against her lips. Ruby's fingers moved from his cheeks to tangle in his hair, pulling him even closer as their kiss continued to ignite fires within them.

They broke apart, breathless and still in their own world. Their foreheads rested against each other as they enjoyed the moment.

"I never want this to end," she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath. He smiled softly, his thumb caressing her cheek.

"Neither do I," he replied, capturing her lips in another tender kiss.

The war finally came to an end in early May. Ruby would remember that day forever just like she'd always remember the day the war began. It was a hot spring day. She was sitting on a field with her friends, Helen and Tatty. Louis was crawling on the picknick blanket and happily babbling.

Most crews were on base, as the war came closer to an end, they rarely flew out. And if they did, they flew mercy missions. On the 8th of May no crew flew out which meant they hung out on base too, playing games together or enjoying the peace and quiet.

Around midday everyone was called to the loudspeakers. Aircrews were standing outside waiting impatiently for news. The red cross volunteers had met up in their tent and surrounded the radio. The base was eerily quiet and eager to hear the good news.

"Yesterday morning, at 2:41 a.m., General Jodl, the representative of the German High Command, signed the act of unconditional surrender of all German land, sea, and air forces in Europe to the Allied Expeditionary Force. Hostilities will officially end at one minute after midnight tonight, Tuesday, the 8th of May. The ceasefire began yesterday and has been sounded all along the front, including our dear Channel Islands," informed President Churchill over the radio.

They whole base erupted in cheers. Tears of joy and relief were shed as the celebrations began. Music filled the air, food was served, and conversations buzzed with excitement for their future. The festivities continued well past midnight. They were even able to get fireworks to lit up the night sky at the late hour.

At some point, Ruby and Buck had withdrawn from the party and went back to their shared room. Ruby dropped on the bed, absolutely spent and exhausted by the joyous events of the day. Buck rocked Louis to sleep and laid him down in his bed next to theirs's. Then he joined his wife.

"What are we doing now?" asked Ruby quietly. She was twisting her wedding band with her fingers. A habit of her which started when Buck went down. It made her feel connected to him.

"Whatever you want, love." Buck pulled Ruby into his side and pressed a kiss on her forehead. "I was thinking of buying a home to officially start our small family."

"That sounds like a great plan." Ruby snuggled into his side. A comfortable silence grew over them. For a few moments neither of them spoke, they just enjoyed being in each other's arms. After a while Ruby hesitantly spoke up. "I want to study medicine and become a doctor. I put it off for so long because of the war. But I think now could be a good time."

"Then I think you should start applying to Universities now, so you can start in fall with your studies," answered Buck.

"But where? Where are we building our home, our live, Buck? In England or in America?" asked Ruby. This had been a topic she avoided talking about for the past three months. With the war going on they didn't have a choice on where to live. They were to live on base in England until the war ended. And now that it became clear they had to move out of Thorpe Abbotts someday soon, she couldn't continue to put the topic off.

"What do you want?"

"I want to be where you are." Ruby put her arms around Buck, pulling him even closer. "But I also want to be with my family. I feel like we've been drifting apart ever since I moved to Germany years ago. And the rift hasn't been mended."

"Then we stay in England. I'm sure I can find a job in the RAF," responded Buck and shrugged his shoulders.

"You would become one of them for me? Seriously, Buck? You hate them like the pest."

"I would." Buck nodded.

"I can't let you do that. You'd be so unhappy," said Ruby. She leaned on her side to look Buck the eyes.

"Would you be unhappy if we moved to America?" he wanted to know.

"I'm not sure. I mean all my friends will be going back to America but my family's here. I feel like I have to choose between my friends and my family." Ruby put her head on Buck's chest and listened to his slow, rhythmic heartbeat.

"Think about it overnight. Whatever you choose, we'll make it work out."