Strawberry Red

Chapter 35

Two weeks later the base was swept empty. Most ground crews were on their way to the coast of England to get shipped back to New York. And the aircrews loaded up their planes one last time. Everyone was leaving and starting a new life.

"You're going to be a hell of a father, Cros," said Rosie. He was standing with Ruby and Crosby on the airfield, getting ready to take off. Ruby was rocking her son in her arms.

"You think?" asked Crosby hesitantly.

"I know." Rosie smiled at his friend.

"I agree," added Ruby. "You're great with Louis. You'll manage just fine."

"My wife, Jean, wrote, you, Gale and Louis should come and visit once the little one is born. Maybe the two little ones will get along," proposed Crosby.

"I'd love that," answered Ruby. Their crew was already seated in the plane and ready to take off.

"Don't be a stranger." Rosie hugged Ruby carefully to make sure he wasn't squeezing Louis. "Write me or call me."

"I will, I promise," said Ruby. She remained on the runway and waved them goodbye as they took off. Louis was trying to mimic her action and waved with his little hand. Ruby looked around and took in her surroundings. She had been living on this base for almost a year and had made many friends and good memories. Even though it was sometimes hard, she would definitely miss it. But it was time to move on and start a new chapter of her life. A chapter which included Buck and their wonderful son.

"Are you coming, or what?" shouted Bucky as he and Buck drove up to her. Bucky was in the passenger seat and grooving to his favourite song on the radio, Blue Sky. "I'm taking off in ten."

"How could I miss it?" Ruby squeezed in the back of the car and buckled up. Buck started the car again and slowly drove towards Bucky's plane. DeMarco was already standing in front of it, tapping his foot in annoyance that Bucky was about to be late for their take-off.

"There you are, Bucky," said DeMarco as they pulled up. "Almost thought you'd stay here in England."

"I'm not late," responded Bucky and swung his bag over his left shoulder.

Meatball trotted out of the car too and ran up to DeMarco. He licked him over his face and barked at him. DeMarco gave him a treat and petted his head. "Take good care of him for me, please."

"Of course," promised Ruby, "And you can come to see him whenever you want. You're always welcome in our home."

"I will take you up on that offer one day." DeMarco stood up after giving Meatball his last treat. "We should load up too."

"Just a second," said Bucky. DeMarco nodded and left to get settled. "I will see you both soon, right?"

"Very soon," agreed Buck. The two men looked at each other. They had survived a lot together and now it felt strange saying goodbye, even when it wasn't forever. Buck pulled his best man into a hug. After they let go, Bucky hugged Ruby.

"You know, I would be honoured to be the godfather of your next kid," whispered Bucky into her ear.

"Noted. It'd might take a couple of years to happen." Ruby smiled at Bucky. "But only as long as you don't corrupt my kid."

Bucky laughed and headed over to the plane. Before he boarded, he looked back over his shoulder for one last time. "See you soon."

Buck put an arm around Ruby as they watched Bucky take-off and fly home. Soon, every plane was gone, and they were the only two left on base.

"Let's go, shall we?" proposed Buck.

"We shall." Ruby smiled at her husband.

The drive to her childhood home took them about ten minutes. Ruby hadn't seen her family in over a year apart from Victor. She had called them and let them know she was coming for the afternoon to visit. Even her grandparents had arranged to visit too. They got out of their car and walked up to the house. Buck was holding Louis in his arms and Ruby knocked onto the door. Then they waited for someone to open the door.

"Ruby! It's good to see you!" said Flo and pulled her into a tight hug. "It's been too long."

"Let the poor girl go, sweetheart." Albert had followed his wife and was standing leaned against the doorframe. "Hello, sister. Please, come inside."

"Albert." Ruby gave him a quick nod. She grabbed a hold of Buck's hand and pulled him inside her childhood home with her. Flo shot her a confused glance, but Ruby mouthed silently she'd explain soon.

"You're Gale Cleven, right?" asked Albert as they walked to the back garden where the rest of her family was gathered. It kind of felt like a déjà-vu.

"Yes, Sir," answered Buck.

"Call me Albert. We're family now by the looks of it." They reached the back garden, and the conversation died the minute her family saw them.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," whispered Ruby. Then she cleared her throat. "I want to introduce my husband, Gale, and my son, Louis to you."

"Welcome to the family, son," greeted her father and shook Buck's hand firmly. "Let's have a seat. Flo made cake."

Buck pulled out a chair for Ruby to sit on. She gratefully sat down and when Buck had taken his seat, she grabbed his hand. Ruby would've never thought to sit at a table again with her family and her husband. During Buck's imprisonment it seemed unreal that they'd ever meet again. Even though Ruby always tried to be positive, she knew how deadly and horrifying life in a Stalag was.

"We've also got some other news," started Ruby. She stopped for a moment. "We're moving to America, more specifically to Chicago."

"That is a big chance. Have you thoroughly thought about this?" asked Albert and took a sip of his tea.

"We have. Buck will continue to work in the Airforce and I'm going to study medicine in the University of Chicago," answered Ruby and smiled at her husband. Just in the span of two weeks they had managed to buy a small house a little outside of the city centre in Chicago and Ruby had gotten the confirmation for her studies.

"I'm happy for you," chipped Flo in. "But you have to come visit for Christmas."

"Of course," said Ruby. They spent the afternoon in her childhood-home. Later in the evening, they got in the car and drove towards the coast.

Early the next morning, the ship left for New York. They'd spent the entire week on the ship. And once they'd reach New York, they wanted to spend a couple of days there to make up for their honeymoon. Then they'd drive to Chicago, and they also planned a few stops on their way. All in all, they'd reach their new home in two weeks' time.

Ruby and Buck had settled in their small room on ship. Meatball even got his own bed, but he had to share it with Red. Surprisingly, they got along well. It was as if they were meant to be together.

After settling in Ruby decided to take Louis on a walk on deck. Buck was staying behind, playing cards with Lemmons and a few other mechanics. Ruby strolled over the deck and let the wind brush through her hair. On the upper deck Ruby saw Otto enjoying the warm sun and cooling wind. She had rarely spoken to him about their personal life during the past months on base.

"I wanted to thank you," said Ruby when she reached him. "Without you the past year would've been impossible."

"You're the reason I'm still alive. It was the least I could do," answered Otto.

"You're welcome to stay in our home as long as you want. I imagine this move must be quite hard for you." Ruby slowly rocked Louis to sooth him. He'd started to fuss in her arms.

"That's very generous. But the SOE has bought an apartment for me and managed to get me a job in a hospital in Chicago." Otto stared into the seemingly endless ocean. "And they signed me up for English classes."

"In that case, you must visit sometime. Our house is in Chicago too. Plus, Bucky is living next door to us," teased Ruby.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Otto looked at her confused.

"You'll see, you'll see." Ruby left Otto to rejoin her husband for dinner.