And I Come Back To You

Chapter Three - "We never really broke up, did we?"

 Jane grabbed a knife to cut the two quiches. She pointed at them.
“This one contains meat, and this one's the vegetarian quiche!”
She took Brian's plate and put one piece in it before handing him his plate back. He thanked her with a smile and put it down. Then, she took Ruby's plate and as she was about to give her a part with meat, Ruby stopped her.
“No! I'll have a vegetarian part.”
“Oh? Are you sure?”
“I am.”
Jane shrugged and gave her a vegetarian part.
“Ruby, if you want to eat meat, do.” Brian said, worried. “Don't feel embarrassed to eat meat because I'm here.”
“I don't. I really want to eat this one.”
She gave him a smile that persuaded him. Jane took a slice with meat and sat down.
“Enjoy your meal!” she happily said.
“Enjoy your meal.” Ruby and Brian said at the same time.
They laughed before eating. Brian told the two women about his life with Queen. He also told them a few funny stories that happened in the band. Then, they talked about Freddie.
“Freddie was a great guy, really” he said with sadness in his eyes.
“Are you alright, Bri?”
“Yeah, it's just that... It's still hard to talk about him.”
“Don't force yourself.”
“Oh, I like talking about Freddie. I need it actually. D'you remember when you met him? You came into the rehearsals room and we kissed? He said 'Hotel rooms exist, darlings!'”
They laughed and Ruby nodded.
“I remember it as though it was yesterday!”
“Oh, by the way, would you like something to drink? I have wine, fruit juice, soda, water...” Jane said.
“I'll have a glass of wine, please” Brian smiled.
“Me too” Ruby answered.
“I'll go get this.”
She stood up and walked up to the kitchen.
“Jane is really nice.” Brian said.
“She is! Like her mother. You saw her at Dennis's funerals, and you also saw Jane.”
“Did I?”
“Do you remember the child that was with my blonde aunt? The one from the Leitch side of the family.”
“No, don't tell me that...”
“Yeah, it was her!”
“How old is she now?”
“29.”
“In the year of 29...” Brian sang before laughing. At the same moment, Jane was coming back from the kitchen with a bottle of red wine and three glasses. She poured some wine in them and placed them on the table. They all took one and raised them.
“To your reunion” Jane said with a sincere smile.
“To our reunion and to Jane who prepared this whole delicious meal!” Brian said.
They sipped out their wine after they hit their glasses together. Then, they ate the two quiches entirely. When they finished, Ruby stood up, picked up the place settings and brought them to the kitchen.
“Just put them into the sink, Ruby! I'll wash them later!”
Ruby placed them into the sink as Jane told her and came back to them.
“Will you have a dessert, Brian?”
“No, thanks, I'm full.”
“Maybe you'll have tea? Or coffee?”
“No, thank you.”
“Ruby?”
“I won't either.”
Brian took a look at his watch and raised his eyebrows.
“I'm afraid I have to go. I have an important meeting.”
Ruby looked disappointed.
“Let me take you downstairs.”
“I'd love that” he smiled.
They all stood up and Jane shook Brian's hand, saying she was happy to meet him. He thanked her for the welcoming and briefly hugged her.
“You should come back soon, before she leaves!” Jane told him as he was about to take his jacket that was hanged to the coatrack.
“I'll try to come. Only if I don't disturb anyone” he laughed, winking. Ruby opened the door and waited for him to go out. She closed it behind them and they slowly went down the stairs, without speaking. Ruby wanted to beg him not to leave; she was frightened at the idea that he couldn't come back before she'll leave for Paris. She didn't want to lose him. Not a second time. She crossed her arms and clenched her fingers around them. They opened the main door and got out. Ruby stayed at the doorstep, and Brian went down the three steps. He cleared his throat.
“Well... I'm happy we met again.”
“I am too.”
“I'll call you if I can come before you leave. When will you take the plane?”
“Next Tuesday at 2 pm.”
“Another sad Tuesday, huh?”
“Indeed.”
“I really have to go now. See you soon?”
“See you soon, Bri.” she smiled. She felt she was about to cry. She could throw herself at his feet if it could persuade him to stay. But he had an important meeting and she didn't want him to miss it. Brian smiled and stepped forward.
“Oh, Ruby, by the way...”
He spun around and faced her.
“Why didn't you marry this man?”
“I wasn't in love. And in my mind, it would have been like cheating on you. Because... We never really broke up, did we?”
Brian's eyes widened and his mouth slightly opened. He slowly climbed the three steps that separated him from her. He noticed that her eyes were a bit wet.
“As long as you still want me, we never will.”
Then, he placed his hands on both of her cheeks and got closer to her. Without any hesitation, he pressed his lips against hers; they still tasted the same and for him, it was so good to taste them again. They shared a tender and intense kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck, enjoying the moment. Their hearts were exploding. Then, Brian reluctantly broke off their embrace. He pressed his forehead against hers.
“I still love you, Brian.” she whispered, shivering.
“My Ruby, my sweet Ruby... I've never stopped loving you.”
She smiled and wept with joy. They kissed again and again, as if they've never kissed before. As if it was the first kiss and also the last.
“Love, I really have to go now. I'm going to be late.”
“Even later than Roger?”

“Oh yes!” he giggled. He kissed her again and went down the three steps. He waved at her, blushing and walked up to his car that wasn't far. He unlocked it and opened the door before sneaking inside. He put on his seat belt but didn't start up; he was absently staring into space, his mouth slightly opened in a smile. With his fingertips, he stroked them, right where she'd kissed him.
As for Ruby, she was still standing at the doorstep. She was blushing and weeping with joy. She pressed her back against the door and let herself slip to the floor. Eventually, she watched Brian's car driving away.
“I love you, Bri.”