Intertwined

Chapter Twenty

Ruby made it home safely and was emotionally okay. Bryce had called her until she answered an apologized about everything. He had no clue she was hired to sing at the wedding. It was all last minute. She didn't care. "Meet me at my house now. I need you baby." Was all she said before she hung up. She had been sad enough for the day. Ruby came in showered and ate the plate of food Shamari had waiting for her. She sat on the floor in her children's room and played the game with them as they spoke about life and their current long and short term goals. Even though her children were young she liked for them to have goals even if it were just a small one like read two books per week.

After a few hours the kids went to bed and Ruby went to sit at her desk and journal. She really loved to journal. She would look back over her experiences and see where she had improved and where she still had work to do. It was nice not being angry so often. Life was moving at a snails pace but it was moving. There was a knock at her door. She smiled as she opened the door. Bryce stood waiting at her door with a bouquet of roses and a small gift bag. Ruby ushered him in and lead him to the living room where she put the roses on display. They already came in beautiful crystal vase.

"Ruby I can't stay long. It's my wedding night. I stopped by to show that your feelings are important to me and I will do my best to make you happy." He kissed her on the cheek and handed her the gift bag. She eagerly looked inside to find a beautiful pair of ruby and diamond hoop earrings with a ruby and diamond bracelet. It was truly beautiful and a great damn apology. She knew what she was getting into. She also knew with the history between her and Carmine this was going to get ugly.

"Thank you, baby. I just needed some comfort." Bryce wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. She leaned into his chest. "Can you lay with me for just a few minutes?" she asked giving him her sad eye. "Come on." He removed his suit jacket and tie and cuddled in the bed with Ruby. Ruby snuggled up against his chest and relaxed to the sound of his heartbeat. She didn't know why but she knew she loved him. It bothered her that she was in love with somebody else husband but when he was next to her it didn't matter. When he held her it didn't matter. When he professed his love for her she believed him. She wasn't foolish enough to believe he didn't love his wife, nor was she naive enough to believe that he truly planned to leave the woman he just married without a prenup, but she was going to give him incentive enough to do so. She was still figuring out the how but she had many years to perfect it.

The sun woke Ruby as she rolled over already knowing Bryce would be gone. It was a beautiful fall morning. She wasn't going to mope around the house. She packed up her vlogging camera and tripod and got herself and the kids ready. She decided on a day at Governor's Island. Having another baby on the way it was important for her to spend as much time with her children as possible. With both mommy and daddy having babies she wanted to make sure they knew they were loved and irreplaceable.

They took tons of pictures and she recorded video clips of her impression of Governor's Island. The kids had an amazing time. As they rode the ferry back to Manhattan Ruby couldn't help but feel happy and content with her life. She really didn't have time for a full time man was her rationale. What she had with Bryce the way it was, was good enough for the moment. She recalled putting her life on hold to be the supportive wife when she was married to Jerrod. In the end she left her marriage having accomplished nothing. Now she wasn't putting nothing on hold for a relationship. It was good that Bryce had Carmine to be the trophy wife. Ruby had shit to do. When she was done she was coming for all of him.

Ruby uploaded pics from her day on facebook. She smiled when she saw she had a notification from Bryce. "I see y'all had fun best friend. Invite me next time." Oh she was best friend now. Cute. She responded, "will do best friend". She started editing her vlog to put on her channel when a knock came at the door. She wasn't expecting Bryce and she looked horrible. Scarf on her head, stretched out, faded t-shirt and grandma panties was going to have to do. She opened the door ready to smile until she saw Carmine's face.

"Hello Carmine. How can I help you?" She asked as sweetly as she could muster. "What is going on with you and my husband?" She asked getting right to the point. "I could answer that and put you out of you misery but I wont. You have some nerves coming to my home asking me about anything. Come back to my house and I'm a beat your ass. Okay?" Ruby closed her door. She could have told her everything but for what? Carmine would just start doing everything in her power to mess up what Ruby had growing. She would rather enjoy keeping her crazy like Carmine and Jerrod had done her.

Before she could make it to her bedroom there was another knock at the door. She continued to her bedroom and slipped into some sweatpants and sneakers. She was ready for all the shit. She swung the door open ready to light into Carmine ass. Instead of Carmine, Bryce was standing there. "Bryce I don't know what is going on but Carmine was just at my door thirty seconds ago asking me what is going on between us. It is nice having you as a friend but I am not going to be dealing with your psycho wife." Carmine hoped he picked up on her saying that Carmine was just at her door. "Wow, I am sorry Ruby. I got myself mixed up into a messy situation and I guess she is kinda on edge. I told her I was stopping by to bring you and the kids some of the cake and favors from the wedding since you left early. I didn't know that would come across the wrong way." He held up two bags with goodies in them. "The kids are sleep but I will be sure to show them everything in the morning." Ruby took the bags.

"Also thanks for all the work you have been doing mentoring me. Especially getting me to come down off of my high horse when it comes to Scarlet. She is truly a godsend . She is everything you said she would be. There was a time I couldn't imagine me ever liking her. Now I don't know how I ever had an issue with her. Thanks for really pushing me to make things right with her and I. When I make it big I owe you and her something major." She smiled. She didn't know where Carmine was but she knew she had to within earshot. Bryce had knocked at her door too quickly after she left Carmine standing in the hall. "I can't speak for Scarlet but I am certain she feels the same way I do. Making it big is thanks and appreciation enough. You deserve an amazing life." Ruby blushed. There was something in his eyes that told her he wanted to give her the amazing life she deserved if she was just patient enough. "Well thanks again Bryce. Goodnight." They waved and he left. Carmine didn't know who she was playing with. Ruby didn't come to play she came to stay.