Chapter 44: Chapter 44

I throw a blanket down to the floor, creating a make shift bed in the corner. The room is dark and the only light comes from the hospital machines. A curtain is drawn around my parents for privacy as they sleep. Woody enters the room, holding a takeaway bag of food.

"You got the goods?" I ask him, patting the seat next to me. He holds the bag up and grins, sitting cross legged beside me.

"The room looks so empty now everyone is gone." Woody comments, his words spoken in a low whisper so he doesn't wake my parents. They're both sedated on medication so they wouldn't wake even through a zombie apocalypse.

"I haven't seen everyone together in a room since I was a toddler." I tell him, pulling my food out of the bag. I pause and look up at Woody —

"Do you think I made the right decision? In keeping Jasmine alive?" I ask him. He barely hesitates before responding, his dark brown eyes fixed on mine.

"Yes, I honestly believe you did. You have a good heart, Ruby. I'm proud of you." Woody says softly. He reaches forward, cupping my cheek with his hand. His fingers play with the strands of my hair and I close my eyes, enjoying his touch.

"I have to get something off my chest before it drives me crazy," Woody murmurs, leaning in closer. I suck in a breath and hold it, knowing what's about to come. I open my eyes to find him an inch away, his eyes filled with nothing but love and wanting.

"What is it?" I whisper, my eyes dropping down to his lips. I subconsciously lean forward, closing the distance between us.

"I love you." Woody tells me, resting his forehead against mine. It feels like my heart is bursting straight through my chest and I breathe out shakily.

"You do?" I ask him, goosebumps appearing all over my bare arms. Woody nods, his lips twitching upwards into a smile.

"I really do. I want to give you the world, Ruby Melvin." Woody tells me, his thumb stroking my cheek. I bite my lower lip, unable to contain my glee.

"Who'd have thought the annoying girl Tobias bought home with him would turn out to be the girl I fell madly in love with?" Woody chuckles, his eyes searching mine.

"You're a fool," I tease him playfully. His eyes fall to my lips and he leans in closer —

"I must be to fall for you," he responds playfully, his words spoken in a hushed whisper. His hand disappears inside my hair and he pulls me towards him, closing the distance between us. As soon as his lips touch mine, fireworks explode in my stomach.

I kiss him back fiercely, looping my arms around his neck. Just like him, everything about the kiss is completely and utterly perfect.

*****

Two weeks later

"Ruby Melvin, get your butt down here right now!" Dad yells, his voice booming through the house. I roll my eyes and Tori freezes on my bed, her eyes widening.

"Ooooh, he doesn't sound happy. What have you done?" Tori asks me, bouncing up and down in excitement at the drama about to unfold. I lean forward and shove her, causing her to flip backwards and land on the floor with a soft thump.

"Hey!" Tori protests, giving me a hard glare.

"I'm making up for lost time of annoying you." I respond to her, sticking my tongue out. She crosses her arms and huffs dramatically. I bite back a laugh and head for the stairs, ready to see what my father wants.

"Ruby!"

"Keep your hair on Grandad, I'm coming!" I yell back, taking the stairs two at a time. I enter the kitchen to find Dad pacing the floor with a letter in his hand. Mum is leaning against the kitchen counter, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"What is this?!" Dad yells at me, holding the letter up. I shrug my shoulders, completely oblivious to what he's holding in his hands.

"Daughter of the year award?" I question sarcastically. My response doesn't earn a laugh from anyone. I bite the inside of my cheek to prevent myself from making anymore sarcastic remarks.

"This letter says you were expelled from school two months ago!" Dad reveals, his arms flying all over the place. Realisation dawns on me and I wince, my eyes dropping to the floor.

"It wasn't my fault, I swear! This boy was trying it on with me and I hit him and then these girls were bullying Tori and I confronted them and then Patrick, the principal — " I babble on desperately, trying to win them round. Dad holds up a hand, signalling for me to stop.

"You're unbelievable, Ruby." Dad shakes his head, placing the letter down onto the kitchen table. I blow out a deep breath, remembering the promise I made to them two weeks ago.

"I'll fix it. I'll go down there tomorrow and grovel for forgiveness. I'll get on my knees and beg Patrick to take me back." I tell them firmly. Dad turns to look at Mum, looking half convinced.

"She's going to kill us from a stress induced heart attack, isn't she?" Dad comments bluntly. I gasp and clutch my chest, mocking hurt.

"Dad! Don't say such an awful thing!" I warn him, my voice high pitched. Mum's eyes flicker over to me and she smirks, biting back a laugh. I grin at her, knowing I'm already off the hook.

"Leave us alone for a minute Ruby so I can talk to your father." Mum says, giving me a raised eyebrow look. I salute her and turn around, heading for the front garden. I can't help but grin despite almost being disowned by my raging father. I've missed normal family life and I wouldn't change it for the world.

I prop myself up on the garden wall, leaning back to look at the sky above me. The clouds float past slowly and I smile, loving the normality. The rumble of a bike engine disrupts my peace and I glance down, meeting eyes with Woody.

He pulls his helmet off his head and parks up, his hair falling over into his eyes. Upon noticing me, he grins and tucks the helmet under his arm. I jump off the wall and run towards him, flinging my arms around his neck.

"Missed me?" Woody asks, burying his face in my neck. I murmur a soft response as he places quick kisses along my neck.

"Why are you sitting outside alone? Who did you piss off this time?" Woody asks, his brown eyes lighting up with amusement. We both begin heading back inside the house, hand in hand.

"My Dad. He found the letter about me being expelled. I should have known Patrick would have betrayed me like that." I groan. Woody laughs heartily, leaning down to plant a quick kiss on my cheek.

"It's a good job your Dad loves me, huh? I bet I can win him round," Woody grins. I nod my head, agreeing with him.

Dad and Woody get along like a house on fire. Woody is like the son he never had but always wanted. Uncle Tobias and Woody moved back home to live closer to us and I couldn't be happier. Tobias agreed he feels closer to Trish when he's home. I know his heart will always belong to Trish but I can't help but hope he finds someone else to love and be loved by.

Its heart warming to see Woody finally realise he has a supportive and loving family around him.

We may be crazy and drive each other absolutely wild but at the end of the day, the Melvin family all have one thing in common. . .

We have each other's backs.

THE END.