Chapter 70: Chapter 70
Two years later.
"Ruby, why on earth have you chopped all of your Barbie's hair off? This one is completely bald!" I scold her, holding up three different dolls. She looks up at me, her eyes innocent and wide before shrugging. I let out a sigh, placing down the Barbie's back into her toy box.
"She doesn't like Barbie dolls Muffin. I caught her the other day trying to bite Cindy's head off." Jake chuckles, leaning down to pick Ruby up. He holds her up high in the sky and she giggles loudly, thrashing around in his hold.
"Daddy!" Ruby squeals, her laughter filling the room. Jake beams widely from ear to ear, holding her near his chest. She begins to tug hard at his hair, her latest hobby.
"It'll never get old hearing her call me Daddy," Jake smiles, wincing as Ruby tugs slightly too hard on his hair strands.
"She said Mummy first," I smirk, leaning back proudly with my arms crossed. Jake narrows his eyes at me playfully —
"You're never going to let that go, are you?"
"Nope! Happiest day of my life," I grin, walking over to peck his lips. His free hand wraps around my waist, pressing me against him.
"Yucky Daddy," Ruby yells, slapping Jake's cheek. I gasp and pull back, struggling to contain my laughter. Jake's eyebrow raises high and he turns towards Ruby, slightly shocked.
"Who taught you how to slap cupcake?"
Ruby thinks hard, her dark lashes fluttering as she blinks.
"Uncle Tobias!" She screeches loudly, her arms flying out all over the place. I back up from her a little, scared that one of her chubby little fingers will end up poking my eye out.
"Uncle Tobias! Yucky Daddy!" Ruby continues to yell and Jake shakes his head, placing Ruby back down onto the floor. She waddles around the room, bending down to grab her toy hammer before taking off in a stumbling sprint.
"I think we need to have a word with uncle Tobias. . . " I murmur, wincing as Ruby's high pitched squeal fills the air.
"Yeah, he's not exactly making our job any easier," Jake chuckles, bending down to pick up all of Ruby's countless toys littering the floor. He picks up another one of her dolls and I glance warily at it, noticing she's missing an arm and one leg.
"I think our child has problems," Jake whispers over to me loudly and I nod my head, agreeing.
"We should start saving up for child counselling now. Them hour long sessions don't exactly come cheap," I chuckle, clearing the dining table. Jake glances down at his watch, muttering curse words under his breath.
"Muffin, I have to leave for work soon."
"I know Jake. Your lunch is in the kitchen and don't forget your ID badge." I say to him, walking over and wrapping my arms around his neck. I lean into his neck and inhale deeply, he always smells the best in this area.
"I'm going to miss you," I murmur, burying my face into his shirt. His arms wrap around me, pressing his scent into me so it lingers all around.
"I'm going to miss you more. It's only a weekend Muffin, I'll be back before you know it," he whispers, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. I nod because I know he's right but I still can't help but feel like I'm losing a part of me for a few days. Jake is now the assistant manager of the top Engineering company in the North. He loves his work and I love knowing he's safe and sound (despite the odd occasion where he could be electrocuted). Other than that, it's all pretty safe.
"Tobias is staying over whilst I'm gone. He'll keep you company."
"Tobias isn't you though," I mumble. It still amazes me how Jake is so comfortable with Tobias and I spending time together. Both of the men act like true brothers, their trust stronger than ever. Whenever Jake has to leave for work any longer than a day, Tobias stays over to make sure Ruby and I are okay. It's sweet of both of them.
"At least I'm on the straight and narrow now," Jake chuckles dryly, pulling back and studying my eyes. I nod my head, agreeing with him.
"No more danger. I'm proud of you," I smile, my words full of truth. Jake doesn't ever get caught up in trouble, fighting or gang drama anymore. The most danger he puts us in is giving Ruby a sugary drink before bed. She constantly giggles and runs around, climbing up and down the stairs and attempting to destroy everything in her reach.
"I'm proud of us," Jake smiles, running a hand through his dark hair. I gaze at him lovingly, taking in his sparkling blue eyes and heart stopping smile. Not to mention the thin line of dark stubble running along his jaw line, making him look older but so much more irresistible. I will always look into his eyes and be in awe of his beauty.
"Mummy! Daddy!"
I roll my eyes and Jake does the exact same as we both turn and head in the direction of our screaming child.
"Coming cupcake!" Jake yells back.
*****
"Frosties? I want Frosties," Ruby smiles, motioning at the cereal box. I read the sugar intake and let out a small groan, turning to give her a 'I can't believe I'm actually buying you this' look. Ruby beams widely as I drop the box into the shopping trolley.
She goes back to munching on her carrot sticks and I quickly grab all of the other groceries that we need. A familiar voice calling out my name makes me freeze on the spot and I spin around, coming face to face with my mother herself.
"Mum." I say bluntly, standing in front of Ruby protectively. I know she wouldn't try and hurt her but it's an automatic reaction.
"Mummy!" Ruby giggles behind me, her face and fingers covered in chocolate. I lean down and kiss her forehead quickly, soothing her.
"It's okay baby girl, I'm here."
Mum is standing a few feet away from us, her eyes wide and in awe as she tries to catch a better glimpse of Ruby. I peer into the crowds behind her, making sure Trevor isn't anywhere near us. I wouldn't allow that monster within fifty feet of my daughter.
"What do you want Mum?" I mumble, averting eye contact with her. It still hurt after all these years. The pain inside my heart has died down but every time I think of my teenage years, it slices freshly into the wound. I don't think the pain will ever fully disappear. Despite the saying, time cannot heal everything.
"How is she doing? She's grown up so much since I last saw her," Mum smiles, the skin around her eyes creasing. I blow out a deep breath, swallowing the lump in my throat.
"Are you still with Trevor?" I ask quietly, silently hoping and praying she's seen common sense. Mum clears her throat and drops eye contact with me. She doesn't need to respond, I already know the answer.
"I can't let you see my daughter if that monster is still with you Mum. I hope you understand why," I say bluntly, gritting my teeth tightly together. I've had this conversation several times with her and it always ends the exact same way. She chooses Trevor over me and her granddaughter. Ruby doesn't deserve that, she deserves so much more. She deserves a loving grandmother who wants to be in her life.
"I understand." Mum replies and spins on her heel, disappearing down the aisle. I close my eyes and breathe deeply, feeling a stab of pain go through my heart once again. Every time she walks away from Ruby and I, it hurt like hell.
A small hand reaching up to touch my cheek snaps me out of it and the darkness inside my heart begins to lift. I smile down at the light in my life who's beaming up at me. Her smile is the exact same as Jake's and seeing it warms my heart and provides me with comfort whilst he's gone.
"I love you Ruby," I murmur, resting my forehead against hers. She squirms underneath me, her stained hands reaching up to tug at my hair. I gingerly pull myself back, reaching for the baby wipes inside my handbag.
"Yucky Ruby," she giggles, clapping her hands together. I chuckle at her, nodding my head.
"Yes you are, yucky Ruby."
*****
I finish showering and step out, wrapping a towel around my hair. I change into my silk pyjamas and brush my teeth, listening out for any noise downstairs. Tobias is watching Ruby before putting her to bed. We're planning on watching a movie for the rest of the night with extra cheesy pizza.
It's Adam Sandler's latest released movie and I can't wait. I chuckle quietly at how drastically my life has changed. A few years ago, I was breaking Jake and Tobias out of jail and murdering their gang leader. Now a simple Adam Sandler movie gets my excitement levels rising. . . I wouldn't have it any other way.
I push open Ruby's bedroom door and expect to see her sleeping soundly but her bed is empty. I frown and begin to head downstairs, listening out for her or Tobias. The house is eerily quiet, not a single sound to be heard. My heart begins thumping against my chest as I turn on the lights, invading the darkness with light.
"Tobias?" I call out, my voice wavering slightly.
Silence.
"Ruby? Tobias?" I call out, desperately searching every room. Tobias wouldn't take her anywhere without telling me and I left them both cuddling on the couch a half hour ago. My mind spins into over drive and I begin to think the worst as every room I run into is empty.
"Tobias! Ruby!" I yell, becoming desperate.
"Emily!"
I hear my name being called from Tobias and I immediately spin around, my eyes wide. I begin to follow his voice as he continues to repeat my name, his voice drifting in from the back garden. I push open the patio doors, stepping out into the darkness of the night. My heart beats faster as I expect to find something seriously wrong.
I let out a gasp, my hand flying up to my mouth in shock. Our back garden is lit up with hundred of candles, their flame flickering slightly in the wind. In front of me, the question is spelled out in fairy lights.
Muffin, will you marry me?
Beside that, Jake is kneeling down on one knee, dressed in a charcoal black suit. His dark hair is combed back perfectly, eyes shining brightly. He holds out a small box, his hands slightly trembling. Another gasp escapes my lips as I stare down at the most beautiful ring. It shines brightly back at me, the reflection of the hundred candles flickering in the large diamond.
In the far end of the garden, Tobias is filming the entire thing, with a little help from Ruby. I can't tear my eyes off Jake and he's looking at me intently, his eyes searching mine. I feel like he's looking straight through to my heart, my heart that belongs to him.
"Emily, before you came into my life, all I saw was darkness. I didn't have a future, I didn't have anything. You light me up and the love I feel for you is indescribable. I would do anything for you Muffin. You've given me the most beautiful child and you've turned me into the best man I can be. I love how we've grown up together and now, I want to grow old with you too," he says softly, his eyes softening and filling with love. He holds out the box towards me, his hands trembling with nerves.
"Will you marry me Muffin?" He whispers, his eyes covered in a glossy sheen. I look at the man who's my first and only love. Every moment we've spent together and every memory we've created flashes through my mind and I can't stop the tears from falling. We've been through hell and back and now we're finally going to get our happily ever after.
"Yes, a thousand times, yes."
THE END.