Page 70 of Saved By Love at Christmas
RUBY
After we’d had a very light breakfast, we opened our presents, and then we headed out for a walk along the River Deben with Fred. It was still quite early and very few people were about. We saw one little girl riding her bike, a Christmas present, no doubt. She was laughing. This was what Christmas was all about. People spending quality time with their loved ones, smiles on their faces.
It was mid-morning by the time we got back. Time for a mince pie and a cup of tea. But not too much because we had our feast to eat. Marie and Grandad were sharing a private conversation, but every now and then, they’d look my way and smile. Ben and I headed for the living room.
“What are those two up to?” I inclined my head towards the kitchen.
Ben lifted a shoulder. “No idea. Probably working out how to cheat at Scrabble later.”
We didn’t play Scrabble in the conventional way but in teams of two. Marie and Grandad always teamed up andalwayscheated.
“Hmm, perhaps.”
Once we’d eaten one of the biggest Christmas dinners ever, we cleared up. After another half hour of chatting around the table, Grandad brought out the Christmas pudding. Homemade, of course. Ben turned down the lights as Grandad doused it with brandy before setting light to it. The blue flames engulfed it, giving it a magical appearance; the scent of brandy and Christmas spices filled the air.
I put the light back on and got the dishes. There seemed to be a crack in the pudding, almost as if some of it was missing.
“What’s happened here, Grandad?” I asked as I studied it.
“Nothing, love.” Grandad winked at Ben and Marie but didn’t seem to realise I’d noticed.
What are they up to?
Ben placed a plate of pudding in front of me and I put some thick cream on it. I went to put my spoon in it when it connected with something solid. The three of them had gone silent. I shrugged and got the hard lump out with my spoon. It was a plastic box.
I frowned.
“A bit different from the usual silver sixpence,” I said to myself.
I opened the lid to find another box inside. This one was black velvet. My breath lodged in my throat as I opened what was obviously a ring box. It was a large, deep-red ruby, surrounded by tiny seed pearls set in a gold ring.
“What’s Nan’s ring doing in here?” I asked.
Ben’s chair scraped as he pushed it backwards, then he was down on one knee by my side.
“Ben?” My hand shook as I held the box open in front of me.
“I asked your Grandad for your hand in marriage. He offered me your nan’s ring as he knows how much it means to you. And I’d rather you had a piece of her with you to have throughout our married life.”
The room went still. Even Fred had popped his head through the door. Ben’s eyes fixed on me in adoration. My heart pounded.
“Um, Ben?”
“Yes?”
“You need to ask me the question.” I smiled.
Grandad and Marie laughed softly.
“Oh, um, yes. Ruby, I’ve loved you for so long and I never want to go another day without you by my side. Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” I yelled holding my ring finger out to him.
Now my life was complete. I was going to marry my best friend. Best Christmas present. Ever.
EPILOGUE
RUBY
