by Iris Bolling
Ruby, well, she filled her time simply holding his hand. Taking joy for feeling the strength and heat it generated each day.
Devin, he was the rock she never had before. Each day Ruby would go to Aaron's House, move a family in, set up all their services, then go to the hospital to be with her family. At night, she would go to Devin's place to cry. He would hold her through the night, then make sweet love to her each morning. She had no idea how she would have gone through this alone.
"You will never have to go through anything alone again." He would say. "I am here with you."
It was the night before Christmas Eve. The employee party and grand opening of Aaron's House was that evening. Ruby was torn when she woke up that morning. She reached over to his side of the bed but he wasn't there. Pushing her hair from her face, she sat up and looked around. He must be downstairs, she thought. Going through her morning routine, she took a shower, washed her face, brushed her teeth then headed downstairs in a pair of sweats, a tee shirt and bare feet.
The Christmas tree they'd put up the night her father was shot was in the corner as pretty as ever. It brought forth her second smile of the day. Devin brought the first. That morning after they made love, he discussed the situation with Tania. He decided she was not the best fit for the Human Resources position, but felt she was a victim. He allowed Ruby to decided Tania’s fate. She surprised him with her decision. Ruby thought Tania should work on the Red Slipper Incentive Program to improve her people skills. In addition she had to volunteer twice a week to work at Aaron’s House, reporting directly to Mr. X. That was about all anyone would be able take of Tania at the facility.
Walking down the stairs still admiring the tree, she heard her mother's voice. Was she crying?
"Mom," Ruby rushed down the steps.
"Hey," Sally hugged her daughter. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"No," Sally rubbed Ruby's arm to calm her down. "I came by to see you."
"I can get dressed and go to the hospital with you."
Devin walked by and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll be upstairs.
"Okay," Ruby said as she watched her mother.
"Devin came to the hospital this morning to ask your father for your hand in marriage. He told him, he would wait until he was able to walk you down the aisle."
"Devin did that?"
Sally nodded. "Yes, he did." She fought back tears. "He loves you so much Ruby. And I'm not going to answer for your father. We're going to wait until he can tell Devin yes." She pulled out a tissue to wipe her nose. "I want you to go to the party tonight. The girls have picked a beautiful dress for you. Miranda has something special planned for your father. You have to represent him."
"Mommy I don't want to go to a party while Daddy is..."
"Ruby Marie Lassiter you are going to do this for you father and for me." She kissed her daughter’s cheek. "Now, Phire is waiting in the car to take me back to the hospital."
"You're letting Phire drive?"
"Yes, it's time for her to grow up."
"Take plenty of pictures," Sally ordered as she put on her coat and scarf. "I'll see you tonight and tell me all about it."
Ruby watched her mother walk out the door. She went upstairs and found Devin sitting in the chair in front of the fireplace. He had made the bed and a beautiful red gown was lying across it. She felt the smooth material and marveled at the red diamond heels next to it.
"The dress is from your sisters. The shoes from Pearl."
Ruby laughed as tears rolled down her cheeks. Devin held his hand out. She took it, sat beside him and marveled in his warmth. "Your father told me once, I would find the right gem to light my way. He was right. I found a Ruby and now I can't imagine my life without you." He kissed her temple. "I know deep down you have an old fashioned family. So I'll do things the old fashioned way. I asked your father. As soon as he gives me an answer, I'll ask you."
"What happens if he can't answer?"
He held her a little tighter. "Oh, he will. I believe, he will."
EPILOGUE
"Good evening one and all," Miranda began as all the Upton employees and new residents of Aaron’s House gathered around the stage with the huge Christmas tree as its backdrop. "What a wonderful way to celebrate the season. Families finding new homes. Employees gathering together to share some cheer." She paused. "Two years ago around this time I lost the love of my life Aaron. Tonight I am channeling him to be my angel. I know this is a joyous occasion, but someone we all love is in need of prayer. There are approximately three hundred of you here tonight. If you all would form circles and join hands." Miranda watched as people began to join hands. "Ruby, you come up here with me."
She squeezed Devin's hand. "I can't," she mumbled. "I’ll breakdown."
"And we will be there to pick you up." He took her hand and walked her up to the stage. Mr. X who was one of the maintenance people for the building made his way to her. The young boys from the shelter and their families were there. The veteran and his family and others, all formed a circle. The lights were lowered, allowing the tree to illuminate the room.
"Father," Miranda began. "I need your help tonight. Would you send Aaron to talk with Joe? His family needs him to come back to them. Don't take him away from this wonderful family you gave him. I believe this is why you took Aaron. For this very moment. You knew he would be needed. Put him to work tonight. Tell him Devin and I love and miss him dearly. But it's time for him to earn his wings. Send Joe back to us. Let us say the Lord's prayer together."
The room filled with voices as tears rolled down Ruby's face. She wasn't alone at all. Every person in that room was there in prayer with her. Her heart was so filled with warmth, she cried out. But the prayers did not stop. They continued to flow.
At the hospital, Joshua was sitting with his father as Sally read a scripture from the Bible. Phire came running into the room.
"Roc," she was pointing.
Sally looked at Joshua, then back to Phire. "What are you doing?"
Phire ran over and grabbed Joshua's hand pulling him from the chair just as Roc appeared in the doorway.
"This is coming out of me tonight."
Joshua jumped up. "The baby?"
"No, the damn Easter bunny. Yes, the baby."
"Mom, I got to go." He kissed her cheek. "Dad the baby is coming." He stopped to see his father’s eyes on him. "Dad."
Sally looked over and gasped. "Joe," she cried. And asked someone to get the nurse. "Joe" she touched his face as a teardrop fell to his cheek. "Joe," she smiled, then gently kissed his lips.
"Daddy," Phire stood behind her mother,
The nurse came in checking his vitals. "Mr. Lassiter," she held a light to his eyes. "Welcome back. Can you blink for me?"
Joe blinked his eyes and Sally cried more. "That's good Joe."
"Do you know who this pretty lady is?"
Joe smiled. He licked his lips. "My sweet Sally," he whispered.
"How did you luck up and get such a pretty one," Dr. Patel asked as he rushed into the room.
Joe looked up at Joshua. "Josh,"
"Joshua your father wants you," Sally moved aside.
Joshua put his ears down to his father’s lips and listened. He nodded his head. "You got it."
"What?" Phire asked as Joshua left the room.
"I'm going to have a baby."
Dr. Patel nodded to the nurse. "Will you get them down to obstetrics? We are going to have two miracles on this day. What do you say about that Joe?"
"Sounds good."
Sally broke down and cried.
Back at the center the prayer circle had just ended when Devin received a call. He looked at Ruby and smiled. "He said yes."
"Who said yes?" Ruby asked as she wiped tears from her eyes.
He waited for her to look at him. "Your father. He said yes."
"Okay," Ruby replied as she began gathering her things. "I want to go back to the hospital now to check on Dad. Mom was right. I ne
eded to come here tonight." She kissed Devin. "Thank you for bringing me. I'm going to say goodbye to the families. Will you get our coats?"
"Yes dear," Devin replied.
"Very funny," Ruby laughed.
It was a joyous sound to Devin. It was the first time she had really laughed since that night. "She's a gem," he heard a voice say. But when he looked around he only saw Mr. X.
"Did you say something?"
"No, I don't even like you."
"I remember," Devin said then smiled. "Merry Christmas Mr. X."
"What did you say to Mr. X to make him smile?" Ruby asked as he held out her coat.
"I asked him how he was going to be a maintenance person if he is half blind."
Ruby looked over her shoulder at him. "You did not?"
"It's a valid question," Devin laughed as he held the door for her.
Twenty minutes later they walked into the hospital to a crowd of people greeting them. Adam and Amber, Zack and Diamond, Theo and Pearl, Samuel and Cynthia, Opal and Grant, Jade, Mathew, Timothy and Luke
"Hurry Ruby, the baby is coming." Phire grabbed her and started running through the crowd of people.
"Wait," Ruby pulled back as she looked around. "Why is everyone here?"
Pearl, looked at Devin. "You didn't tell her?"
"I did," he nodded.
"Tell me what?"
Sally stepped outside the room and took Ruby's hand.
Ruby walked into her father's room to find him sitting up, looking right at her. Ruby fell to her knees next to his bed putting her head on his hand…
"Daddy," her eyes filled with tears as he gently rubbed her head.
"My precious Ruby." Joe whispered.
Devin knelt beside her holding her as she cried.
"The baby is here." Phire yelled to everyone.
"Baby?"
"Joshua's baby is here. It's a boy."
"Sally go," Joe said. Sally shook her head "Go." He repeated.
"I'll stay Mom," Ruby stood with Devin's help.
Sally kissed Joe then hesitantly followed the rest of the family to see the baby.
"Joe," Devin spoke. "I love your daughter."
"Which one?" was his weak response.
They all laughed, even the nurse who was in the room. "There are many."
"Your first gem. Will you give her away to me?"
"No," Joe then smiled. "I'll share her with you."
Ruby read the card on the bassinet, born at 12:01 am on December 24th, Joshua and Rochelle welcomed their baby boy Joshua Joseph into the Lassiter family.
"It's Christmas Eve," Devin smiled at the baby, then turned to Ruby. "It's time to go home."
She smiled brightly at him. "It's time to go home."
They walked outside the hospital at close to three in the morning.
"It's a good night to make love in front of the fireplace."
"I like that idea," Devin kissed her hand. "It's snowing again."
"Oh no. My shoes are going to get messed up." Ruby reached down to take them off."
"You planning on walking in the snow barefoot?"
"It's better than messing up my shoes."
"Hold on to your shoes." Devin picked her up in his arms and carried her to the car.
"I love you Devin Upton."
"I know," he grinned.
"Aren't you going to tell me you love me?" Ruby frowned.
Devin unlocked the car with the key fob then opened the door. Once she was seated, he took her shoes and placed them on the dashboard. Getting down on one knee in the snow, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a diamond solitaire ring, surrounded by sparkling rubies.
"I love you Ruby Marie Lassiter. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
At three o’clock in the morning, with snow falling around them, tears fell from Rubies eyes. “You really want to marry me?”
“Yes,” Devin replied, “Red slippers and all."