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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 4131685" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Two-hundred-eighty-two, “Reunited”, Thursday, June 22nd , 10:30 A.M. The bellhop awakens then at the appointed time of 10:30 and start to restudy their spells. The others are awakened and meet in the lobby. Kate looked much better after her tea-assisted sleep and the application of a Prestidigitation spell to her dress. "You all look a little better," she said. "We've arranged for a cab to pick us up soon. Do we need to leave a note for Mr. Eastman?" Gonzales says, "I assumed we would meet him at the train depot on our way to the cathedral." Kate replies, "Ah. I wondered why we didn't sleep a little longer." She put her arm around Ruby's waist since she still appeared weak despite her sleep. "Let's go out to the cab then and be on our way." Dark circles surrounding her eyes, her hair and clothes unkempt, her skin pale, it takes much effort for Ruby to arrive and gather with the others. "Yes," Ruby rubs her eyes, "I don't want to go without him. Let's go to the train station." They ride through the City of Brotherly Love to the train depot that they had been at during the early morning hours. They have ten more minutes until the train is scheduled to arrive. "Kate, do you need to check for telegraphs?" Ruby asks, looking around for a seat. Kate says, "No, honey. I didn't tell anyone exactly where I was. There's enough evidence of how fast I've traveled without leaving paper behind. Although I suppose the telegram does say where it came from. Perhaps I'd better. I'll be right back." Kate jumped down from the cab and walked over to the telegraph office and asked if any had arrived for her. While Kate went to check the office, Ruby found a bench where she could watch the train and passengers disembark when it arrived. She sits quietly, spinning the ring around her finger, the diamond catching the light and creating a rainbow around her. It makes her smile and even though she felt terrible her heart lifted a little knowing George would be with her soon. There is a telegram for Kate which reads:  Kate read the message over twice and swallowed against the lump in her throat. She missed Conrad more than she thought she could. Hurry home. She needed no extra inducement to do that. "Thank you," Kate said to the man at the office, then walked out to the bench where Ruby sat. "Conrad says I should hurry home," she said lightly, squeezing Ruby's hand. "Of course," Ruby smiles, although it is not her usual dazzling smile, "I'm sure he misses you. We all do when you are not around." Kate fought the urge to deny that. "I miss him more than I thought I would. Almost as much as I miss having you at home." She squeezed Ruby's hand again. "You'll have your George here to distract you soon enough." Ruby is quiet for a few moments. "Having a new love is not the same as having an old friend, no matter how you look at it. Lovers come and go but friends are forever. At least they are from here on out." Suddenly a little laugh escapes from Ruby's lips as she looks at her friend. "Almost dying sure makes you mushy." Kate replies, "Absolutely. It makes you reconsider what's important and what's not. And what's wrong with being a little mushy now and then?" Ruby laughs again. "Well, before recently I really wasn't the mushy type." She squeezes Kate's hand in return. "Maybe I can do it every once in a while..." They hear the distant train coming into the station. Nana comes over to Ruby and says, "He'll be here soon. You really love him don't you?" Ruby stands from the bench and hugs Nana. "I do, I really do. I've figured out there are lots of kinds of love and each one is special and different from the rest in it's own way. George loves me for me, he'll never break my heart, he'll always take care of me and he's just... just... amazing," she says with her eyes twinkling, as much as they can in her state. "I didn't get to tell you earlier..." She holds up her hand to show Nana the ring. "I said yes." Nana smiles and says, "Good, you need some stability after all that has been going through you life as of late." The train pulls into the station. George Eastman is the first person off the first car as soon as the conductor opens the door. Normally Ruby would be bounding across the station towards her lover but instead of wasting her little bit of energy she walks normally, letting him come to her. Her smile brightens as they close the gap between each other. George rushes up to Ruby and gives her a deep embrace and kiss across the cheek. He exclaims, "Oh Ruby, I was so worried." Ruby returns the embrace, burying her face in George's neck. Her brave exterior fades in his arms and she begins to cry. "I was too, I mean that... I would become one of.. of... him. But now you're here and we are going to the church so everything will be okay." He hugs and kisses her, this time on the lips. She kisses him back, uncaring of who was watching. Her heart starts to pound and even her energy seems to perk up a bit. After a few long moments together Ruby takes his hand in hers. "Let's get to the church. I'm still very tired and even a little hungry and I bet you are tried from traveling." She wipes her eyes before returning to the group with the smile still on her face. "Is everyone ready?" "Yes, of course. The Arch-Bishop will be waiting," Kate said and started back toward the cab. George says, "Wait. Ruby, I didn't ride down here alone." Kate stopped and turned, wondering who Mr. Eastman could have brought with him. A quick thought raced through Ruby’s mind but it couldn't be... "Oh? Who did you bring?" Ruby asked curiously. George replies, "Ruby, your mother and brother are both on the train. Mrs. West says that she will understand if you do not wish to see her. If you would rather not meet with her we can leave now." Ruby blinks a few times, momentarily unsure of how to react. She felt too tired and drained to fight with anyone but after what Aphrodite had told her perhaps... it was almost too much to hope. She keeps her composure and responds. "You told my mother and she asked to come along?” Kate stepped back up to stand next to Ruby in case she needed some support. Ruby replies, “I mean, yes, let's ask them off the train. Would you fetch them darling?" He says, "She and young Benjamin are on their way to Baltimore, for the boy to meet his father. She wanted to see you first and has been worried once I told her what had transpired." Ruby says, "Oh really? She's left my father? I... this is a lot to take in." She looks to Kate, almost helpless, unsure of how to proceed. Her mother had done so much damage to her and yet it was almost as if Ruby wanted to give her a fresh start. Ruby says firmly, "I would like to see them, especially my brother. I don't want to leave the East without seeing them again." "Find out from her," Kate said softly. Ruby nods, "I know, you're right." George replies, "I will get them." He heads back into the train. Nana approaches Ruby and says, "Give me strength, I think I would rather face another vampire than Alma." Ruby smiles, "I used to think she was a vampire." Kate was on one side of her, and she takes Nana by the other hand. "Aphrodite told me she's changed. Perhaps we should give her a chance and find out if it's really true." George returns. With him are Alma and Benjamin West, both wearing traveling clothes. Alma has a leather satchel over her shoulders. Mrs. West looks and Ruby and Nana and has an apprehensive expression on her face. Ruby says, "Hello Mother... Ben." She waits only a moment before scooping up the boy in her arms. Of course she's wobbly holding him but she squeezes him anyway and tries not to fall. She exclaims, "I couldn't wait to see you again." "We're going to see my Daddy," the boy tells Ruby. Ruby squeezes the boy. "Yes, that's so exciting! I imagine you'll love him Ben." Nana approaches Alma and curtly states, "So, this is the Grandson that you didn't even tell me existed?" Alma turns to her mother and states, "Yes, I am sorry. It was William who decided that. I...I don't know what to say." Ruby turns towards her mother. "Have you left Daddy then?" Alma replies, "Yes, he has returned to New York City and is meeting his lawyer today to file divorce papers. He will keep the house in the city and the one on the Hamptons. I will keep the home in Rochester." Ruby replies, "Well, I am not sure if that is good news or bad but I expect that it's good. And now you are going to see..." she let her voice trail off. She wasn't sure if her mother wanted everyone to know who Ben's real father is. "Will you be with him now?" Alma replies, "I...I do not know. I haven't had the courage to wire ahead, this will be a surprise visit. But in his letters he has stated that he has always wanted to see Benjamin. Constance...will you and George come with us?" Ruby's mouth drops open and she puts the boy down as he suddenly felt like a ton. Kate knelt down when Ruby put down her brother and smiled gently at the little boy, since the other adults were a bit absorbed at the moment. Ruby says, "I... I don't know what to say. I mean, I'm not sure what George's plans are, and my friends are here visiting," she waves her arms towards them. "May I have some time to think it over? Please stay with us here in Philadelphia. I need to get to the church, I'm still... ill and I need to be seen by the cleric." She unconsciously rubs the two obvious bite marks on her neck. "Perhaps after that we can have lunch and discuss it. Or I might need to rest and make it dinner. But please stay, since you aren't expected in Baltimore you should be able to." Alma replies, "Yes, whatever you wish. We will accompany you to the church if that is acceptable." Nana looks at her daughter and says, "You're made this trip without planning it out? I guess spontaneous actions didn't skip a generation after all." George says, "I will make arrangements for the luggage to be shipped to our hotel. Go and hire a second cab." Ruby nods. "Very well, come with us to the church. Let's get going, the Arch-Bishop will be waiting for us." Ruby begins towards the cabs but stops and smiles. "Mother, did George tell you our news? He's asked me to marry him and I've accepted." Alma replies, "Yes he has. Congratulations are indeed in order." They make their way to the cab stand. Kate, Gonzales, Nanuet, the still invisible Maska get into the cab they had taken to the station while Nana, Alma, Benjamin, Ruby and George get into the second. They head off in the direction of the Cathedral. Kate was grateful to climb back into the cab. "Well, that was interesting." She handed the telegram to Mr. Gonzales. "Seems we're not the only ones anxious to be home." This could be uncomfortable, Ruby thinks. Ruby says, "Well, it's strange circumstances we find ourselves in. But nonetheless, I am glad we are together. Perhaps we should take it as a sign that we should all try to get along, and I don't just mean today." As the carriage sets off Alma says, "Yes, I have been finding signs all around me as of late. If you hadn't returned and said what you did at dinner I doubt that I would ever have had the courage to leave him." She then adds, "I've also been inspired by a novel that I have read as of late." She removes a book from her satchel and states, "This is a work of fiction by a well respected author. The book is controversial, it talks of the acceptance of divorce, the status of women and the role of the family." Ruby sees the cover which reads "A Modern Instance" and the author's name William Dean Howells. "Howells you say? Isn't that the man we helped save from the fire?" Ruby asks Nana. "If it is the same, mother, we know where he is staying. Maybe we'll bump into him again." "The same," Nana replies. Ruby says, "What a coincidence! We didn't bother to ask him details about himself. I'm sure he would meet with us, if you wanted that is." Ruby is quiet, alternating looking at the boy and then out the window. She wasn't sure what to say in this tricky situation. Finally she speaks. "So what did the book say? About the status of women and the role of family?" Alma replies, "That women are more than man's property and that divorce should not stigmatize women. It speaks against double standards. These are brave words which changed my outlook, but they alone would not have spurred me to take action." Nana looks over at Ruby's rose and says, "Coincidence you say? Perhaps not, the gods seem to be watching over you my dear." Ruby smiles. "It does seem that Aphrodite herself has a plan for me. I used to think she abandoned me but I've been proven wrong a thousand times over. I've been trying my best to repay her for looking out for me." She pauses and looks around the cab. "And my family and friends too." She squeezes George's hand in hers. "And my new life wouldn't be possible without her so she deserves something in return." "Mother, you'll be much happier living a life with love in it and Ben will grow up to be a normal little boy with his father's love. It's the most important thing in the world." She smiles, "Love that is." Alma replies, "Thank you Constance. I regret so much that has happened and hope that we have a chance for a relationship again." A huge knot formed in Ruby's throat. When she was younger it was almost all she ever wished from her mother, her parents, for them to act like they wanted her and weren't always disappointed in her. Her mother having regrets and wanting a relationship now, it just felt like a dream. But even as much as she wanted it Ruby was hesitant to believe it all. She coughs to clear her throat, "I think we all have some regrets about the past." For a moment, Jake words about not having regrets danced through her mind but left as quickly as they came. It was going to take a long time before that stopped happening so frequently. At that exact same moment the carriage goes past a building in the financial district of the city and Ruby sees the sign "Cooke and Sons" on the side of the building. Ruby strains her neck, looking out the window at the office, trying to remember what street it was on. She had forgotten Jake was from Philadelphia and a sudden, huge curiosity overcame her. After all, she would be needing some exercise after she rested. Her thoughts are snapped back into reality by the little boys voice. Ruby says to her mother "Let's just take it slow and see how it goes, okay?" Ruby again puts the weary smile on her face. "Ben, why don't you come over here and snuggle with me? We're almost to the church so you won't have to suffer too long." "Do you really know the Archbishop?" the boy asks. Ruby smiles at him. "Yes, I do. Although I believe my friend Kate knows him better than I." She curls a finger at the boy, indicating he should come closer. He does so hesitantly but Ruby doesn't hesitate in gently grabbing him and putting him on her lap. "Are you interested in meeting him Ben?" She waits for the boys response and as she does she looks over his sandy hair and into his blue eyes. He was adorable and Ruby could even see little bits of herself in him. He smelled like clean linen clothes and soap and Ruby wondered if he'd ever been dirty in his life. He replies, "Yes, I never get to meet anybody." Ruby says, "Well sweetie, that's not true anymore, is it? You met me, and this is your grandmother Nana," Ruby points to their grandmother, "And now you will meet the Arch Bishop then your father. It's a very exciting few days for you!" Ruby kisses his chubby little cheek. It was apparent to everyone in the cab that she was in love with the little boy. Kate described for the others what had happened on the platform with Ruby's mother. "I'm sure it's very interesting in the other cab right now. Ruby's brother is a sweet little thing." She took a deep breath. "I hope the Arch-Bishop isn't offended that we have others with us." Gonzales replies, "Considering that Ruby is the one undergoing the cure and they are Ruby's family and fiancé I don't see why that would be a problem." The carriages soon arrive at the Cathedral and the occupants depart. The ArchBishop has been expecting them. Introductions are made and he begins the healing spell. Ruby breathed a sigh of relief once the spell started. She was worried that there would be some lasting effect on her, still worried she might turn into one of the creatures. She felt so exhausted, she almost felt like she was dying but had kept the thoughts to herself not to scare anyone. She tried to relax and let the spell do it's job, and after a quick glance to George she did. Ruby and the Archbishop both appear exhausted from the ordeal. The Archbishop says that he will go rest up so that he can cure Mr. Howells that evening.</blockquote>

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