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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 4151518" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Two-hundred-eighty-five, “The Wests Plans“, Thursday, June 22nd , 7:30 P.M.George awakens Ruby to let her know that all of the things that she requested have been purchased and that Mrs. Parker, Mrs. West, Benjamin and Nanuet will be dining with them in the hotel restaurant in a half hour.   Ruby stifles a yawn, still tired but not nearly as tired as earlier. She sits up in bed, "I feel much better. And hungry too, dinner will be nice." She stretches then climbs out of bed, wrapping herself in a sheet. She takes her time shuffling around the room, going through the new clothes. It wasn't exactly what she would pick but also wasn't completely unbearable either. There is an emerald green gown in the closet and she pulls it to look at it.   "Are we eating downstairs tonight?" She turns to face him and look at what he is wearing, "I mean, do I need my evening gown for dinner?"  George says, "I purchased one while you slept. It is mauve with white trim and should look striking on you.""Thank you darling." She kisses him lightly on the cheek before replacing the green gown and taking out the mauve one. "It's gorgeous!" she exclaims and really means it. Perhaps he knows me better than I thought she smiles to herself. She casually dresses, humming while she brushes her hair.  Adding new stockings and slippers, finally she is ready.  She spins around. "How do I look?" she beams, already knowing the answer.    He replies "Ravishing. Shall we go?""First you kiss me, then we go. That's how it works. That's how it's supposed to work for the rest of our lives, Mr. Eastman. Think you can handle that?"   He replies, "As long as we are together I will have no complaints. Come now, your family awaits and I'm still not sure that I trust your mother and grandmother in the same room together without a referee."   She says, "I agree with you about my mother and grandmother, but you still haven't kissed me," she says stubbornly. She stands tapping her foot for a moment before she sighs dramatically, "Fine," before she stands on her toes and kisses him herself. "I hope that's not going to be a habit," she teases before taking his arm.   He pulls her close and plants a long deep slow kiss upon her mouth and says, "And you dear lady need to learn to expect the unexpected, if I kiss you only at times when you ask I will become predictable."  Genuinely surprised, Ruby bites her lip and smiles, her heart pounding from the kiss. "Why George, I don't think you'll ever be predictable. You surprise me every day." She holds his arm close to her and says, "Now we can go to dinner." Nanuet waited downstairs in uncomfortable newly purchased clothing. He had not planned on this trip and had no other appropriate clothing with him. He tugged at the collar of the shirt and smoothed out his hair again. He paced back and forth waiting for Ruby and George to join him.  The pair head downstairs and over to the fidgeting Nanuet. "Good evening Nanuet." Ruby laughs. "Have you ever felt more out of place?"   He replies, "Well, probably the first time I put on an outfit like this I did, but I'll never get used to it. Where have you been, I am starving as usual!" he says with a laugh. "You look stunning as always. Congratulations to both of you again" Nanuet says with a smile. "And I am glad to see you in good spirits Ruby."   She says, "I do feel better my friend, although the truth is I feel like I could sleep for a week. I am glad you stayed around so we could spend some time together." She laughs lightly, "Good old Nanuet, always hungry. I am glad some things never change." A melancholy looks crosses her face for a moment before she smiles again, although it looks a bit forced.   "Have you seen my mother and grandmother? George is afraid they might try to kill each other."    Nanuet replies, "I haven't been looking for them, but I am sure they are nearby. Is everything OK?""Hmmm..." Ruby taps her lips while scanning the area for the women, "I suppose I have never told you about my upbringing, have I? Oh well, not much time for that now. I ran away from home when I was younger. My parents do that high society thing. My grandmother was cast out of my family for having abilities like I do. Neither I, nor my grandmother, get along with my parents. My mother has seemed to have a chance of heart. I'm not sure how truthful it is, but the goddess Aphrodite has told me it is so. So, I guess we're giving her another chance."   She looks at the puzzled Nanuet. "Obviously that's the short version."They make their way over to a table where Nana is engaged in a lively conversation about her life to Benjamin in the seat beside her. Alma west is seated on the other side of Benjamin with facial expressions ranging from curiosity to disgust at the sound of Nana's various adventures.  Ruby strides up to the table. "Evening everyone. Nana's telling stories about her exciting adventures I see. I'm totally jealous of all the fun she's had."   Mrs. Parker smiles and says, "Ah, but my adventures are not yet over and done with. I hope to be able to continue them in the company of my grandchildren."   Nanuet says, "It's not too late to have fun of your own Ms. Ruby, although I will admit that I am impressed by your Nana, she has amazed me in the little time I have spent with her."   Ruby replies, "She is quite impressive, I agree," Ruby beams. "And I plan to have many adventures with her in the future. I can't wait!  Of course, I believe my next adventure will be with George, on our honeymoon. Right baby?""I dare say that we will have many adventures together," George replies.  Alma interjects "Before you plan on running off with my son Mother I think that the boy's father might have a word or two about that." Nana replies, "Yes, I fully agree. I trust that you will allow me to join you on this trip to Baltimore tomorrow." Alma replies, "Yes, you are all welcome to join us."  Ruby furrows her brows. "What are you talking about mother? Who is running off with Ben?"Alma says, "You grandmother wishes to include both of her grandchildren on her further adventures. Now that I have a family together, hopefully with a new father, a real father, for the young man I was hoping we could all just stay put for a while."   Ruby says, "Of course she wishes to know us. You and father kept her from me all those years and she wouldn't want that to be for Ben either. But I certainly don't think she wishes to abduct him." Ruby pauses momentarily. "It would be nice for us all to spend some time together as a family, get to know each other."Alma says, "I agree, it is long overdue."  Ruby replies, "Good. We should do that." She waves to the waiter, "I'm starving, let's order dinner."   After they order Ruby asks Nana, "Do you have to be back home soon? You mentioned James was traveling?"   Alma says, says, "Yes, he is down in Florida on a archeology dig at one of the earliest Spanish fortresses in North America. He wanted to do something totally unrelated to his political research in order to have those men give up on following him around. So no, I do not have to necessarily hurry back to Tarrytown."Ruby says, "That sounds exciting! But I'm glad you didn't go with him or you wouldn't be here now.  What time do you want to leave tomorrow? I have a little errand to run, I thought I'd take Nanuet with me, but it won't take long."   Nanuet says, "Making plans for me are you? Is this errand a secret or can you share it's purpose. I suppose either way you can count on me being there for you Ms. Ruby."  She replies, "Just a little shop I want to visit before we go. No big deal." She gives Nanuet one of her patented mischievous glances.    Alma says, "Will you errand take long? I plan to be on an 11:00 AM to Baltimore."   Ruby says, "No, I'll promise to be done and ready by then. I think we'll be going to bed early tonight."  Nanuet exclaims, "What's this? Ruby in bed early and planning on being somewhere before noon? I think you may actually be growing up!" Nanuet says with a silly grin before shoving in more food.  Ruby laughs. "I'll never grow up!" She says, "How about you meet me at 9:30 A.M. tomorrow morning Nanuet? That way George will have some time alone to take care of his business at home, let them know he won't be home just yet." Ruby laughs, "Or is that too early for you?"  Nanuet shakes his head. "I might need a nap by then! 9:30 it is, you can count on it."   Ruby places her hand over his. "I know, I can always count on you. And I'm very lucky for it."   She looks around the table. "Yes, I'm feeling very lucky lately. And loved. Which is all I ever really wanted." She blushes a little before changing the topic of conversation.  "You know Ben, I've had some adventures too. Some of them have been funny and some have been really scary but it's always worked out in the end." She goes on to entertain them all with stories of the Wild Wild West, cowboys and Indians style, with Nanuet adding some spice along the way. Ben is enthralled but Alma keeps the same curious to disgusted look on her face, although Ruby can tell she is trying to hide it. Dinner seems to fly by with all the stories being passed around. Ruby catches herself yawning again and hadn't realized just how tired she still was.  "I think that my sweetie and I should retire for the evening, I'm still very tired." Her hand finds its way to her neck and the bite marks that still remain there. She rubs her neck for a moment before realizing it and forcing her hand away. She had a sinking feeling that Colin Turner was never really going to leave her alone.  She says, "Anyway, will everyone else be turning in for the evening?"Nana says, "Yes, it's been a long day and many of us didn't get a full night's rest last night." Alma says, "More like all of us unless you count attempting to sleep on a moving train."   "Alright then, good night everyone." Ruby gets up from the table and kisses the cheek of each person in turn. When she gets to her mother she pauses, but does it anyway. She takes George's hand and Nanuet accompanies them to the stairs. "I'll see you early tomorrow Nanuet. Don't be late!" she teases. George walks Ruby up to the room and they both head inside. Ruby starts to undress.   "I really am tired, I will sleep like a log." She takes a breath in, "Will you stay here with me tonight?"  George keeps his voice low so that Alma doesn't hear "Of course I will darling, let's just wait until you mother and brother are settled down in their rooms first."   Ruby nods. "Of course. Go wander the hallways or get a drink and come back when you can." Ruby gives him a kiss and continues to undress. She puts on the new nightgown George chose for her, surprisingly it was not too conservative. She climbs into bed and waits for George to return.A half hour later George returns and lets her know how much he appreciates her both verbally and physically.   After their me time, Ruby lays in George's arms, cuddled close, her eyes heavy. She lifts her face to look at him, handsome and content, he was staring back at her.   Ruby says in a soft voice, "Baby, I want to get married in Promise City. I think it would be really special to have my friend marry us and I really want to have all my friends there. We can have that ceremony in Promise City then come back to the East to have the Roman ceremony here with whomever you want. You can make it as big as you'd like but I'd really like to have a ceremony in Promise City. Please say yes..." she says, giving him the biggest puppy dog eyes she can manage, Pleeeaassase..."George strongly disagrees to a Promise City marriage, stating that the place where he was almost hung to death does not have pleasant memories for him and not how he wants to start out their new life together. He will also point out that a Rochester wedding would be far more convenient for family and friends. He suggests that they have an engagement party instead at the El Parador to celebrate the entanglement."Hopefully Dorita will want to give us an engagement party at the El Parador anyway..." Ruby puts on a dazzling smile as she climbs on top of George. "Georgie...," she kisses him lightly on the lips, "At least let's visit there and see if you feel differently about the place, I swear you are going to. I'm not saying we have our official fancy schmancy legal wedding there. I would just really like for Nanuet to perform a ceremony of his people with my friends there for us. Most of them won't be able to make it here and it's important to me." She kisses him again, even lighter, "Just don't say no, let's think about it, please?"George replies, "Ruby, I am saying no. My mother is in poor health and would not be able to travel to Arizona. Alvina and Rosaire have been like a second set of parents to me, but I doubt that I could convince them and William to leave the affairs of the house for a few weeks, nor could I easily close down the factory for two weeks for my other managers to attend out west in a town where the populace tried to kill me! I don't even want to ever visit there again, yet alone celebrate what should be the most important day of my life there."Ruby furrows her brows together and rolls off of George. She sits up in the bed, "Wait - why do you get to make the decision and say no to the most important day in OUR life because you want your family and friends there but I'm not suppose to want my friends, the people who have been my family, the people who I would not even be here without, there? That's not fair. Why do you get to make the decision without me?"  After she is finished speaking she looks at him for only a moment before she plops her head down on the pillow, her arms crossed over her chest.George says, "Ruby, it isn't so much the friends but family. My mother has sacrificed herself for me her entire life and her presence this is something she would have always wanted, it would break her heart to miss it. I have no problem with your friend Nanuet performing the ceremony and will pay for as many of your friends as you would like to come East to attend."Ruby's arms fall off her chest in a defeated way and she sighs as she rolls on her side to face George. "I don't want your mother to miss it either. Your mother was always kind to me and if after everything she still is happy for you to marry me then I wouldn't want to do anything to upset her. After all, she's giving me you, right?" She pauses, glancing at the ring on her finger sparkling in the moonlight, before speaking again. "I guess the other details don't matter."  He replies, "All that truly matters is that we are together." He pulls her close and a slow passionate kiss follows.The next morning surprisingly Ruby is ready early as she said she would be. She takes Nanuet and they make their way over to “Cooke and Sons.” She leaves Nanuet outside and she enters to get the information she wants. She uses her charm, good looks, low neckline and her family name of West on the Cooke men, pretending to be looking for scribing services for her family here in Philadelphia. She could see the resemblance of Jake to his father and brothers and it made her miss her old lover but there was no time for that so she pushed him out of her mind for the time being. It was as easy as she thought it would be to get the information she wanted and she left the office with a smile. Next Ruby and Nanuet head over to the address she had lifted from the Cooke family office, their family residence. It took little effort for her to suddenly be standing face to face with Jake’s mother, telling her only that she was a friend of Jake’s. She spent the next half hour speaking to her about her son, what he was up to, all the good things he’d accomplished, the land he owned, the friends he’d made, how he stood up to the bad guys to protect them all. How they should all be very proud of him, even if he was different than how they hoped he’d be. She told Jake’s mother that he missed her and most especially his sister, and that Ruby was certain he would one day head out to California to search her out. Jake’s mother was crying and hugging Ruby as they tried to leave, thankful for the knowledge that her youngest son was alright. A couple of times Ruby got the impression his mother guessed there was much more to their relationship than Ruby was letting on but she wouldn’t admit to being anything but a friend. She kissed the woman’s cheek as she said goodbye and implored her to try to write to Jake when she could. Satisfied, she returns with Nanuet to the hotel. On the way back Ruby asks him if he would consider giving her and George the marriage blessing ceremony of his people some time in the future. Nanuet questions Ruby as to her real motivation behind leaving Jake and so quickly agreeing to marry George but she only smiles and answers that she loves him, telling Nanuet not to worry. He tells her if that is what she really wants he will do it, whether here on the East coast or back in Promise City.    Mina, Alma, Benjamin, George and Ruby bid farewell to Nanuet, who decides to take his time returning to Promise City to see the country, initially heading back to New York City to see John Harbrace. Mina, Alma, Benjamin, George and Ruby head off down to Baltimore to see Lucas Burnham, who despite Alma’s worries is overjoyed to have her and their son finally by his side. He is even glad to see Ruby and have her back in Alma’s life. Many plans are made for the future but none finalized, although it seems likely he will return to Rochester to live with Alma and continue his business there, especially now that William West would be gone. Ruby, George and Nana only stay a few days, leaving the new family time to get acquainted. Alma tells Ruby she will be home soon and would like to see her when she returns. Much to everyone’s surprise, she even tells Nana she wishes for her to be a part of Ben’s life.</blockquote>

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