Orange

Ruby's eyes crept open slowly, reluctant to get up and start the day. With much effort she sat up and slid her legs off the bed and her feet into slippers. She gave one last glance at the other side of the bed and gave a longing sigh to see once again it was empty.

She grabbed the cane resting on the nightstand and used it to pull her up. She used it to support her in her walk over towards the mirror of her room. Looking into it she began to comb her hair.

When she was done she took a moment to look and see how much she had changed from when she was younger. She was now hunched over and had to use the cane to move anywhere. Her face was covered in wrinkles and her hair seemed to be content in a halfway state between black and gray. Her eyes no longer radiated innocence but instead great wisdom. She smiled thinking that she looked pretty good for her age. If one thing still remained from when she was young it was her smile. That never changed.

With a wobbling hand she turned towards the door of her room and opened the door. When she opened it she slowly crept out into the hallway and down the stairs into her kitchen. Thus she began the normal routines of daily life: eating, cleaning, and enjoying her retired life.

She didn't care too much what she did as long as at least one thing involved was orange. That was a rule of hers. Not only in hobbies but in the house as well. At least one object was orange within eyesight from anywhere in the house. It hurt every time she saw it but it always reminded her of good times.

Today she checked her scroll out of habit to see if she got any messages from her friends. With a sigh she had to remember that they've been long gone. Her reminiscing was interrupted by a ring at her doorbell. Her grief was immediately forgotten and she greeted her guests with a smile that could cure cancer.

She could see a congregation of fifteen or so people all waiting at her doorstep. In a unanimous cheer they yelled "Happy Birthday!"

She felt like she could cry she was so happy. Her family walked inside and she received a hug from each and every one. Her daughter was there, so was her son-in-law, as well as her grandchildren, and last but most certainly not least, her great-grandchild who was no more than a few months old.

They carried with them all sorts of foods and games that led to great merriment. Ruby could easily describe it as one of the best days of her life. Time flew by mercilessly fast and before she knew it the day was coming to an end.

Ruby was cradling her great-grandchild in her arms when she was made aware of the time. She asked for another five minutes and her wish was granted. She then looked at the child in her arms with renewed interest, knowing something about herself that nobody else did. She held her finger against the baby's hand and the baby instantly grabbed it and refused to let go. The baby then opened its eyes and looked at her with emerald green eyes that she knew more about than the child ever could. She became teary eyed when she saw this combined with a little puff of orange hair on the boy.

Eventually the day did come into and end and she had to wish them all goodbye. They all left except for the last one to remain being her daughter. Hope tilted her head slightly and put a hand on her mother's shoulder. "Are you alright? You've been off all day. I know that your 100th birthday only comes around once but you've been treating this differently than you ever have before. What's wrong?"

Ruby knew what was wrong. She knew that today would be the day from the second she woke up. But she could not tell anyone. If she did then they'd all try to do everything to stop it which was the last thing she wanted. If it was her time then it was her time.

She looked up at her daughter and smiled. "Nothing dear. I've just been appreciative of everything that I have and I've been blessed to see such wonderful things. Now scurry along, you've got family waiting on you."

Hope reluctantly did as her mother requested but when she was in the doorway Ruby called out to her.

"Hope?"

"Yes?"

"Can you come visit me again tomorrow? I know you've spent all day today with me but I'll need your help with something tomorrow. Something I can't take care of myself."

"If it's that important then I can help you now if you wa-"

"No, no, tomorrow. It has to wait until then."

"Um… Alright?"

Ruby turned to let her go but immediately turned back. "Oh, and Hope? One last thing and then I'll let you go."

"What is it?"

"I just wanted to thank you, for being the best daughter a mother could ask for. I love you."

Hope went up to her mother and gave her a loving hug. "I love you too Mom. I'll be here tomorrow morning just liked you asked. Ok?"

"Thank you dear. Thank you for everything."

With that Ruby waited and watched the last fleeting color of Hope's orange hair leave with the closing of the door behind her. Ruby then made her way to her bedroom afraid but yet also happy.

Ruby did the reverse actions of her morning routine and finally laid herself to bed. When she did so she stared up at the ceiling thinking, thinking about everything there was to think.

She turned to look at her nightstand that had her cane, Melodic Cudgel, and picked it up laying it on her. She looked to the other side of the bed to see it empty as usual. "Soon," she whispered. "Sooner than you think. You don't have to wait for me anymore."

She laid the handle of the cane against her chin and there she could still detect its lingering scent. Its lingering scent of him. She closed her eyes allowing a lifetime of memories to flood over her. While there was more pain and suffering than anyone should ever endure there was so much happiness and joy that it was all worthwhile.

When her memories caught up to the present everything turned black for a few moments before gradually fading into a lovely orange. Then she could see him, it was really him. His arms were outstretched and he had the smile of pure happiness on his face. She couldn't help but shed tears of joy as she ran after where he stood. Her body changed from her frail form back into her body of her mid-twenties while his changed into no older than thirty. She collided with him in a massive hug and embrace, crying into his shoulder.

Roman returned the embrace and asked "Did you do everything you wanted?"

"Yes, goodness yes!" She exclaimed before cupping his cheek to bring him into a loving kiss. She could feel the warmth of his body and heat of his breath.

The kiss broke and he asked "Are you ready to go?"

She thought back towards her family and looked behind her to see a sleeping figure of her elderly body in bed. She looked back at Roman and said "Yes. I'll miss them but eventually we'll all see each other again, won't we?"

"Of course," he said while he pulled her into his embrace once more.

Ruby nestled her face into Roman's neck and breathed in his scent and was absorbed by the feeling of his love surrounding her, forever and forever.

Appreciate life