Ruby sat across the booth from Emma, drumming her fingers anxiously. She watched as the blonde inspected the item inside the tiny, black velour box she had handed her. Emma turned the box from side to side. She pressed her lips together, nodding her approval before closing it.
"It's beautiful," she complimented, sliding it back across the table to Ruby.
The dark-haired woman sighed with relief and picked up the box from the table. "Thank you," she replied. Her brow scrunched together, still unsure. "Do you think she'll like it?"
Emma nodded a few times. "She'll love it."
The unsure expression did not fade from Ruby's face. "Do you think she'll say yes?"
"Are you serious right now?" Emma shook her head in disbelief. "Of course she will! She loves you."
Ruby raised her hand. "You're right. … I don't know what I was thinking." She placed the box inside her apron then rested her hands back on the table.
"When are you going to do it?" Emma inquired.
Ruby exhaled. "I'm not sure. I want it to be perfect. …" She ran her hand through her hair. "She deserves perfect." She smiled softly before looking at Emma. "I've never felt this strongly for anyone, you know? It's new … and weird … but weird in a good way. …" She squinted slightly, feeling as if she not only confused Emma, but herself as well. "That made sense, right?"
Emma nodded. "Absolutely." The blonde leaned back in the seat. "Speaking of new things … and things that are weird …" She paused and made a face. "To some people anyway …"
Ruby smirked. "Is this about you and Regina?"
Emma's eyes narrowed. "Yes … "
"I figured it out when you said things that are weird. ..."
"Shut up." Emma ordered, causing Ruby to laugh. The blonde rolled her eyes and continued. "How about dinner tonight? Just the four of us."
Ruby bit gently into her lower lip, rubbing her hands on the table. "I don't know, Emma. ..." She responded, shaking her head slightly. "I don't know if Belle has fully gotten over the whole 28 years in captivity thing and ..."
"Come on, Ruby ..." Emma pleaded. She leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the table. "You're my closest friend. I want us to be able to do the whole double date thing. …"
Ruby raised an eyebrow, a small smirk covering her lips. "Since when do you care about things like double dates?"
Emma shrugged. "I don't know. ... Since now…"
"This relationship with Regina has really changed you." Ruby noted, her grin widening.
Emma scowled at her. "Again … shut up," she muttered as Ruby chuckled lightly. She leaned forward again. "Come on. Will you ask Belle? Please?"
"Ask me what?" Belle inquired, causing both women to quickly look at her and Ruby to hope that the last part of the conversation was all she heard.
The brunette stared down at them, her usual quizzical look covering her innocent face. A slow smile formed on her lips as she looked from one woman to the other. Since neither spoke, she shrugged and slid into the booth next to Ruby.
Ruby's eyes followed Belle's movements until she was sitting next to her. She felt her heart start to speed up at the nearness of her love. "Hi ..." she greeted finally.
Belle smiled only for her. "Hi ..." she replied as she placed her hand on the side of her girlfriend's face and pressed her lips gently to hers.
The kiss lingered for a moment until Emma cleared her throat causing them to slowly move apart. The two women bowed their heads shyly for a moment before returning their attention back to Emma.
"So, what was it you both wanted to ask me?" Belle questioned once again.
Ruby and Emma exchanged a glance. Emma motioned her head, urging Ruby to ask her. The dark-haired woman took in a deep breath and spoke. "Um, Emma would like to know if ..." She paused, locking eyes with her girlfriend, who was waiting patiently for her to finish. "We want to go on a double date with her and … Regina ... tonight."
Belle shrugged. "Sure, why not? It would be fun," she responded without hesitation.
Ruby drew her brow together. "Really?"
Belle nodded.
"Well, alright then." Emma clapped her hands together. "We will see you both tonight." She slid out of the booth, adjusting her holster. "Seven o'clock?"
"I guess so." Ruby responded, the surprise still lacing her voice.
Emma smiled. "Great. See you then." She started to walk toward the door, touching Belle's shoulder as she passed.
Belle looked up at her. "Bye, Emma." She returned her attention to Ruby who was staring at her. Her brow furrowed. "What?"
"You're amazing. You know that?"
Belle felt the blush make its way up her neck and fill her cheeks. "Why? What did I do?"
Ruby smiled widely. "I don't know if I could go to dinner with someone who held me captive." She reached up and touched her girlfriend's cheek. "You're a very forgiving person."
Belle shrugged. "I've noticed a change in Regina since she's been with Emma." She reached out, taking her girlfriend's hand in her own. "Besides, Emma is your friend. It would be nice to be able to do things together."
Ruby inched closer to her. "I love you. ..." She whispered.
Belle felt her heart swell up in her chest. She cupped her hands other either side of Ruby's face. "I love you. ..." She responded as they leaned in for another kiss. Their lips barely touched when "Belle?"
Belle turned her head quickly at the sound of her name being called. Her jaw dropped. "Gaston?"
Before Ruby could stop herself, she growled. …
Ruby quickly raised her hand to her mouth. A growl was the last thing she expected to escape her lips. Belle chuckled at the sound and reached under the table to rest her hand on her girlfriend's thigh. She felt Belle's hand squeeze gently, silently reassuring her that everything was fine. She wasn't a jealous person, but when it came to Belle, all of her normal behavior went out the window.
"Belle, I found you!" he gushed, pulling her from the booth and into a tight hug.
Belle pushed herself away from him quickly. "Gaston, I – I didn't even know you were in Storybrooke. …" She stated, taking a step back.
Gaston flashed his usual grin. "A few weeks ago, they found me lying on a broken trash can in the bottom level of the hospital," he explained. "They brought me up to the main floor to treat me. LeFou found me and …" His attention was suddenly diverted from Belle as he noticed Ruby staring at him. He cocked an eyebrow. "Why hello …" He took a step closer to the table and reached out, taking Ruby's hand in his. "I am Gaston … and you are?" He went to kiss Ruby's hand and she quickly yanked it back.
"Not interested," she snapped back as he looked at her with confusion.
Belle placed her hand over her lips to stifle laughter. She cleared her throat. "Gaston, this is Ruby. ..." She reached down to take Ruby's hand which the brunette gladly accepted. She smiled down at her. "My girlfriend …"
Gaston straightened slowly. His brow knit together, confused. He looked at Belle. "I'm sorry? I don't understand."
Belle removed her gaze from her love for a brief moment and returned her attention to Gaston. "We're together. We're a couple."
Gaston raised an eyebrow again and scoffed. "Impossible. There's no way you could be in love with a woman."
Before Ruby could stop herself, she was on her feet. "Now, hold a second. …" She snarled as Belle stood in front of her, blocking her path.
"Gaston, I am in love with her. I have been for a very long time."
Ruby smirked behind her as Gaston's jaw twitched angrily. "This is ridiculous, Belle. You need a man in your life who can take care and protect you. A woman isn't capable of that."
"You have no idea what I am capable of. ..." Ruby growled as Belle reached behind her squeezing her to keep her in control.
"Gaston, I think you should go." Belle requested, calmly.
"Belle, be reasonable." He stepped forward to touch her, but Ruby shifted positions to stand in between them. He glared at her for a moment before looking passed her at Belle. "It's this strange land we are in. If we were home …"
"I would still love her." Belle stated, firmly.
Ruby turned to look at her. She smiled warmly. Belle returned her smile, touching her chin lightly. If Ruby had any doubts about proposing, which she didn't, that one statement washed them all away.
He looked from one woman to the next and clenched his jaw. His eyes locked on Ruby. "We will be seeing each other again."
Ruby stared back and grinned. "I look forward to it."
With that, he stomped out of the diner and went on his way.
