Chapter 2: …To Present
[Summer: "I wasn't gone for that long Ruby; you shouldn't have such a sad face, especially today."]
Summer Rose, Ruby Rose's one and only mother, was still locked in a firm embrace when Yang and Taiyang arrived to the picnic spot themselves. Ruby, whose face was buried in her mother's clothes, could feel the gentle sensation of a hand stroking her head. When she listened closely, she heard a heartbeat sound in rhythm, all the while being enveloped by the warmth of her mother's body. It honestly made her miss the days when she could sleep soundly in the same bed as her parents, unfortunately, even she realized that she was getting too old to continue doing such things.
[Summer: "Come on, cheer up. You know you're a big girl now right?"]
Hearing this, Ruby released her hold and began to wipe her watering eyes.
[Ruby: "But… daddy said you'd be lonely here by yourself and I didn't want to make you sad momma."]
[Summer: "Oh… is that what he said?"]
Summer directed a disconcerting look at Taiyang who began to laugh nervously.
[Taiyang: "N-no, it's just that… I know how much you were excited for Ruby's birthday. So I wanted to make sure we got here on time is all."]
[Summer: "Honestly Tai, you shouldn't make such bad jokes like that. You've already got Yang telling them as well."]
[Yang: Don't worry mom, my jokes are way better than dad's anyway."]
[Summer: "Hmhm, I'm sure they are sweetie."]
Summer giggled at Yang's witty jab as she walked towards Taiyang.
[Summer: "But, I am thankful that you could get them ready for me this morning. I'm sure it wasn't easy."]
As she said this, Summer leaned on her toes and placed a gentle kiss on Taiyang's cheek.
[Taiyang: "It never is. You definitely got the easier job."]
[Ruby: "Bleh!"]
Witnessing this moment of intimacy between her parents, Ruby stuck her tongue out in disgust.
[Summer: "Oh my goodness! Ruby, what happened to your clothes?"]
Summer, now noticing the grass and dirt that littered Ruby's black dress, stared on in shock. Black was probably an unusual color for a small child to be sporting, especially a girl. However, her mother often said that wearing black made her stand out more. Besides, her father wanted her to look nice for today and it was the only dress she had.
[Ruby: "I was playing in the grass momma."]
[Summer: "I see. Well, since we're all here now, why don't we sit down and eat and I'll clean you up little missy."]
Stepping aside, Summer revealed four large, wooden baskets that she carried the food. Next to them was a large, baby blue blanket that had been laid out on the grass to serve as a table for the meal. And of course, on top of the blanket rested various courses of Summer's home-cooked food. There were salads, different styled sandwiches, fruits such as grapes and bananas, as well as deserts like homemade cookies and pudding. However, what ultimately caught Ruby's eye was the item she was most looking forward to. Her mother's very own strawberry-flavored birthday cake. It was no secret that her mother loved to bake, and what she enjoyed most out it was being able to custom design her creations to whatever her family desired most. Of course, Ruby's favorite food was strawberries, so this was the natural result.
[Summer: "Come on everyone. I hope all that walking built up your appetites!"]
All four family members sat across from each other while digging in to the birthday feast that was set before them. Both Yang and Taiyang enjoyed sampling the various foods in front of them. As Ruby greedily munched on a cookie, her mother took great care to wipe off her clothes with a handkerchief before joining them.
[Summer: "There you go sweetie, all clean!"]
[Ruby: "Thankyou momma! Can I have some cake now please?"]
Little Ruby, with sparkles in her eyes, seemed on the verge of drooling just by staring at the beautiful creation before her.
[Yang: "Yeah Mom, I want a piece too."]
Ruby's sister seemed equally as eager to get a taste, rocking back and forth in place.
[Taiyang: "Jeez, you two have a serious sweet tooth today. I love your mother's cooking as much as you do, but you both should learn to be patient you know."]
[Summer: "Says the man I caught trying to steal a piece for himself last night."]
As Taiyang tried to bestow some words of fatherly wisdom upon his children, Summer's honest comment revealed his true colors.
[Taiyang: "What?! No, I wasn't going to steal it. I was just making sure the kids didn't secretly get to it."]
Trying in vain to defend himself, Summer couldn't help but sigh in acceptance.
[Summer: "Very well, since you all have been looking forward to it, I don't see why not. But, we need to put the candles on first, right?"]
[Ruby: "Yah!"]
[Summer: "Tell me Ruby, just how old are you now?"]
[Ruby: "I'm this many momma!"]
Ruby responded to her mother's playful question by raising her hand and wiggling five, small fingers.
[Taiyang: "Oh yeah? Well, you certainly are a handful alright."]
[Ruby: "Huh? No daddy, that means five silly."]
[Summer: "He's just teasing dear. Wow… five years old already."]
With a look of fond remembrance in her eyes, Summer pulled out five scarlet colored candles and place them each on the cake. Then, striking a match, she lit the individual candles one by one.
[Summer: "Remember Ruby, you have to blow the candles out and make a wish."]
[Ruby: "I know. But, I don't really know what to wish for though."]
[Summer: "Just wish for whatever will make you happy sweetheart."]
Ruby thought for a moment. Scratching her head, she looked towards the smiling faces of her sister, her father, and finally, her mother. Suddenly, a realization came to her. The thing she wanted the most was right in front of her. Repeating it over and over in her mind, she leaned over and blew the candles out with a single breath.
[Summer: "Did you make a good wish?"]
[Ruby: "Yeah! I wished that-]
[Summer: "Ah, ah, ah. If you tell me, then it won't come true. Isn't that right?"]
[Ruby: "Heh, sorry momma, I forgot."]
Ruby stopped herself from saying any more.
[Summer: Now then! Who wants the first piece?"]
[Ruby, Yang, & Taiyang]: Me!
All three of them let out the same response, to which Summer only smiled in turn.
[Summer: "All right. Let's see what I can do."]
Summer divided three pieces of cake and handed them out, giving the largest one to the birthday girl.
[Ruby: "Yummy!"]
[Yang: "Alright cake, prepare to meet your baker!"]
The four of them ate merrily together, laughing and enjoying the nice weather of spring. When all had eaten their full, it was Summer who spoke again.
[Summer: So, little Miss Rose, are you ready for your presents?"]
[Ruby: "Presents?!"]
Ruby was surprised by what she heard. She hadn't expected to open presents so soon. After all, she didn't see any gifts lying around and her father hadn't carried anything out from the house either. Suddenly, her mother reached into the closest of the four baskets she had brought and removed three packages of various sizes.
[Summer: "These are from all of us."]
[Ruby: "Wow, are they really?"]
Ruby examined each gift in detail. The biggest one was in a square, white box, a little less than a foot tall. The smallest one was tiny in comparison, only an inch tall. The last one was more rectangular in shape and felt light in her hands.
[Yang: Hey mom, can Ruby open mine first?"]
[Summer: "Of course dear."]
Summer gestured toward the largest gift which Ruby proceeded to open.
[Ruby: "Woah!"]
From inside, Ruby pulled out a small stuffed animal. The tiny thing had short black fur and dark red eyes. Looking at it closely, Ruby thought it reminded her of-
[Yang: "It's supposed to be a Grimm; an ursa I think. I got it from one of the shops in town"]
[Ruby: "Thanks Yang! I love it. It's just like the monsters that momma and daddy fight."]
[Taiyang: "Not nearly as cuddly looking though."]
Her father muttered something under his breathe while Summer handed out the smallest gift.
[Taiyang: "Oh, that one's from me kiddo."]
It was small enough that Ruby could hold it easily with one hand. She wondered what it could possibly be. Opening it up, she found a small, metallic pendant. Its shape seemed familiar to her. In fact, it almost reminded her of a flower.
[Taiyang: "It's supposed to be a rose. Took me forever to get the shape right, but I think it turned out alright."]
[Ruby: "It's pretty daddy."]
[Taiyang: "Now, when you wear it, the whole world can see what a beautiful flower you are."]
Ruby's cheeks flushed embarrassingly at the comment as Summer presented the last gift.
[Summer: "And this one is from me sweetie."]
Ruby looked at the rectangular box before her with wonder. Then, opening the top, she pulled out a long piece of what appeared to be red cloth. As she looked closer, Ruby saw that one end had been skillfully cut to form a hood. It looked just like-
[Summer: "It looks just like mine doesn't it Ruby? You love to run around the house wearing mine so much, I thought I could make you one of your very own. What do you think?"]
Running the scarlet cloak through her fingers, Ruby couldn't think of the words to say. Her throat started to swell and her eyes grew hot.
[Ruby: "Momma, daddy, sissy, thank you. I…I…"]
She was crying. Not out of sadness, but out of something else. A warm feeling in her chest that she couldn't express any other way. Seeing this her mother once again held her in her arms.
[Summer: "Shhhh, It's okay. I know Ruby. I love you too."]
Her mother whispered to her, rocking back and forth while Ruby continued to whimper, the cloak still tightly held in her hands."]
[Summer: "Your already such a big girl. Now, you'll look just like me."]
These last three words echoed inside Ruby's head. Just like me…just like me… For her, they meant something much more. That's right. Her wish. The thing she most wanted to tell her mother that time, but couldn't. At least not that day. Suddenly a strange thing occurred. As Ruby reopened her eyes, she that the light had begun to grow dimmer and dimmer. Her family, still staring as if nothing was wrong, did not seem to notice. Ruby looked up. She could barely see her mother's comforting face above her anymore. However, she could still make out the outline of her smile. As everything around her turned pitch black, she heard a familiar voice.
[Summer: "It's okay Ruby, you don't have to say it. I love you too. I love you so much."]
...
Ruby opened her eyes. Blinking slowly, she saw the same familiar ceiling of home above her. Feeling confused for a second, she sat up in her bed before realizing what had happened.
[Ruby: "A dream huh."]
No, that was a memory. A memory from long ago that she still pictured so clearly in her mind, even now. But, why did it come to her now of all times? As Ruby got out of bed, she contemplated this thought while stretching out her limbs. The morning sun was shining brightly and Ruby could hear the birds chirping outside her window. As she approached the mirror in her room, Ruby made a realization. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. The girl she saw wore pink poke-a-dot pajamas, and had a serious case of bed head. She was also thirteen years old today. Which meant that she was finally ready.
[Ruby: "Today's finally the day isn't it."]
Ruby muttered this fact to herself in the mirror. And she was right. This was the day she had waited for. The day when she could finally begin to make an old wish come true. As Ruby began to prepare for the day ahead of her, she recalled, one final time, the wish that she had made on this exact day, several years ago. "When I grow up, I want be just like you, momma."