Author's Note: First, I apologize for the shortness of this: apparently I can't write long one-shots...
Second, this is a one-shot based on a book called The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson. The basic plot is that it takes place just before World War II, and is about a half-Jewish girl,Ruth, from Austria who os trying to escape the Nazis after their take over of Austria. She meets a man, Quin, who helps her escape and the two fall in love. It's a great story and I would reccomend it to anyone who likes romance. THis particular one-shot takes place just at the very end of the epilogue.
Theme 59 – No Way Out
The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson - RuthxQuin
Commander Quinton Alexander St. John Somerville made his way across the relatively crowded square toward the small cafe where he knew his family waited for him in their celebrations of V-E Day. With the end of the Second World War in sight – already achieved for the European front – there was nothing but celebrations for the Europeans. And Quin considered himself very lucky to have gotten away to meet his wife, Ruth, and their children at the cafe.
He could see the Willow Tea Rooms clearly now…as well as the abundant amount of children that were inside with the adults and owners of the cafe. He smiled, knowing that two of those children were his.
His entrance must have been awaited for. Even the children stopped what they were doing to look up at him in his dashing military uniform. He and Ruth took steps toward each other, but both were stopped by a wave of an old lady's hand. Mrs. Weiss, wrinkled and old but still very much active seeing as she still came to the Willow Tea Rooms daily, maneuvered herself to her feet and pointed her walking stick at Quin, speaking the dreaded words that every constant patron of the cafe dreaded to hear addressed to them, for it meant minutes spent while the old lady complained to them
"I buy you a cake?"
Quin stared at the old lady before speaking. "Can I greet my wife first?" he asked, his gaze going to Ruth for a moment.
Mrs. Weiss did not want to take no for an answer. The old lady looked from Quin to Ruth and back. "I buy you a cake. Come." She ushered Quin toward the table she had been sitting at. Quin shot a desperate look at Ruth, who only laughed as she watched her husband sit down across from Mrs. Weiss. The old lady jabbed her walking stick in Ruth's direction next.
"You, girl, make useful! Bring a cake!" Ruth complied and fetched a cake for the odd pair. As she set the pastry down, Quin wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close so he could kiss her.
"Any chance of you rescuing me?" he whispered in her ear.
Ruth smiled. "Sorry, Quin. There's no way out now." Ruth extracted herself from his embrace and moved away from the table as Mrs. Weiss, like usual, began to talk about her daughter-in-law and all the things that woman did to make Mrs. Weiss' life miserable. Quin sighed and realized his wife was right.
There was no way out.