Chapter 3
Ruby's First Full Day with Us
Ruby was awake before we were, I heard her door open and close, but had only come out of her room when one of us got up, me in this case.
"Are you hungry, kiddo? Let's get you some breakfast." I let her hold my hand as I lead her to the kitchen. She wasn't confident with the house yet. She sat at the table while I looked through the cupboards.
"Monty?" Tersly yawned as he walked in.
"I'm getting Ruby breakfast," I told him, "I'm afraid there's not much a kid would like."
"Pancake?" She asked.
"I think we have the stuff for that." Tersly helped me make the batter and pour them in the pan. She waited until I gave her plate of warm pancakes and ate it with syrup. It was a quiet affair. Tersly, the sweet man, made me coffee. He gets jittery if the coffee's strong so he sticks with decaf. Ruby hummed a small tune, happy nonsense, after she finished.
"What do you want to do now, Ruby?" Tersly asked.
"I dunno." She shrugged.
"Do you want to stay home for a bit before we go shopping for things for your room?" I questioned.
"Ok." She nodded.
Tersly and I cleaned up as Ruby went off and found the living room. I heard the TV turn on. It was almost noon when we left to go to the store. She gave us things she thought were pretty and almost wandered off before I decided have her hold my hand. We got new sheets and curtains, a lamp, and some toys. She liked this superhero named Miraculous Ladybug. I don't get it, but it made her happy. She deserves to have something familiar after moving in with us.
We were resting after a late lunch when Metz called me, "Hello, Montehue. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"No, you're fine," I told him as Ruby hid her face from the TV, "Oh, Ruby. It's ok. Metz is nice."
"Nu huh." She clutched her doll to her chest and hid in the crook of my arm, facing me.
"Ruby…" I sighed.
"She's fine. I know she's not outgoing. How is she doing?" He asked.
"Ruby's adjusting well. I think I'll let her settle in more before I start teaching her though. We got some things for her room today." I said, comforting the girl.
"We?" He repeated.
"Tersly came with us." I looked at Ters and he nodded enough for me to know I was on the right track.
"Ah. I wanted to remind you that I'll need progress reports every few weeks or so. A month, at the latest. And your checks to support Ruby will arrive in two weeks." The black haired man said.
"Thanks. I appreciate that." I told Metz.
"I'll see you later. Good bye, Ruby. Maybe we'll get to talk next time." Metz hung up and the TV had a delay before it switched back to normal.
"What are you teaching me?" Ruby's voice drifted up to my ears.
"We're going to teach you some powers and maybe if we get another Titan you can bond with, teach you how to use them in battle. We have to fight the evil Seekers sometimes. Not all the time." I rubbed her back.
"That's why you can run a museum?" She asked.
"Yes, and I wasn't always a Seeker myself either. I was given my first Titan by my rival. I'll tell you that story later." I let her move back to her spot on the couch.
"Why was Metz confused when you said we got things for my room?" She fiddled her doll's hair.
"Well, we-we haven't exactly told people we're married." I scratched my neck.
"Why not?" She looked up at me.
"It wasn't legal back when we got engaged. And we don't want to make a fuss about it. It's been so long, I wouldn't even know how to bring it up." Tersly told her.
"Why don't you say Montehue's your husband?" She asked the red headed male.
"Oh, Rubes, it's not that simple. I wish it was. Don't worry your pretty little head over it. We're fine the way we are." I smiled at her and ruffled her hair. She frowned a tiny bit at my answer.
"Ok." She pouted.
Tersly caught my eye and we shared a look. Maybe it was time to revisit this. Now, that gay marriage was legal, we wouldn't have to worry about being fired. Metz was a kind enough man. He surely wouldn't allow harassment to happen. But it still might be awhile before we tell anyone.
Ruby was still a little mad at me when we went to go do our own things. Tersly told me there was nothing I could do to make her understand what we had seen happen and been through as a couple. I reluctantly agreed. I don't think I could bear telling her anyway. I snuggled with Tersly and let myself enjoy our quiet time.
We had a late dinner as well today. Ruby wasn't pouting anymore, which was good, I don't think I could take much more of it. She wanted ice cream for dessert. I found a Drumstick ice cream cone for her in the freezer. She ate it happily. I suppose I would have to get more treats for her. I didn't mind. The little gem was priceless to me and Tersly. She was more than I could ever ask for.
I told Ruby the story of how I met Dante Vale when she was tucked in bed. She was starting to yawn toward the end, but begged me to finish. I hinted that it wasn't the last time I met up with Dante during a mission. She asked for another story, but I got away with promising her that I would the next night.
"Good night, Ruby. Sweet dreams." I said as I turned off the light.
"Night… night." She yawned.
