This story is close to being over with. All the ups and downs… I'm glad to have written it. I don't think I would do a second part for it or anything like I have for my Genderbend Rosewick. I like how I have it. Now… On With the Forever!

Ruby finished packing up the little bit of stuff she had in her apartment. The movers were coming soon to pack everything onto the plane and send it over to Vale. She sat on the living room thinking. She couldn't believe she had come so far in such a long time. She couldn't believe that she was here.

Ruby imagined she would always be at Blake's bookstore, working endless hours… She would've bought her car just like she did… That night… If it wasn't for her friends and sister… She would have never met Roman Torchwick.

Roman… he was so patient. He didn't push her. Ruby had always expected that there was an end game of some sort but there wasn't. He just wanted to be with her. She didn't expect her damaged heart to be healed to a degree she would trust him. Though his baggage was quite worse than hers, he was willing to be vulnerable before her.

Ruby got up and grabbed her black cat purse she had been using for the last month. Emerald claimed she had bought it and she didn't really like it so she gave it to her since it was more her style. The memory made Ruby grin. Emerald was crazy but she seemed sweet when she wanted to be.

She was out the door and to the taxi that would take her to the airport. She could see that hospital looming in the distance. Ruby had so many mixed feelings towards it. It was the end of Penny's life and the saving grace for Emerald. She slipped in and sat there thinking about everything that brought her here. The memories of her many conversations with Penny over those short few months.

"You think there's life after death?" Penny asked.

Ruby shrugged and held onto her laptop with one hand while she stuffed a pizza roll into her mouth.

"I like to think there is."

"Why is that?" Ruby asked, "I don't mean to sound ungrateful for my own life but sometimes it's so exhausting."

Penny laughed.

"You sound like you're thirty."

"I have more problems than a thirty year old."

The green eyed woman fidgeted with her short orange hair.

"I guess… I couldn't get over the fact that one minute I'm here and the next I'm not."

Ruby put down the pizza roll she had picked up.

"I never thought of it that way."

"I have been."

"Penny…"

"Ruby… I know everyone around me wants to stay positive but I have finally accepted there was nothing I could do to change this. I'm ok with it."

"You're more mature than I would've ever guessed."

Penny laughed.

"I am. Most people think I'm too cute or childish to be an adult already but they have no idea who I really am. What I'm really like."

"Penny…"

Penny looked at Ruby through the screen of her laptop.

"I have to believe you're going to be ok… I don't… I don't think I could make it. I think it would tear me apart if you were to die."

Penny held up a finger to her lips leaving Ruby puzzled.

"I value our friendship a lot. I wished I had met you a lot sooner Ruby. Even though we are just talking over a screen all the time… talking about stupid or extremely important things… It is one of the most meaningful things in my life. I could never have imagined someone like you had existed. I love you Ruby. You're my best friend."

Ruby covered her mouth as tears dropped onto her cheeks.

"I…I…"

"It means a lot more you stuck around knowing how this was going to end. Most people would write me off not wanting to deal with the hurt and pain that came along with knowing me. You stuck around anyways knowing it was going to hurt you."

"I love you too Penny. I wish I could fix it. I wish I knew a way to help you."

Penny shook her head and looked away.

"This has helped me appreciate my life. What I had. I wouldn't want you to fix that."

Ruby nodded and looked at her keyboard.

"If saving someone means something to you… You could help others in the future. Those that felt like they never had anything to begin with. You could do that."

"I wouldn't know how."

"You will when the time comes."

Penny placed her hand on the screen.

"You're going to be ok Ruby."

Ruby looked up and placed her hand on the screen too.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow after you work ok? I love you Ruby. Sleep good."

"I love you too. Talk to you tomorrow."

Penny exited out of the video chat leaving Ruby sitting on her bed.

That conversation stuck with her for the longest time. She wasn't sure if this is what she meant when Penny had said those words but it felt like the only way to do it. She felt like part of her had did the best she could but it still wasn't enough. That's why she felt like helping Emerald. Because Penny would want her too no matter what kind of horrible thing she had done.

Ruby got onto the plane to go back home now. It would be a few hours and Roman would probably already be there waiting for her. She felt like she had been gone forever. She wondered how he would react. She wondered if he would be sad. She had taken another test and it was also negative.

She had tiptoed her whole life trying not to upset her mother. Ruby had feared upsetting her would make her a lot more angry and it would make Ruby feel worse as a result. She didn't think Roman would be mad at her because it was beyond her control. She just didn't want to see the sad look on his face when she told him.

Ruby closed her eyes and tried to think happy thoughts. She was going home to meet her new nephew. See Weiss and Hei with their son Jack. Her sisters, her Mom and Mom. She couldn't wait until she got home.

Ruby closed her eyes and drifted to sleep for her trip.

X

X

"Ma'am."

Ruby snapped awake.

"Time to get off the plane. You've arrived."

"Oh… I'm sorry."

The woman smiled and walked away. Ruby got up and headed into the airport.

I wonder where Roman is? I would assume he would have heard up a sign.

"Ruby! Baby!"

Ruby whipped around.

Is… is that Mom?

"Baby girl! I'm happy to see you!"

Summer hugged Ruby tight.

"Mom… I thought…"

"Roman got caught up with something! Everyone planned a big dinner for you! Let's get the house and get showered! He bought you a homecoming dress and everything! He wanted to do something fancy since he missed you so much!"

Damnit Roman. I told you I wasn't into that kind of stuff!

"Oh ok… Lead the way Mom."

X

Ruby was really surprised. She showered and she barely wrapped a towel around herself when her mom jerked the door open. Summer blow dried Ruby's hair and curled it for her. She even did Ruby's makeup almost as good as Ruby did. Ruby was shocked when she looked into the mirror.

"Mom… You… Did you watch a video on how to do my makeup?" Ruby asked.

Summer laughed, "I did watch a few. I offered to do it for you. Roman wanted you pampered as much as possible."

"I wonder if the dress is red and black too?"

Her mother laughed, "He said he preferred you in green and black but he knows what your favorite colors are."

Ruby smiled.

"I… I would like to say I'm sorry… For everything Ruby."

Ruby looked up at her mom.

"Sorry for what?"

Summer sat down across from her.

"Don't be like that. You know what I mean."

Ruby sighed, "I don't Mom."

Summer tucked her hair behind her ear.

"I treated you badly. I didn't want you to end up like me. With the wrong man. I didn't know if Mercury would be the one for you but… I couldn't watch it go on. He… You deserved better. I felt horrible when you faced me about it. I was hoping no one would find out. I can say now… I'm not sorry."

"Mom…"

"I didn't want what happened to me happen to you. You deserve so much better. I don't mean money. I don't mean becoming a doctor either… You have someone who values you… Wants to be with you every waking moment… He isn't perfect but who is? He is sorry for his mistakes and that's what makes him a great man."

"Mom… Thank you."

"I love you Ruby."

Summer kissed the top of her head.

"If you need help with your dress… call me baby. After today… This is a new start for us, ok? I want us to be ok."

"Alright. It's a new start. I missed you, Mom."

"I missed you too."

A short time later Ruby came down the stairs. Summer smiled at her daughter as she walked down the stairs. The dress was all black with little red rose rhinestones on the skirt. Ruby pulled her hair to the side for her mom to tie up the silk, red ribbon in the back on the corset. A bigger red rose on the front right between her breasts.

"It's almost like a prom dress."

"You don't like it?" Summer asked, mildly shocked.

"No… I do… It's so fancy. Did he mention where it was?"

"Not yet. He is sending a limo."

Ruby rolled his eyes, "I only came home after a few months."

Summer shrugged, "He loves you. I think his mother put him up to it too."

"Sounds like Rhea."

"Well, are you ready?" she asked.

"Yes. I'm ready."

They walked outside and the limo was already there.

"Are you going to change Mom?" Ruby asked.

"Yea. He told me to blindfold you first."

Ruby stared at her like she was nuts.

"He wants to surprise you! Give me a few minutes and I'll change."

"Ok…"

"Get into the limo!"

Ruby made a face and walked to the long, black vehicle. She climbed into the back seat and waited for her mother. After ten minutes, Summer climbed in next to her daughter and blindfolded her. Summer told the driver to go to the destination they were headed for.

Ruby could feel the vehicle moving but she didn't want to question where they were going. She always told Roman she didn't want anything super expensive but she was excited. It would be better since his dad liked her now it wouldn't be as awkward like it was on his birthday. She figured he would be there this time around.

"We've arrived."

"Oh! Let me help you out Ruby! I can't take off the blindfold yet."

"Ok."

Summer led her up the sidewalk and warned her there were stairs. They walked through the doorway and Ruby could feel the air conditioning hit her face. Their footsteps echoed and then the warm air from the outside hit her again making her frown. She was unable to figure out where they were at now.

"Mom, where are we?"

"It's so pretty Ruby."

"Really? I wish I could see."

"Almost there."

"Are you sure? I feel like I haven't able to see forever."

Summer laughed and they came to a stop finally.

"Can you take this off Mom?"

The blind fold came off leaving Ruby staring into Roman's bright green eyes.

"Roman! What is going on?"

Ruby saw his tux. It was black and red to match her dress. He handed her a bouquet of red and black roses.

"What?" she asked confused.

"Look around," he whispered and kissed her cheek.

Ruby did indeed look around and see what was going on. They were on a pier in the ocean. She was by a judge who smiled at her. She looked around to see all her family and friends sitting there. Her baby nephew Noire was asleep in Yang's arms. Jack was in Hei's arms. Weiss waved and smiled at her best friend.

"Is… Is this?" Ruby said, stuttering looking at Roman in disbelief.

"It's our wedding."

"How did you plan… Why? I thought we were going to wait?"

Roman shook his head, "I can't though. When you were gone that whole… I felt so lonely. I knew you wanted to do all that so I never begged you to come home. Then… when I visited, it made me realize I loved you so much… I wanted to do this for you. Don't worry… Mom and Dad didn't pay for this. I did from working the bookstore."

"Roman…"

"I'm ready for the rest of my life now. I can't wait anymore."

Ruby's eyes watered up.

"I don't want to wait either…"

Ruby looked over at her mother and Raven sitting there smiling.

"I'm ready whenever you are," he said taking her free hand.

"I'm ready too."

Once they did the vows and everything Roman picked her up and kissed her. Everyone cheered and clapped for them. Ruby looked at him to see he was smiling and he had some tears in his eyes. She wondered why he wanted to be with her but she could see it in his eyes now.

"Roman… I have to tell you something…"

"Don't worry about it… We always have later tonight…" Roman whispered and kissed her cheek.

Her cheeks brightened up to pink.

"Ruby!" Yang called.

Her older sister came running up to her and handed her Noire.

"Yang! He's so sweet! I love him!"

"I know! I can't believe I'm a mom!"

"Yang, you would always make a good mother. I'm glad you got everything you wanted."

"Same for you Sis… Same for you."