SUMMARY: Fernando and Ruby broke up once more... And this time, it´s forever.

DSCWin, Loveispatientloveiskind and QueenSheridan, thanks for the help and support.

FERNANDO´S PERSONAL KANSAS

As he finished he last paperwork, Fernando Manuel Cienfuegos closed the register and made his way toward his small house. It was 7PM, time to leave the front desk and go home, to spend time with the love of his life, Ruby Sheridan.

Since the woman had come by surprise at the hotel reopening, almost a year ago, his world had turned upside-down, no more sad and lonely nights with Ruby by his side and he wanted to make her happy in every way, she was his love and his life and now it had complete.

Sure, those last two months was been a bit turbulent to everyone, after finding out her great-grandson had a hearing impairment, Ruby started to get distant from both Fernando and everyone around her, including her granddaughter. Still, on the other hand, Fernando always loyal to Sophie, instead of finding out what was happening with Ruby, decided to dedicate his time, to study with Donny´s grandfathers and great-aunts, how to speak in sign language, in order to talk to his future boss.

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As the 76-year old man arrived at his place, his fiancé was walking from side to side, collecting the belongings as fast as she could. It was as she was afraid for him to arrive.

''Mi Amor, what are you doing?'' he asked confused

''i´m leaving, Fernando'' she said, without looking at him and continuing to walk around the house, with things in hand.

''leaving? Ruby, what´s happening? You want me to book a room for you at the hotel. I´m sure Sophie won´t mind…''

''I'm going back to Las Vegas, from where I should never had left'' she said walking toward their room and put those things in her bag.

''what do you mean, getting back to Las Vegas? Ruby, look at me!'' he demanded furious now.

Upon hearing his harsh tone, Ruby stopped at her tracks, but still keep staring at her bag, she didn´t want to face the man she said she loved.

''living in a rundown hotel… be the wife of a simple manager… a grandmother. It´s isn´t a life for me, it´s not the way I'm use to living… I live in luxury, Fernando, my life is where money and fame and spotlights are…'' she said ''I'm like an eagle, Fernando, I like to live in the top of the world and I'm not used to be placed in cages''

''Eagles protect their families'' Fernando growled

''I never wanted that…'' she started ''I didn´t bother come to my own daughter´s funeral, what makes you think I'm qualifying to be a housewife or a good grandmother… i´m a woman of the night, not a woman of family portrait''

''what makes you come in the first place then?'' Fernando asked, his voice full of confusion.

''I don´t know honestly. I think I could change… or I couldn´t say no to a ´party, but I'm eager to disappear now''

''and about us? The love we have for each other isn´t enough?'' he asked, but Ruby doesn´t say anything, instead, she just got her things and start to walk away, when Fernando grab her arm abruptly ''if you aren't staying for me, at least stay for your granddaughter, she needs you and your great grandson, they will need you.'' he growled and Ruby looked at him in the eyes.

''i´m a singer, Fernando, I can´t bear be near someone who can´t hear my voice'' she said, her voice not showing emotion ''and I don´t have a great grandchild, because I never had a grandchild''

''Ruby…''

''good bye, Fernando'' she said and walked away without taking a single look back.

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For the next two days since Ruby left, Fernando decided to stay in his house, with the excuse he was sick, which was odd, since the last time he got sick with a flu, he just stop working, because Sam treated to fire him. Still, he was not in mood or had the courage to face his employers right now and just wanted to be alone with his pain.

To tell the truth, for some time, Fernando really thought about giving everything up and follow Ruby whatever she was, as he believed they could still conquer their love, buy changed his mind eventually.

One afternoon, he was walking around the courtyard, when he spots Sophie and Sky playing with their son, littler Donny had just received his first hearing aid and now his parents are fussing around, to see if he was going to say 'Mama' or 'Papa' first. That sight made his hearth melt and that´s why he decided to stay, because that family needed him, much more, than that woman, who doesn´t worth his love.

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A couple of months later, Rosie and Tanya, as well as Donny´s other two grandfathers return to the island, to celebrate the boy´s first birthday and help with the preparations.

That afternoon then, a few hours before the party, Tanya and Rosie were having a cup of tea, when Fernando passed by. When they saw him, both women look at reach other and decided to call him for a small chat.

''Mr. Cienfuegos, are you doing alright?'' Rosie asked

''Sophie told us what happened, we´re really sorry'' Tanya said politely

''I'm doing fine, ladies, thank you very much.'' He smiled but took a deep breath. ''I'm just worry about Miss. Sophie, after all, Ruby is her grandmother'' he said ''the only thing she told me about it, was that the past is in the past''

''oh, well…''Rosie started ''you know Sophie, she´s taking it surprisingly well''

''she said she never had a grandmother, not even in her darkest moment to support her, so Ruby´s attitude wasn´t a surprise to her'' Tanya added.

''she was already expecting that'' Said Rosie.

''i´m just really sorry for Sky, he had done such an effort to bring her here'' Tanya shock her head and Fernando paled.

''I apologize if I caused any trouble to Miss Sophie and Mr. Adam'' he said a bit ashamed.

''ah, it´s alright, they didn´t had a fight or anything'' Tanya said

''besides, it´s isn´t your fault'' Rosie added ''she´s the Wicked Which of The West'' she said and Fernando hold back a laugh; it was a great way to describe Ruby.

''well, I'm happy to say that I'm Dorothy, then, it´s a pleasure to call here my personal Kansas'' he added metaphorically.

''as long as you don't call me a scarecrow'' Tanya mumbled to herself.

''I need to go back to work'' Fernando smiled ''Welcome to the Hotel Bella Donna'' he said and walk away.

Once back to the courtyard, the old man couldn´t help but laugh, he was more than happy to be here, the hotel was his home and as Dorothy would say, there´s no place like home.

END