As if to contradict the plodding winter months, April arrived in the blink of an eye. The snow that had desperately clung to the hills in March was now helpless to the thaw of spring, and the "drip, drip, drip" of melting snow and ice surrounded the homestead. Even their quiet celebration of Easter did little to brighten their drab surroundings, though Ruby and Archie had perhaps had more fun hiding some treats around the cabin than August had finding them—which was saying quite a bit, given the boy's exuberance.

After the thrill of the hunt, Ruby's heart calmed in her chest as Archie read out the Easter story from his worn, leather Bible, and she mulled over his words and hid them away. The promise of new life after the devastation of death struck a chord with Ruby, and she was drawn to the light that shone from Archie's eyes as he read. Though she'd heard the account many times before, there was something different about it this time—a truth that was very much alive. She tucked the thought away to revisit later, a seed buried within her to be watered. Somehow, this man before her brought the words to life in a way that the preacher back in Boston never could.

Still, there was very little time to give up to the luxury of contemplation, and Ruby was itching to start on the list of jobs that she and Archie had prepared, both of them waiting for the first warm day of spring. As it was, the fog rose up around the fields and the chill hung thick in the air, and though Ruby looked forward to stretching her legs soon, she was glad to keep busy indoors a little while longer.

While August saw to his chores outside—and, Ruby suspected, escaped to his tree house and swing if he wasn't magnetically drawn into a mud puddle—Ruby and Archie sat at the table with their work. Ruby was busy with the mending pile that two boys easily kept supplied, while Archie went over his list of things he would need from town the next day. Peter was tucked in his cradle by Ruby's side, and she absentmindedly rocked it with her foot.

"I imagine you'll be gone most of the day?" Ruby asked, knowing that it had been a while since he'd made the trip to Storybrooke.

"Yes," Archie replied. "You've finished your list of things? I noticed you're running low on sugar. And do you need any more yarn or cloth?"

"Yes, thank you," Ruby nodded towards the wooden counter. "It's all there, and there's a letter to post as well." She had a letter written to her grandmother, telling her about Peter's birth, and she'd been adding to it as the weeks passed to document the baby's growth with no detail spared.

"Of course." He gave her a small smile that crinkled his eyes, and it sent the familiar flutter off in Ruby's chest.

After a pause, Archie spoke. "You—you know that I've been making arrangements for a doctor to come into town," he said slowly, glancing down before meeting her gaze.

Ruby tried to hide her surprise at his bringing up the subject. "Mmhmm?"

"Well, we've finally got it settled—Dr. Percy Whale, an old schoolmate of Mr. Madden's." Archie said the name as if it was someone she should know.

"Oh?" Ruby asked as she pulled the needle and thread through the fabric of a shirt.

"Oh, right—Jefferson wasn't at the harvest party. You'll meet him soon, I imagine, perhaps at the gathering in June…" Archie trailed off, realizing along with Ruby that the wagon train would leave before then.

Ruby shifted in her seat, ignoring the prick in her chest as she kept her eyes fixed on the shirt in her hands. "I'd love to meet Mr. Madden. And that's wonderful that Dr. Whale will be coming."

She looked up to see Archie smile at her with a nod. "Yes, it will be a relief when he comes. Unfortunately, it won't be for a few months yet, but at least that gives me some time to get things ready for him. It won't be easy for a young man to leave the draws of the city, I'm sure, so I was hoping we could make things comfortable for him."

Ruby had to bite back a smile at Archie calling the far-off doctor "a young man," as if he, himself, was excluded from that description when he was nothing of the sort. "That sounds like a good idea."

Archie leaned over his books and papers. "I can handle setting up the clinic for him," he continued. "Mr. Gold has graciously offered the space next to his general store for a reduced rent. It includes an apartment above the office as well, so I wanted to ask you…" Archie trailed off as he searched Ruby's eyes. "Perhaps you could help me with furnishing the living space appropriately?"

Ruby grinned. "Of course," she answered brightly, her blood beating a little faster in her veins to be given a project—and, more than that, to be included in Archie's plans. He had been mysterious for so long, but since Peter's birth, it was like a veil had been lifted between them—and this was the final tug that wrenched it away completely. It meant all the more that Archie was the one performing the action.

"O-only if it's not too much," Archie added quickly. "I know you're busy with the baby, and there will be more and more to get done, now that the weather is warming up."

"Archie, I'd love to," Ruby assured him, leaning over the table and meeting his gaze. "Besides," she added, sitting back in her chair, "who knows better than I the hospitality of Storybrooke?"

Archie chuckled. "I hope that's true."

Ruby took a deep breath, her hands still with her sewing resting on her lap while she took in all of the papers before her husband. She knew he was about to start planting the fields, and yet, he had taken on this task for the sake of the town without a single thought.

She placed her sewing back in the basket, no longer of much import, and reached across the table at some papers. Archie handed some over to her, and she scanned over his notes made in his neat hand.

"I know it's not much, but there's a small amount of money to use for furnishings," Archie told her. "The office on the main street is plain clapboard—but it's tidy. I don't know if the apartment above is plastered and papered or not."

Ruby nodded. "It would be nice to make the office homey for patients, of course, but perhaps the money would be best spent to make a cozy living space for the doctor." She glanced at Archie to see him nodding his approval.

Ruby smiled, excitement building in her chest as she looked over the figures. "I'm sure there's an inexpensive paper pattern that could brighten up the room, and some curtains would be simple enough—I could make some for both the office and the apartment."

She looked up at Archie to see him giving her a peculiar smile. "What is it?" she asked, furrowing her brow at him.

"Oh, nothing," he said with a shake of his head. "Only, if it was left to me, the poor bachelor would be left with a simple bed, and possibly a table and chair if he was lucky."

Ruby laughed. "Yes, well, the state of this cabin wasn't much better when I first arrived," she teased. The words hit a chord more deeply than she intended, and their expressions softened as they looked at one another.

Archie cleared his throat. "Yes, we've, uh… certainly benefitted from your instruction," he said with a smile. He nodded to the papers in front of her. "There's no hurry," he assured her. "There will be plenty of other trips to town, and perhaps one week you can come with me to Storybrooke to see the place."

Ruby smiled at him, thoughtful. "I'd like that."

Ruby retrieved an extra pen and began making her notes across from Archie, both of them bent over their plans.

After a pause, Archie cleared his throat, and Ruby glanced up. He remained huddled over his work, his gaze fixed downwards when he finally spoke. "I hope—I hope this all… well, that you don't think less of me." He only dared to look up after he'd finished speaking, and Ruby caught the pained look in his eyes.

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

Archie looked away for a moment and licked his lips, trying to choose his words. "I just—it's only that, I would hate to disappoint you—or, uh, the town—because I haven't been the doctor when I could have done so much more." He held her gaze, as if waiting for the inevitable chastisement.

Ruby exhaled slowly and her features relaxed. "Oh, Archie, I could never think less of you—especially for that." She considered reaching out across the table but thought better of it and clenched her pen instead. "You've… you've done your time as a doctor, and now you're helping your people in other ways—including bringing the new doctor here." And you've helped me.

He offered her a small smile, still hesitant if not entirely unconvinced, but his eyes were warm and Ruby's heart melted a little. If only he could see how much his kindness meant to those around him—how much he'd already done.

Ruby couldn't form the words, however, and so she simply smiled back, praying that it was enough. Soon, the tightness in her chest lightened as they continued with their work, a contented silence falling around them.

The studious air was soon interrupted, however, when August burst in the main door, his teeth chattering and his lower half covered in mud, and the baby began to wail. For now, their plans would have to wait.

The next day saw an early start for Archie and August, as Archie decided to bring his son with him into Storybrooke. While the nine-year-old had been good with the baby overall, it was becoming clear that August was tiring of the infant. Archie dared not leave Ruby alone with both boys and risk an upset, especially when he would be away for most of the day. She would be more than preoccupied with one child.

He had put off the trip until well after the weather had cleared, for he hadn't wanted to leave Ruby alone until she was settled with Peter. He still hated the idea of being away for a day, but he knew it was too much to ask of Mary Margaret to pull her away from her own family to keep Ruby company. Besides, Ruby would not stand for it, he knew, and he smiled to himself to picture the stamp of her foot and the scolding she would have given him if he even suggested it.

The sun had barely risen as father and son set off towards town, much like they had done when Ruby had first joined their family—much as they had done when it was just the two of them. August let large yawns escape as he rested against his father, without an attempt to cover them up, and Archie couldn't help but chuckle. Then, a groan every time the wagon went over a bump, the ground either still rock-hard or else thawed into pure mud.

And yet, Archie wouldn't trade the cold for anything, knowing that the warmer weather would bring Ruby's departure ever-closer.

Their first stop when they rolled into town was Gold's General Store. August eagerly hopped out of the wagon and rushed inside, sending off the cheerful "ding" of the bell above the door while his pa hitched up Cleo outside.

When Archie entered, August was at the front counter with Mr. and Mrs. Gold. Belle was in the midst of preparing August a hot chocolate, adding some creamy milk to the chocolate she had melted on the stove, and Archie shook his head.

"Archie!" Belle greeted as she slid the mug over the counter to the boy. "It's so good to see you after all this time."

Her husband nodded his more restrained greeting with a "Hello, Mr. Hopper," in his Scottish accent.

Archie removed his hat and nodded to the couple behind the counter. "Don't drink that too fast, son," he reminded August as he placed a hand on his back. "And did you thanks Mrs. Gold?"

"Thank you, Mrs. Gold," August chirped, standing on his tiptoes with a mustache of chocolate across his upper lip, and Archie grabbed August's hat still on his head.

"You're very welcome, August," Belle said seriously, though with her usual warmth. She quickly turned her attention to Archie. "And how are the Hoppers? Is there a new addition to your family by now?" She let out a bounce of excitement on the last question.

Archie grinned, unable to contain himself. "Yes—March the seventh, Ruby had a little boy. Peter Henry Smith Hopper. Both mother and baby are doing very well."

"Oh, that's quite a big name for a small boy! And over a month old, now."

Archie nodded, noticing the look Belle flashed her husband.

Mr. Gold simply nodded and said more evenly, "Congratulations, Mr. Hopper."

"Thank you," Archie replied. He pulled out his papers from inside his coat with a glance to his son beside him. August was bouncing on the balls of his feet, his gaze wandering around the store, his empty mug in front of him, utterly unimpressed by the subject.

Before Archie could say anything, Mr. Gold leaned closer to the boy over the counter. "Neal is just out back with his chores, but I'm sure he'd love some help. Do you want to go check on him?"

August glanced up at his pa for the okay. When Archie nodded, August turned back to Mr. Gold and gave him a shy smile. "Yes, please."

Mr. Gold nodded behind him, and August rushed around the counter and disappeared to the back. Belle chuckled as the redhead rushed past her, and she squeezed her husband's arm before turning her attention back to Archie.

Ignoring the list in his hands, Belle asked, "And how is Ruby doing?"

"Oh, she's doing well—very well, all things considered. She was up and about quite quickly."

"That's wonderful!" Belle exclaimed. "Is she up to having visitors? I mean, it's already been a month, but one never knows."

Archie nodded. "Yes, I think she'd like—it would be so nice if you're able to come out our way." The roads could still be difficult, but the distance crossed would make a visit from her friend even more special to Ruby, he was certain.

"Of course I will," Belle assured him.

Mr. Gold cleared his throat. "Well, I'll leave you two to it," he said, nodding to the list still in Archie's grasp. "When you're done here, I'd be happy to let you in next door if you'd like."

Archie nodded his thanks.

"Congratulations again, Mr. Hopper."

"Thank you, Mr. Gold."

And with that, the stern Scotsman disappeared into his living quarters behind the store, leaving Belle and Archie to the business of the day.

After a morning spent organizing and loading his purchases into the wagon—and placing orders for things not currently in stock—Archie and August enjoyed a lunch at the chophouse across the street. It wasn't generally the place to take little boys, but the crowd wasn't too rowdy in the middle of the day, and it was a great treat for the nine-year-old even though Belle had already spoiled him with a few sweets to take with him. Archie just shook his head with a chuckle.

"Neal's so lucky!" August had exclaimed, stuffing his brightly-coloured striped sticks into his pockets. "He gets to live with all this candy."

"Don't get jealous too quickly," Archie warned. "He doesn't get to eat them all the time. Besides, you should not envy what others have." He gave his son a stern look, a silent reminder that the treats had better stay in his pockets until after their meal.

The restaurant seemed to distract August, and he bounced in his seat, swinging his legs as he looked around at the various gentlemen also in attendance. Archie leaned over the table, sipping his coffee, his own thoughts wandering.

Even in April, the travellers were increasing in number, their little town on the edge of the frontier growing each year—or, bustling with more activity as the pioneers continued even farther west. Though Archie had been motivated by a pressing need in his eagerness for a doctor, the bustle around him made him think on the other necessities lacking in a growing town.

There was the doctor to come. David Nolan was the acting sheriff, but they'd need someone full-time, situated on the main street. A church was long overdue, and a pastor. He glanced down at his wedding ring, a fixture that had felt like it had been there for years rather than several months, and it made him recall the hastiness that had been forced upon Ruby to bury her husband and to marry himself the next day. While Archie didn't regret it—far from it, in fact—he wished to save others from similar circumstances.

They'd just been blessed that their arrangement had worked so well. A lump rose in his throat and he washed it down with a swallow of coffee. "Arrangement" was such a cold word, and his heart was involved far more than it should be, he knew. He should make some inquiries before he and August left town.

Archie shook his head at himself and returned to his mental checklist. Storybrooke would have its doctor soon enough, but a pastor would be a great asset. A little church would need to be built, which would double as a schoolhouse. A teacher would naturally follow. There was the chophouse with some rooms for boarding, but Archie would far prefer a more respectable inn and restaurant.

Archie's chest was tight at the thought, and he tried to ignore the feeling that, though he told himself it was for the rest of Storybrooke, he knew he was planning for a future—a family—that wasn't his.

"What's wrong, Pa?" August asked, frowning at him from across the table. In his fist was a bun smothered in jam, and the corners of his mouth were red and sticky.

Archie smiled. "Nothing," he assured his son. "I was just thinking."

August held Archie's gaze for a moment before he shrugged and continued looking around.

For a moment, Archie couldn't help but envy his son.

The rest of the day passed quickly as Archie saw to the rest of his errands with his son in tow. He was easily kept from his thoughts with the busy-work as well as with the reunions with the townsfolk, both sides catching each other up on family news from the winter. August would proudly inform them that he had a new baby brother, and Archie would fill in the details, unable to keep the joy from rising in his chest. Yes, mother and son were doing very well, thank you, and yes, the baby was already a month old, and yes, it had been awhile since he'd been into town—and yes, wouldn't it be lovely if you did come by for a visit? Every now and then, such conversations would include raised eyebrows at learning that Archibald Hopper was even married, let alone that he had a newborn son at home, and Archie would chuckle to himself, not bothering to explain more.

Both father and son were more than ready to leave Storybrooke behind and return to the comfort of the homestead as the sun began to dip in the sky. Unfortunately, the quiet ride left Archie alone with his thoughts all the more, especially with an exhausted nine-year-old beside him. Usually, it was a time Archie cherished for reflection and prayer. Today, it was an annoyance more than anything.

Archie relaxed once he reached the cabin and opened the door to see Ruby and Peter, safe and sound—Ruby at the oven, as busy as ever, and Peter sleeping in his cradle by the fire.

Ruby flashed her brilliant smile, her green eyes bright, and Archie had to calm his heartbeat. He crossed the room, resisting the strange urge to press his lips to her hair as he brushed past her, daring only to rest his hand on her back, before he checked on the baby. Peter was quiet as a mouse with his feathery eyelashes touching his little pink cheeks, his small chest rising and falling with each breath. The sight made Archie's breath hitch in his throat.

"Enjoy it while you can," Ruby said with a chuckle, coming up behind him, giving Archie a start. "He'll be crying for his supper soon enough. The boy has wasted no time in stretching his lungs."

Archie grinned. "He's a strong lad," he replied. "I'll be back—I'm just going to unhitch Cleo and get her settled in the barn." Ruby nodded, and Archie rushed outside to see August playing with Pongo in the yard. The boy was now conveniently wide awake, and no help whatsoever, until reminded by his pa to start loading what he could into the house.

Soon, they were seated at the table, supper served and the goodies from town piled in the corner. Archie prayed the blessing over their meal, with little Peter now included, before a famished August tucked into his full plate.

Ruby laughed, her fork in hand. "Did you boys not eat in town?" she teased before throwing a glance to Archie. "What did you do for lunch?"

"We ate at the restaurant," August mumbled, cheeks full, and he swallowed with a sheepish smile after receiving a chastisement in the form of his father clearing his throat. "Sorry, Pa." He turned back to Ruby, eager to tell her all about it. "We had steaks, and potatoes, and gravy, and there were biscuits and jam!"

"That sounds like fun," Ruby replied before taking a bite.

"We had a treat," Archie added firmly. "The town is already getting busy now that we're well into spring. The chophouse isn't usually too rowdy yet, but it was more full than I'd expected."

"Yeah, it was great!" August chimed in. "And we saw the Golds and I got to play with Neal, and later pa asked about tickets and we went to the new doctor's office. It's pretty empty right now."

Archie swallowed when he saw Ruby perk up at the mention of tickets. "I, uh, I inquired about the schedule for the wagon train," he explained, ice forming in his stomach. "M-maybe we can talk more later, but I just thought I'd find out what I could—in case you wanted to know."

Ruby rested her fork on her plate and paused before she nodded, and Archie longed to know what she was thinking.

"You saw Mr. and Mrs. Gold?" she asked brightly after a moment. "How are they?"

Archie relaxed slightly, grateful when August filled the silence by describing his time with Neal. She smiled along, taking in his story with questions of her own, before she turned to Archie. "And how is Belle?"

Archie smiled, remembering the time she'd spent with Belle at the harvest party what seemed like ages ago. "She's doing well," he told her. "She was excited to hear about you and Peter, and she wants to visit soon. I told her you'd like that."

"Oh, that would be lovely!" Ruby exclaimed, and Archie felt his pulse quicken as the comment about the wagon train seemed to be forgotten.

"Yes, well, I should warn you, there might be some other visits as well," he added, his tone playfully serious. "I may have bumped into a few neighbours and told them your good news."

Ruby's smile was genuine. "That would be nice to have visitors," she assured him.

"Yeah, Pa wouldn't stop talking!" August exclaimed, and Ruby's laugh rang through the little room.

"Yes, and I see someone who still has some beans to finish on his plate," Archie reminded the boy with mock seriousness.

Ruby chuckled and leaned closer to August. "It's not nice to tattle on your pa—at least not while we're right in front of him."

August nodded, his mouth full of pickled beans.

"Yes, well, I guess I'll just take all of these nice packages back to my room and keep them with me, if this is the treatment I get."

"No!" Ruby and August pleaded together, barely able to hide their giggles, and Archie grinned.

"Okay, we'll be good," Ruby promised, putting some salted pork on her fork. "Now what's this I hear about the doctor's office?"

Archie could see August open his mouth, so he jumped in. "I'll answer this one, August. You need to finish up your vegetables, please."

He continued, his focus now on Ruby. "Mr. Gold gave me a key to what will be the doctor's office, so August and I took a look inside. Jefferson Madden—I think I've mentioned him?—stopped by with his daughter Grace. I told you that he suggested Dr. Whale when he heard about the plan—they knew each other back in university—and he's already made a generous commitment to contributing to the doctor's salary. Now he also wants to pay for the furnishing of the office." Archie shook his head with a chuckle. "I said it was too much, but Jefferson insisted, so we may not have a choice in the matter."

"That is generous."

Archie nodded. "I took some notes and made a rough sketch of the dimensions of the space so you can get an idea of what it's like and what we'll need. It's in good shape—the clinic space is bare clapboard, but, with a good scrub, it will be clean and tidy. The apartment is plastered, so it will be easy enough to paper."

"That sounds like a good start."

"I hope so," Archie replied. There was a lot to do, and he was glad that Ruby seemed excited to throw herself into another project. Besides, he couldn't deny that it was far more fun to share this plan with her, and to work with her, rather than to keep it to himself.

It was easier to make those kinds of plans than it was bring up another subject that Archie had managed to brush past during dinner. He knew he needed to talk to Ruby about it, however, and so he took advantage of the quietness in the evening, after they'd put away the new supplies from town, when August had been sent to bed and Peter was settling after a late feeding.

Archie and Ruby sat together by the fire, Ruby in the rocking chair with the baby while Archie sat beside her in a kitchen chair, unusually idle with his hands empty. Without the bustle of a nine-year-old boy, Archie found his thoughts wandering to topics he'd tried to ignore earlier in the day.

The silence hung cozy around them, broken only by Ruby humming softly as she gazed into the hearth and Peter gurgling away as he punched and kicked the air in a burst of energy. Archie let his gaze linger on the sight of mother and child, the warm light basking over them, and Archie couldn't help but wish he could keep this moment with him forever, as if he could stop the little hands of the clock from their tick-tock, tick-tock. Motherhood suited Ruby, and she glowed more than ever, despite the subtle shadows of weariness that came from caring for a newborn—especially one's first. And yet, there was a peace surrounding her that shone more brightly, and Archie found she took his breath away more than ever.

Which was why he couldn't shy away from his first question.

He licked his lips and took a deep breath, an ache already deep in his chest.

"I—I asked about the wagon train today," he finally said, his voice surprisingly small. He cleared his throat before he continued. "The first trip leaves next week, and then there will be another a month later."

Ruby turned to face him, and Archie wasn't sure what he read in her expression. Her eyes widened slightly, but her thoughts were hidden in the flickering shadows of the hearth.

"I imagine it's too soon for you to be travelling with Peter in a week, and besides, you'd need time to prepare," Archie continued, his gaze fixed on hers before she looked away. "But there's a train in the middle of May, and then another in June. After that, there's nothing until the beginning of August, which is the last chance to head back east."

Ruby stared unseeing into the fire, and Archie envied her composure. Oh, how he already wanted to turn back the clock and return to the fall when they'd have months ahead of them. Or, even better, if only he could somehow convince her to stay past August to have her and Peter with them for another winter.

Those departure dates haunted him, lined up like cruel puppeteers, engineering his fate and ready to snatch his family away from him.

Lord, help me do the right thing.

"We made a bargain, and I intend to keep my promise to you," Archie said, his voice more steady than he felt. "So, when you're ready, I'll buy the tickets for you and Peter to go back… home."

Ruby stayed unnervingly still before she nodded slowly. "Peter's too young to travel just yet," she finally said, her jaw set. "And like you said, I'll need more than a week to prepare. Besides, I said I'd help you get ready for the new doctor, and we've got the planting to do before then."

Archie swallowed and let his gaze turn to the fireplace, his hands clasped over his stomach as he sank lower in his chair. "There is that."

"So… not April. Maybe May."

Archie's heart sank. "May," he repeated, the word feeling like cold steel between his teeth. Up until then, he'd somehow hoped that this time wouldn't come, but the set date made it feel all the more real.

They had only weeks.