The rest of August's real birthday was deemed a success—thanks to a delicious meal of fresh fish followed by special birthday cookies—and soon, the true ten-year-old was dreaming of birthdays to come as he snored lightly in the bedroom. His ma and pa were not far behind him, managing to stay awake just long enough to solidify their plans for August to visit with the Nolans for a week before they made their way to the bedroom and nodded off themselves, with Archie's arms around Ruby.
Before they knew it, the day of the town party arrived, and the Hopper family packed themselves up and drove off to Storybrooke to celebrate the beginning of summer before the heat showed its full strength.
Ruby bounced her knee as they arrived in town, memories of the Harvest party washing over her when she was, for all intents and purposes, a grieving widow amongst strangers. Her heart swelled in her chest as she realized how she longed to see her neighbours again—now with a three-and-a-half month old in tow. She threw a glance to Archie, whom she suspected had similar thoughts as he met her gaze and gave her a grin before he pulled Cleo to a stop in front of the doctor's office. In a scene that mirrored their arrival at the Nolans' all those months before, August hopped down and raced towards the activity, leaving Archie to help Ruby down from the wagon before carrying their offerings to the party, along with his fiddle.
This time, however, as she arrived side-by-side with her husband, her infant son in her arms, Ruby was almost certain her heart would have floated away if not for her ribs holding it firmly in place. No longer did the air hold a chill with the threat of winter's destruction, but the sun shone down on the happy scene, the main street transformed in an array of colourful banners and flowers that took her breath away. No longer did Ruby scan a crowd of strangers, praying for a friendly retreat, but she revelled in the warmth of Archie's presence beside her as they wondered whom to greet first.
Though, truth be told, there was a hint of trepidation as Ruby noticed a banner hanging across the square set up in the middle of the street. She let out a sigh of relief when she grew closer to see it only read "Annual Storybrooke Summer Celebration" before she shook her head at herself, only then realizing she hadn't entirely trusted Mary Margaret's promise to keep the attention off of herself and Archie.
Before Ruby had a chance to turn around, she felt arms wrapped around her and Peter, pinning her arms.
"You're here!" a light, familiar voice cried, and Ruby grinned as she pulled back to see Mary Margaret's features beaming back at her.
"We are," Ruby agreed with a nod, chastising herself for being choked up by such a simple statement. She swallowed the lump in her throat and began bouncing Peter gently as she realized Archie had disappeared to the tables of food to add her potato salad and pie to the feast. "You and Belle did a wonderful job with the decorations," Ruby added, turning her focus back to her friend.
Mary Margaret waved off the praise. "Oh, it's nothing, trust me." She leaned forward and mock whispered, "We use the same banners every year, and Belle is generous enough to donate some of her flowers to the cause. That's all."
Ruby chuckled. "Well, I'm impressed. And next time, you'll have to let me help!" Next time, when she wasn't dealing with a barn fire and packing up her things to leave her family behind.
Mary Margaret gave Ruby a playful swat. "You had enough on your plate, but yes—next time, you most certainly won't be getting off that easy. Archie!"
Ruby turned to see her husband join her, and heat bloomed throughout her whole body as he placed his hand on her back. "Hello, Mary Margaret," he greeted, his voice warm. "You and Belle have done a great job with the party this year."
"It's the same every year, Archie Hopper, as you well know, but I will never turn down flattery," Mary Margaret said. "But never mind all that. I'm glad you're both here."
In a breath, the woman with boundless cheer and energy spun around and clapped her hands. "Everyone, listen up!" she exclaimed, her voice holding a surprising amount of authority for so dainty a woman. Everyone milling about stopped their activity and turned to focus on Mary Margaret, and Ruby shrank into Archie slightly as he wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Thank you for coming to our Annual Summer Celebration," she began, and Ruby bit her lip, sensing that she would not escape the limelight entirely. "It's wonderful to see you all—and to see some new faces since last year."
Ruby glanced down to hide her smile, and Archie gave her a squeeze.
"You all know that this past year has brought on a particular change for one of our residents, Mr. Archibald Hopper. Not quite a year ago, Archie and Ruby were married, which in and of itself is a big change. Not only that, but in March, Ruby and Archie and August welcomed little Peter to the family."
Ruby glanced around for August to see him—to no great surprise—with Emma and Neal by the food table. Their eyes met and she flashed him a reassuring smile, which he returned with some hesitancy.
"On top of all this, Mr. Hopper—along with Ruby—worked tirelessly this year to ensure that, in a couple of weeks, Storybrooke will be welcoming its very own doctor to stay with us," Mary Margaret continued with a clap of her hands, and Ruby scanned the crowd to see faces both familiar and unfamiliar nodding along. She stopped when she caught a peculiar expression cross Jefferson Madden's features, but she dismissed the thought when his features relaxed as he swept Grace up into his arms.
"And then, as if the Hoppers have not been busy enough, they've also had to rebuild after a fire destroyed their barn. And so," Mary Margaret said, turning behind her to Ruby and Archie, frozen in place, "Belle and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you both for all you've done for Storybrooke, and to welcome Ruby to our town. We're—we're truly so happy you're here!"
Ruby swallowed the lump that rose in her throat and tears pricked her eyes as she met her friend's gaze. "Thank you," she mouthed, and Mary Margaret grinned, her own eyes glistening. Ruby looked up to see Archie smiling down at her, and pride washed over her, to have her husband's hard work and generosity recognized. For the countless time, she was filled with awe that this man was truly her husband.
She had to laugh to see the colour sweep over Archie cheek's as he shifted in place, glancing over the throng of people before he returned his focus to her and placed a kiss to her hair. "God is good," he murmured, and Ruby nodded, unable to say anything more.
There wasn't much time to squirm under the attention, thankfully, as Mary Margaret called David up with a wriggling baby in his arms to say the blessing over the food. A reverent hush fell over the town and Ruby soaked in David's words of thanks, echoing them in her heart. Once he closed with an "Amen", the party buzzed to life, and Ruby and Archie and Peter found themselves surrounded by well-wishers.
Ruby was glad that Jefferson was among the first to greet them, and she eagerly returned his embrace as best she could with Peter in her arms. "It's so good to see you again!" she exclaimed, pulling back from the hug to turn her attention to Grace while Archie's attention was tugged elsewhere. She crouched down to the five-year-old's eye level. "And how are you enjoying the party so far?"
"Very well, thank you," was the girl's polite reply as she hid behind her father's leg, his arm on her shoulder. Her smile was bright, however, and Ruby suspected she would be running along with Emma and August and Neal in no time.
"I can't tell you how glad I am that you're here!" Jefferson added, echoing Mary Margaret's words, raising his voice to be heard over the hum of others. He leaned forward and placed his hand on Ruby's arm, an intimate act that was comforting, despite Ruby not knowing the man terribly well—yet. "Truth be told, I was worried about how Archie was going to handle it."
Ruby started and met Jefferson's gaze as he stood back and smiled with the warmth of someone who knew her husband more than she realized—and, perhaps, knew the pain of such heartbreak himself.
Ruby felt her features soften as tears welled up. "I—I'm so glad neither of us have to find out," she choked out before flashing the man a grin, determined not to let her emotions get the better of her.
"Find out what?" a familiar voice said beside her, and Ruby's grin grew wider as she leaned into her husband's hand that he placed it on her back.
Jefferson jerked his chin at Archie. "Oh, just how bad a cook you are now," the younger man added before clapping a hand to Archie's shoulder.
Archie chuckled. "Yes, I, uh—I'm afraid August and I won't be inviting ourselves to your place for suppers after all."
Ruby gave her husband a playful swat, basking in the cheerful teasing between friends. Peter began to shift in her arms and she bounced in place to soothe his fussing, while Grace rushed off—after gaining her father's approval in the form of a nod—to join August and Emma and Neal.
"Has there been any news of Per—D-doctor Whale?" Jefferson asked, turning his attention to Ruby and Archie, and Ruby had to stop herself from frowning at the sudden change in subject. Then again, he had helped to enlist the new doctor, so his attentions shouldn't have been surprising.
"He'll be on the stagecoach next week," Archie replied nonchalantly. Ruby wondered if her husband noticed the purse in Jefferson's lips and the tightening in his jaw.
"Right, right," Jefferson said with his usual grin as he dropped his gaze. "It's that time already. And you'll be meeting him once he arrives?" He looked up, and Ruby thought she saw apprehension in his raised brow that held more than mild curiosity about an old school mate.
"Yes, I'll be here to see him settled," Archie assured his friend. Ruby glanced between the two men, wondering if she was reading too much into the conversation.
"That's good—that's good. I'm sure you'll make him feel welcome."
"We were planning on having him over for dinner when he arrives. You'd be more than welcome to join us," Ruby offered, glancing at Archie before returning her focus to Jefferson.
Jefferson dropped his gaze for a moment before meeting Ruby's eye. "No, no—I'd better not overwhelm the poor fellow. It will just be nice to see an old school chum, is all. It's, uh—it's been awhile."
"Of course," Ruby agreed, fighting to hide the confusion that Jefferson's questions stoked. His attentions to the new doctor seemed more than just friendly somehow. "Well, I for one am thrilled that I'll be able to meet him after all!" she continued with a little too much cheer.
Archie wrapped his arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze while Jefferson's features relaxed into an easy smile.
"And Storybrooke thanks you for your efforts in bringing him here and getting him settled," Jefferson said with a nod. His eyes met Ruby's and she caught a hint of longing before he turned his attention to Archie. "Now, didn't I see you bring your fiddle? How can you keep the people waiting?" His tone was teasing and slightly dark, which Ruby was beginning to learn was his certain kind of charm—though still full of warmth.
She followed his lead and scrunched her nose at Archie. "Yes, your audience awaits! The dancers need their music."
Archie chuckled. "And here I was thinking I'd be able to enjoy a good meal first. Alas, I must always be a slave to my art."
"There you go!" Jefferson agreed with a hearty laugh. "The man of the people." He extended an arm to Ruby. "With your husband called away, might I escort you to the banquet, m'lady?"
Ruby grinned and, with a farewell to Archie, took Jefferson's arm and let him lead her to the tables of food where she spied some other friends.
Before she knew it, Ruby was wrapped in Belle's warm embrace, whose petite stature only seemed to concentrate her greeting in its full force. "Hello!" Ruby said with a chuckle as they pulled back.
"Well, hello, there!" Belle replied, her voice instantly pitching a few notes higher as she cooed to Peter directly. "And how is this little man doing?"
"He's growing too fast if his mama has anything to say about it."
Belle laughed as she glanced up and finally remembered Jefferson. "Mr. Madden—so good to see you here, too."
"I know I'm not as charming as a three-month-old, but I do my best," Jefferson teased before greeting Belle with a kiss to her cheek. "And how is Mrs. Gold today? Please tell me you made my favourite strawberry tarts."
Belle flashed her own grin as she squeezed Jefferson's arm. "I wouldn't dare forget," she replied with a nod to the end of the table. With a wink, Jefferson was off to the far side that held the sweets and began mingling with Sean Herman.
"And I'm just fine, since you asked!" Belle called after him before turning back to Ruby, her features bright. "Goodness, that man is worse than the children," she added with a huff, and Ruby laughed as she shifted Peter on her shoulder.
"Just look at all this food!" Ruby exclaimed, her eyes wide as she took in the feast of fried chicken and sausage and all sorts of sandwiches and jellied salads in an array of colours—never mind the fruit and desserts farther down the table. It was enough to make Ruby's mouth water.
"Never let it be said that Storybrooke doesn't know how to celebrate," Belle agreed. Ruby smiled to see her friend's attention quickly return to her son as Belle took Peter's little hand in hers, and Peter's eyes widened as he focused on this new face. "Though, I have to admit, I haven't been feeling like much in the way of food lately."
Ruby's features dropped. "Oh, no, Belle—are you ill?"
Belle straightened and met Ruby's gaze. "Oh, no, nothing like that!" she said with a grin. She leaned forward and whispered. "I just—I'm certain that I'm pregnant."
A thrill shot through Ruby and she let out a squeal before throwing her arm around her friend. "Belle, that's wonderful! I'm so happy for you!"
Perhaps she was too overzealous in her congratulations because Peter began to cry. "Sweetheart, sh-h-h-h, it's okay," Ruby cooed, and she and Belle laughed as Ruby tried to placate her son. "When did you find realize…?" she asked her friend more calmly.
"Oh, about a couple of weeks ago?" Belle answered, her gaze flitting between Ruby and Peter as she continued to hold Peter's hand. "I reckon I'm just shy of a couple of months along, now. I don't know if it's too soon to be telling folks, but I couldn't resist letting you know."
"That's wonderful," Ruby repeated, her cheeks tight from grinning. "I'm so happy for you and Mr. Gold. And how fortunate that the doctor arrives next week!" No wonder Mr. Gold was so willing to hire him. Ruby chastised herself for the thought, for she knew that the plans for Dr. Whale's arrival had been set long before Belle's happy news. Still, the notion was rather amusing.
Belle laughed. "Yes, well, I won't deny I'm grateful for the timing." She brushed out her skirts around her middle absentmindedly as her expression turned slightly more serious. "And, truth be told, I'm terribly relieved, in case anything does happen, given how hard it was to conceive…"
Ruby shook her head and grabbed Belle's hand. "Don't say it—you'll be fine." She bit her lip to keep from saying anything about her own delivery lest she reveal Archie's secret. "And besides, Mary Margaret and I would be more than willing to help in any way we can."
Belle's vibrant blue eyes searched Ruby's before her features relaxed. "Thank you," Belle murmured. "That means the world to us."
"Oh, you told her, didn't you?"
Ruby started to see Mary Margaret beside them. "It seems Mrs. Gold is eager to put the doctor through his paces," Mrs. Nolan teased. Ruby quickly calculated when the baby would be due—sometime in the late fall. At least Belle wouldn't be too uncomfortable during the heat of the summer.
"Well, I would have bet good money that Ashley would have been the first to have a baby delivered by Dr. Whale, but it seems they're waiting until after the harvest to wed."
"Oh?" Belle exclaimed. "It's official?"
Mary Margaret nodded, her hands clasped and unclasped, and Ruby realized the woman wasn't entirely sure what to do with herself without a task before her, or a child at her skirts. "Mmhmm. The girl can't help but tell everyone within earshot that they're finally going to be married."
Ruby smiled as she scanned the crowd for the bride-to-be. She spotted her over by a tree talking to some townsfolk that Ruby didn't recognize, with Sean now by her side.
"They're so sweet," she murmured as she turned back to her friends.
The cheerful hum of conversation swirled together with the first notes of the band that echoed the joy bubbling up in Ruby's chest. There was so much to celebrate!
Though the similarity to the Harvest party was not lost on Ruby, the striking difference to a few months ago hit her with enough force that she began to blink back a couple of tears as her thoughts wandered from her friends' conversation, and she hoped that her silent nods and smiles would not raise suspicions.
How much had changed in the last few months! How much had changed in the few days.
As if on cue, Peter began to fuss and Ruby was able to slip away behind Gold's for his feeding in a welcomed moment of quiet. The sight of her son's face as he sucked gently at her breast, completely satisfied, worked to settle her heart as emotion washed over her—the overwhelming sense of belonging that was finally hers.