IMPORTANT: Please note, this chapter gets more explicit, so if that's not your thing, please consider skipping this part!
Ruby and Archie quickly slipped back to the party as respectable members of the community and parents to two young boys, and if anyone noticed anything different, nothing was said. The sun continued its journey across the sky, dipping closer to the western horizon as the fun continued, but dusk soon fell, signaling the end to a long day. Ruby, for one, was more than ready to head home with her husband, and she noticed the droop in Archie's shoulders that told her he felt the same.
After they bid farewell to their friends, and had sent August off with the Nolans, Archie helped Ruby onto their wagon with Peter in her arms. Having packed everything up, Archie hopped up onto the wagon and took the reins, and with a click of his tongue, they were off.
The short journey to the homestead was oddly still. Ruby was certainly aware of August's absence, and she scooted closer to Archie on the bench. The activity of the day made her limbs and eyelids feel heavy and she gave into the urge to rest her head on her husband's shoulder. He let out a chuckle and wrapped his arm around her as she shifted Peter in her arms.
"Long day?" he murmured.
"Mmhmm," she replied, not bothering to form complete words. The sun was just below the horizon, providing a dusty glow with just enough light to see by as the crickets chirped their happy song in the warm evening air. It was almost cozy, save for the bumps and jolts of the road.
Still, Ruby was more than happy to see their cabin come into view.
Archie pulled up to the door and let Cleo come to an easy stop. With a squeeze to her shoulders, he jumped down and hurried to her side, and Ruby forced herself to move, slowly making her way to the ground with Archie's help.
The cabin was dark and Ruby let her eyes adjust while Archie placed their things on the table.
"I'm just gonna get the animals settled," he said, coming up behind her to give her arm a squeeze and press a kiss to her temple.
"Mmhmm," Ruby murmured again with a nod before tilting her head into his kiss. Then, she was left in an empty house with Peter in her arms.
With a deep breath, she got to work and laid Peter in his cradle by the fireplace. After untying her bonnet and placing it haphazardly on the rocking chair, she found the matches to light a couple of lamps, the evening still too warm to light the whole hearth.
As the flames burst to life, Ruby caught the glint on her rings—each hand bearing the covenant made with a different man. Her heart lurched in her throat and she had to swallow down the emotion that threatened to overtake her.
How strange that she'd forgotten the jewelry that had once given her grief—the physical manifestation of her heart divided. She took a deep breath as she brought her left hand up to study Peter's ring by the lamplight, its scuffed metal only a dull shine. She played with it, twirling it up her finger with her thumb as her heart stilled in her chest.
It was time.
Slowly, she slid it off her finger and held it between her thumb and forefinger, highly aware of the gold shining on her right hand mere inches away. Ruby closed her eyes and brought the simple band to her lips in a farewell kiss to her old life. An act that would have felt a devastating betrayal months ago now brought a wave of relief washing over her and she realized she was, most assuredly, ready to close that chapter of her life. Peter would always have his claim staked on a corner of her heart, with his legacy continued through their son. And yet, no longer holding on to regrets or wishes for a life that would never be, Ruby was ready to face the sunrise that was her new life as Mrs. Hopper, mother to both August and Peter, and wife to the man who had captured her heart.
Ruby reverently tucked the ring away in her drawer of her sewing table, offering up a quick prayer of thanks for her time with her first husband. It was an odd memorial of sorts, and though a couple of stray tears rolled down her face, Ruby smiled at the significance of the small act.
Running her hands across her cheeks, she continued in her tasks and proceeded to light the stove and pour a jug of water into the coffee pot to start boiling. The heady scent of coffee soon filled her nostrils and sparked her senses, helping her become more alert. She was tempted to light more candles, also, hoping to chase away the drowsiness, but decided against the luxury. The two lamps were more than enough.
She then focused on the baskets on the table containing tins with the scrapings of the food she'd brought to the party. It would be wise to do the washing, but in act of indulgence, she simply placed the dishes in the large basin to be attacked the next day. She was not so lazy, however, as to leave the baskets on the table, and instead returned them to their proper hooks beside the cupboards. In truth, it was strange to be surrounded by such quiet after a busy day, and the motions of her evening routine felt more languid without the energy of a ten-year-old in the house. And yet, there was an anticipation buzzing in the air—simmering under her skin—as she waited for Archie to return.
By the time Archie entered, Ruby had already changed and fed Peter and was rocking him to sleep in the rocking chair. "Hey," she greeted, looking up to the doorway across the room.
"Hey," Archie replied softly as he closed the door and stepped inside, only just visible in the lamplight. He placed the pail of water on the floor and took off his hat before hanging it up. He turned back to face her, and his features widened into his grin that made her heart flutter. Ruby instinctively bit her lip as she dared to hold his gaze. For a moment, neither moved, and Ruby could almost hear her heartbeat.
Then, remembering himself, Archie grabbed the pail and took a few paces to the wash basin by the bedroom door. Ruby kept her gaze on him, transfixed by every movement, the flex of muscle as he poured the water in the basin. He removed his glasses and placed them on the high shelf above before he unbuttoned his sleeves and rolled them up his forearms. He grabbed the soap and lathered up his hands and forearms and rinsed them clean. Then, he splashed some water on his face and reached for the towel, patting his face dry.
"I could have warmed that up for you," Ruby said with a chuckle, noticing the droplets that clung to his curls around his face.
"Nah," he said with a grin and a shake of his head. "It's refreshing."
He hung up the towel neatly on the rod and put his spectacles back on before making his way over to Ruby and Peter in the rocking chair. "I'm sorry I took so long."
He bent down, his hand on the arm of the chair, and Ruby reached for his neck with her free hand, guiding his lips to hers in a quick kiss.
"What were you doing out there?" she couldn't help but ask as she caressed his neck, furrowing her brow at him as he hovered over her.
"Oh, I—I just wanted to make sure the animals were settled."
Ruby gave him an unconvinced look, wholly unsatisfied, but she didn't press it. Truth be told, the subject was quickly forgotten as he leaned in for another kiss, lingering but chaste, and she stroked his jaw before he pulled back. He glanced down to the baby, whose gaze to his pa was interrupted as his eyelids began to flutter closed.
"He's had a long day," Archie said with a chuckle, and he brushed his son's head before he stood up.
Ruby's heart sank ever-so-slightly as Archie made his way to the stove for some coffee—though that was the reason she'd made it. He threw her a look over his shoulder as he grabbed a couple of mugs. "Do you want anything?"
"No, thank you," Ruby replied. She began to push off from the floor to rock the chair again, the movement soothing herself more than Peter, who was almost asleep.
She lazily watched Archie pour his coffee into his mug and pull a chair beside her before settling in. The domestic scene was cozy, and Ruby was grateful for the rare moment of quiet, but… she couldn't ignore the restlessness that hummed in her chest.
She also couldn't deny the particular annoyance she felt towards the chairs with arms.
"Did you enjoy yourself today?" Archie before taking a sip from his mug.
Ruby smiled and relaxed in her chair. "Mmhmm," she assured him. "After hearing so much about the summer party, I'm glad I finally got to see it."
"It's become something of a tradition," Archie said with a nod. "Mary Margaret and Belle have done a lot with it over the last couple of years."
"Mmhmm."
"August certainly had fun with Neal Gold. He follows that boy like a shadow, but I think I can safely say that Neal is a good influence."
"Mmhmm."
"It's nice to see Grace come out of her shell a little bit, too, and it's fortunate that she and Emma are so close in age."
"Mmhmm."
"I'm pleased to see Jefferson getting involved. I wonder if he and Grace might stick around this winter instead of travelling like they normally do. He mentioned he's considering as much—though I guess that's still a ways off."
"Mmhmm."
Archie drained his cup and stretched to place it on the kitchen table before sitting back in his chair. He turned to Ruby and raised his brows, and Ruby studied the way the lamplight glinted off his red hair and shone just enough to betray the twinkle in his eyes. "Are you going to say that to everything I say tonight?" he teased.
Ruby felt the hum in her veins start to simmer once more. "Mmhmm," she repeated, biting back a smirk.
Archie rested his forearm on the arm of his chair and leaned closer. "That kind of power can go to a man's head," he murmured in his deep rasp.
Ruby licked her lips and dropped her gaze to his mouth for longer than necessary. "Mmhmm," she managed to mumble as she forced her eyes upwards. His blue eyes sparkled behind the frames of his glasses, and Ruby thought she would melt under his steady gaze. He brought his hand up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and Ruby shivered as his fingers stroked her ear and neck.
He sat back slightly, keeping his hand on her neck as he held her gaze, and Ruby waited for him to continue. She could sense the sparks between them, the charge in the air as they both knew the significance of the strange quiet around them. They'd longed for this solitude, but now that it was theirs, Ruby wasn't sure how to proceed. She thought of the stolen kisses from earlier that day, the heat the sparked to life so quickly, and she wondered if Archie was thinking the same.
She glanced down to Peter, only just remembering the infant in her arms. She gave Archie a sheepish smile. "I'll just put him down," she said. As she rose, Archie's hand slid down to rest at the small of her back. "I'll be right back."
"Okay."
She retreated to the bedroom, eager to see Peter settled. He was already asleep, and he barely stirred as she gently laid him in his cradle. She smiled as she pulled his blanket up over him, his hands already balled into fists above his head. "Good night, Precious," she murmured before pressing a kiss to his head.
She quickly returned to the main room, eager to join her husband. And yet, there was a slight hesitation as she met his gaze and took a seat beside him—a shyness that she wished wouldn't show itself at such inconvenient times.
"How'd it go?" he asked, his voice warm as he settled his hand on her shoulder.
"Oh, he'll be out for awhile," she assured him, a flush creeping over her cheeks at the possible double meaning.
Archie didn't seem to notice. "That's good," he said with a smile. His hand wandered across her shoulder to her neck, instantly sending shivers through her as his fingers brushed her bare skin. She tilted her head against his hand and let out a hum, closing her eyes for a brief moment as his hands slid up to her ear.
"I, uh—I just wanted to make it clear that we—we don't have to do anything more tonight. There's no rush—just because…" His tone was quiet and Ruby could see the sincerity in his gaze.
Ruby smiled softly. "Archie, it's okay," she assured him, her heart full as she hooked her hand on his arm. "I'm ready—I'm ready to be your wife."
He grinned. "I'm glad," he breathed, his voice deep. "But first, would you mind—would you let me pray for us?"
Startled for a moment, Ruby quickly collected herself and nodded. Truth be told, this wasn't a surprise coming from Archie Hopper, and she followed his lead as he turned towards her in his chair, his knees meeting hers. He took her hands in his before he ducked his head and closed his eyes, and Ruby did the same.
"Heavenly Father, thank you for this woman you've blessed me with. I thank you for her grace and strength, but especially I thank you for her generous heart. I ask that you would help me be a husband worthy of her, and I pray that you would bless our marriage. Protect our family, and may everything we do bring you glory. Amen."
Tears pricked at Ruby's eyes as she blinked them open, and Archie gave her hands a squeeze. She fought to focus on Archie, and for a moment the world was in a fog as her heart swam with emotions. Months ago, such a prayer would have felt foreign, but now her heart echoed the words as if she'd said them herself.
His blue eyes beamed at her, and she couldn't help but grin back as he ran his thumbs over her fingers. He clasped her hands to his chest before holding them up in examination, studying her knuckles before meeting her gaze. "You—you took it off," he breathed, his features almost serious as if he wasn't sure whether to believe it.
"Yes," Ruby whispered, only able to nod as her vision blurred slightly.
He stood up suddenly, pulling her up with him, and she let out a laugh, unsure of her own emotions—and yet, entirely certain about this man standing before her.
"May I?" he said quietly, holding up her right hand. Ruby nodded, transfixed as she watched his every move. Slowly, reverently, he slid his golden ring off of her right hand. He held up her left hand, supporting her fingers with his hand before edging the ring onto the fourth finger, and Ruby held her breath.
"With this ring, I thee wed," he said softly, and Ruby swallowed the lump in her throat. As the ring slid into place, he looked up and met her gaze. Ruby kept her eyes fixed on his, her heart swimming along with the depths of love she saw there.
Then, he broke into a grin and brought his hands up to her cheeks, cupping her face as he crashed his lips to hers. Ruby grinned against his lips, bringing her hands up to rest on his arms as she returned the kiss, and a laugh bubbled up as her own sheer delight was amplified by his own.
They were finally and truly ready to be husband and wife.
They both gasped as they pulled apart, the energy of the kiss a contrast to the air of reverence from moments earlier. Ruby slowly opened her eyes to meet Archie's gaze as they pressed their foreheads together. He slid his hands down her neck, trailing them down her shoulders and arms until they reached her hands.
"Shall we?" he asked quietly, and Ruby nodded.
He dropped her hands and turned around to grab a candle. He lit it from one of the lamps before blowing them both out, and, with one hand holding the brass loop of the candle holder, he took Ruby's other hand before his steady steps guided them towards the bedroom. Ruby fought to keep her heart from pounding in her chest.
With his back to her, he crossed the length of the room to light the lamp on the little table, and the shifting light stilled once more, no longer casting eerie shadows. Ruby held her breath as he turned towards her, only vaguely aware of the cradle beside them. He tugged her towards him and reached for her neck as he brought her lips to his once more. Ruby moved her free hand up to his arm, her eyes closed as she anticipated another hungry kiss. Instead, the kiss was tender, a gentle caress of her lower lip, and she relaxed into it after the initial surprise. A soft heat rose within her, a flush in her cheeks in a precursor of the fire to come, and she delighted in the unassuming gesture, as if they both wanted to savour each moment.
Archie pulled back, and Ruby opened her eyes, studying his features as best she could with his face in the shadows, the lamp behind him. His gaze lingered on her face, dropping slowly down to her lips and then her chest, and she bit her lip. For a moment, she wondered if she dared to guide his hands, but she decided against it, wanting to see how he would proceed—wanting to give him that freedom. Besides, it sent a thrill through her, to be vulnerable in that way, the anticipation of his skilled hands wandering over her skin.
"May I?" he asked, his brows raised as he met her eyes, and Ruby nodded with a smile. He took a step towards her, closing the already small space between them before lifting his hands to the neckline of her dress just at the collarbone. Her breath hitched in her throat as his fingers connected with the fabric, working the buttons, and the pressure through her dress was enough to make her pulse quicken. One by one, he unfastened each button, and Ruby licked her lips as she watched him, his attention now on his hands. Her breathing quickened, causing her chest to rise and fall more deeply under his gaze.
With the last button opened, he returned to her lips, pressing a kiss to her mouth as his hands cupped her face. As he pulled back, he slid his hands down her neck and shoulders until he coaxed the dress from her shoulders and down her arms so it slid to the floor, leaving her arms bare to his fingers that finished their journey. The sensation of his touch made her shiver, and she grinned at him before giving him an eager kiss in return. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he smiled against her lips, his hands around her waist to hug her close.
The task was far from over, however, so Ruby pulled back after a moment and brought her hands to Archie's hands at her waist. Her eyes fixed on his, she found the ties of her petticoats and tugged them loose, his hands now covering hers before he ran his fingers along the waistband to her front to help the skirts fall to the floor. Next, the laces of her corset, which Ruby couldn't help but notice caused him some vexation at the tediousness of the task. Still, he kept his pace steady with each tug, and Ruby felt desire stir in her middle as his fingers grew closer to her skin with each layer—his gentle, strong hands, so deliberate with each movement. She could see the desire in his eyes, along with the care with which he worked, and Ruby felt like a treasure being unwrapped. With the final section loosened, Ruby took a deep breath, no longer constrained by the garment, and she held her hands up for Archie to guide it up over her head before he discarded it on the floor along with her other clothing.
She held her breath, standing before her husband in only her undergarment, the thin fabric clinging to her shape. Her gaze remained on his, and her heart swelled to see the adoration in his eyes before he pulled her to him with one hand on her waist, the other around her neck to guide her lips to his, his brow furrowed in a passionate kiss. Her hands settled on his waist and she gripped his shirt as his tongue swept past her lips, and she pressed herself to him, the ache of desire increasing its strum in her veins.
His hand wandered to her hair, hindered by the pins that held it in place. She broke the kiss and turned around to give him a better view.
Archie chuckled and followed her lead, his hands searching her hair before gently tugging each pin. With each one freed, more strands tumbled down, and he pressed warm kisses to her ear and neck. The sensation of his hands against her scalp, his lips against her skin, made Ruby's pulse beat hard, and she bit her lip as a soft moan escaped.
"You like that?" Archie murmured against her ear.
"Mmhmm," was all Ruby could say.
He chuckled as he continued his work, removing each pin in between kisses to her ears and neck. With the last pin out, he ran his fingers through her hair, and Ruby tilted her head back and shook her hair loose. Another constraint gone, Ruby revelled in the sensation of being free from her clothing after a long day, heightened all the more by the attentions from her husband, the last wall between them being dismantled brick by brick.
Ruby turned around to face Archie, his hands trailing her neck with his feather-light touch that sent sparks dancing under her skin. She frowned playfully upon seeing his fully-clothed frame before her. She began at his shoulders and eased her fingers under the straps of his suspenders and guided them down his shoulders before he lifted his hands out from the loops and let the straps hang. Then, her lips formed a shy smile as her hands settled at his waist. With her gaze fixed on her hands, she began to tug at the fabric of his shirt, slowly releasing it from the confines of his pants inch by inch. She didn't dare look up, but she bit her lip to fight a grin when he took a sharp breath and his grip tightened slightly on her upper arms. She swallowed as her fingers grazed bare skin, warm and covered in soft fuzz at his navel. Unable to easily reach his middle with her lips, she instead stepped closer and pressed soft kisses to his neck as her hands continued the journey around his waist, her fingers slipped under his waistband until the fabric was free in a final tug. He tilted his head back, revealing the bob of his Adam's apple, and Ruby could feel his pulse through the sensitive skin as she trailed her lips along the curve.
"Mmmmm," Archie moaned, and Ruby grinned against the delicious rumble at his throat as she splayed her hands against the small of his back under his shirt. She hugged herself close, pressing her body to his as she nuzzled into the curve of his neck. She was sure she could feel the evidence of his arousal that matched the simmering heat rising in her own core. Ruby couldn't help but wonder if they'd be able to keep the pace they'd set, but in truth, she was wholly unconcerned.
With a last kiss to his collarbone through his shirt, Ruby stepped back just enough to allow her to shift Archie's shirt up his middle. She was almost too distracted by the task not to notice his impressive frame—with the toned muscle of a farmer—but notice she did, and she licked her lips, desire rolling through her like a threatening storm.
Unfortunately, Ruby had not counted on the top buttons of his shirt still being fastened, and before the garment could be completely removed, it snagged on his glasses.
"Oh, Archie, I'm sorry!" Ruby exclaimed, unable to keep back a snort at the ridiculous sight of his shirt pulled up over his face. She tried to help, but it soon became clear that her pulls and tugs only exasperated the situation as he all but flailed about. Finally, she took a step back and covered her mouth with her hand to muffle any giggles for fear of waking the baby, leaving Archie to wriggle out of the garment himself in a decidedly undignified manner.
Finally, he was freed, and Ruby smiled at the endearing image of her husband's curls all tousled and his glasses askew, unaware of her gaze as he tossed the annoyance to the other bed. As quickly as the mood dissipated, however, the warmth in her chest soon returned to a simmer like a pot returned to a hot stove as she took in his half naked frame. Gingerly, she stepped forward and placed her hands on his chest while his hands settled on the small of her back. Her gaze flitted between his chest and his eyes, the soft down of hair tickling her palms. Her breath hitched in her throat as he held her, and Ruby's pulse quickened at the intimacy with only the thin fabric of her shift separating her upper body from his.
Able to manage a hint of a smirk, she slid her hands up his chest, memorizing every muscle as her fingers journeyed over the dip of his collarbone and up his neck. The downy hair of his chest became smooth skin under the tips of her fingers until they reached the scruff under his chin and along his jaw. He swallowed, the bob of his Adam's apple under her touch, and she licked her lips, pausing before she met his gaze. Her hands continued the journey along his cheeks until she landed on the wire frames of his spectacles. Slowly, she removed them, revealing his blue eyes more clearly. Her heart jumped in her chest to study the depths of what she saw—the swirling, cerulean blue of the ocean on the clearest of days, mysterious and beckoning her to drown in its vastness.
For a moment, she froze, lost to the moment as her hands hovered with his glasses in her grip. Every heartbeat counted down with each layer removed, creating a deeper intimacy until the sacred moment. Ruby inhaled sharply, her body finally reminding her to breathe. Archie's hands covered hers before he gently took the spectacles from her and twisted in place to set them on the table behind him.
Ruby chuckled to herself, ducking her head before looking up to see him watching her, and she felt a different kind of warmth flush across her cheeks. "I, um… it's been awhile," she mumbled, feeling foolish. She also cringed at the unintentional mention of her first marriage, and she hoped that Archie hadn't noticed.
Archie cupped her face and tilted her head up slightly to meet his gaze. "For me, too," he assured her, his eyes full and smiling, and Ruby relaxed as he pressed his lips to hers. She melted into his touch, her body pressed to his as all concern flew from her mind, her whole self present in the moment. She splayed her hands over his middle, sliding them around to his back to hug him close as she returned his kiss. With each touch, her hunger grew, the desire stirring to life more and more quickly, and she forced herself to breathe evenly, feeling the danger of losing herself edge ever-closer. She resisted the urge to deepen the kiss, and pulled back just enough to hover her lips over his, his breath tantalizing as it fanned over her wet lips. She brushed her lips over his, a faint touch that heightened the want, and she could feel his own desire rising as he panted, his gaze fixed on hers to gauge the next move.
He snatched one last kiss more forcefully, startling her for a moment before he reached beside them to pull down the covers. Ruby took a deep breath as a smile bloomed over her features, her gaze fixed steady on Archie's face as delight and desire bubbled in her chest. Archie quickly returned his attention to her and cupped the back of her neck, pressing soft kisses to her lips that she eagerly returned, almost teasing in their lightness. She closed her eyes, her hands still on his back, and she felt the movement of muscle as he turned her gently to position her between himself and the bed, his one hand on her waist. The back of her knees met the bed frame, and she lowered herself to the mattress, guided by Archie, who never broke contact.
The urge to watch his expression won over the sensation of focusing on his touch alone, and Ruby opened her eyes, pulling back slightly. She could see him more clearly in the lamplight, now that it illuminated his side rather than his back. She was too far gone to her emotions to manage a grin, her breaths coming short as his hand rose up her back while the other gently pressed on her shoulder. As if in a trance, she obeyed, a thrill running through her as she leaned back while he hovered over her, a dance where they instinctively moved together. She held her breath, awaiting his next attentions in the brief pause between kisses. He knelt on the bed and positioned one knee in between her legs while he held his weight over her with one hand braced at her side. She ran her hand up his bare arm, sensing the shiver that ran through him as she studied his features. The sense of love, the adoration she saw in the depths of his gaze washed over her in such fierceness she was sure she could drown in it. She cupped her hand around his neck and leaned up, tugging his lips to hers in a hungry kiss, and she inhaled sharply as the ache of need pounded deep, rising up to lick under her skin.
She swept her tongue past his lips, eager to deepen the kiss, but after a moment Archie pulled back. She frowned slightly, unable to search his expression as he quickly pressed soft kisses to the corner of her mouth and trailed his lips along her jaw.
Ruby tilted her head back and wrapped her arms around him, the heat of his bare skin under her fingers feeding her own desire, her body reacting to his touch without thought. She slid one hand over his shoulder blade—the strong muscle firm over his broad shoulders as he held himself up—and stroked his neck before digging her fingers into his hair, causing him to press himself to her.
"With my body, I pledge thee my troth," Archie murmured against her ear like a prayer, his lips brushing against her skin, and Ruby let out a soft moan. In the midst of the sparks that flew between them, the air hung thick with a sort of reverence, the static of a building storm, and Ruby swallowed against another wave of emotion. While her body was quick to remember the act, there was a newness to it this time—a holiness to this physical joining, a seal to their commitment to each other. Flesh-and-blood as part of the sacred, not separate from it.
And then, all thought flew from her mind as Archie trailed hot kisses down her neck and shifted to rest on his elbow, his body gently resting on hers. She kept one hand in his hair as he edged lower while the other rested on the sheets beside her. As if to match the journey of his lips, his hand grazed along her side, and the slight pressure of his fingers through her chemise sent a thrill up her spine and down to her toes. She raised one knee up as her pulse beat quick, causing her undergarment to ride up and expose her lower half completely. Her breathing came heavy at the sudden coolness of the air before his hand met the bare skin of her thigh just above her stocking.
"Mmmm," she murmured, her eyes closed to soak in the sensation. His hand found the edge of her shift and slipped underneath, his touch making her shiver despite its warmth. His lips continued the journey down her neck, along her throat and lingered at her collarbone before meeting the neckline of her undergarment, with each point of contact shooting straight to her core, feeding the flames that grew in her middle, desire coiling more and more tightly within her. Unfazed, he continued his kisses down her chest through the fabric, his hand at her thigh wandering up to shift the garment higher, his touch only increasing her hunger. Despite the barrier of her under-dress, she could feel his lips as they trailed between her breasts, her nipples hard, her whole body anticipating what was to come.
Her undergarment bunched up just under her breasts, Ruby became aware of her exposed middle, and she opened her eyes and lifted her head to glance down, the crop of auburn curls the only view of Archie's head as he focused on the task at hand.
Ruby rested her hand on his head and lay back on the pillow, a sudden thought intruding on the moment. "Archie," she said softly, unsure of how to voice the pesky thought. "I—I'm still not… I mean, after the baby…"
Archie's head jerked up, and Ruby's hand slid to his cheek. "Are you okay?" he asked, concern furrowing his brow. "Do you want to stop?"
Ruby lifted her head and met his blue eyes, deep as a summer storm, and she was transfixed by the lamplight flickering in his gaze. Warmth bloomed in her chest, and she rushed to assuage his concerns, stroking his cheek with her thumb. "No, no," she assured him, combing her fingers through his hair at his temple. "I just—my figure—my stomach isn't quite what it was…" She let out a nervous chuckle, feeling slightly foolish at the pride with which she used to hold her trim waist. Somehow, her altered body hadn't mattered until now.
"Sh-h-h-h," he said firmly before pressing his lips under her ribcage. Ruby couldn't help but smile at his tenderness, how he lingered in each kiss until his mouth was just above her navel. "You are absolutely beautiful," he assured her, and she held her breath. "Your stomach is beautiful," he added in between kisses to her slack, stretch-marked skin, "because it gave us Peter." Ruby relaxed under his ministrations, his hands now resting on her waist, and she watched him through wet eyes, a lump rising in her throat. "And," he added, his voice hitting that deep tone that sparked the heat of desire under her skin, the slight scruff of his chin brushing against her stomach, "God willing, it will give us more children."
"Lots more," Ruby whispered with a faint chuckle, unable to say more beyond an incoherent murmur as her breath hitched in her throat when he dipped down, pressing a kiss to the hairline. She dug both hands into his hair and fought to keep herself from guiding him lower. His meaningful words mixed with his gentle touch made her head spin, desire building like the roll of the storm, the pounding waves growing more intense.
Archie kept his pace teasingly slow, and whatever inch of exposed skin wasn't covered by his lips was caressed by his fingers, each touch deliberate as if part of a sacred act—a physical manifestation of the promise they had made to each other. Little by little, he worked his way up her middle, and she in turn gripped his shoulders, his neck, his scalp. He shifted her chemise up past her breasts and paid them equal attention, though she couldn't help but notice that he quickened his pace as she slid one hand down his chest as far as she was able, tracing lazy circles a few inches past his collarbone before she arched into him, helpless to the need he stirred within her, desire winding its way around every limb, every inch of her.
Unable to go further, her chemise bunched as high as it would go, he slid one hand under her back and lifted her up to him, and Ruby clasped her hands around his neck. With one leg awkwardly slung over her own and half hanging off the bed, he shifted so that he rested on his knees in between her legs. He captured her lips, and Ruby hummed into his touch, his hungry kisses making her dizzy as his hands wandered to her waist and thighs, her legs spreading to accommodate his frame. The ache in her core continued to build, and Ruby fought the urge to quicken the pace, the sense of restraint heightening the sense of pleasure and anticipation.
As their kisses grew in fervour, Archie hooked his hands under her knees and lifted them up on either side of him. He caressed her thighs before his hands met the fabric of stockings and he slowly rolled them down her legs. Ruby felt a shiver run through her as more skin became exposed, his wandering touch intoxicating. His knees pressed against her inner thighs before she tucked her feet closer to herself, lifting them slightly so that Archie could tug her stockings off, and she breathed sharply as his touch shot through her with only the tease of release.
She grinned against his lips, a moan escaping as she dug her hands into his hair and wrapped her legs around him as best she could, cursing the fabric that still separated them—namely, her chemise and his pants. Her hands slid down his front to reach the waist of his pants, and she opened her eyes to aid the task at hand. The kiss broken, Archie chuckled, his panting matching her own eagerness. He slid his hands up her legs before joining her own where she fumbled with his buttons. Ruby's pulse began to pound, the ache within increasing with need that drowned out all thought.
She quickly realized it was easier to let Archie take over, and she pulled her hands back. He shifted off the bed and stood up, undoing the last button, instantly freeing himself of his garments as he slid them down his legs and stepped out of them, yanking off his socks as a final step. Ruby licked her lips, barely able to take in his whole form before he joined her on the bed. The weight of him, the warmth of him so close, made every fibre in her body pulse in anticipation, wholly aware that, save for her chemise, there was nothing between them. Despite the heat that rose within her, the pounding of her heart in her chest and her core, Ruby also felt a calmness when she met Archie's gaze. Her eyes fixed on his, she crossed her arms and grabbed the edge of her undergarment that had fallen around her waist, and he helped her edge it up over her head. For a moment, time froze as Archie tossed the fabric behind him, their eyes joined, and Ruby was certain their very breaths were in sync. Every part of her was laid bare to this man, and yet, she knew she had never felt more safe—and more free. Like the full moon's brightness revealed from behind a fog of clouds as they rolled back, Ruby felt any last artifice melt away.
Suddenly, her mind was yanked back to the physical, the sensation of their knees and legs brushing as Archie closed the distance between them. They reached for each other, his hand cupping her face as her hands settled on his arms, their lips colliding in a passionate kiss, desperate to be as close as possible. With his other hand on her back, he gently laid her down, careful to support his own weight as he placed one arm beside her, then the other, to rest on his forearms. She could feel him against her, every point of contact shooting sparks through her, the liquid heat pooling in her core.
Archie pulled back slightly, breaking their kisses, and Ruby opened her eyes to meet his gaze. In the dim light, she could see his eyes shining, his brows raised in a simple question, and Ruby smiled, her heart full. The two shall become one. She spread her legs further, hugging one arm around his back, his muscles taut, while she lowered one hand to his member. Like a clap of thunder, she closed her eyes and guided him right, rolling her hips as they became joined in every possible way. Ruby gasped at the sensation of being completely filled, her heart shining as she opened up to him, desire pounding within her in rolling waves. Archie buried his head into the curve of her shoulder as he bucked against her in small thrusts, and Ruby followed his lead, arching into him as instinct took over. The storm revealed its full power, the release of every hurt from the last year as it was replaced by the deepest intimacy that radiated through them, joined in every possible way.
A moan escaped Ruby as she gave into the sensation, the freedom that came from letting go, of being completely swept away where nothing but the two of them existed. Together, they rode the wave until the motion slowed, desire receding to leave its pleasant heat. After a final shudder, Archie carefully pulled back and rolled to Ruby's side, his body still touching hers.
Ruby closed her eyes and swallowed, taking a deep breath to savour what had just happened, surrounded by a warm glow.
She turned on her side and brought her hand to Archie's chest, wrapping herself around him. For a moment, he stared at the ceiling, unseeing, and she gave a satisfied smile as her senses sharpened and she was able to study his reaction. It took him a few moments longer for him to regain his composure, and she grinned against his chest, burying her face against him as her hair fell down, and she revelled in the rise and fall of him as he caught his breath.
Then, as if remembering himself, he slid her arm under her and held her close, turning his head to meet her gaze.
"I… I love you," he murmured, stroking her arm, his touch lazy and wandering down her ribs and hip.
"I love you, too," she echoed. She rose up slightly, one hand pressed on his chest, to meet his lips in a kiss to seal her words. He brushed his hand across her cheek, tucking her hair behind her ears before settling his hand on her neck.
After a couple of lingering kisses, a caress of her lip, Ruby relaxed into Archie and rested her head on his chest. She hugged one arm across his middle and slung one leg over his, the weight of sleep washing over her along with the warmth of the gentle intimacy. He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her close as he lay on his back, and Ruby breathed in the scent of him, delighting in the simple warmth of skin against skin. She smiled as his breathing evened out quickly, and she tilted her head up to confirm her suspicions—his eyes already closed, with a contented smile curling his lips.
She pressed another kiss to his chest and shifted slightly, her own body not far off in joining his in dreamland. There would be plenty of time for more, and it had been a long day.
She fell asleep with a smile of her own, her heart light at the thought of what was to come. It had certainly been worth the wait.
A union complete.