Once again, Ruby and Archie found themselves navigating a new normal—which would hopefully be the last major change for a little while. Ruby worried that she might forget herself, but in truth, it was hard to forget August's presence. In fact, he was the one to wake them up the next morning—along with the faint mews of his new pet—and Ruby all but pushed Archie from the bed as their son tried to convince his father to join him for chores.
"Oh, didn't we tell you? The morning chores are all your responsibility," Archie muttered with his eyes closed, a corner of his mouth quirked. He opened one eye and stared at August, and Ruby had to muffle a giggle behind her hand. "You are ten years old, now."
"Pa-a-a-a-a-a," August groaned as he took one arm and yanked on it.
"That's right, Pa," Ruby added. "You have chores to do with your son."
"Well, if that's true, I believe you have your own chores."
August threw up his hands and sighed. "Well, if you two are going to stay in bed, don't blame me if I use up all the bacon and syrup for breakfast. I'm going to have butter and jam and biscuits, too."
Ruby laughed and forced herself out of bed with Archie not far behind. "Alright, alright, we're up!" she exclaimed. "Now, please go and collect the eggs and I will oversee breakfast."
August rolled his eyes and left the room, already dressed, and Ruby was sure she caught a hint of a smile on his features before she checked to see that Peter was still sleeping.
Ruby and Archie shared a grin as they changed into their day clothes. Before she had a chance to leave the bedroom, Archie grabbed her hand and pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her as he pressed a tender kiss to her lips.
"Good morning," he murmured.
Ruby bit her lip and rubbed her nose against his. "Good morning," she echoed, the world around them still for a flicker of a moment so that she was sure she could hear their hearts beating together.
And then, the sweet moment was gone as they passed through to the bustle that awaited on the other side of the door, trading the peace of early morning for a more energetic sort of domesticity.
Ruby felt she barely had time to blink before breakfast was over and it was time for her to attack the task of the day—washing. With a goodbye kiss to Archie before he headed outside, she first made sure Peter was content in his cradle before enlisting August's help to bring a couple of buckets of water in from the pump. He groaned a little until Ruby told him he could continue with his lessons at the kitchen table. At the very least, she was certain he preferred it to washing the floor or mucking out the stalls in the barn.
As Ruby neared the front entrance with her bucket and scrub brush, having worked her way across the main room of the cabin from the far corner where the sewing machine was placed, the door swung open, spilling the mid-day sun across her handiwork. Ruby turned around to see Archie in the doorway.
"Don't you dare take another step, Archie Hopper!" she ordered as she glanced down to the mud on his boots. "I've just got this place clean, and—"
She was unable to say more as he grabbed her hand and pulled her up to him.
"August, you're okay to watch Peter while I show your ma something, hmm?" Ruby frowned as she searched his features, set in determination as he kept his gaze focused on their son.
"Sure, Pa," August mumbled, not bothering to look up from his books. His bizarre focus made Ruby suspect that he was working on his own project rather than his schoolwork, but she didn't have time to object as Archie pulled her outside.
She jogged to keep up with his strides as he crossed the yard towards a nearby tree, and Ruby couldn't keep the butterflies from fluttering in her chest, a sly smile creeping over her features.
"I thought we could use a break," he explained when he finally stopped. He took her by the shoulders and pressed her back to the tree before capturing her lips in a fervent kiss.
"Mmm," Ruby sighed in agreement, relaxing into his touch as all thought flew from her mind, wholly unconcerned with the rough bark pressing into her back. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her pulse quickening in her veins as the familiar heat rose within her. She slung one leg around him and he reached down to shift her skirts up, pulling back from their kisses, like a dance that they'd begun to master. When he'd gathered the fabric sufficiently, he returned his gaze to her, his eyes dark as he lowered his lips to hers, his warm breath tickling her skin. Instead of making contact again, however, he hovered his lips over hers before pulling back, and Ruby groaned, the action only heightening her want.
"You're learning," she rasped as his skilled hands wandered over her body to the small of her back, then her waist. With a hop, she wrapped both legs around him and he shoved her against the tree, crashing her lips to his in fierce want.
Ruby breathed deep, desperation flooding her as the taste of him only fueled her hunger. Her hands wandered over his neck, his shoulders, his chest as his tongue explored her mouth, and Ruby revelled in the primal energy that sparked between them. He shifted one hand to her thigh, the pressure of his grip sending flames licking under her skin, and she instinctively grabbed for his waistband, eager to satiate the ache that continued to build in her core. She grinned to find that he was already hard, though she was not in the least bit surprised.
Suddenly, he wrenched himself away, and Ruby frowned as her breaths came shallow.
"Not here," he panted, his voice rough with desire that made Ruby melt.
He dropped her legs and Ruby stood up as he took her hand in his, her pulse still pounding in her ears. He quickly decided on the barn and led her towards the door with more force than his usual manner. Ruby bit her lip, thoroughly enjoying this side of her husband.
He motioned towards the ladder to the hayloft, and Ruby giggled. "Are you sure?"
"The boys are fine, and we're close by if there's any trouble."
Ruby wasn't going to argue with that, and so she scurried up the ladder with Archie just behind her. The sweet scent of the hay almost made up for other offending smells, though neither of them noticed as Archie reached for Ruby's waist before tugging her to the far corner. They quickly resumed their previous activity, colliding as if they were attracted by gravity itself, with Ruby digging her hands into Archie's hair and him hugging her close by her rear as they kissed. Desire boiled up once more, rolling within her as she sought to cover every inch of him with her hands—his neck, shoulders, back, arms…
She slid his suspenders down his arms before yanking his shirt from his pants. Never breaking their kisses, he reached down to join her, unfastening his buttons in such haste she was sure they would pop one off completely.
His pants undone, he sprung free, and Ruby could feel liquid heat pooling in her core in anticipation. She pushed Archie back into the soft pile of hay, and he met her gaze in a brief moment of stillness, his eyes the blue of a dark sky before a summer storm. Ruby felt her breath hitch in her throat as she hiked up her skirts before straddling him, the soft hay giving way beneath her weight on her knees as she kept her eyes locked on his.
She took a sharp breath as she lowered herself on him, and she rolled her hips against him, enjoying the fullness. Adjusting her position, she leaned over him, clasping his hands in hers as she set the pace. As the friction built, she could feel the tension coiling within her, the white-hot heat about to come as her inner walls clamped around him, and his grip tightened around her fingers.
She could see that Archie was close, and she closed the distance between them, capturing his lips as he let out a moan, her brow furrowed, helpless to the animalistic desire that took over. She broke from their kiss and leaned back, releasing his hands as she shifted to hit a certain spot. His hands flew under her skirts and gripped her thighs almost painfully, only heightening the sense of pleasure, her legs trembling slightly as she neared the edge with each thrust as he slipped over the same spot. She could feel her inner walls clamp tight around him before she fell completely, reaching the climax with Archie, and she let out an oath.
She rolled off of him into the hay, panting alongside him, and they both chuckled as they fought to catch their breath. Her heart swelled at the emotions he stirred within her, still in awe that such a steady man could embody such rough passion that seemed to draw out another side of her—their true selves, together, open only to each other. It was intoxicating, to be the object of such desire and to see him throw away all inhibition.
"We should do that more often," Ruby panted, turning her head towards him, her head spinning slightly as she readjusted to the world around them. For a moment, at least, she was completely ignorant of the sour smells that rose from below or the straw poking under the neck of her dress.
"That—would be good," Archie agreed, his eyes bright. Flora mooed beneath them, and Ruby burst out laughing. She rolled into Archie and buried her face in his chest to muffle the sound and he settled a hand on her back with a chuckle, and she breathed in the earthy scent of him.
"Pa! Ma! Are you in here?" a voice called from below, and Ruby and Archie both froze, sharing glances.
Finally, Archie spoke. "Um, yes—I'll—we'll be down in a minute!" he called, and Ruby fought to control her giggles as she kept her face pressed to Archie. "Is everything alright?"
"Mr. Madden's here."
"Tell him we'll be right there."
After a moment, Ruby let her laughter escape, and she glanced up to see Archie's face flushed pink.
"Honey, you'd best put yourself together before receiving visitors," she teased, pressing a kiss to his lips.
"Speak for yourself, Darling," he replied, pulling some hay from her hair.
Having pushed their luck as far as they dared, Ruby and Archie scrambled up. Archie tucked his shirt into his pants and did up his buttons, barely shrugging on his suspenders before climbing down the ladder with Ruby. With a final brush down, they left the barn and crossed the yard towards the house, where Jefferson Madden was outside talking to August, his pair of thoroughbred horses hitched to his wagon beside them.
"Ah, hello, Mr. and Mrs. Hopper," Jefferson greeted them, and warmth washed over Ruby at his presence.
"Hello, Jefferson," Archie returned the greeting, taking Jefferson's outstretched hand. Ruby smiled and nodded as Archie placed his hand on her back.
"I'm glad we finally found you," the man continued.
"Yeah, I don't know why they were up in the barn. They've been acting funny since I got back," August explained.
Ruby's cheeks instantly warmed at the comment, and she bit her lip, praying that Jefferson hadn't noticed.
They would not, however, be so fortunate. "I can see that!" The man laughed and gestured towards Ruby's hair. "You've got some remnants from the hayloft gracing your hairstyle. Unless it's an intentional look—I'm hardly one to comment on the latest fashions."
Ruby laughed and felt for the offending piece, which Archie pulled from her hair.
"It's nothing," Archie insisted, though Ruby could tell from the glint in Jefferson's eye that he knew exactly what had happened. He was gracious enough not to say anything more, and only grinned and nodded when he was invited inside for refreshments. Before they entered the house, Ruby shared one last look with Archie, whose features were still flushed. She knew she should feel a little embarrassed, but she took too much delight in the humour of it all, watching her husband squirm, and she wasn't going to complain about the pleasant warmth, or the satisfaction of the hint of soreness between her legs, after such an activity.
The incident was soon forgotten, anyway, with Jefferson adding his unique energy to the little cabin. His attention was immediately captured by the baby, and Ruby wholeheartedly consented to their visitor entertaining her son for his entire stay over cookies and cider.
The purpose of his visit wasn't entirely clear, however, and Ruby and Archie shared more than a couple of looks with raised brows. The mystery wasn't solved by the time the time the gentleman left, either, aside from the usual explanation of checking in on the plans for welcoming the doctor the next day.
"You'd be more than welcome to join us for dinner tomorrow," Ruby repeated as they stood by the wagon to see Jefferson off, Peter in her arms and August beside them.
"Thank you, kindly," Jefferson said with a smile as he hopped up to his seat. "But I'd hate to intrude. I'm sure the Hoppers will make him feel at home. I'll just have to meet him some other time. And please—remember, no need to mention my name."
Ruby couldn't suppress the grin that spread at the casual mention of "The Hoppers", though the delight couldn't drown out the suspicions that were raised once again with Mr. Madden's particular interest in the new doctor, or his insistence on secrecy.
"Of course. We'll let you know how it goes," Archie assured him as he put his arm around Ruby. "Say 'hi' to Grace for us!"
"Will do! Thanks again for your hospitality."
With a flick of the reins, he was off, leaving the family waving towards the drive.
"Does he usually drop by like that?" Ruby asked, turning to her husband.
Archie furrowed his brow. "Now and then, but I think you're right—there was something odd about that."
August took the opportunity to escape to his tree house, tired of so much time spent inside. Ruby and Archie chuckled and turned to return to the house, with Archie pressing a kiss to her head.
The rest of the afternoon passed quickly into evening in the buzz of anticipation of the next day would bring. Before Ruby knew it, she was kissing Archie farewell on his journey to meet the long-awaited Dr. Whale—a man who brought a whole ocean of emotions flooding over her as she remembered how Archie had worked so hard to bring his presence about for her and Peter. God willing, perhaps she would require his assistance for a similar, happy reason in the future.
"Can't I come, Pa?" August asked with more than a hint of a whine, and Ruby threw a stern look of her own at the ten-year-old.
"Not today, I'm afraid," Archie reminded him as he hoisted himself up into the wagon. "Dr. Whale will need some time to get settled in his rooms, and I've got a lot of things to do in town. We'll be back before you know it."
"Have fun!" Ruby called out as the wagon journeyed down the path towards town. Her heart swelled in her chest at the realization that she was truly Mrs. Hopper, mother to August and Peter, husband to Archie, and resident of the best little town on the edge of the frontier.
It was time to start a new chapter in Storybrooke.