The feeling of warmth on her skin felt like a long embrace. It made Ruby smile in the sunlight as the cool breeze blew, promising that the colder days will be ahead soon. Still, she took in one of the last goodbye from the Sun, knowing it will be some months before she will feel warm again. She glanced up to the sky and sighed, wishing she could fly but also knew why she couldn't. Ruby reached down and rubbed her hands upon her growing womb.

She cast her eyes down as the dress went snuggly against her, revealing her pregnant belly as she smiled down to it. Everyone was wondering if it would be a prince or a princess but all Ruby wanted was for the baby to be healthy. After all, she didn't know how the baby would look; more human or more harpy. Not that it mattered to her or Peter at all.

A horse's whinny echoed on the Castle walls as she looked up and over to her right to see four horses racing towards the stable. Ruby quickly turned back around and made her way down to the grounds. Everyone quickly backed away from the High Queen Consort as they knew where she was heading.

By the time she was on the grounds, the four Pevensie's were making their way out of the stalls. Peter looked up and smiled warmly at Ruby, taking in his wife as she had promised; waiting until they got back.

But, of course, he wasn't the first one to embrace her.

"Ruby!" Lucy squealed as she hugged her gently, "How are you? I am so sorry we were gone for so long, something came up. You see, there were rumors of these trolls that were still recruiting for Jadis and hoping she would come back. Which ended with Peter getting captured and all-"

"Captured?!" Ruby looked to her husband.

"Didn't we all firmly agree to not tell my pregnant wife that part, Lu?" Peter turned to Ruby, "It was all part of the plan. Well, Edmund and Susan's plan. You see, Lucy is too young to play the hostage card and it was rather complex"

Ruby glared at him, "Are you lying to me, Peter? You know I have ways of making you tell me the truth"

Edmund came up to Ruby, "He is, but don't worry, Rubes, trolls aren't that difficult to maneuver. I mean, even their plan for bringing the White Witch back was folly. They were planning on spitting saliva together on bones and pricking their fingers"

"Please tell me that he is joking?" Ruby asked the others, "I still can't tell"

"Unfortunately, not" Susan was the last to join the circle, "They had the skull of a troll and not a giant which was why I said to leave it be considering how it would've never worked in the first place"

Ruby slowly nodded, feeling almost nauseous from all of this new information that she just received. As if the other three sensed it, they all started to take their leave. Susan quickly leaned in and kissed Ruby on the cheek, Edmund embraced her in a hug, and Lucy, being always the first and last to leave, leaned down as she hugged and kissed Ruby's growing belly. Before Peter could open his mouth, Lucy quickly ran off to join her other siblings as Edmund and Susan bickered about how the rightful mastermind was freeing Peter. Ruby turned to her husband as he gave her an apologetic look.

"I am so sorry, Ruby" Peter began, "Please, forgive me"

Ruby placed her hands on her womb, "I thought we agreed that you weren't going to go on these insane expeditions, especially when you have troops at your disposal"

"I know" Peter sighed, "I wasn't thinking properly, it was just on the way back to the castle and I thought we could handle it"

"You are the High King of Narnia" Ruby gently reminded him, "Not only that, you had your siblings with you. If something were to happen and the four of your were captured or worse, think of what would happen to Narnia"

Peter took a step toward her and rubbed her arms up and down, "The doctor advised you to not get so stressed out about these things"

"Then stop being so reckless" Ruby urged, "Think of your family"

Peter looked to her as he could see the corner's of her eyes were brimming with tears, "I will, I promise"

Peter placed his head on her forehead and sighed, almost as if that was his way of keeping that promise. He cupped her face, lifted it up, and kissed her on the lips. Ruby inhaled deeply as she placed her hands on his chest, finally realizing that he was home. She broke the kiss and looked into his blue eyes before giving a small smile.

"I am glad you're home" Ruby whispered, "I missed you so much"

Peter smiled, "Me too, I hope the Beavers weren't bugging you all day"

"More like Mrs. Beaver didn't want me to get up from my bed" Ruby huffed, "She said that I needed my strength for what is to come but I am barely going to be in my third trimester and restless; I want to fly, do you know how long it has been since I flew?"

"Almost a month now" Peter answered immediately, "You've told me this before"

"It's not natural for a harpy" Ruby pouted, "None of it is"

"Well then, why don't you summon your family to come live with us?" Peter asked, "I know you said you'll summon them when it's closer to the delivery day but maybe your mother can help you with these symptoms?"

"I don't want to worry them" Ruby sighed, "Besides, they have their own profession and can't just simply throw everything over their wings and fly out here"

"They can for the High King and the High Queen Consort" Peter reminded her, "Your neighbors would greatly take a hold of the responsibility for us. Everyone just wants you to not worry so much"

Ruby sighed as she looped her arms around Peter's elbow as they finally made their way towards the castle. Peter brought his lips up to her forehead and kissed her lightly. Instead of immediately going inside, they walked around in the outdoor halls as Peter knew that Ruby would greatly appreciate a good walk.

"I don't want to seem rude to Mrs. Beaver" Ruby went on, "She does so much when the four of you are incredibly busy. She makes sure I eat the right things, drink enough water, and has helped me with breathing techniques. She's such a sweetheart and even went into Narnia's library to look up the healthy diet for harpy's, did you know that?"

Peter nodded, "Well, she used to take care of Lucy until you became pregnant, and it seemed like the right choice. All of her children are grownups now and she adores pampering just about anyone"

Ruby let out a little giggle as she knew what Peter was talking about. Lately, she's been in their suite for so long and so many days that Mr. Beaver is now getting cranky that he doesn't see his wife anymore.

"We should do something for them" Ruby looked up to Peter, "After the baby is born, let the Beavers go on a little holiday, what do you think? As a way of saying thank you for helping us"

"We can try" Peter shrugged, "But I do believe that Mrs. Beaver will want nothing more than to smother our child into her fur and take him or her with them"

Ruby giggled, "Perhaps you're right"

"Aside from what had happened with the trolls" Ruby glared at Peter, "How is Narnia?"

"Thriving" Peter smiled, "Everyone is happy, awaiting the next generation to the throne. But also, something else…"

"And that is?"

"Another proposal" Peter laughed, "You don't know how many male creatures swarmed Susan, I believe they thought we were searching the land to find a match for her"

Ruby nodded as that news did come to her ears about the people wanting to see the High Queen select a mate as well.

"And what does Susan say about this?"

"Still the same as last year" Peter sighed, "That she wants to marry for unification; to further provide for Narnia and its people"

Ruby looked up to her husband, "And you don't like that?"

"Ruby, this is my sister" Peter stopped and faced her, "I want her to have the same joy, harmony, and love that we have. Someone who can set her heart on fire whenever she sees him or be swept off their feet like how I was with you"

"Was that supposed to be a joke?" Ruby asked.

"More of irony than humor" Peter admitted with a smile on his face, "What I really want is for my sister to be happy"

"Maybe she will be" Ruby said, "Who knows, maybe the betrothal will unite two people that never thought they would be perfect for one another. But clearly I can see it upsets you Peter and if it helps, I will find time to speak with her"

Peter seemed to like what she was saying as he leaned in and kissed her on the lips. They lingered for a long moment as he realized how long it has been since their lips met. Ruby placed her hand on his cheek and leaned in to deepen the kiss. When they parted, they kept their faces close to each other as Ruby gazed back into his eyes. He smiled down to her as he remembered how long it took Ruby to not be so shy around him, even after their wedding day.

"It would mean the world to me, my love" Peter whispered, "Thank you"