A/N: Here we go. Last one. It's kind of short but it has some closure. Enjoy.
"I doubt you'll see eyes like that again, eh, Bilbo?"
While Bilbo Baggins, the resident queer hobbit of the Shire, was never much of one for his relatives, particularly the Sackville-Bagginses, he was thoroughly enjoying the visit of his new cousin and his parents. The babe had the prettiest blue eyes imaginable, so wise and yet with a hint of playfulness. Young Frodo did seem to have an air about him.
"No," replied Bilbo, remembering a pair of eyes that held mischief and yet wisdom beyond their years. "I didn't think I would."
Drogo looked up at him with a puzzled look but his attention was quickly drawn away with Frodo nearly pulling down the map of the Lonely Mountain. The corner of it was saved from those baby hobbit teeth by some fast moving. Bilbo simply laughed, the few lines on his face crinkling with the smile. It was true, what they said about him. A well-preserved hobbit, richer than any in the Shire, and crazy to boot. The only ones who truly liked him were the children, for his stories.
Frodo stared up at the mantelpiece, eyeing the dusty box that just barely peeked over the edge. Mischief was in his blue eyes but he could no sooner reach the top of the mantelpiece than he could fly.
"I believe he will amount to great things, exceeding hobbit standards," said his cousin, fingering the contents of his pocket.
"Would you like him to follow in your footsteps?" teased the missus, picking up her son with gentle and loving arms.
Bilbo looked into the eyes of the hobbit child and the quick mind behind. "No," he said, this time softer. "Not all of them." He smiled and said louder, "I wish for him to make his own path and watch his feet when he leaves the door. There's no knowing what might happen or where he'll end up. The ends of Middle-earth, most like." He placed his pipe in his mouth and smiled again.
Drogo tossled his son's hair. "Well, for now he seems content to explore Bag End. I just hope he has enough time to seek out all the nooks and crannies of this old place."
"Oh he will, my boy," replied Bilbo. "I have no doubt he will."
"That there's a genuine ruby, made by the dwarves. Mr. Bilbo had it and passed it on to Mr. Frodo who passed it on to me." The small hobbit child bouncing on Samwise Gamgee's knee was contentedly sucking on a thumb while the second youngest of his children sat restlessly at his feet.
"A real ruby! Of Mr. Bilbo's! It must be old!" Her brown eyes twinkled as she reached out her small, chubby hand to it.
"That it is. And it belonged to a little girl just like you. With the same name, no less!" The child in his lap had fallen asleep and he gently laid it in the crib beside him, smiling down at his little girl, who was now jumping up with excitement.
"Really?" Ruby exclaimed, her cheeks dimpling.
Her father smiled. "Yeah, and a brave little girl she was…"
A/N: Well, there you have it. I hope you enjoyed it. Now I need to get going but I appreciate you reading this, even when the updates were few and far between. Hope this was a satisfying conclusion. Comment and leave some constructive criticism if you'd like. Thanks again.