Well matched

. o O o .

The morning of the wedding met the bride and groom with the sun shining merrily from a clear azure sky. Both noted with resigned sighs that pouring rain would have suited their mood better.

. o .

Every step had felt heavier than the last as Ruby walked down the aisle, her hands shaking as she gripped her wedding bouquet of autumn flowers and bright red leaves with a white-knuckled grip. But all trepidation vanished and was replaced by dumb shock as her soon-to-be husband turned towards her and Ruby stopped dead in her tracks.

It was him.

. o .

A hush fell over the congregation and Archie knew that his soon-to-be bride had started the trek down the aisle towards him. Feeling faint with despair he mustered up his last ounce of strength and turned. The sight that greeted him made him freeze, mouth opening in shock.

It was her.

. o .

Her grandmother's pointed cough broke into Ruby's shock and she found the wherewithal to keep walking. She noted with a hint of silly amusement that her groom looked even more gobsmacked than she felt - which was actually quite reassuring. It was abundantly clear that he had been just as ignorant of her true identity as she had been of his.

Stopping next to him she looked him in the eye with a hesitant smile, trying to convey both her amusement and relief at the strange turn of events. Her silent message received he let out a silent huff of amusement and with good humour sparkling in his eyes he took her hand and placed a tender kiss on her knuckles. Ruby heard whispers from the congregation but could not care less, her heart soaring with relief and her full focus on the unexpected yet oh so very welcome friend before her. Another pointed cough, this time from the minister, had them both blushing slightly as they obediently turned forward and the ceremony continued without a hitch.

. o O o .

Ruby felt her heart beat madly with nervousness as she many hours later stepped into the room she from now on was to share with her husband. Her beautiful wedding gown had been lovingly put away, and she was clad in a new nightgown and robe, hair down and flowing in soft curls around her shoulders. Her new husband sat in a chair by the fire, divested of his jacket, waistcoat and cravat, looking more at ease than she had seen him all day. He was staring into the flames with a soft look on his face, clearly lost in thought and oblivious to her presence. Tugging her night robe a little tighter Ruby allowed herself a moment to study him. In the flickering light of the flames his hair shone brilliantly red and she was surprised by the stray thought that she hoped their children would inherit the colour. Blushing she threw a quick, nervous glance towards the marriage bed. Her grandmother had taken her aside that morning and explained to her what she should expect, and the same apprehension she had felt then returned tenfold now. But as her eyes returned to the man by the fire her nerves settled somewhat; she knew with bone deep certainty that he would never hurt her. Taking a deep breath she stepped closer.

Whether it was the sound or the motion that broke him out of his musings is hard to say but as he turned towards her and his immediate smile transformed into a slack-jawed look of stunned awe, the rest of her fears melted away. He stared for a long moment and Ruby felt her chest swell with happiness at the look of worship in his eyes, before he seemed to catch himself and rose so quickly he almost tripped over his own feet in his haste to greet her. She could not help giggling at the sight and the sound shattered the remaining tension in the room. Her new husband joined in her mirth, laughing that sweet quiet laugh of his and as it always had before it made her feel warm and safe.

"You're beautiful," he whispered reverentially.

Blushing Ruby played with the sleeve of her robe, suddenly feeling uncharacteristically bashful. Reaching out he gently cupped her cheek, making her lift her gaze to look into his.

"I am so very relieved that you turned out to be..." He chuckled. "Well, you. So very, very relieved."

Placing her hand over his on her cheek she closed her eyes with a smile. "As am I, Mr. Hopper."

"No," he said softly, but firmly, making her open her eyes again in surprise. "Don't," he continued, softer still, stepping closer. "Damned be propriety, in this moment let there be none." Recognising her own words from their very first meeting Ruby felt her eyes fill with happy tears. "We are merely two souls finding solace and support in each other. Let us greet each other with love and without ceremony. With each other let us simply be Ruby and Archie, no more and no less."

Chuckling she stepped closer, putting a surprisingly steady hand over his heart. "Hello Archie."

"Hello Ruby."

And as they closed the remaining distance between them they both thanked their lucky stars and the fickle fates who had turned out to be so very, very kind.

Fin.