What a Life
The deteriorating magic, and beacon of light that Storybrooke held could only last so long. The town could only take so many evil spirits, so many changes, so many families as the originals began to spread their wings and create a new story for themselves. Snow and Charming suggested that the town could be split into two, those who wanted to stay on the Mainland, and those who had wanted to return to the life they knew before, explore those far off lands without fear of forgetting who they were. Or even introducing their new family to the way the world used to be for many of the town's residents. For Ambrose and Ruby, perhaps leaving behind the quaint town of Storybrooke and returning to the way their life should have been was not the best idea they could have had. Their children, who had now begun to find families of their own, jumped at the chance to experience only that of what their parents had told them about. Perhaps even before they knew this was a possibility they trained them for whatever this new world could throw at them, and protection from the dangers of their old life.
Their first night back in the Enchanted Forest had proved more soothing than frightening to Ruby. They had agreed to stay within the castle walls, rebuild from the inside out while this new community figured out a way to create a haven for those who needed it most. Together, in what once was the grand throne room, stood an imposter (David), a vigilante (Snow), a monster (Ruby) and an outlaw (Ambrose). What more could be asked for in promoting a safe space than an estranged group from a far off land.
Only a small number of their possessions made it over to this land, books, memorabilia. Luckily for the new residents, many photographs had also been transported this time. Something more to cling onto from a past life. Ruby had managed to retrieve a journal she had started upon waking from the first curse. Something she had bought to remind Ambrose how much he really did for her. Over the years it became buried in the back of her mind, hidden away from prying eyes, something she could hold onto for a rainy day.
Noah had been the first of the children to complain about the lack of technology within this land. How he missed his gaming consoles and mobile phone that helped him escape from the world he grew up in. However the boy also seemed to be more settled here, whittling away at some wood when helping the farmers rebuild their barns. Poppy followed shortly after, asking about the makeup her mother would wear before presenting herself to the world. The girl’s wails of dismay could be heard across the kingdom when she discovered such practices were not needed here. Sam however, never peeped a word. Instead he kept his head down, flirting away with one of the girls that had come over with them. The girl who would eventually become his wife.
These memories washed over Ruby like the first rainfall after a drought, clutching onto the letter that informed her Sam was finally expecting his first child. A boy, he hoped. Someone he could teach everything his parents had taught - perhaps even shape into a man as great as his father.
In her other hand, Ruby pinched her forefinger and thumb together, revealing a grey hair she had plucked from her hair as she walked into the room in which Ambrose had begun getting ready. “This is what I mean,” Eyes grew wide as she focused on the strand, thrusting it before her husband. “Why don’t you get these!” she feigned a sigh, brows knitted tightly together before her voice spoke again. “These children, they tell me I'm to be a grandmother and BAM! Grey hairs start sprouting.” With a huff, she placed herself at the end of the bed. “I don't want to get old.”
In truth, Ruby was scared of leaving Ambrose alone. He had explained to her from the start that a Siren’s life expectancy could see a normal human being twice over, if they were lucky. He had already lived for so long before her, she was unsure of how much time after her he would have. Granted she was thankful their children would have a shoulder to cry on for years after, it still never made it any easier. Even now Alexis had begun showing her age, wrinkles forming on her forehead, the soft glow that once radiated from her beginning to dim.
Looking to her husband, she tugged at the edge of his shirt. Finally placing the letter down beside her, she rose again, dusting off Ambrose’s shoulders and ensuring he had everything ready for the day. “Pass on my love, and congratulate our son, okay?” she placed a quick peck on his lips, squeezing his hand tightly in her before releasing again. “I love you.”
Today would mark the routine meet up her family had arranged, to keep in the loop with one another. Ruby had sent word ahead she would miss this one, partaking in the royal duties she had been assigned as the head hunter. It seemed the days of running free beneath the moonlight had been slipping through her fingers like sand in an hourglass. Her wolfstime was running out. Nevertheless, she still placed on her smile and patrolled the surrounding forest until she could find whatever she had been looking for.
In her hand she clung to a small wrapped journal, keeping its identity away from her husband. Once out of site, she returned to their dining room, unwrapping it carefully as she turned to the last page. Her hand ran over her old writing, one made with a pen from the mainland. “What a life,” her words whispered through the cottage. Picking the quill and ink she had prepared earlier before scribing down one last note at the bottom of the page. “Reasons why i love you,” Quickly, she tucked her hair behind her ear, taking care in not smudging the ink. “You will always be there for me.”
Ruby carried on with her morning duties in the house, ensuring everything had been safely stored away before returning to the now dried ink pages and carefully wrapping them away, leaving another note on the top. ‘For you, for always - Ruby.’
