20: Yatch

When they arrived at the private port, Ruby's breath caught in her throat. She'd imagined something modest, a simple boat perhaps, but what she saw was anything but modest. It was a full-blown yacht, sleek and massive, gleaming in pristine white against the night sky.

"Arnold," she whispered, awe-struck, "this… this is incredible."

He smiled, a small, satisfied glint in his eye as he held out his hand to her. "Come on. It's waiting for us."

Hand in hand, they ascended the gangway, and Ruby marveled at every detail. Staff members stood in line, bowing slightly to welcome them onboard, their professionalism impeccable. As they stepped onto the polished wooden deck, the gentle strains of a saxophone played from somewhere nearby. Rose petals were scattered along the floor, forming a path that led them toward an intimate setup—a table for two nestled under a canopy of tiny string lights, twinkling like stars in the dark.

She looked around, taking it all in, her face lit up with a mixture of joy and disbelief. "This... this is too much," she stammered, blushing as she took in the lavish ambiance around her.

"Nothing is too much for my wife," Arnold replied, a gentle sincerity in his tone. He guided her to the table and, with a small bow, pulled out her chair for her. Ruby sat, trying to steady the flutter in her chest, and Arnold took his place across from her. As they settled, a pianist began to play a soft tune on the grand piano that had been positioned in the corner, filling the air with a soothing melody.

Ruby couldn't help but smile, her cheeks hurting from how wide her grin had stretched. She felt giddy, a little embarrassed, but mostly exhilarated.

Arnold looked at her, his gaze warm and unwavering. "You know, that morning when I bumped into you and ruined your top, I was… captivated. There was something about you, Ruby." He paused, looking down as if lost in his thoughts, then looked back up at her, his voice softer. "I knew you were someone I shouldn't let slip away. But little did I know, you were already mine… and I was too blind to see it."

Ruby felt her heart skip. She looked at him, listening as he continued, his voice laced with a hint of vulnerability.

"I want to start over, Ruby. I want us to reclaim all the time we lost." Slowly, he rose from his chair, and before she could even fully register it, he knelt down on one knee beside her, his hand reaching out to hold hers. "So, Ruby Miller, will you be my girlfriend? I promise to be the prince charming you deserve."

Ruby let out a small laugh, warmth flooding her cheeks. "You're kneeling… on a yacht," she teased, trying to mask the wave of emotions building up inside her.

"Then it's a good thing I have my sea legs," he replied, not moving an inch from his position on one knee. "So what do you say?"

Ruby took a deep breath, letting his words sink in. The past five years had been filled with exhaustion and resilience, the weight of single motherhood pressing on her. She'd built a wall of strength around herself, believing that was her only way forward. But here was Arnold, giving her the chance to feel again—to be something more than just a mother and a manager. 

"It's been a difficult five years," she began, her voice soft. "Raising Ariel alone was mentally and physically exhausting. I got used to doing everything on my own, pushing through… even when I didn't know how." She paused, looking directly into his eyes. "But I think I'm ready to let someone else in. I think… I'm willing to give you a chance, Arnold."

The spark in his eyes brightened, but she stopped him with a playful smile before he could say anything. "So yes, Arnold Aagaard, I'd like to be your girlfriend—and your princess in distress, if that's what you want." She gave a small, exaggerated curtsey from her seat, making them both laugh.

Arnold rose to his feet, pulling her up with him, their hands intertwined. "Thank you, Ruby," he said, his voice thick with emotion. He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her as if to shield her from everything the world had put her through. "I promise I won't let you down."

As they stood, Arnold gently brushed a strand of hair from Ruby's face, his fingers lingering on her cheek. Their eyes met, and in that moment, the world around them seemed to fade away. Slowly, he leaned down, and she lifted her chin to meet him halfway. Their lips touched softly at first, a tentative, delicate connection that sent a shiver down Ruby's spine. But soon, the kiss deepened, each of them pouring years of unspoken feelings into that single, powerful moment.

The soft piano music drifted in the background, but neither noticed the pianist stopping to watch with a smile. Ruby's hand slipped up to cradle the back of Arnold's neck, while he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer until there was barely any space between them. The yacht staff exchanged amused glances, some looking away politely, but others stealing glimpses of the couple lost in each other.

Arnold pulled back slightly, gazing at her with a warm intensity. "I've waited so long for this," he murmured, his voice low and filled with emotion.

Ruby smiled, her cheeks flushing with a mix of joy and shyness. "So have I," she whispered back, her hands still resting on his shoulders, not wanting to let go.

They leaned in again, and this time, they weren't concerned with holding back. Ruby could feel the raw passion and the years of yearning in the way he held her, in the way his lips moved against hers. She knew the staffs was watching, but at that moment, she didn't care. All that mattered was the man standing before her—the man who, for all his flaws and mistakes, was ready to make amends and open his heart to her again.

Arnold brushed his thumb across her cheek, and she smiled, pressing her forehead to his. They stayed like that for a moment, just breathing each other in, letting the world slip away.

"Mrs. Aagaard," Arnold teased in a soft voice, "would you join me on the dance floor?"

Ruby laughed, her heart so full it felt like it might burst. "I thought you'd never ask." 

Suddenly, Ruby's phone vibrated insistently in her purse. She hesitated, not wanting to break the perfect moment, but the ringtone grew louder, more urgent. Reluctantly, she pulled away, fishing the phone from her bag.

Seeing the babysitter's name on the screen, her heart clenched. "Hello?"

The frantic tone on the other end made her stomach twist.

"What?" Ruby's voice was filled with panic.

Ruby's hand shook as she hung up. "I have to leave," she said quickly, grabbing her things in a rush. 

"Ruby, what's happened?" Arnold asked, his face creasing with concern as he took her arm to steady her.

"I need to get to my baby right now!" she dashed off, tears filling up her eyes.