Ruby

Five Years Later

***

A lot has happened in the past five years. Gems and Silvers are now legally allowed to be together. Spinel and Pearl just got married. I was Pearl's maid of honor and CJ was Spinel's best man. It was beautiful. CJ and I have gotten closer than ever. I wouldn't trade these past five years for anything.

CJ and I are sitting on the beach as we watch the sunset. He has been unusually quiet since we sat down.

"It's beautiful," I whisper.

"Not as beautiful as you," he responds.

I look over to him and see a huge smile on his face. He then stands up and helps me up then gets down on one knee and pulls out a small black box.

"Ruby," he begins, "you have made me nothing but happy these past five years. You are the wind beneath my wings and the light to my day. I don't know where I would be today without you. Will you do me the honor in becoming my bride?"

He opens the box to reveal a silver ring with a ruby in the middle of it. A huge smile forms on my face as I take the ring from him and slip it on my finger.

"Did you really have to ask?" I tease.

"It's a tradition," he jokes.

We kiss then stare into each other's eyes.

"Since when are we the ones to follow traditions?" I smile.

***

One year later

***

The music starts as the big brown doors open. CJ's standing at the end of the isle with a huge smile on his face. I put on a matching smile as I walk down the isle. To my right I see my family and friends with skeptical smiles on their faces. To my left I see CJ's friends and family with huge smiles on her faces. I can't believe this is happening.

I get to the end of the isle and hand my flowers to Sapphire, my maid of honor, and give AJ, one of my bridesmaids, a quick smile. I look back to see JJ and Spinel with huge smiles on their faces. Everything is perfect.

I then stare into the eyes of my future husband. His smile is shining like the stars in the sky. How did I get so lucky?

The room goes quiet as the officiant begins to speak.

"Do you, Ruby, take CJ to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

"I do," I say with a smile.

"And do you, CJ, take Ruby to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

"I do," CJ grins.

"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife," the officiant declares, "you may kiss the bride."

CJ lifts my vale and places his hand on my cheek.

"I love you," he whispers then gently kisses me as the crowd cheers.

When we end, I look him in the eyes.

"I love you too," I tell him.

***

I rest my head on CJ's shoulder with my eyes closed as he rests his on mine. I don't think things could get any better. I open my eyes to see Spinel and Pearl dancing together along with AJ and JJ and Sapphire and JP. I never want this day to end. Gems and Silvers and together in peace and harmony without one thinking they're better than the other. It's perfect and this is how it will be for the rest of my life.

The song changes and I feel CJ pull away.

"It's time for you to dance with Spinel," he tells me as he places my hand in Spinel's.

I smile as I watch him walk over to AJ and begin to dance with her.

"I can't believe this is happening," Spinel tells me as we begin to dance, "five years ago, no Gem would be seen with a Silver but in a few years you were able to change that."

"Have you ever seen me give up before?" I laugh.

"That explains it."

We continue to dance until the song fades away and I go back to CJ as a new song begins.

"You look beautiful, Ruby," he tells me.

"And you look handsome," I reply with a smile.

We continue to dance as his smile fades.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"I just wish my parents were here to see this," he tells me.

"They're watching you CJ. Always have and always will be."

His smile comes back as we look over to his uncle. Green has a huge smile on his face as he talks to my parents. I look back to CJ to see his sparkling gray-blue eyes. How did I end up with him?

"How did I get so lucky?" CJ asks.

"I was going to ask you the same thing," I respond.

We both smile and kiss. I can't wait for the future I'm going to have with CJ. He means more to me than the world itself. This is the beginning of an amazing adventure.