Ariel looked up at her mother, eyes round with curiosity. "What's happening, Mummy?"
Ruby forced a shaky smile, trying to compose herself, but Arnold's flushed face and the raw confession hanging in the air made it hard.
Arnold looked down, his face red as he stumbled over his words.
"I... I just... I don't want to let you and Ariel go, Ruby."
Ruby's eyes widened in shock, her voice barely a whisper. "Arnold, that's... that's a lot to take in. We barely know each other."
Arnold's shoulders slumped, regret and longing mingling on his face.
"I know. It's just that... I've been searching for you my whole life, Ruby. I finally found you, and now..." He looked at her with desperation. "I don't want to let you slip away."
Ruby held her breath, trying to process his words. "Arnold, I don't understand what you're saying."
Arnold took a deep, steadying breath, gathering himself.
"I didn't want to bring this up like this, but... you deserve to know the truth." He locked eyes with her, the depth of his gaze making her heart race. "Five years ago, we met at a club. We were both drunk, and... we decided to get married."
Arnold's eyes turned glassy, the weight of his words thickening the air around them.
"Ruby, I never forgot you one bit," he continued, his voice breaking. "I didn't even know you had a child... our child. I don't want to miss out on anything anymore."
Ruby's hand flew to her mouth as the gravity of his confession sank in. Bits and pieces of that hazy night came rushing back—the dim lights, the silly, impulsive vows, the faint memory of waking up alone. She felt dizzy as the realization hit her: this man standing before her was the stranger she'd married that night.
Arnold's voice softened, his tone almost pleading.
"Ruby, I know I've been absent, but... I want to make things right. For you and Ariel. I don't expect you to forgive me right away, or to have all the answers. Just... please let me try."
Ruby took a shaky breath, glancing at Ariel, who was watching them with wide, puzzled eyes. Her mind raced with questions. Could she really let him into their lives after everything?
"Wait," she finally said, her voice barely audible. "Are we married? So... I'm married to you?"
"Yes," Arnold replied, a small, pained smile forming as he wiped the tears from his eyes. "I mean, I asked you just now to make it official, but... yes, technically, we're married."
A burst of laughter escaped Ruby, raw and incredulous. The absurdity of everything she'd just heard hit her all at once.
"Then prove it!" she challenged, crossing her arms.
Arnold fumbled for his phone, scrolling frantically until he found what he was looking for. "Here." He handed her his phone, a faint blush on his cheeks.
Ruby stared at the screen, at the digital photo of a marriage certificate with her name—*Ruby Miller*—boldly written next to *Arnold Aagaard.* Her fingers trembled as she scrolled to the next image, a blurry picture of herself, drunken and smiling, with Arnold at her side in a courthouse, both looking giddy and wildly impulsive.
"This has to be some kind of joke," Ruby muttered, backing away as she held Ariel close to her. The urge to run gripped her fiercely, her mind whirling.
"Ruby, please," Arnold begged, stepping forward. "Don't walk away. You have no idea... all these years, I searched everywhere, trying to find you."
"You think I'm just going to let you waltz back into my life like this?" she shot back, her voice cracking as tears spilled down her cheeks. "You can't just show up now, Arnold! It's been five years. I've done this alone!"
Arnold looked down, his face etched with guilt and desperation. "Please... give me a chance. Let me make it right, at least for Ariel."
Ruby felt Ariel's weight in her arms, her little hand curling around Ruby's shoulder as she looked up with wide, trusting eyes. She drew in a deep breath, the fight in her waning.
"Give me some time, Arnold," she managed to say. Her voice softened, though her tone remained firm. "I need time to process all this." She quickly flagged down a passing taxi, ushering Ariel inside.
As the cab pulled away, Arnold's face blurred in her teary gaze, leaving her with an ache she couldn't shake.
♤♤♤
Later that night, after putting Ariel to bed, Ruby sat in the dim light of her small apartment, her thoughts racing. She'd done everything alone for years, raising Ariel, balancing work, all while grappling with the shadow of her past. And now... Arnold, the man she'd long thought of as a distant, hazy mistake, was suddenly back, pleading for a place in their lives.
Her phone buzzed, and without thinking, she dialed Kiko's number. The familiar voice, drowsy with sleep, filled the line a moment later.
"Hello?"
"Kiko…" she whispered, barely holding back a sob. "I... I found Ariel's father It is Arnold Aagaard."
"What?" Kiko's voice shot up, instantly awake. "You're kidding! Tell me everything. Start from the beginning."
"I... I don't even know where to start," she choked out, her voice quivering. "He says we're married, that he's been looking for me all these years. I don't know what to do, Kiko."
"I'm coming over," Kiko replied, and the line clicked.
Within the hour, Kiko was at her door, his face etched with concern as Ruby collapsed into his arms. He listened patiently as she recounted the surreal series of events.
"Do you think I should give him a chance?" she asked finally, her eyes searching Kiko's face for any guidance.
Kiko sighed, rubbing her back.
"Look, I get that this is overwhelming. But Arnold... he sounds genuine. If he really didn't know about Ariel, maybe... maybe he deserves the chance to be a part of her life. And, Ruby... you know you need the support. You've been carrying this on your own for so long."
Ruby nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks. She couldn't deny the longing she'd felt for someone to share the weight. And Arnold... he'd looked as lost and desperate as she felt.
"Maybe," she whispered, a flicker of hope mixed with fear. "But how do I even let someone in after all this time?"
Kiko smiled gently.
"One step at a time, Ruby. You're stronger than you know, and so is Ariel. You'll figure it out."
Ruby took a deep, shuddering breath, the first traces of resolution forming within her. She'd spent so long building walls around her heart, afraid of letting anyone close. But maybe... just maybe, she could allow herself to hope, to believe in something more.
♤♤♤
The next morning, Ruby arrived at Arnold's office. The nerves in her stomach were fluttering. She barely had time to process anything when Arnold stepped out of his office, his eyes meeting hers. She hadn't even been sure if she'd see him in his office, but here he was, standing there with a mix of hope and vulnerability in his gaze.
"Ruby," he said softly, moving towards her. "I'm sorry about yesterday. I... I didn't mean to overwhelm you."
She nodded, glancing down as she steadied herself. "Arnold... we need to talk. About... us. And Ariel."
Arnold's face softened, relief evident in his expression. "Of course. Whatever you need, Ruby."
She looked up, meeting his gaze. "I'll let you in, Arnold. For Ariel's sake... and maybe for ours. But you need to be patient. This... it's all new to me, and I won't pretend that it's easy."
A grateful smile spread across Arnold's face as he reached out, squeezing her hand. "Thank you, Ruby. I'll wait as long as you need. I promise."