The next morning, Ruby woke up feeling unusually refreshed. Despite the whirlwind of emotions from the day before, she felt a tentative hope bubbling within her.
After a moment's thought, she decided to text him.
Ruby: Would you like to meet us for lunch at the botanical gardens? It's peaceful, and Ariel loves it there.
A response arrived almost instantly.
Arnold: I'd love to. Thank you.
She glanced at the clock, realizing she had a couple of hours to get ready. She dressed Ariel in a light, flowered dress, the little girl's excitement contagious as she chatted about the flowers and butterflies she hoped to see.
When Arnold arrived, Ruby noticed that he was dressed casually, in a light sweater and jeans, looking more approachable than ever. He held a small gift box in one hand, and as he approached them, Ruby could see the nervousness in his eyes.
"Hi, Ariel," he greeted, kneeling down to her height and holding out the gift. "I, uh… I brought you something."
Ariel looked up at her mother, who gave a reassuring nod. She took the box with wide eyes, carefully untying the red ribbon and lifting the lid. Inside was a tiny silver bracelet with a heart charm that sparkled in the sunlight.
"Oh! Thank you, Mr. Arnold!" Ariel beamed, holding it up. "It's so pretty!"
Arnold's face softened, his nervous expression melting into a look of genuine relief. "I'm glad you like it, Ariel."
They began strolling through the gardens, and Ruby found herself hanging back just slightly, observing the two of them. She was surprised at how naturally they interacted. Ariel pointed out every bright flower and butterfly, eagerly sharing little stories about her favorite animals and books, and Arnold listened with genuine interest.
"So, Ariel," Arnold asked, glancing briefly at Ruby before looking down at the little girl, "do you like spending time with your mom?"
Ariel's face lit up. "Oh, yes! Mommy is the best. We do so many fun things together. She always takes care of me."
Arnold's expression softened, and Ruby could have sworn she saw a glint of guilt in his eyes. He nodded, then said quietly, "Your mom is an amazing person."
Ariel looked up at him thoughtfully. "Are you friends with my mommy, Mr. Arnold?"
Ruby's heart skipped a beat, and she waited for his response, her own emotions tangled. Arnold looked taken aback but quickly composed himself.
"I… I hope so," he replied, glancing back at Ruby with a vulnerable smile. "I hope we can be friends."
Ruby managed a small smile, giving him a nod. She appreciated his honesty, but she wasn't quite ready to trust him fully.
They continued walking until they reached a small fountain and decided to sit down to rest. Arnold pulled out a small picnic basket, surprising Ruby. Inside were sandwiches and snacks, neatly packed, along with a cup of juice for Ariel.
He handed Ariel a juice box and poured tea for Ruby and himself, arranging everything carefully on the picnic blanket. Ruby watched him, her skepticism softening. He was trying, and more importantly, he was putting in the effort for Ariel.
As they enjoyed their quiet meal, Ruby found herself relaxing. The calmness of the gardens, paired with Ariel's laughter, was soothing. She looked over at Arnold, who was watching Ariel with a soft expression, and she felt a gentle warmth in her chest.
After a while, Arnold turned to Ruby, his gaze serious. "Ruby, could we talk? Just for a minute?"
She hesitated, then nodded. She asked Ariel to play nearby within their sight, and Ariel happily agreed, skipping off to explore.
Arnold took a deep breath, his voice low but steady. "I'm glad you called for me to spend time with Ariel"
"Uhn Uhn"
"So when do we break it to her that I'm her father?" Arnold asked. Although Ariel had been present when he had broken the news to Ruby, she was very much confused and sleepy as well. They had not officially informed her of the news.
Ruby's eyes softened, though she remained guarded. "Arnold, it's not that simple. You have to understand, it's not easy to explain to Ariel. With time though I will tell her"
He nodded, understanding. "I get that. I know I need to prove myself, and I'm willing to do that, no matter how long it takes. All I want is a chance to be a part of your lives."
The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable, and Ruby felt a pang in her heart. She looked over at Ariel, watching her daughter's joy as she explored the flowers. This wasn't just about Ariel—she also deserved the chance to have someone care for her, to feel secure.
"Alright," Ruby said finally. "Let's take this slowly. For now, I'm willing to let you be part of Ariel's life. But I need time."
Arnold's face broke into a relieved smile, and he reached out, his hand gently covering hers. "Thank you, Ruby. That's all I can ask for."
Their fingers brushed, and for a moment, there was an awkaward silence that made Ruby's heart race a bit.
Just then, Ariel came rushing back, grabbing both their hands as she pulled them forward with glee.
"Can we come back here again? It was so much fun!"
Arnold looked at Ruby, his expression hopeful, and she found herself smiling. "We'll see," she replied softly.
♤♤♤
That evening, back at her apartment, Ruby observed Arnold and Ariel laughing together, completely at ease. Watching them, she felt a stirring of emotions she hadn't expected. The warmth in Arnold's smile, Ariel's carefree joy—it made her wonder if there could be a future where they were more than just co-parents.
As she tucked Ariel into bed, the little girl looked up at her, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Mummy, do you think Mr. Arnold likes me?"
Ruby stroked her daughter's hair, feeling a soft tug at her heart.
"Of course he does, sweetheart. How could he not?"
Ariel nodded, satisfied with that answer. "He's nice. I like him too."
Ruby watched her daughter drift off to sleep.
"She sleeps so well" Arnold walked into the room.
Ruby nodded quietly.
"I guess I should get going now" Arnold said, picking up his car keys from the kitchen counter.
Ruby didn't just want him to go just yet.
"Wait!" she called after him.
Arnold curiously at her.
Ruby walked up to him. Raising her hands and wrapped it on his shoulder, hugging him. Arnold returned the hug, feeling her warm body around him.