The Will of Ruby

Chapter 1. Little Red Ruby.

The cries of a newborn echoed through the corridor of the hospital, leaving a small, pleased smile on her pale face. Sophia Walters glanced at her newborn daughter with a look of sorrow in her eyes and a feel of guilt in her heart, wondering if her daughter would face the same fate as her older siblings, a fate that was not very welcoming, a fate that they were forced to witness and battle through without any privilege.

She closed her eyes, feeling warm tears run down her face, regretting giving life to an innocent child who had to enter a world of cruelty and despair, without having done anything wrong. A reassuring hand rested on her shoulder. She looked up to see her best friend, Lilly and her four year old son, Will, standing to her right," She'll be perfectly safe we won't allow her to get hurt" she said in a small whisper "Yes and I'll protect her" Will stated. She and her friend chuckled. "Yes, you will, Thank you Will." 

He giggled, revealing a satisfied grin. "What will you name her?" Lilly questioned. She stared at her little girl in adoration, "Red cheeks, rosy lips, eyes as brown as hazel" she thought for a bit, then slowly whispered "Ruby". A small smile played across her lips. She looked up at her friend "What do you think?"   Lilly nodded, "Perfect".

Ruby and her mother Miss's Walters spent the next three days in the hospital, the evening of the third day she was packing to return home, when the doctor came in with little red Ruby in her arms and a sad smile on her face "I have some disturbing news Miss's Walters"

Miss's Walters approached the doctor and asked "What's wrong?" a worried expression written on her face. "Miss's Walters I'm afraid to tell you that even though little Ruby has had a successful and easy birth, she is still physically very weak and this may affect her in the future as she grows older" the doctor explained. "Is it because of my health?" questioned Miss's Walters. The doctor nodded regretfully "Yes".

Miss's Walters sighed and took little Ruby in her arms, looking at her peaceful, sleeping posture, bringing a small smile to her face.

She then looked at the doctor and asked if there was any cure or any medication Ruby would need now or in the future as she grew. The doctor nodded "I'm afraid so, she'll need medical attention regularly...at least until she gets better and her health is stable" she completed. Miss's Walters nodded, giving a sigh. The doctor continued "The good news for now is that for now she's doing very well but it's best to take precaution for the future.

She took a step towards Ruby and her mother. She put a gentle hand on Ruby's head and stroked it "We ran an x-ray of her and there is something unusual with her, we're not sure what it is but...she's fighting it and keeping it at bay." The doctor quietly explained. "She's phenomenal" she finished, looking at her with admiration. Miss's Walters smiled again at the doctor then at little red Ruby.

The doctor looked at Miss's Walters "You should return home now Miss's Walters, you and Ruby need a lot of rest." 

Miss's Walters nodded in agreement and thanked the doctor "I'll pick the medicine on the way" she reassured the doctor.

They said their farewells and Ruby and her mother left for home, to meet her family, to meet her siblings, to start her life, fight the horrible reality and cruel world that awaited her.

Ruby and her mother reached home at night time. Her family welcomed her with hugs and kisses, Sophia's siblings, her older brother and sister, Chris and Analia and her younger sister Thea were there, her aunts and uncles along with her cousins and of course Lilly and her son, who were family friends since years, they all had been there to welcome Ruby to her home. They all crowded around Ruby and started cooing about how unimaginably adorable she is. Sophia talked and laughed with everyone while little Ruby slept through all the noise.

Everyone was now sitting at the dinner table enjoying dinner, Sophia's mother, Michell, sitting at the head of the table. Everyone was in deep conversation. When suddenly a spoon hitting against a glass was heard.

Everyone turned their head towards Michell and quieted down. "Sophia, we all know that you've named little Ruby, Ruby, but" she smiled at Sophia, "Her full name will be Ruby Rosalind Walters, as per tradition and family name" she completed, everyone began hollering, hugging and patting Sophia on the back in congratulations. Sophia gleamed back, looking over at little Ruby in Thea's arms, still sleeping.

Sophia gave out a little laugh, "How she's still asleep is a mystery to me". "She'll be a heavy sleeper, just like you" someone said, putting a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see her husband looking down at her with excitement in his eyes. "Can I hold her?" he asked Thea. He took her in his arms and looked at her with all the love and admiration in the world. Her eyes slightly opened and she yawned. He laughed at his new born daughter, kissing her on the forehead. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this

-Aishophile.