Tai knew the something was wrong when Qrow asked to meet him late at night for coffee. He carefully eyed his former brother-in-law until Qrow finally looked up at him.
"I want to tell, Ruby."
Tai's heart dropped into his stomach. "Why?"
"Don't you think she deserves to know?"
"I mean why now?" Tai asked. "You and I agreed that we'd wait until she was eighteen."
"That was then. Things have changed."
"This wouldn't have anything to do with Winter's baby would it?"
"Partly, but that's not the entire..."
"How do you think Ruby's going to feel when she sees you stepping up to raise this kid when you couldn't do that for her? What do you think that's going to do to her perception of her mother?"
"I'll explain everything and hope for the best."
Tai scoffed. "You know I always wondered what all those girls at Beacon saw in you. How the hell Summer fell for you I'll never know."
"Tai watch it."
"Is Winter really in love with you or is she just a wh…"
Before Tai could finish his statement Qrow's fist collided with his chin.
"Don't you dare talk about Winter or Summer like that," Qrow growled at him. "I'm Ruby's father and she deserves to know that."
"Oh, yeah? Who was there for her when she took her first steps? Who taught her how to ride a bike and bandaged her knee when she fell off? Who tucked her in every night and made sure there were no monsters under her bed?" Tai's voice continued to rise in anger. "It was all me, Qrow. Meanwhile you were too busy falling off a barstool trying drink away the memory of ever having her."
"You think I want to forget Ruby? She's the only thing that keeps me going."
"You weren't even there half the time while Summer was pregnant, and when you were there you were drunk."
"I know I can't change the past. I wish I could've been a better husband and a better father. I'm trying my best to be there for Winter now. I know it won't make up for all that happened with Summer, but that failure has been thrown in my face enough."
Tai took a deep breath. "If you want to tell Ruby I know I can't stop you, and I suppose with what all she's been through Ruby is old enough to make the decision of whether she wants either of us in her life after that."
"You're still her dad Tai, I mean…you said it yourself you did all the work."
Tai looked up at Qrow. "No...you did some too. You were there for both girls when I couldn't be. Ruby just didn't know Uncle Qrow was more than that."
Qrow sighed. "I'm so worried she won't want me in her life. I don't know if I can live with myself if she doesn't."
"You'll never know how she feels unless you try," Tai said. "Tomorrow morning sounds like a good time."