Chapter Thirty-nine: And Finally I'm Forced to Face the Truth Part I

Weiss took Ruby to Odea as promised and essentially bought her a brand new room. She didn't spare a single expense, and Ruby, for the first time in their brief relationship, didn't put up a fight. She actively asked if it was okay to add another item to their shopping cart and Weiss was more than happy to oblige. The furniture wasn't the lavish lacquered hardwood Weiss was used to, but they were fairly sturdy, chic, and perfect for a messy student like Ruby. That being said, the plant section wasn't spared from their sudden shopping spree either. Weiss knew they'd end up here eventually, but what she didn't expect was that she'd wind up with over thirty-five plants and one extremely excited girlfriend who lovingly named each and every one. The cashier, however, was less than amused and had given them the most exasperated look as the cavalcade of potted friends filled her conveyer belt; Yang was just as thrilled when she came home to a miniature garden and found Ruby trying to assemble the new bedframe while Weiss watched on from the couch.

After Ruby's new furniture was built, and most of the smaller plants found a home in her room, they gathered what was left and bid Yang an awkward farewell. They decided to pick Chrys up a little earlier than planned to go to their favourite burger joint for dinner. Weiss was apprehensive during the whole drive, worrying about how Chrys would handle seeing Ruby after everything she'd learned. But, as usual, Chrys went against the grain and shocked Weiss by running straight into Ruby's arms, picking up where they left off like nothing had happened. Dinner was full of laughs and the night was capped off by a trip to the movie theatre.

Life in the Adel household returned to normal faster than Weiss expected, but the long hours at work had finally caught up to her and she came down with the worst cold she'd had in years. Ruby had taken it upon herself to nurse Weiss back to health while keeping Chrys on schedule. Weiss had tried to help, but Ruby would pick her up and tuck her back into bed, assuring her that everything was going well. But things weren't going well. Ruby had worked herself to the bone and wound up sick again. In hindsight, Weiss should've been more reluctant to welcome Ruby's embrace, but their two weeks apart had drained Weiss' will.

It took them a whole week to get better. And in that week, Chrys had condemned her family for bringing the plague into their home and temporarily moved in with Ciel to avoid catching it herself. Neptune had offered to house her, but Chrys refused to be anywhere near her diseased mother. Heartbreaking, truly, but it gave Ruby and Weiss some much needed time to decompress and talk. They spoke at length about the direction their relationship was heading and their dreams about the future.

In Ruby's ideal future, she had a job she loved that provided stable hours and a healthy income—nothing close to Weiss', but enough to at least support their family without feeling like a burden. They were also married with two more children, one that looked like Weiss and the other looked like Ruby, and Chrys would be the best big sister ever. They'd also have a big house in a fancy neighbourhood with a large backyard so their dog—something big, fluffy, and loyal—could have a space to run around and play. Ruby would also have a garden and a pond, and she'd fill the house with plants of all shapes and sizes.

Weiss couldn't help but smile as Ruby rambled on about their daily lives. She'd heard it all before in varying detail, but hearing it again while she was wrapped in Ruby's warm embrace made it all the more special. It felt real. Weiss couldn't imagine anything past the day after tomorrow. She was pragmatic to a fault and dreaming about an uncertain future went against that. But Ruby gave her hope, so she tried.

In Weiss' ideal future, Chrys would be a well-adjusted adult who followed her own path in life instead of the one paved by the people around her. She'd use her wealth well by expanding her horizons, see the sites, and experience life without anything holding her back. She'd send postcards from all over the world with enough pictures to fill an album and Weiss would keep them all close to her. It'd be lonely in the house without Chrys' companionship, but Weiss would have Ruby by her side, and maybe they do have a few children and a dog. Monsieur Bulle would be there too, of course. That fish had outlived one owner, who's to say he won't outlive a few more.

Ruby fell asleep soon after and the conversation was forgotten, brushed aside like the sweet nothings they shared every night before bed.

After they got better, Yang stopped by with some food and a request. Blake had the weekend off, so she asked if she could finally meet Ruby and her mysterious car giving girlfriend. Ruby immediately said yes without a thought and started suggesting things they could do as a group, but Weiss was quick to reign her in and asked a few vital questions like why now of all times? Did something finally shift in their relationship? The answer to that last question was a sad no, but the answer to the first was hopeful. Blake was starting to come out of her shell and Yang was eager to officially introduce her to the people that meant the most to her. It was odd to see Yang act like a young woman in love for the first time in forever, but Weiss couldn't dwell on it for long. This was a pivotal moment in their relationship as friends. Yang was letting Weiss into her world instead of orbiting around Ruby's gravity and going with the flow of things.

They decided to host a small get-together at the penthouse this Saturday. Yang said she'd cook, but Weiss rejected the idea outright. She argued that if they were going to use her apartment then it would only be fair that she did the cooking as well. They went back and forth like this for nearly an hour without a clear victor in sight, but when Ruby slyly brought up how Blake might feel anxious without Yang by her side she quickly changed her tune and begged Weiss to cook.

In hindsight, maybe they should've let Yang cook, or at least considered takeout.

"Weiss, please, leave the fried chicken alone. You're going to scare it," Ruby muttered with all the energy a person who'd done nothing but eat fried chicken all day could muster.

"This suuuuuuucks," Chrys added in the same lethargic tone. They were both slumped over the kitchen island with a plate full of uneaten rejects sitting between them. "Mama, the chicken tastes fine… give it a rest."

"Both of you be quiet!" Weiss commanded as she watched the deep fryer like it was an intern applying for a permanent position in her company. "Yang is letting us cook for her. It has to be perfect."

Ruby groaned and repeatedly smacked her forehead against the marble counter. "Plez, Weiss, no mo pried chimkkin…"

Chrys joined the chorus of agonized groans and said, "I think this is the most fried food I've had in my life… Ruby, how do people eat like this regularly?"

"I don't know, buddy, but I don't want to find out," Ruby muttered looking a little green.

"Shhhh!" Weiss lifted the frying basket and inspected the pristine golden brown chicken thigh resting within it. "Not good enough."

"God damn it, no!" Ruby shouted as she shot up and plucked the basket out of Weiss' hands. "Baby, no more."

"But—"

"No more!" Ruby huffed, holding the basket as far away from Weiss as she could. "Baby, please, you've made enough fried chicken to feed an army."

"But—"

"Nope!" Ruby exclaimed, setting the basket down before hauling Weiss over to Chrys. "It's just a friendly visit," she added as she forced Weiss to sit. "You don't need to roll out the red carpet for Yang."

"She's bringing Blake though," Weiss weakly argued, her arms immediately latching onto Chrys.

"Stressing over it isn't going to help," Ruby said, pouring Weiss a tall glass of lemon iced tea. She slid it over and sighed at the monumental amount of food Weiss prepared. "I'll bring some of this down to Gerty and Neptune… maybe call Ciel too."

"I did not make that much!"

Ruby calmly opened the fridge and gestured to the large aluminium table pan filled to the brim with yesterday's "failed" attempts.

"Okay, I see your point, but—"

"Weiss," Ruby sighed, "relax."

"But—"

"Weiss."

"Bu—"

Ruby levelled a look at Weiss that told her she wasn't playing around anymore.

"Ruby's right, Mama, you need to relax," Chrys said as she tried and failed to wriggle out of her mother's grip. "It's just dinner with Yang's 'friend.' "

"But it's B-Train!" Weiss pouted. "All I know about her is that she's a paediatrics nurse, likes fish, and hates Yang's cat puns."

"Weiss," Ruby said, "I love you, but chill."

"But—"

"Weiss, you don't need to stress over this," Ruby repeated as she rounded the corner to comfort her. "Yang isn't going to forbid us from seeing each other if tonight doesn't go well."

"I want it to go well though," Weiss said, latching onto Ruby next. Chrys immediately scampered off, shouting "Later, losers!" at the top of her lungs just before disappearing down the hallway. Weiss snorted out a laugh, hand over her lips. "Oh my."

"Annnd there she goes," Ruby whistled, happily taking Chrys' job as Weiss' stress ball.

"Leave her be," Weiss chuckled, patting the arm Ruby had around her shoulders. "She's getting to that age where being around your mother isn't cool anymore."

"But you're the coolest mom ever, Weiss," Ruby said, punctuating each word with a kiss. "Chryssie's so damn lucky to have you."

"Even when I'm being neurotic?"

"Yep!" Ruby said as she took the seat in front of Weiss. "But, baby, I know you. This isn't your typical rich lady obtuseness. Something's up. Now what's wrong and how can I help?"

"Nothing's wrong," Weiss said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She took Ruby's hands into her own and ran her thumbs over Ruby's knuckles. "Yang's never let me in like this…" she murmured in a low, hesitant tone. "I don't want to disappoint her."

Ruby pursed her lips and nodded, letting Weiss speak her mind uninterrupted.

"I asked Winter if she knew something Yang likes. At first, I was worried she'd say her dick, but to my shock, she answer me seriously and said fried chicken. Ignoring the fact my blue-blooded sister willingly ate fast food, Nicole has a fantastic recipe that's always been a hit at our barbecues, so I figured why not give it a shot? But… but it's not the same." An errant tear slid down Weiss' cheek, her eyes slowly widening as the weight of her realization struck her. "It isn't the same…" she whispered again, her bottom lip trembling. "Oh god—it isn't the same!"

More tears joined the first and soon Weiss was openly crying.

"It'll never be the same…" she sobbed, furiously swiping at her eyes to stop the march cascading down her cheeks. "No matter how close I follow the recipe, it'll never be her hands preparing the food. It'll never be her laughter or the sound of her voice filling the kitchen… Ruby…"

At the sound of her name, Ruby launched herself towards Weiss and threw her arms around her.

"I'm here, Weiss. I'm here," Ruby said into Weiss' ear as she squeezed her tight.

Weiss didn't say a word. She buried her face in Ruby's neck, her hands finding their way up towards Ruby's strong, dependable shoulders.

"It's okay, baby," Ruby continued to whisper, her long eyelashes gently brushing against Weiss' skin as she blinked back her tears. "I'm here."

"Ruby…" Weiss whimpered.

The heat radiating off of Ruby's skin was sweltering, but Weiss was okay with melting.

"Could you ease up on the shirt though? You bought this for me," Ruby weakly chuckled.

"If Chrys wasn't down the hall from us, that shirt and everything else would be gone by now," Weiss grumbled.

"But she is here, and I think she might be just as frustrated as you are," Ruby said, pulling back to dry Weiss' eyes. "She grew up eating Coco's food… I don't think there's anyone who's noticed it more than her."

"Should I talk to her?"

"That's up to you, but I think you should at least check on her—she got out of here real fast," Ruby said.

Sighing, Weiss bumped her forehead against Ruby's shoulder. "She's growing up."

"Freshen up and go to her, Weiss. You smell like fried chicken," Ruby said, kissing the top of Weiss' head. "I'll bring some food down to Gerty so you two can have some time alone."

"Thank you."

Weiss leaned up and stole a kiss before heading off towards her bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror and splashed some cold water on her face to reduce the redness around her eyes.

"You stress about the weirdest things, Blue," Coco said as she leaned against the wall with her arms crossed. Weiss whipped herself around to glare at her, but Coco simply stared down at her with a smug look and a satisfied grin. "It's like looking at an angry cat. Gunna bat me with your wittle paws?"

"I will punch you," Weiss threatened with a closed fist.

Coco's grin faltered. "Ah…"

"That's what I thought," Weiss muttered as she unclenched her hand and fell into Coco's chest. "I am so god damn tired!"

"Take a break," Coco said, patting Weiss' head. "You've worked hard enough, you've earned it."

"I just want to go back to bed."

"Oh—"

"Without you."

"Aw."

"And sleep for a year."

"Okay, sleeping beauty, if you sleep for a year, who will make my sunny side up eggs just the way I like it?"

"Make your own damn eggs," Weiss muttered.

"But I like yours the best," Coco pouted. "No one can make 'em like you."

Weiss took a deep breath, her grip on the sink tightening.

"Hey, Nicole, what are you still doing here?"

"Just checking in on you," Coco answered.

"No need, go see your friend." Weiss got up on her tiptoes kissed Coco's cheek. "I'll keep packing while you're out."

"Are you sure it's okay?" Coco asked, leaning down for a kiss on the lips.

"Positive," Weiss smiled. "Now go, have fun while you can. Just come back soon, okay?"

"Okay," Coco smiled. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Mama, are you okay?" Chrys called from the foot of the door, peeking inside with worry in her eyes.

"I-I am," Weiss lied, easing her white-knuckle grip. She cleared her throat and forced a smile. "Do you need something?" Chrys bit her bottom lip, contemplating her next words carefully. "Chryssie?"

"I think the chicken tasted fine."

"Huh?"

"The chicken," Chrys repeated as she leaned against the door frame, arms crossed. "It tasted fine."

"But it wasn't great…"

"Or how it used to," Chrys added with a melancholic smile, "but that's okay. Mama's chicken is just as good."

Weiss stopped and stared at Chrys like it was the first time she'd seen her in months. It was a slow and painful realization, but Weiss came to admit that the little baby that clung to her for milk had finally grown taller than her. She was still a little chubby around her cheeks, and her limbs were awkwardly long and lanky, but Weiss had seen the telltale signs that Chrys was beginning to develop.

They'd just moved to Vale, but so much had changed in so little time.

Chrys tilted her head, her left eyebrow raised curiously.

"You look just like your mother," Weiss said aloud.

"And I'm going to be just as tall too!" Chrys proclaimed, pushing off the doorframe to stand up proudly.

"I'm sure you will." Weiss hugged her little girl and squeezed her tight, a habit she'd seemingly picked up from Ruby and Yang.

"I love you, Mama," Chrys said as she happily returned the embrace, practically purring in Weiss' arms.

"Oh, mon coeur, there are no words to describe how much I love you," Weiss whispered. She kissed Chrys' temple and cupped her cheeks as she stared deep into her bright blue eyes. They were so much like her own from the shape they took to the curve of her eyebrows; it was like looking into a scar-free mirror. "You are… so perfect."

"Huh?"

Weiss brushed her thumbs across the freckles smattered across Chrys' cheeks. They were more pronounced compared to the barely visible ones Weiss had. And as the days grew warmer, Weiss was certain they'd darken up even more. She also couldn't help but marvel at the differences in their skin tones. Weiss was a ghostly pale, typical of a creature that never stepped foot outside of the office, while Chrys took after Coco' warm complexion and peachy undertones.

"We look nothing alike," Weiss continued with a rueful smile. "I bet when people see us together, they wouldn't think I carried you for nine months."

"Appearances aren't everything," Chrys said, leaning into her mother's touch.

It was true. Appearances weren't everything. But Chrys' long wavy hair was just like Coco's even though she often had it up in the same side ponytail Weiss wore. Today was one of those days, but Chrys had added a nifty little braided to Weiss' signature look that probably took her over ten minutes to do.

"Ruby said I take a lot after you."

"She did?" Weiss asked, head tilted with her left eyebrow raised curiously.

"Mhm," Chrys nodded. "She said we share a lot of expressions like the one you have when you're being serious."

"What do you mean?" Weiss asked, her brows furrowed together.

"I don't know," Chrys shrugged with her own brows knitted together in thought. They both looked at each other trying to find the similarities but shook their heads in unison when they couldn't. "Your girlfriend's weird, Mama."

"She is," Weiss chuckled, her expression lightening up, "but she's staying."

"I'm okay with that," Chrys smiled. "She's good for you; I'm happy."

"Thank you."

"I texted Yang, by the way," Chrys said, running a hand through her bangs the same way she'd seen Coco do a million times. "They're almost here, so put your game face on!"

"Shit."

"Bad words!" Chrys gasped like a scandalized nun. "How dare you utter such vulgarity in my noble presence! Oh, woe is me, my childhood shattered forever—"

"Oh shut up, princess," Weiss muttered with a playful sneer. "I've heard you say worse things around your friends. And to think you could barely speak the language half a year ago… well, look at you now, Ms. Vulgarity D'Artagnan Adel."

"What?"

"Mhm, never underestimate your mother's ears," Weiss said, poking the crinkle between Chrys' brows. "We live in a large penthouse, but sound still travels."

"Like when you and Ruby do it?" Chrys snapped back.

Weiss' eyes shot wide open. "Fuck."

"Yeah, that's what I thought, princess," Chrys said with a smug smirk.

"Ugh… I have never regretted having you, but if this is what I'm going to expect when you're a teenager, I might just start regretting it a little bit. Just a smidge," Weiss muttered into her palm. "You are growing up way too fast, mon coeur."

"I'm still your little girl though!" Chrys beamed.

Weiss sighed as she peeked through her fingers and saw a glimpse of the innocent child she brought over from Atlas. "You will always be my baby, Chryssie."

"What if you and Ruby have a baby?"

"That still doesn't change a thing," Weiss said, kissing Chrys' forehead to comfort her. "But a baby with Ruby… that's not going to happen any time soon."

"You say that, but I happened," Chrys giggled.

"You did, and your maman and I tried for years to have another you, but as you can see, you're still the one and only," Weiss said. "And seriously, this conversation is a few years too early. We've only been together for half a year, let's not jump to any conclusions."

"Yeah, but I'd be okay with it, you know?" Chrys said, pulling back to leave the bathroom. "We can't keep living in the past. Maman's gone, and it hurts like a bitch, but life is pretty good right now. So don't worry about me."

Weiss opened her mouth to speak but Chrys had already left her.

"Nicole, your daughter's something else…" Weiss muttered as she leaned back against the sink.

"She takes after you, y'know?"

"Don't patronize me."

Shutting the lights and the door behind her, Weiss smacked her cheeks and put on her game face. She found Chrys in the kitchen with Ruby, both singing along to the radio as they cleaned up Weiss' mess. They harmonized well, so Weiss hung back out of view and listened in.

"Did'ja talk to your mom?" Ruby asked in a hushed whisper after the song ended.

"I did," Chrys replied in the same tone. "I caught her mumbling to herself… I think she was having another panic attack."

"I see…"

"She's taking her medicine, right?"

"She is."

Chrys let out a heavy sigh, one that sounded too old for someone so young. "What can I do for her?"

"Just be supportive," Ruby answered. "Your mom's going through things we'll never fully understand."

Weiss left them to their conversation and sat on her bed to contemplate what she'd just overheard. Or at least she was going to, but a sharp rap on the door broke her concentration.

"Weiss?" Ruby called. "Can I come in?"

"It's your bedroom too, Ruby," Weiss sighed.

"R-Right…" Ruby cracked the door open and poked her head in to make sure it was okay. Weiss looked up at her with a weary smile and beckoned her in. "Hey, baby," she said, stepping inside. "Are you okay?"

"Lock the door."

"Okay," Ruby complied, locking the door before she approached Weiss. She sat next to her and took her hand, kissing it softly. "Do you need me?"

"I need you," Weiss murmured.

Ruby pulled Weiss in for a kiss while she undid Ruby's belt and got on top of her. They didn't waste any time and made love as quickly as they could. It only took five minutes at most for Ruby to finish and for Weiss to feel satisfied enough to talk.

"Feel better?" Ruby asked, panting and out of breath.

"A bit," Weiss murmured, resting her head on Ruby's shoulder.

"Chrys is worried about you," Ruby said.

"I know… I overheard."

"Oh… uh, sorry?"

"Don't be," Weiss said as she got off Ruby and kissed her cheek. "I'm happy you two are talking."

"We're both trying our best to get along."

"I can see that," Weiss smiled. "Thank you."

"Right, well, Yang and Blake are gunna be here any minute now," Ruby said after she noticed their dishevelled state.

Weiss nodded in acknowledgement as she calmly straightened her dress and fixed her hair in the mirror. She spritzed a bit of perfume on her wrists and neck and held the bottle out for Ruby.

"Do you want some?" she asked.

"A little bit, yeah," Ruby said as she quickly scrambled to make herself presentable. She held out her wrists and stretched her neck out for Weiss. "Any marks?"

"None," Weiss chuckled. "I have some self-restraint, you know?"

"Mhm, keep telling yourself that, Countess Adel."

Weiss snorted out a laugh and capped her perfume bottle. "Jerk."

"Are you really sure you're going to be okay?" Ruby asked, joining Weiss by the mirror. She slipped her arms around her and kissed her cheek. "Because I can tell Yang you're not feeling well and we can go out to give you some space."

Weiss leaned into Ruby's embrace with a tepid smile. "I'm fine now."

"Are you sure?"

"I promise."

"I'll take your word for it then," Ruby said, kissing the back of Weiss' head. "We should probably head out then."

"We should."

Ruby lead Weiss out into the kitchen, hand in hand. Chrys was on the couch playing a video game with her scroll on her lap.

"Yang's here," she announced without looking up from the screen.

"I'll go get her," Ruby said, squeezing Weiss' hand.

An awkward silence fell the moment Ruby left the apartment. Neither Weiss nor Chrys knew what to say to each other so they left things as is. Weiss went wipe to the countertops, but Chrys had done an impeccable job cleaning everything while Ruby and Weiss "talked" in private.

"Thank you for cleaning," Weiss said, nearly shouting over the game to be heard.

"No problem," Chrys replied as enthusiastically as a teenager earning false praise.

Another awkward silence fell but was thankfully interrupted by the sound of jovial laughter drawing closer.

"And here it is, home sweet home!" Ruby announced as she opened the front door.

Yang stopped in first followed by a reserved young woman their age with shoulder-length black hair, striking golden eyes, and a pair of fuzzy, pointed ears sitting atop her head. She looked around the apartment curiously, staying close beside Yang.

"Welcome," Weiss said as she approached her guests and extended a hand towards Blake. "It's lovely to finally meet you, Blake. Yang's told me so much about you."

Blake stared at Weiss, her eyes wide with an emotion Weiss couldn't exactly place.

"Um…" Weiss lowered her hand and glanced over to Yang. "Did I say something wrong?"

Yang shrugged. "Hey, Blake, you okay?"

"N-No..." Blake responded like she'd seen a ghost, her ears pressed flat against her head. She took a wary step back, but her legs faltered and she fell against Yang who caught her and held up. "I-It's you."