I got a few reviews in recent history that I figured may be best to answer publicly.
RatedRSuperStar87: I just thought of something back when they rescued Ruby wouldn't Blake know that Adam was with her because his scent would of been all over her. Just a thought.
VF: I answered this privately, but in case anyone else was wondering, Adam and a lot of other faunus were beating Ruby a lot. Including the smells of blood and fear, there would be a lot of different scents mixed with Adams to mask the event.
The Masked Mummer: While I really enjoy the drama and heartburn in this story, I've found it a real suspension of disbelief that Ruby hasn't told Yang, Taiyang, or Qrow about Phoenix yet. In canon, family is the single most important thing to Ruby, and I have a hard time believing that she would keep her son from that family and support for so long, no matter the circumstances.
VF: I completely agree. This story has fallen victim to the writing method of me inventing a scene while I was bored or in the shower (I can no longer recall which) that's halfway through the story, and then writing the story around that scene (which still is a couple chapters off). I admit I've taken slight liberties in order to make the scene fit and the story make sense. I have thought about making scenes to include Taiyang or Qrow, but this story already has a lot going on already between the Frezerburn sub-plot, Blake's emotional struggles, and Ruby's surprise motherhood. I just couldn't fit another sub-plot in without it becoming too much. If it helps, think about it like because family is important to Ruby, and Phoenix is her most important family, he's often all that's on her mind.
Hopefully these responses make these inconsistencies a little more bearable. I will tell you that at this point, I know exactly where this story is going all the way to the close. I just have to write it. So please, continue to enjoy reading! And remember to leave feedback, as it is always appreciated!
Out of curiosity, Ruby did some research on when babies should start talking. After seeing that children are supposed to have their first words within the first ten months, she began to grow worried for her near two-year-old. Why did it take him so long? Was he capable, and just didn't do it? I guess he was a quiet child… not a lot of cooing and baby-talk come to think of it.
She also did some research on when a child should start walking. Seeing twelve to eighteen months as the average did little to resolve her worry. He was right in that range, and showed no signs. Was Phoenix underdeveloped? Did he have medical issues? She decided to have a doctor look him over. Flora assured her it was probably nothing, but she wanted to be sure. If there did happen to be a medical problem, she might be able to head it off now.
Ruby went to the clinic where she worked and got the same doctor that helped deliver her child. She waited with Phoenix in her lap for the results to come back. She realized she still held him a lot, and put him down to see what would happen. He stood for a second, but soon flopped on his butt, growing a large goofy grin. Ruby giggled as well, learning a long time ago that Phoenix only flipped out over small things if she did. If she smiled and he still cried, then it was time to worry. The doctor came out shortly after with the scans.
"Well, it seems Phoenix is perfectly fine." The doctor announced happily.
"Then why hasn't he walked yet?" Ruby asked.
"Any number of reasons. As far as bone structure and muscle, it should be well within his capabilities." The doctor thought a moment. "Perhaps he's simply found no reason? Most children try to move around on their own by nature… but it wouldn't be the first time I've seen a child simply decide not to walk, until he's suddenly half way across the room because someone left some sweets out."
"Huh." Ruby looked over Phoenix. "Wait, if that's the case, Nix would have to be smart enough to recognize he doesn't need to move… is it possibly he can be that smart already?"
"Some of the smartest babies come from Huntsmen and Huntress families." The doctor confessed. "Many theorize it has something to do with Aura. Many Huntsmen who come from a long line are more powerful than those who only had recent fighter lineage. Stronger aura, more complex semblances… There are studies being done at this moment. Is the father an Aura user as well?"
"The father… was." Ruby answered hesitantly.
"You never speak of him." The doctor noted.
"I don't." Ruby agreed. "How are things around here since I left?"
"We get along fine without you, don't worry." The doctor smiled. "Just make sure you keep coming back to him, and we'll all be happy."
"Of course, Doc." Ruby smiled in return. "Now," she turned to Phoenix, "let's get home and try to get you walking."
"Momma!" Phoenix shouted, stumbling across the room, smile as big as the sky. It was a week since Ruby took Phoenix to the doctor. With a little encouragement, Phoenix started walking on his own for the first time. Now he was having the time of his little life, suddenly realizing it was a lot of fun to move on his own. This opened a whole new issue for Ruby now, though.
"Phoenix! Get down from there!" Ruby shouted, her child getting dangerously close to the edge of the side table he had somehow climbed on top of. Ruby was lucky to have a speed semblance, as Phoenix topped right into her arms. "Damn it!"
Of course, all Phoenix knew was that if he fell off something high, his mother caught him, and he treated it like it was his favorite game. "You're a little adrenaline junkie, aren't ya?" Ruby scolded.
Her child only smiled. Then his face changed. "Momma… hungry…" He rubbed his belly.
Ruby wasn't surprised by now that Phoenix knew more words than he said. At least he's caught back up where he should be. No more worrying about underdevelopment. Ruby thought, setting Phoenix down and heading towards the kitchen. Now I'm worrying about injuries… "Phoenix! What did I say!?"
Phoenix never lost his grin as he tumbled off the couch. This time, he hit the ground. He was surprised, and looked up at his mother who only stood there with crossed arms. Ruby knew that short fall wouldn't seriously injure the now two-year-old, and let him feel that one for himself. "Not so fun now, huh?" Ruby scolded.
Then the crying. Ruby held fast though. She knew he wasn't hurt. "You're not getting out of this so easily, buster."
She continued making Phoenix his lunch, and set it on his high chair. Phoenix had stopped crying by now, realizing it wasn't going his way. She picked him up and set him in his high chair, and quickly set a bunch of thick pillows and cushions on the floor around it. "Now, momma's not going to catch you this time. I have a call to make. Eat your food."
Ruby stepped out onto the balcony and dialed Yang's number, keeping a close eye on Phoenix. Thankfully, he seemed to learn his lesson and focused on eating.
"Ruby!" Yang picked up quickly.
"Heya, sis!" Ruby responded. "Any good updates for me?"
"Actually, I was hoping you would call soon…" Yang replied. "Weiss and I set a date for the wedding."
"Oh?" Ruby smiled. "And when are you getting fitted for your ball-and-chain?"
"You should know she has you on speaker!" Weiss's voice came through the line.
"I stand by what I said." Ruby smirked.
"It's actually the day before the next reunion, which we're gonna use it as the reception, and… well… I was hoping… that maybe you would be my Best Man?" The blonde asked.
Ruby wanted to accept immediately, but hesitated… The Best Man/Maid of Honor was a very involved role. Of course Ruby wanted to do it… But looking inside to Phoenix reminded Ruby she already had time consuming responsibilities. "I wish I could Yang, and I promise I'll be at the wedding… but I can't promise anything else."
"I know… well I don't know why, but I kinda anticipated that… Look, Weiss and Winter are already handling all of that, and I've actually been forbidden from having a bachelorette party." Yang lamented. "Apparently, I have a reputation."
"Yes, you do." Ruby giggled, not at all surprised. "So all I have to do is show up to the wedding, and I can still be Best Man?"
"That's right." Yang sounded hopeful.
"Then of course I accept!" Ruby was happy. At this point it was a technicality of a position, but she still got to be Yang's Best Man, without it interrupting her surprise second life. "I'll see you then!"
"I can't wait!" Yang replied.
"For more reasons than that I would hope." Weiss piped up from the background.
Ruby and Yang hung up as the latter started a playful argument with her soon-to-be. Ruby looked down at her scroll and frowned. We always knew we'd be each other's Maid of Honors… or I guess Best Man in this case. Doesn't surprise me that Yang's playing Groom. But I almost turned her down… Ruby looked inside to Phoenix. She would never regret keeping him. But this new turn brought another fear in the redhead. What if I had to? The day may come when I have to turn her down, or cancel something, for Phoenix.
Monster.
Ruby knew why she couldn't tell Blake. And even Weiss might have trouble coming to grips. But why not Yang? Was she really still afraid? Or was she just used to this second life thing by now? Maybe I should call her ba-
FWOOP
"AAAAHHHHHHHHH!"
"What did I tell you!?"
Ruby rushed back inside. The cushions did their job, Phoenix wasn't hurt. But his crying was more real. She picked him up in her arms and shushed him calmly. "It's okay, Phoenix. You're okay. Momma is here now. And I'll always be here to catch you when it's important."
He started to calm and even seemed to grow sleepy. Ruby looked at the clock. "Little early, but you've had an exciting day, haven't you? You little daredevil." The young mother smiled as her child fell right asleep. "Goodnight, Phoenix." Ruby toted her son to his room, her thoughts a million miles away from where they were a moment ago.
Maybe she was still scared. Maybe she was just used to it. Maybe she was even frustrated that Yang kept questioning, not giving her time to come clean her own. Whatever reasoning, the fact remained… almost three years had passed since Beacon, and Ruby remained as distant as ever.
This time, Ruby timed the end of her hunting trip with her visit to Atlas. She arrived a day early, and decided to see how Yang would react to her sudden appearance. Yang was excited when she was expecting her sister to show up. She will probably explode when I knock on the door.
'Exploding' was actually a pretty accurate term. Yang was doing all she could with how much control she had over the wedding… Sitting around Schnee manor and waiting. I proposed, how do I not even get a say in the dinner? She was fuming, and then there was a knock at the door. Who the hell is that? Staff wouldn't let them get all the way to door if they didn't know them… The thought made Yang take another look at herself, mentally. Wow. I really settled in to the whole 'manor' thing. I kinda hope I don't get to used to it…
She opened the door slowly to red hair, silver eyes, and a big smile. She literally threw the door wide open and picked up Ruby in a soul-crushing hug. "Rubes! Omigod! What are you doing here! I mean, I know what you're doing here, but you're early! You're never early!"
Ruby tried to respond, but couldn't get the breath in her lungs. Yang caught on and set her down. "Uuuughhh…" Ruby groaned, rubbing her ribs. "I wanted to see your reaction… if I wanted someone to kill me, I could have visited Blake…"
"Why would Blake want to kill you?" Yang asked.
"Uh… no reason." Ruby replied.
"I mean… I kinda figured you guys weren't doing okay with how you two acted around each other last year, but…"
"Yang. It's fine. We're fine." Ruby tried to recover. Jeez, that was close to one secret… I better watch what I say if I'm spending a whole extra day with her. Ruby once again wondered to herself why she was still keeping quiet about Phoenix… but Yang had a lot going on right now. Maybe after the wedding.
"So… I'm not supposed to do anything today, but I really can't not go out with my sister! We haven't had a sister's day since Beacon." Yang offered.
"I think I can keep an eye on you. I've been watching you since I was twelve." Ruby teased.
"Yeah right! I'm the older sister!" Yang puffed out her chest.
"And when did dad stop putting you in charge? Was it the incident with the Vodka, or the incident with that girl from Signal?" Ruby pointed out.
"You said you would never speak of that again." Yang narrowed her eyes.
"Either way, I was at least thirteen before all that." Ruby reminded her. "Point remains, at least text Weiss that we're going out."
"I'm not that whipped…" Yang rubbed the back of her neck.
"Do you want to marry her?" Ruby asked, a triumphant smile on her lips.
"Well… maybe I am a little whipped…" Yang pulled out her scroll. "But I am telling her I'm going out! Not asking! I'm telling her!"
"Telling me what?" Weiss asked, walking up the drive behind them.
Yang immediately backtracked. "t-te-telling you that… I love you! And… Ruby and I are going out…?"
Weiss raised her eyebrow. Ruby snickered in the background. The heiress, who had heard the entire conversation, smirked herself. "Are you asking me? Or telling me?"
After a long moment of thought, Yang replied, "Asking?"
"Good. Go ahead. I trust Ruby to watch you." Weiss smiled, walking inside. In the doorway, Ruby watched her flick her wrist at Yang, like she was cracking a whip.
"You two really are perfect for each other…" Ruby told her sister.
"Let's just go before I strangle you. We do still have to pick out a tux for you anyhow." Yang stated.
"Why not a dress?" Ruby asked.
"Because I'm playing groom. I'm wearing a suit, and you are my Best Man!" Yang told her. "Besides, I don't want my 'Best Man' tripping over her 'Lady Stilts'."
"That is a very good point…" Ruby agreed. "Blasted Lady Stilts…"
The girls stated their 'sister's day' picking up a nice red suit for Ruby, and continued to dinner and then an arcade from there. All day, people treated Yang like royalty, and consequently, Ruby as well. It was clear Yang was still getting used to it, obviously uncomfortable with being treated specially. Ruby, on the other hand, would try everything she could to be treated normally, without being rude to the various servers.
Throughout the whole day, Phoenix was constantly on the back of Ruby's mind. Not only had she not seen him for weeks now with her hunting trip being before this, but she was worried about how Yang would react when she finally told her. The longer it took, the harder it got. Yang clearly had a life here, a life Ruby hadn't been seeing with her being away. And Ruby had a life in Mistral, one her old friends still knew nothing of.
The blonde had enough to worry about, but Ruby knew she couldn't hide it forever. If for no other reason than it wouldn't be fair to them. They deserved to know. Maybe even Blake and I… who am I kidding, there's no way she doesn't hate me now. But still, Yang… after the wedding. When everything is calm.
If only.
