The morning coffee tasted a little chalky. The restaurant must have gotten a new barista. Yet again, if they couldn't fix their broken ice cream machine, then Oum knew what could have been going on in there. It was Friday and it was time for their weekly father-daughter date. Back when his wife was alive, she highly recommended that day for the two of them. And since Joey's school had half days on Fridays, the opportunity was warranted. He can't help but to credit Pyrrha for setting this traditional routine. With her being a faithful mother/wife or reading too many Good Housekeeping magazines, she believed that these special dates stimulated the growth and the development of father and daughter. Jaune nearly bit his tongue when mouthing the tongue-twisting quotes Pyrrha used to say to him.

He still can imagine her sitting on the love seat, painting her nails, wearing her face mask, and coupon-clipping for their next week of meals.

At her 'ugliest' she was his prettiest. Not everyone was worthy of seeing all of Pyrrha. That alone belonged to him.

"Daddy, are we almost there?" Jaune turned to the source, his progeny. The Frozen soundtrack ended, which meant Joey was no longer distracted. It also meant that Joey was going to ask questions about anything, if not everything.

"No, dear. Not yet." Jaune found a window to merge over to the next lane. The sun was shining brightly in the sky. He put on his sunglasses. He saw the sign that would take him and his daughter to their weekly father-daughter date.

Vale Zoo & Aquarium 15 miles

"Do you think we might see Beowulf and Grimm," asked his daughter.

"Probably so," he answered as he changed lanes again. "Lions and bears. Maybe dolphins."

"I like dolphins."

"I like dolphins, also."

"Think we might see a turtle!?"

"Joey, of course, we will."

"Europa Vasilias from class told me that turtles can live up to a hundred years old!"

"Weiss's daughter taught you something?"

"Yes! She and I are best friends."

He appreciated Weiss for staying close to their side following the funeral. Weiss and Neptune visited their home often. Sometimes social, sometimes for emotional support. There were things he could display to the couple that he couldn't do in front of Joey.

There was an incident less than a year ago. Weiss and Neptune stopped him. He is currently seeing a therapist.

"Did Mommy like zoos?"

"Of course, dear. Mommy loves...loved being at the zoo. All of the time."

"Daddy?"

"Yes, dear?"

"I miss Mommy."

"Me, too, little JoJo."

"I thought I was your little Kickapoo?"

"Can you be my Kickapoo and JoJo?"

"Perhaps, if you let me call you Daddy Sweetness, Pop-Pop."

He found it funny how alike his daughter was to his beloved wife, especially when hearing that nickname. Jaune hasn't called by that name since it was the name that Pyrrha gave him for Joey. She gave him the nickname before her funeral. Lying on her sick bed, he held onto his precious wife. Her hot forehead, cold palms, and the erratic heart monitor was too heart-clenching, nerve-wracking. A dismay to the ears. She knew her end was close.

'I think Daddy Sweetness is a suitable name for Joey to call you, dear.'

'Whatever name you want her to call me, it shall be granted.'

'Don't ever let Joey forget about me.'

'You know that will never happen.'

'Never leave her out of your sight, Jaune. Always be there for Joey. She needs you more than anything.'

'I promise you, Pyrrha. I won't ever abandon her.'

'Good. Because if you did, then consequences will be made, Vomit Boy.'

'Sick and still making threats. You are a fighter.'

'As long Oum gives me breath, I will still fight, sweetheart. For you and for Joey.'

He still had fragile memories of the day as he held onto his daughter. She dangled to her mother's body, holding onto her cool, stiff palms. He remembered listening to Weiss' oldest son talking to his mother about Pyrrha.

'Mommy, why is Auntie sleeping in that box?'

'Because Auntie is taking a rest in there, sweetness.'

'Why is so she cold and hard like dry playdough?'

'Auntie can be stiff, dear. That's how she sleeps.'

'What does stiff mean?'

'It means she is standing still.'

'Well, tell Auntie to get moving again. I want her to have fun with me.'

'One day soon, sweetness.' Jaune noticed that Weiss was looking at her before returning to her son. 'One day soon.'

"Sure, darling. Say whatever your heart desires," he told Joey. He reached into the console. He asked his daughter which soundtrack she was interested in listening. She wanted to hear the Despicable Me 3 soundtrack.

That should give her a distraction as he breathed heavily to combat the tears.

Vale Zoo & Aquarium was the place where Jaune can find solace. The island is a home away from home for him. A place he knew not many would find him. On days he wanted space, this was where he could be found.

Jaune was holding Joey's hand as they were exiting the deer exhibit at the Nature Zoo on the island. The father and daughter came on a good day because it was free admission for kids. Jaune eased his mind as he played his role of a father while showing Joey the zoo. Joey was like a kid in a candy store. Every time they stopped at an exhibit or a habitat, she asked her father for pictures. Rather it was the animal, her with the animal, or both of them with the animal. On occasion, he took selfies with his daughter on the cell phone. An elderly woman assisted them with a picture. The pair posed in front of a father and daughter deer. Joey held the peace sign and holding her balloon in the other hand. Jaune joined by posing with the peace sign as well.

It was great to bury your worries from time to time, he thought to himself.

After leaving the zoo, the pair walked to a path where the river meets. He watched the many visitors heading to the zoo, the aquarium, the conservatory, and the like. Tired of being around crowds, he took his daughter to a more isolated part of the river.

Jaune gathered a couple of rocks for him and Joey. He took them to the edge of the river where he began throwing them.

"This is how you skip a rock, JoJo," he told her with a smile while tossing it in the river. "One, two, three," he said. "Not the best but I am not a pro at this."

"Lemme try, Pop-Pop," said Joey.

Joey wasn't afraid to get dirty. She was the daughter of Pyrrha. At three years old, Joey would get on her big wheel and try to tread mud. At four years old, she was drawing herself of being a huntress.

Joey took a rock and jammed it hard into the river.

"Oh, man," cried Joey as she attempted to snap her finger.

Jaune laughed. "You are trying too hard, JoJo." He approached his daughter. "Let me show you how it works. It is a simple technique." He grabbed his daughter's little soft hand.

"Pop-Pop, we have the same hands," she said.

"That is true," replied Jaune. "When you get big and strong like your Pop-Pop, you will have bigger hands."

Joey clapped her hands in excitement. "Yay!"

"Alright, back to this," said Jaune. "Be light with the rock. Just treat it like paper. It is not heavy. Just be gentle."

"Okay," said Joey while sticking her tongue out; a habit she got from her father when he was concentrating. He tossed the rock and hit the water.

"One, two, three...four," cried Jaune as he pointed. "See that, JoJo? You did it! You even beat me!"

"I did it. I did it!" Joey clapped her hands. Her cheeks were flushed and were brightly red. Jaune smiled at how adorable she was. Although she looked like more of Pyrrha, at least the hair and personality were of his.

Jaune gave his daughter a high-five. The afternoon wind chill was picking up and he was getting out of breath. "Oh, God, I need to lie back."

Jaune walked backward to the grass. He watched his daughter doing the same thing. Both lied back on the grass. They both took a sigh while looking at the sky.

"This is the life, Daddy Sweetness," said Joey.

"Preach it, sister," replied Jaune.

Jaune lied back and watch the clouds blend into the sky. He was really enjoying the quality time he was having with his daughter. If work currently wasn't a hassle, then he could spend more quality time with his daughter. So, he was soaking up every opportunity he could.

His scars were showing. He covered his wrist so that Joey couldn't see it. A painful reminder of his once selfishness of leaving his Joey behind so he could be with Pyrrha. A brief moment of weakness, he thought. A brief, selfish moment of weakness.

"Sweetheart?"

"Yeah."

"What do I always tell you what you are?"

"I am a leader!"

"What else?"

"I am not a follower."

"What else?"

"I can do anything."

"Why is that?"

"It is because I am smart."

"And?"

"Bright!"

"And?"

"A light to the world!"

Jaune rubbed Joey's hair. "That is my girl."

"Daddy?"

"Yeah?"

"What do I always tell you?"

"That you love me and then some."

"And?"

"From the moon and back and from the nit to the grit."

"And?"

"There is more?"

Joey scooted closer. She placed her hand on his chest. "Our family creed, silly daddy."

"An Arc never backs down from his word."

She kissed his forehead. "That's my boy."

It was later that evening when Jaune and Joey arrived at the farmer's market. Hustle and bustle, bumping into people, toes are trodden on, smells of freshly slaughtered meat hanging from hooks, smells of baked goods and cooking, rancid smell of body odor, smell of manure and chicken droppings, caged chickens, tethered pigs, lambs in pens, stalls overflowing with produce, vegetables spilled onto the muddy ground, splashing through puddles, stall holders hollering out their special deals, customers haggling over prices, people gossiping in huddles, cacophony of sound, bulging bags swinging into peoples legs.

His culture, his home.

He instructed Joey to go and get some bags for their produce. He got the box for the heavy equipment. He was getting things prepared for their Sunday dinner. He wasn't sure if she wanted twice-pulled pork or lamb chops, he decided that he was going to get both anyway.

Even after her death, Sunday dinners continued in the Arc household.

Joey returned with the bags. As Jaune was eyeing show fresh rutabagas, his daughter tugged his shirt. "Daddy Sweetness, I see Ms. Belladonna over there talking to some gentlemen. She doesn't look like she is happy."

Jaune peeked in the corner of the market. He confirmed his daughter seeing Blake. There were three men, clad in cheap, luxury clothing. He could smell the heavily cheap cologne from afar. Every time she tried backing away, the men would corner her. He could see that they were leading her into an alleyway up ahead.

He knelled down to Joey. He gave a strict look to her. "You see that Auntie over there?"

"Yes, sir."

"Go to that Auntie and tell her to call the police."

"Daddy?"

"Do it, sweetie, now!"

Shaking her head, she followed her father's instruction as she went to the woman. Jaune reached into his pocket. He didn't have his weapon, but he did have brass knuckles to incite some fear.

And a knife.

The goons circled Blake like a pack of lions preying on a weak antelope. Blake tried to play subtle of telling them, no, but those words didn't go through their ears. Their smugness depicted they wanted something more than a chat.

"Hey, sweetheart. Why not give us boys some of your time."

"C'mon, little Faunus. You know I like them all flustered."

"If you want, we make you feel really good."

"Think these spooks will do something? They are scared."

"But I am not!" One of the goons didn't have time to respond when Jaune punched him in the face. The goon hit the ground hard. The trail of blood traveled with his brass knuckles as he came for another punch to another goon. He, too, hit the ground hard.

The last goon, apparently the weakest ran from their site. Blake watched in shock as she didn't expect Jaune to be here. Silently, he urged her to back away. The crowd as Jaune kept his distance until the authorities arrived.

Later after the commotion, Jaune insisted to take Blake home. He arrived in front of her home. Darkness surrounded the trio as he turned off the lights.

A pregnant silence ensued them. Joey was sleeping in the backseat. Jaune kept his hands at the steering wheel. Blake kept her palms on her lap. She was still shaken up.

"Thanks," she told him. "For earlier."

He shook his head. "You're welcome. I just can't stand knuckleheads who think they can treat women any kind of way."

"Still, I find it noble. Thank you, Jaune." She bowed to him. "If there is a way to make it up to you, then let it be known."

Jaune displayed a friendly smile. "Just seeing you unharmed is enough."

Blake nodded, agreeing with him. "Have you eaten yet?"

"Not yet. We were at the market to get some food for tomorrow."

"Would you allow me to at least cook for you to make up for saving me."

He blushed. "You don't have to, Blake. No need to pry."

"Oh, no, Jaune. At least let me cook to make it up."

"Listen, Blake, you are sweet." He sighed. "I am just...I am just…." He paused again, trying to not hurt her feelings. "Never mind."

He stepped out of the vehicle and opened the door for Blake. He took her grocery bags and helped her to her front door. "Thanks, Jaune. I can take it from here," she told him. "Thank you once again for saving me."

"My pleasure, Blake. Look after yourself." He bowed before her. "Thank you for being good to my daughter. Have a good night."

Jaune returned to the car and shut the door. He watched as she entered her home before closing the door. Jaune turned the key and shifted into drive.

"What if I die, Jaune? Would you find a new lover?"

"What? No? Why would I? You are my one and only."

"Just a thought, sweetness. But happiness is everything."

"You are my happiness, Pyrrha."

"I am just one person. There are others and this baby to be is going to need her daddy."

"Of course, I show it to others, but you and this bundle of joy are at the top."

"Can't be selfish, Jaune. You must learn to open up. You can never know what would happen."

"You say such talk, Pyrrha. You are infamous. You can never die."

Jaune pulled over to the side of the road. He turned on the radio to whatever Joey left it on. He stepped out of the car. He positioned himself at the driver's side and proceeded to cry.

He dropped to his knees as he sobbed for his wife, begging and bargaining to Oum to have one more night with her. A voice, a sound, a smell, something of her. He looked to the heavens for a response, knowing that there wasn't going to be an answer.

"Forgive me, Pyrrha, for being a horrible and pathetic father and husband. Forgive me."

To be continued...