"I'm sure it's nothing that serious." Weiss feels a light squeeze on her hand. "And even if it is, I'll be right here with you."
"I know. I'm not worried. I'm just…" her eyes drift off out the window to look at the hotel as they arrive.
"Worried." Not at all surprised that Blake can tell how she really feels, Weiss rolls her eyes half heartedly as they get out of the car and Blake hands the keys to the valet. "Let's just go have lunch."
They step into the elevator, hand in hand and Weiss sighs deeply as the doors slowly pull shut. The dull beeping, signaling their ascent through the hotel towards the rooftop is the only other sound.
The beeping is only replaced by a small gasp when Blake pulls their hands up to her face and presses a light kiss to the back of Weiss' hand. Weiss returns the kiss, leaning up to reach Blake's cheek, but landing on her jawline instead.
"Here we go." She mumbles as the doors slide open and the host is standing poshly behind the podium, just outside the elevator.
"This lunch will go by faster than you know it. I mean, it's just your mom. How bad could it be?"
—
"I'm leaving your father, and I've taken control of the family business."
Well, apparently this is how bad it could be.
Not that it was honestly all that bad, just completely surprising and entirely out of character for her mother. Even though the family name and business had come from her side, and not her father's.
"Excuse me?" Weiss may be slightly also been in shock. "So you're just going to take it all and leave him. And he let you?" A small shred of fear bubbles within her, knowing how her father tended to react to things not going his way.
"It took me some time, but I found the loophole I needed. And technically, I've already left him. He has until my return to Atlas tomorrow to take his things and get out of my house."
Weiss feels her fists clench nervously in her lap, under the table.
"Have you told Winter and Whitley any of this?"
"I had briefly discussed the idea with your sister some time ago, but your brother is unaware. I didn't want to disturb either of your studies, if I could help it. But I also know I had to speak with each of you before it became public knowledge, which I'm sure is only a matter of time."
"I'm assuming Winter was completely in support, seeing as how her relationship with father is the most.. fleeting."
"Yes. Their relationship has always been more strained than the rest. But your father isn't the reason I came to see you. Other than wanting to tell you how proud I am of your academic, as well as personal," her mother nods in Blake's direction and smiles "successes since you've gone out on your own, I also wanted to ask for your help."
"What exactly could I help with? I mean, I haven't been home in quite some time. And I-"
"I would like for you to assist me in running the company. I want to make some changes. And I think you would be what the company needs to get things started in the right direction."
Weiss looks over in Blake's direction, seeing that her fork has stopped midway to her mouth, which is hanging open slightly. She bumps Blake's foot with her own under the table, and her mouth immediately snaps shut.
"Of course we would need to open an office in Vale. If you would like to stay here? You could always return to Atlas if that were your preference. But seeing as how you have…" her mother takes a knowing glance at Blake before returning her eyes to Weiss, "excellent reasons for wanting to remain here in Vale, I wouldn't want to upend your life any more than I already have within the last few minutes."
"What, what about father? What if he retaliates? I doubt he's going to simply hand the company over to you."
"He had no choice. Like I said, it took me nearly a year, but I found a loophole in his contract with the Schnee company. He has done enough damage to our name and to our family. I haven't spent a holiday with any of my children since Whitley was seventeen. And in the seclusion I began to realize what is truly important, and unsurprisingly enough, your father never came to mind during that time."
"Fair enough. I supposed I have no objection to working for the family business. Just let m know what I need to do, and I will do what I can."
Weiss doesn't notice how she had been nervously bouncing her leg under the table until she feels Blake's hand on her knee, slowly patting it to help calm her down.
"Well enough talk about family business and family drama. Blake, tell me about yourself. The two of you have been together almost a year and I feel like I haven't made nearly enough of an effort to get to know you."
Blake immediately sits up straighter in her chair and clears her throat.
"Oh well, um there's not really much exciting to tell. I'm from Menagerie. But I've lived in Vale ever since I started going to university. And I just recently graduated from medical school and started my internship and hopefully, my residency program here."
"Emergency medicine, no doubt if you chose a residency here in Vale as opposed to elsewhere." Blake nods in confirmation.
Weiss just watches on in silence as Blake and her mother converse about Blake's chosen focus area.
"There were alternatives but Vale had the best program so I just couldn't turn it down."
"I'm sure your parents are thrilled. Are they medical professionals as well?"
"Oh no, definitely not." Weiss begins to feel a nervous twinge in the pit of her stomach. "My father is the chieftain of Menagerie. So my parents were actually pretty shocked when I chose to study medicine."
"I believe I've actually met your father before, at a world summit in Mistral."
"Very possible. He is also difficult to miss. He's a very boisterous and large presence, that's for sure." Blake laughs, but it is measured and polite.
Not that they had ever had a need to before, but Weiss was rather impressed with Blake's ability to make small talk and keep her mother's attention during lunch.
Once their meal had concluded and they had gotten to an acceptable lull in the conversation, her mother took the opportunity to bring their meeting to an end.
"I don't mean to shoo the two of you away, but I must get ready to return to Atlas early tomorrow morning. I have some calls to make and plans to set in motion while I am here in Valley, so I'll have to say farewell."
They stand up and give her hugs goodbye, and Weiss can't quite describe the feeling in her chest when her mother tell them how proud she is of them both, before gracefully exiting the restaurant.
"See?" Blake says as she helps Weiss push in her chair and hands her the handbag that was sitting in the extra seat at their table. "That wasn't so bad. Maybe this change will be good for your family, and the business?"
Weiss releases a tremendous sigh as they step into the elevator once again.
"I was so certain that she was going to try and drag me back to Atlas with her. Or that my father was going to try to do something to sabotage me in some way. He has never been supportive of my life choices, be that academically or personally."
"I would've gone with you, you know."
"Gone where?" Weiss can't help but quirk an eyebrow as she glances in Blake's direction.
"To Atlas."
She grabs onto Weiss' hand and pulls her out of the elevator as soon as the doors open, looking back at her with that lopsided grin. It makes Weiss smile and lazily roll her eyes before following along beside her.
"We don't be going anywhere, Blake Belladonna. Not until that residency is done."
"If that works for you, it works for me."
They listen to the radio for most of the drive home. On the walk up the stairs, Weiss finds herself smiling as Blake hums the melody of the last song that played in the car.
"What are you smiling for?"
"I just don't think I've ever been this happy before in my entire life."
"Well thank you for letting me be here for it."
"Couldn't have done it without you." Now it was Blake's turn to roll her eyes. Knowing Weiss is just teasing her. "Come on, let's go home."
"Which one?"
"Doesn't matter, if you are there, it's home."
As they walk up towards Blake's front door they hear a loud crashing sound accompanied by equally loud screams of profanity, from Yang.
"Okay, maybe your apartment?"
"Definitely."