Chapter 14
Winter heaved a heavy sigh as she pushed through the door. It was good to be home after her ordeal at the bank. "Yang, dinner's here!" She called. No response. Odd. Yang usually came running like a starving puppy when food arrived. "Yang?" Maybe Yang was just asleep. Winter walked to her door and paused, listening. Rather than the snoring she expected to hear, there was a choked sob. Winter stashed the food on the counter and rushed back to the door. She knocked lightly. "Yang? Can I come in?"
"Yeah...sure." Yang sighed from inside. She sounded...off.
Winter entered to find Yang sitting cross-legged on the bed, her hair curtained in front of her face. In her hand was a bottle of bourbon, left over from the party earlier in the week. On the nightstand was an empty bottle of scotch and a glass, once filled with ice cubes, now just with water. On the bed Ruby's painting, once hung in the main room, was lying before Yang. "Yang?" Winter said.
Yang looked up, her eyes puffy and bloodshot, fresh tears streaking down her cheeks. "I didn't even give her a burial…" Yang sobbed.
Winter approached, gently pulling the liquor bottle from Yang's weak grip and setting it aside. She sat beside Yang, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Yang…" Winter started.
"She was my life, my whole life, my baby sister, my little girl." Yang wept. "She kept me going. When Summer died I pushed through the depression for her sake. When dad died I nearly left high school to put food on the table for her. When I graduated I kept working. I worked my ass off, every damn day, just to keep her smiling, healthy and learning. I helped her with homework, scared off bullies, held her when she cried, when she'd fixate on the memory of Summer or dad...I was the best I could be for her, and in the end she was taken away. By fucking cancer. She wasn't even old enough to drink and she died of cancer.
"Why did it have to be her too?" In an instant Yang's despair seemed to morph into rage. "Ruby didn't hurt anyone! She was the kindest, most beautiful soul in the world, and she's dead and she never deserved any of the suffering she went through!" Winter pulled Yang into a hug. Yang sobbed loudly, gripping Winter's hands. "I couldn't even give her a funeral." Yang cried. "Summer had a beautiful funeral, and even Tai has a place on the headstone. All I have for Ruby is this painting, this one painting. She deserves better, Winter...so much better…"
Yang's sobs died down and her breathing slowed. Winter freed one hand to push the hair away from Yang's face. Their gazes met, Yang's glazed, Winter's warm. "I have something to show you." Winter said. "Stay here. I'll get you when it's ready."
"Okay." Yang nodded, closed her eyes and took a shaky breath. Winter quickly pecked a kiss on her lips before sliding off the bed and slipping out of the room, closing the door behind her. Yang lay down on her back, staring at the ceiling. She glanced to the side at the bottle of bourbon and considered finishing it off. Maybe the burn would distract her from her thoughts.
Just as Yang was about to reach for the bottle Winter pushed through the door. It felt to Yang as though Winter had only just left, but it must have been at least a few minutes. Winter held out a hand to Yang and she took it, allowing Winter to pull her to her feet. "Come on." Winter said with a gentle smile. Holding Yang's hand she led her to the main room. The chairs and couches were covered in sheets, clearly hiding something. "I was planning on saving this for your birthday, hoping I would have most of them by then. But I think you'll appreciate them more now."
Winter practically danced around the room, pulling away the sheets. Each move revealed more paintings, Ruby's paintings, until Yang was staring at a dozen or so. "My God…" Yang gasped once she was able to overcome the shock. She held a shaking hand over her mouth, and the tears that had so recently represented sorrow now spoke of joy and awe.
Winter stepped to Yang's side, smiling. "You once said this was a problem money can't fix." Winter said. "Now, I may not be great at solving problems when money doesn't work, but I had to try." Yang walked around, taking in the sight of every painting as if it was the first time she had seen them. She stopped by a small one in a simple frame, a portrait of herself smiling. "That one's my favorite." Winter said. "She truly captured that...energy you exude."
"Winter?" Yang said.
"Yes?" Winter asked.
Yang turned to Winter, smiling through her tears, and pulled her into an embrace. "I love you." Yang declared.
Winter gasped, taken off guard, but quickly recovered. She returned the hug. "I love you too."
On arriving at the next group meeting, Yang and Winter were surprised to see Pyrrha dressed in a new outfit they had helped her pick out. It was one of the more formal ensembles but it was still odd to see Pyrrha not wearing a pantsuit to the meeting. All the talk was focused on the day of shopping and partying most of the group had shared. Sun complained about being left out of the party, but was happy enough to have skipped the shopping.
"I get the feeling I would have ended up carrying all the bags." Sun observed.
"You're not wrong." Blake admitted.
"It might have been an okay time though." Sun smirked. "Hanging out with some of my favorite girls for the day."
"You would have just tried to peek at Pyrrha while she was changing!" Nora accused. "Like you did to me when we went shopping!"
"Nora, you physically pulled me into the changing room with you." Sun said. "I tried to look away but you kept asking how you looked."
"Oh yeah." Nora giggled.
"If I didn't know better, I would have suspected you were trying to seduce me." Sun said.
"Between your abs and my guns, we'd make action-hero-level children!" Nora cheered as she flexed her arms. At once she and Sun burst into hysterical laughter.
"It's like they're performing a rehearsed routine." Winter said, shaking her head.
"They would make an incredible improv comedy duo." Yang said.
"Oh, just remembered, I'm having a barbeque for my parkour students." Sun announced. "You're all invited. My house, a week from Sunday, about noon."
"What's on the menu?" Nora asked.
"Barbeque food?" Sun shrugged. "Burgers, hot dogs, maybe a steak of some kind. I'm open to requests, especially if you buy the stuff for me."
"Would you be willing to grill up some vegetables?" Pyrrha asked.
"Not really, but Nora would probably beat me up for refusing, so I guess I will." Sun said. Blake was about to speak but Sun beat her to it. "Yes I can cook some fish. Anything else?"
"The other day I had some wonderful grilled chicken…" Winter started.
"Fine, chicken too." Sun sighed. "God, this is gonna' cost a fortune."
"Here you go." Winter said, holding out a wad of cash before Sun could begin to worry about his finances.
"Thanks Winter." Sun said, taking the cash. "I would feel bad, but you guys seem intent on bankrupting me."
"Bankrupting...ooh!" Nora exclaimed. "We should play Monopoly!"
"Nora, the last time we played you got bored and wandered off after 10 minutes." Sun reminded her. "And before that you spent more time playing with the little car than you actually did playing the game. You did make some pretty sweet sound-effects though."
"Thanks!" Nora cheered.
On Monday morning, at about midday, Yang was just about to start making lunch. Winter lounged on the couch watching television. There was a soft knock at the door. "I'll get it." Yang said.
"Who knocks on the door of a beach condo?" Winter asked.
"Traveling salesmen?" Yang chuckled. She opened the door and the sight that greeted her froze her in place.
"Yang?" The middle-aged black-haired woman said.
"M-mom?" Yang gasped.
"Hi." Raven said with a sad smile.
"H-hey…" Yang managed.
"What's going on?" Winter asked. Having noticed the silence she joined Yang at the door. She did a double-take upon seeing Raven. "Hello...Yang...is this…"
"Yes." Yang confirmed.
"Miss...Xiao-Long?" Winter asked.
"Branwen." Raven corrected her.
"Ah, Miss Branwen." Winter said. "Yang, shall we invite her in?" Yang nodded vacantly and stepped aside, allowing Winter to direct Raven toward the lounge. Raven meekly walked in and took a seat, Yang and Winter sitting opposite her. "Miss Branwen, would you like some tea? Coffee perhaps?"
"Uh...tea please." Raven answered. "Green if you have it. No sugar."
"So...no sense dancing around the elephant in the room." Yang sighed. "Why did you leave?" Raven cast her gaze downward, refusing to meet Yang's. "Was I a mistake?"
"No!" Raven replied, popping her head back up. "No, we wanted you."
"Then why did you leave?" Yang persisted.
"After having you...I just...I couldn't." Raven sighed. "I didn't know how I felt. I didn't regret having you...but I wasn't happy or relieved or...anything normal mothers talk about. At the time I didn't know why. I thought maybe I was just cruel, like my own mother, and that I'd ruin you the way she ruined me. When I looked at you I didn't feel right...it hurt."
"Postpartum Depression?" Winter suggested. She handed a saucer and cup to Raven.
"Thank you." Raven said. "And yes. But it was too late by the time anyone realized it. I just...I couldn't bear to feel that way around you. I was afraid of what I would do to you. I thought I could only make things worse...so I ran."
"So what, you were afraid?" Yang asked.
"Terrified." Raven confirmed.
"How do you think dad and I felt?" Yang pressed. "God knows what he would have done if Summer hadn't stepped in."
"I had...hoped she would." Raven admitted. "She was always like...like an angel. When you were born she had this instant connection with you and...I didn't. I thought leaving would be the best for everyone."
"Why did it take so long to come back?" Yang asked.
"I was still afraid...but of other things." Raven groaned.
"Like what?" Yang asked.
"Of Tai...hating me." Raven replied. "Of Summer...looking down on me. Of you...not loving me. Besides, you had Tai and Summer and then Ruby. You didn't need me. I would just...get in the way."
"Then why come back now?" Yang inquired. "Is it because they're all gone?"
"All gone?" Raven gasped.
"How long has it been since you talked to Qrow?" Yang asked.
"I don't know." Raven admitted. "Maybe years. I've sent postcards every once in a while, just so he knows I'm still alive, but I've been afraid of talking to him too ever since Tai died."
"Ruby died of cancer, less than a year ago." Yang explained. "The same cancer Summer had."
"God…" Raven said. "I'm...I'm so sorry."
"Just tell me why you came back." Yang demanded.
"I...I realized I can't keep going like this." Raven said. "After your father I had two more failed marriages. For the last few years I've been...well...basically a drifter. I got some money from the last divorce, and...since then I haven't known what to do with myself. I tried all kinds of stuff to distract me, casual sex, alcohol, drugs...but none of it helped. I'm almost 50 and I'm alone. My whole life...I've left nothing but chaos and destruction in my wake. I...I want to make things right. I want to try at least."
"You expected to waltz in and just be my mother?" Yang asked. "Make up for lost time like none of it happened? Is that it?"
"No I...honestly, I was expecting to get the door slammed in my face." Raven sighed. "I just...I hoped for a chance to atone."
"Do you really mean that?" Yang pressed.
"With all my heart, Yang." Raven replied.
Yang looked to Winter. Winter smiled and took Yang's hand in her own. "Raven, when I was at my worst, Qrow told me about a therapist, Glynda Goodwitch." Yang said. "You want a chance to atone, but you're not going to get anywhere in your state. If you'll meet with her, talk to her, and I mean talk about everything, and you can get your head on straight, you might be able to do some good. If Glynda can vouch for you, I'll give you your chance."
"Thank you so much." Raven said as tears welled in her eyes. "I'll do anything if it means...I just want a second chance. I'll see her right away."
"Miss Branwen, do you have a place to stay?" Winter asked.
"I'm staying in a hotel…" Raven started.
"That won't do." Winter said. "Until things get sorted out, you should stay with us. Isn't that right Yang?"
Yang was taken aback and thought for a moment. "Yeah...someone in your state shouldn't be alone." She agreed.
"You can have the guest room." Winter offered. "That is, if Yang doesn't mind sharing a bed with me."
"I thought you'd never ask." Yang said.
"Um...I'm sorry...I never asked...who are you exactly?" Raven asked.
"Oh, my bad, meet Winter, my partner." Yang said.
"Partner?" Raven asked.
"Yep." Yang confirmed.
"Carrying on the proud family tradition of having a thing for blondes." Raven joked, managing a laugh. Yang stared blankly. The smile slowly faded from Raven's face and she cast her eyes downward. "Right…"
"Not in a joking mood Raven." Yang said.
"Yang…" Winter started.
"I'm going to make lunch." Yang cut her off. She got up and headed for the kitchen. "Raven should know where she's sleeping. I'll move my things after we eat."
Winter laid a hand on Raven's knee. "Are you alright?" Winter asked.
"Believe it or not, this went a lot more smoothly than I expected." Raven sighed. "I didn't expect her to be so civil or...in such a...stable...situation."
"She wasn't when we met." Winter admitted. "Neither of us were. We're lucky we found each other. Who knows what would have happened otherwise."
"It's good to know she has someone to rely on." Raven said. "I was afraid she'd have no one but Qrow."
"Is that such a bad thing?" Winter asked.
"Not necessarily." Raven replied. "Qrow is a good man, but neither of us are very...stable. Qrow was just better at handling things than me."
"I've yet to meet him." Winter said.
"When you do, don't take anything he says too seriously." Raven advised. "He's just looking to get a rise out of you...the cheeky bastard."
"Sounds like Yang." Winter pointed out.
"Oh God, she's like me." Raven groaned. "I hoped Summer had rubbed off on her more."
"Yang doesn't talk about her much." Winter said. "What was she like?"
"Perfect, absolutely perfect." Raven answered. "But not the smug, superior, in your face kind of perfect. She just existed on her own terms, always smiling, always kind, selfless to a fault...warm and caring. I miss her. Just one of the prices I have to pay for my sins I suppose." Raven heaved a heavy sigh. "So, where am I sleeping?"
"Ah, right this way." Winter said as she stood. She led Raven to what had been Yang's room. Raven said nothing upon seeing it, but the look in her eyes was much like Yang's when she first laid eyes upon it. Clearly this was not a person used to comfortable accommodations.
A tense and silent lunch followed, and afterwards Yang went out for a ride on her motorcycle. Raven did not seem particularly interested in talking to Winter, distracting herself with television. Winter was planning some business and financial moves for the future, and she attended to those. When Yang got back she cooked dinner, and another silent meal followed. After eating Raven went out and sat on the back porch, listening to the gently lapping waves as the sky darkened. Inside the house Yang watched TV with Winter but seemed wholly uninterested. That night was not the first time Yang and Winter had shared a bed, even if it was the first night of doing so on a permanent basis. Winter found Yang to be abnormally clingy.
Yang was up early in the morning to prepare breakfast. While she worked in the kitchen Winter sat at the 2x4 legged table, sipping coffee and reading the newspaper. "Morning everybody." Raven yawned as she emerged from her bedroom. She was clad only in a loose-fitting shirt and panties.
"Morning." Yang said.
"Good morn...oh!" Winter gasped at the sight of Raven. "So that's where she gets it from."
"Huh?" Yang said. She turned and spotted Raven. "Oh shut up."
"What?" Raven asked, genuinely confused.
"Yang wears as little as possible for as long as possible." Winter explained. A wicked smirk overtook her face. "She also has your figure."
"It's good to know my body held up." Raven laughed. She struck a pose with a hand on her hip, prompting a fit of laughter from Winter.
"Quit flirting with my girlfriend or you won't get any breakfast." Yang warned.
"I'll behave." Raven said. "What are we having?" She took a seat at the table with Winter.
"Strawberry pancakes with syrup and whipped cream." Yang replied.
"Strawberry...Summer's recipe?" Raven guessed.
"Yep, they were Ruby's favorite." Yang confirmed. "Summer taught me. So, coffee?"
"Black, please." Raven requested.
Yang slid the final pancakes onto a plate, poured Raven a cup of coffee and brought it all over to the table. She served the food onto the three place setting already laid out, then took a seat of her own. Raven ate a few bites before slowing down noticeably, eventually stopping entirely and just staring at her plate.
"Raven?" Winter said.
"Hmm?" Raven said. "Oh, sorry, I just...Yang, these are perfect."
"They'd better be." Yang laughed. "Ruby was picky about 'em."
"Summer used to make them for us when we were young." Raven reminisced. "I haven't had them since...a very long time."
"M...Raven, are you crying?" Yang asked.
"Huh?" Raven gasped. Without noticing it tears had indeed welled up in her eyes.
"You are crying, here." Winter said, passing Raven a napkin.
Raven dabbed her eyes and smiled weakly. "Thank you, and sorry." She said. "I just got lost a bit there. These are lovely." Raven returned to eating, avoiding eye contact with Yang and Winter. The latter pair looked at one another briefly. Yang smiled and went back to eating.