Weiss Schnee
Ruby, Nicholas and I are on our way over to Yang and Blake's place for Christmas Eve. They said anyone from the old gang could come but everyone else had plans, either to see family or in the case of Jaune and Pyrrha's family, going on a cruise.
Alan and Inu took Kirinu to visit Alan's mom. They can only see her a couple of times a year and she really wanted to see them on Christmas. Besides, they really needed to get away, all things considered. After what happened I'm sure they are looking for any way to distract themselves right now.
Tai and Raven flew in a couple days ago so they could be here. They've been staying with Yang and Blake since they have the room and Yang would rather have them around anyway.
Turns out we were the last ones to show up and as soon as we get inside Nicholas runs over to Tai and Raven hugging them. I look around and see that Mom and Winter both made it but Whitley and Klein aren't here yet for some reason.
"I missed you Grandpa and Grandma!" He shouts looking super adorable as always.
"We missed you too little buddy." Tai says, picking him so he can get a better hug before passing him to Raven. Raven wasn't always the most…affectionate person. Even after her and Yang made amends she still struggled with that but she's gotten better.
Speaking of Yang, I just realized she must be in the kitchen or she would've pounced on Nicholas the minute we got here.
"Hello there Nicholas, doesn't your Grandma Willow get a hug?" Mom walks over and holds out her arms. Raven passes him to her and Nick throws his arms around her neck, hugging her maybe a little too tightly based on her expression.
It's honestly kind of crazy to think this is the same Mom who used to shut herself up in her room and down bottles of wine. She seems so much happier without that jerk I used to call father, I'm glad she made the decision to leave. Besides..it's part of the reason I finally got my Mom back.
"Is Uncle Whitley here?" he asks.
"He had to work this morning but he said he got off early, so he should be here soon."
"In the meantime you have Aunt Winter." Winter walks over and kisses him on the forehead, earning the most adorable giggle from him. She isn't as crazy affectionate as Yang but she still loves her Nephew to bits.
"What about Dad?" I ask.
"Oh you know Klein, he's out trying to find the perfect thing for you know who." Mom answers and I just laugh, putting my hand on my hip.
"That isn't necessary, he's gonna spoil him." I smile and roll my eyes.
"He can be a silly man but incredibly sweet."
At some point both Yang and Blake come wandering out of the kitchen and as soon as Yang spots Nick she goes on the attack. Mom puts him down knowing full well how Yang can be about Nicholas.
"Hey there Nicky, doesn't Aunt Yang get a hug?" Yang crouches down in front of him and holds out her arms. He immediately jumps into them, very happy to see his 'favorite aunt'...a fact Winter would prefer not be discussed.
Luckily she has learned to keep her hugs at least mildly under control otherwise our son might be dead by now.
Suddenly the doorbell rings and when Blake goes to answer it, to our surprise, it was Ruby and Yang's Uncle Qrow and Aunt Robyn.
"UNCLE QROW!" Ruby and Yang both cheer. They both practically tackle him to the ground when they rush to hug him.
"So I guess you missed me?" he asks sarcastically.
"Are you kidding?" Ruby responds by hugging him even tighter. "We haven't seen you since Nick was born."
"Yeah I know, it sucks but work kinda keeps me away for long periods of time." he says. That is true, it just sucks that Ruby and Yang never get to see him. They reluctantly get off of him so he can stand up.
"It's great to see you too, Aunt Robyn, hope you are at least keeping this guy out of trouble." Yang hugs her.
"As best I can but that is a losing battle." Everyone laughs.
"It's good to see you Brother." Raven walks up and hugs him.
"Back at ya Sis." He smiles. "I have good news too, starting last week I am officially retired. Robyn and I are moving back to town."
"No way!" Ruby cheers.
"That is awesome Uncle Qrow!"
"What finally made you pull that pin?" Tai asks.
"Well..I guess I just realized I'm not getting any younger and I'd rather spend the rest of my time here with my friends and family."
"So after we talked it out we realized it was the best call."
"Speaking of family, there is one member I haven't really had the chance to meet yet. Where's the little guy?"
"My name is Nicholas...who are you?" Nick asks, walking up to him. Qrow and Robyn both kneel down to his level.
"I am your Mommy's Uncle Qrow and your Great Uncle Qrow and this is your Great Aunt Robyn." he says grinning and ruffling Nick's hair.
"You can just call us Uncle Qrow and Aunt Robyn if that's easier."
"Okay, you wanna come play with me?" he asks. It's amazing how quickly a child can just accept these things. I mean he had never met either of them before now but it's like they just slipped into those roles like he'd known them forever.
"You bet kiddo." Nick pulls them over to where he was playing. It looks like they are going to get along just fine.
"Yang, we should probably eat soon, the food has been ready for a bit." Blake taps her on the shoulder.
"We're just waiting on a couple more guests." Yang says.
"He hopefully won't be much longer, they must have kept him late again." Mom says right as we hear a small knock at the door. I rush over to answer it, greeted by the exhausted smile of my little brother.
"Nice of you to join us Whitley." I joke, hugging him as we both laugh.
"It's good to see you Sister." He pulls away to greet everyone else. "Sorry I am late everyone, work was bad today."
Whitley has been working for a local business since he moved out of Mom and Dad's house. He is working his way up but it sure does keep him very busy. Even on holidays.
"Nice to see you too Ruby, it's been awhile." he says, hugging Ruby.
"Same to you, you should visit more often, I know Nick would love it." Ruby hugs him back.
"Uncle Whitley!" Speak of the devil. Nick runs up to him, his arms extended for a hug which Whitley accepts. It's almost funny watching him smile and joyfully hug his little nephew like that. He is a far cry from the bratty little kid who gave me so much grief all the time…though he can still have his snark at times.
"Where is your Father Whitley?" Mom asks.
"Terribly sorry dear, I'm afraid the time got away from me." A warm voice responds and is immediately followed by Klein who I immediately give the biggest hug I can muster.
"It's so good to see you."
"It's wonderful to see you too, my little snowflake." he hugs me back. Mom walks over and kisses him on the cheek.
"What kept you darling?"
"Oh my uh..last minute shopping kept me a little busy."
"Okay it's time to eat everyone!" Yang shouts and everyone happily makes their way into the kitchen.
Yang has always been a great cook but she really outdid herself this time. It was so nice, having the family all together like this. Smiling and enjoying good food. Laughing while reminiscing and just enjoying each other's company.
This is the kind of life I never thought I would have growing up and now it's really mine. I look over at little Nick and see that he has a huge smile on his face, surrounded by people that love him and want the best for him.
I'm so glad that I am able to give him the kind of childhood I didn't have and if I have anything to say about it, he will continue to know and never doubt that he is loved unconditionally.
"Weiss..you okay hun?" Ruby asks, nudging me slightly.
"Y-Yeah I'm fine." I guess I was really zoning out for a second there. "I am just thinking about how incredibly lucky I am."
"Well if you're lucky then I guess I'm double lucky." she giggles.
"Yeah yeah, whatever you say, dolt." I nudge her back.
Eventually the meal winds down and everyone is clearly suffering from post dinner fatigue. Poor Nick got the worst of it, poor little guy just passed out in Aunt Yang's arms.
"Looks like it's time for this one to get back to his bed." Yang jokes, somewhat hesitantly handing him to Ruby.
"Seems like it, it was great seeing everyone." She and I both go around hugging everyone goodbye.
Ruby places a totally drained Nicholas into the back of the car, strapping him into his booster seat. The last time I saw him this tired was after the field day at school. I guess he just had a lot of fun today.
We pull out of the driveway and begin the thankfully short drive home. At first we don't say much, I just lean my head against the window and stare at the passing street lights. Then my thoughts drift back to the talk Ruby and I had during dinner. I look back at the sleeping Nicholas in the backseat and a smile spreads across my face.
"Thank you."
"For what?" she chuckles. I guess it was kind of out of nowhere.
"For giving me the family I always wanted." I kiss her on the cheek and lay my head on her shoulder.
"Weiss.." she kisses the top of my head without taking her eyes off the road. "..I should be thanking you for agreeing to be a part of my family, I can't imagine my life without you or Nick anymore."
"Ditto." I grab her free hand and lock out fingers together. "It's funny, when you first confessed and asked me to be your girlfriend I thought 'This is the happiest I could possibly be.' and then I thought the same thing when you asked me to marry you and then when Nick was born. Somehow you just keep one upping yourself Ruby Rose."
She and I both giggle and let out a deep sigh. For the rest of the car ride we just sit in silence and enjoy each other's company as the passing streetlights briefly illuminate the inside of the car over and over.
Neither of us said it but I think we both felt it. That tonight only reinforced our decision and we are more sure than ever about what we want to do. The only thing left, was to tell Nick.
(Next Morning)
Ruby Rose
"MOMMA! MOMMY! Wake up!" Nicholas says, bouncing up and down on our bed. Weiss and I sit up slowly, yawning and stretching. "It's Christmas!"
"It sure is." I say trying to force myself to wake up as I crawl out of bed. "It's also your birthday."
"You bet, so let's go!" He shouts, running down the hall and downstairs towards our Christmas tree.
"I am really starting to feel old." I say chuckling as we both drag ourselves out of bed and after him.
"You and me both, love." Weiss stretches and yawns. Once we get to the living room, we see that Nick is already sitting excitedly next to the pile of presents. We couldn't get him everything we wanted but it's still the biggest haul by far. Besides we have another surprise for him after.
"Don't hold back on our account buddy." I say as Weiss and I sit on the couch. I pull out my camera so I can at least get some pictures and footage of the birthday boy opening his presents. Weiss just smiles and cuddles into me.
I still find it kind of hard to believe sometimes that this is all real. If you had told me 10 years ago that I would be married to Weiss and we would be sitting around the Christmas tree watching our son open presents I would've told you that you were nuts.
"Cool!" He shouts as he opens his first present. It's a new game console with some game called Red Vs Blue. I'll be honest, I mostly got that so I could play it with him.
There was also a pre-release copy of the newest game from mine and Alan's company. Plus some art supplies, it turns out he is really creative and loves to draw. It doesn't take long before he has opened every single present.
"Thanks Mommy and Momma." he says hugging us both. "This is the best Christmas ever!"
"Your welcome birthday boy." Weiss says, kissing him on the head.
"It's about to get even better though." I say.
"What do you mean Mommy?"
"I mean Momma and I have some news." I pick him up and sit him down between us.
"What is it?" Weiss and I share a look, a look that says 'Last chance to back out.' but neither of us do.
"Well..Mommy and I have agreed that we'd like to have another baby, so you are going to be a big brother!"
"Really!?" his face practically lights up, he seems even more excited than he was by any of the previous gifts.
"Yes really, but you have to remember what we talked about." I say.
"I promise, I'll be the best big brother ever!" he jumps off the couch in excitement. "I'll make them laugh and play with them all the time and I'll protect them no matter what!"
"Glad to hear it." I kiss his forehead.
"Now go get cleaned up for breakfast, afterward you can play with your new toys."
"Okay Momma." he hugs us both one last time before excitedly rushing up the stairs.
"Remember, don't run up the stairs sweetie!" Weiss calls after him.
"So…" I lean back on the couch. "No going back now."
"Yup." She leans into me. "You sure about carrying this one?"
"Absolutely, you carried Nick now it's my turn besides I kind of want to see what it's like."
"It can be very…challenging to say the least but I won't lie it's a pretty special experience." she cuddles into me more, wrapping her arm around me.
"I'm sure I can handle it." I kiss the top of her head. "Remember though, if it's a girl then we already have a name picked out."
"Yes yes I remember, Summer it is."
"I'm honestly kind of hoping it is a girl. I'll love them regardless of course but we already have a little boy, I think it'd be nice to have a baby girl too."
"That does sound nice, oh and I have one more surprise for you."
"What's that?" She holds out a little box in wrapping paper.
"Merry Christmas." she says and I take the present from her.
"Weiss I thought we agreed no gifts."
"I know but I was out shopping last week and I saw this and I just HAD to get it."
"Oh Weiss...I don't know what to say." I say honestly.
"Well you could open it before you decide." she says giggling. I slowly open it and inside is a necklace that looks nearly identical to the one I got her for our anniversary before Nick was born. The only difference is the gemstone is a different color.
"It's beautiful Weiss!" I pull it out and admire it for a moment before Weiss puts it on me. We now have matching necklaces which is so sweet it almost makes me cry.
"Not nearly as beautiful as the one wearing it but it'll do." she kisses me. "That's not all."
She gestures to the box and I realize she's right, there is something else at the bottom. It's a small book. When I open the book I see that it is a photo album full of pictures dating from all the way back to our high school days to more recently. It's mostly pictures of Weiss and I but there are some photos of us with our friends and the last few pages are full of photos including Nicholas. There are also a bunch of blank pages toward the back.
"We have plenty of time to fill up the rest of them." she says.
"Weiss...this is amazing, thank you." I say hugging her and kissing her.
"I'm glad you like it, I put a lot of effort into it." she says smiling.
"I feel kind of bad though I didn't get anything for you..." I say frowning.
"Don't worry about it Ruby, I'm the one who surprised you with this, you don't have to feel obligated." She says. "Besides, you've already given me everything I could ever ask for."
"Weiss..I love you so much."
"I love you to my sweet dolt."