Ruby Rose
Weiss walks around to my side of the car and helps me get out. I know I'm pretty far along in the pregnancy but my belly is really making basic things difficult.
"I'll help Mommy too." he rushes over to my other side to try and help me out. It doesn't do much but it's so cute that he is trying.
Dad didn't get to be there for the birth of Nick so he really wanted to be there for Summer's birth. He offered to fly us out to stay at his place and we decided it wasn't a bad idea, especially since it's much warmer where he lives this time of year. Weiss and I are still a little nervous after what happened last time.
Besides it's a good chance to see Dad and Raven and even visit Mom's grave, it'll actually be the first time Nick has gotten to visit her.
"Well well, looks like someone could give birth any day now!" Dad is already walking down the driveway toward us.
"Grandpa!" Nick runs over to him and hugs his leg. Dad picks him up and gives him a big hug.
"Hey Dad, it's so good to see you." He walks over and hugs me and Weiss.
"It's good to see you all too. Thanks so much for coming."
"Our pleasure Tai, thanks for flying us out."
Dad takes a step back and looks at me. A look of nostalgia in his eyes. "Wow…you remind me so much of your Mom when she was pregnant with you, it's almost uncanny."
"We are actually going to visit Mom's grave tomorrow, I want to introduce her to Nick and tell her the good news."
"I'm sure she'll appreciate that honey." he smiles and gestures for us to follow him inside. Nick is especially excited to go inside and look around, this is the first time he's been here after all. Usually Dad and Raven just come down to visit us.
"You all are here a bit earlier than expected." Raven walks downstairs to greet us.
"No thanks to me, I do everything slower these days." I half-joke.
"Understandable." Raven chuckles. "Speaking of, I'm sure you don't want to be bothered by stairs so I had Tai turn the den into a temporary guest room."
"You didn't have to go to all the trouble, I could've handled it."
"They ran the idea by me and I agreed it was a good idea love, you really should be taking it as easy as possible right now." Weiss says.
"Listen to your wife sweetie." Dad starts walking upstairs with Nick, probably to show him the room he's staying in.
"Okay okay, you're probably right as usual hun." I sit down on the couch, wanting to just get off my feet.
"Any update from Yang and Blake?" Raven asks.
"Yeah, they said they'd be flying out tomorrow, Blake apparently had a book signing she couldn't back out of."
"Hope she remembers to save me a signed copy." Weiss sits down next to me.
"I'm sure she will Weiss, she knows you are her biggest fan."
We arrived fairly late in the day so we settle for having a quick order in dinner and then going to our respective rooms to get some sleep. The next morning Weiss, Nick and I all get into the car and drive toward the nearby cliffside.
Arriving at the gravesite we all climb out and walk over to the familiar tombstone positioned near the edge of the cliff.
"Hey Mom, it's been awhile hasn't it?" I say. With Weiss' help I sat down in front of the grave.
"Sorry it took us so long to visit, things have been…kinda crazy lately." Weiss says, sitting down next to me with Nick sat down in between us. "We brought someone with us this time."
"H-Hi Grandma, I'm Nicholas." Nick seems uncharacteristically shy but I'm sure this may seem a bit odd to him.
"I'm sure Grandma is very excited to meet you sweetie."
"I wish she could talk back." he says, sounding understandably disappointed.
"I do too…but I'm sure she can hear us."
"Yeah so just say whatever you want, you don't have to be shy."
"Okay…well I really wish I could see and hear you Grandma but I'm happy to meet you anyway. We probably would've had a lot of fun together, just like when I play with Grandpa."
"I'm sure you would have." I put my arm around him and place my hand on my stomach. "As you can probably tell Mom, we have another little one on the way."
"Yeah, I'm gonna be a big brother, the best one ever!"
"That's right." Weiss ruffles his hair.
"I…I've been trying my best to live up to your example Mom." I reach out and brush my hands over the engraved Rose on her tombstone. "I made a promise that I would try to be as good as you but you were the best Mom of all time and I..I just hope I've been even a fraction as good."
Suddenly Nicholas hugs me tightly around the neck.
"But Mommy..you and Momma ARE the best ever." he says, catching me off guard a little. "No one has a better Mommy than me."
"Thank you Nicholas…" I hugged him back, almost wanting to cry. Before I know it Weiss has her arms around the both of us.
"Sounds like we've done alright so far love." Weiss says and I quickly wipe a stray tear.
"I guess we have."
After visiting for a while longer, sharing stories about work and Nicholas' school life, we decide it's time to head back as the sun begins to set over the horizon. Before getting in the car I look back at her grave one last time and smile ear to ear.
"I'll be back soon Mom, gotta introduce you to your other grandchild when they are born after all…I love you Mom."
Later that night I was in the kitchen with Weiss and Dad. They both insisted I just sit down and relax while they handle dinner and they are probably right but I couldn't bring myself to sit still. It's something I have always struggled with.
Then, out of nowhere, I feel an intense pain that caught me so off guard that it almost makes me fall over. I probably would have if Weiss hadn't noticed and caught me.
"Ruby, what's wrong?" Weiss asks.
"I…I think the baby is coming." I say trying to remain calm.
"Tai, go get her bag and meet us outside." Weiss says without skipping a beat.
"Got it." Dad runs out of the kitchen as Weiss starts helping me toward the front door.
"What's wrong?" Raven asks.
"Is Mommy okay?"
"Mommy is fine sweetie…your baby sister just decided she was ready to be born." I smile despite the pain and pat his head.
"She's going into labor?" Raven asks, picking Nicholas up.
"Yes, so everyone needs to quickly grab anything they need and get outside."
"Understood, I'll call Blake and Yang on the way, let them know we'll be at the hospital." Raven runs upstairs with Nick to grab their things.
Weiss continues helping me out to the van, almost lifting me up into the backseat. "Just keep breathing love, we'll be there soon." She brushes my hair out of my face and flashes me a very reassuring smile.
"I love you."
"I love you too." she kisses my hand. Minutes later everyone rushes out of the house carrying various overnight bags. Raven sits in the front next to Dad, Weiss sits next to me and Nick sits in the very back. He still seems worried about me so I let him sit forward just enough in his seat where he can hold my hand.
Once we arrive at the hospital we rush inside as quickly as we reasonably can. Luckily Dad called ahead and told them we'd be arriving soon so they were ready to receive us right away. I was laid down on a gurney so they could wheel me to the operating room.
"Is Mommy gonna be okay?" Nick looks really worried still. I guess to him the whole situation would be really scary. I ask the nurse to stop for just a moment and I take hold of his hand.
"Mommy is gonna be okay sweetie but I can't keep your little sister waiting any longer okay? So you have to be brave for Mommy, alright?"
"O-Okay Mommy." I can tell he is still scared but he puts on a brave face.
"That's my big boy."
With that I am rushed to the operating room so they can prepare me for the birth. Weiss was the only one who was allowed to come with me but that's okay, she's all I need.
The actually process was one of the hardest things I have done in my entire life. It seemed to go on for an eternity, couple that with the pain and exhaustion and I felt like I was nearly about to die by the end.
Thankfully I had Weiss next to me throughout the entire process. Encouraging me and doing her best to just get me through it.
Finally, after what felt like hours, we were in the final stretch.
"Keep pushing love, you're doing great." Weiss cheers me on, not even flinching as I grip her hand as tightly as I possibly can. I'm sure it must be painful but she bears it without complaint.
I keep up my breathing exercises and finally, with one last big push I collapse back onto my pillow as the room is suddenly filled with a soft cry. I feel Weiss brush my bangs out of my face and kiss me gently on the cheek. "You did it Ruby, our baby is here."
"I couldn't have done it without you." I smile at her. A moment later, the nurse walks over to me and places our newborn baby girl in my arms.
All at once I am filled with the same overwhelming emotions as when Nick was born but..slightly different. Maybe this is how Weiss felt that night. Regardless, I feel tears begin to run down my face.
"Hello there Summer…I'm your Mommy. Your Momma and I are so happy to finally meet you."
"Hey there little one, I'm your Momma."
She stared at us with wide eyes. Eyes that are the same beautiful shade of icy blue that Weiss has. I place a gentle kiss on her forehead and Weiss does the same.
"Mommy, Momma?" I look up and see Dad standing in the doorway with little Nick standing in front of him. I motion for Nick to come over, letting him know it's okay with a reassuring smile.
I know we have to keep it brief but I thought it was important that Nicholas meet her as soon as possible and Weiss agreed. The doctor wasn't crazy thrilled but since Nicholas is a perfectly healthy and very well behaved boy he agreed to let it slide but only for a very short time.
"I-Is that?..."
"That's right Nicholas, it's your new baby sister, Summer." I let him sit right next to me on the bed so he could get a good look. He looks amazed, his eyes are as wide as dinner plates as he looks at her. I think the realization is just now washing over him that he is, for real, a big brother.
"H-Hi Summer, I'm your big brother Nicholas." he reaches out to her and she grabs his finger.
"Looks like she likes you already sweetie."
"You think?" he asks.
"We're sure of it." Weiss says and the biggest smile I think I have ever seen spreads across his face.
"Well..I promise that I am going to be the best big brother ever Summer. I will play with you and make you laugh and..and I will never let anything bad happen to you." he sounds like he almost wants to cry. "I will always protect you."