Chapter Three: I'm the Glass Half Empty

Ruby had been working on her mom's old car for a couple of hours now, but her progress didn't equal the mess she'd made in the garage. Truth be told, the car was getting closer to the scrap heap than it was to hitting the road with Ruby behind the wheel. She didn't want to give up hope, but nothing was working. And to add insult to injury, if Ruby added all the money both she and Tai spent trying to restore it, they could've gotten a decent used car… not that she needed one now that Weiss had officially gifted her the sedan.

Sighing, Ruby wiped the sweat off her brow only to have her forearm come back with a huge streak of grease across it.

"Damn it," Ruby groaned before tossing the wrench across the room in frustration.

The loud clatter alerted Tai in the living room and he came running in with a worried look. "Are you okay!?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Ruby grumbled, slamming the hood shut before she was tempted to rip out everything she could get her hands on. "Stupid thing's still fighting me at every turn."

"Maybe it's time we let the old girl go," Tai cautiously suggested.

"Maybe…"

"It was your great-grandfather's…" he quietly added.

"How do people with vintage cars do this?" Ruby asked, glossing over the tidbit Tai let slip. She knew better than to ask him about her mother's side of the family, but thinking about it did reignite the small flame of longing she thought she'd put out long ago.

Tai noticed what was on Ruby's mind and awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, shifting his weight between feet.

"Why don't you go get this place cleaned up while I go make some dinner," he said, gesturing to the mess Ruby made.

Calling it a "mess" was putting it lightly. It was more like a catastrophe had hit the garage rather than an antsy young lady far from home. Ruby had rooted through and gutted three large toolboxes trying to find the wrench Tai always kept on the peg board. She also didn't put the boxes or their contents back, but that was more of an ADHD issue that Ruby would get to… eventually. Same with that oil spill she caused. That too would eventually be cleaned.

"You feel like having anything in particular?" Tai asked as he tried to ignore the carnage. "The fridge is fully stocked—oh! I picked up some of that frozen pizza you used to really like."

"Thanks, Dad, but I'm good on pizza for now. Had some with the wife when I picked her up from the airport," Ruby said. "We tried a new place out. It was crazy good; I'll take you next time you're in Vale."

"R-Really?" Tai asked with his eyes wide with shock and his mouth slightly agape. "I… I'd love it if we could. What was on the menu? Anything special?"

"We had the normal stuff today, but they apparently have the super authentic thick crust stuff they serve in Hisily," Ruby said as she wiped her hands on the rag she carried on her hip.

"Fancy!"

"Yeah, sounds like it." Ruby smiled at her father, amused by his childlike enthusiasm. "We can bring the whole family. I know Chrys can't wait to see you again."

"Yeah! I mean, ahem, yes, me too. It'd be great if we could all get together like that again," Tai blushed, his boyish grin making him look years younger. "Anyway, food?"

"Whatever's available, I'm not feeling too picky tonight."

"I'll surprise you then!" Tai waved Ruby goodbye and slipped out the door, gently closing it behind him.

Ruby waited for Tai's heavy footsteps to disappear further into the house before she bent down to clean up; safety first, after all. As Ruby got to work, she allowed her mind to wander.

Truthfully, despite how close they'd gotten in recent months, it was still strange being so comfortable around Tai. On some days it felt like they had the ideal father-daughter relationship, but on others, it felt like they were perpetually walking on eggshells. Ruby knew he was better. She'd seen the changes he'd made firsthand, but she still couldn't ignore the nagging feeling in the back of her head that kept warning her he'd break her heart again.

"Don't think about it," Ruby told herself when she felt a familiar sting mist over her eyes. She quickly blinked back the tears and took a deep breath to regain her composure, but all that did was make her think about it even more. "Damn it."

Ruby dropped what she was doing and left the garage. She told Tai she was heading up for a shower as she passed by the kitchen and smelled the telltale signs of his classic peppercorn steak. Ruby didn't think she was up to having something so heavy for dinner, but her grumbling stomach said otherwise. It made her think about a beautifully seared ribeye steak, cooked to medium rare perfection with Yang's signature garlic herb compound butter melting on top. Ruby loved that butter so much because it also had a bit of lemon zest giving it a nice citrus punch without being overbearing.

The thoughts continued well into the shower making it impossible to focus on anything else. So by the time she sat down for dinner, Ruby was hungry enough to tear into the steak like a wild animal. And knowing how her dad liked to eat, she was expecting a massive slab of meat with an equally large portion of sides. But then Tai brought out a platter of fully loaded steak nachos… disappointment was the first word that came to mind.

"Figured you might want something a little more 'refined,' " he awkwardly joked. "I made it real special for you. Put all your favourite veggies on and added a bit more green peppers since Weiss said you were starting to like them more."

"Ah, yeah," Ruby smiled, unable to keep her frown in the wake of his eager thoughtfulness.

"You feel like watching a movie and cracking open a few beers with your old man?" Tai asked. "I've been trying this new import Neptune recommended. I think you'll like it. It isn't too bitter, kind of fruity—it might be a little dry though."

Ruby saw the excited look on Tai's face and nodded. She wasn't looking forward to the beer, but it beat watching him knock back a mickey while everyone else ate in silence.

Once they were seated on the couch, Tai passed Ruby the remote. "Pick anything you want," he said with a big grin. "I want to see what you're into nowadays."

"Superheroes, action… um, drama…" Ruby replied, whispering the last bit. She hid behind her beer and inwardly grimaced at the bitterness. "What are you into?"

"Action." Tai cracked his beer open, his eyes focused shyly on his hands. "Things with cars or big explosions."

"So the same old same old."

Tai's eyes flickered up, gauging Ruby's reaction carefully. "Yeah, I guess."

"You and Yang still like the same stuff then."

"Haha, yeah," he smiled. "The last movie we caught was that one with the big robots and—"

"That one girl that looks so done with her male co-star?" Ruby giggled. "Yeah, I saw that one with Chrys and Winter when it came out."

"How'd that go?"

"About as well as you could imagine," Ruby said, setting her beer down on the table. "Winter wouldn't stop pointing out all incorrect military stuff and how impossible the robots were based on her own experience with them."

"I keep forgetting the Atlesian Paladin's a thing," Tai murmured to himself. "What a world we live in."

"Tell me about it," Ruby said. "Penny's signed up for something new, real hush-hush, so she's back in Atlas for a few months."

"What about Yang's…?"

"Almost finished from what I heard last."

Tai let out the breath he'd been holding and sighed, his tense brow relaxing. "That's good."

"Hey, Dad?"

"Yes, Ruby?"

"Weiss asked me to move in with her."

"Really?"

Ruby bit her lip, her stomach twisting into knots. What was he going to say? He looked thoughtful for a moment, his easy smile widening. That had to be good… right?

"Wow! Congratulations," he exclaimed, overjoyed by the news. "When's the big day?"

"Gotta ask Chrys' permission first," Ruby said, mentally kicking herself for thinking the worst. "W-We, uh, figured it'd be best to sit down with her after their little weekend getaway."

Tai nodded his head in understanding before taking a sip of beer, his big smile peeking over the edge of the can. He was happy. He was really, really happy. The butterflies in Ruby's stomach began to flutter, her heart singing with joy. Tai knocked back another gulp in celebration and offered the but of his can to her.

"Cheers, Ruby."

"Cheers, Dad." Ruby clinked her can against Tai's and followed his example. How bad could it be?

Bad idea.

"Ruby!" Tai quickly pulled the can from Ruby's hand before her coughing fit caused her to spill. "Are you okay?"

"Peachy," Ruby managed to say between fits. "How do you drink this stuff? It burns…"

"It's about as bubbly as a normal soda."

"But it's so—bleh!" Ruby coughed into her sleeve, wishing she'd taken a smaller sip.

"Oh no, oh no! Breathe slowly." Tai nervously hovered around her, fretting over the cough that had Ruby doubled over. He desperately wanted to comfort her, but he didn't know where he could lay his hands.

Noticing his dilemma, Ruby awkwardly smiled at her father and said, "It's okay to pat my back."

"A-Are you sure?"

Nodding, Ruby relaxed her shoulders as she turned her back towards Tai. He gently patted Ruby's back, slow and steady like he was tending to a baby that needed to be burped. Then again, Ruby supposed she was still his baby despite being in her twenties with a sort-of-family of her own.

"Hey, Dad?" she mused aloud.

"Yes, Ruby?"

Tai's reply hung in the air like a prayer wishing for an answer. His tone held so much hope and reverence that Ruby felt like an angel gracing a condemned sinner. And when she turned her head to look at him, the statement felt even truer.

Tai's big blue eyes were anxiously scanning Ruby's face like it'd be the last he'd ever see of her and it broke Ruby's heart to see such a large, indomitable man bow to someone as petty as her. She didn't deserve his gentleness. She'd wronged him just as much as he did her. But unlike her, he spent years trying to fix what he'd broken.

Things had to change, Ruby decided. She needed to change. For the future and for her family, she needed to let go of the past.

"How are you?" she asked, genuinely curious about what had been keeping her lonely father busy lately.

"I…"

That was a loaded question. Ruby didn't mean to ask something so heavy right away, but it slipped out like she was casually asking something as mundane as the weather. And to other people, it might've been just that, the weather, but to Tai who packed away and bottled things up, it was so much more.

Ruby knew her father was struggling. Financially he was stable and more secure than most people his age. His position as the principal of Signal Academy made it so he could live comfortably, but emotionally, he was on a tightrope without a balancing pole.

"I'm…" Tai paused his patting to truly ponder the question before answering half-heartedly. At this point, the TV was forgotten and the nachos were cold. "I think I'm okay," he eventually answered. "Why do you ask?"

Ruby shrugged. "I know the season's hard on you."

"I… I suppose it is," he mused. "I never really gave it much thought. I always just pushed through one day at a time."

It was true. Between work and his various hobbies, Tai managed to live a fulfilling, quiet life. Too quiet if Qrow and Yang were to be believed. Weiss sang a different tune, however, and added more to the ever-growing mystery revolving around Taiyang Xiao Long.

Tai worked diligently to provide the best environment for the students and teachers under his care. He was often lauded as the best principal the longstanding school had ever had with many saying he was tough but fair. And on the days he wasn't fighting for teachers' rights or toiling away in his garden, Tai worked as a volunteer firefighter. He was usually always on call or at the station helping out so Tai didn't have much time to sit and dawdle let alone date. And if he did, he never mentioned it. Ruby wasn't brave enough to pry that deeply though since his last known dalliance resulted in his divorce and an illegitimate child.

"But enough about me, how about you? Moving in with Weiss is a huge step!" Tai said, passing the conversational hot potato back to Ruby.

"I didn't really think about it at first," she answered, laying back on the couch. "I've already kind of moved in since most of my stuff is there and I spend most of my time there too… we just never made things official. But then today, while I was cleaning up, I realized all of this and kind of had an existential crisis on the couch."

"You are prone to doing that," Tai chuckled.

"Yeah, well, I shouldn't have panicked because Weiss had been thinking of the same thing I was the whole time."

"She has been for a while actually."

"What?" Ruby blinked.

"Yep," Tai said. "She asked me and Yang if it was okay."

"What?!"

"She was worried it was too soon and a whole bunch of other things," he continued, "but she was just mostly worried about rushing you. I thought it was sweet; Yang thought she was making things more complicated than they needed to be."

"We talked about that, and it is sweet," Ruby smiled. "I love how careful she is with me and my boundaries… I just wish she was a little more adventurous though."

"How so?"

"Just, y'know…" Ruby didn't want to go into exact details, but when Tai awkwardly glanced away, she quickly shouted, "On regular things! Get your head out of the gutter, Dad!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—it's just, y'know how it is with Yang!"

"I'm not Yang!" Ruby shouted in defence. But once the words were out of her mouth, the meaning behind what Tai said dawned on her. "And what exactly does that even mean?" she snapped, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "Are you trying to say something about her?"

"I know and no I'm not!" Tai said in a panic. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to make either of you sound like you'd do anything, um—I-I trust you girls to make smart choices."

"Hah, that's rich coming from you," Ruby muttered under her breath.

"I'm trying to keep an open mind for you girls," Tai insisted. "Please believe me."

"By insinuating your daughter's a whore?"

"I didn't say that!"

"Sure sounded like you wanted to though."

"Ruby," Tai sighed, his gaze low to avoid looking her in the eye, "I am trying. I am trying so hard to make up for my shortcomings—to do right by you and your sister—but I'm getting tired of this. I… I can't ever make it up to you, can I? I'm bending over backwards here trying to be the father you both deserve. Maybe I'm just wasting your time… maybe this was all a mistake."

Tai got up and swiftly made his exit, his footsteps thundering through the house. Each loud thud hammered itself into Ruby's heart like rusty nails, bringing back the painful memories she wished she could forget.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Ruby anxiously held her breath until she heard his door slam shut.

It was just like back then, she thought. Back when he'd come home cold and distant, cradling a new bottle he'd love more than his children. At least for that evening because come morning, he'd be cursing at it and swearing it off, promising to never drink another. It'd be sunshine and rainbows after that and they'd get to see the father he once was. Tall and strong like a tree that would never bend, and warm like the sun after a thundershower. His hugs would be all-encompassing, like a warm blanket you never wanted to leave even though his beard was rough and scratchy.

Ruby loved her father. He was her world after Mom disappeared.

Then another bad day happens and the cycle repeats. Over and over and over again until… they were taken away for their safety.

Ruby thought about the things she said and didn't feel too upset about it. Whether she was right or wrong, however, was better left for later. What she did know though was that the present Tai didn't deserve to be yelled at like that even if she had been sitting on those thoughts for years. They were trying to rebuild things, but that couldn't happen until they stopped tipped-toeing around each other and laid it all bare.

Thinking about what her next move would be, Ruby pulled her scroll out from her pocket and stared at the photo of Weiss and Chrys she kept as her wallpaper. The two were shyly smiling at each other as Weiss wiped a bit of ketchup off of her daughter's cheek. Ruby considered calling them but decided against it knowing they needed time for themselves. Maybe she could call up Blake instead. Her advice was just as solid and sound, and maybe a little less emotionally constipated.

On second thought, Weiss and emotions were never a good combination. She was an "actions speak louder than words" kind of girl so she'd always make this face—like she'd smelled something rancid—whenever she had to deal with anything related to feelings. Mission failed. That just made Weiss a more tantalizing option.

Some call it torture, but Ruby liked to call it therapy. And Weiss definitely needed it.

"What would you say?" Ruby earnestly asked the picture. She swiped the screen, passing over other photos until she landed on one of just Weiss. She thought for a moment as she stared into Weiss' steadfast blue eyes. Ruby's scowl shifted to an uncomfortable grimace. The answer was obvious. "It's time to rip off the bandage, huh?"

Ruby knocked back the rest of her beer to gain the courage she needed to set aside the last of her reservations. She thought about what she'd say and how she'd say it until the last drop of bitter amber liquid fell from the can.

"Just go," Ruby told herself before she made her way to Tai's room.

The trip was short, a small flight of stairs and a narrow hallway filled with pictures of better times, but it felt like she'd trudged through a long mile at an incline with mud-caked boots. Her legs ached from the strain and every fibre in her body fought against her, trying desperately to pull her back to the safety of the couch.

Tai had never been a violent drunk. He would never raise his fists in anger or throw and break things. He was actually more prone to sobbing than anything truly scary, but that didn't mean he was above raising his voice. Ruby had braved the long mile up to her father's room before. She was terrified of the wailing monster behind the door, but Yang was crying and she needed him to make her better. It was a really nice spring day. Perfect for an early dinner outside, maybe a walk through the park too. It'd be nice to spend some time together.

"D-Daddy…?" Ruby managed to eke out.

She tried to reach for the knob, but it was just out of reach. Her daddy was a giant so he needed a room just as big.

"Daddy?" she called out again before getting on her tiptoes and stretching. She managed to grab the knob with both hands and gave it a big twist. The door creaked open just a crack, but it was wide enough for Ruby to poke her head inside. "Daddy?"

Taiyang Xiao long sat hunched on the floor against his bed with a half-empty bottle in one hand and a photo in the other. He was crying like he stubbed his pinky toe really hard and muttered things Ruby didn't understand. His hands were shaking too so he struggled to bring the bottle to his lips.

"Daddy…? Yang's crying… a-and I'm hungry."

Bloodshot eyes turned to look at her. The bottle stopped short of its destination.

"Why aren't you crying…?" he asked, his creaky voice just above a whisper. "Summer's gone… she's never coming back… and you… you aren't crying. Why aren't you crying? Why aren't you crying?!"

Ruby stumbled back and fell on her bottom. It hurt. The monster was coming. He was scary. Yang!

"Ruby!" Yang shouted in a panic as she pulled the door shut. "What are you doing here?" She dropped to the floor and grabbed Ruby by the shoulders, shaking her by accident. "Are you okay?" she asked, looking at her from every angle. "Did he hurt you?"

"I-I'm okay, but y-you were crying… a-and I was hungry," Ruby answered. She swiped her arm under her runny nose and dried her tears next. "Are you feeling better now?"

"Yeah, I'm all better. Just had a bit of dust in my eyes. No big deal." Yang smiled, but she still looked sad. "C'mon, Zoomies, I'll make you a sandwich."

"Okay!"

Yang held her hand out to Ruby, but she got on her feet by herself. She was a big girl now and big girls could stand up without their even bigger sister's help. Yang smiled down at her proudly and hugged her. The monster was still crying, but Yang was better so they didn't need him anymore.

"Oh, that reminds me!" Yang said as they walked down the hall. "I called Uncle Qrow… he's… he's coming to visit… a-and we're going to go on an adventure. It'll be a long one, just the three of us!"

"Adventure?" Ruby tilted her head. She liked adventures. But what about her toys and her room? What about school? But an adventure with Yang and Uncle Qrow sounded like fun. Ruby beamed, her mind made up. "Okay!"

Yang led her down the hall, her small hands trembling. Ruby looked back. The door had opened and the monster—Daddy—he was on his knees reaching out for them. The bottle was gone and so was the picture. Ruby waved. She was going on an adventure.

Standing at the foot of her father's door, Ruby struggled to bring out the courage she summoned.

Knock, she told herself. Just knock.

It was such a simple thing, but her body was frozen in place. The fear of the unknown had taken hold and Ruby felt herself shrinking back like a scared child. At least she could reach the handle now.

"Nothing I do is working," Tai said, his voice soft but strained like he was holding back tears. "Everything I say is wrong."

Dad? Ruby's breath hitched and her heart began to race.

"What do I do? What do I even say? Should I just let her go? What do I do, Summer…"

A short pause followed after with Tai mumbling something that Ruby couldn't hear, but she had a good guess.

"Dad?" Ruby called. He didn't immediately answer, but his mumblings stopped so she knew he heard her. "Dad?" she tried again, this time in a louder, firmer tone. "Dad, can we talk? Please? I'm sorry for snapping like that… I-I was frustrated and I… can I come in?"

"The door's unlocked," Tai replied, his voice flat.

When Ruby walked in, she found him sitting on his side of the bed—the right side, just like hers in Weiss' bed—and carefully walked over to sit next to him. They sat in awkward silence, both trying to come up with something to say. Tai had a few false starts, but it was Ruby who ultimately took the first step.

"I'm sorry," Ruby said. "I know you're trying, Dad."

"No, I'm sorry too." Tai rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly and sighed. "I wasn't trying to insinuate anything with what I said earlier. I'm just so used to Yang being a little too open with her, uh, adventures. I think she does it to test how far my patience will go, but I've heard things about my daughter that no father should."

Ruby gulped. "You, uh, talk to Weiss a lot… has she, uh, y'know…?"

"No," Tai chuckled, breathing a bit easier. "The most she's said is that you treat her well."

"Oh… well…"

"Yeaaaah."

Another awkward silence fell. But unlike the one from before it slowly shifted into something comfortable. Ruby took this chance to look around Tai's room. She remembered coming in here as a little girl and being amazed by how big it was. There was so much room to play and, at the time, she wondered how many of her toys could fit in it. But looking at it now, the room had lost its wonder. It was a little smaller now that she was grown, but all that space just felt unused now. Like a glass half empty, Tai didn't have it in him to fill it up. Thinking back on it, Weiss' apartment felt the same the first time she'd seen it. Something was missing. No, that's not it. Someone was missing.

"I wish I was a better father," Tai said out of the blue.

Ruby sucked in a breath, her eyes shifting to the side. "In all honesty," she murmured, "yeah, I wish you were too."

"I deserved that," Tai chuckled with a pained grimace. "So much was going on all at once back then… I knew Summer was sick, but I still wasn't prepared."

Ruby felt a familiar tug in her heart at the mention of her mother's name and dared to ask a question she'd been dying to ask for years.

"Can you tell me about her?" Ruby asked, her voice small and scared.

"Are you finally ready?"

"I think so," Ruby said with a hand over her heart. She could feel its steady beat rising as the heat of the moment reached its peak. "Yeah," she said resolutely, "I'm ready."

Tai scanned Ruby's eyes for any sign of hesitation but found nothing except for her steely resolve.

"Alright," he said, getting up, "follow me—oh, let's go grab those nachos and maybe another pack of beer."

"Really, Dad? Nachos and beer?"

He shot her a sardonic smile. "We're going to need it."

The conversation that followed as they reheated the nachos and shared another beer felt stilted. They were both tiptoeing around each other trying not to say anything that could make the other flee, but Ruby wasn't going to let Tai run away again. She needed her answers and only then could they maybe fix the growing chasm between them. Once again, Ruby's mind drifted to Weiss and Chrys. Their unfortunate situation painfully mirrored hers and Tai's, but Ruby wondered if she was Weiss or Chrys.

Once the nachos were nice and toasty again, Tai led Ruby to the attic and had her sit under the light. The room was fairly clean despite how cramped it was. While Tai rearranged some boxes to make room, Ruby took the chance to look around.

Growing up, she'd been forbidden from coming up because it was dangerous. And as an adult, Ruby never felt the need to. She never had a toy she was attached to so seeing all of them in a stack of boxes marked "Ruby's old toys" next to a similar pile for Yang didn't do much for her. Further in, there was a weird section dedicated solely to unopened kitchen appliances and gym equipment.

"What's with all the kitchen stuff?" Ruby asked.

"They're all from Rave—er, Raven," Tai answered with a strained grunt.

"What? Why?"

Tai looked up from what he was doing and shuffled over to the pile Ruby was talking about. He picked one of the boxes up and showed it to her. Once Ruby got a closer look, she recognized it instantly.

"Holy crap, this is the slow cooker Yang always wanted but couldn't afford! This thing's worth over a hundred-twenty-thousand lien!"

"I'm surprised you know it," Tai said.

"Know it? Of course I do!" Ruby gasped. "Yang took me to buy the thing after she got her first paycheque from Weiss!"

"Well, uh, she turned this one down," Tai chuckled. "I've had it here for a while now. Back when Yang was still in culinary school, Rave would send things like these over. She sent some pretty nice stuff actually, but Yang rejected it all. I didn't know how to use any of them, so I stuffed it all up here thinking she might change her mind someday."

"Can I have it then?" Ruby asked as she turned the unopened box over to read the back. "Weiss would love this thing."

"I don't see why not, Rave loves you. I'm sure she'd be more than happy to give it to you."

"What?"

Tai flashed her a smile that spoke a thousand words. Unfortunately, Ruby didn't speak the language so the meaning flew over her head.

"Why would she? Wait, she knows I exist—wait, of course she did. I was the affair baby."

Frustrated, Tai scratched the back of his head and said, "You weren't an affair baby."

"Huh?"

"I said you were never an affair baby," Tai repeated. "I seriously don't know how you got that into your head."

The truth hit Ruby like a sucker punch to the solar plexus, hard and fast, knocking the wind right out of her. She stared at her father in disbelief, her whole life turned upside down or right side up depending on how you looked at it.

"One moment." Tai went back to the pile he'd been working through and rummaged around until he finally found what he was looking for. Somewhere in the back, behind several large boxes filled with old holiday decorations and dusty broken gadgets, was an old wooden chest that had seen better days. "Are you ready?"

"For what?"

"For everything Summer left you."

Ruby hugged her new slow cooker tight and nodded. Tai dragged the chest over to Ruby and plopped himself down in front of her.

"She made me promise to only show you these things once you were ready."

"What's inside?" Ruby asked, setting the slow cooker aside.

"You'll see."

Tai opened the chest revealing a treasure trove of memories. Inside were some books, clothes, photo albums, and what looked to be letters in envelopes. Ruby reached for the envelopes first and flipped through them. They were all marked for special occasions like her high school graduation, her engagement, her wedding, and her first child. But the one that stood out the most was a letter marked "For when you're ready." Ruby carefully traced over the unfamiliar cursive trying to think of anyone who wrote like this.

"Summer had really pretty handwriting," Tai said, popping a loaded nacho into his mouth. He still looked pretty annoyed by the affair comment, but he loved Ruby enough to let it slide for now. "You should open it."

"Can I really?"

"Of course."

Ruby carefully turned the letter over to see if anyone else had opened it, but it was sealed without any sign of tampering. Taking a deep breath, Ruby carefully broke the seal and took the letter out. Tai encouraged her to open it, looking just as eager and apprehensive for the truth as Ruby did. Taking another deep, calming breath, Ruby flipped the letter open and soaked in her mother's unique writing. It was easy to read and quite girly in Ruby's honest opinion. Each word was written like the pen sailed softly across the paper with long swooping curves and thoughtful spaces.

Ruby, you must have so many questions for me. I'm sorry I can't be there to answer them. I wish I was. I'm actually writing this letter with you napping beside me. You make the funniest noises while you sleep. It's actually really hard not to put this pen down and snuggle up beside you, but I don't know when I'll have the time to do this again.

I guess I'll start with the basics.

Hi, my name is Summer Rose, like the flower but without the thorns. At least that's what I like to tell myself, but you probably already knew that because you're—sorry, I'm rambling.

Ruby couldn't help but laugh. Her awkwardness was genetic apparently.

I hope you don't get this.

Too late, Ruby thought with a smile.

Then again… it's landed me some of the prettiest girls at my high school, so maybe it won't be so bad. Could earn you some serious brownie points when you meet the right person. But even if you grow up awkward and silly, you should still take some solace in the fact that you'll at least be the prettiest girl in the room. You're welcome!

At the time I'm writing this, I'm nineteen and some change. I work part-time at a flower shop here in Patch. I make the best arrangements there. Jeannie will argue otherwise, but no one cares about what she thinks—that nasty old shrew is always complaining about one thing or another. My favourite colour is blue, like the sky or the blue reflected by snowy mountains. It's such a beautiful, mesmerizing colour. Kind of like your father's eyes. Deep, thoughtful, and full of understanding…

Weiss' and Chrys' eyes briefly flashed through Ruby's mind, their familiarity warming her heart more than her mother's words.

My darling girl, I wish I had more to write for you, I never got to see the world healthy girls like you and your sister got to see. High school was my only escape so I fought against the chains that held me down with all my might. I caused a lot of problems and I hurt a lot of people along the way. I was so focused on living life to the fullest that I never set down roots. I don't have any friends other than your father and Raven… that's something I regret. If I had been kinder, if I had been less selfish, maybe I could leave you and Yang with more than just the memory of me.

I have so many regrets, but you aren't one of them. You changed who I was, and I'll admit I sometimes wonder what my life would be like without you.

I probably would've gone on to higher education after high school. Your mom's pretty smart, y'know? Graduated top of my class, won award after award, and raked in all the scholarships. I could've gone to any school I wanted and I probably would've flourished. I think I would've studied horticulture or something to do with plants and maybe animals. Forest Ranger sounds like fun… but I think I enjoy being your mother more. You painted my world with colours far brighter than anything I could accomplish on my own. I'm so happy I went down this road. Ruby, you are the light of my life, so I hope you can forgive me.

If Tai keeps his promise, then the pages behind this letter will probably upend your entire world and change how you view me and our family.

Pausing, Ruby curiously flipped to the final page of the letter and found something she couldn't quite get her head around. She read it over and over again trying to make heads or tails of it, but it just left more and more questions. So many questions that Ruby had to question her ability to read because if she was reading this right then she was…

Ruby gulped. Her eyes stinging with tears she didn't want to shed. Stop, she told herself, think. This had to all be a mistake or a prank. A cruel, cruel prank made by a mother who was too young to die and a father who liked to keep secrets.

"This has got to be a joke right?" Ruby showed him the paper to try and get the truth out, but Tai wasn't budging and he wasn't the sort to joke around like this.

"Ruby."

"This isn't funny, Dad."

"I know."

Taking in a shuddering breath, Ruby steeled herself.

"Then t-these are real adoption papers," she managed to say through gritted teeth. He looked at her with downcast eyes and nodded. "I'm… adopted?"

"Yeah."

"What?" Ruby scoffed in disbelief. "Dad, I—are you not my dad?"

"Biologically? No," he calmly replied, wringing his hands together before wiping his face down. "I think you should finish reading the letter. I'll answer everything after."

Ruby wordlessly turned her attention back to the letter, her stomach twisting into knots as the fury brewing within her caused her to shake. What she wouldn't give to have Weiss by her side right now.

You've probably wondered why you've never met anyone from my side of the family. Truthfully, they wanted to meet you. And when I'm gone, I know they'll fight to have you. I was loved, Ruby. More loved than anyone else I know. But that love was oppressive.

My family was rich. I had everything a girl could ever want, but it also cost me more valuable life lessons. I never knew what struggle was. The treatments were hard, and on some days I wished I was dead so I wouldn't have to suffer anymore, but I always came back to a warm home, hot meals, and parents who endlessly doted on me. I could afford my every whim. But I couldn't go out to play in the dirt, bask in the sunshine, or make mistakes. I had to be perfect because if I wasn't I probably would've landed myself back in the hospital, ahaha, awkward.

I know I'm not that old, but knowing that I'm about to die has me thinking introspectively like an old grandma. I can understand my parents a little better now that I am one. I'm constantly terrified that something will happen to you or Yang while I'm not looking. And I sometimes get it in my head that maybe if I keep you both in a bubble and beside me you'll both be safe. I want to protect you two from ever getting hurt… I think any parent worth their salt wants that for their children. My parents probably wanted to shield me from all that so I could focus on getting better…

I think I made a mistake, Ruby.

My parents weren't bad people, but I don't think they'd let you grow the way I want you to. I want you to grow up without having to worry about keeping up appearances. I'm sure their money would make life so much easier, but there's value in learning to stand on your own. When I'm gone, and you're all grown up, I hope you can meet them. And I hope you'll tell them I'm sorry.

You're starting to wake up now so I'll have to cut this letter short. Please don't hate Tai. He loves you so much and so do I.

I love you, Ruby. Both you and Yang.

Yours forever,

Summer Rose

Ruby swallowed the lump lodged as she folded up the letter and put it back into its envelope. She looked at Tai next, her feelings a melting pot of confusion, hurt, and anger. But there was also love in that pot. A love that Ruby had almost forgotten about. A love that had never truly disappeared no matter how desperately she wished it had.

"Where do you want to start?" Tai gently asked, taking the initiative.

"Were you and Mom ever together? Like, officially?" Ruby asked, somewhat dreading the answer. "She was still in high school when you guys met. How did things end up like this?"

"Well, it's a bit of a funny story," Tai said, taking a sip of beer.

Grumbling, Ruby glowered at Tai. "Please, just answer me. I am literally so stressed right now—I think I might puke."

"And you think I'm not? I've been keeping this a secret for two decades!" he exclaimed, just as stressed. "Just give me a moment to gather my thoughts, okay? It's been a while since I thought about this and it's hard."

"Sorry, I'm a little on edge right now."

"I get you… I am too. Well, uh, when we first met, I was just a student teacher at her school. I was in charge of a gym class that had about thirty students on average. I'm not too sure anymore." Tai scratched his chin and shrugged. "One of my students was your mom's girlfriend at the time—or one of them at least. She'd stop by every time to hang out but not participate. Honestly, she had better attendance than some of my actual students. But other than that, we didn't interact much outside of that class other than a brief hello in the halls."

"Huh?" Ruby blinked. "That's… not what I expected."

Tai frowned for a moment, letting Ruby's biting words sink in and settle. They both looked uncomfortable, but Tai quickly recovered and shrugged off it like nothing was amiss.

"Ruby, I don't know what you have rattlin' in that noggin of yours, but I know my responsibilities as a teacher interim or not," he said after the pause. "When I finished my term there, I didn't see your mother again for another year or so and by then you were about… I think two months old?"

"Wait, wait, wait, I-I need a minute!"

Ruby quickly finished off her beer and pulled another from the pack they brought up. She drank in silence and ate a few chips while Tai did the same. He made some small talk to fill the silence, but that was all it was. Filler. Eventually, Ruby's racing thoughts calmed down enough to the point where she could think without stumbling over her words.

"Okay," she said, "continue."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Alright… so I was with Yang and Raven when I spotted Summer and you at the mall. I called out to her and we all got to talking. You and Yang hit it off immediately and I was the odd one out because Summer and Raven had this instant connection too." Tai let out a low chuckle and ate a chip. "Man, I'd never seen Rave smile the way she did at Summer, I was almost jealous!"

"You weren't?"

"Nah. At that time Raven and I were already done," Tai casually explained. "Her family forced us to get married when we first found out about Yang, so the divorce wasn't too bad. Even now we're still quite close. I'm comfortable enough to say she's still one of my best friends."

"It isn't awkward at all?" Ruby blinked.

"Not particularly, no," Tai said. "If anything, I wished we weren't as close because now she keeps telling me everything. And when I say 'everything,' I mean everything. I don't think you'll ever understand my pain, Ruby."

"I mean, I think I can? Weiss tells me about Coco sometimes," Ruby said with a half-hearted shrug. "I, uh, know how big her peepee was and the fact she was a bit of a bottom."

"Um, I-I guess that counts? But I know for a fact that Weiss doesn't tell you all the nitty-gritty details of their marriage unless you explicitly ask."

"Oh, you mean—"

"Yeaaaah, your mother was Raven's gay awakening and now she's livin' it up like she's twenty-two again," Tai groaned, his expression twisted into a weird mix between disgust and admiration. "Raven was always pretty confident in her looks, but now she won't stop telling me about all the pretty ladies she's been with."

"Well," Ruby awkwardly gulped, trying her best not to laugh, "that suddenly explains Yang."

"It does!" Tai erupted into a deep-bellied laugh which Ruby was quick to join. They might've been laughing at Yang's expense, but Ruby had never felt more at ease. "Oh god, you can never tell her about this."

"For real," Ruby laughed. "I can already hear her yelling!"

"'I'm nothing like her!' " Tai exclaimed in his best Yang expression, even going as far as clenching his fist and shaking it the way she did when she was annoyed. "You know who else does that? Raven."

"No way."

"Yes way."

That earned Tai a well-deserved laugh from Ruby. But just like all the good times they shared, it didn't last long. Ruby fell silent and all Tai could do was offer a pained apology that died on his lips.

All the years Ruby had spent being angry, blaming Tai, and yelling at him for every little setback left a sour taste in her mouth. She had always seen him as an irresponsible and selfish adult who gave up when things got tough, but now that she knew the truth—the whole truth—she couldn't look him in the eye. What went through his mind when he decided to take her in? What did he feel?

Ruby hung her head in shame and began to weep.

"Why did you stay quiet?" she asked, her tears spilling into her hands as she tried to contain them. "Why didn't you tell me? Dad—Dad, I was such a dick to you—oh god, Dad, I-I'm so sorry!"

"It's okay, Ruby!" Tai set his beer down and scooted over to sit next to Ruby. With a strong arm around her shoulders, he pulled her into him and held her. "It's okay," he whispered into her hair, "it's okay."

"No… dad, you—"

"It's okay, Ruby. Really. I promise. Look, I'm not going to pretend like nothing happened now that our big family secret is out there," Tai said, holding Ruby like a priceless treasure he'd lost. He wiped away her tears and peppered the top of her head with kisses he wished he'd given her when she needed him most. "Summer trusted me to take care of you and… I let both of you down. But I promise, Ruby, I'll make it up to you. No matter what I have to do, I'll do it."

"Really?"

Tai smiled. "Really."

"I… I love you, Dad. Really, I do," Ruby said, hugging Tai tight. "Thank you for everything."

They stayed in each other's arms pouring their hearts out until their tears subsided and their stomachs began to growl. Tai was the first to break and reach for the nachos with Ruby close on his heels. The platter was massive and loaded to the brim, but it was beginning to look like they'd need another hearty serving soon. Tai passed their meal with stories of Summer and sometimes Raven. The two had an unlikely friendship like rainbows and heavy death metal. Ruby found it hard to believe, but opposites attract and Tai found it hilarious.

By the time they finished the nachos and most of the beer, Ruby decided it was time to leave the attic behind. As nice as it was to hang out with her dad in the dimly lit room, she wanted to see all of her mother's keepsakes in the light. There were some pictures she'd never seen before and more letters hidden beneath the clothes Summer left behind.

The clothes were a relic of their time. Bright colours, flowy material, and extremely girly. They weren't exactly Ruby's style, but curiosity and Tai's encouragement got the better of her so she tried a few on. They fit her perfectly, almost like Summer had chosen them for her herself. There was even a picture of Summer wearing the same outfit and Ruby couldn't deny the resemblance. The shirt and skirt could go back into the chest, but the red letterman jacket she had on was definitely coming home with her. She needed a new sweater anyway since all the other ones kept finding themselves in Weiss' half of the closet.

"Wow, you really do look just like her!" Tai bellowed in astonishment. "There should be a hair clip in there somewhere that Summer loved. With your hair as long as it is now, I bet you could copy her look."

"You think so?"

"Yeah… but it really wouldn't suit you," he chuckled. "You may look like Summer, but you dress like Rave used to. It's really weird."

"Huh?"

"Wait right there, I have something I gotta show you!"

Tai quickly ran upstairs and came back in a matter of minutes. He was carrying an old worn album Ruby had never seen before. Plopping down beside her, Tai flipped the album open, showing Ruby a world she'd never seen before. It was filled to the brim with pictures of Summer and Raven that reminded Ruby of her pictures with Penny. They seemed happy, like two best friends who'd never known a day apart, but it felt like there was something more in their gazes than what the camera could pick up. And wow! Ruby really did dress like Raven.

"After the divorce was finalized, Rave didn't hold herself back," Tai began with a soft smile. "She dressed how she always wanted to and even dropped the good girl act she showed her parents. It always gave me whiplash seeing how different she'd become after seeing them."

Settling herself in for another reality-bending story, Ruby rested her head against Tai's shoulder and hugged his arm. If holding Yang's arm felt like a thick, sturdy branch, Tai's arm felt like a wide tree trunk. Just as hard too.

"She took every job that sent her someplace she'd only ever dreamed of, but she always came back home." Tai flipped through some pages and settled on one of Raven with Yang on her lap trying to get her wild blonde hair in check. "She never truly felt like a mother, but that didn't stop her from at least trying."

"It's so weird hearing someone talk so..." Ruby waved her hand trying to come up with the words to describe the odd feeling she felt.

"'Nicely' about her?" Tai offered with a grin. Ruby sheepishly nodded. "I can't blame you. If Yang wasn't so against seeing her, she'd probably be around more."

"Yang gets really angry whenever she gets a letter or some money from her," Ruby said, flipping the page over. She was surprised to see a picture of her peacefully sleeping in Summer's arms next to Raven who was actively trying to keep Yang from jumping ship. It was an awkward photo, but Ruby definitely saw the love in her mother's eyes. "Okay, I see it. They're kind of cute… um, did they ever together?"

"No," Tai said, shaking his head. "Raven made her feelings pretty clear near the end, but Summer didn't trust her."

"But they loved each other?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I suppose they did. But Summer loved you and Yang more," Tai explained without any hesitation. "Whenever Raven would leave for a shoot, Summer was the one who had to comfort Yang. I was there, and I did my best, but I could never stop her crying the way Summer could…"

"Dad…"

"It wasn't an easy decision. She and I talked about it for a long time before committing to things." Tai closed the album and set it aside next to the rest of Summer's belongings. "She couldn't be with someone who could leave her kid behind so easily... even if it was for work."

There was anger in those words, but Ruby couldn't quite tell if they were directed at himself or if it was Summer's anger at having to raise a baby on her own. Perhaps it was both. Ruby was learning quite a lot tonight.

"S-She also wasn't getting any better, so she had to make plans for you…" Tai said, clasping his hands together. He tensed his muscles for a brief moment before relaxing again. "Yang at least had me and Qrow, and by extension Raven, but you… you didn't have anyone but her."

"I… didn't see any mention of my biological, uh, father? Mother? Um…" Ruby pursed her lips together, unable to picture anyone but her dad next to her mom. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you?"

Tai grimly shook his head. "Summer promised she'd tell me eventually, but after we got married and I officially adopted you, she got real sick, real fast… and all she could think about was spending every second she could with you and Yang. Everything between us kind of fell to the wayside then. Raven might know something. So if you're curious, I'll ask her the next time she writes."

"Did you love her?" Ruby asked, clinging to his arm just a little tighter.

"I did," he admitted. "We weren't together for long, but I loved her more fiercely than I ever loved anyone before or since."

"Is… is this what you really talk about with Weiss?"

"Sometimes, yeah." Tai patted Ruby's hand before taking it into his own to hold. "It's a complicated feeling, Ruby. Something Weiss understands a little too well and I found comfort in that. Summer, she, uh, loved Raven, but she loved me too. I know she did. And we were a married couple in every sense of the word, but I could never shake the feeling that if Raven was just a little more stable—more grounded—she'd be the one here with you instead of me."

"How did Raven take it?"

"She was furious, obviously. She felt betrayed and stopped talking to us both for years," Tai said. "Summer tried her best to bring her back, at least for Yang's sake, but it was already too late. Even at such a young age, Yang understood what happened, and never forgave her."

Noticing how sad her father looked, it was obvious what happened next.

"Raven never got to say goodbye, did she?"

"No." Tai gritted his teeth, his jaw visibly tensing. "She came back a couple of years after and couldn't look either you or Yang in the eye. But you know what really pissed me off?"

"What?" Ruby was almost afraid to ask.

"She had the gall to ask if Summer left anything for her." A sardonic laugh ripped through Tai as he bit back the bitter taste in his mouth. "I was her husband. I was the one by her side. And yet all she left me was her thanks and the memories we made together. But Raven… Raven got so many letters, and her journal… and that stupid album. I just wanted something—anything—to remember her by, but I got nothing."

"So you kept the album as revenge?" Ruby asked, cautiously side-eyeing her mother's memento.

It did seem pretty weird that Tai had so many photos of her mother and Raven together. Then again their situation as a whole didn't make much sense to begin with so she wasn't going to question it. But mystery solved? Yeah, no, still weird. This whole night has been weird.

"Yup," Tai said. "We laugh about it now which is why I still have it, but back then I was just so angry that I forgot Summer gave me everything… I have way more than just a few letters and a paper-thin album with a few dozen pictures in it. You know, she used to hide and tape these little notes around the house, some visible, and some in odd places you have to really look for. I think I've found them all by now, but I still look from time to time just in case I missed any."

"Wait, those were from Mom? I always thought Yang hid those." Ruby slowly blinked, her mouth slightly agape as yet another puzzle piece fell into place. She'd seen those little notes all her life and thought nothing of them until now. "The note in the bathroom cabinet—"

"'Rawr means I love you in dinosaur,' yeah… your mother was a little quirky."

"Not the word I'd use, but close enough I guess," Ruby chuckled, delighted by this newly solved mystery.

Tai looked at her with a proud smile. "There are a bunch of other little things she left for me, but her real treasure, the one she never wanted to give anyone, was you. She was determined to raise you on her own, so signing those adoption papers to make sure you got to stay with Yang was probably the second hardest thing she'd ever done."

"Does Yang know?"

"She should, but in all honesty, she was so young when you came into our lives, she might've forgotten."

Ruby bit her lip. That was believable. Yang was the type to love with her whole heart and, to be fair, she did suffer from a few too many concussions growing up. Qrow obviously knew. So who else was privy to this secret?

Tai seemed to read Ruby's mind because the next thing he said was, "Velvet doesn't know. Rave's pretty tight-lipped, so I doubt she'd tell her. And please don't get mad, but Weiss knows too."

"What?!" Ruby shouted.

"I swear didn't tell her, she just… kind of pieced it together," Tai explained in a defeated tone, unable to look Ruby in the eye. "I knew she was smart, but it kind of scared me how easily she figured it out. I still don't know what I said that clued her in, but she was really angry that we all kept this from you."

"Hell ya! That's my baby," Ruby said proudly before furiously shaking her head and punching her dad's arm in revenge. "You jerk! How could you tell my wife before me!"

"I-I'm sorry!" Tai yelped as he defended himself against Ruby's fists of fury. "She insisted I tell you soon though! Threatened to tell you herself if I didn't."

"Of course she did! She loves me! You! Should! Have! Told! Me! Sooner!" Ruby angrily shouted. She punctuated each word with a punch that bounced off her dad's arm like a tiny cotton ball. "I-If you had just told me sooner then maybe…" she sniffled, her punches growing weaker, "maybe I wouldn't have been so hurt. M-Maybe I wouldn't have said all those mean things to you. M-Maybe we… we…"

"Ruby, I—"

"I deserved to know!" Ruby cried, finally dropping her arms to sob. "Why? I keep trying to find excuses to explain it all, but I can't. I don't understand. Why did you all lie to me?"

Pulling Ruby into his arms, Tai tried to explain himself again, but it all boiled down to simply feeling like he deserved her anger. Ruby sat there dumbfounded with her head against her father's chest, his heart pounding in her ears like a drum. It was deafening. But it also made her feel vindicated. She grew up wondering what she did to turn the gentle father she knew and loved into a man who couldn't bear to be in the same room as her without a shot or two of alcohol. And now here he was, broken and alone, crying about his regrets like he hadn't been paying for them this whole time.

If she were a more mature person, she'd tell him it was okay and that they could work on mending things from here on out, but she wasn't. It was disappointing really. She thought she'd finally grown up, but here she was, small and frightened, clinging to her papa just like she used to after a nightmare.

The hurt had run deeper than they both anticipated. Tai was making promises left and right, swearing to make it up to Ruby while she ate it all up, dreaming of a better tomorrow. They were going to heal. And eventually, they were going to be alright because there weren't any more walls keeping them apart.

"Hey, Dad?" Ruby asked, her voice faint and hoarse. She was comfortably nestled against him, sniffling away the final dredges of her tears.

"Yeah?" Tai responded, just as tired her.

"Can you call and visit more?"

Patting Ruby's head, Tai hummed and nodded. It would be a difficult task considering how packed his schedule was, but Ruby was certain he'd find a way to make it work.

"I want to do more things together… maybe have you over for dinner after I finally move in with Weiss."

"I can help bring your stuff over."

"I don't know what else I have to bring over," Ruby laughed. "It feels like I'm living two lives. One where I'm dirt poor and scraping just to get by, and another where I'm living like a princess."

"Are you scared?"

"Of what?"

"Of what comes next." Tai rubbed his eyes and let out a big yawn.

Thinking carefully, Ruby wondered what exactly would change after the big move. Weiss had practically given her free reign over the apartment already, and they were intimately familiar with each other's routines and habits. Chrys was a big factor, but as long as she stayed on schedule, she was as happy as a clam in its shell.

"Do you think Yang'll be lonely?" Ruby asked.

"You know how independent she is, she'll be fine."

Nodding, Ruby accepted the simple answer. She could feel herself beginning to drift off to sleep. The day was done and all her worries were melting away. It wasn't home, but she still felt safe and secure. What a strange yet wonderful feeling.

A yawn escaped Ruby's lips and it was there in her final moments of lucidity that Ruby's thoughts pivoted to Weiss. Beautiful, perfect Weiss. Her voice was Ruby's favourite lullaby and her touch was the warm, familiar blanket that Ruby loved to curl into. She brought so much peace to Ruby's soul, but she also did silly things to her mind. One curious little nugget popped into Ruby's head. It was something she'd often wondered about but never had the heart to voice.

"Hey, Dad?"

"Mm?" he responded, barely conscious himself.

"How long did it take before mom farted in front of you? It's been a year and still nothing. Not even a little toot," Ruby aimlessly rambled as she swished her hand in the air. "Does Weiss not actually love me? I've done it. Totally destroyed her toilet once after Blake took us out for sushi, thought I was gunna die…"

Tai froze. Nothing in this world could prepare him for this conversation so all he said was, "Alright, you're drunk. It's time for bed. Let's go, missy."

"But, daaaaaaaaaaaad!" Ruby whined as he hoisted her up. She wiggled her arms and legs to break free, but Tai held firm. "Do I weigh anything to you?"

"No," Tai shook his head. "It's like holding a couple of grapes."

Ruby let out a whine, her limbs weakly wiggling in the air. She could have easily gotten him to drop her, but instead, she reached out and clung to him like a baby koala. Tai chuckled at the ridiculousness of the situation but relished the affection.

"Want me to tuck you in?" he joked. Ruby nodded. "Wha—a-are you sure?" Another nod. "Um, alright."

Tai quietly made his way up the stairs and into Ruby's room. He'd kept it the same way she left it which was unfortunately when she was a little girl. So aside from the duffle bag she brought over, nothing in the room was fit for the young woman in his arms. Tai stared at Ruby's bed and thanked the heavens he didn't cave and buy her the race car bed she begged him for. Now that would've been a funny story if Weiss did decide to spend the night with them that one time last year. Ruby giggled and reiterated her wish for the super cool race car bed.

Pulling back the blanket, Tai slid Ruby into bed and tucked her in.

"Do you want a bedtime story too?"

Ruby shook her head so Tai moved to get up, but she caught him by the wrist and pulled him back.

"Could you… stay until I fall asleep?" she timidly asked.

"Of course," Tai smiled. He pulled the covers back over Ruby's shoulders and slowly patted her back, humming a quiet lullaby.

Tears slid down Ruby's cheeks as she willed herself to close her eyes, basking in her father's gentle presence and his warm love.

"Summer would be so proud of you… I love you, Ruby. I love you so much."

His voice trailed away…

And Ruby fell asleep.