Author Notes
Alright I am finally back to finally finish this story and I mean it this time! I am not sure about other fanfic projects, whether or not I will continue them at some point but I know for a fact that at the very least I want to finish this one!
It's to important to me as the definitive version of my first ever RWBY fanfic to just leave it unfinished. Plus I owe it to any readers out there who have actually stuck around this entire time hoping and waiting to see it get wrapped up! Seriously thank you if you are one of those people, you freakin rule!
Including this chapter I am thinking there will be at least three more chapters, maybe four. So between 33 and 34 chapters in total but I'm kinda playing it by ear until I have the ending solidified in my mind. For now I hope you enjoy this latest chapter!
Ruby Rose
"So, this feels…kinda weird am I right?" I turn to Weiss, and she looks every bit as confused as I am.
"Yeah, it really does…I mean what are we even supposed to do?"
I only wish I knew the answer to that question. With Nicholas away with Kirinu at computer camp and Summer going with Blake and Yang on a ski trip we have the whole house to ourselves for at least a week.
That should be great news, I mean we haven't had extended time for ourselves in years. Sure, we have had date nights here and there but a whole week for just the two of us? I almost do not remember what it was like.
"I guess we could…roll the old bike out of the garage, see if she still starts." I suggest. I remember how often we would just go out on just because rides back in the day. It's been forever since we rode White Rose at all really.
"Yeah, that sounds like fun, it's been a while since you've taken me for a ride." She smiles at the suggestion, which is all the motivation I need. I haul myself off the couch, a feat that takes more effort than it used to, but I would rather not think about that. Lest I fall back into the I'm getting old, mental rabbit hole.
We both head outside and I roll White Rose out of the garage, she is a bit dusty. Now that I look at her, I feel like I've been neglecting her, and I feel a little guilty in all honesty. Obviously, things get busy when you have a family, but you should still set time aside for things that matter and considering all the memories Weiss and I have shared with this old bike, it matters plenty.
I put the key in the ignition and cross my fingers, considering how long it has been I would not be surprised if it just stalled, luckily, she starts up on the second try.
"She's still got plenty of life in her, old girl just needs some TLC." I wipe some of the heavily caked on dust off with my hand, immediately regretting it. Weiss just giggles as I wipe my hand on my pants.
"Then what do you say we give her a quick wash before we head out?" Weiss smiles and runs into the garage to grab a hose and some sponges.
"Sounds good Weissy." I say with a chuckle.
"Been awhile since you've called me that, you dolt." She giggles and tosses me a sponge.
"Right back at you, that really brings me back." We both shared a laugh and then had a lot of fun bringing White Rose's shine back, it felt very nostalgic. Weiss used to help me clean her all the time…there are a ton of things we used to do all the time now that I think about it. Things we just have not had the time for.
Eventually we step back and admire our work, she looks almost good as new again. Not that she was ever really new, but she looks as good as the day I fully fixed her up. That was around the time I confessed to Weiss if I remember correctly.
"She looks really good Ruby…almost like she did back when we were in high school." She leans her head on my shoulder as I put my arm around her. "I still remember you speeding down the road like a crazy person, chasing me down to stop me from leaving."
"Hey, if I hadn't done that then who knows where we'd be." I let out a small laugh as the memory comes back to me. "I guess we owe more to this old girl than we realized."
A ton of memories come flooding back of those days. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't give up the life we have now for anything in the entire world. I love being married to Weiss; I love our beautiful babies, but I'd be lying if I said it wouldn't be nice to relive those days just for a little while.
"What do you say I finally take you on that ride?" I smile softly at her.
"I'd really like that." I hop on and Weiss hops immediately after me, wrapping her arms around my waist tightly and resting her head on my back just like she used to.
A moment later we are cruising down the road and, in an instant, I almost feel like a teenager again. The wind blowing through my hair, Weiss' arms wrapped around me, the sense of speed, the feeling like we could go anywhere and do anything, I really missed it.
Weiss holds me tighter, her warmth comforting against the cool breeze of afternoon bleeding into evening. We ride through familiar streets, the twilight casting long shadows and painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. Each turn brings back memories of our carefree days.
We pass by the restaurant where we had our first date, the old high school where we first met, so many places that hold so many precious memories. It's no wonder that we never could bring ourselves to leave this town.
As we rode, I spotted the old park we used to visit when we needed a moment to talk, I slowed down and brought the bike to a stop. It was in this spot that Weiss first told me she was leaving which made me realize I loved her, and it was here that I asked her to marry me.
Weiss dismounts and stands beside me, her hand finding mine as we sit down on the nearby swing set that despite its age has managed to hold up all this time. It honestly brings me a strange sort of happiness to know that it is still here.
"Remember when we used to come here after school and just talk?" I ask, my voice soft and filled with nostalgia. "We've shared so many dreams and memories right here in this spot."
She smiles, her eyes reflecting the glow of the setting sun. "Yeah, we had so many plans, so many dreams...I would have never guessed back then that we'd be where we are right now."
"Me neither." I say, squeezing her hand gently. "Despite all the challenges along the way though, we've built a beautiful life together, one that I wouldn't trade for anything."
Weiss nods, leaning into me. "I wouldn't either, Ruby. But it's nice to revisit those dreams, to remember where we started."
My thoughts shift to Nicholas and Summer, and I can't help but begin to wonder. "Do you think we have done a good job so far?"
Weiss does not seem at all caught off guard by the question, almost like she had been wondering the same thing. "I wonder that sometimes…I do think there are things we could have done better."
"Like maybe worked less." I say with a gentle sigh.
She nods and continues "Or been less quick to get upset at times."
"It also wouldn't have killed us to plan more family activities than we did." I add with a chuckle.
"For sure." She replies, leaning her head on my shoulder. "…Even still, I think we did pretty good."
"Yeah…" I think back. Every time that Nicholas stood up for his sister or was there to look out for her, every time that Summer acted selfless or went out of her way to be helpful. I think back to all the happy memories we've shared and realize that while it has not always been perfect, the good moments far outweigh the bad. "I think we did."
We stayed there for a while, swinging gently and reminiscing about the past. The sun dips below the horizon, and the first stars begin to twinkle in the darkening sky. The tranquility of the moment feels almost magical.
We sit in comfortable silence, the swing's gentle creak the only sound in the quiet evening. Eventually, I stand and offer my hand to Weiss. "Ready to head back?"
She takes my hand, and we walk back to the bike, leaving the park and the memories behind, but carrying the warmth of the past with us. As we ride home, I cannot help but feel grateful for every twist and turn our journey has taken. After all, it led us to where we are now.
Eventually we arrived home, greeted by the soft glow of the porch light. After putting White Rose back in the garage, we finally head inside for the night.
The house is filled with a welcoming warmth. We hang up our jackets, and I find myself glancing at the photo frames that line the hallway. Each snapshot tells a story – birthdays, holidays, simple candid moments that capture the unique charm of our little family.
Weiss heads to the kitchen, starting to make some tea. I follow behind her, leaning against the counter as I watch her move with practiced ease, the simple routine bringing a sense of comfort. She hands me a steaming mug, and we settle into the living room, the slightly worn out but still soft cushions inviting us to relax.
Suddenly a memory pops into my head, and I can't help but let out a small giggle. "Remember when the kids tried to make breakfast for us that one Mother's Day?" I ask, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
Weiss laughs softly. The sound, as usual, is like a beautiful song to my ears. "How could I forget? The kitchen was a disaster and half of it was burnt, but they were so proud of themselves."
"We both didn't have the heart to be upset, we even choked down the burnt parts of the food because their little faces were just to cute to say no to." I say, laughing and running my fingers through my hair.
"We really are push overs sometimes." Weiss nudges me with her shoulder before snuggling into my side.
We sip our tea, lost in the memories. The clock ticks softly in the background, a gentle reminder of the passage of time. As the night deepens, we find ourselves talking about the future, our hopes, and dreams for the years to come.
"Whatever comes next," I say, reaching out to take her hand once more, "we'll face it together."
Weiss squeezes my hand, her eyes shining with certainty. "Together," she echoes, and at that moment, I know that no matter what challenges lie ahead, we will always have each other.
We end up falling asleep right there on the couch. We were both too tired to bother dragging ourselves up to bed and besides, we were just so cozy. I was woken up at some point in the middle of the night by the sound of my phone ringing.
I looked down and saw Weiss's head on my chest and her arm draped over me. It must have been ages since we just passed out on the couch like this. I chuckle before the ringing of my phone reminds me why I woke up in the first place.
I reach over and grab it off the coffee table, the screen flashing Yang's name and picture. I checked the time and saw that it's three in the morning. Why in the world would she be calling me right now?
"Hey Sis, what's up?" I ask as soon as I hit answer and put it on speaker.
"Ruby, thank god you answered, we have a big problem." She says, in a panicked tone of voice that sends a chill through my veins.
"Yang, what is going on?" I ask, my voice apparently loud enough to wake up Weiss who looks up at me very sleepy and confused.
"Ruby…what is it? Who is calling?" She asks, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Weiss, good, you're there too." Yang says, trying to calm down. "Look…it's Summer, she's missing."