Of Life and Love: Part 6

After the bath, Neo ran off to find out what was for dinner. Emerald remained behind for a while longer, applying several balms and creams to her skin. She hated being filthy - it reminded her of her childhood on the streets - and when Cinder had taken her in and introduced her to a world of luxury, skincare became one of her few vices. More recently, when Emerald began making money, the majority of her initial earnings went to purchasing those products. Apothecaries were expensive, but Emerald had grown tired of feeling greasy and odorous. That changed when Yang became aware of her passion. Yang pilfered her own supply from the royal stocks, and saw no issue in acquiring more for Emerald and Neo, who became slightly self-conscious about her own bodycare. She was not as obsessed as Emerald or Yang, preferring perfumes, but she made an effort, or at least let Emerald make the effort for her.

After finishing up, Emerald packed her things into her bag, donned a gown, and headed for the exit. Turning a corner she nearly ran into someone. Both gasped, and Emerald found herself face-to-face with Pyrrha. She blinked and shrunk back. Wearing a simple gown of her own, one that bulged around her belly, Pyrrha looked quite apologetic, but that did not make Emerald any less afraid of her.

"My apologizes Emerald." Pyrrha smiled. "I wasn't looking where I was going."

"N-no, the fault is my ma'am." Emerald apologized. "I'm sorry, I should be more careful."

"Perhaps we are both at fault." Pyrrha suggested. "Accidents happen after all."

"As you wish ma'am." Emerald deferred. She clutched her bag tightly to her stomach and bowed her head submissively, avoiding Pyrrha's gaze.

"Emerald, are you okay?" Pyrrha sighed.

"Yes ma'am, I'm fine." Emerald lied. She managed to look up, plastering on a smile.

"Emerald, you don't have to be afraid." Pyrrha frowned.

"I...I…" Emerald struggled.

"The war is over Emerald." Pyrrha noted.

"B-but Cinder...she...I…" Emerald stammered.

"Cinder is dead Emerald, and buried, gods know if she deserved it." Pyrrha declared. "She is gone, and with her any anger or resentment I could ever have for you."

Emerald took a shuddering breath. "I hurt people for her Pyrrha, I killed people." Emerald protested. "I didn't even question it. She...I...I loved her. I didn't even question the things she did because she was the only one to show me any kindness, but it doesn't change what I've done."

Pyrrha reached out toward Emerald. She flinched but allowed Pyrrha to lay a hand on her shoulder. "I cannot absolve you of your sins Emerald, that is between you and the gods." Pyrrha declared. "But Weiss saw fit to grant you a second chance, Yang brought you into her fold, and so you are family to me. You need never fear judgement nor scorn in my household, not so long as you follow the path of redemption."

Emerald choked, bowing her head once again and shaking it. Pyrrha stepped forward to engulf her in an embrace. Emerald dropped her bag and shakily reciprocated.

Having just finished her own bath in another part of the complex, Pyrrha escorted Emerald back to her room personally. Emerald remained silent, but more out of respect than fear, finding the silence comfortable. Pyrrha seemed to feel the same, and did not attempt to initiate further conversation until they reached their destination. "Tomorrow, should you desire it, we could spend some time together." Pyrrha suggested. "I would very much like to know you better, Neo too. You are family after all."

Emerald smiled and nodded, Pyrrha squeezing her shoulder before turning to leave. Emerald took a deep breath before knocking once on the door and entering. "Hey Emmy." Yang greeted her.

Emerald raised an eyebrow, shutting the door behind her. The room had been slightly rearranged, the bed shifted into the corner to make room for a…

"All family is welcome in Fort Kickass." Neo signed from the entrance of the impressively large pillow and blanket fort she and Yang had constructed. Emerald dropped her bag and hid her face, trying and failing to stifle her laughter. The sight of Yang and Neo peeking out from the comic structure, goofy grins on their faces, was too just much.

"Come on Em, dinner's served!" Yang encouraged. She held open the blanket that served as the fort's entrance, revealing several platters within. They had obviously been picked at, but they had either arrived recently or Yang and Neo had waited for her.

"What is this...thing?" Emerald asked.

"Rubes and I used to build 'em when we were young." Yang explained. "Just wanted to relive those times a little."

"Well, if you're going to regress you may as well go all out." Emerald shrugged.

"And drag others down with you!" Yang cheered.

Emerald chuckled, getting down on all fours to crawl into the fort. It was a little cramped inside, but there was enough room for the three of them and their food. Yang sat at the back, Neo on her right, and Emerald took a place to her left. They began to eat, in silence at first, but for once it was Emerald who broke it. "Are you okay?" She asked.

"I've been better, but I'm not as bad as I was this morning." Yang replied.

"You mean this afternoon?" Neo teased.

"Eh, barely an hour in." Yang shrugged.

"Still...are you gonna' tell us what's wrong?" Emerald pressed.

"Yeah…" Yang sighed. "Weiss had a rough time giving birth to Winter. She nearly died...or maybe she did die and we brought her back, or something...I dunno' but she really scared us. She really scared me, and I got a little obsessive and may have had a little mental breakdown from stress and lack of sleep."

"Oh, here I thought you just got way into your job." Emerald smirked.

"Well, yeah, I kinda' did, just in a bad way." Yang noted. "It's been a while you know, since the war. All the fighting, the risk taking, the threats to our lives...we haven't had to worry about that for years, and suddenly it just comes out of nowhere, after everything had been going so smoothly. It took me off guard, and made me realize just how fragile we really are."

Yang paused, taking a shaky breath. "Any day one of us could have some accident, or make one mistake, and we're just gone. Or even worse, we could go slowly...I don't think I could take that. I don't wanna' lose any more family. I don't want our children to grow up missing a mamma, not like Ruby, not like you two. No more broken families. It's stupid, it's cruel, they deserve better. We fought for a better world and gods damnit I just want it to stay that way!"

Neo latched onto Yang, hugging her tightly as Emerald took her free hand in her own. Yang squeezed tight as she sobbed. Neo laid a hand over Yang's heart, rubbing soothing circles before tapping lightly. Emerald lay her free hand atop it, and Yang looked at the pair with a watery grin. "I love you too." She declared. "Can I stay here tonight? I'm sick of being alone."

"You needn't ask Yang." Emerald replied.

Neo pecked Yang on the cheek, receiving a kiss in return, and Emerald did the same. "It gets really lonely when I'm not in the palace." Yang explained. "I'm used to having company. Ruby and I shared a bed as much as we could growing up, but she's got a wife now and...and things aren't that simple for us. It's cold...I just wanna' snuggle with someone I love."

"We don't mind joining you Yang." Emerald declared.

"I know, 'specially not this one." Yang poked Neo for emphasis. Neo poked out her tongue at Yang but smiled.

"It's a stupid problem and I don't wanna' hog your alone time." Yang explained.

"Yes, our super important alone time." Emerald joked. "Spent sleeping, fucking and eating." Neo shook with silent giggles.

"You used to be so innocent Emmy." Yang chuckled. "What happened?"

Emerald smirked. "I can think of two things."

Yang decided to stay in Rosanne until Raven's birth, both because she had missed Summer's, and because she had a nagging fear of something going wrong. In the meantime Pyrrha taught Yang more advanced magic, mostly healing spells, but also skills that would tap into her draconic heritage. With some pointers from Ren via letter, Pyrrha and Yang were able to harness her natural pyromancy. Though taxing at first, Yang grew stronger, able to utilize more powerful abilities, sustain them for longer, and use them more frequently. This newfound power gave Yang a surge of confidence. She was no longer powerless against mages and archers. She could further protect her friends and family, and look hot doing it.

Ruby found Yang's new abilities entertaining, Emerald found them intimidating, Summer was gleeful to see "Draggy Yaya" in action, but Neo saw an opportunity. She taught Yang to move more fluidly while channeling flames. With practice, and a lot of burnt hay, Yang was able to take down a multitude of surrounding targets with precision firebolts. Like a deadly typhoon of flame, Yang wrought destruction in her wake, and was absolutely manic with excitement.

The birth itself came after one such demonstration. Yang had even donned a dancer's outfit designed by Gwen and Neo, and had performed a more elaborate routine than usual. With the majority of the estate's staff in attendance, Yang gave it her all, punctuating every few incinerated targets with twirling hips and a ribbon of flame. Yang had not felt so alive since her last time in the arena. In her excitement, Yang had burst into flame upon the final flourish. It was something that had happened before, always harmless of course, but this time it was more extreme, like a small detonation.

A wave of heat swept through the clearing, and Yang briefly feared she may have singed her audience. Instead she was met with roaring applause. At that moment, Yang truly understood why Neo and Emerald performed, and in the next, she was on the verge of panic. Pyrrha's water had broken and suddenly everyone was scrambling to prepare for the birth. Apparently her performance had been a little too exciting.

The following hours were a flurry of activity, shouting and screaming. As the tremors racked Pyrrha's body, so they echoed through Ruby's. Yang tried to alleviate their pain, and was partially successful. Unfortunately she had never mastered the pain reduction spell Pyrrha had used on Weiss, and she was only able to dull the pain. Despite Yang's fears, the birth happened without difficulty, and so Raven Rose was brought forth into the world, clutched by a sniffling Ruby briefly before being passed to Pyrrha, who held her as she sobbed in relief.

Eventually Pyrrha agreed to rest. Ruby joined her, drained by the shared experience, and after the clerics cleaned up Raven and checked her over, Yang was entrusted with her care. Yang cooed over the sleeping infant for a while before Neo asked to hold the child. Yang obliged, heading off to get some snacks from the kitchen. In all the excitement she had worked up quite an appetite. Neo sat on a couch, cradling the baby in her arms, gazing down with a look of awe. Emerald had spent most of the time staying as far out of everyone's way as possible. Neo had wanted to be close so she could help.

The experience had shaken Emerald - everyone's panic, the screaming, the cries of the child, Yang's stress and fear. "Is this what you really want?" Emerald asked. Neo looked up at Emerald, who stood before her, arms wrapped around herself. Neo smile and nodded. "You're willing to go through all that?" Neo nodded again. Emerald closed her eyes and took a deep breath, nodding. "Okay...okay...we can do it. Whenever you feel we're ready." Neo looked overjoyed. She stood, careful not to jostle the baby, and stretched up to kiss Emerald. Emerald reciprocated, gently wrapping her arms around Neo.

Yang chose that moment to walk in, a bowl of muffins in hand. "Look at the happy family." She smirked. "Thinking of adopting? I'm sure Pyrrha will be pleased." Emerald broke away, rolling her eyes. Neo shook her head, then nodded rapidly. "Oh, you two?" Neo nodded again, looking incredibly pleased. Yang looked to Emerald, who smiled nervously but nodded. "Looks like we're paying a visit to the Valkyries then!"