Mez awoke to the silence of the morning dawn. His mop of red hair moved around lazily while his six year old mind tried to figure out what was off this morning. Lazy eyes blinked as he tilted his head. With a smack of his lips it finally dawned on him.

Jaune had stayed the night, but Mez did not hear the sound of sawed wood. Mez knew he should go back to bed as he slumped into his bed sheets but now he was curious enough to investigate the lack of sound.

Mez slid out of bed, careful not to wake his snoring little sister. She loudly grumbled at the cold air before she rolled over in their shared bed. In the kitchen Mez padded barefoot and noticed that lack of bitter stink of coffee. He glanced at the clock. Just a little before six in the morning.

It made him yawn.

Quietly, Mez rounded to the living room expecting to see Jaune's cot to be folded already. If the house was this quiet, it looked like dad went back to town. Mez stopped and stared at it. The old creaky cot he slept on for years was still out and unused.

Three steps further into the living room, Mez found his mom and dad on the couch sleeping. Dad's arms were wrapped around his moms. She was smiling in her dreams with her arms over dads to hold them in place.

Mez had to grin. He does care! Mez had always wondered. They never hugged or kissed like other parents. He knew he had another father before Jaune, but he was always bothered that his mom and dad did not show they cared for eachother like the other parents.

Mez backed out of the room now that his curiosity was satisfied. It felt nice to finally know for sure.

-o-

Nora felt something touch her leg. It was only after some perpetual giggling that Nora moaned and opened her eyes. Feeling burned her limbs as blood rushed back into place. Nora's back and rear immediately protested her movement after the hours of sleeping in an unfamiliar position. Nora spotted her little girl smiling at her knees. Apparently Syfie had been trying to get both her and Jaunes attention as quietly as possible.

That made for an awkward thought as she felt his arms pulled her slightly closer while he slept. Nora actually felt her cheeks heat at the gesture but reluctantly pulled his arms apart so she could get up and make breakfast.

Nora immediately felt cold out of Jaune's arms. She waved her little girl to follow her to the kitchen to make breakfast. Mez should be up if he was not up already to do some school work before he would run to get to class on time.

It was during a small moment when she explained to Syfie why her brother gets a lunch bag and she didn't, that Nora nearly squealed at the warm firm arm that rested over her shoulder. Nora glared at Jaune for a second before she leaned into the embrace. "You scared the crap out of me Jaune. Why are you always so quiet."

Jaune laughed against her temple. "I've been watching you two since 'peanut butter sandwich special'. I just didn't have the heart to interrupt Syfie time." Jaune squatted and picked up the girl. "You have breakfast already?"

The five year old nodded. "Yeah." She said immediately before she dove her head into his beard and rubbed her face in it. Jaune laughed. "Did you need me to take Mez to school?"

Nora looked at the clock. It was nearing seven thirty. "Just get him awake. I'll take him. Syf wants to go for a walk anyway."

Jaune smelled her hair as she hugged him back. When the two broke apart, Jaune just grinned. It felt nice to know where he stood. Where they both stood. It felt different with Nora. Jaune was curious how much would change.

-o-

Mez walked down the road with a relaxed smile on his face. He glanced at his mom. She seemed to looked tired but much more relaxed than he remembered. It really bring up something he wanted to ask her. Mez wrestled with the question on the tip of his tongue for the last twenty minutes. Seeing Jaune and Mom together again gave him the courage to ask. "Mom?"

"What is it sweetie?" Nora asked. Syfie was walking in between the two of them with a look of joy to just be outside.

"I saw you and Jaune together this morning."

Mez watched as her mom's eyebrows rose into her hair. She slowed for a second and gave a nervous laugh. "What was your question then?"

Mez pursed his lips. "Does that mean you are done fighting? What were you fighting about?"

Nora nearly tripped at the sudden question. She looked down to Syfie who seemed happy to be walking ahead on her own. Nora looked up to the air and asked, "W-what makes you think we were fighting?"

Mez frowned. "Just stuff." He said defensively. He looked forward down the road before he muttered, "You two are never together. And today you were. I just thought you finally stopped fighting…"

Nora swallowed a sudden lump in her throat. "Oh sweetie." Nora stopped the three of them just outside of the village. She knelt next to her son. "We have never fought about anything Mez."

Mez's confused voice stuttered. "But you never hug each other like you hug us. I just thought you didn't like each other. Jaune is always away and sleeps in the living room when he stays." Mez blinked a way something in his eye. His voice quivered as he remembered what he saw with other families. "None of the other kids moms and dads do that unless there was a huge fight."

Nora pulled her son into a hug. She kissed the top of his head. "I love Jaune as much as I love you and your sister Mez." Nora leaned into her sons hair. She sighed inaudibly to herself before she said, "You and Syfie are our world. I think Jaune and I just had to be brave and talk about something we had been avoiding for years."

Mez watched as the old mom, the one with tired eyes, looked at him. He immediately hugged her. "I'm sorry I asked mom. I just want you to be happy." He sniffed into her shoulder.

Nora blinked away a tear she felt come up. If there was anything she knew for sure, it was that she and Jaune thought the world of her children. She gently made a soft 'sh' sound into his hair. "It's ok. Come on. You still have plans with Jaune today and you will get held back after class if your late."

Mez still looked confused as he entered the village. His eyes were dried if only a little puffy. He rubbed his nose and felt a little better. He looked at his mom and leaned into her hand that held his.

-o-

Jaune set a nail at the end of the log and flicked it half way into the trunk with aura imbued finger before he shook his wooden box with string. He pulled the string covered in deep red powder and wrapped the string around the nail before he pulled the length to the other side. He laid the string against the log with a thumb to keep it still before he pulled the cord like a plucked string. It slapped against the wood with the powder creating a straight line for him to cut along. He quickly put away the string and pulled out a long blade and flushed it with aura. Slowly he slid it across the powder line and the excess wood fell with a thud. Jaune did the same for the other sides and the other log he brought to the back yard the day before. Preparing the wood only took the better half of a morning.

He inspected the base of the house extension and started to lay down the support beams so they matched the level of floor for the cabin. Each one stood over twelve feet tall. Jaune set the first beam down and centered around the rocks he would use to help secure them after he essentially planted the beams in the ground. Jaune did not have the right tools to make the extension. But he had enough to do it with aura. Instead of exact measurements, he used a piece of long flat wood the length of the front doors' entrance which he knew was six feet tall. He made the approximate markings for it.

This far away from civilization, there were no markets in town. There was just the trading post. Getting tools was a matter of making them and Jaune had four years of experience for making those. Jaune measured each support beam filled with rocks so they were all matching before he set the first log down to support the new roof. It was strong enough to stand upright. John went to get some nails and string. He needed to make sure the wood was straight before he made it permanent. Jaune pressed three nails into the wood like they were thumbtacks with his aura. He did the same for the adjacent side and quickly tied a string around each side so he made two triangles. He set another string with a fishing weight in the center.

Jaune tilted the log back and forth until he was satisfied that the beam was completely leveled.

"I thought you were going to wait for Mez to show him how to do that?"

Jaune smiled and turned his head over his shoulder. Nora smiled at him in a pair of jeans and a yellow blouse. Syfie was on her hip and a little lower than normal. Jaune understood the feeling, Syfie was getting a little too big for that, even with aura. "I'm saving the middle support beams for that." Jaune looked at his feet and stomped the rocks to keep the log steady. He can pour the concrete mix when he got the other beams ready. "I just want to get dangerous ones out of the way before I let him near here. Give me an hour or so to get the concrete poured and I'll be inside."

Nora nodded. "Make sure to go right into the shower when you are done Mister. I don't want concrete dust in the house."

Jaune grinned as he pulled up the next log.

-o-

Nora fingered her nails nervously. Her daughter sat on her chair at the table and ate loudly. Once she had finished she looked around sleepily. Nora smiled at the routine as her little girl looked ready for a nap before they go pick up her brother. "Syfie sweetie?"

Nora placed her arms folded on the table and lowered her head to rest on them while she looked at her daughter. A pair of pretty pink eyes smiled back. "Mommy? Are we playing a game?"

Nora smiled before she made a quick funny face at her. Syfie giggled at the 'pft' sound her mother made. "Did you hear what your brother said this morning?"

Syfie tilted her head and shook her head.

Nora looked down at the table. What Mez said really bothered her. She never wanted her children to think that she was fighting with Jaune. Her heart ached all day at the thought. "Do you think it's weird that your father and I don't hug?"

Nora brows furrowed in a wince. Syfie instantly looked uncomfortable. After a second Syfie copied her mother and set her arms on the table and rested her chin on them. She simply shrugged her shoulders.

Nora reached out her hand to her daughters arms. "You know we both love you right?"

Syfie nodded cautiously.

"I love all three of you. When Jaune gets inside how about we both hug him and show him we love him too?"

Syfie nodded looking happier at the idea.

Speaking of, Nora thought.

The front door opened and closed quietly. If Jaune thought he could ever sneak into this house quietly it was a naive hope. The floors creaked with the kids footsteps much less the adults. She stood up and followed her daughter as she ran to Jaune.

"Careful there squirt. My legs are covered in cement." Jaune cautioned her. He picked her up and kissed the little girl's temple.

Nora watched the two and allowed a small part of her heart to feel relieved that Syfie looked better already. Syfie looked around and waved a hand at her mother to join them before she latched back onto Jaune's neck. Nora immediately wrapped her arms around Jaune as well.

Jauen laughed and kissed both the top of their heads. "Did I miss something?"

Norar nodded into his shoulder. "We'll talk after you shower mister. But first. Hug both of us?" Nora squeezed him tighter.

Jaune held them both tight unsure why Nora was misty eyed. He simply allowed his arms to holder as tightly as he could.

-o-

Jaune set Syfie down for her nap while Nora cleaned the kitchen. The little girl was out of it when he left the room. Jaune had an idea what Nora wanted to talk about. He could feel it with the way she would not let go of the both of them when he walked in the house.

"I'm out Nora." He called gently as he entered the kitchen.

Nora set her hands on the sink after it drained and looked out the kitchen window. "Mez and I had a little talk this morning. I just wanted to let you know."

"What happened Nora?" There was no uncertainty as he walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her stomach. Nora placed her wet arms over his and pulled them both closer.

"Did you know Mez thought we had been fighting? For years?"

Jaune hitched a breath and swore quietly.

"I thought the same." Nora let her head lean up against him as she did her best to not become upset at the idea that Mez thought they had been fighting. Nora turned around in his arms and described the chat into his chest unwilling to look at him. Around a wavering voice she told him what Mez thought was happening between them.

Jaune exhaled. He rocked her gently from side to side. Jaune knew there were times when Nora would feel like she was a bad parent to her kids. Jaune's chest ached as he realized what that must have felt like all those times. "I'm sorry Nora. I should have said something to him. To the both of them years ago."

Nora looked up and wrapped her arms around his neck. "We can fix it now though right?"

Jaune nodded into her hair and gave a long sigh. "We already have." Jaune raised her head with his cupped hand on her cheek and gently kissed it before she stood on her toes to give him a chaste kiss on the lips. "We just need to show them."

Nora nodded. She smiled against his chest and rocked him. "It can't be too hard right?"

Jaune laughed. He already knew what he had to do to make sure that there was no doubt for any of them. Instead of saying any of those thoughts right now he just kissed her. "Don't jinx it Nora."

-o-

Nora and Jaune sat on the floor with the children. Nora had used the couch to lean back and she smiled at something Mez said. Jaune watched her as she grinned and made the children laugh. He gave a slight frown at the kids before he nodded to himself. He closed his eyes as he mustered up the courage to really say what he wanted to say. "Mez? Syf?"

The kids stopped and looked up when Jaune called Syfie Syf. He only said that when he was serious.

Jaune smiled. "You're not in trouble but come here. Both of you." He patted the ground as he made a space between himself and Nora."

Nora passed him a concerned look. He simply reached around the children and gently rubbed her shoulder. He looked back to the two children. "You know that I love you both right?"

The two kids nodded. Jaune swallowed but knew what he had to say.

"I also love your mother. I have for a very long time." Jaune looked up in time to see Nora gasp. Jaune felt his hand that rubbed her shoulder touch her hand. She held it with both of hers and kissed his fingers. Jaune squeezed her hands back. Jaune looked down to see he had the kids undivided attention. "I want you both to know if you ever feel confused or scared or hurt by anything we say or do to you. Or even what we may say or do to each other as your parents, we love you both and we love each other. I am sorry if I made it so you could not see that. I know I am always away. And I will still be away sometimes."

Jaune watched the kids nod. Jaune smiled at the two. He reached down with his free hand and rubbed both of their heads. "I just wanted to let you know that your father is here for the both of you."

Jaune leaned over and pulled the kids close with Nora following close behind. Jaune looked up from the group of near silent sounds of sniffing to see Nora. Her eyes were red but her face was a smile and a half that made Jaune's heart skip.

Nora looked at her kids and then back to Jaune to mouth out quietly. "I love you."

-o-

Nora stirred in bed. They sheets were so warm and comfortable this morning. She knew the kids were running around for the last ten minutes or so but she didn't want to move. Not during the spring break. Groggily she smelled something nice and warm and pulled closer to it. It grunted back.

She knew that was different from her normal pillows and slowly opened her eyes. Jaune's peaceful face greeted her. Five months together and it still surprised her that he would come back home so late at night.

Jaune was still in deep sleep but the exhaustion from the last few days was finally beginning to fade. He started his vacation two days ago for their planned trip but all that really meant was that he had to move out of his old apartment in two days. Nora sighed as thought about what today was. She knew she would normally be a wreck as this day came by. It was only because of Jaune that she felt she had the courage for the family to make this trip. She leaned in and wrapped her arms around Jaune for a moment to absorb all of the warmth and energy she could from him.

The door creaked open and Nora knew it was time to wake up. "Mom? Dad? Breakfast?" Mez asked quietly.

Mez padded into the room. She pulled herself up and kissed Jaune's cheek. He stirred slightly but did not wake. Nora hummed as she got out of bed. "I'm coming honey. Get your sister dressed please?"

Mez nodded as he ran back out of the room.

Nora watched her boyfriend sleep and sighed. She felt good. Like the world was right again. She had not realized how much she had danced around the issue with Jaune. Outside the bedroom and into the kitchen Nora spotted her children. "Kids, breakfast will be ready in a bit. Mez for the love of all that is mighty. Get some clothes on."

Mez huffed dramatically and ran back into his room to get some clothes on.

"Syfie!" Nora went to the living room and found her curled up on the couch with a book Jaune had been teaching her how to read. "Did you want to wake daddy?"

The little girl looked up and grinned. "He's here?"

Nora rubbed the girls hair. "He's in mommy's room. Why don't you go wake him up?"

Syf hugged her mom and ran with as much energy a six year old could handle towards her mother's bedroom.

"Well, that should be interesting." Nora smiled as she walked around the house to check if things were ready. The families bags were already packed and waiting by the door. And the shuttle would be here in three hours. Plenty of time to get the morning rolling. Nora thought to herself. She donned her favorite apron it was a yellow apron that said, KISS THIS CHEF.

Nora heard a loud pair of giggles that signaled that Jaune was awake. Jaune came into the kitchen with a smile and Sfy in his arms a few minutes later. When he spotted the apron he grinned out a, "Don't mind if I do." He leaned forward to give a long gentle kiss to the temple in her hair. "Good morning Nora."

Nora hugged him around her daughter. "Good morning yourself. Can you check to see if Mez is wearing clothes?"

Jaune laughed before leaned in and gave Nora one more soft kiss.

Nora started to place the breakfast on the table for the family. It was not difficult when Jaune started to live with her. It felt so natural if she was honest with herself. So much so, when he had days where he had to stay in town to work, she truly missed him. But in these so many months they had been together, she never once felt lonely when he was home.

She knew that was the reason she had felt so optimistic on the hardest day of the year.

-o-

Jaune was nervous when he first suggested to bring the kids. This place was just a wasteland now. The ruins of a large city were nothing left but abandoned city walls and flattened stone houses. Jaune looked to Nora but realized she would have a hard time speaking right now. As they walked further into the ruins Jaune called, "Mez, Syf. We told you before we were going to visit a grave to pay our respects. This place is a little different than what you were thinking off huh?" Mez nodded while Syf looked around the street. Jaune rubbed Nora's back as she led the group through the ruins with a bouquet of flowers.

In the heart of the town in an area that was completely flattened stood a black obelisk. Jaune was happy to see other bouquets of flowers already there. It was nice to know they were not the only ones that still remembered and honored the people that died here.

Jaune watched as Nora walked ahead and placed her flowers on the foot of the stone. Jaune sighed aloud. "This was the place Lei Ren, your biological father, died protecting the people that fled this town." Jaune watched as the two processes that bit of information. They knew intellectually what had happened. But he was sure this was the first time it would feel real to them. They could now see first hand the results of that fight.

"Go kneel with your mother." He gently urged Mez. Mez walked uncertainly before he knelt next to his mom and clung onto her arm. She silently wrapped an arm around him and hugged him. She never once looked away from the stone pillar. A name the focus of her small pilgrimage.

Jaune picked up Syf and walked to kneel next to Nora. This was the fifth anniversary of Ren's death. Jaune honestly was not even sure when he saw Ren last alive. It was years before the kids were born. Maybe nine years ago? Jaune felt guilty he never spoke to his friend more.

When Nora stood up they all did. "Thank you." She said quietly. She touched Lei's name on the stone before she backed away. She looked to Jaune and touched his cheek. "Did you need a moment too?"

Jaune nodded into her hand. "Just a quick one."

Nora understood. "Let's start heading back to the ship kids." Nora turned to look at Jaune and the stone after some time. Her heart ached at the sight before she turned away to take the kids by the hand.

Jaune waited a good minute for the kids and Nora to leave before he said anything. "Hello Ren. We brought the kids. Nora felt it was time." Jaune smiled at the black obelisk. He saw the name Lei Ren and smiled at it. "Your kids are amazing. I've watched them grow for so long now. I…" Jaune sighed. "I know I can't replace you Ren. I just hope I can be a father to them you can approve of. I love Nora. I love Syfie and Mez."

Jaune stared at the name and blinked before he finally confessed, "I know you hated being a huntsmen after the kids were born. You wanted to stay with them and find something less dangerous so they would always have a father. I just wanted to let you know I will stay with them. For the rest of my life."

A/N: This took more out of me than I was ready for. I started this follow up about a month after I posted the first part. I just couldn't find where I wanted to go with it. It was only after I wrote the opening scene that I realized where I wanted to go with the story. I nearly finished the entire story in a single sitting with the exception of the ending. Again there is just something I really like with this version of Jaune and Nora. It's definitely going to be one of those stories I will always going to have those thoughts of 'what if I came back to it'.