AS THE CROW FLIES: EPILOGUE...

This has been a long and difficult end to reach with many things in my personal life tearing me away from the story, but I'm so proud to say it's finished and I hope I did it justice. Thank you to everyone who stuck with it :)

oO0Oo

7 years later...

Qrow leans against the wall, his head tipped back to look up at the sky. He wears a plain white shirt and smart black pants, the lopsided cross at his throat resting where it always has. He fiddles absently with the wedding ring on his finger for a minute before he catches me staring.

"What?" he asks, grinning.

"I was just thinking about how annoying it is that as you get older you get more attractive and I get more wrinkles," I answer. His grin grows wider as he pushes away from the bricks and pulls me close, kissing me softly.

"Brynn, you're beautiful even with wrinkles."

"You're meant to say I don't have wrinkles," I retort.

"You don't, but I like to annoy you." He winks.

I still get flashbacks about all the fighting, and some of my scars will never fade. But now I don't fear the Gods. Remnant grows and prospers every day under their guidance. The four kingdoms are united, and even Atlas has extended its protection to Mantle and now treats them as equals. Hunters and Huntresses are still needed to keep the Grimm at bay, but without Salem to speed up their creation, the numbers have dropped.

"You're being extra pensive today. Are you alright?" Qrow pokes me in the side to get my attention.

"I was just thinking about everything we went through and how much Remnant has changed."

"Sure you weren't just day dreaming about me?"

"I'm sure," I snort, rolling my eyes. Qrow is still a Hunter, and his sword is still fixed to his back everywhere he goes, but he's also gone back to teaching. He works at Beacon Academy now. "I wonder what Oscar is doing," I muse.

"Probably hiding from Ruby in his office."

"Why?"

"She's learning to cook," Qrow answers, wrinkling his nose. "She's as bad at it as her mother was."

"Daddy!" The sound of a small voice has us turning, and I watch as he crouches down and opens his arms, a wide grin on his face. A small, dark haired figure hurtles out of the school gates and slams into him, swinging off his neck like I've seen Ruby do so many times.

"Hey, pipsqueak." He folds his daughter into a hug and my heart swells, as it does every time I see them together. "How was school?"

"We learned history today," Summer answers, flashing a gap-toothed grin. "And mama, I lost another tooth." Her red eyes are bright as she giggles at me, showing off the new space. I can't help smiling back.

"Another one? You'll have none left if you keep going," Qrow answers, hoisting her onto his shoulders and standing up. He takes my hand, towing me away from the school. I watch them in wonder as they laugh and giggle together. Many years ago, I lost a child and was told I would never have another. Then the Gods came, and they undid the damage Salem caused me. I found out a few months later that I was pregnant. Qrow had been afraid at first, but we decided to move to Vale, and in the large city of Beacon his Semblance has very little effect on us.

"Can we get ice cream?" Summer has her hands in his hair, fiddling with the silver-streaked strands.

"You'll have to ask your mum."

"Did you eat all your vegetables at dinner?" I ask.

"We had broccoli, and carrots, and those long green things that I don't like. But I atE them because I wanted ice cream." She beams again, dimples popping out in her small cheeks.

"You heard her," Qrow says with a wink. "She ate all her veggies. Can we get ice cream?"

"Please mama?"

"Please?" Qrow asks, copying his child. I roll my eyes.

"Alright, how can I say no when you both look at me like that." Summer squeals in excitement, and Qrow tips her forward, catching her as she squeaks and setting her on her feet.

"I want to stay up!"

"You have legs, pipsqueak." Summer pouts, but concedes and walks between us, taking our hands in hers and pulling us along to the cafe around the corner. Qrow chuckles, and the sound is easy and happy as he gazes at his little girl. I watch as they giggle and laugh and act silly together, and every day I thank the Gods for blessing me with the chance to be happy.

oO0 CYANIDE 0Oo