Epilogue

"Some day, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me. But until that day, consider this justice a gift on my daughter's wedding day." Vito Corleone, The Godfather.

"You may now kiss the bride." Father Matteo announced to them.

Jaune lifted Neo's veil and leaned forward for the kiss, placing his hands on her shoulders in a smile and brush of the lips. The church erupted in applause and he looked out from the altar to see the rest of the church cheering at their union.

He looked out at the crowd gathered in the church pews and smiled as they all cheered. Terra with baby Adrian sitting among six of his sisters. Saphron was standing behind Neo wearing a bridesmaid's dress, along with Deery and the twins flashing them both a smile as he took Neo's arm in his and walked back down the aisle with her.

They passed between smiles and cheering whistles. The church bells ringing from the steeple announcing their union. Junior's massive hands could be heard over it all as he clapped them together. Sophia sat next to him giving them a smaller but no less sincere applause. Paulie whistled out a whoop, sticking his fingers in his mouth as O-Ushi flashed Jaune a wink next to him.

Jaune felt like he was floating down the aisle, the wave of cheerful noise seeming to make the air around him lighter.

They stepped through the open double doors into a shower of pink cherry blossoms being released from the church's steeple. They had truly spared no expense for the occasion, stealing glances over at Neo as the pink petals fell around them, rosy specks clinging to her hair and dress. Descending the steps he wanted to commit this view to memory, to have it burned into his brain.

A valet held the door open for the two of them. Jaune helped Neo in first, ensuring that the train of her dress wasn't going to end up being caught in the limo's door. He climbed in and settled next to her as the driver closed the door. A bottle of champagne was already chilling in a bucket of ice, a pink bow tied around the neck with a card from Junior.

"We're married." Jaune said as he pulled the bottle from the ice and inspected it. Now that he was away from everyone he had a chance to let those two words sink in, a grin widening across his face.

Neo nodded and grabbed a pair of champagne flutes off the rest as the limo started down the street.

"It's just a little hard to believe." Jaune told her as he popped the cork and poured her drink before his own. They clinked the glasses together and took a sip of the bubby drink. Neo set her glass down on the rest.

"Any - regrets?" She asked him.

Jaune shook his head. "Not one." He assured her, leaning forward and giving her a kiss and a smile.

"I - almost - want - to - tell - the - driver - to - take - us - straight - the - airport." Neo told him, reaching down to remove her heels, letting her toes wiggle for a bit.

"We don't have our luggage." Jaune told her with a smirk. "And our flight isn't for another six hours."

"We - can - skinny - dip - on - the - beach." Neo said. "I'm - just - ready - to - get - out - of - here - before - something - else - requires - our - attention."

"We're getting our honeymoon, I promise." Jaune assured her. "Let's just enjoy our day."

Neo nodded and took another sip of the champagne. "How - do - you - like - the - dress? Do - you - mind - me - wearing - white?"

Jaune looked her up and down, admiring the white dress adorned with little pink roses sewn into the lace. The cut was slim, complimenting her figure well, the train attached to her waist and currently bundled over on the seat next to her.

"I love it, and I don't care about that kind of stuff, but it's a shame I only get to see you wear it once." He told her, running her hand down the silky fabric.

"I'll - wear - it - whenever - I - damn - well - please." Neo said proudly. "Did - you - have - fun - eating - sushi - at - your - bachelor - party?"

Jaune almost spat champagne through his nose at that. Recalling the previous night when what he assumed was going to be a steak dinner had in fact turned into eating sushi rolls off the naked bodies of modelesque women, along with body shots and other bits of mild debauchery as he and his friends celebrated his final night as an unmarried man.

"You know about that?" Jaune asked her as he set his glass down in the holder.

"It - was - Melanie's - idea - of - course. She - begged - me - to - let - her - bully - Cardin - into - it." Neo explained to him with an amused curl to her lips.

"Figures, Cardin wouldn't answer me when I asked him about it all." Jaune said with a little chuckle.

"Did - you - have - fun?" Neo asked once more.

"Yeah… a little… actually it was a blast." Jaune admitted, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

"Tempting - the - groom - at - his - bachelor - party - is - tradition." Neo said with a sly wink.

"I wasn't tempted." Jaune told her with a smile.

"Not - even - a - little?" She asked.

"Nah, I know there's nothing to miss out on if I'm with you." Jaune told her warmly. "Besides, I'm too interested to see what kind of trouble you'll get us into on our honeymoon."

They had booked a private beach house like they had talked about. They were expecting four weeks together, relaxing alone in a bungalow, occasionally going over to the resort to enjoy the various activities, restaurants and nightclubs. The hope was that no one there would know who they were, just being free. Jaune was excited about the prospect, four weeks with no business, he had no doubt that Neo wouldn't let them spend a minute of it bored.

"Oh - I'm - already - brimming - with - ideas." Neo assured him. "Starting - with - our - flight."

"Our flight?" Jaune asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

The sinful look in Neo's eyes bicolored told him everything.

They settled in with one another for the drive. Jaune helped remove the train from her dress so it wouldn't impede them as they left the limousine. As the vehicle cruised down the freeway towards Longshore they sipped their champagne and talked about the wedding, the reception they were going through, but mostly about the honeymoon. Talks of just tanning in the sun, snorkeling the nearby reefs, exploring the nature trails or even just staying in the bungalow to binge watch some shows without any clothes. For the short hour they had in that limo they went over their dreams of starting their marriage off full of relaxation.

"I'm sure there's plenty of business that'll be left once we return." Jaune said, pouring out the last of the champagne into Neo's glass. "With the election over, Rome is going to have all kinds of projects for us to focus on."

"He'll - go - easy - on - you." Neo assured him. "After - all - he - is - your - father - in - law - now."

"That's a lot to wrap my head around." Jaune admitted to her. "Do you think he's expecting me to call him dad now?"

"I - think - that'd - be - a - bit - too - much - for - either - of - us." Neo explained.

"Well I can't keep calling him sir, or boss." Jaune mused. "Not after today."

"Just - call - him - Roman." Neo told him with a smile.

Jaune nodded. "Too bad we'll miss out on seeing him being sworn in."

"It's - probably - for - the - best. As - mayor - Roman - is - going - to - have - to - keep - a - little - distance - from - the - Family. Being - away - from - him - for - his - first - couple - weeks - in - office - will - probably - put - the - council - at - ease."

"You're probably right." Jaune agreed, seeing her wisdom.

"And - if - Roman - needs - anything - the - Capos - can - help - him - out." Neo reminded him.

"I know I know. Don't worry, I have every intention to relax." He told her as the limousine pulled through the gate of the estate. The iron gate decorated with white and pink balloons and ribbons, opening for their vehicle.

They weren't the first to arrive. Vehicles were already lined up at the front of the estate, people passed beneath the arch to the garden finding the tables and chairs along with their assigned seating. Jaune had assured that the Arc family didn't sit next to any of the gangsters in attendance. It wasn't that he was afraid of any wiseguys slipping up and telling his mother and father the truth of their business, but he didn't want his parents or sisters pressing any of them with questions either. Mostly it was going to be the more mundane guests attending, old friends and distant family members, Mr. Fontane, Father Matteo and Sister Clarence from the orphanage and other friends and associates who only had a peripheral view of the family's business and knew better than to talk of it. Ren and Nora would be there too, and they knew to only talk about their short time at Beacon together.

Though Jaune was more than sure that Franky Martin being seated just a couple of tables away from them would certainly keep his mother distracted from everyone else. Mr. Fontane already knew that he was to help sell Jaune's fake story to the rest of his family. Working at a nightclub, making money, generous tippers, investing in the Moonstone and having it blow up. Meeting Neo there, falling in love while having no idea that her adoptive father was working undercover to save Vale from the White Fang.

The whole story was just coincidence and happenstance. Jaune met the right people after being thrown out of Beacon, making a little money in a regular job and deciding to use whatever he had to invest to the tune of wiser and more experienced people like Fontane. He wasn't business savvy, or gifted, just lucky and resourceful, and managing to find a girlfriend from a wealthy Family. As far as the rest of the Kingdom knew, Roman came from old money, and now Jaune was marrying into that.

The limo pulled around the back of the house for what used to be an old servant's entrance. Jaune and Neo were going to change before they arrived at the party. He was just as excited to see her reception dress and get out of the stuffy tuxedo he was currently wearing.

As they passed inside he saw his crew gathered around the servants entrance. By the look on their faces he could tell there was sudden business they needed to talk to him about. He sighed and gave Neo a kiss on the cheek.

"How about you get changed, I'll deal with this." He suggested to her.

She nodded and signed "Don't - take - too - long."

He nodded and looked over at Cardin.

"What's up?" He asked them.

"We have an uninvited guest." Cardin answered him.

"Yang Xiao-Long is here." Russel explained, cutting to the chase..

Cardin nodded. "Yeah, we would have thrown her out… but considering what she did to Junior's place we figured it would probably be best if we simply let her in. She says she wants to talk to you."

Yang? That was one of the last people Jaune expected to be crashing his wedding reception. He would have dismissed her, but his crew had been wise to simply allow her in instead of risking her demolishing his big day.

"Did she arrive unarmed?" He asked them.

"No." Sky told him, reaching into his pockets and producing the yellow gauntlets of Ember Celica. "But we wouldn't allow her to come in unless she disarmed and she did agree. Deery frisked her for any more weapons, she's clean now."

"Where is she?" Jaune asked them, deciding that if she was at least willing to talk unarmed he had no reason to deny her.

"Upstairs, in the den." Cardin explained. "Deery is currently looking after her."

"Alright, I'll speak with her." Jaune said, stepping towards the old servant stairs, taking the cramped well up to the second floor and into the hallway. Cardin followed from behind as he made his way towards Roman's old den. Deery was waiting outside the door for them to arrive.

"She's been waiting quietly." Deery reported to him. "She hasn't said a word to me."

"Thank you." Jaune told her. "Wait for me outside."

"Are you sure that's wise?" Cardin asked her.

"She disarmed to meet with me, I can show her the same courtesy and have my guards wait outside. Besides, I doubt she'd be an assassin." Jaune told them, earning a nod before he turned the handle of the doorknob and swung the door forward.

Yang was standing, dressed in her usual attire and inspecting the various antiques that Roman had collected here, his temple to the Torchwick Family's legacy. She was leaning forward looking at an old suit of armor, it's polished surface reflecting her image, and Jaune's as he stepped inside.

"Hello Yang." Jaune greeted her, closing the door behind him.

"Interesting antiques you have here." Yang said casually, turning away from the suit of armor and looking at the chairs in the center of the room.

"They're Roman's." Jaune told her.

"I never pegged him as an antique collector." Yang said with a shrug, moving to one of the leather armchairs and sitting down.

"Roman is a rather complicated person." Jaune explained. "Can I get you a drink? A strawberry sunrise perhaps?"

Yang shook her head, her golden locks tossing a bit from the movement. "I don't intend to be here that long, Jaune."

"Well you weren't on the guest list, but you're not exactly unwelcome either." Jaune told her, taking a seat across from her. "How's Beacon?"

"Still being rebuilt." She told him plainly. "But classes have resumed."

"And how's Blake doing?" Jaune asked, he had only seen her here and there since the battle had ended. She hadn't become a stranger to him, not yet anyways. "She was invited, but she didn't RSVP."

Yang's eyes narrowed at him, the lilac turning red as she looked at him, a flare of hot anger. "You broke her heart, Jaune! I want you to know that!"

A stab of guilt went through him at her words, hearing the venom in them, the truth in them.

"I never intended to hurt her, and I'm sorry that I did." Jaune told her sincerely, holding her gaze as he spoke, eyes full of regret and sorrow.

Yang blinked, the angry red disappearing as she broke away from his gaze. She took a breath and released it as a sorrowful sigh.

"I know that." Yang said to him with a deep sigh, setting her anger aside, letting it fade as quickly as it came.

A part of Jaune wanted to continue this line of conversation. But he wasn't sure what he could say. He loved Neo, he was married to her now, there was no sense in lingering on whatever feeling still lingered for Blake.

"So… what brings you here today?" Jaune asked, cutting to the heart of this unexpected meeting. He could hear the sounds of the reception outside. The music in the garden muffled through the stone walls of the estate but he could faintly hear it. Franky was probably singing already. He wanted to get this over with and actually enjoy his marriage.

"I want you to find someone." Yang told him. "I'd consider it a favor."

Jaune raised an eyebrow. This was the last thing he had expected from her. Coming to him of all people for a favor.

"Favors are for friends, Yang." Jaune told her simply, opening his palms to her. "Are we friends?"

"We could be… maybe." Yang answered him, evading his gaze.

"You don't sound convinced." Jaune told her.

"I know what kinds of favors you expect of your friends, Jaune." Yang said to him. "I'd be an idiot to just agree to do anything."

"That's wise of you Yang." Jaune agreed with a nod. "But I don't work that way, if I did I wouldn't have many friends for very long. And I believe in having a good number of friends. I won't ask you to do anything you'd find reprehensible."

"But you will ask me to do something… won't you?" She asked him.

"Well… what are friends for if not to help each other out now and then?" Jaune asked her. "Otherwise it'd just be business… and my business is something you'd find reprehensible."

"Alright…" Yang said, giving him a nod of understanding. "If you do this for me, Jaune… I'll owe you one."

"Let's see if I can deliver on my end before we talk about who owes who what." Jaune told her. "After all… we're supposed to be friends aren't we? Let's try to start this off on some more even ground. First of all… who do you want me to find?"

Yang pulled out her scroll and laid it down on the table, sliding it across the polished wood towards him.

Jaune picked it up and looked at the screen. He saw a woman, long black feathery hair, red eyes, red clothes and a stoic expression on her face. Jaune had never seen her before.

"I've never seen her before… who is she?" Jaune asked her.

"Her name is Raven." Yang told him plainly.

"Why do you want to find her?" Jaune pressed.

A look of discomfort crossed Yang's features.

"You don't need to answer that if you don't want to, it's really none of my business why you want to find her." He said to her, not wanting to press the issue. "But if you want to just talk to her or if you want to introduce her to Ember Celica it might change how we go about finding her or breaking the news once we find her."

"I just want to talk." Yang told him seriously. "That's it."

"Fine… do you know anything else about her?" Jaune asked.

Yang quietly shook her head at him.

"Well… it's not a lot to go on. But I'll talk to some people and see if we can dig anything up and get back to you." Jaune explained, setting her scroll down on the table and taking out his own, sending his number to hers.

"I'll be in touch, though you shouldn't hold your breath waiting for me to call. I'll be enjoying a long honeymoon." Jaune explained to her.

Yang took her scroll and nodded to him. "Thanks… I hope you enjoy it."

Jaune nodded to her. "I hope so… you should stick around, enjoy the reception."

"I just wanted to ask you about this." Yang told him.

"I know. But we're trying to be friendly, right?" Jaune asked her. "Point is… you're welcome to stick around and drink some strawberry sunrises, it's an open bar and free food."

They both stood up. Jaune opened the door for Yang and let her outside. Jaune gave Cardin a look to tell him that the meeting went well.

"Yang is my guest now. She's allowed to attend the reception if she pleases. Give her her weapons back when she leaves." Jaune instructed them.

"How about I show you outside to the garden?" Deery suggested to her, pointing her thumb out the nearest window where they could see all the tables and decorations laid out with many different guests already there and seated.

"I uh… yeah… it could be fun." Yang said with a nod of her head. Relenting to the offer to stay and enjoy the wedding party instead of just leaving once their business was concluded. Jaune was actually a little glad that she took him up on the offer.

Jaune watched Deery lead her down the hall towards the stairs to lead her outside.

"What was that about?" Cardin asked him.

"She want's a favor." Jaune answered. "And I agreed to it."

"What kind of favor?"

"She wants me to find someone, a black haired woman named Raven. Have some people put some feelers out to find her, whoever she is. Consider it to be a side project while I'm away." Jaune told him.

"Why is she looking for this Raven chick?" Cardin asked him.

"She apparently just wants to talk." Jaune told him.

"That's bullshit… you know she wouldn't be asking you of all people to find her if all she wanted was to have a little chit chat." Cardin said to him. "And she probably has a reason to believe we're the kind of people who can find this Raven bitch whoever she is."

"There's obviously more to it than just some polite banter. But I saw no reason to press her for the personal details, those will probably come out sooner or later anyways." Jaune explained to him.

"Those details could help prevent us from stepping into a pile of shit." Cardin said.

"Maybe, But I'm trusting you to help avoid that. If you wanna call Yang up and hound her for the details go ahead. I have a vacation to enjoy in the meantime." Jaune explained as he approached the bedroom.

"Don't be getting soft on me while you're sipping mai-tais on the beach." Cardin said, giving him a friendly smile.

Jaune returned the grin as his hand fell on the doorknob. "On don't worry, I plan on being as sharp as ever when I get back."

Cardin nodded and let Jaune leave through the door.

Neo was already inside. The wedding dress was currently laid out on the bed and she had instead donned her simple pink and white reception dress that hung backless giving him an appealing look at her shoulder blades and a lacy hem that reached her knees adorned with little pink roses much like the wedding dress she had just changed out of.

"Woah, that's some dress." Jaune said, meaning every word. She was sitting at the vanity mirror touching up her makeup. "I don't know if I can get through the reception without keeping my hands off of you."

Neo gave him a proud smirk, setting the little brush down, makeup finished. "That's - the - idea - hubby. So - what - did - the - bimbo - want?"

"She wanted to ask me for a favor." Jaune explained, looking at his more casual reception tuxedo hanging on the rack where he had left it. He pulled off his bowtie and tuxedo jacket to change.

"She's - got - a - lot - of - balls - to - ask - you - for - a - favor. I'll - give - her - that." She told him.

"She knows that we're trying to be friendly with Glynda and the rest of the city. And with Roman as the mayor elect she has to know what we're capable of achieving." Jaune said, unbuttoning his vest and laying the tuxedo out on the bed as he efficiently dressed in his white reception outfit.

"What - did - you - tell - her?" Neo asked him.

"I agreed to help her. She's looking for some woman named Raven." Jaune explained.

"Who's - she?" Neo asked.

"I don't know, I didn't press for answers. But I figured having Yang as a potential ally is worth a little trouble" Jaune explained, buttoning up his new dress shirt.

Neo's bare shoulders rose and fell in a shrug. "You're - probably - right. But - that's - enough - business - for - now."

Jaune nodded, there was still going to be plenty more business to attend to later before they left tonight. But the sounds of the party called to them and they were happy to set that all aside as they left their room and headed downstairs.

They entered the garden through a rose arch and beheld everyone mingling, enjoying all the free food and drink. Jaune and Neo took their seats at the table, enjoying another glass of cold champagne as their guests moved to greet them and wish them well in their union and leave them with gifts that piled up on the table only for some of the hired servants to take them away. None of the wiseguys made any moves that would betray their relationship to him. But thankfully it wasn't just fellow gangsters who had arrived.

"Hey Jaune…" Nora greeted, dressed in a light pink dress, Ren standing by her side wearing an off the rack tux.

"Congratulations, both of you." Ren said in his usual stoic manner.

"Yeah." Nora said, holding a gift to her chest. "Congrats, we mean that."

Jaune nodded to them. "Thanks, that means a lot coming from the two of you."

"We uh… we tried to convince Pyrrha to come, mend fences and all of that." Nora explained, a sad look in her eye.

"It's alright." Jaune told them. "I'm just happy that you two agreed to come."

"We weren't quite sure what to get you." Nora explained, clutching the gift to her chest even tighter. "I mean… it looks like you have everything really. And no offense to your bride but… we don't really know her very well…"

Neo waved her hand to show that she didn't take any offense, giving them a smile. In truth she had been rather apprehensive towards Jaune inviting his old Beacon friends, Blake had been the only exception to that, she was fond of her, and Blake had earned her trust. But she had relented to him adding them to the guest list, understanding that he didn't wish to hide from that former life anymore.

"You don't need to worry about that." Jaune told them.

"Well then… here." Nora said, handing over the flat decorative box she had been clutching towards her chest. "You can open it."

Jaune did, pulling free the blue ribbon that had been tied into a bow around it and opening the lid. Inside he saw a framed picture, a group selfie with everyone from team JNPR squeezed into the frame. Jaune remembered when they took it, shortly after they had completed the Beacon entrance exams, Nora wanted to commemorate the moment with a picture on her scroll.

He looked at them all, Nora's face smashed into Ren's, Pyrrha's face above them next to his. It was a moment of simpler times, times that would never return, times Jaune didn't want back, but it was a time he didn't mind remembering.

"We know that a lot of things have changed since then." Ren said, making Jaune look up from the picture.

"But we wanted you to remember us… and how things used to be." Nora explained.

Jaune nodded, sensing their sadness as they gave him their gift. "I'll treasure it… and maybe things don't have to be completely different."

"Yeah… maybe." Nora said before shuffling off with Ren to let the other guests greet them and give away their gifts. Ren and Nora had been surprisingly understanding of Jaune and his chosen path, but he could tell that they wished he had gone down a different path with them.

Jaune set the picture down with the rest of the other gifts piling up on the side of the table. He saw O-Ushi's shadow looming over them before he saw her.

"You know kid… I'm actually starting to get a little sick of you surprising me all the time." O-Ushi said, cracking a grin as she put a small box on the table along with an envelope to enjoy their honeymoon.

"You - should - be - used - to - it - by - now. I - did." Neo signed, cracking a grin and signing to her. Jaune translated as always.

Jaune smiled, pleased at the warm greeting of his old mentor and the warm words of his wife.

"Well… there shouldn't be any surprises while I'm enjoying the honeymoon." Jaune said to her. "And I'll at least try to avoid any of them for a few more weeks after that. But no promises."

O-Ushi grinned down at him.

"Well… at least it's been nothing but pleasant surprises with you." O-Ushi said to him, holding out her hand.

"Let me see the shiny." She requested.

Neo agreed, putting her small pale hand into O-Ushi's meaty paw letting the sun glint off the ring.

"It feels like it was yesterday when the kid here came into my office telling me all about that little escapade in the cab, showing me this pretty little thing. I never thought he'd give it back to ya." O-Ushi said, her voice warm and affectionate. "Hell… not that long ago I was spouting out whatever wisdom I could hoping this kid was taking notes… You were always a great listener Gent."

"I'm still going to listen to your wisdom, I'm going to need it now more than ever." Jaune told her with a smile.

"Yeah, I guess that means I need to make sure I keep having some good advice. Maybe I should read some of those self help or business management books while you're off on your honeymoon, see if there's some nuggets of wisdom to steal from those things." O-Ushi told him.

Jaune chuckled. "I doubt those books have wisdom that applies to us."

"You never know." O-Ushi said. "Maybe there is something to learn about synergy or some of that other bullshit."

Jaune shrugged. "Who knows… things are going to be different after all."

"You mean better." O-Ushi said, giving him a grin and leaving them to continue speaking to guests as they came to their table.

"Hey there, Mr. and Mrs. Arc, welcome to matrimony." They were greeted by Terra as she approached with Saphron carrying the baby Adrian.

"Hey Terra… hey sis." Jaune greeted.

"Hey Jaune." Saphron said, giving him a little smile.

"This is a pretty swanky wedding, wish ours was this nice." Terra said looking around at the garden. "How did you get a venue like this in June?" she asked them. "Saphron and I had to fight tooth and nail just for a simple ballroom."

"Roman really went all out." Jaune said, deflecting the comment.

Terra nodded. "I never expected things to be like this when Saphron went out and found you. You really should have contacted us sooner."

"Sorry… I was just nervous introducing everyone to Neo." He said, deflecting once more. "I never meant to make anyone worry."

"Well… I have some idea what that's like." Terra said, adjusting her grip on Adrian as the young child moved around wanting to take in all the sights and sounds of the area.

"How's the rest of the family? I expected they'd be up here right now." Jaune said, looking around for his mother and father as well as his other six sisters.

"They'll be up soon." Saphron told him. "Mom is too distracted by Franky Martin." She said, motoning with her thumb.

Indeed his mother was seated at her table watching the old singer looking like an entranced teenage girl as he sang. It certainly didn't help that Franky was making a lot of eye contact with her, holding her gaze as if the songs were all about her. Telling the old singer that his mom was a huge fan of his had probably encouraged him to play up his charms on her.

"I think dad is almost scared she'll try running away with him." Saphron said with a giggle.

"Well maybe you should keep a close eye on her just in case." Jaune said with a chuckle.

"Who are most of these people anyways?" Terra asked, looking around. She took a look at Junior sitting over with Tonen.

"Mostly just industry friends, people that I met doing the whole nightclub thing." Jaune lied. "Some of them are just friends of Roman I don't even know."

"You should write a book." Terra said. "You go to Vale to become a huntsman, end up investing in a nightclub and marry the mayor's daughter, that's one helluva rags to riches story."

Neo smiled. "It - certainly - would - be - an - interesting - read. It - could - be - a - movie - too." She teased.

"Nah, I'm fine letting my story stay my story." Jaune said to her. "Besides, I'm nothing special… I just got lucky."

"Well… I hope that luck holds throughout your marriage." Terra said, giving Neo a smirk. "If you need us for anything don't hesitate to call… we're all family now."

"Thanks." Neo signed.

Terra smiled and stepped away, but Saphron remained behind her look a bit more strained than her wife's.

"How's business?" She asked him, and from her tone Jaune knew she wasn't talking about investing in nightclubs.

"It's good, it's solid." Jaune said, remaining vague on his answer but keeping to the spirit of the truth.

Saphron nodded to him. "Terra wants to visit more often… she thinks we should all try to be closer after this."

"That'll - be - nice." Neo said to her with a smile. "We - can - show - you - two - the - best - places - in - town."

Saphron gave a nod. "Are you still going to be living in your penthouse?"

"Off and on… we're actually going to be living here for the most part." Jaune explained, looking over at the estate.

"Here?" Saffron asked.

"It - was - Roman's - wedding - gift." Neo explained to her.

"He's going to be living more permanently in the city." Jaune explained. "Being mayor and all he figured he should live there."

Jaune omitted the fact that the estate was still technically owned by the Vale Historical Society, having Vale's mayor living night after night in a big tax evasion scheme wouldn't help his new image of an honest upstanding citizen.

"Wow… congratulations on your new home." Saphron said, looking up at the castle-like estate.

"Thanks." Jaune told her.

"Hey! Jaune!" Mr. Fontane cried out, approaching the table with Flynt in tow his scroll in his hand. "Guess who just booked this kid a gig at the Vale Theater!?"

Jaune looked over at Flynt who grinned bashfully as the old manager bragged about his most recent exploits.

"Well I see only one genius talent agent here so I'm guessing it was you." Jaune said with a grin. "Glad you two could make it."

"I'm glad to be here too… between Beacon, playing shows and recording I've been lucky to just get eight hours sleep." Flynt told him.

"I know it's rough kid but ya gotta stick it out, I'm making ya into a star!" Fontane bragged, pocketing his scroll and putting a friendly arm around the young man's shoulder. "Just wait till you see your name lit up on that billboard!"

"How's your father's business?" Jaune asked.

"Good, good." Flynt said. "It was tough to convince him to set up a new shop here in Vale but… he's liking it."

Jaune nodded pleased with himself.

"So, you're Fontane." Saphron said. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Jaune has told me all about you."

Fontane flashed one of his grins and took her hand to shake. "And you must be one of his sisters, the pleasure is all mine."

"Well if it wasn't for you talking my brother into investing into that nightclub we probably wouldn't be here right now." Saphron said, mirroring the lie that Jaune had cooked up for his Family.

"Ah, don't mention it. Half this industry is luck anyways." Fontane said with a wave of his hand.

"And the other half?" Saphron asked.

"Charm, flare, and some business sense." Fontane answered that. "And believe me, your brother has more of it than you might think."

"Really? He gained all that just by working at a club?" Saphron asked, feigning ignorance.

"Well, you'd be surprised what you can learn working eight till four at a nightclub." Fontane said with a grin. "And I like to think that I helped teach him a thing or two myself."

"Oh you did." Jaune said with a grin.

The three of them shuffled on and before long Sophia was stepping up with Anna in tow, and Boris looming close behind.

"There's my lovely little flower girl!" Jaune greeted giving her a grin.

Anna grinned up at him, holding onto her mother's hand.

"Did I do a good job?" The little girl asked him innocently.

"You were excellent… sorry we haven't been able to see much of each other lately. How's school?" Jaune asked her.

"Anna is currently dominating the school's chess club." Sophia said proudly.

"That's - no - surprise." Neo said proudly. "I - expected - no - less - from - my - goddaughter."

Sophia smirked over at Neo, happy to see that she was taking the job seriously. "She's been invited to compete in a tournament, it isn't until you return from your honeymoon."

"We'd - love - to - attend." Neo said, giving the girl a smile as she understood the sign language.

"Glad to hear it." Sophia said to her. "I hope you enjoy my gift… I had it sent inside, it's a luxury tea set, for when you entertain company."

"I helped her pick it out!" Anna said proudly.

"I'm sure we'll enjoy many great brews over it together." Jaune said with a grin, certain that the two of them had picked something out that suited his and Neo's tastes, and more than certain it was ridiculously expensive.

Jaune turned to his wife once they had left. "Are you sure you want to spend an afternoon watching a bunch of kids playing chess?"

"Do - you - think - I'd - be - bored - watching - our - goddaughter - cream - a - bunch - of - snot - nosed - kids?" Neo asked him in response.

Jaune smirked, pleased with her response. "Well… when you put it like that."

"Just - don't - expect - us - to - be - having - a - kid - of - our - own - anytime - soon." Neo told him. "I'll - happily - surrender - an - afternoon - for - my - goddaughter - but - I'm - not - going - to - surrender - the - night - life - anytime - soon."

"Fair enough… besides that stuff can wait until we've had the time to get used to things being peaceful and quiet." Jaune told her before he spotted a not so familiar face approaching.

A tall woman dressed in conservative blue dress approached the table with a smile that did not quite reach her eyes. Her hair, once bright orange like her younger brother's, had faded a bit over the years, and the stress lines on her face gave her a look of being older than she really was, but making her seem rather matronly in Jaune's opinion.

"Talking about children already?" Lucia Torchwick asked them. Apparently she had caught a flash of Neo's sign language as she approached. Her voice was friendly, but there was undoubtedly a cold edge to it. Jaune often wondered what she was like before going to prison.

"Only agreeing that we're not in any rush." Jaune told her.

"That's good, you two are still young after all." Lucia said with a grin, her green eyes focusing on Neo. "Are you enjoying your big day?"

Neo smiled and nodded to her. "I'm - just - glad - that - you - could - be - here - to - enjoy - it."

"Yes… me too." Lucia agreed, sounding tired. "I cannot thank you enough Mr. Arc. When Neo visited me and told me about you, I worried that this day would pass by while I rotted in a cell."

"It was nothing, we're family now, right?" Jaune asked her.

"Of course… and as a family we take care of each other." She said with another smile. "I hope you don't take offense… I had no idea what to get you… but I'm sure I'll think of something by the time you return."

"Don't worry about it, we're people who have everything. That doesn't matter." He told her.

"Interesting sentiment given our Family's line of work." Lucia said with a smile.

"How - is - it?" Neo asked her. "Now - that - you've - been - out - for - awhile?"

"It's a change… but a welcome one. I suppose the toughest part is figuring out what to do now that I'm free as a bird. Inside there was a droll order to everything… out here well I'm wondering what to do next."

"Don't - rush - yourself. There's - no - hurry." Neo told her.

"Yeah, but if you want something to keep you occupied I can find some Family work when we get back." Jaune offered her. He figured the world being Lucia's oyster seemed a bit intimidating now that she was a free woman. And she did serve the Family for many years before going behind bars, he wondered what experience she could share. But so far their interactions had been rather limited with no talk of business.

"I would like that." She said, giving another cold smile before turning around and leaving them both.

"Is she going to be alright?" Jaune asked Neo.

"She's - still - adjusting." Neo told me.

"She doesn't seem that keen on me." Jaune explained, the cold feeling of her presence only now starting to fade.

"She - needs - to - get - to - know - you - is - all." Neo assured him.

"Well, let's take the time once we get back." Jaune said, earning a nod of agreement from his wife.

"Let's - take - her - to - the - ballet." Neo suggested. "She'll - enjoy that."

Before he could share a few words of agreement Jaune heard a silver spoon clinking against a crystal glass. He looked away from his wife to see Cardin standing up to give his best man speech.

"Hello everyone… I'd like to say a few things about Jaune and Neo., you know, best man speech and all that." Cardin told the gathered crowd, holding his champagne flute as he looked over at the newlyweds.

"I honestly could have said this a long time ago, but I'm glad I saved this for today." Cardin said, a smug grin curling his lips. "Jaune and I knew each other back at Beacon, but as some of you already know we were hardly friends in those days, but as drop outs we actually put all of that behind us. Jaune already knew Neo when I met her for the first time, and I noticed a few things here and there. The very night I think Jaune and I became friends, eating a crab dinner in the shack I remember suggesting that Neo had her eye on you. Jaune, you denied it, called be crazy, but today I think I truly get to say, I told you so."

Jaune grinned at his best friend while the rest of the audience had a little laugh at his expense.

"Jaune and Neo haven't really known each other very long, little more than a year." Cardin continued on. "But believe me everyone when I say that Jaune and Neo have gone through so much together, more than many couples go through. I won't pretend to know a lot about love or marriage or anything, I'm certainly not an expert, but the type of love I've seen blooming between these two is like the stuff of fairy tales. Jaune, you're a gentleman through and through, no one ever needed to tell you to treat Neo right, because that's exactly the kind of guy you are. And Neo, you're one of the funnest, most adventurous women I've ever had the pleasure to meet, I know you're always going to keep the relationship interesting. And nothing makes me happier than seeing two of my friends coming together to tie the knot."

Cardin raised his glass up and scanned the crowd. "And allow me to extend my thanks to all of you fine folk for coming here for the free steak, shrimp and cocktails."

Another small echo of laughs went through the crowd.

"So please join me and raise your free drinks for Jaune and Neo. I'd wish the two of them luck, but I know they won't need it."

"To Jaune and Neo!" The crowd echoed before taking a drink.

Jaune gave his friend a smile, feeling rather warm at his kind words. Cardin sat back down looking quite red faced. Giving a speech like that in front of everyone had clearly been a chore. But Jaune thought he was brilliant.

The moment of quiet didn't last very long before Melanie, Neo's maid of honor, stood up with her cocktail in hand to give her own speech.

"Well I suppose I'm required to say a few words too." Mel said to the crowd before looking at Neo.

"My sister Miltia have known Neo for quite a while. We were instant friends, she was just as much of a free spirit as us, she loved the clubs, the dancing, the whole nightlife. The moment we met I knew that Neo was my kind of girl." She explained to everyone, like Cardin omitting the specifics of their relationship.

Melanie turned her gaze to Jaune.

"Jaune… when we first met I thought you were a bit of a dork." She said, earning a laugh from the audience. "But you were cute, and sweet, Mr. and Mrs. Arc definitely raised you right I can say that much. And oh boy could you dance, I'm gonna need to thank you seven sisters for that because I can tell you all that this boy knows how to cut a rug on the dancefloor."

Melanie locked eyes with Neo once more. "I guess what I'm getting at is… I saw him first, Neo, so you're welcome!"

Another spat of laughter reverberated through the crowd. Neo rolled her eyes and gave her maid of honor a friendly grin.

"But in all seriousness, I'm happy for you both. It feels like yesterday when Mil and I walked in on these two sharing a kiss for the first time. Cardin isn't the only person who gets to say I told you so here. I don't know if I'll ever be the type to settle down in matrimony like these two, but I'll be fighting to catch that bouquet in the hope that I'll find someone who's half as great as this Gentleman you wrangled, so ready yourself ladies, I'm a biter!"

Jaune laughed at that, feeling flattered to have Melanie of all people talking about him like this.

"As Cardin said, I doubt the two of you are gonna need much luck, so I won't wish it. Just know that we're all happy seeing you two come together." Melanie raised up her drink and drank some of it down in a toast that the rest of the crowd followed.

"Now… let's all have some cake!" Melanie proclaimed.

The wedding all became a pleasant blur for Jaune and Neo. They cut the cake, feeding it to each other, Neo smashing it into his face before she went off to toss the bouquet, Melanie making good on her promise to go after it with reckless abandon, only for Deery to be the one to actually catch it. Cardin won the garter toss, but only because Jaune had aimed for him, he hoped his friend took it as a hopeful sign of his own romance.

After that was their first dance. They twirled around the dance floor as Franky sang It Had To Be You. Despite feeling so tired he felt as light as ever as the two of them circled each other on the floor, his eyes only on her and his thoughts on what would come next. The business and all of that far from his mind.

The father daughter dance was next. Jaune watched as Roman danced with Neo while Franky sang All My Tomorrows. And the mother son dance with Franky singing Luck Be A Lady.

After all of that the dance floor was crowded as everyone moved in to enjoy some dancing of their own. Jaune and Neo enjoy the company, swapping dance parters. Jaune danced with the twins, Deery, even O-Ushi and Sophia. He let Anna stand on his feet when she had asked him to dance while Cardin twirled Neo about. Everyone mingled, he even caught sight of the twins talking to Yang, Russel and Deery were almost glued to each other throughout the night, Jaune wondered if Russel had a wedding on his mind now.

As the reception dragged on into the evening his the guests started to filter out one by one. Jaune bid his family goodbye, sending them back to their hotel in Vale in a limousine. His mother refusing to leave until she listened to Franky's last song and managed to secure an autograph. Franky signed the microphone as well as a headshot, Jaune was certain his mother would have them in some kind of shrine when he visited home. His father being a man of few words simply wished him and Neo a happy honeymoon.

Most of the guests got into their cars or cabs and left. But others, the wiseguys, slowly filtered into the house, as did Jaune.

He released a long heavy sigh.

"Tired?" Neo asked him.

He nodded to her. "My feet are aching, I'm ready to put them up."

"Don't - look - at - me. I - was - willing - to - book - it - straight - for - the - airport." Neo reminded him with a smug smile.

"I know I know. Just a few more hours and we can settle in. I've never really traveled via private airship before." He commented, excited to have an entire eight hour flight with his new wife with plenty of legroom. Followed by weeks of sun and sand, he could practically smell the ocean already.

"Well - then. Let's - get - this - over - with - and - be - on - our - way." Neo said, taking his hand in her own and giving it a comforting squeeze.

Jaune nodded and looked down at his hand holding Roman's old bowler hat, he brought it up and placed it upon his head before reaching for the doorknob and turning it. The heavy wood door swung open and he stepped inside, finding almost half the city's wiseguys there.

"I'm hoping this won't take too long." Jaune said, releasing Neo's hand and walking over to his chair set closest to Junior and Sophia.

"Of course not." Sophia said with a smirk. "We all understand that you have places to be. We simply wish to go over a few details before you depart. But we expect everything to be in good shape once we leave."

"And to pay our proper respects, now that it's official." Roman said, standing up and walking to Jaune.

"Indeed, there are simply a few trivial matters we believe should be settled before your trip." Junior said. "The council has a few laws they're trying to pass, they might effect our businesses, and we believe they're trying to make them official before Roman is sworn is as mayor."

"Yes, I remember looking over a few of these." Jaune said, recalling the business he had spoken to Roman about just a few days prior.

"Indeed, they're probably hoping to circumvent my authority before it becomes official." Roman said with an amused snort.

"We've already begun bribing a few officials." Jaune said to them. "A few of the judges in our pockets have already commented that the bills technically go against Vale's Constitution."

"A few details the council will use to correct before voting." Sophia said.

"Yes, but three of these judges believe they can use these details as an excuse to block the bills. Long enough for Roman to be sworn in at least." Jaune told them all. "And the bill also limits mayoral power to sign off on city contracts, the unions won't be too happy about that. I've already spoken to some of the people here about organizing union protests."

"I've already warned some of the boys down at my union that we may even go on strike." Tony said from the corner of the room.

"A strike? While we're still rebuilding half the city? That could turn a lot of the public against us." Sophia commented.

"It's only a last resort." Paule said from across the room. "Gentleman made it very clear that we're not to organize a strike unless the city doubles down on the bill and tries to circumvent our judges from blocking it. And we're only going on strike towards council related projects, private contracts will continue as planned."

"And if it does get that far I trust you all to call me while I'm away. I won't have our unions organizing a strike unless all three of us agree." Jaune explained to Junior and Roman.

"Alright, so for now we put pressure on the politicians, legally." Junior said.

"Yes, and keep away from the council members. No one try bribing or blackmailing them." Jaune said to all of them. "Goodwitch is on the Council now and I can assure you she's trying to sniff out foul play."

"Understood." Sophia said to him. "As for our other business the Cintara Cartel have announced that they're sending a representative. I think they're going to try and renegotiate our current contract. There's some rumor going around that they've developed some new narcotic, a hallucinogen if the rumors are to be believed, and my contacts in Patch are telling me that the Cartel is offering to invest in some of their pot farms."

"The question is, how long before they're more than just pot farms?" Junior asked.

"That's my worry as well." Sophia agreed.

"Patch is still infested with huntsmen and huntresses, if the Cintara Cartel wants to farm something harder than pot they might find themselves looking at more trouble than they bargained for." Jaune said.

"So we should just ignore this?" Sophia asked.

"For the time being, maybe we should even encourage it. If it's just grass I won't stand in your way in expanding your influence in that market. If we back the Cartel and those growers in Patch we can set conditions, and if they break conditions… well I can make one phone call and the huntsmen will be on them like flies on shit. But what do you know about this new drug? That concerns me more."

"So far it's just rumors." Sophia told him. "Maybe they just started lacing some of their product with some of their other stuff. But if the rumors are true, you can be sure that they'll press the product hard on us, probably try to make us cave on our rules if they can."

"We can't make any calls based on mere rumors. But if the Cartel does approach you with some new product we should remain ironclad in our stance." Junior said.

"Ironclad, but we should probably try to humor them a bit too. Remain steadfast in our stance, but probably show some enthusiasm in their new product. As long as they believe they can get some of it onto our streets that should be good for the time being. It should at least help curb their aggression for the time being."

Junior nodded in agreement. "Very well… but we need to be cautious. We should always be careful when the cartels become ambitious."

"Thankfully the Cartels are all too aware of how strong our current alliance is." Sophia commented. "And with Roman being sworn in as mayor they understand that a great many resources can be brought to bear against them if they make any hostile moves."

"Do you really believe that'll work forever?" Junior asked her. "I just saw some news from Vauco today, the Vibora Cartel set off a car bomb outside a police prescinct just yesterday, they claimed credit for it, they don't even try to hide like we do. They're not like us."

"The Cartels have avoided bringing war to our streets in the past." Jaune said. "Why should that change?"

"In the past things were different." Junior explained. "We were enemies of the Bratva, they were happy to let the Bratva war in the streets for them, things had a chance to change for the Cartel's favor, now… now we're stable, and that means nothing here changes for them."

"The Cartel's are playing the long game for now. We can probably keep them at bay for some time if we act carefully. Besides, as our Triumverate's influence through Vale expands, so does the Bratva, and thus their Cartel's profits." Roman said to them. "We shouldn't worry about them brining war to us any time soon."

Sophia nodded. "Besides, I have heard some rumors that the Sombredo Cartel is gearing up for a war with the Cintara Cartel. As far as the near future is concerned they'll probably be too busy warring with each other to bother trying to aggressively expand into Vale."

"At the end of the day the Cartels are just a problem we'll have to watch and wait for the time being." Jaune said, tired of fretting about something that may not come to pass, and wouldn't come anytime soon. "Is there anything else we need to discuss?"

"A few of our gangs like the Tetsu Hatchetmen and the Vermillion Koi have come to us with some grievances." Junior said, dropping his worries about the Cartels for more pressing concerns. "They're unhappy because they lost some of their territory to the Bratva gangs when we came together."

"It's a good sign that they've decided to come to us with their grievances." Sophia said. "Usually when our gangs have a problem they start fighting each other and causing a scene. It shows that our gangs are respecting the new order of things. I'd like to be generous to them, show the other gangs that this is an example to be followed."

"Encouragement should go a long way." Junior agreed. "But they're asking for quite a bit of territory back, I'd hate for you gangs to feel they've been slighted."

"Naturally, keeping them content is sometimes the greatest challenge. They're like children." Sophia said with a sigh.

"How much territory do you think you can surrender without too much backlash from the neighboring gangs?" Jaune asked Sophia.

"A few blocks deep into my territory." Sophia told him.

"What do most of these gangs do for profit?" Jaune asked Junior.

"Mostly prostitution and trafficking stolen goods, and a little minor gambling." Junior explained. "Apparently a lot of those industrial workers on Sophia's side of town were regular customers."

"I have some ideas of places I could offer them. A few dive bars for girls to work and bookies to place bets and a couple of streets where no one would look twice over someone selling televisions out the back of a van. I'll have to consult the gangs and look at a map before we give them anything."

"Just give the gangs a little bit, something to bring in profits. It might not be the large boost of territory they're hoping for. But it should appease them, and we can appear generous but firm." Jaune suggested.

"How have your gangs been with all of this?" Junior asked him. "Have they all been on their best behavior?"

"So far." Jaune said to them. "But I've had more incentives to keep them in line. I also have fewer gangs to manage than you two. With the Council trying to make Vale look all hunky dory again it isn't hard helping those guys make money in my side of town. Pimps and bookies have no trouble making bank in my neck of the woods."

"Lucky you." Sophia said with a wave of her hand. "Junior and I can probably hash out the finer details while you're on your chip. I trust you won't take issue with us redrawing the lines on our side of the map while you're away."

"It's your territory so I have no issue. But don't hesitate to call me if the gangs start getting rowdy." Jaune told the two of them.

"Don't worry Mr. Arc, we won't hesitate to call you back if there's a problem." Junior assured him.

"Alight, are there any other things to discuss?" Jaune said, giving a glance to Neo. She remained calm and respectful as they conducted their business. But it was clear that her mind was on their bungalow waiting in Mistral.

"There's that real estate project we're going into together." Junior said. "But the paperwork is still being processed on that one. It can certainly wait until your return."

"Then let us be finished." Sophia said. "We've kept you long enough, this was just a formality to square things away before you left."

Jaune nodded and stood up, offering Junior his hand to shake followed by Sophia. "Well then… I'm happy to leave everything in both your capable hands in the meantime."

They both smiled.

"Goodbye Mr. Arc. We'll catch up as soon as you return." Sophia said.

Jaune turned towards Neo, taking her by the arm and leading her out the door. Plenty of the other wiseguys wished him and Neo a pleasant honeymoon as they made their way to the door, smiling and thanking everyone who was there before stepping out into the hallway.

Roman was quick to follow up behind them.

"I don't want you to worry about a thing while you're away." Roman told Jaune. "I'll be keeping my own eye on everything in the meantime."

"Are you sure you can?" Jaune asked Roman with a smirk. "You're mayor now, plenty of work there to keep you busy."

"Oh I still have a few weeks before I have to start walking the straight and narrow." Roman told him with a grin. "Besides, just because I'm not a gangster anymore doesn't mean I have to be blind to how this city really works"

"I feel better already." Jaune said, stepping out into the night air. Their limousine was already waiting to take them to the airport.

"I'm serious." Roman said to him. "I want you to have a good time and not worry Gent, Vale will still be here when you get back. And you're to take for that."

Roman gave Neo a look. "I want you too to go off, be happy, and for a change of pace be kids for a change. Gods know you two have been pulling too much weight for your age already."

"Thanks - Roman." Neo said with a smile.

"Yeah… thanks." Jaune said to him.

"You're welcome… son in law." Roman said with a smirk before he bent down on one knee, taking Jaune's left hand and brining his lips to kiss the ring on his pinky. "And you're welcome, Don Arc."

"I think this is the first time in Vale history that a mayor kissed the ring of the Don of the Torchwick Crime Family." Jaune said, amused and a little taken aback to have Roman of all people showing him the reverence of a Don.

"It's a new world for the Family, Don Arc." Roman said, rising to his feet and flashing his white teeth in a proud grin. "And you're to thank for that."

Jaune returned his smile.

"Now get out of here! Go be married you two!"

Jaune nodded, and Neo tugged him into the limo. He sat down and grinned at her as the vehicle moved, taking the gate out of the estate towards the freeway. He looked out the window towards the city, his city.

Roman was right. Everything he had built would last. He felt his shoulders relax as he prepared for a long leasury flight followed by weeks in paradise.

He wasn't able to stare out the window at the city for long. Neo grabbed him by his tie and pulled him into a long passionate kiss. One that he was happy to get lost into.

THE END

Author's Note:

I'm sorry that it took so long to get this Epilogue out to everyone. Without getting into details life came down hard on me and finding the time and energy to write or edit was quite difficult. So I apologize for making so many of my readers wait for this final note. But I suppose this was merely the cheery to go on top of the cake, I don't think there could have been a better time for such a delay. There are a few tweaks I might want to make to this story later on, but I'm happy that I got the wedding written in a manner I could enjoy.

I'm glad to say this story is finally finished. It's certainly been a labor of love, and while the story certainly has much that could be improved upon I'm glad that so many of you have enjoyed it.

I always liked Gangster movies, and crime dramas, especially during prohibition. Any movie with a sharp dressed guys carrying Tommy guns was something I wanted to watch. And as such I've wanted to make a gangster story, and this fic gave me the outlet I needed. So I suppose this story is a love letter to all those old movies and video games. The world of Remnant certainly gave me an outlet and characters to work with, and of course Roman acting as a perfect Don for my Vale Mafia.

It's been a wild ride, and I'm grateful for you all for sticking it out and reading up until this point. There's a lot I wish that I had been able to work into this story. Naturally I wish I had included Blake and the rest of RWBY and NPR and CFVY more into this story but figuring out where they could fit without was too difficult. I also wanted to include Sun and his skills as a thief, having him work as someone Jaune could call upon who wasn't a gangster but willing and able to steal important items for him. But I couldn't quite think of a way to work that in either. I also wanted to put a little more focus on Cardin and Emerald's relationship. And I naturally wanted to give each and every one of the OCs plenty of time to be fleshed out. I'm actually sorry that Toshi and Kenzo were left by the wayside as everything went on.

I still can't promise if there will be a sequel or not to this story. I certainly have plenty of ideas, between the Cartels, Salem, and Nicky's Father in Atlas I certainly have a lot to work with. And there's a lot I left unsaid between Jaune and Blake and I'd certainly want to explore that in the next story if I ever get to it. But sequel or not I at least wanted this story to stand on it's own and I believe it accomplished that. Sure there's threats looming in the background, but Jaune has risen to the top of Vale's criminal underworld, he's in a position to face those threats.

This was the first story I ever wrote in the first person. And I have to say I think it might be my favorite way to write. It certainly allowed me to delve into Jaune's mindset throughout the story as well as Cardin and Neo's, feeling his fears and doubts through it all. I don't think this story could have worked any other way, if we had been looking at Jaune doing all the things in this story from the outside it'd just seem bizarre. Keeping it all in the first person helped me stay attached to his character through it all. I got so into it that I had trouble writing Saphron's chapters and this epilogue from a third person perspective. If I do get around to writing the sequel story I'll certainly keep like this, with Jaune retelling his story to some person.

And naturally I want to thank my beta readers, especially DrknssRules1. He was listening to me give out ideas for this story and providing many of his own before I even finished Jaune and the Real Girl. He was always willing to provide many good ideas and honestly tell me what he thought or just be someone for me to talk to about this. But more than anything else he helped keep my interest in the story, my best weapon from burnout. If it wasn't for him I would have lost interest in this story long ago. So thank you man, I couldn't have done it without you.

FireFly25 certainly helped me keep my thoughts on all the crime dramas and espionage stories that interested me so much into writing this story and helping me work out the business specifics of the Family and the politics of it all as well. So thank you very much for that.

MajorBrony95 was also a great help in the early days of this story being conceptualized, especially helping me see how Jaune would change as this story went on.

I also give a shout out and thank BigBrain411. He was rather late to the game but he was a very hard worker when it came to beta reading and always having ideas for me to use if I wished. He certainly helped me think out Boris and his semblance and other details and was always an ear I could turn to.

The rest of my beta readers I owe my thanks to as well. You were all helpful, you all helped my mind stay on track, and you all helped this story become something that I'm rather proud of. So this one last time I'd like to give thanks to all of you and all your help. So thank you MidKnightMoonglow99, Iownnick67, Cyperink, CrypidCobra, TheSlySage. You all helped me in one way or another.

I'd also like to thank Rak-Vojak for translating this story into Russian for others to enjoy despite how crazy the world is right now.

And I'd like to thank the guys over at Fan x Fiction for making audio-dramas of the next several chapters and I hope to see them making more videos of other work in the future.

And I want to thank all of you for giving this story a chance and seeing it all the way through. I thought this story idea was a bit out there, but I'm happy to hear that so many of you loved it, that so many of you shared my love for gangster dramas or discovered an interest. I can't you how many times I was messaged by someone who told me they decided to watch The Godfather or Scarface. So thank you all for reading, and I hope to keep making stories for you in the future.