Chapter 8

oOoOo

Tifa Lockhart glanced over her shoulder when she heard someone knocking on the door of her bar. She stopped wiping the glasses clean with a washcloth and then walked over to the door. She stopped for a moment, jerking in surprise when lightning flashed from outside, followed by the sound of roaring thunder. It had been raining nonstop for seven days already. “Seven days… and it’s already been seven days since Cloud and those two children had gone missing.” She thought with a worried look on her face as she continued her way to the door. She carefully opened it, cautious not to let any of the water in. She was surprised to see Rufus Shinra standing in the rain with a white umbrella and looking like a wet puppy. “…Rufus!” she exclaimed.

“May I come in?” he asked.

She immediately stepped aside to let him in, not caring anymore whether he was drenched and was dripping everywhere inside her bar. She shut the door and locked it again before turning to assist him. “I can see you can finally walk properly now, but why did you insist on coming here?” she asked.

Rufus shut the umbrella and handed it to her as he kept a straight face. “Didn’t I say that I’d check on you here everyday ever since Cloud disappeared?” he asked.

Tifa blinked and suddenly, she could not fight the urge to smile. “Oh. Yes. Of course. I’d never forget that.” she said softly.

He just smiled slightly at her.

She moved aside and gestured for him to just stay where he is. “Stay put, I’ll get you some towels.” She said before rushing upstairs to get some towels.

He obeyed, just observing the whole bar as he waited for her to return. When she arrived back at the bar, she was carrying 2 clean towels and handed them to him so that he could at least dry himself up for a bit. “You could’ve at least sent your Turks here. Now you’re going to get sick again.” she said.

“I don’t really mind.” He answered nonchalantly.

“You don’t mind getting sick?” she asked in awe.

“Well, that… and I don’t mind coming here on my own. I needed to exercise my legs. Where are Marlene and Denzel?” he asked.

She just smiled calmly as she helped in drying his hair. “They’re upstairs playing. There are no classes today because of the very bad weather.” She explained.

“I see.” Rufus said, and then they both jerked slightly when lightning struck again and was followed by loud thunder. “It’s good that those children aren’t afraid of lightning and thunder.” He pointed out.

“I think they’ve gotten used to it by now.” She said with a weak smile on her face. “Would you like something warm to drink?” she asked.

“Sure. But can I change into something dry first? I’m sure Cloud has some spare clothing upstairs…” he said.

“Yes, you may.” She said, chuckling lightly.

Rufus took a deep breath and pulled out his mobile phone from his pocket and handed it to Tifa. “Maybe you can find a way to dry this thing too.” he said with a weak smile on his face.

She giggled. “Sure, sure. But even if it’s ruined, you can easily buy a new one, right?” she asked, winking at him before going over to the counter.

He smiled as he watched her walk away from him. “It can wait.” He said before going to the stairs. “In other news, still no sign of Cloud and the two strange children.” Rufus pointed out.

Tifa took a deep breath and rolled her eyes. “I don’t know, Rufus. I’ve stopped worrying somehow. I just keep thinking that maybe Cloud took those two to the Gold Saucer or maybe they’re off to find the parents or something…” she explained.

“You’ve got a positive outlook.” He remarked before he reached the second floor and began to look for Cloud’s room, leaving Tifa downstairs to see if his mobile phone was still working properly.

Suddenly, she heard someone knocking frantically at the front door. She wondered who it was and she hurriedly ran to it and opened it. Her eyes widened in surprise when she recognized who the people were. “…Oh my goodness…” she said softly.

Cloud smiled weakly at her. “Tifa! Hi.” He greeted stiffly.

Tifa’s gaze shifted over to Yazoo, then to Aerith, then Zack, and then to Lavinia. When she saw Lavinia, she could not help but stare at her. The little girl was staring at her too and she appeared happy to see her. Tifa thought that she was staring at herself as a little girl once more as she was looking at Lavinia, except that this little girl before her had blonde hair.

Tifa then looked at the baby that Cloud was holding, and then shifted her gaze over to the baby that Aerith was holding.

“Please let us in.” Cloud said with a pleading tone. It surprised Tifa that he had spoken to her that way and he seemed to be extremely worried about something.

Without saying anything, she stepped aside to let them in, but she was eyeing Aerith, Yazoo and Zack in disbelief. “Am I seeing things? Why are they…” she stammered as she shut the door. She blinked several times as she kept her gaze to the floor before turning to look at them again.

“They’re real, Tifa.” Cloud began.

She turned to him with in an inquiring look on her face.

He smiled calmly at her as he approached her and showed her the baby that he was carrying. “I’d like you to meet Roxas. He’s my son. And that’s Sora over there with Aerith. They’re twins.” He said proudly.

Tifa still looked dumbfounded and confused.

“Uhm… I think you should explain to her first how we got here and why you’re suddenly a father, Cloud.” Zack suggested with a weak smile on his face.

Cloud’s smile faded a little. “Oh. Right. Sorry about that…” he mumbled before taking a deep breath and spoke up to her again, “You’re not seeing things. To make the long story short, those two kids I brought home here are little devils. I know it’s hard to believe it at first but…” he stammered.

“Wait a moment… did you say those kids you brought home 7 days ago were the reason why you didn’t come home for a long time? Where are they now?” Tifa demanded. She was suddenly more concerned with “Teddy” and “Sam” than with Cloud. She then shifted her gaze to Aerith who was looking at her with a puzzled look on her face. “And… in 7 days you and Aerith have children already?” she asked in disbelief.

“It’s been 7 days here?” Cloud asked in surprise before turning to Zack in bewilderment. “I thought I’ve been gone for more than 9 months!” he pointed out.

Yazoo shrugged. “Looks like we were really transported into another dimension created by someone’s mind.” He mumbled before turning to Lavinia. He noticed that she had been staring at Tifa in a loving manner, the way a daughter would stare at her beloved mother. He smiled and gently stroked her long blonde hair. She looked up at him and smiled happily.

“There you have it. The explanation coming straight from Yazoo’s mouth.” Cloud told Tifa.

Tifa was still in a state of shock until Rufus arrived, although he was still wearing his wet clothes. “I don’t like his clothes, they’re all black and they smell like mothballs…” he trailed off when he saw the familiar people standing before his eyes.

Tifa breathed in. “Rufus, you can see them too, can’t you?” she asked.

He just stood still as he stared back at Aerith, Yazoo and Zack. “Yes, I can perfectly see them…” he turned his gaze to Cloud and he was smiling at him.

“Hey, Rufus. How’s it going?” Cloud asked.

Sora began to cry and Roxas followed.

“Oh dear. We have to change their clothes to keep them warm. I don’t want them getting sick! They were just born a few hours ago!” Aerith said in a panicky manner.

“What? But… whose children are those?” Rufus asked.

Cloud walked over to the stairs. “Let’s go upstairs, Aerith.” He said.

Zack smiled at Tifa and Rufus. “While the new parents are changing their babies’ clothes, let me do the explaining to you and Tifa instead.” He said.

Tifa nodded slowly. “Alright… but... dry yourselves up first and I’ll switch on the heater system.” She said. She suddenly remembered that her new guests were still soaked from the rain when she noticed the blonde little girl who was looking at her with an admiring gaze. For some reason, she felt drawn to the little girl.

Rufus, on the other hand, also could not help but stare the blonde little girl who was looking at Tifa lovingly. He shifted his gaze to Tifa and realized how much she resembled the little girl, except that the little girl had blonde hair. He walked over to the little girl and draped one of the drier towels over her shoulder.

Lavinia looked up at Rufus, surprised at first, but then she smiled.

Yazoo smiled lightly. “This is Lavinia.” He introduced.

Rufus raised his eyebrows and smiled pleasantly at her. “Lavinia. It’s nice to meet you. Dry yourself up, will you?” he asked as he patted her head before heading over to Zack. “Start explaining.” He commanded sternly.

Zack just grinned and with that, he began to narrate what happened…

oOoOo

The rain stopped by evening and the skies cleared up immediately, making way for a showcase of stars and the full moon.

Tifa was helped by Marlene and Zack in preparing dinner while Rufus watched the evening news with Lavinia in the living room area. Cloud and Denzel attended to Aerith, helping her in taking care and looking after Sora and Roxas as she rested.

Yazoo was the only one who was not doing anything after he had set the table. When he got bored, he went over to the living room to join Rufus and Lavinia. The two seemed to enjoy very much what they were doing, discussing about business and the stock market. Yazoo was just glad that Lavinia could be completely happy already, although it was still hard for Tifa, Rufus, Denzel and Marlene to believe the story that Zack had told them earlier.

What more if Barret, Yuffie, Vincent and Cid would arrive sometime and would see Aerith alive? And Zack too? “Don’t forget about me. I’m supposed to be the enemy here…” Yazoo was thinking as he sat down on the other couch.

Rufus did not seem to mind him too much as he continued to talk to Lavinia, “You seem to be knowledgeable in business and the stock market.” He remarked, impressed that a 9 year-old girl like her is already knowledgeable and interested in the things that he happens to like to discuss with fellow business-minded people like Tifa.

She smiled proudly. “My daddy is a businessman.” She explained.

Rufus blinked. “I see. Is he someone I know?” he asked.

Yazoo recalled that Zack did not discuss in too much detail about the Others. He just mentioned Sephiroth, Kadaj, Kairi, Samara and Theodore wanting to use them to be united as one and meet their mother. Yazoo crossed his arms and looked at the TV. “I can be at ease now, I guess… away from Kadaj.” He thought to himself before looking at Rufus and Lavinia again. “I’m starting a new life here… with these people.” He thought. And looking at Lavinia, he realized how much he wanted to protect her. “I’ll never let that happen again…” he thought with a slight smile on his face.

“It’s dinnertime!” Tifa called out from the kitchen.

Lavinia’s face lit up when she heard Tifa’s voice. “Dinner!” she exclaimed happily as she jumped off from the sofa and dragged Rufus with her to the dining room. “Hey, slow down!” Rufus pointed out.

Yazoo took a deep breath and sighed, smiling in relief before turning off the television set.

oOoOo

It was near midnight and Cloud was still awake and seated by his window while reading a book on parenthood—something which he never thought he would read sometime in the future. He found it in Barret’s room just stashed underneath his pile of other unread books about weapons and politics.

Aerith was cradling Roxas in her arms and singing a lullaby to him while Sora lay asleep just beside her.

In no time, Roxas fell asleep and she carefully got up and placed him in his cradle. Just when she was about to get Sora and place him in his own cradle just beside Roxas’, she heard someone knocking at the door. She jerked slightly, surprised with the knock. Even Cloud was surprised. They had become accustomed to hearing knocks and associating them with Kadaj, Kairi, Theodore or Samara.

Aerith was hesitant at first but she said, “Come in,”

The door slowly opened and there was Lavinia dressed in pink pajamas. She had a sweet smile on her face as she entered and closed the door.

Aerith and Cloud calmed down upon seeing her. “Lavinia, you’re still awake?” she asked.

She skipped over to the cradle and took a peek at Roxas sleeping soundly. “I just want to see your babies before I go to sleep.” She said softly, careful not to wake the babies up.

Aerith smiled as she went over to the bed to carry Sora over to his cradle. “How do you find living here so far?” she asked.

Lavinia moved away from the cradle and walked over to Cloud so that she could look outside the window and look at the stars. “I’m happy here. I can still see the stars. Besides, mommy and daddy are here too… although I’m not supposed to call them mommy and daddy for now. But still, I’m happy because I’m with them… and Yazoo too! And of course, the babies are safe, which makes me happy too!” She said brightly.

Cloud observed the happy smile on her face. “Tell me, Lavinia… why did you decide to push us into the Mako reactor?” he asked.

She looked up at him curiously. “Is that bad?” she asked, feeling nervous all of a sudden.

“No. It’s not. But you basically helped us even if it meant betraying the trust of Kadaj.” Cloud pointed out.

Lavinia smiled sweetly at him before looking away and she gazed up at the stars again. “I did promise that I’d be a good girl, right?” she asked.

Aerith recalled telling her that if she would be a good girl, she would be able to see her parents again. She smiled calmly and walked over to Lavinia. Lavinia turned around just in time when she knelt down before her and embraced her. Lavinia was surprised at first but she embraced Aerith back.

“Thank you very much, Lavinia.” Aerith said softly. “You’re a little angel.” She added.

Lavinia smiled softly as she embraced Aerith back. “Sephiroth will never hurt you again.” she whispered. And then her lips curled into a disdainful pout. “I will never let him hurt you again…” she hissed softly.

Cloud’s smile faded when he heard that.

By the time Lavinia moved away from Aerith, she was smiling again even as she went over to the door. She opened it and there was Tifa standing outside with a surprised look on her face. Tifa smiled at her. “I knew you’d be here. You’d better sleep now. It’s really late.” She told her.

Lavinia just giggled and went behind Tifa.

Aerith smiled at Tifa.

Tifa stared at Aerith for a moment and then smiled. “It’s really nice to have you around here again. I gotta admit… I missed having you around.” She said solemnly.

Aerith chuckled lightly. “You’ll finally have more manpower here with me around. I can now help you with chores.” She said in a lighthearted manner.

Tifa giggled before shifting her gaze to Cloud. “Well then, I hope you make her comfortable in your small messy room.” She pointed out in a nagging manner which made him frown.

“By the way, where is Lavinia going to sleep? Is there still room for her in Denzel and Marlene’s room?” Aerith asked.

“Oh. She’s staying with me in my room.” Tifa decided before stepping backwards to close the door. “Well then, I’d better tuck her in now. Good night.” She said before shutting the door. With that, she led Lavinia back to her room.

Lavinia climbed onto Tifa’s bed and just when Tifa was placing the blanket over her, she kissed her cheek. Tifa was stunned at first but she calmed down when she saw the sweet smile on Lavinia’s face. “What was that for?” she asked.

“I always kiss my mommy goodnight whenever she tucks me in. You look so much like my mommy.” Lavinia answered.

Tifa was puzzled at first but her thoughts were interrupted when she heard Yazoo from downstairs in her bar, sounding the bell—a signal that there are newcomers. Tifa just smiled at her and gently patted her cheek. “Good night, Lavinia.” She said gently before switching off the lamplight and rushed downstairs again to her bar. When she arrived at her bar, she saw Yuffie standing by the counter and eyeing Yazoo suspiciously. “Oh you’re here again!” she exclaimed.

Yuffie turned her gaze over to Tifa. “What’s this guy doing here?” she asked.

Tifa just smiled weakly. “Long story.” She said.

Zack came out from the kitchen area carrying a tray of mugs filled with beer. “This is for table 2…” he trailed off when he saw Yuffie. He stared at her for moment before gathering enough guts to smile at her since he still felt traumatized from the Other Yuffie.

Yuffie smiled brightly at him. “Hi.” She greeted before rushing to Tifa. “Who’s the hunk?” she whispered to her.

Tifa just smiled weakly. “He’s… Zack. He’s Cloud’s friend from way back in SOLDIER.” She explained.

Yuffie turned back to him and smiled sweetly. “SOLDIER, you say? I’m Yuffie.” She said, offering a handshake as she rushed to him.

He smiled pleasantly at her before shifting his gaze to Yazoo who was smirking at him. This is definitely a new life for them… and they would not let “big brother” bother them anymore.

oOoOo

-the end?-

Author’s Note: This story started on impulse while drinking coffee in Starbucks one December afternoon. I was waiting for my cousin’s class to finish and she left her laptop with me and I just began to type away the rest of the hours before going home, therefore, ending up with a fic like this. It’s been around 3 months already ever since I finished this but I only found time to edit and proofread the whole thing just yesterday evening.