Summary:
Sequel to Life, As It Is Now. A year and a half have gone by and Vincent and Tifa are living in Icicle Inn. With a baby on the way, they couldn't be more happier. Barret calls and tells them that he's planning a reunion...
Disclaimer:
I do not own Final Fantasy VII in any way, shape or form. If I did, I wouldn't be writing this.
Author's Note:
Well, here you go! The long awaited sequel to Life, As It Is Now. I hope all of you like this. You know what everyone says about sequels, right? About them not being as good but I hope, in this case, that's not correct. It took me many moons of deep thought before I got enough material together to even call it a chapter. But, I hope that it isn't too short. I'll have the next chapter up, hopefully, before the end of Christmas Break. I'll also be updating a few of my other stories like Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid. (If any of you haven't read them already!)
Well, enough of my banter! I hope you enjoy the sequel!
Our Life, As It Is Now
By: Jenna Mogavero
Chapter I:
The Phonecall
"Who was that, Tifa?" Came Vincent's voice from the upstairs bedroom.
I put the phone back on the receiver and began to slowly climb the stairs.
After Vincent and I got married, I handed over 7th Heaven to Travis and Krissy and moved to Icicle Inn with Vincent. I got a job working at the desk of the town's inn. It paid well and gave me something to do in my spare time. Vincent got a mercenary job, preferably monster hunting. Once a month he would go to Gongaga, Kalm, or Junon and get rid of the monsters in the area. He was paid rather handsomely, but the only thing I didn't like about it was he would be gone for at least a week or two at a time.
I reached the top of the stairs and stopped in the doorway of our room. Vincent was getting ready to leave for Junon. I stood and watched him pack a small duffel bag with a few of his belongings. He stopped and looked at me.
I took a deep breath and stepped into the room. "That was Barret. He's planning a get together and he wants us to come."
Vincent looked down at the floor before looking back up at me. "Not in your present condition," he said, before getting back to packing.
"But why?" I asked, anger starting to rise in my voice. "Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean that I'm helpless!"
Vincent turned and looked at me before walking towards me. He circled his arms around my waist. "I know you're not helpless. I just don't think it's a good idea."
"Why? We haven't seen any of them since our wedding. That was almost a year and a half ago! Come on! " I said, wrapping my arms around his neck.
He smiled as he let go of me and returned to his bag, zipping it up. He slung it over his shoulder and strode over to a television hutch that held anything but a TV. He pulled it open to reveal all of his guns. He pulled out his large hunting rifle, a small handgun and an automatic; for extreme emergencies. Vincent hardly ever used his automatics. He put the handgun and the automatic into his bag and put his arm through the rifle's shoulder strap and set it behind him.
"How long are you going to be gone?" I asked as I followed him out of the room and back down the stairs.
"No more then a week," he said, descending the stairs.
"Good," I said, stopping on the very bottom step. "That'll give us a few days to get ready. The reunion is going to be in Corel. The grand opening of a new banquet hall is a week from tomorrow. Barret said if we do come we could stay with him in his house. I'll call him later and tell him we're coming."
Vincent sighed and walked towards me. "I still don't think it's a good idea. You have to think about the baby."
"I do," I said, circling my arms around his neck. "I still have another two months before my due date. I'll even tell Barret to bubble wrap the guest room." I paused as he chuckled a small amount at my comment. "I mean, come on! Probably none of them know that I'm pregnant."
He smiled as he looked away from me for a few moments. He sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "Fine."
I giggled as I squeezed him tightly. He gently enveloped me and ran his hands along my back. He backed up one step and grabbed my hands from their place around his neck. He intertwined his fingers with mine and kissed both my hands gently.
"I love you," he whispered, leaning forward and kissing me softly on the lips. "Be careful while I'm gone."
"I will," I said, smiling, giving his hands a light squeeze before letting them go. "I love you too. Come back soon."
He kissed me one more time then grabbed his duffel bag and walked out the front door. I walked over to the window and watched as he disappeared behind the house. He reappeared a moment later on the back of my gold chocobo, Seraph. He rode her out into the street and looked back at me, waving, before taking off and disappearing.
I smiled as I walked away from the window and back over to the phone. I set myself down in a soft chair and dialed Barret's number. It rang a few times then Barret Wallace's gruff voice picked up. "Hello?"
"Hi, Barret! It's Tifa!" I said, smiling.
"Hey! Well, did you talk with Vincent about comin' to the reunion?" He asked, hopefulness in his voice.
"Yes, I did."
"Well?" He said, his voice impatient. "Wha' did he say?"
"He said no at first, but after a little persuasion I eventually got him to say yes. When do you want Vincent and I to come down to Corel?" I asked, getting out a small piece of paper and pen.
"Well, today's Thursday isn't it?" He asked, a small amount of confusion in his voice. "When do you 'xpect Vincent gettin' back from Junon?"
"Probably next Wednesday or Thursday, maybe earlier," I said, tapping the end of the pen down on the paper.
"Well, I want you to give Vincent a little relaxation time before you travel here, so, just plan on comin' down late Thursday night or early Friday mornin'. I'll get the guest room all set for you guys."
"Thank you so much, Barret. It feels like I haven't seen you in years. I can't wait to see everybody again," I said, scribbling down a few things on the piece of paper.
"Aw, no problem, Tifa. I bet everybody'll be really happy ta see you again." He paused and cleared his throat. "Tifa, I was jus' wonderin'."
"What is it, Barret?" I asked, setting the pen down.
"I was jus' wonderin'," he said, like the question he was about to ask was something a little too personal. "When are you an' Vincent gonna have a baby?"
I smiled as I placed my hand on my round belly. "Well, in about two months now."
"Really?" Barret said, his voice full of excitement. "Do you know if it's a boy or girl yet?"
"No," I said, shaking my head. "Vincent and I decided to wait until the baby was born to find out the gender."
"Aw shucks! Well, congratulations Tifa!"
"Thanks, Barret. Oh, and will you do me a favor?" I asked, tapping my fingernails on the polished wood of the small table.
"Anythin'."
"Don't tell anyone else that I'm pregnant until I see them, okay? I don't want to spoil the surprise."
"Oh, sure. You can count on me, Tifa. Well, I better get goin'. I havta make reservations for the reunion. I'll talk ta ya later."
"Okay, Barret. Bye," I said, hanging up the phone and setting it back on the receiver.
I leaned back and smiled. The next few days were going to go by so slow.