Disclaimer: Clearly I do not own FFVII and anything related to it or else I wouldn't be making a fanfic. I'm not worth suing anyways.
Author's Note: This is my first official fanfic so I can promise you it's not perfect. More chapters to come so please review and constructive criticism is welcomed. On with the fic!
The Houseguest
Chapter 1: The Homecoming and The Dress
Aeris stepped out the backdoor of her home and was greeted by the warm morning sunlight. Basket in hand she kneeled in her flowerbed and meticulously began to weed and water the flowers. This morning ritual helped her start her day off right and allowed her get chance to work outside before the scorching summer sun was directly overhead. A cool breeze swirled through the garden as Aeris hummed sweetly to herself unaware of the soft sound of approaching footsteps. "There," she whispered to her plants as she placed her gardening tools back into her basket, "with a little more care you'll have beautiful blooms in no time."
"But their beauty will never compare with that of their caretaker." His voice though familiar startled Aeris making her jump as she turned around to leave the garden. "Zack!" Aeris exclaimed jumping to her feet to embrace him. "I thought you weren't going to be back home for another month?" "So did I but the mission was completed much sooner than expected so I pulled a few strings and I here I am!" Zack responded before kissing her sweetly on the cheek.
"I see that you've been busy, as always, judging by how many plants you have growing. Last time I was home the ground was a muddy mess yet you've managed to turn the yard into another masterpiece, Love." He kissed her once more this time passionately on the lips. "You know me, as soon as the first sign of spring arrives I'm hard at work in the garden." Replied the now blushing Aeris and headed towards the house. "How about I make us some tea and we catch up on the last few months?" Aeris offered as she pulled open the backdoor and stepped inside the house. Zack had other things on his mind than talking about the last few months as he intently watched her walk away. "Yeah…. Yeah, c-catching up would be great." He stammered and followed his beautiful flower girl into the house.
The little house in Midgar, which Aeris called home, wasn't much but just enough for two people especially if one of which was gone most of the time. The first floor of the house had four main rooms: a kitchen/dinning area, den, laundry room, and bathroom none of which were every big. Aeris wouldn't have it any other way; she enjoyed the cozy charm of the small simplistic home. As for the upstairs there were two bedrooms (a master bedroom, Aeris's, and a guest bedroom which Zack stayed in) on either side of the hallway and a bathroom at the end of the hall.
Aeris walked into her charming little kitchen and put the kettle on to make tea. Zack who walked in not more than a moment later came up behind her and started kissing on his lover's neck. "I've missed you, Baby." He whispered in her ear as he pressed up against her backside. "I can tell." She giggled as she pushed him back. "Aww…don't push me away, Aeris. I just got home. I mean didn't you miss me?" Zack replied as his hormone-induced trance broke. He was only half serious since he knew that even though Aeris had missed him very much, she had self-control and held strong onto her morals. In the time that Zack had known Aeris, he had yet to witness her in anything less than a one-piece bathing suit.
"Of course I missed you, Sweetie, but you know how I want to wait for the right moment for what you have in mind." Aeris said sweetly with a smile. Zack sighed and sat down at the kitchen table. "I know, but you're just so beautiful, I can't help myself." He teased as he lead up to what he had to say next. "We have more important things do to than fool around in the kitchen anyways. " Zack cut off to grab Aeris's attention. "And what would that be?" Aeris questioned raising her eyebrow. She knew that when Zack cut off the rest of what he was going to say that he had some kind of news, good or bad, to share with her and wanted to pique her interest. Aeris sat across from him and waited for Zack to share what was on his mind. "Well, how should I say this...?" He paused again.
"Zack, you're such a tease!" Aeris playfully slapped his arm bidding him to stop the torture and go on. "Alright, alright. I know you were looking forward sharing cups of hot tea and spending the rest of the day snuggled up in each other's arms but I'm sorry to disappoint you, Aeris. I just can't let you do that when I have reservations at the best restaurant in town!" On that note Aeris jumped and squealed with joy at the same exact moment the kettle shot out steam causing Aeris to jump for second time before realizing what happened and turning off the stove. "The Diamond Star!" Zack nodded and smiled as Aeris hugged him to show her appreciation.
"How did you get them? Isn't it impossible to get in there? Oh my! What am I going to wear? I don't have much time? What time are the reservations anyways? Oh wow! Oh no!" The normally serene Aeris's mind raced franticly with excitement. "Relax, Baby. The reservations are for 8 PM which gives you plenty of time go out and buy a new outfit for this evening." Zack lovingly reassured her. "I couldn't let you do that. I'd be able to find something here I'm sure." Aeris was back to her composed self now. "Nonsense, I just finished an assignment so I have the money besides I want everything to be perfect and you to feel like a princess." Aeris reluctantly agreed.
Aeris stared out the window of the buggy and wondered just what Zack meant by "I want everything to be perfect." Could this be the night she was waiting for? Was Zack finally going to propose to her? For the second time in 24 hours Aeris's mind raced with so many thoughts that she barely said a word to Tifa on the ride to Midgar's Market Place Mall.
"Aeris? Aeris, are you okay?" A concerned Tifa asked while shaking her friend's arm. Aeris hated to shop alone and knew that, though she loves Zack, a woman's opinion was better than that of a man's when it came to clothing so she asked her long time friend Tifa to join her. "Hmm?" Aeris looked from the window to her friend, which she completely forgot was there. "Oh, sorry, Tifa. I was just thinking." "About what? Zacky-poo?" Being a true woman Tifa just had to know what was on her friend's mind.
Aeris blushed and nodded. "Yes, about Zacky-poo. It's just that he told me he wanted 'everything to be perfect' and I'm wondering well…" "You're wondering if he's going to finally ask you to marry him? I bet he will. I mean you've been together for so long." "I know. I'm so nervous though." Aeris responded as the pulled into the mall parking lot. "Don't be. Lets just go find the perfect dress for your perfect evening and have a little fun while we're at it." Tifa winked at her friend as they walked into the automatic double doors leading into the mall
One hundred dresses and three hours later, Aeris finally found the perfect dress. The dress was what every female dreams about finding, it flattered her figure by hugging all the right places and detracting from her flaws. The simple midnight blue dress was soft and cascaded smoothly down her body. The neckline was lower than modest little Aeris was used to and it took some convincing on Tifa's part to get Aeris to purchase this classy halter-top dress that hit just above the ankles. "Come on, show a little skin Aeris, the man deserves it. It's not like you're 14 years old and it fits you like a glove. You want it to be perfect right? Besides it's on sale you couldn't ask for a better deal." Tifa persuaded.
The two friends parted around shortly after Aeris discovered the right shoes for that perfect dress. Once at home Aeris said a brief hello to Zack, who enthralled in some sports game on TV, and threw herself into her room where she quickly went to work on preparing herself for the evening ahead. For the duration of the long and arduous task of getting ready one reoccurring question resonated in the back of Aeris's mind, "Is tonight the night?"