I wanted to thank those who have fav'd/followed/and reviewed so far. And your reviews are awesome. thank you for the wonderful compliments. there are a few things I wanted to clear up. Cloud and Tifa are a couple, but they haven't tied the knot just yet. Also, the day Cloud finds out he's going to be a dad is not on his Birthday. I have something special planned for that day in this story. ;) I also wanted to announce that the results for the votes were unanimous. Everyone wanted Zack and Aerith back, so here they are. So, the storyline will stick closely to canon, but with the twist of those two being alive. I'm glad everyone's enjoying this so far and I hope you enjoy what's to come. also wanted to give a head's up to some slight OOCness in this chapter on Cloud's part, but he just found out he's going to be a Dad. Anyone would be OOC to that kind of news. xD

Later that night a swordsman approached the church that still stood in Midgar. He had gotten a worrying phone call and was told that he was the only one who could help. He was the only one in the group that had known Cloud the longest aside from Tifa, so it made sense. Besides, what kind of friend would Zack be if he wasn't there for his favorite chocobo?

As he approached the entrance he noticed the motorcycle confirming he was right about his friend's whereabouts. However, he wasn't prepared for the state his friend was in when he stepped inside.

Zack had never known his friend to panic, well at least not since his early days as a cadet. Now it was almost like he had stepped back in time and the seasoned warrior before him was once again the nervous, fidgety young rookie.

Cloud didn't even notice Zack enter as he paced around the spring that was near the head of the church. He was too busy mumbling to himself. His eyes held a distant look, concluding that while he was physically here, his mind was definitely elsewhere. With Zack's enhanced hearing caught some of what his friend said which only made it that much harder for him not to laugh. His friend was making no sense what-so-ever.

With a look if pure sympathy Zack approached him and placed a gentle hand on the blonde's shoulder. That had been a mistake. The world spun around the raven-haired swordsman until he found himself laying flat on his back with the business end of the Fusion Sword about an inch from his nose.

"Whoa, easy there Spiky, it's just me."

"Zack?" the blonde confirmed before pulling his weapon back. "Don't DO that!"

Zack sat up and brushed some dirt off his arm. "Sorry, you usually know when I sneak up from behind. Tifa's been worried about you. You haven't said two words to her since she broke the news to ya."

Cloud sat down on one of the pews and held his head in his hands, running his fingers through his spiky hair. "I know, I'm so horrible!"

Zack's easy-going smirk faded and was replaced with a sense of worry. He got up and sat down next to his friend. "Hey, you should be happy. You're going to be a father!"

"I know, and I'm completely terrified."

Zack blinked in utter confusion. "Scared? What's there to be scared of?"

"I don't know the first thing about being a father. I never had one, what if I mess up? what if I'm too harsh or too easy?"

Zack couldn't help but laugh. This caused his friend to look up at him and Zack stopped when he saw his friend's expression. That look scared the ex-SOLDIER and he instantly felt horrible. If he didn't know better, it looked like his friend was on the verge of tears. Zack had to dispel his friend's worries and fast.

"Cloud, you're going to be a great dad. You shouldn't even be worried."

"How do you know that Zack? I have no experience with raising kids."

"What about Denzel and Marlene? You took care of them pretty well. I wouldn't be surprised if Denzel doesn't think of you as his dad already."

"Denzel and Marlene are older. I mean raising a little kid. I don't know the first thing about toddlers or babies."

Zack let out a loud sigh and shook his head. "Cloud, listen to me. You are going to be fine. Your kid's gonna love you no matter what and I can't promise there won't be bad days. But there will be plenty of good days and I bet they'll be more common."

"You're just saying that to calm me down."

"No, I'm not. Listen to me!" Zack turned Cloud until he was forced to look him in the eye.

"I can say without a doubt that you'll be a great Dad. The perfect Dad for this kid. How do I know? Because I've already seen that you have what it takes!"

"What are you talking about?" Cloud retorted.

"You're one of the strongest fighters I've ever seen, so your kid will feel safe when you're around because you'll always be there to protect them. You're the best friend I've ever had so you'll be the perfect person for them to run to when they're upset and need a shoulder to cry on. You're strict and tough as nails when I have my crazy moments and you never let me get out of hand so you won't be a pushover to the kid, at least, as long as they don't use the puppy eyes on you, but even then you won't make it easy for them. You're smarter than most so helping them with homework will be a breeze and just...just...Dammit Cloud, you're going to be FINE!"

Cloud just stared at his friend. Zack was being dead serious about this. The blonde's gaze drifted downward as he finally managed to get ahold of himself. "I'm sorry,...it's just a lot to take in."

Zack relaxed a bit and let go of his friend's shoulders, "I don't blame you for being scared, but this is a good thing. It's not a doom's day threat. It's an amazing gift, and there's no one I can think of more deserving than you. You're gonna be an awesome father."

Cloud kept his gaze at the floor as a smile slowly appeared. "I'm going to be a father..." He looked up and Zack sighed in relief when he saw the excited smile on his friend's face.

. . .

Back at the bar Tifa was at the counter, sitting on a stool and drinking an ice tea which Aerith had poured for her. "If I knew it wasn't gonna harm the little one I'd be getting drunk one right now," she said as she sipped her tea.

Aerith smiled in sympathy for her as she sipped from her own tea. "Zack will find him, don't worry."

"Don't worry?" Tifa asked in a shocked tone. "He didn't even say anything to me. He just turned around and left. He didn't even bother to deliver his last two packages. I had to call the clients and apologize for the delay! Lousy punk. He walks out on me and I still save his ass. I should have let him clean up his own mess." With that she chugged down the rest of her tea, wishing it was liquor.

Aerith merely shook her head as she poured her some more ice tea from the pitcher. "Tifa, you can't blame Cloud for his reaction."

"And why not? He should have scooped me up in his arms or something, not turn on his heel and walce out the door. The worst part is, he's too clueless to know how he made me feel! I swear, if he takes off and goes away again I'll hunt him down and drag him back by his spiky hair kickin' and screamin' if I have to!" And down went another gulp.

Aerith sniffed her glass of tea to make sure it wasn't laced with alcohol. Tifa wasn't exactly acting sober, but then again, she was more than a little hurt, not to mention angry and she couldn't blame her friend for that.

"Tifa, remember your childhood. Did you have a father growing up?"

"Yeah, sure I did," she replied.

"Did Cloud?"

At this Tifa paused as realization hit her like a hard slap in the face. "Oh Gaia, Aerith! That's why he left!" Her forehead hit the counter with a loud 'thunk'. "I'm such an idiot!"

The sound of a motorcycle caught their attention and Tifa frowned when she only heard one, and then a second rumble was heard. The two engines grew louder before the sound cut off, signalling that both had stopped. Aerith only smiled, "See? Leave it to Zack."

Tifa was a bit envious of Aerith. It was so obvious that she and Zack were perfectly made for each other. They never seemed to have any problems, well at least nowhere near the constant issues that Tifa and Cloud seemed to have. It was like there was a different issue every other day. Sometimes Tifa wondered if she really knew Cloud at all. Today had been one of those times.

The door opened and Tifa sighed anxiously as she heard two sets of footsteps enter, however she kept her back turned. Part of her was afraid to look at him.

Zack had stepped to the side next to Aerith, both had agreed to give their friends a little space.

Cloud stood a few feet behind her. "Tifa?"

"It's a little late to take it back, so like it or not, you're stuck with this kid," she replied, pain and spite clear in her tone.

"Then,...I'll consider myself blessed."

Tifa turned then, taken aback by the look in his eyes. His expression was soft, and there was no hiding the joy in his eyes. They seemed to glow, not with mako, but with hope.

"C-cloud? A-are you okay?" she asked.

Before she knew what was happening she was being picked up and spun. Cloud was holding her ever so gently in his arms. "I don't remember the last time I felt like this. You've given me the best gift anyone could ever receive. I have a family again and it's all thanks to you!"

Another pair of footsteps entered the bar and the young boy wondered if he had walked into an alternate reality of if he was still dreaming. "What's going on?" he asked.

Aerith was giggling and Zack couldn't tame his enormous grin, that wasn't too strange. What unnerved Denzel was his two guardians. Tifa's face was bright red as Cloud spun her around in his arms and he was...laughing?

The group turned to look at the kid who seemed completely confused. Cloud set Tifa down and she approached him with a warm smile. "Denzel, sweetheart, we have some wonderful news. I'm going to have a baby!"

Denzel blinked, but his expression was one of worry. "Really?"

Tifa nodded and went to ruffle his hair, but he had taken off up the stairs. A door slammed a moment later. Tifa didn't even try to hide her disappointment. "I thought he'd be excited."

Cloud pinched the bridge of his nose, "I'll take care of it in the morning." Tifa turned around, "What about tonight?"

"I know what his problem is. He's been let down too many times by false promises. If it's on paper then he'll have solid proof. Just, trust me."

Tifa slowly nodded before glancing up at the clock. "Aerith, you and Zack can crash here for the night if you'd like. I have some blankets in the closet if you'd like to sleep on the couch.

Zack glanced over at Aerith, unsure but when she smiled and nodded he helped Tifa pull out a few blankets. Zack gave Aerith the couch while he took the chair. Cloud went upstairs to finish whatever work he could from the day's deliveries as well as schedule earlier deliveries for the two packages that he had missed today.

By the time he was done his two friends were asleep downstairs and Tifa was already in bed. Cloud passed by Denzel's room and sighed when his sharp sense of hearing picked up quiet sobs. Tomorrow, he told himself. He'd make it up to Denzel tomorrow.

Today had been very exhausting and he barely had the energy to take off his shoes and shirt. He crawled into bed next to Tifa who was already asleep. That still didn't stop her from moving. The moment Cloud got settled she turned and clung to him, wrapping her arms around his. Cloud smiled a bit. He found it cute that she had a habit of clinging to things in her sleep. Well, it was cute until she would have nightmares and punch him. This time it seemed her dream was a pleasant one as she was smiling.

"Cloud,..." she whispered, "go get his frisby out of the tree." Cloud huffed at her dream. So she was already seeing a possible glimpse of their future? "mmm, and tell Zack to stop trying to catch it with his teeth."

Cloud covered his mouth with his free hand to stop himself from laughing. The worst part was he could clearly see his friend doing that.

. . .

Sometime during the night Denzel had gotten up and headed downstairs. He was careful not to wake anyone. He had stuffed all of his important possessions into his backpack and had made it into the kitchen. He had just wrapped his hand around the doorknob when the light came on. The startled boy turned to see Zack leaning against the door frame with his arms folded.

"Heading out on a secret mission?"

Denzel looked down at his feet, knowing he had been caught and it'd be pointless trying to hide it. "I knew it was too good to be true."

Zack tilted his head, "What'cha mean?"

"I should have known I was just a guest," Denzel replied. "They only took me in because I was sick and Cloud wasn't going to just leave me surrounded by garbage."

"So, you think he's going to leave you now, is that it? Just because he's going to have a kid that means Denzel no longer matters? Think about what you just said. Because it doesn't make any sense."

When Denzel didn't reply Zack motioned for him to sit down. The kid reluctantly took a seat at one of the booths. Zack sat down on the opposite side. "Denzel, just because Cloud's having a kid, it doesn't mean that you're getting replaced. If anything, he's going to need you more than ever."

"Why would he need me?"

"Well, the kid's gonna get a lot of attention from his mom, which means that Cloud will have to spend more time with his delivery business, but that also means he'll need someone to help Tifa while he's away. Besides, the kid's gonna need more than just a mother and father. It's going to need a big brother to look out for it. Teach it things and do other fun stuff, even get into trouble every once in a while."

"You want me to get into trouble with the kid?"

Zack scratched the back of his head. "Well, not exactly, but a little bit of trouble never hurt anyone. Heck I could spend the next two hours tellin' ya all of the trouble me n' Cloud got into when he was a cadet, well I got us into trouble, he was sorta against it. But it was fun. I don't just consider Cloud my best friend. He's my little brother and it's my job to watch out for him and his family. This includes you."

Denzel didn't know what to say. He had always liked Zack, but what he was hearing now was overwhelming. "Please don't run away, Denzel. It wouldn't be the same around here without you. We need you."

Denzel looked up at Zack with tears in his eyes and nodded. "Okay."

After making sure the kid was alright, Zack got him something to drink and sent him back up to bed. With an accomplished nod, Zack headed back to the chair to sleep. He saw Aerith smiling at him. Zack just smiled cheerfully at her and pulled the covers over him to sleep.