The Promise Rings

Chapter 4

This Awkward Reunion

"What the fu-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence Cloud Strife!" Aerith threatened, pointing her finger at him.

Cloud snapped his mouth shut. He swallowed hard as he once again looked up and down at the woman in front of him and the little boys at her side. He looked at Sora particularly. They shared the same chestnut brown hair. Her son, he was her son. Both of them were her sons. He said it in his head several times over, yet he could not fathom the idea that this was true.

"Mommy," Sora tugged on his mom's hand, "why does Cloud look like he is going to throw up?"

Aerith looked down at her son. "I don't know."

"Maybe he ate something bad." Roxas muttered.

Aerith took both her sons' hands. Cloud was still staring as if he had just seen a ghost, his face very pale.

"Thank you for helping my son," Aerith said, bowing her head. "However, I have to be going now, good bye."

Aerith moved past Cloud, dragging her sons with her. She hurried as fast as she could away from Cloud. Sora and Roxas looked at each other confusingly. After several seconds, Cloud finally snapped from his shock and realized Aerith was running away.

He ran after her, catching up easily. After all, Sora and Roxas were like little weights attached to her hands and could not move as fast as Aerith wanted them too. She even debated carrying them again but found them not as light as they use to be when they were toddlers.

Cloud ran in front of them, stopping Aerith in her tracks. She looked at him for a second and ushered her boys around him.

"You were avoiding me the entire day, weren't you?" Cloud accused, following her.

"I wasn't avoiding you."

Cloud snorted, "So we just happened to not see each other at the flower shop and at the dress shop?"

Aerith shrugged as she continued moving. "I promised my kids ice cream and a day at the park. I have TONS of work to do afterward. Oh look at the time, I'm running late as is!"

"You don't even have a watch!"

Aerith hurried along, Cloud was still at her heels. She hurried past several stores, down the block. Aerith looked down the sidewalk at the corner bus stop and prayed the bus was coming ASAP. Cloud once again ran ahead of Aerith. He stopped in front of her forcing Aerith to halt in her tracks once again. Sora and Roxas stopped as well and looked up at the two adults, utterly confused about what was going on.

"What do you want?" Aerith sighed.

"What do you want?" Cloud exasperated, "That's all you have to say? It's been over eight years since we have seen each other and all you have to say is "What do you want?"

Aerith thought for a moment, her face changing to several different expressions of thought. After a moment, she nodded her head agreeing with whatever she was thinking.

"Yes, that is all I have to say, good bye."

Aerith attempted to move around Cloud but he blocked her. She tried again and he blocked her. Aerith glared at him and he glared back. Tension was rising. So many questions, so many emotions were building, and Cloud was not getting anywhere.

Sora slipped from his mom's grasp as the two were having their little stare down. He was completely uninterested to what was going on now that they were standing next to a toyshop. He pressed his face against the glass. Roxas was rocking back forth on his heels, bored.

"I'm not moving," Cloud said sternly. "Not until you talk to me. At least tell me why you are here! Something! Anything!"

"Hey mom!" Sora called out, gaining attention of the two adults.

Aerith was relieved of the minor distraction.

"What is it?" she asked gently.

"Can I have that toy sword? Please, I really, really, really, want it!"

Roxas let go of his mom and joined is brother at the window. He instantly found something her wanted.

"If he gets a sword I get a skateboard!" Roxas shouted.

"You only want something because I want something," Sora argued. "I'm older so I get something!"

"So, you broke our ball!"

The two began to argue and were about to wrestle each other when Aerith pulled them apart by the back of their shirts.

"Boys!" she snapped. "If you two don't stop fighting you'll get nothing. Besides your birthdays are in a few weeks..."

Realization hit the boys. Their eyes widened.

Together they yelled out, "CAN WE GET IT FOR OUR BIRTHDAY? PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!"

Aerith looked at them. Their hands folded and their blue eyes pleading like adorable little puppies. She sighed placing her hand on her head. They were just too cute to say no to. She cursed her inability to say no to them.

"We'll see," she conceded.

The two boys cheered, assumming it was yes. They each hugged their mother with huge smiles on their faces. Cloud had to smirk. Aerith was too much of a softie to say no to them. He could tell because she loved them too much. This scene was so sweet it could rot out someone's teeth.

As the boys hugged their mother, the sound of motorcycle coming down the street interrupted them. The bike stopped in front of them and it only took the four seconds to realize it was Zack driving his bike and Tifa holding onto the back. When Zack turned off the bike, Tifa slipped off and looked happily at the four.

"I thought it was you two!" she said. "Wow, so you guys finally met! Seriously, Aerith you kept disappearing. What was that all about?"

"Yeah, what was that all about?" Cloud asked.

Aerith laughed nervously. Tifa looked at her confusingly. Zack got off his bike and placed his arm around Tifa.

"Well my honey and I are finished with our wedding stuff. It took less time than expected."

Tifa continued to look at Aerith, realizing something was wrong while Zack was completely oblivious.

"Say Aerith we were going to ask you if you wanted to have dinner with us. We thought this would be a good way to for you two to get acquainted."

Aerith shifted uncomfortably but it was Cloud who replied.

"Don't worry about it," he told Zack. "We've been acquainted for a long, long time."

Zack scratched his head, confused. "What you guys met somewhere before?"

"You could say that." Cloud said, dryly.

"Cool, where did you meet?"

Tifa let out a groan at Zack. He was beyond oblivious. How could he not even feel the tension and awkwardness between them? It was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Tifa wanted to take Aerith aside and understand what was going on. After all, these two were in the wedding party. They had to get a long even if it killed them. She was not going to have them ruin her wedding.

"Actually, I have to take the boys home. Give me a rain check on the dinner, okay?" Aerith said. "Oh, look the bus is here! Sora, Roxas let's go!"

This time, Aerith was able to slip past Cloud without any resistance. Aerith could not bring herself to look at Cloud. As she ran to the bus stop, the bus pulled to a stop and waited for them. Roxas and Sora were with her, racing to see who could get the bus first. Once they got on, Aerith took a moment before getting on, wanting to look back. She fought the desire and won, sitting in between her sons who were comfortable in their seats.

When the bus pulled away, Tifa looked at Cloud who was staring down at the ground. Zack was completely baffled about everything, making Tifa want to hit him. Cloud stared at the ground, one of his hands clenching slightly. Zack tried to lighten the mood and get an answer to all this awkwardness.

"Hey, Cloud what's up?" Zack asked. "You're looking gloomier than usual."

"You're such a comedian," Cloud said, letting out a string of fake laughs.

Zack asked, "Is it the maid of honor? I swear Aerith is never really like this. Not sure what has gotten into her."

He looked over at Tifa who shrugged.

"Nor do I…"

Zack arched an eyebrow and then laughed. "You sound like you know her."

"I did know her."

Zack gasped. "Wait… what?"

"You know Aerith?" Tifa finished Zack's question.

Cloud looked up at Zack. Zack saw the uncertainty in his best man's face. Cloud looked at his friend as if he should already know the answer to all this.

Cloud did not say anything. However, it took Zack only moments to realize what Cloud was talking about. Zack had known Cloud since he entered SOLDIER. The two shared stories about their lives and such. One particular thing was Cloud's relationship with his then girlfriend, Aerith. However, the black spiky haired man never derived a conclusion that the Aerith he knew was the same one that Cloud knew. Yet, at that moment, Zack Fair realized how small the world was.

Zack gaped"Wait, Aerith is your girlfriend... exgirlfriend?"

"I'm going for a walk." Cloud interuppted, clearly not wanting to talk about it. "I need to clear my head. I'll be back at the bar soon."

"Don't be late. We're going out for dinner." Tifa reminded as he walked away.

Once Cloud turned the corner, she looked at Zack.

"This is a bit weird," Tifa said. "I can't believe Aerith and Cloud know each other. I wonder why they broke up."

"Don't look at me. Cloud didn't tell me it ended. Well, I should have figured that it ended when he stopped mentioning her."

Tifa sighed. "Well, whatever the reason I hope those two can get along for the wedding. I don't need a huge argument breaking out."

"Seriously, but what if they don't?" Zack asked.

Tifa thought for a moment, her lips twitching to a mischievous grin. "Oh they will. I got the perfect idea."

Zack let out a purr as he slid is arm around her waist. Tifa rolled her eyes, shoved her boyfriend on his bike, and got on. Zack let out a laugh. Before he started his bike, he looked back at her.

"So what are you going to do about it?" he inquired.

Tifa smiled, "Invite them to dinner."

X, X, X,

"Come on Aerith you are my maid of honor YOU have to come!" Tifa said over the phone. "I planned this and now you're ruining everything!"

Aerith winced. Tifa definitely knew how to play a guilt card. Then again, Tifa's wedding was ONLY a few days away and it was stressful enough for the bride-to-be to put together a wedding. Who was she to act childish? One dinner with Cloud would not be so horrible. After all, Zack and Tifa would be there and Cloud would not cause a scene. When they were younger, he never did like much attention on him anyway. At least she hoped he was still like that.

"Alright, I'll come." Aerith finally agreed.

"Good, and dress nice really nice. Zack is taking all of somewhere fancy. Later!"

Aerith hung up the phone. Letting out a sigh, she looked out into the living room of her apartment. Her sons were lying on the floor watching cartoons. She smiled at them before frowning. It would take her forever to get them into their little suits. They always complained that they looked stupid and it was itchy.

As she watched them, her mind began to drift to time when she moved to Midgar, several weeks after she found out she was pregnant…

Aerith was lying on the examination bed in a white hospital gown. She was alone in the room, anxiously waiting for her doctor to come through the door. The room was very bright. Had this room not been in a hospital, she might have been more comfortable. Next to her was the ultrasound machine. She was excited about seeing her child for the first time, hoping the child would be healthy.

The door to the room opened and a beautiful woman entered in a white coat. She had long brown hair tied back in a ponytail. She was holding a folder in her hand clearly labeled with Aerith's name. The Obstetrician/gynecologist smiled at Aerith.

"Hi, Ms Gainsborough." She greeted warmly. "My name is Dr. Lucrecia Cresant and I shall be performing your ultrasound."

Aerith smiled and took her hand when she offered it. The two shook hands and Lucrecia sat down in a rolling chair to look through the files.

"Are you excited?" Lucrecia asked.

"Yes, very much," Aerith answered.

Lucrecia rolled the chair toward Aerith and started the machine.

"So, do you want to find out of the baby is a boy or a girl today?"

Aerith shook her head, smiling. "No, I want it to be a surprise. I just want to know if the baby is healthy."

Lucrecia nodded, "Alright, let's see the baby."

Lucrecia placed the transducer on the small mound. Aerith let out a breath and looked at the screen. Lucrecia moved it around her belly, as the monitor seemed to flicker.

"Oh, look there is the baby," the Doctor pointed out. "See there is the head right there… and…"

Aerith looked excitedly until she saw the Doctor staring at the screen with an odd look on her face. Her face fell as she saw the look.

"Oh my!" Lucrecia exclaimed.

"What, what is it?" Aerith panicked. "Is the baby alright?"

The doctor smiled. "Oh your babies are doing fine Ms. Gainsborough."

Aerith let out a sigh of relief. Then a few seconds later, her head snapped up to look at Lucrecia in shock.

"Did you say babies as in more than one?"

Lucrecia nodded, "Yes, congratulations Ms. Gainsborough you are having twins."

"T-twins…?" Aerith looked back at the screen and saw the two little babies inside her. Her eyes were wide as she stared at the screen. She was having twins!

"Oh wow…"

Aerith snapped from her daydream when she heard Roxas and Sora laughing hysterically. She sighed, smiling.

"Boys," Aerith said. "Come on we have to get ready to go out for dinner with Tifa and Zack."

"Where are we going?" Sora asked.

"I'm not sure, but you have to wear your suits."

"NO!" the boys whined in union.

Aerith rolled her eyes, knowing that it was coming. It was a chore getting her boys dressed. After they finally agreed to put on their suits, she fixed their cute little ties that she made them wear. She complimented at how adorable they looked, which they told her to stop because it was embarrassing.

Aerith dressed in a silk pale pink dress. It was off the shoulders and long sleeved. Along the neckline was a crystal buckle to add some shine. The dress hem was asymmetrical but was still sleek looking. This was, as Tifa would put it, a fancy dress. However, this dress was the only thing Aerith ever brought for herself in years, that was expensive. Most of her money went toward her sons, the rent and other things. Tifa talked her into buying it. She had to admit though; Tifa did have good taste in dresses… unless it was that bridal dress that seemed too short for her to wear.

Aerith was looking in the mirror, tying her hair but still keeping it in its braid. Sora and Roxas were watching her fix the curls that framed her face.

"How do I look?" she asked her sons.

"Pretty," Sora said.

"Very pretty," Roxas added.

Aerith smiled and opened up a old wooden jewelry box that sat on her dresser. Inside her jewelry were cheap knock offs. She could never afford real diamonds or such. She looked through them, deciding which one she should wear with the dress.

"What do you think?" she asked holding up a necklace to her neck.

The boys shrugged, as if they would know anything about accessories.

"Help me pick one out." She suggested.

The boys looked through her jewelry box with her. They picked it apart and each of them pulled out things they liked and put it in one pile and what they did not was left in the box.

"How about this necklace mommy?" Sora asked.

He was holding up a choker with a single diamond looking gem in the center.

"Oh that's pretty!" Aerith said taking it from him. She placed it on.

"What about this mommy?" Roxas suggested.

Aerith looked to see what he picked out and saw him holding out a ring. It was a silver color ring with the shape of the flower on the top. Inside of it was a pink colored jewel. Aerith stared at it for a moment before taking it from her son.

"How about I wear something else?" she asked. "This one is really old."

X, X, X,

Dressing nice was hard for Cloud. His clothes were usually drab and comfortable. So when Zack told him to dress into something formal looking, he had to borrow one of Zack's old suits. It was a bit longer on him, since there was a big height difference. He had to roll up the pants and jacket sleeve. The suit was a dark navy. At least he and Zack wore similar styles in clothing. Last thing he needed was to wear some gaudy suit that was cyan or turquoise. The thought made him shudder.

Cloud was sitting on his bed, putting on the dress shoes he would wear for the wedding. He was not about to wear one of Zack's smelly old shoes. He was attempting to tie the laces but his mind kept drifting, making him mess up. All he could think of was that Aerith was here. His girlfriend, could he even call her girlfriend? They never officially broke up but after eight years, he doubted he could call her that anymore. Not after the way she was obviously avoiding him.

After not seeing her for over eight years, it was like seeing a ghost. She still looked just as beautiful as she did when they were dating. She was older but still the same. Yet, there was ONE big difference. She was a mother of twins. When, who, and why were the questions running through his head. Then he wondered.

Could I be the father?

The idea was not that far fetched. He and Aerith did have sex, albeit once, but once was enough. Well the boys had to be nearing eight or nine or so years old. They were big and talked well. No way could they be anything under five. Sora and Roxas both had eyes that were blue and Roxas had golden haired. Cloud leaned back on the bed. The idea of him being a father was hard to take in. That could very well explain her hesitance to meet him. Then again, it also confused him even more. If he was the father, why did she not just tell him? What use would hiding it do? Cloud rubbed his hand, feeling uncomfortable. He needed to talk to Aerith. He needed to get everything straitened out.

"Hey Cloud," Zack said, barging into his room. "We're leaving so let's get going."

Cloud was still in deep thought. A big grin spread across the raven-haired man's face. Zack took this as an opportunity to smack his friend on the back. Cloud jumped, completely startled by Zack.

"What was that for?" Cloud snapped, rubbing his back.

Zack grinned, "Stop daydreaming or Tifa is going to yell at us for taking forever."

"I'm tying my shoes, " Cloud said, kneeling down to finish the simple task.

Zack let out a snort. Cloud glared at him as he finished tying up the laces. Zack stared at Cloud noticing how the suit was rather big on his friend. If Cloud had been any shorter the suit would have been hanging over his hands and feet.

"You look horrible." Zack commented. "Why wouldn't you pack a suit or something more formal?"

"I don't own any, no reason to."

Zack rolled his eyes before putting his arm around Cloud in a friendly manner. "That's why I'm here. I'm always looking out for you Cloud just like way back when right?"

"Oh yeah, except that time you nearly walked me off a cliff." Cloud muttered remembering a certain point with Zack during SOLDIER.

"So I had the map upside down big deal!"

"I nearly fell to my death."

"But you didn't!"

Cloud glared at Zack but he merely grinned.

"I thought we weren't going to a fancy place," Cloud said, changing the subject.

"Tifa wanted to go. Woman, they just can't make up their minds." Zack laughed. "Just don't let Tifa hear me say that!"

Cloud shrugged. Zack looked at him frowning.

"You still thinking about Aerith?" Zack asked softly. Before Cloud could respond, Tifa's voice rang from the bottom of the steps.

"Hey you two hurry up!" Tifa called.

"Hurry up," Zack said. "If Tifa has to come up here we're going to be on the receiving end of her fists."

Zack was clearly joking. His girlfriend was tough but not a lunatic. As they were about to leave the room, Zack took his arm, stopping him.

"We'll talk later, okay?"

Cloud nodded.

They descended the steps to find Tifa. She looked gorgeous in her black, long sleeved dress that came down to knees. The back had a diamond cut opening and the skirt of the dress was longer in the back than the front.

"Took you two long enough," she complained.

"Sorry, babe," Zack apologized, kissing her briefly, "guy stuff."

"Guy stuff huh?" she asked suspiciously.

"Between me and Cloud," he then said.

Tifa looked skeptically but Zack reassured her with a smile. She smiled back as they walked outside to the car. The three piled into Tifa's car and drove to the restaurant. The place was indeed, fancy. It was very upscale looking place. There was a valet parking and a man who opened the door for people to come in and out. The layout of the outside was charming and inviting. As the three got out of the car, they found Aerith and her sons standing off to the side.

Aerith was telling her sons to stop fussing with their suits but they kept trying to undo their ties. When she looked back up, she spotted her friends. Tifa greeted her first.

"Oh, wow Aerith you look gorgeous," Tifa complimented.

Aerith blushed. "You look wonderful too."

Tifa grinned. Suddenly, the sound of rumbling echoed through the air. The group looked up.

"Oh, I should have brought my umbrella." Aerith said.

"Don't worry, we'll drive you home!" Tifa said. "Now let's get inside."

Tifa was literally dragging Aerith when she linked her arms with her. Zack followed them as he chitchatted with the twins, agreeing with them that suits were not fun to wear. Cloud smirked, silently agreeing with them as well. Especially since he looked the worst. As they entered the lobby of the restaurant host, a very snobbish looking man, stood at a podium.

"Do you have a reservation?" he asked.

"Yes," Tifa answered. "It is under Fair, Zack."

"Yes, a reservation for six," he muttered. He looked at the group, only seeing four people.

"Will the other two be arriving soon?"

"No, they're right here." Tifa said, pointing down to Roxas and Sora.

The host looked over the podium at the two boys. Sora and Roxas gave him each a adorable and innocent grin that would make any normal human being gush at their cuteness. Well, everyone except this man. He looked down at them as if they were little troublemakers.

"We do not allow children in the restaurant." He said, nose in the air.

Aerith gasped. "They are very well behaved!"

However, her protest was ignored. Sora and Roxas glared at the man. They were well behaved, when they wanted to be or when their mom threatened to take away their toys. Aerith tried to persuade this man but he refused to. She sighed after the seventh time the man told her that her sons were not premitted into the restaurant.

Aerith turned to Tifa and Zack. "I'm sorry, I'll go. I don't want to ruin your dinner. Come on boys."

Aerith reached for her sons' hands but instead Zack and Tifa snatched them up. Aerith looked up confusingly.

"Oh, it's my fault I should have asked. You know, you go have dinner on us!" Tifa said, shoving Aerith into the restaurant and then she turned to the host. "Please seat her."

"Wait a minute!" Aerith protested. "I can't eat here by myself with your money!"

Zack nodded in agreement, "You're right! You're absolutely right."

Aerith smiled, glad he could see how stupid it would be for her to eat alone in such a fine place.

Zack then added, "Cloud you eat with her!"

Zack shoved Cloud, nearly knocking him into Aerith. Aerith caught him by the arms. He nearly lost his balance too! Regaining his composer, Cloud spun around ready to protest the dreadfully obvious set up. However, Zack and Tifa with the twins in their arms were already walking off.

"We'll look after Roxas and Sora. Hey boys want to get burgers and get out of these stupid suits?" Zack asked.

The boys cheered ripping off their ties.

"I can't let you take care of my kids!" Aerith protested again.

"Sure you can!" Tifa said. "We watch them all the time and besides it will be good practice for when Zack and I have kids."

Zack's head snapped to her, "Wait what?"

"Never mind honey," she said to Zack before turning her attention to Aerith. "Have fun and get along you two!"

With that the soon to be bride and groom skipped out the door with the twins. Aerith and Cloud stood there for several minutes. Neither could believe that they did not realize they were being set up sooner. They felt stupid for not realizing it. The host had two menus in his hand and was trying to usher Cloud and Aerith to a table but neither of them were sure if they should actually go and eat.

The two looked at each other than nervously looked away. Cloud looked at the ground while Aerith looked up toward the ceiling. Then they looked at each other again, realizing how uncomfortable the other was with the situation. A memory flickered in Aerith's head about how shy Cloud use to be. He did not seem any different. He was still shy! She smiled.

"Zack said dinner was on them right?" she asked.

Cloud nodded in agreement, still not looking at her.

Her smile widened, "Good, because I am ordering the most expensive thing on the menu."

He turned to her and she was smiling wickedly. A small smile crept at the corners of his mouth but vanished quickly. Together they entered the dining area and were seated at a table near a window. The place was gorgeous. The chairs were plush with satin cream color cushions. The tablecloth matched with very intricate details along the edges. There were candles on the center of the table, already lit. The silverware was polished, the dishes spotless, and the napkins folded in some complicated way.

Aerith and Cloud sat across from one another. The host left the two alone and no sooner when he was gone, a waiter came to ask for their drinks. When that was done, Aerith was skimming through the menu, determined to order something that would teach Zack and Tifa not to do something like this ever again to her. Cloud looked at Aerith, swallowing hard. It was now or never.

"Aerith…" he called.

Her green eyes lifted to meet his blue ones. She tilted her head slightly.

"Yes?"

Cloud smiled again. "You're still the same."

"What do you mean?" she inquired softly.

"You still do that little head tilt."

Aerith blushed slightly. "Well, old habit, right?"

He nodded as she continued, "You still seem shy or is it because you're not surprised to see me anymore."

Cloud looked down.

"I'm joking Cloud."

"I know," he replied quickly. "It's just that…"

"What?"

"I am surprised to see you. It's been almost nine years right?"

She nodded. "Yes, it's been a long time and… it is good to see you again."

"It's good to see you too."

X, X, X,