CHAPTER 11

Tifa returned to her normal life after her meeting with Cloud that leads to several events. Cloud continued to get his company back on track but there were times where he felt he needed support from her. 'How is she doing?' Cloud wondered.

"You looked distracted," Aerith broke Tifa's thought while she was washing the dishes. "A few things happened," Tifa replied simply. "How are things going between the two of you?" Tifa wanted to change the subject.

Aerith smiled shyly and lifted her left hand. There was a ring on her finger. "It's his ring!" Tifa exclaimed in disbelief, almost dropping the bowl she was holding.

"Just as I thought! I told him it is still too early for this," Aerith's face changed to a worried frown. "No! What I mean is he gives you his ring. Do you know what that mean?" Tifa questioned her. Aerith just shrugged.

"It means he's serious with you. Guys don't give ring to any random women they meet, but they give them to the woman he appreciate the most," Tifa explained in just one breath. She was excited and happy for Aerith.

"You seem to know a lot about it," Aerith commented. Tifa suddenly realized she almost spilled her little dark secret. "Experience from observation," Tifa covered. Aerith just smiled sweetly.

"I know you met your husband last month," Aerith stated. Tifa's eyes were huge. "How'd you know?" the questioned escaped from her lips. "I did a few investigations," Aerith said.

"Who do you investigate?" Tifa was worried if she knew about Cloud. "Vincent. He's such a hard nut to crack," Aerith remembered how she forced Vincent to tell her about Tifa's background.

"What did he tell you?" Tifa was beyond anticipation. "He just told me that you are married and you used to live at the central of Edge," Aerith replied. "That's all?" Tifa asked again.

"I told you he's a tough nut to crack," Aerith looked a little annoyed by the fact that she couldn't get more information about Tifa's background. Tifa was relieved that it was Vincent that Aerith met.

"He also said that if you want me to know, then you'll tell me yourself. He can be such a meanie," Aerith complained. Tifa smiled at this. "Can you share something about it?" Aerith asked Tifa. Tifa just returned her smile. "We're friends right?" Aerith asked again. Tifa nodded, "When the coast is clear." As soon as she said that, Zack entered the kitchen.

Cloud was busy arranging his work schedule ever since he started over his company. Everyone was busy as well. Vincent and Yuffie helped him with his Strife Delivery Service operation while Cid and Barret handled the reformation of AVALANCHE.

Cloud sighed as he leaned the back his head against the chair he was sitting on. The works are so much more tiring and he felt his muscles ached from sitting on the chair the whole day.

Cloud stretched a little and called Cid's number. "How are things there?" Cloud asked without greeting. "Heh, you don't have to be all grumpy. Everything is going as planned," Cid replied.

Cloud just nodded though he knew Cid can't see it. "Just inform me if anything happen," Cloud said. "And I'll come over tonight," he added before he hung up.

Cloud was about to put down his phone when he thought about something. He opened his phone menu and opened the gallery. He pushed some of the buttons on the phone and stopped.

He stopped after he found what he was looking for. He stared at the screen as his lips twitched to a small smile. It was a picture of Tifa doing the laundry. He had taken her picture secretly.

He pushed the next button. It was Tifa when she was arranging his clothes in his closet. Next was the picture of them at the bar. She was smiling as she placed her head against Cloud's while posing for a camera. Cloud just had a neutral look on his face.

The last picture was the one taken the day she dropped by the house. She was lying in his arms while he was wide awake. He could feel the warmth of her right then. He closed his eyes.

'I want to see you. Where are you?' he thought silently.

Tifa sneezed as she was wiping the window of the shop. "Who has been thinking of you now?" Aerith joked as she eyed her friend. Tifa gave a smile, turning slightly to Aerith.

Tifa had told Aerith everything between him and Cloud as well as what had happened between them but she never told her who he is. She knew Aerith will try to play cupid if she ever learn about Cloud's identity.

"Are you sure you're okay? You look a little pale," Aerith sounded concern. "I've told you so many times. I'm fine," Tifa said a little annoyed. Lately, everything seemed to get to her nerves.

Aerith decided to drop the matter when she noticed Tifa's tone. "She sure is grumpy these few days," Aerith groaned under her breath but Zack who was standing nearby heard her.

"Maybe she's having her period," Zack joked and he received a jab from Aerith that was aimed straight at his rib. "Ouch!" he almost stumbled. He wasn't ready for that.

"What do you know about period? Plus, it's a girl thing. Guys just be quiet about it," Aerith warned the man beside her. Zack just made an annoyed face while rubbing his rib.

"But she really doesn't look well lately," Zack agreed with Aerith. "Try telling that to her without getting her grumpy," Aerith said. "No, I think I'll pass," Zack said almost quickly.

Aerith just smiled and Zack took the chance to look at her. He held back a smirk as he saw she was still wearing his ring. 'That's a good sign,' he thought as his mind wondered off again.

Tifa just ignored Aerith and Zack who were talking to each other. She could feel Aerith beaming even though she tried to act annoyed each time Zack joked around with her.

Tifa continued to clean the window while trying to content the dizziness in her. She had been experiencing headaches to frequent for the past few weeks. Sometimes, she felt the whole world was spinning so fast that she will need to take some painkillers.

"Tifa, can you please get the order for table three?" Aerith called from behind the counter. Tifa just nodded as she went to the table to take the order. "Yes, can I have your order please?" Tifa managed to give a weak smile to the customer.

The customer looked at the menu and that was when everything came crashing into her head. Tifa tried to look up but she only see everything around her moving fast and it made her headache gets worse.

She held back the nauseated feeling in her stomach. "Hey, are you alright?" Tifa could barely hear the voice. She was about to support herself by holding the edge of the table but she missed it and in a while, she fell down attracting all eyes to her direction.

"Tifa!" Aerith called as she clumsily made her way to Tifa who had fallen down. Tifa was still awake but she wasn't able to control herself anymore. "Call Dr. Sierra now!" Zack ordered one of his staff while helping Aerith to get Tifa on a chair.

During the chaotic moment, Vincent stepped into the place and he was standing at the door observing the event silently.

Dr. Sierra took only a few minutes to reach Zack's place and she quickly attended Tifa's condition. "Move back a little," she ordered everyone and began working with her assistant.

"She's pregnant. Don't let her overwork," Dr. Sierra simply said after finish checking up on Tifa. Tifa closed her eyes in defeat. Her worst nightmare had become reality. She suspected she was pregnant when the symptoms started to show but she decided to ignore it.

Aerith, Zack and Vincent's jaw dropped in disbelief. "Pregnant?" Zack repeated. "Two months already. Where's her husband? Letting your wife overwork like that. What's wrong with men these days?" Dr. Sierra complained as she walked away from Tifa.

"Thank you doctor," Tifa said as she managed to sit. "Just come regularly for check up. And take this if you don't feel well," Dr. Sierra said while handed a bottle of medicine before exiting. Tifa's eyes caught on the figure near the door. "Vincent," she called.

"You have some serious explanation to do," Zack cut her off while crossing his hands in a demanding manner. Tifa looked at him with a troubled look. Aerith noticed this and she held Zack's shoulder.

"I'll tell you on her behalf. Please, she's already has enough trouble," Aerith voice sounded distant at that moment. Zack followed Aerith to go to the kitchen.

"You're not going to tell him about this either right?" Vincent questioned Tifa who replied with a nod. "And you're going to make me keep this from him too right?" Vincent asked again. Tifa just looked at him with pleading eyes.

"I told you so many times already. You'll do what you want when you're ready," Vincent said and went to sit at a table.

Inside, Tifa was once again grateful it was Vincent who knew about her condition right now. Tifa also felt guilty for having him involved in this.

Aerith and Zack came out after some time. For once in her life, she saw Zack had a serious look on his face but there was also a look of understanding and acceptance. Tifa made a mental note to thank Aerith later.

Aerith just gave her a supportive smile while Zack made his way to Tifa. Tifa was unsure what would he think about her now. She lied to him.

"You better head home for today. I don't want you to pass out this time," Zack started. Tifa felt as if he was saying 'Don't ever come here again! You're fired!' Tifa waited for a few moments.

"I've asked someone to cover for you for today so go home and rest well," Zack said. "So that when you come back tomorrow, you'll feel better," Zack's words made she felt relief at once. He wasn't going to fire her.

"Thanks Zack, for understanding," Tifa said as she got up from the chair. "Hey Tifa?" Zack paused. Tifa waited for him to continue.

"When the baby is born, can I be the godfather?" Zack surprised her by asking the question. Tifa gave a small smile and nodded, "If you can handle little children."

She touched her now flat belly. In a few months, it will grow bigger as the baby grows. It should be happy news for every married couple but in her case, it's the otherwise.

Tifa felt that Cloud deserved to know about their baby but he would definitely search for her. But, she will feel guilty keeping this from him. "It's for your sake Cloud," she whispered to herself.

Tifa turned a little and saw Vincent talking to Zack casually. Do they know each other?

Tifa doesn't care if she had to raise her unborn child alone but she will never do something that will harm her child. Tifa knew it won't be easy but it was all she had as a reminder of Cloud. "I'll protect you no matter what," she vowed to herself in determination.

Every night Tifa would talk to her unborn child before going to bed. She would tell the baby all about her father and how protective he was. She would also tell about all of Cloud's friends and would make jokes about their attitude problems.

As time passed by, Tifa noticed the physical changes in her. Sometimes Aerith would tease her because she couldn't wear anything like she used to. "How's my godchild is doing?" Zack asked her as she was cleaning a table.

"She's behaving nicely. Unlike her godfather," Tifa replied before slightly smiled. "How can you know the baby is a girl? It could be a boy," Zack questioned her.

"Don't you know that whenever you address a baby you use 'she' despite the gender?" Aerith replied on Tifa's behalf. "Really? That's a new knowledge for me," Zack scratched his head sheepishly.

Tifa laughed a little at his reaction. At least here she won't have to worry so much about her child's well being. There's Aerith and Zack who can help her to look after the baby.

'It would be so much better if Cloud would be here too,' she thought and a look a distant came across her face. She looked at her wedding ring on her finger. She wondered if Cloud still wore his.

"Hey young mother, I have something for you," Vincent said without greeting as he entered the shop. Tifa quickly snapped back to reality and saw Vincent was carrying a few bags.

"Whatcha got there?" Zack was curious as he went to Vincent. "Baby's stuff?" Zack said as he took a peek into one of the bags. Tifa raised her brows lightly.

"What did you buy?" Aerith was excited as she helped to unpack the stuff Vincent brought with him. Tifa was happy but something else was bothering her. "It wasn't you who bought these, right?" Tifa asked him.

Vincent looked uncomfortable for a while. "I asked for Yuffie's help," Vincent said without hesitant. He was very straight forward. When he saw Tifa not responding he added, "I told her I'm getting something for Lucrecia's baby."

Most of Cloud's friends knew about Vincent past and how he came to be attracted to Lucrecia. Unfortunately for him Lucrecia decided to get married to Hojo who happened to be Cloud's rival in business.

"I'm sorry," Tifa felt responsible for making Vincent remembered about his unpleasant past. "Don't feel like it. It won't be appropriate if I know you're expecting a baby but I don't do anything about it right?" Vincent dropped the subject.

Tifa just nodded. "Here's something he chooses," Vincent took out a stuffed moogle from a bag. "He knew about it?" Tifa was nervous. Vincent shook his head. "He was passing by and saw us. He thought it was weird and he came to face us. Yuffie was dragging him in the store to help her choose the right thing," Vincent replied. "Not that she needed him to," Vincent added as he handed over the moogle.

"Yuffie only let him go after she forced him to choose something for the baby," Vincent ended his story.

Tifa smiled at this. So this is what Cloud chooses. "At least there's something from your father," Tifa murmured to herself as she clutched the moogle.

"Oh, this is so cute," Aerith said with a grin as she took out a small baby clothes. "Babies are so cute," she continued as she examined the clothes. "Tifa, you really have to make me her godmother," Aerith made her request sounded like an order.

Tifa was about to say something when Zack cut her off, "Hey! But I asked to be the godfather first!" Aerith just sneered at him and continued to go through the clothes again. Tifa just laughed at the two of them.

"Why don't you try making your own baby?" Tifa joked. Aerith's face turned red at once while Zack was just acting casually. "I wanted to but she refused," Zack said and it made Aerith's jaw dropped open.

"Zack! Don't give anyone the wrong idea! We never even go that far!" Aerith defended herself. Tifa knew Aerith was taking her seriously. "Ow...come on, we've known each other for as long as I can remember," Zack replied.

"Well, don't blame me for you having a peanut sized brain. You can't remember a lot of things from the start," Aerith said cockily. It was Zack's turn to have a red face. Tifa was sure he was upset but Aerith didn't back off.

"Guys!" Tifa decided to end everything before they started anything serious. Two heads turned to her at once, "What?!" Tifa just smiled. "I was just joking. You guys took it too seriously," Tifa said and it made the two of them looked so embarrassed.

Vincent just let out a grunt and said, "Maybe it's time for the two of you to consider it seriously." And with that Vincent left.