Disclaimer- I do not own Kingdom Hearts
Love Everlasting
Chapter 11
Like Sons, Like Mother
Sora and Roxas wanted to throw Larxene out as fast as possible. However, with both their parents behind them that would be impossible. Larxene stood with her arms crossed, her foot tapping, and her eyes continuously glaring. She wanted that apology and she wanted it bad. The twins would never willingly apologize to the she-devil.
"Boys," Cloud said sternly, "don't you have something to say to Larxene."
Neither twin said anything. Instead they looked away from her. There was no possible way even if they apologized would it ever be sincere. Larxene was about to say something but it was Aerith who got there first.
"Sora, Roxas you apologize to this lady right now!" Aerith demanded. "I did not raise you in such way to disrespect someone."
"But mom," came the age old whine.
"No buts apologize right now!"
Larxene and Cloud looked at Aerith stunned. Stunned for completely different reasons, but both were stunned. Cloud was use to his ex-wife's gentle calm behavior. Now he knew why Sora and Roxas were so straight-edge around her. She was like a dictator. Larxene on the other hand was wondering who exactly this woman was.
"Who are you?" she asked Aerith.
"Oh, forgive my rudeness. I am Aerith Gainsborough. I am Sora and Roxas's mother."
Aerith held out her hand to shake Larxene's. The blond woman looked at her in surprise and then her eyes narrowed. She shook Aerith's hand tightly. Aerith winced slightly and then tried her best to squeeze back harder. When they let go, Larxene placed her hands back on her hips.
"So, you are their mother." Larxene stated. "If you don't mind me asking what are you doing here, in an apron no less? I thought you and Cloud were divorced."
"Oh, we are," Aerith said. "An unfortunate incident occurred so Roxas and I are temporarily living here. We were just about to sit down to dinner. Why don't you join us?"
Both twins began shaking their heads from behind, mouthing "no." Aerith ignored them. She even ignored her ex-husband who was mimicking his sons. Larxene looked skeptical for a moment. After all, her last dinner here was nothing to brag about. Without waiting for a reply Aerith began dragging Larxene into the kitchen.
"I'm sure after Sora and Roxas have some dinner they will be more than ready to apologize."
The twins groaned along with their father. Sometimes Aerith was too nice. Cloud simply wanted the boys to apologize and send Larxene on her way. After all, she was going to make his life a living nightmare if they did not. As the boys began to drag themselves into the kitchen, Cloud took them over to the side.
The boys looked up at him innocently. Cloud looked at them. He needed to plead his case. He really did not need another incident like last time to happen.
"Sora, Roxas," he said seriously. "Promise me, please, that you will not do anything that will get Larxene mad, PLEASE! Just get through this dinner and be nice."
"Dad, she's a witch!" Sora complained. "If we liked her we wouldn't have ruined your date with her."
"Promise me no funny business and I'll let you go to that Spring Dance you wanted to go to."
Cloud bribed and Sora took it. Roxas promised anyway since if he put one toe out of line his mom would ground him worse than before. Last thing he needed to be was locked up to the point he had to have his meals come through a small hole in a door or something. The very though made him shudder.
They entered the kitchen where Larxene was already seated. The three men all took their seats hesitantly. They looked nervously at one another as Aerith served everyone water to drink. She then brought out the quiche, placing it on the table. She placed it on the table along with the potatoes and then began slicing up portions. She placed the first piece on Larxene's plate. She stared at the quiche in disgust.
Sora and Roxas watched her face. It looked as if she was shocked to be served something so home cooked. Aerith finished handing out portions before sitting at the table across from Larxene, sitting between her sons.
"Well, what is everyone waiting for?" Aerith asked seeing everyone staring at their plates. "Eat up before it gets cold."
The dinner was tense to say the least. No one said anything for a few moments, so it was Aerith who decided to break the silence.
"So, how long have you and Cloud known each other?" Aerith asked, smiling.
Larxene, who was poking at her quiche, looked up. She was grateful for the distraction.
"Not long," she replied, "I would have loved to continue dating had these two precious little boys did not decide to smother me in some rancid garbage."
Sora wanted to reply that he never smothered her in garbage. Barbecue sauce, yes, but he certainly did not use garbage. Yet, the idea of being ungrounded forced him to grip the seat of his chair to keep him from jumping up.
"It was all a misunderstanding, I'm sure," Aerith said politely. "I don't think they are use to us dating again."
Larxene looked surprised. "I see, Cloud never mentioned that he did not date anyone prior to you. Quite interesting, I guess you meant quite a lot to him."
Cloud looked down, quickly shoving food into his mouth. Aerith simply smiled.
"Cloud was my husband and besides I had to take care of my sons. They are my number one priority over anything else. So of course I could not date and I'm sure Cloud would agree."
"Yes, two child delinquents are a lot to handle." Larxene commented rudely. She did not even touch her meal. The very thought of digesting something like that was disgusting.
"Boys will be boys," Aerith said, "And I'm sure they feel very sorry for what they did."
Larxene snorted, "HA! Any apology from them would be as worthless as continuing a relationship with him."
Aerith winced. "Is there something wrong with Cloud?"
"Of course, I'm lucky enough to see what kind of person Cloud Strife truly is, spineless. He let's those two walk right over him. If they were my children they would be taking to a juvenile detention center where they get a good beating."
Roxas's grip on his fork tightened so hard that his knuckles grew white. If his father was not sitting next to him the fork would have went right through her bony hand. Sora was chewing large amounts of food to keep himself from shouting at the witch.
"It was only material possessions. They can be replaced." Aerith said gently.
"Oh, that coming from a woman who looks as though she sews her own clothes," Larxene growled. "I work hard for my money so I can purchase expensive things. What are you an old maid?"
Aerith blushed slightly and looked down at her clothes. Her clothes were not in the rich category. She bought clothes for comfort and functionality and rarely bought anything expensive. She had bills and other things to buy before worrying about herself. She did not even have expensive jewelry, not after she threw her wedding ring at Cloud after one of their fights.
"I like to put my sons' needs before my own," Aerith retorted.
"Hmph, that is your problem. You see you worry about two annoying little brats over yourself. They are probably little criminals for all you know and yet you still play the ignorant little mother. Your children are little devils who will probably end up arrested, if not now, then sometime in the near future."
Aerith stood up from the table suddenly, surprising everyone. Her eyes narrowed.
"I am trying to be a good hostess but if you insult my family I will be forced to throw you out!"
Larxene stood up, challenging the threat.
"You're delusional," Larxene laughed. "Your children are pathetic as well as you. What is with those bandages, trip down the stairs or did you self-inflict them so you can step foot in this house. You think just because you prance around here in an apron that your ex-husband would take you back? Believe me honey, he can do better. Your kids are future convicts and your ex-husband is a spineless, pathetic-"
SPLAT!
Silence filled the room as Cloud stared wide eyed at Larxene. Potatoes and quiche were sliding down her face and her clothing. Cloud tore his eyes away and looked at his sons, expecting to see essence of food in their hands. Yet, to his surprise they too were just as stunned. Roxas's eyes were as wide as golf balls while Sora's mouth hung wide open. To Cloud's horror he saw Aerith's hand covered in food residue, her eyebrows knitted together and her face hot red.
Cloud did not know what to do. He did not know what to say. Aerith on the other hand had plenty to do and say but throwing food was enough. Larxene opened her eyes and with one hand wiped off a lump of potatoes from her face. She too was shocked to see that neither of the twins had done it.
"How. Dare. You." Larxene seethed slowly.
"No, how dare you!" snapped Aerith pointing her finger at her. "How dare you come into this house and insult us. I agree my sons are not perfect but they are wonderful and are very good judge of character. So, I can very well see why they would do anything in their power to make sure someone like you never returns. Also, someone who thinks she deserves everything is more pathetic then an old maid. Someone as materialistic and snobbish as you will just end up alone!"
Larxene gasped. She was about to say something when Aerith rounded the table and grabbed Larxene's arm. She dragged the girl to the back door and opened it.
"Furthermore you are not welcomed in this household!"
With that Aerith shoved Larxene as hard as she could out the door. Larxene stumbled outside. She quickly spun around ready to fight back when Aerith slammed the door in her face. With a flick, she locked the door. When she spun around she took several deep breaths, trying to calm down. Cloud, Sora, and Roxas were still staring horrified.
A minute passed and the entire room was silent. Then Sora bounded from the table and hugged him mom.
"WAIT A GO MOM!" he cheered.
Roxas came around and hugged her tightly as well. "You're my hero! You got rid of the witch for good."
Aerith laughed nervously as she looked at Cloud who was still dumbstruck.
"Boys, don't be cheering me," Aerith cried. "What I did was…"
"Immature," Cloud finished and then proceeded to add, "Stupid, crazy, unforgivable."
Aerith looked down letting out a groan. Cloud stood up and then glared at his sons. The two boys quickly left the room, leaving the two adults alone.
"Cloud, listen," Aerith began, "I am so sorry. That woman was just so infuriating and I could no longer take it."
"Yes, and…"
"She just made me so mad I wanted to rip out her hair."
"Yes, and…"
"Oh god, I just got you fired. Cloud I am so, so sorry!"
"Aerith…"
"I know I should not have acted out and just ignored her but…"
"AERITH!" Cloud yelled to get her attention.
The woman jumped. Cloud smiled and placed a hand on her head, rubbing it affectionately.
"She made me mad too," he said. "To the hell with that job really. If I have to kiss her butt for the rest of my working life, I might as well just kiss my dignity good bye. Besides, if you didn't do it I would have thrown her out myself. Although, I don't think I would have smashed potatoes in her face."
Aerith turned bright pink and looked down. She too could not believe she pelted Larxene with food. It was indeed immature of her.
"You were right though," Cloud said. "Sora and Roxas have good judge of character."
Aerith chuckled. "They do, they really do."
"But they do have their mother's temper." Cloud joked, "Like mother, like sons."
"Oh shut up!" Aerith cried, pushing him slightly.
The two had a good laugh. Aerith picked up a napkin and wiped her hand in it. Cloud smiled.
"Well, I'll clean up here since it was my mess." She said.
"I'll be looking through the want-ads" Cloud teased.
Aerith balled up her napkin and threw it at him. It missed as Cloud slipped out of the room. Sighing, Aerith began to clean when Cloud poked his back into the room.
"Oh and just for the record," Aerith looked up, "You aren't an old maid and your clothes suit you."
Cloud disappeared again. Aerith smiled, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. Quietly, she cleaned up the kitchen.
Later that evening, Aerith was in the family room. She was curled up on the couch watching a movie on TV. It was some sappy movie about a boy who was suddenly thrown from his simple life and into an adventure while in search for his lost friends. Sometime during the movie, Sora and Roxas came running down the stairs. Aerith looked over at them, noticing they were shoving on their shoes.
"Where are you going?" she asked curiously.
"Skateboarding," Roxas said.
"Oh no you're not!" Aerith reprimanded. "You two are still grounded remember?"
"But," Sora sputtered. "You did the EXACT same thing to the witch that we did."
"Don't remind me," Aerith sighed, placing a hand on her head.
"You can't ground us for that anymore, besides dad said if we behaved we could go."
As if on cue Cloud came walking down the stairs. He was dressed in an hooded sweatshirt and sweats.
"What did I say?" Cloud asked.
"Dad you said we were ungrounded right?" Sora asked.
"No, I said you were allowed to go to the spring dance thing," Cloud reminded. "You are still grounded."
"But why?" the twins moaned.
Cloud placed his arms around his two sons. "Because it was still impolite and it will teach you to be polite regardless."
"Does that mean mom's grounded too?" asked Sora slyly.
Aerith sighed. Those two were never going to let it go. After a little fuss, Sora and Roxas decided to fulfill their punishment and stay home. At least Aerith allowed Roxas the leniency to watch tv. Together the twins sat on the floor, each with a pillow under them and watched the movie that their mom was watching. Cloud at first was about to reject the offer to watch the movie but after realizing he would probably be clearing out his desk tomorrow, he decided to join them.
Cloud made popcorn for everyone and brought drinks. He sat on the other side of the sofa with a bowl in his lap. Roxas and Sora shared a bowl on the floor, loudly crunching as they ate.
"Cloud, stop hogging the popcorn," Aerith complained from the other end of the sofa.
She grabbed the bowl and placed it in the middle so she would not have to reach. Cloud reached into the bowl of buttery goodness when several kernels fell on the cushion.
"Cloud, why do you always make a mess?" Aerith asked.
"So you can clean it up," Cloud teased.
Aerith threw a piece of popcorn at him and returned to the movie. Cloud flicked one back at her, hitting her face. Aerith ignored him, causing a small grin to appear on his face.
The movie lasted until late that night. So late, that when it ended the only one awake was Aerith. She stretched as she got up. She carefully tiptoed around her sons to her ex-husband. He was asleep with his head leaning back on the sofa and his body slouching. Aerith carefully shook him until he woke up.
"Good morning, sleeping beauty," Aerith called.
Cloud rubbed his eyes and yawned, "Movie over already?"
"Yes, and just like you, your sons are asleep too." Aerith pointed out.
Cloud smirked and got up. The two looked down at their sons. Both of them looked like innocent little angels, curled up with their pillow.
"Think we can carry them upstairs?" asked Aerith softly, not wanting to disturb her sons.
"You," laughed Cloud, "No, it be me who carries them. You shouldn't be doing any lifting anyway."
Cloud lifted his sons, carrying their dead weight under his arms. Sora had always been a heavy sleeper so he was not surprised that moving his son did not wake him. He was however, surprised to see Roxas asleep.
He carried the twins up the stairs followed by their mother. He dropped Sora on the bed, still snoozing away. He carefully laid Roxas down so not to injure his arm any further. Aerith smiled and kissed both her sons on the head after tucking them in. She returned to the doorway, smiling all the way as she watched her sons sleep.
"So cute," Aerith gushed.
"Sora could sleep through the end of the world, I swear." Cloud added.
Aerith playfully pushed him before leaving he room. Cloud closed the door behind him and followed Aerith down the stairs back into the living room.
"I better clean up this mess," she said to herself, picking up stray kernels.
"Let me help," Cloud offered.
"No, it's alright I got it," Aerith insisted. "You should get to bed."
Before Cloud could even try to help the brunette gathered everything and quickly stood up. The movement caused her head to swim. She shut her emerald eyes and found herself swaying. The next thing Aerith knew she was leaning against Cloud as he supported her. The objects she was carrying landed on the floor with a loud clank.
"Are you alright?" Cloud asked, concerned.
Aerith shook her head.
"I just felt so dizzy all of a sudden," she whispered.
Suddenly, Aerith found herself in Cloud's arms. Swept up bridal style, he began to carry her to the room she had been staying at.
"C-Cloud!" Aerith flushed. "Put me down, I can walk on my own."
"The doctor's said you should take it easy and being dizzy is a sign that you are clearly not taking it easy."
"I was a little lightheaded," she protested. "I'm fine now. Put me down!"
Cloud did put her down, placed her right down on her bed. She looked up at him, clearly embarrassed, her cheeks rosy.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" the brunette asked.
Cloud smiled, "I could never leave you to fend for yourself. I would like to think if I was ever in trouble you would be there."
Aerith smiled warmly as he softly whispered a "thank you" to her ex-husband. Outside the small room, sitting at the bottom of the stairs, peering in on the lovely scene were Sora and Roxas. They watched quietly at the entire scene. The two woke up from the loud clang and decided to investigate.
The scene they saw reminded them of something out of a movie or a sappy romance novel. It was cute and it made them sick with happiness. The obvious idea floated in their mind but neither spoke it aloud.
Once back into their room they pretended to be sleeping so not to alert their father when he came back upstairs to sleep in his room. Hey talked softly to one another.
"Do you think," Roxas said uneasy, "that mom and dad could get back together?"
"You know how cool that would be?" Sora asked, excited. "We could all live together again. Mom and dad need each other. Mom is too strict and dad is too easy going."
"We wouldn't have to eat overly healthy meals all the time." Roxas thought aloud.
"I won't have to do laundry again." Sora added.
"No more crazy potential dates with she-devils!"
"No more going back and forth between them."
Sora and Roxas looked at one another.
"We have to do this!" the blond exclaimed.
"We'd be stupid not to." The brunette added.
It was then decided the twins would do the impossible and bring their mother and father back together. Sure it would not be easy seeing both were somewhat stubborn. Yet, the way they acted toward one another was reason enough to try. There was something there that made the twins believe that their parents' feelings never fully vanished. It made the twins believe, as cliché as it was, they were meant to be.
Together, they would find a way to put them together once more.
X, X, X,