Chapter 11

Foaling duty

Tifa and Aerith left the stables around 4pm so they could get some clothes and stuff and also so that Aerith could pick up her portable web cam so it could be set up in Pretty's stable so they didn't have to constantly keep checking up on the mare.

When they arrived back at the stables Cloud took the web cam and set about setting it up in the mare's stable before skipping it out and refilling her haylage chamber. Then as the horses feeds were handed out and the yard swept the 'foal duty' group had retreated to the family room and began setting it up so that they would be able to spend the night. Aerith had piled up a load of DVDs on the coffee table, turned the laptop on and made sure that the web cam was working.

"So you ready for opening night then" Aerith asked placing the first movie into the DVD player.

"Almost we'll be ready by then anyway, we are trying it with some of the horse tomorrow" Tifa shrugged

"Tifa someone's here to see you" Cloud said as he entered the room ready for the night ahead

"Who is it?" Tifa questioned

"I think it's Vincent" Cloud said raising his eyebrow, Zack and Aerith looked between the pair but couldn't think what was going on.

"Oh then we best go see him Cloud, We won't be long" Tifa said getting up and leaving the room with Cloud by her side.

"Hi Vincent I assume you've got the results" Tifa greeted

"Um yeah but I think it best we do this somewhere more private" Vincent returned

"Okay I know the place" Cloud said and they followed Cloud through the Stables and out towards the winter paddocks. Vincent had raised an eyebrow at Tifa questioning her on the blonde

"My boyfriend" she mouthed, Vincent nodded as they continued their way to paddocks.

"So the horses from the latest arrivals, Oberon, Paddy, Shannon, Travis and Rupert all show high levels of Mako as for Ivy and Champ they show a tiny level in their bloodstream and as for Big Barney and Maggie they didn't show any signs of Mako in her blood work" Vincent said but he had also handed over a written copy with all the detailing, she was rather glad that the on call vet tonight was on Tifa's side Yuffie would be beside herself when she learned that the blood she had managed to hand over to Tifa had come back positive the time was coming when Rufus and Hojo would get what they deserve.

"Teef this is great now we know which horses to use during our reminding training sessions" Cloud said after a few minutes.

"Oh I can't wait till opening night, now Vincent I have set aside tickets for you if you want to come" Tifa said it was usually what she did to repay favours give tickets out for the show.

"Thanks but I'm not sure if I will be able to make it" Vincent stated and turned and left.

"Wow he's a little odd" Cloud said as they headed back to the family room.

"I suppose" Tifa sighed she was pleased with the news but she was worried about the outcome all the what if's raged her mind what would happen to her and her love ones, what would happen to the stables and the horses, would Rufus deny it and get away scot free and she was worried about the last on in particular but she wanted to put an end to this disgusting man and this was the best way to do it she had no choice if she was going to save the horses and the ones to come.

"Teef are you okay?" Cloud asked seeing the sad look on her face.

"Yeah sorry I was in my own little world" Tifa muttered placing a smile on her face.

"We need to tell the others as soon as possible but that will have to wait till morn after all I'm never sure if we are being watched or not inside the stables" Cloud complained a little he wanted to spill but how could they if there was a risk of Rufus catching onto their plans.

When Cloud and Tifa had arrived back at the family room they wanted to make a U turn at the sight that they had to welcome them, Zack and Aerith were making out and it seemed to be going a little too far. Cloud had to clear his throat several times before the pair broke away, Aerith was bright red and trying to bury her face in Zack's chest as Zack was smiling like the cat that got the cream.

"What we've had to see you too at it often enough and it's sickening" Zack grinned

"Yeah but we're cute you Zack aren't" Cloud teased his old humour returning.

"Cute you honestly it's like watching a dog in heat with you two" Zack smirked

"Like your one to talk" Tifa smirked and everyone but a rather red and embarrassed Aerith had burst out laughing.

At 6pm they had called for several pizza's they were officially off stable duties now and only had to keep an eye on Pretty now even though the staff still working would be able to keep an eye on her until they finished at 8pm, they would also have to do the extra late feeds but that wasn't a huge problem.

By midnight there was no obvious signs of Pretty about to foal and the Aerith had already fallen asleep and the others were on their way to the land of nod. Zack passed out after another half hour so Cloud and Tifa turned off the movies and had just talked.

"So have you actually been here during the birth of a foal before?" Cloud asked keeping his voice low

"Once but I missed it, Echo's birth I had been here but well her mother wouldn't foal with us watching so we all just went to sleep and by morning Echo was born" Tifa replied

"Do you think that we'll see it tonight?" Cloud raised an eyebrow

"Maybe" Tifa yawned snuggling closer to Cloud as he wrapped his arm around her pulling her that much closer. After another half hour Tifa got up and put the kettle on for coffee if they were going to stay up the rest of the night they would need more coffee.

It was when they had just finished their mugs of coffee when Pretty started showing signs, she was hardly able to stand still, pawing the ground and had the occasional look at her flanks, she was drawing close so Tifa went out to check her in the flesh, Cloud wanted to go to but she had said

"I'm sure those two would want to see it so someone has to stay and wake them and that's you because I know what to look for". Cloud nodded at her logic and she left the room after placing a kiss on Cloud's cheek.

Tifa had arrived at the mare's stable and after a quick check over she was positive that Pretty was in labour. Getting out her phone she dialled the on call vet.
"Yuffie just a heads up Pretty is in labour" Tifa said once Yuffie had picked up.

"Okay I'll be there soon, how is she" Yuffie replied on the other end trying to stifle a yawn

"Stressed I would say" Tifa said taking a second look at the mare

"Okay well I'll be there soon" Yuffie finished and hung up.

Tifa returned back to the family room to find Cloud just about ready to pass out, she smiled softly at his half asleep expression.

"Come on Cloud don't fall asleep on me now, it's almost time" Tifa whispered shaking Cloud's shoulder a little. A goofy smile played on Cloud's lips as he looked at Tifa, she giggled at him and helped him off the floor.

"So not long then?" Cloud asked, Tifa shook her head and couldn't help but smile Pretty was soon to have her foal.

"What do you think Pretty is having a filly or colt?" Tifa asked she believed pretty was going to have a colt well at least hoping to she had been having fillies since she arrived at Shinra stables.

"Um I'm not sure" Cloud shrugged he hadn't given it much thought

"Okay then here's another question what colour do you think it will be" Tifa asked

"Well I think the foal will be um bay like it's mother" Cloud replied.

"Well we'll find out soon look" Tifa said pointing at the laptop. The legs of the foal were visible so very soon the foal was going to arrive.

"Guys get up!" Cloud and Tifa said shaking the sleeping couple.

"Five more minutes" Zack muttered and rolled over and began to suck his thumb, Cloud looked at Tifa and they both started laughing their heads off.

"Hey what's so funny" Zack asked finally waking himself up,

"You are thumb sucker" Cloud teased

"I don't suck my thumb" Zack defended

"You do Zack and why you wake us is it time" Aerith smirked

"Yeah the foal's almost here" Tifa squealed she was getting all excited.

Quickly they all rushed to the stall and found a little palomino foal lying on the ground as it's mother licked it clean.

"Oh palomino like it's dad" Tifa squealed as she unbolted the door. It was just then as well that the sound of the metal stable door was heard opening.

"DOWN HERE YUFFIE!" Tifa shouted startling both Pretty and the foal. Yuffie arrived at the stall in seconds gloves and equipment ready and immediately joined Tifa in the stall and began the regular health checks.

"Okay Pretty is the proud mother of a colt" Yuffie declared, Tifa's smile turned so bright hearing the news, she had been hoping for a colt since Pretty had been put into foal.

"The mare and foal are both fine but keep an eye on them for the next few hours you know the usual" Yuffie said finishing her examination of Pretty.

After spending around 30minutes gazing at the new arrival they all headed back to the family room to get some sleep.

"Night" Zack said and threw himself on the floor and instantly fell asleep sucking his thumb, Aerith curled herself up beside him and was also out like a light.

Cloud however had made his way to the sofa and flopped onto it and pulled Tifa down beside him.
"Goodnight Teef" Cloud said placing a kiss on her cheek and fell asleep wrapping his arms around her. Tifa followed quickly into sleep thinking about the foal.