This is my longest story to date and it has been a rollercoaster to write. I absolutely love all the support I have had for both Life Finds a Way and Vagaries of Fate. I am a little sad to see it end, but I hope you all enjoy the finale. Cheers!
Chapter 23 – HomeClarissa had barely been back to work for a month when Sephiroth called her to his office. It wasn't unusual for him to have meetings there, but something in his tone had her on edge. It was even worse when she came in and saw both Genesis and Angeal both there as well. Her heart was in her throat when she saw them all frowning. It didn't even help when Genesis came and took her hand.
Before the General could say anything, Clarissa preempted him. "What has happened? Did we find the rest of Avalanche?"
Genesis frown grew, but Sephiroth only sighed as he sat back and shook his head at her. "I should have known you would have already thought of that." He then sat forward and gestured to the chairs.
Clarissa had a feeling she didn't want to be seated while he explained, but she took the chair anyway. It was several seconds before he finally spoke. "Please do not feel as though we were keeping this from you, but until we knew something for sure, we did not want to upset you."
She could feel her temper rising at the thought that they had been keeping her in the dark about something. It wasn't until she looked over to see Genesis frowning still that she remembered she had once done something similar. She couldn't fault them. Not when she still wasn't close to her usual personality anymore. She finally gave Sephiroth a nod of understanding, and he continued.
"When we found you, we were so focused that we did not consider the location of the Tsviets or Hollander until later. Thankfully, we left half the troops to secure anything that was left behind. During their investigation, several alternate locations were found."
Clarissa sat forward stiffly. She wasn't sure what she was feeling exactly. Anxiety? Fear? Maybe, but not relief. Not yet. Somehow she still managed to keep her voice even. "Do we know where they are now?"
Sephiroth looked up at Genesis for a moment before he finally looked back and answered. "We have them all in custody. Hollander is already scheduled to go to trial, but we are unsure what to do with the Tsviets. They are victims as much as any of us, yet they are far too dangerous to roam. They are currently detained."
Clarissa sat back so fast that her back slammed into the chair with enough force to nearly knock it backward. Only Genesis's hand on her shoulder stopped her. She was so focused on keeping herself calm that she hardly even noticed. It was several seconds before she was able to speak. "Where are they?"
All three men gave her concerned looks. Genesis was the first to speak. "Are you sure you want to know?"
She looked up at her husband, and he instantly knelt to pull her into a hug. The mix of emotions she was holding in was terrifying to see in her eyes. She only let the embrace linger for a moment before she pushed back and gave him a nod. "I need to do this."
When none of the men moved right away, she finally looked back to Sephiroth. "I know you are all worried, but I need this."
Sephiroth finally sighed and gave her a nod. "We will escort you to them."
She gave him a nod. That was fine with her since she had a feeling she would be a mess by the time she left. At her gesture, they all turned to head to where the Tsviets were being held.
They had to go through several doors and guards to get there, which wasn't surprising. She knew the three teens were just as dangerous as any Soldier. It wasn't until they got to the last door that she wondered how they were holding Nero. Out of them all, his power made it the easiest to slip away undetected. Though she got her answer as soon as they walked in and saw Vincent leaning against the far wall. The ex-Turk gave them all a curious look but didn't ask any questions. He simply moved to the side and allowed them to get closer to the three cells.
Clarissa spared him a glance for a moment. Now that life was a little less crazy, it was about time that he and Sephiroth had a heart-to-heart. Perhaps even time enough to head out and find Lucrecia. Vincent raised a brow at her evaluation, but she just shook her head. For now, she had something else to focus on.
With that thought, she turned to see both Weiss and Rosso had stood to see who had come to visit. Weiss was the first to speak. "Look at who it is. A little dove has come to see us."
Genesis growled at the implications in that name, but Clarissa was ignoring them both. Her focus was on Rosso, and it didn't take the teen long to figure it out. She smirked at Clarissa before she spoke. "I see my efforts have gone to waste. You are just as colorless as ever. Though I suppose it is alright if you wish to admire mine."
By that point, Clarissa was shaking. Genesis had taken a threatening step forward, but all the men froze and looked on in shock as the floor around Clarissa started to ice over. Genesis was the first to shake off his stupor and grabbed his wife by the arm. He had to bite back a curse as the ice started to coat his hand, but it quickly retreated as she looked over at him and finally saw what her reaction was doing.
She gave him an apologetic look before she focused back on the girl. Her jaw clenched several times, as did her fists, but when she finally spoke, her voice was even and held a note of pity, which shocked all of the Tsviets.
"Your bloodthirst is not a boon. It is a symptom of the hell you went through. I know that. I still want to beat the shit out of you, but I won't because you aren't worth my time or pain."
Rosso scoffed at her and smirked again, but it was harder for the girl to hold onto as Clarissa ignored her and continued. "Instead, I want you to think about something. Your way of life, the one that was thrust upon you all, that way is dying. The monsters that held us all are gone, and for the first time in a long time, more peaceful minds are reigning."
She paused and looked around at the men next to her before she continued. "Despite what it means for us as well, I hope there comes a time in my lifetime that people like me and these men are also no longer necessary." She then made sure Rosso was looking in her eyes as she finished. "Keep that in mind, when you are asked to change. I know it won't be easy, but I also know you are all strong. Don't let what madmen lined out for your future become all you know. They win if you can't walk away from their path."
Every one of the others were looking at her like she had lost her mind. It hadn't taken a lot for the other Firsts to figure out that something had happened between Clarissa and the girl. That made her words all the more confusing.
It was several seconds before Rosso finally scoffed and answered, though they could hear a note of uncertainty. "It isn't like you care. We both know you want me dead."
Clarissa's eyes narrowed, but her voice was still even. "You are correct. There is a part of me that wants to string you up and skin you alive, but I won't. I can't. If I give in to the urge for revenge, I will be the one to pay. And like I said, you aren't worth that much to me. I'm only telling you this because I pity you. All of you."
As soon as those words were out of her mouth, Rosso jumped forward with a snarl. She was able to ignore the voltage that zapped through her as she grabbed the bars and raged at them all. Weiss had also jumped forward, though he was only shouting obscenities.
Clarissa shook her head as she left a parting remark. "For your sake, I hope you can rise above the past, or you will forever be lost." That was the final straw. Genesis knew his wife would get angry if he shot a fireball into the cells to shut them up, so instead, he turned her to leave.
Sephiroth was the last to walk out, and he paused to give them all a contemplative look. His voice was so low that Vincent was the only one to hear over the yelling. "I know what it is to walk another's path. I, too, hope that you learn to leave it behind."
Vincent continued to watch the door after the General left. Had anyone been looking, they might have fallen over in shock as a small smile graced his lips. Despite everything, he knew without a doubt that Lucrecia would be proud of her son. That thought left an old ache pulsing again, but he hoped that one day she would be able to see it for herself.
12 Years Later
Genesis had just stood to open the door. Not that he didn't already know who it was. He smiled at the sight of a young man on the other side with an arm around a pretty girl. Though he wasn't given a chance to do more. The sound of high-pitched squeals and giggles could be heard before two blurs slammed into his legs.
He sighed as he stooped to pick up two very squirmy, giggling, and extremely naked children. He looked them both in the eye before he frowned at them and spoke. "Can you please explain to me why the two of you are out here like this?"
The little girl with pink hair and blue eyes grinned wider at the look he was giving them since she knew he wasn't serious yet. Still, she answered right away. "It's bath time, daddy, but we felt Uncle Loz."
The boy with pink hair and green eyes climbed further up his arm and waved enthusiastically. "Hi, Uncle Loz!" He then saw who else was there and punched his sister in the arm to get her attention. "Look, look! It's Shelke too!"
The girl copied her brother until they were both nearly sitting on Genesis's shoulders to look at the two young adults that had finally come in. Loz paused long enough to ruffle both of their hair before he turned to see a soaking wet Clarissa storming into the living room. She paused when she saw their guests, but only long enough to give them a smiling greeting before she turned to the twins.
"Aiden, Rowan, both of you will get into the tub now, or I promise that I will put you in the corner. If you argue, I will put you back there after dinner."
One turned a pouting look to their mother while the other turned the same look to their father. It only took Clarissa a moment to see her husband weakening. She spoke up before he could. "No buts. You were almost finished. I know you can be done before daddy gets dinner laid out."
Genesis had to go ahead and hand them over to their mother. He already knew that if he didn't, one of them would likely wheedle a concession from him. He had no will to resist their sad eyes. Clarissa flashed him a small smile over the twins' heads. She knew as well as he did that he had a weakness where those two were concerned.
As soon as she disappeared into the back of the house, Shelke laughed as she and Loz sat on the couch across from Genesis. He let out a long sigh before he smiled at the other two. "I am glad you were able to stop while in the area. It has been at least a year since we saw any of you. How are the rest?" He paused and looked at their combined hands before he smirked and continued. "I suppose I should also ask when the nuptials will be. I had heard that you finally asked."
Both of the younger people blushed, but Shelke managed to answer. "We haven't decided yet. We know we want to have it here in Banora, but we at least want to wait until Kadaj is done with uni. Plus, Yazoo is still in Wutai. That gives us at least a couple of years to plan everything."
Shelke fell silent at that point, and they blushed again, but Loz was quick to pick it up. "Uh, actually, that is part of why we are here. We hoped to ask if it would be alright to use one of the orchards."
By that point, Clarissa had reappeared with two wriggling fluffy towels. She set the twins down and gave them a look that had them drying off quickly before she turned to Loz with a smile. "You know you don't even need to ask. I would love to help set it up. It's about time if you ask me."
Both their guests turned to the side with blushes while Clarissa sent a smirk toward her husband. He had to swallow a sigh. He knew he had lost that bet fairly, but now wasn't the time to go over it. Especially as the twins had barely paused to don underwear before they climbed up to sit with their guests.
Clarissa sighed as she watched them for a moment. She could let them have it for now. They didn't get to see any of the others nearly as often now that they had finally moved back to Banora. Genesis's father had been asking for years, and now that the twins were nearing school age, they decided that life outside of Midgar might be better for them.
Not that they didn't see the others at all. Both Sephiroth and Angeal had come to the housewarming party just over a year ago. As had their dates. Well, Angeal brought his wife, but it was wonderful to see that Sephiroth had finally found someone that seemed to make him happy. Unfortunately, they were both kept busy with rebuilding what had once been a draining monster. At least most of the world was well on the way to alternate forms of energy with hardly any decline in the quality of life.
Clarissa had finally moved to get the twins to go get dressed, but Loz held up a hand to stop her. "Oh, wait, I almost forgot. Zack and Aerith both asked me to give you something." He then stood and pulled something small from inside a pocket before he handed it to Genesis.
The ex-Commander took it with a curious look. Clarissa bumped his arm and motioned for him to unwrap it. They were both shocked to see a small white orb. Their eyes shot up to where Loz was smiling at them. He was quick to explain. "Aerith said it was a family heirloom. Since you are family, she wanted you to have that one. It finally came off the original."
Clarissa let out a soft sigh. Of course. The Holy materia was made by the Cetra, it would make sense that Genesis was given one as well. Not that it was common. That was a priceless thing. She wiped away a tear as Genesis finally answered. "The gift of the Goddess indeed."
He then moved to place it on the mantle along with several charcoal sketch portraits. He then turned back to the young couple with a smile. "Why don't the two of you come and help me with dinner while Clarissa gets the twins decent. You can tell us all about how everyone is doing."
Dinner was a lively affair. Both Rowan and Aiden refused to sit in their own seats. Thankfully, both Loz and Shelke were more than happy to spoil their niece and nephew for one night. Clarissa wanted to groan at all the things they were getting away with but let it go for the night since they didn't get to see the others often. That would probably change when they were a little older since Genesis already said he wants them to all travel and see the world, but until then, each visit was cherished.
It was late when Loz and Shelke finally left, which meant it was even later when Clarissa finally got the twins to bed and had finished reading the next chapter of their favorite book. This would be the third time they had her read it, but she didn't mind.
She had just moved to put it down when Rowan looked up with a sleepy-eyed smile and grabbed her arm. She smiled down at her daughter and brushed her hair back when she whispered because Aiden was already asleep. "What is it, sweetie?"
The girl tried to talk through a yawn but had to repeat herself anyway. "Mommy, who is that pretty lady next to you in all the pictures Uncle Sephy draws?"
Clarissa nearly smiled at the nickname that only the twins were allowed to get away with calling her 'brother.' Still, the question had her stumped. "Which one do you mean? There are a lot of pretty ladies in those pictures."
The girl huffed for a moment but still tried to explain. "I'm not dumb. I recognize Auntie Aerith and Shelke and Shalua. I mean the other one. The one that looks like you but isn't."
Clarissa felt her heart still for a moment. She didn't need to hear more to know precisely who Rowan was talking about. That was one subject that had never been brought up to the twins, but despite their age, they were smart enough that she knew she couldn't hide it forever. She managed to swallow down her tears and gave her daughter a smile. "That is your sister, Willow, and her daughter Rose."
Despite the girl's tiredness, she shot up with wide eyes. "I have a sister?"
Clarissa pulled her into a hug. Partially to keep her from waking her brother, but also to keep her from seeing the tears that she was fighting to blink back. "Yes. I planned on telling you both about her when you were older, but I guess it can't wait."
Rowan wriggled out of her mother's grasp and sat back with shock. At least until she saw the look in her mother's eyes. She reached out a tiny hand and patted her cheek before she spoke softly. "It's okay mommy, you don't have to tell me if it hurts." She then paused and looked at her hands for a moment before she looked back up, and tears were in her eyes as well. "Did you not want to tell us because something happened to her?"
Clarissa had to fight to hold onto her composure, but she somehow managed to answer without crying. "It's complicated, sweetie. I know she is alive and happy, but we were separated, and there is no way we can see her again. Not in this life. But I have faith that we will all be together in the next one."
Rowan looked like she was about to cry as well, so Clarissa gathered her up in a tight hug. She held her for a moment before she finally laid her back down and tucked her in. She kissed her brow before she finally spoke again. "I promise that when you get back from Grandma's house, I will tell you and your brother everything I can about her. How's that?"
It was a few moments before the girl finally nodded. Her agreement was cut short by another yawn. Clarissa smiled down at the two adorable terror tornados that were both now asleep. She kissed them both once more before she stood and nearly screamed when she saw Genesis leaning against the doorjamb.
She put a hand over her heart while he stood and gathered her into a hug. Thankfully he kept his voice low enough not to wake the two sleeping children. "I am not shocked that they finally asked. Though I will be there to help any way I can."
Clarissa sighed and let her head lay on his shoulder for a moment before she finally stood and pulled him out of the children's room. It wasn't until they were in theirs that she finally spoke again. "I know. They deserve to know. I'm just trying to figure out how to tell them I'm basically an alien."
Genesis chuckled at her analogy as he watched her undress and get ready for bed. It wasn't until he pulled her down next to him that he answered with a smirk. "You could simply tell them that. I'm positive it would make their day to know they are part alien."
Clarissa tried to stifle her laughter, but it was a lost cause. When she was able to get it under control, she snuggled closer as she responded. "I know we'll figure it out. We always do."
Genesis hummed his agreement as he wrapped his arm around her waist. They were both nearly to sleep when something else that was said rang through his head, and he smirked. He turned so that he was facing his wife before he spoke. "You know, although my mother suggested this visit, there is no reason the two of us can't take full advantage of a day alone."
She did not need him to explain. The look in his eyes was more than telling enough. Despite how tired she was, that look had her heart speeding. It wasn't that they had lost the spark at all, but as parents, opportunities were fewer. Not that she was complaining, but she grinned up at him at the thought of a whole day with just her husband.
Her arms wrapped around his neck as she kissed him until they were both breathless. He finally pulled back and gave her a look that did more than suggest that he wasn't willing to wait. She chuckled as he leaned in and whispered again. "Can you stay quiet this time?"
She rubbed one leg over his and smirked as she answered. "Only if you can too."
Genesis groaned as he pulled her in for another heated kiss. They still hadn't perfected this whole quiet thing, but he was more than willing to try again. Thankfully, so was his wife. Despite the many years they had been together, they both knew it was still just the beginning. There was so much more to life, and they were both willing to make the most of it with all of their ever-expanding family.