Dissidia - I Do

by talinsquall

FF7/FF8 regulars say Hi!. Baby-making abounds through the rest of the Final Fantasy crew. Seph/Zack, Cloud/Reno/Squall, Cid/Vin, Firion/Emperor, Golbez/Cecil, COD/Terra, Kain/Bartz, Larsa/OK, Jecht/Kuja, Tidus/Yuna/Zidane, Vaan/Fran, Hope/Light, Rufus/Laguna, Basch/Balthier. AU, OOC, OC, Non-Canon, Homosexuality, Het, Sex, Violence, Incest, Underage, Swearing, Mpreg, Fpreg, Death

A/N: Play Opera Omnia daily. Recent inclusion of Reno has revived my soul. CidVin doesn't hurt either. Zack is everything. Using Omnia Gods, but NT stages, except for Imber Manor and Ultimecia's Castle. This turned into such a mess. Inspired by "I Do" by Aloe Blacc (GAH! 5/13/21 EDIT - Deeply apologize to my beloved first day viewers. Accidental double post in only chapter. Why does this keep happening to meeeee?)

Fandom: Dissidia

Summary: The Cid & Vincent Show, Reno's here!, Zack is love, Misunderstandings and baby making abound through the Tower

Pairings: Sephiroth/Zack, Cloud/Reno/Squall, Cid/Vincent, Firion/Emperor, Golbez/Cecil, Cloud of Darkness/Terra, Kain/Bartz, Larsa/Onion Knight, Jecht/Kuja, Tidus/Yuna/Zidane, Vaan/Fran, Rufus/Laguna

Warnings: AU, OOC, OC, Non-Canon, Homosexuality, Heterosexuality, Sexual Situations, Incest, Swearing, Mpreg, Fpreg, Teen Preg, Rinoa is Ultimecia, (Vincent is Sephiroth's father in my head canon.)

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this fan fiction. In certain cases incidents, characters and timelines have been changed for dramatic purposes. Certain characters may be composites, or entirely fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

XXX

Dissidia - I Do

XXX

Never understood why

People always say "Love chooses you"

Now I do

Now I do

Didn't ever think that

I could ever say "I promise you"

And now I do

Now I do…

XXX

(Imber Manor)

Cid Highwind nearly fell to his knees as his sky-blue eyes found his distraught love in a dilapidated manor. "Vince! Ah've been heartsick lookin' all over for ya."

The gunslinger remained seated on the long staircase. A fisted gauntlet was placed over his still heart. "I have forsaken the sky. I must… atone."

Cid leaped to embrace his forlorn husband. "Awww, Vince. Snap out of it! We worked this shit out years ago. What brought you back to square one?"

Zack nudged a freaking out Cloud. "You feel what I'm feelin'? Think we finally found my Angel, Spiky. I knew Seph would never leave his father alone and unprotected."

Cloud shuddered and placed a hand on the hilt of his sword. "Yippee. Think kindly of me when I'm skewered."

Zack slapped his wary friend on the back as his enhanced eyesight scanned the shadows. "Relax, Cloud. Sephiroth wouldn't kill you while I'm around. He'd at least wait until I'm sleeping. You know it takes a lot to make this SOLDIER tired."

Cloud stayed tense. "Gee thanks, Zack. I feel so much better."

Cid warmed Vincent's chilly hand and kissed the flawless face free of tears. "Vince, tell me what to do to help. The Captain can't do shit until you steer him in the right direction."

Sephiroth's dramatic arrival was heralded by a flash of light and a flurry of feathers. "Beware all who enter- Puppy? What the- What the hell are you doing here, Zackary?"

Zack cringed under his spouse's exasperation. "Hey, Angel. Materia came a callin' and asked if I wanted to be a hero. I happened to have some free time so I said yes. Surprise!"

Cloud sidled slightly behind his exuberant best friend. "Zack, I think I hear Squall calling me. I'll see you back at the Tower."

Zack turned a bewildered gaze back to Cloud. "So soon? I thought we had to clear this place before moving on."

Sephiroth huffed, grabbed Zack by the scruff of the neck, and rudely shooed Cloud to the door. "Away with you, Strife. I'll kill you another day. Zack and Cid can clear this place by themselves."

Zack whined in Sephiroth's iron hold. "Don't threaten Spiky, Seph! It makes me sad."

Sephiroth wrapped the First Class in his arms and black wing. "I am extremely irritated, Zackary. Do not try my patience any further."

After making sure Cloud made a clean getaway, Zack proceeded to thaw Sephiroth's heart with deep kisses. "Sorry but not sorry. I'm tired of waiting for you at home. Haven't we been separated long enough? I couldn't stand being without you a minute longer. I love you, Angel."

Sephiroth returned Zack's love with heady kisses of his own. "I love you more, Puppy. I was merely playing my role as the villain for this silly story. I had no idea my poor father would be included in this tale."

Cid rocked his depressed Valentine in his arms. "Need to bring you back to the Tower, Vince. Ah'll build up the biggest fire to warm yer bones and Tifa can make her special casserole."

Vincent sniffled and nestled further against Cid's broad chest. "I'd like that… Cid? What are you doing here? What am I doing here? I was on my way to Materia's Tower with Sephiroth when it all went dark."

Sephiroth knelt to brush back Vincent's long hair. "I was called to perform my villainous role sooner than expected. When I left, Kefka waylaid you and brought you here."

In a blink, Vincent had Cerberus ready to fire. "That odious clown! How dare he use my past for his entertainment. I swore I would never put Cid through this misery again."

Cid reaffirmed his loving embrace. "Shoot, Baby. Ah'd jump through the fire a thousand times over fer you. Swear it true."

Sephiroth gently helped a shaky Vincent to his feet. "Slowly, Father. You are still unwell. Zack will return with you to the Tower, while Cid and I clean up the trash."

Cid kissed Vincent again before resting the Venus Gospel on a sturdy shoulder. "So all we gotta do is clean out this shithole? Who's the big baddie at the end?"

Sephiroth tilted his head as if hearing an inner message. A menacing fire was instantly lit in his emerald eyes. "Oh, now I see. It is Kefka. He wishes to add more power to one of his monstrosities."

Cid guffawed and lit a cigarette. "Well, this jest made my day. Ya won't have to wait long, Vince. It don't take much to kick clown ass. You joinin' in the fun, General? Thought you were Spiritus's chosen villain today."

Sephiroth finished smothering Zack with kisses and stilled Cid's heart with a menacing look. "I am no one's puppet, especially when my father has been endangered."

Cid launched himself up the long staircase. "Let's get this shit started then!"

A gleeful Sephiroth disappeared with another flurry of feathers.

Zack made for the exit, carrying Vincent in his arms, when the gunslinger suddenly roused himself. "Need a minute, Vincent?"

Vincent's yearning gaze ventured up the broad staircase. "It has been so long since I've seen Cid wield his weapon in righteous fury. I miss it."

Zack's curious eyes followed Vincent's. "Yeah. I haven't seen Seph throw down in awhile either. Say, Vincent. I'm sure Sephiroth and Cid can take care of themselves, but it wouldn't hurt if they had someone to watch their backs. Right?"

With a flourish of his red cape, Vincent landed on his feet and floated up the staircase. "It wouldn't hurt at all. Quit dawdling, Son-in-law. We're missing the fun!"

A giggling Zack bounded up the stairs behind Vincent. "Yes, sir! Damn, it's great to be alive!"

XXX

(Reno's Introduction)

Cloud and Squall checked out Materia's new recruits as they arrived and were warmly welcomed by their friends and family.

Cloud noticed the SEED's brittle smile and kissed his cheek. "Hey, forget what Ultimecia said. I'm never going to find anyone better and leave you alone. You're it for me."

Squall returned Cloud's kiss, but his eyes remained on the new arrivals. "Yeah, I'm being silly."

Sensing a familiar presence, Cloud's body seemed to turn to stone. "Damn. Thought he'd still be deep undercover this cycle. Fuck my luck."

"Long time no see, Spiky. Miss me? I sure missed you."

Squall's surprised gaze landed on a tall, lean, gorgeous, pony-tailed man wearing a black fitted suit. "Hello. Welcome to the Tower. My name is Squall Leonhart. And you are?"

The redheaded male batted ocean-blue kitty eyes and leaned far into Squall's personal space. Their lips nearly touching. "Name's Reno. Just Reno. I'm a Turk, workin' for Shinra. Should be pissed that you got your hands all over my man. Funny enough, I'm not."

Squall tugged his boyfriend's stiff arm. "Cloud? What is he talking about? You swore you were single when we met. I would never have-."

"Ex!" Cloud jerked Squall away from Reno's toned figure and practically spat in the smirking Turk's face. "Reno's my ex-boyfriend."

Reno's naughty tongue darted out to lick Cloud's lips. "Never stopped you from sampling the goods when ya wanted, Cloud. And boy, did you ever want. Still want from what I'm seein.'

As Reno's gaze wandered down to rest on Cloud's obvious sudden erection tenting his pants, a disgusted Squall released Cloud's arm and backed away. "You liar! I can't deal with this."

Cloud reached up to palm Squall's anguished face. "Baby, I didn't lie. I swear it. Reno and I aren't together."

Squall smacked Cloud's hand away as tears threatened to fall. "Yet! I can feel the sick connection running between you two! Just leave me alone, Strife!"

Cloud's expression turned frigid as he watched Squall run away to cry to Selphie. With one shove, he pushed Reno behind a marble column. His hand was quick to grip Reno's pale neck and yank the Turk's head down to his level. His lips tickled a pinkening ear. "Give me a good reason not to tear you apart, Turk."

Reno swerved his head to buckle Cloud's knees with a lustful kiss. "Relax, Spiky. Turk's finally seen the competition and it's all good. Squall's gonna be mighty comfy between the two of us when we get back home."

Cloud knocked Reno away with a bitter laugh. "Who says you're invited? You're not my only option anymore. Squall's a bearer too. We were planning on having a big family before Materia turned over your rock."

Reno snuggled Cloud from behind and stuck his hands in the warrior's front pockets. "Who says you gotta stop planning? Ain't never been a mark I couldn't bag and Squall's the prettiest I've seen. Got good taste there, Strife. This Turk wants a taste too. For life if ya let me."

Cloud glanced around to meet Reno's calculating gaze. "Squall isn't a mark. He's my life partner and the future mother of my children. Screw this up for me and I will end you, Turk."

"Correction! ONE of the future mothers of your children. This Turk's oven is still open for business." Reno sighed and rested his forehead on the back of Cloud's head. "I get it. You're scared. Squall hasn't seen you get freaky yet. You've been Mr. Vanilla to his cherry ass. Boy, is he in for a surprise."

Cloud bristled at the true reminder. "Squall isn't like us. He doesn't get off on pain and bondage like we do. I did find out what he gets off on though."

Reno shimmied around to Cloud's front with a gleeful smile. "Do tell."

Cloud whispered. "Squall's best friend, Selphie, noticed how he kept shutting me down. She gave me some pointers she learned when he was drunk."

Reno tilted in. "Like?"

A creepy half-smile appeared on Cloud's face. "Squall's fascinated by deep bruises on pale skin. It turns him on like nothing else."

Reno ran a long finger down the harsh finger marks on his neck. "Like these? Guess I better hurry and show our future spouse what the bad man did before they disappear. Friggin' Mako's way too efficient."

The Turk scurried to Squall's side to tearfully apologize for his earlier behaviour and show what a brutish Cloud did in retaliation.

Squall's protective embrace around Reno and condemning look to Cloud made the warrior's invigorated erection nearly tear his pants.

Cloud's half-smile increased in creepiness as Reno lightly nuzzled Squall's neck and the Gunblader's hold noticeably tightened. "Good thing Reno loves being a bottom. It'll keep Squall from starting sneaky SEED shit when I'm working. Guess I'll be accepting Rufus's bodyguard offer when we get back home. We're going to need a big house for all the kids."

XXX

(Never Enough Zacks)

The various members of AVALANCHE and their compatriots ogled from afar at a debauched scene.

Having been separated from Zack for most of the cycle, Sephiroth, in his loneliness-induced madness, had collected all the Zack manikins he could find in the World of Darkness and proceeded to make love to all of them non-stop with multiple clones of himself.

Since it happened, Zack had fallen unconscious and now laid next to his thoroughly repulsed best buddy, Cloud. "Oh yeah, Angel. Crush my ass. I can take it."

Yuffie placed her hands over Zack's mouth in frustration. "Can someone please hang up his mental phone!? It's been like this all day! Why can't we bring him back to the Tower? Hearing all the sex over there is gross."

Aerith nestled closer to a riveted Tifa to get a better look. "We can't, Yuffie. The kids kept asking what Mr. Fair was talking about."

Cait Sith thoughtfully rocked on his mog. "Precisely. There is no way I am explaining sexual relations to a five-year-old again."

The stuffed cat's inventor managed to feel the group's weighted looks from across a whole other dimension. "Rufus and Sephiroth were very inquisitive in their youth. Rufus heard what I had to say, found it icky, and promptly forgot about it. Sephiroth… Well, you see the result before you."

Cid kept his back turned, but his awareness was really on his distraught love perched up in a tree. "Vince, come on down from there! Ain't nothin' you can do for the young'un while he's like this."

With crimson eyes averted, Vincent shook his head and tightened his grip on the tree's branches. "I'm not leaving here until my baby is well again. I can't, Cid."

Cid punched the next tree over in frustration. "That does it! Bring down the rain, Aerith."

The Cetra sighed as Tifa slumped beside her. "Do I have to? Sephiroth's finally happy and Zack's being made happy too… a lot."

Cloud caught Zack as the First Class seized in his lust-filled delirium. "Sure. Zack's happy, but I think all this sex is killing him. Sephiroth's suffering and bringing Vincent along for the ride. Do your magic, Aer. Please."

Aerith popped to her feet with a joyful smile. "You're so cute when you're desperate, Cloud. Okay. Here it goes."

The Cetra brought her hands together in prayer, a minute later a momentary healing deluge blanketed the area, ending with a solitary Zack resting in a sane Sephiroth's arms.

The former General blinked the magical raindrops from his eyes prior to covering his woozy Puppy with kisses. "Zack? Oh, Beloved. I've missed you so much."

To the group's relief, Zack opened his eyes and beamed sunshine to his husband. "Good morning, Angel. I love you."

Vincent dropped down from the tree and sailed over to cover a nude Zack with his cape. "I was so worried, Sephiroth. Please talk to me when your mind becomes troubled again."

Sephiroth reached up to grasp Vincent's hand. "I am sorry, Father. The Darkness fell over my heart and psyche so quickly this time. It was only the Light from my Zack which saved me."

"I-i-i-i-i'm so sleepy." Zack's eyelids drifted back down and the First Class fell unconscious once more.

Hearing Sephiroth's alarmed gasp, Aerith quickly placed a hand over Zack's heart, then moved it down to his lower belly. "Huh. Not really a surprise. It's fine, Sephiroth. Zack won't be fighting any longer this cycle. He's pregnant. Congratulations, Daddy."

Cid embraced his amazed spouse. "Hear that, Vince? We're gonna be granddaddies! We gotta hurry up and get back home. Ah got a cradle to make."

Vincent sagged against his Captain. "A child. This horrid day has ended in a blessing."

Yuffie jumped up-and-down and waved her arms in the air. "Yeah, yeah. Can we finally leave now? There's like yucky spunk EVERYWHERE! The rain just spread it around! It's like fighting Ultros all over again!"

Tifa grabbed one of the ninja's arms and started walking towards a developing exit torsion. "Classy as ever, Yuffie. She's right, though. I'm going to have to throw away these shoes. Let's go."

As the rest of the group began to leave, Cloud paused next to Sephiroth, who was lovingly gazing at a slumbering Zack. "I'm actually happy for you two. It's the one thing Zack wanted, besides being a hero. I'm heading back. You got this, General?"

Sephiroth kissed Zack's forehead and drew his fingers through messy black spikes of hair. "Oh yes, Strife. I failed my Puppy once before and rightfully lost everything I held dear. Never again."

Cloud turned and sauntered towards the exit torsion. "Good. If you break Zack's heart again, I will kill you."

Sephiroth kissed Zack's lower belly. "If I break Zack's heart again, I will welcome Death with open arms."

XXX

(Reno at Work)

As Squall efficiently sharpened his sword in his room, Reno secretly used the shadows to slither into a corner.

To the Turk's surprise, the Gunblader spoke directly to him. "What's your deal, Turk? You're playing a game with me. I didn't need Selphie to warn me, but I can't figure out the end result. You can have Cloud if you want him. I'm returning to my own world anyway."

With his cover blown, Reno stepped into the light, shrugged out of his suit jacket, and decided to lounge like the lazy tomcat he was on Squall's bed. "You're breaking this Turk's heart, Squall. I overheard Aerith giving you all the info on Wutai marriage customs. There doesn't have to be any choosing if you return with me and Cloud. You can have the both of us."

Squall paused in his sharpening and pinned Reno down with his infamous glare-frown. "Who says I want either one of you? Aerith and Tifa explained more to me than just Wutai marriage customs. You and Cloud like to tie each other up and hurt each other. I don't care if it's a reaffirmation of trust between you two. I can't abide that sort of stuff and I won't have it around me."

Reno placed his hands behind his head and stared up at the ceiling. "Relax, it wouldn't be. Me and Cloud got a special hidey-hole for our shenanigans, but I can smell a story here, SEED. Why don't you school me on it? If you won't spill the beans, I know Selphie will. That magical girl wants you to have a happy life and she knows me and Cloud are the only ones who can give it to you."

Squall set the sword and sharpening stone down to join Reno on the bed. He sat quietly for a while before he spoke. "Back on my world, my fellow SEEDS and I were imprisoned in a horrible place called D-District Prison. While there, I was tortured by a former fellow student until I passed out from the pain. When I regained consciousness, it started all over again. It was a no-win situation. Seifer was feeding me questions I had no answers to. I was saved in time by my friends. I had never been so glad to see Selphie and Zell in my life. I don't remember much afterwards. Whenever I ask Selphie how badly I was hurt, she refuses to tell me and cries. Zell reacts the same way."

Reno softly brushed the tears from Squall's cheeks. "Seifer? So that's the sick son-of-a-bitch's name I get to kill. I'll do it on the down low. Cloud doesn't need to know. He kills too quickly. Stupid super strength."

Squall clutched Reno's hand and hurriedly shook his head. "No! It's fine. Seifer was mind-controlled by Ultimecia. After she was defeated, he received intense counseling. He apologized and we all forgave him. He's even married to Zell. If you kill Seifer, it would destroy my friend. They've been trying for a baby. Please don't kill Seifer."

Reno kissed the back of Squall's hand. "Askin' a lot from this Turk, Squall. I won't kill him, but don't expect me to be civil during your geeky SEED reunions."

Squall marveled Reno by blushing to the tips of his ears. "They're not geeky. It's a way for us SEEDs to catch up with each other. We didn't just go to school together. Most of us grew up together in the Orphanage, along with my big sister, Ellone. Selphie lives for those get-togethers. My dad, Laguna, is hosting this year's party at the Presidential Palace. He already has a hot dog truck specially ordered for Zell."

Reno rose up to kiss the side of Squall's sweet smile. "You love Cloud. Anyone with eyes could see it. When he walks into the room, you light up like a Winter Solstice tree. You're already half in love with me. Kind of flattering, since I've only been here for less than a minute. Won't take much to make ya fall all the way. Don't snigger. This Turk never failed a mission. And this is the biggest one yet."

Squall edged slightly away as he peered down at the plotting Turk. "So I'm a mission now?"

Reno made himself more comfortable on the bed. "Yep. Mission Codename: Ball and Chain. Me being the Ball. Hopefully, Cloud's the Chain. You in, Strife?"

Squall jumped as his astonished eyes landed on a blank-faced Cloud looking down at the floor with his back resting against the door. His muscled arms were crossed against his chest. "Shiva! Will you quit suddenly appearing like that! I don't care if it's a normal First Class SOLDIER thing. The last time you made Laguna pee in his pants."

Cloud straightened up and moseyed towards the bed. He smirked as he noticed both Squall's and Reno's eyes following every movement he made. He gently tilted Squall's face up to kiss the SEED's soft lips. "I am definitely in. Good for you Reno loves getting dick all day, every day. It'll keep you occupied while I'm at work."

Squall's gaze veered over to a pink-cheeked Turk. He brought the redhead's hand he held to his heart. "You wouldn't mind, Reno? I can't lie and say I wouldn't enjoy it once in a while. There wouldn't be any rough stuff, but I promise I would do my best to make you feel cherished."

Reno reared up to squeeze Squall's waist. "Mind? Fuck, I"m counting on you loving me any way you want. Anytime you want. This Turk loves being loved."

Squall ruminated, as Cloud sat next to him, on the other side of Reno. "I'm not saying yes, but I'm not saying no. I need a little more time to think things through. Can you give me that?"

"No problem, Squall. Take all the time you need." Cloud leaned in to nip hickies all around Squall's neck as Reno's naughty hand massaged the SEED's defenseless crotch.

The trio froze as a sharp knock was delivered to the bedroom door.

Squall relaxed as Selphie's voice piped through the wood. "Reno? I need a third for my team tomorrow. My second is Laguna, and it's hard to watch over him, and fight at the same time. I think Squall would REALLY appreciate it if you helped us."

Feeling Squall's pleading gaze sear the top of his head, Reno groaned and fell back onto the bed. "Sure thing, Selph. Sign me up."

As Selphie hurried to the Common Room to inform the Warrior of Light of the new addition to her team, Reno's face was peppered by Squall's thankful kisses. "Yeah. Yeah. You owe me big time, SEED."

Cloud bent over Squall to give Reno a grateful kiss of his own. "Better you than me, Turk."

XXX

(Cornelia Stage)

Selphie waved her nunchakus. "Okay! I start off by raising my impenetrable magical wall of magic! Reno?"

Reno twirled his electromagnetic rod. "I shock the shit out of the enemy with my Magic Stick, then beat them to death when they're too slow goin' down."

Selphie pointed her finger at a long-haired, beautiful, green-eyed man. "What about you, Laguna?"

Laguna wrinkled his nose at the pointy finger and sighed in defeat. "I stay in the background, like a good Squall's daddy, and look pretty."

Selphie danced in place with joy. "Yay! Now if the enemy would show up, we could kill them fast, and get back to the Tower. It's Taco Tuesday!"

Reno paused with his twirling. "But it's Friday."

Selphie shrugged as a torsion opened. "Not in my reality! Here they come. I hope it's Golbez. Cecil gave me a letter to pass on to him."

Reno charged up his weapon. "About those two… They're siblings. Right? My co-worker, Elena, has a sister. Never seen them tongue kiss each other though."

Selphie frowned as she brought up her magical defensive wall. "They're Moon People. People do things different on the moon."

Reno snorted at the thought. "Moon people. This dimension is fucked up crazy."

Laguna shot up from the rock he was sitting on, and chambered his machine gun, as he viewed who swayed through the torsion. "Ultimecia!"

Reno rested his EMR on his shoulder and sneered at Squall's old girlfriend in Sorceress form. "Hey, Selphie. We get to kill a bitch today. Can't wait to give Squall the good news. Ding dong the witch is dead."

Selphie stayed on her guard, but held a hand up. "As much as I'd love to, you can't kill her, Reno. She's Ultimecia on the outside, but Rinoa has full control on the inside. Killing her would break Squallie's heart to pieces. The last time Laguna brought it up, Squall cried every night in his room until we all promised not to kill her."

Reno spat on the ground as a simpering smile lit up Ultimecia's face. "Damn. No wonder you're still alive. Cloud would've offed you in the first week. So that's the way it is. Fine by me. I got no SOLDIER sense of honor holding me back. This Turk got all the time in the world."

Ultimecia's smile flew from her face, replaced by a look of fury. "What is that supposed to mean, Usurper? No matter what form I take, Squall will love me. He will always love me. No matter who he tries to replace me with. My place in his heart is set in stone."

Reno's evil smile widened as he idly swung his rod back-and-forth. "Believe what you want to believe. Get real relaxed in your thinking. In the end, everyone dies. You never know when or how. One thing I know for sure, you'll never see this Turk coming, and Squall will never know it was me who done the deed."

Inwardly cowering under Reno's cold, serious staredown, Ultimecia raised her arms in a haughty stance. "Enough with this meaningless drivel! Shall we fight or not?"

Reno charged forward as Selphie pushed a grumbling Laguna behind her. "Bring it on, Bitch!"

When the trio returned to the Tower, Laguna grinned as Squall nervously patted him down. "No harm done, Baby Boy. Reno did real good protecting me."

While Selphie dueled serving spoons with Yuffie over the taco meat, Squall thanked Reno with kisses as Cloud prepared a plate of food for the tired Turk. "I should have warned you about Ultimecia earlier. I'm sorry. I wish I could finally let her memory go, but Rinoa was my first love. I'll always have a place in my heart for her."

Reno smiled, and received another kiss, as Cloud set the full plate down. He was relieved Cloud remembered raw tomatoes gave him heartburn. "You two take such good care of me. This Turk don't deserve it."

As Cloud crunched into his own food, Squall placed a full glass of sugary soda next to Reno's plate. "You deserve all this and more. I'll make you believe me one day. I swear it."

Reno sent a silent prayer to the Gods as he wolfed down his food. "Won't take much, Squall. Your love would make anyone a believer, even this stubborn ass fuck."

Observing his men eating their fill, a content Squall rested his head on the Turk's bony shoulder. "Oh Reno. You say the most romantic things when you're tired and hungry. I adore it."

Later on that night, in Squall's bedroom, Cloud reclined in a nearby chair as an excited Squall kissed and licked down Reno's naked body. "It's okay to bite, Baby. Reno loves it."

Reno purred as he petted Squall's tanned shoulders. "Relax, Lion. We got all night. Slicked myself up good and right before we woke you up. Come on in."

Squall paused in his loving as his blue-gray eyes darted over to meet Cloud's. "It's been so long. I don't know if I'll be able to pull out. Reno might get pregnant. Would you mind?"

Cloud answered by giving the gunblader a lustful kiss. "Doesn't matter, Squall. All your babies will be mine. Yours and Reno's."

Reno laughed under Squall. "Possessive obsessive crazy fuck! Lucky I fell in love with him. Damned near tore apart Aerith's church when I snubbed him the first time."

Squall clutched Reno closer as Cloud's luminescent eyes shined brighter. "Glad to hear it wasn't just me getting the stalker treatment. Did he hurt you?"

Reno licked a long line up Squall's throat to his chin. "Nah. Standard rough-up. Couldn't love me proper with Aerith standing there. SOLDIER boy broke my ass in later in Wutai. Didn't know I loved cock until Cloud. Now it's my any-day sundae. So why don't ya serve me a scoop, SEED?"

Squall kept his eyes on Cloud as he sunk himself into Reno's body with one sure thrust. "Fuck, Reno! You're so tight!"

Reno locked his long legs around Squall's hips. "Mako enhancements heal me back to new every time. This Turk'll be virgin tight 'til the day I kick it."

As his hips hammered Reno into the bed, Squall moaned as he felt Cloud start to loosen him up with his fingers. "Yes! You too, Cloud. Love me too."

Centering himself behind Squall. Cloud timed his thrust, so both his mates screamed with pleasure when he plowed in. "You haven't answered our proposal, Squall. You in or out? If the answer's no, I'll pull out right now, throw Reno into the hallway, and leave you lonely."

Squall sobbed as Reno warmed him with hot caresses. "Not fair! Always play dirty with me!"

Cloud grabbed the back of Squall's head and left him breathless with a forceful kiss. "Have to. When I play nice, the evil SEED bitch gets naughty."

Squall bit his lower lip hard until Cloud delivered a harsh slap to his ass. "Ouch! Yes! My answer's YES! I'm in! I'll marry you both in Wutai once the cycle's over!"

Reno yanked Cloud down over Squall so his rough motion moved the whole bed. "Good to hear. Let the evil SEED bitch meet my Turk, Squall. Promise to be super sweet."

Squall groaned as he released into Reno's thirsty body. "You might not like him, Reno. He's cold as ice."

Reno held his SEED tighter as Cloud rode Squall to completion. "Ice to my fire. This Turk can't wait."

XXX

(Materia's Private Sanctuary)

Zack stood in front of the young Goddess with an earnest expression. "You don't have to send me back home. I can still fight. Cid's helping me fashion stronger armor to protect the baby."

Materia bobbed in the air and shook her head. "I cannot allow you to stay, Zackary Fair. Children are a blessing given by a greater power than mine. To have the child harmed or killed would bring a costly and disastrous end to this cycle."

Zack tried to stay calm, but there was no helping the tears overflowing his eyes. "You don't understand. Even with Vincent's help, Sephiroth's sanity is shaky. If I leave, he'll go dark side again. I just know it!"

Materia tilted her head in thought. "I suppose I do not understand. Yet my answer is still no."

Zack's lower lip stuck out as his hands balled into fists. "I won't go! You can't make me! Seph! SEPH!"

Sephiroth appeared and clasped a hyperventilating Puppy to his heart. "Zack? What is it? What's happened? You must calm yourself. Think of our baby."

Sephiroth's concern doubled as Mako-tinged tears trailed from Zack's frightened eyes. "I am! Materia's forcing me to go back home. I can't do this without you, Angel. The baby needs your strength and so do I."

Materia flinched as Sephiroth's inner Darkness reared up to poison her surrounding Light. "There is no argument to be had. My chosen Warriors. My rules. Pregnant warriors are to be sent home immediately."

Sephiroth glared at the arrogant Goddess as he rocked his sobbing Zack. "Then I presume all the rest of your bred soldiers will be sent home as well. Thank you, Materia. It will make this cycle so much easier to end with Spiritus being the victor."

Materia's forehead wrinkled in consternation. "The rest? Light! Seek and find!"

In a multitude of flashes, warriors from both sides appeared in the Sanctuary.

The Emperor postured in place. "A trifle early for me to reign supreme, but I shall gladly take my seat."

Cecil sparkled as he circled around. "Oh dear. I'll be late. I hope Golbez will understand."

Onion Knight waved his sword in the air. "Where's the enemy, Materia?"

Bartz plopped onto his behind on the floor and held his tummy. "Hate teleporting. I'm gonna barf."

A blushing Terra hurriedly righted her clothes. "I was fighting! Yes, strenuously fighting."

Reno rested his EMR on his shoulder and slouched in place. "Fuck, Principal's office? Turk didn't do shit this time."

Squall kissed the sulking Turk. "Maybe it's for a good reason."

Kuja bristled as he threatened to go full Trance. "Who DARED to summon me during nap time?"

Zidane quieted his upset sibling with a warm hug with arms and tail. "Who cares, Kuja? I'm glad to see you. This cycle's been busy. I missed you."

The elder brother returned the embrace and kissed Zidane's forehead. "Yes, well. That goes without saying. I am still bereft of a nap."

Fran whispered to a newly appeared Lightning. "Do you know why we were called away from battle?"

Lightning kept her sword ready as her eyes scanned around the Sanctuary. "Whatever it is, it can't be good. Nothing to do with Goddesses ever is."

Materia placed her hands on her cheeks in consternation. "All of these warriors are with child? Inconceivable!"

Spiritus appeared next to her with an amused look on his face. "Very conceivable, apparently."

Sephiroth reminded the Goddess of his presence as a cried-out Zack rested against his chest. "Your chosen Warriors. Your rules. If my Zack goes, they all go."

Materia dropped her hands with a sigh. "The cycle is only half finished. To send them all home would bring ruin to this World."

Spiritus tilted his head in thought. "Rules are never absolute for us, Materia. I have decided to personally guard the safety of the children with my own lifeforce. The cycle shall resume on schedule."

Materia shook her head in dismay. "Very well. I remain extremely displeased with the situation."

Spiritus's eyes twinkled as he sent the warriors back to their various mates with a blink. "You are probably the only one. I have informed the other warriors of their future good luck. Let us see the drama unfold."

Materia gasped as a viewing screen appeared before them. "Spiritus! These are private moments! Have you absolutely no decency?"

Spiritus peered closer at the screen. "I am a God, Materia. I have no use for decency."

xxx

(Materia's Tower)

Firion fell off the bed as the Emperor landed on it in an ungraceful heap. "Gods! Mateus, are you well? Speak to me, my rose."

Flailing his arms, the Emperor struggled to right himself. "Don't you give me that, Peasant! Care! You promised your sister, Maria, you would only care for my beaten body then Leon would escort me back to my mother's Desert Palace. Instead, I am held hostage for nearly a month while you defile my blessed noble figure both day and night."

Standing up, Firion idly scratched his forearm as his desirous gaze traveled down the Emperor's gold-encased form. "I didn't hold you hostage. We had to wait for Leon to finish his reconnaissance prior to escorting you to your mother's. The Rebellion's needs came first."

The Emperor wiggled away from Firion with his arms wrapped tight around his middle. "Silence! I care nothing for your Rebellion. Your precious Rebellion has taken everything from me. It won't take this."

Firion hesitantly settled next to the skittish man and ran a covetous hand down a shivering arm. "Keeping her from me already. You can't hide her from me forever, Mateus. I won't let you. She's part of me too."

The Emperor clenched his eyes closed against the truth in the warrior's voice. "She? It could very well be a boy."

Firion bent over to kiss a blushing cheek. "It could very well be, but it is not. Is it?"

The defeated Emperor allowed Firion to go further and kiss his lips. "No. She loves her father very much and cries when I think of separating from you."

As the Emperor turned away, Firion rested his forehead against Mateus's temple. "I may have 'defiled' your blessed body day and night, but you allowed it to happen. You dared me to gaze on your demonic guise and become disgusted at the sight. Instead, I filled it with our beautiful daughter. Curse me all you want, Mateus. You will never be free of my love. Our baby's conception has proven it."

Once the warrior cuddled him from behind, the Emperor gripped the forearms wrapped around his waist. "What future do we have, Firion? What future does our daughter have?"

Firion kissed a lingering tear away. "Whatever we make of it, Mateus."

xxx

Cecil was whispering to Kain on the balcony when he felt a comforting presence behind him. "Do not fret, Brother. We are well."

As Kain made a leaping exit, Golbez wrapped a glowing Cecil in his arms. "When the news appeared in my mind, I lost all sense of self. Thankfully, my fellow combatants had the same dilemma. The battle was forfeited to neither side."

Cecil brought Golbez's huge hand to the small bump on his tummy as warm lips met his. "A child! FuSoYa hinted this may happen once we met again, but I never dared hope. Ceodore shall be so happy. His wish for a sibling has been answered."

Golbez took a step back and gazed down at the hidden miracle under his hand. "Yes. The subject was one of the first Ceodore brought up when I returned from the Moon. Although I never believed my romantic feelings should be returned, I verified with FuSoYa about any genetic aberrations which could happen. Being Lunarians, there are none. In fact, our joining has made our child stronger. Both magically and physically."

Cecil rested his smiling cheek against a chiseled chest. "Would that have stopped you from coming to my bed, Brother?"

Golbez chuckled and caressed his love. "I am not the seducer in this relationship, naughty little brother. When I returned from the Moon, you worked arduously to bring me to your bed and keep me there."

Cecil frowned as he listened to Golbez's steady heart. "When Rosa died, a vital part of my soul died with her. Except for Ceodore's love, I felt nothing until your return. I won't go back to that Darkness again, Golbez. I can't."

Golbez picked up his unsure mate and covered him with kisses. "You won't, Cecil. Our children and I shall make sure of it."

xxx

(Cornelia Stage)

Holding hands, Onion Knight and Emperor Larsa Ferrinas Solidor sat under a vast overhanging tree as their elders paced in front of them.

Larsa rubbed his arm against Onion's. "Why did you not tell me, Luneth? I would not have abandoned you. This baby is a dream come true for me."

Onion Knight blushed under his young love's adoring gaze. "I wasn't hiding it, Larsa. I honestly didn't know. I haven't felt sick or sluggish like the others."

Vayne knelt down next to his little brother. "Larsa, the time for romance can wait. We must plan how to introduce Luneth to the royal court. With you two being unwed, the child will be considered illegitimate and ineligible for the throne."

Larsa's wide light blue eyes caught his brother's. "We ARE married, Vayne. Luneth would not rest beside me at night until we were. It is what the village elder taught him growing up. Shantotto thought the notion old-fashioned, but married us at the beginning of this cycle. Ask Vaan and Terra. They were our witnesses."

Vayne squinted with his magical inner eye and gasped at seeing a golden chain interlinking Larsa and Onion Knight's hearts. "Brother, you went too far. If Onion Knight dies in childbirth, you shall as well. House Solidor will be no more."

Larsa held his sleepy spouse to his heart. "Without Luneth, there is no Larsa Ferrinas Solidor."

Onion Knight yawned and nestled against a strong chest. "Yeah. Ditto."

Gabranth slumped to sit on a nearby log. "Some adoptive father I am. My child is married, with child, and I had no idea. It shall be Bedlam once we return to the Capital. Besides the scandal, Onion Knight is far too young to have a baby. Shouldn't the Emperor have known better?"

Vayne sighed, and gently petted Larsa's head, as he slept against Onion Knight. "My mother was twelve years old when she became pregnant with my eldest brother. Until she died, my mother filled my little brother's head with wondrous stories about the joys of family."

Gabranth fiddled with the helm in his hands. "Onion Knight is the same. His greatest wish is to have a family to love and protect. I merely wish he had started a trifle later in life."

At that moment, Balthier made a grand entrance from a nearby torsion. "Your leading man is here. Why am I here?"

Gabranth waved a hand to the sky pirate. "Do you love Basch with all your black heart? Hush with your ready lies. I know you do. Prove it by protecting his charge's spouse, while Vayne and I make the Royal household safe for the future heir of House Solidor."

Balthier leaned against a nearby tree and peered down at the slumbering pair. "Heir to House Solidor. Hmph. Larsa married above his station in my opinion. With Onion Knight's magical power, their children will be on par with the Gods themselves."

Vayne kissed his brother's head. "Larsa is a Solidor, yet he was born with a kind and righteous heart. Unlike the rest of the family. Worry not for Onion Knight. Larsa's love for Luneth and their baby is true."

Bathier squatted down to ruffle Onion Knight's golden hair. "Then a babysitter I shall be for the next year or so. When Larsa is able to visit his loved ones, I expect to find Basch in my bed as well."

Gabranth removed one of his gauntlets to swat at a fly. "As long as you give him back."

As Vayne corrected Larsa's crooked neck, Balthier raised a smiling face to the sun's afternoon rays. "I promise nothing."

xxx

(Lunar Subterrane Stage)

Bartz sat across from the Crystal Palace and admired the majestic view. "Yep. Papa flew here in a big Lunar Whale. He'll tell ya he isn't a hero, but I think he is. He's not a Moon person, though, like Uncle Cecil. His family has a thing with dragons. He takes care of his adoptive father's dragon. Maybe you'll meet it one day. Aww, Kid. Hungry again? We just ate! If you eat like this when you're born, I'm gonna have to start dancing for gil again."

"Why are you worrying so?"

Bartz hugged his knees as Kain leapt and landed at his location. "I'm not worried. After this cycle is over, I will be returning to my world and you to yours. I'll raise my baby fine on my own. You made your feelings on babies very clear the one time it came up. You're not interested."

Kain ventured to pull his helm off, then paused as Bartz quickly turned away. "You've seen me at my near worst, Love. Why would you shun me now?"

Bartz angrily wiped the tears from his cheeks. "I want this break-up to be quick and clean. I can't think straight when I look at your face. I was never interested in men before meeting you. One day after seeing your stupid face, I'm flat on my back with you inside me. It's a miracle we don't have ten kids by now. Not that you'd want them either."

Removing his helmet, Kain loosened his lustrous blond hair so it flowed freely. Questing lips roamed along Bartz's tearstained cheek. "You misunderstood my meaning, Love. The shame is not for you but for me. Your children deserve a stable and loving father. One who was not once a villain of the lowest sort."

Bartz surprised Kain by grabbing his face and amazing him with a deep kiss. "Is that what this was all about? Kain, according to Cecil and Golbez, they and maybe five other people know what you did when you were mind-controlled. All have sworn to take it to their graves. You helped raise Ceodore and Cecil swears you're a great mentor for his son. Why do you think you'll be a horrible father? Was your adoptive father a bad father?"

Kain glanced away and smiled in remembrance. "No, he was the best father an orphaned boy could pray for. A mighty Dragoon with a heart of gold."

Bartz held Kain's hands and delivered more kisses to the smiling face. "There you go! No excuse not to be a good father. Now that's settled. Where are we going to live? Cecil said you've been roaming the desert between cycles and I'm not raising the baby in the stables with your father's dragon. I'm sure the baby wouldn't mind, but I would."

Kain kissed one of his love's hands, removed his adoptive father's ring, and slipped it onto Bartz's finger. "My fellow soldiers helped me build a house near the Castle after the previous cycle. Cecil bullied me into adding two extra rooms in case I would need them in the future. I thought it was wasteful at the time. I'm glad now I did."

Bartz snuggled his whole body against Kain's and rolled the ring on his finger. "So am I. You're going to love being a husband and father, Kain. I'll convince you, if it takes me fifty years or more to do it!"

Kain rubbed a reassuring hand over Bartz's lower belly. "I look forward to it."

xxx

(Narshe Outskirts Stage)

Resting on a cushiony snowbank, Terra motioned to the wintry landscape. "It doesn't look like much, but here is where Mama got her life back. A nice man removed the evil clown's device from my head and I could think for myself again. I could dream of a better life… A better life with you…"

The Esper's blue eyes ventured up to meet Cloud of Darkness's a stone's throw away. "I love you. I'm sorry it hurts you when I say it, but it's the truth. I love you. I will love our baby too with or without you."

Cloud of Darkness's stormy gaze centered on Terra's middle. "Ah yes. This explains why you became full Esper during our last time. Your spirit believed I would hurt the child with my loving."

Terra placed a hand over her belly. "An unconscious act by my Esper. I know in my soul you would never hurt my baby. Our baby."

Cloud of Darkness scoffed and fiddled with her surrounding tentacles. "Our? I am a creature of Destruction. A servant of the Void. New life cannot come from me."

Terra scoffed herself and saucily moved the lower part of her dress top aside so Cloud of Darkness could view her nude small baby swell. "Explain this then?"

A gleeful Terra found herself flat on her back in the snow as Cloud of Darkness licked and kissed along her bump. Her tentacles quick to caress the Esper to a delirious high. "You dare to seduce with a baby in your belly. Have your Esper attack me now or ready yourself for ravishment."

Terra laughed out loud and held Cloud of Darkness closer. "My Esper now understands the degree of your love and how safe our child truly is with you. Ravish me as you will. I will not stop you."

xxx

(Besaid Island Stage)

Observing Tidus, Yuna, and Zidane play in the surf, Jecht sat in the sand and drifted the grains through his fingers. "Come on out. I'm not mad at ya. Come on."

Faster than a scalded cat, Kuja darted from the palm trees to hide behind Jecht's vast back. A violet tail guiltily wrapped itself around a scarred middle. "I would have told you about the baby… in time…. Eventually."

Jecht idly threw a shell into the ocean as Tidus placed Zidane on his shoulders and Yuna cheered by their side. "Like when? First day of school or first major Blitzball tournament when they single handedly beat the team I'm coaching?"

To Jecht's consternation, Kuja's reply was matter-of-fact and nearly robotic. "If the fetus failed to survive the first trimester, the subject would be moot."

"Sounding a lot like Garland there, Big Brother. Scary."

Jecht looked up to find Zidane standing right next to him. "You two are way too quick for this old man."

Kuja remained hidden behind Jecht. "I'm fine, Zidane. Go back to playing. It's good for the baby."

Zidane stayed in place. "You're not fine. I can feel it. You know I can feel it, which means my baby feels it. So no. I am not going back to play until you stop feeling terrified. Jecht isn't Garland. He won't take your babies away from you and kill them if they're deemed unworthy by some dead society's standards."

Jecht covered his eyes with his hand as Kuja unleashed a fresh river of tears down his back. "Fuck my life. I'm a bad guy, Kuja, but I'm not that kind of bad guy. I kill those kinds of bad guys. So does Tidus. Right, Boy?"

Tidus hugged Zidane's shoulders. "Heck, yeah. If Yuna don't get to 'em first. Don't mess with the Summoner."

Yuna held her small fists up for emphasis. "That's Mama Summoner, Buddy!"

Zidane kissed Yuna's cheek. "Most yummy other Mama ever."

Jecht felt his heart unclench as Kuja's tears gave way to laughter. "So lazy, Little Brother. Getting twice the love for half the work."

Zidane kissed his protective spouses. "What can I say? Marriage and pregnancy agrees with me. How about you, Big Brother?"

Jecht dug Kuja's hand out of hiding and kissed a ringed finger. "I put this on you last cycle for a reason, Mate. Answer your little brother right or get ready for me to go red."

Kuja kissed the scar between Jecht's shoulder blades. "I love being married and having your baby. I'm sorry for my silly fears. I was alone for so long, Husband. To have what I have now overwhelms my soul sometimes. Zidane has been centering me while you were battling during the day."

Jecht half-turned to kiss Kuja's beloved blotchy face. "I'm here now. Mind if I'm the one centering you?"

As Zidane, Tidus, and Yuna slow-danced in the surf, Kuja returned Jecht's heated kisses with his own. "I wouldn't mind at all."

xxx

(Materia's Tower Courtyard)

Fran practiced her whip kick with a lethal grace and precision which made Vaan fall in love all over again.

The newbie sky pirate sighed from his hiding place. "I'm meant to be the main provider for my family. I have next to nothing to help provide for my family. I am so screwed."

Penelo knocked her lovestruck adopted brother on the head. "If that was true, you'd be the pregnant one."

Vaan hung his head as Fran executed a flawless back kick. "What am I going to do, Penelo? I thought it was a gift from the Gods when Fran had sex with me the first time. The second time was a lucky bonus."

Penelo waved to Fran as she stomped on an imaginary opponent. "And all the rest of the other times?"

Vaan kept his eyes on his boots as he shrugged. "Consequences be damned. I wasn't going to say no."

Fran halted her practice and stood still. Her lyrical accent drifted to Vaan's alert ears. "You never asked to be a father. I never asked you to be a father. I will care for my children. My sisters and The Wood shall provide. I shall not bother you the rest of this cycle and leave you alone when we return to our world."

As Fran exited the courtyard, Vaan's head hung as low as it could go. "Whoo! No responsibility here. Guess I dodged a bullet. Right, Penelo?"

Penelo was about to hesitantly agree when she spied Vaan's tears hit his boots. Her warm embrace was met by heavier sobbing. "Quit thinking about what you don't have to give the babies and think of what you do have. The main thing is love. The room practically explodes with it when you and Fran are together. You two may not have said it to each other, but it's there."

Vaan snorted against Penelo's shoulder. "You really think so?"

Penelo snorted back. "Quit asking me and ask Fran. Just because she gave you an easy out doesn't mean you have to take it."

Vaan hopped up, wiped the snot from his face, and ran into the Tower. He found a sad Fran eating a bowl of soup in the communal dining room. "I don't want an easy way out. I don't care if you don't love me. I love you, and our children, and I will break my back to keep them safe, cared for, and happy. Wait, did I say children? Did you say children?"

Fran bit a huge chunk off a loaf of fresh bread. "It is rare for a Viera to have a single baby. My sisters and I are triplets. I am carrying twins. A daunting responsibility for any man. My offer remains. The exit is behind you."

Vaan sat next to Fran and slammed his fist on the table. "Quit making me feel bad! I know I'm an immature brat, but I'm trying my best here. I can't believe you said you'd leave me alone. You know how I feel about that."

Fran's gentle touch to his hand calmed Vaan's heart. "Never truly alone. Our friends would not allow it. Penelo would not allow it. Our girls would come and find you once they came of age. They would care for you until Reks called you to join him. It is the Viera way."

Vaan kissed Fran's fingers as the tears coursed down once more. "It won't work without you, Fran. Nothing works in my life without you. It didn't before and it won't now. I love you. Don't leave me alone again."

Fran kissed Vaan's tears away with a smile. "I love you, my brave sky pirate. Fear not for our future, Vaan. I will be by your side always."

xxx

(Meanwhile, Nighttime, still in the Tower)

Lightning opened the door to her private room to view Hope's hopeful twenty-four-year old face. She promptly slammed the door shut again and locked it. "Serah! I will get you for this!"

Serah patted a glum Hope's arm and whispered. "Hormones. Sis may be a trifle bitchy until the baby's born."

Snow guffawed from a supposedly safe distance. "Sis is the same as she's always been. Don't blame the baby."

Lightning's answering punch to the door shook the hall lamps. "Shut your hole, Snow, before this bitch shuts it for you!"

Hope motioned to his friends. "Let me talk her down. Lightning expected to see a twelve-year-old when we met again this cycle. It really upset her when I decided to battle in my true form."

"It don't explain the-." Snow motioned a round belly to an amused Hope. "Thought she cared for you like a bratty little brother."

Hope's longing gaze circled back to the locked door. "My relationship with Lightning is… complicated."

Serah tugged on Snow's gloved hand. "Hope says he'll make things right and I believe him. Let's return to the Common Room. Yuna's going to sing tonight while Penelo dances. It'll be a great show."

Snow kissed the tip of Serah's nose. "No fireworks though."

Serah jumped into her man's arms and giggled as he carried her away. "I'll give you fireworks later, Big Boy."

Hope sighed and rested his shoulder against the shut door. "They're gone. We're all alone. Just the way you like it."

Lightning opened the door enough to glare at the sad-eyed young man. "Don't you dare act like I'm ashamed of you or of us. The news of this baby has thrown my life into a tailspin. I thought the option of having children was over for me before it really began. When I was newly recruited into the Guardian Corps, I was involved in a bad training accident. I was told I would never be able to bear children of my own. I admit I was upset for a good year then I learned to deal with it. I never really planned on having a family once I joined the military. I figured I would be happy being an aunt to Serah's kids."

Hope chanced on raising Lightning's ire by rolling his eyes with an easy grin which melted the female gunblader's heart every time. "You were the Saviour, Light. Blessed by the Goddess, herself. Did you honestly think she would heal most of your injuries, bring you back from Death, but leave you barren?"

Lightning grimaced and made to shove the door back closed. Hope stopped the action with his whole body and managed to wiggle his way into the room. "The overall healing may have occurred to me… A minute or two ago. Stop laughing! Damn it! You more than anyone know my mind was busy with more important things at the time."

Hope stopped laughing enough to draw a grumpy Lightning in for a torrid, sensual kiss. "Yes, I do. You sacrificed everything so our world would have a future. So I would have a future. In return, I gave you yours."

Lightning raised an eyebrow as her eyes traveled down to Hope's long fingers drifting across her abdomen. The tips barely brushing her bellybutton. "Your sense of romance is lacking, Researcher. Better get back to your books and find new material. This baby's asleep."

Hope's questing lips traveled from the side of Lightning's face down her soft neck to a sloping shoulder. He nosed the loose shirt away to worry a bra strap with his teeth. "Good. I wouldn't want them to be awake for this anyway. It's too early for them to learn Daddy's sexy moves."

Lightning swore, shifted her weight, and easily threw Hope onto her bed. "Sexy moves? I haven't developed morning sickness yet. Don't make me nauseous now."

Hope licked his lips as Lightning removed her night shirt. He tore her bra off with one hard yank. "Stupid thing. Gets in the way of my special treats."

Lightning moaned as Hope proceeded to lick and suckle her nipples. "Enjoy them while you can. They won't be available in a few months."

Hope ended the worship with a lip smack and nuzzle between Lightning's blushing breasts. "I don't mind. I'm ready to give our kid the world. You with me, Light?"

Lightning allowed a smile to flit across her face as she returned Hope's kisses with her own. "Till the end of time and beyond."

xxx

(Common Room)

As Penelo twirled around a singing Yuna, Zack nestled against the love of his life. "Hey, Seph. We having a baby?"

Sephiroth kissed his silly Puppy. "Yes, Zackary. We're having a baby."

Zack inched up to whisper to a listening Cid and Vincent. "Hey, Grandparents. Am I having a baby?"

Vincent reached behind to pet Zack's black spikes as a rare smile lit up his face. "Yes, Zack. You're going to give me and Cid our first grandchild."

Cid grinned and gave a thumbs up. "Can't wait to take 'em flying."

Zack leaned to the right to whisper to Tifa, Aerith, and Yuffie. "Hey, girls. Am I having a baby?"

Aerith beamed back to her old boyfriend. "Yes, you are. I can't wait to be their Fairy Cetra Godmother."

Tifa raised her beer mug. "I'm the best beloved auntie."

Yuffie twirled the mini shurikans on her fingers. "I'll be the great auntie who teaches them how to steal and throw knives."

Sephiroth caught Zack's concerned look with a small smile. "Father's planning to teach the baby how to sharpshoot once they start walking. It will be a well-rounded education."

Zack saved the best for last. "Hey, Spiky. Am I having a baby?"

Cloud's smile was genuine, but his eyes were haunted. "Yeah, Zack. Your wish came true. Just like you wanted."

Zack patted his belly with a smile of contentment. "Hear that, Baby? You've made your whole family happy and you're not even born yet. Guess it makes you a hero too."

Zack snuggled his face against Sephiroth's neck, so he didn't see Cloud's body jerk in reaction.

Swallowing back the grateful tears, Cloud was held together by a comforting Squall on one side and a loving Reno on the other. "Yeah, Zack. I guess it does."

XXX

(The Promised Meadow Stage)

Squall rested Lionheart on his shoulder. "You two shouldn't be here. I'm meeting Rinoa to talk some things out. That's it. It's why I didn't say anything to Cloud."

Reno swung the EMR tied to his wrist. "Bullshit, Baby. You didn't want to give Cloud a reason to tear Ultimecia in half. And you know her bitchy attitude would give Cloud a reason."

Squall uneasily rotated his shoulder. "That too."

Laguna merrily settled himself in the flowers and proceeded to work on a flower crown. "I'm just spending the day with my Baby Boy, future son-in-law, and growing grandbabies picking flowers. Yep, just picking flowers."

Squall sniggered as his father stuck a daisy behind his ear. "You're such a goof, Dad."

Reno straightened up from his slouch when Ultimecia appeared from a torsion. "Here we go."

The Sorceress swayed directly into Squall's personal space and rested a possessive hand over his lower belly. "How is our child doing?"

Squall took a big step back and rested the sharp end of Lionheart against Ultimecia's neck. "My child with Cloud and Reno is doing fine. Try to talk to him again through his dreams without my permission and I will cut off the hand which just touched me."

"Reno? You've joined with the rude tomcat?" Ultimecia's laughing eyes danced over to rest on the wary Turk. As their orbs roamed down to rest on his growing baby, the laughter turned into rage and the Turk readied himself for an attack.

Ultimecia raised a shaky finger to point at Reno's womb. "I sense Squall in you. A baby of Squall's bloodline grows in you. A filthy unworthy whore of the streets. How dare you! That child should be mine! It was meant to be mine! They've grown strong enough. I will take both babies with me and keep them forever. Safe from the ravages of time!"

Before Ultimecia could finish her inner incantation, she felt the barrel of Laguna's machine gun resting on the back of her head. "Leave. Leave now or I empty this whole magazine into your skull and there's no coming back from that. Trust me on this. You wouldn't be the first sorceress I've killed."

Opening an exit torsion, with a blink, the enraged Sorceress exited the stage, leaving destroyed flowers and fear in her wake.

Laguna quickly caught Squall as he fell to his knees. "I got ya, Baby Boy. Daddy's got you. You okay, Reno."

Standing tall and proud, Reno kept a protective hand over his belly as his hard eyes remained on the closing torsion. "Just peachy, Grandpa. Ultimecia did the ultimate no-no in this Turk's book. She tried to steal my kid. It's Open Season on her ass now."

Laguna waited until Squall's breathing steadied. "Is this true? Can we finally end this once and for all?"

Squall gasped as he held on tighter to his father. "I couldn't move! If my baby's will wasn't so strong, she would have taken him. I heard him crying when she tried to tear him from me. I knew Rinoa would be upset once I had a child. I had no idea she would react so badly to me fathering one."

Reno knelt down to pick the flowers out of Squall's hair. "Damn. Cloud warned me, but I didn't have a clue. This bitch has you so blind it's pathetic, Squall. You might be willing to take chances on your kid's life, but I'm not taking chances with mine. Ultimecia might've been willing to leave your kid with Cloud alone before, but she's called dibs on my Baby Squall, and this Turk ain't havin' it."

Squall managed to stand with Laguna's help. His blue-gray gaze surveyed the thrashed field. "You're right, Reno. I can't save Rinoa from herself and I'm done trying. I once promised to kill her, if she became too destructive, but I won't do that with my boy growing inside me. I don't want you to do it either, Reno. Maybe Cloud would do it. Do you think he would if we asked?"

Reno's ocean-blue gaze met Laguna's green. "Spiky? I'd say King Daddy Cloud's the perfect man for the job."

xxx

Later that night, Cloud gently laid a pale Squall in bed and waited for Reno to snuggle next to their SEED. "No moving until I get back. If you need anything, Reno or Laguna can get it for you. Aerith is right next door if the cramping starts again."

Squall tearfully kissed Cloud's hand and attempted to send his man away with a weak smile. "Don't worry. I just need a little rest and I'll be fine."

Both Squall and Reno were amazed as true emotion flowed over Cloud's porcelain features. The warrior bent down to embrace and kiss his mates as gently as he could. "I love you. I know I don't say it enough, but I do. Both you and our babies. I'll take care of the problem. I'll keep our family safe."

Reno lightly bit Cloud's earlobe. "Ride-or-die, Spiky. You ain't never gonna lose this Turk."

"Love you so much. Love you…" Squall kissed Cloud until his eyes drifted shut from exhaustion.

Laguna nodded to Cloud as the man left and took a seat next to the bed.

Reno favored his near father-in-law with an impish grin. "Ultimecia's little rhyme couldn't do shit to me or my kid, since we come from a long badass line of Witches. What's your excuse?"

Laguna answered with a sunny smile of his own. "Moomba magic. Moombas are happy little lions who wear overalls and give you magic when you feed them joy and happiness."

Reno blinked and peered deeply into Laguna's eyes. "It's always Sunday in your world. Ain't it, Laguna?"

Laguna guffawed and leaned back in the chair. "Live life easy and life will live easy on you. I always say."

Reno perked up when his phone rang with a distinct ringtone. "That'd be my boss, Rufus Shinra. He'll give you magic if you feed him love and happiness too. Like to meet him?"

Laguna glanced down uneasily to a sleeping Squall. "I don't know… "

Reno took the initiative and answered the call on video chat. "Hey, President Shinra! There's someone I'd like you to meet. My father-in-law, Laguna Loire. He's the President of that shiny place called Esthar I was telling you about."

The Shinra President's sultry voice was tinged with irritation as Reno slowly turned his phone around to Laguna's face. "This is a business call, Turk. Why would I care to meet some old, dried-up, haggard- Hello, Beautiful. How may you best serve me tonight?"

Laguna nervously tucked a lock of hair behind his ears and shyly lowered his emerald eyes from the other man's predatory gaze. "H-hello, Mr. Shinra. I mean President. Oh! Guess we're both Presidents. I'm screwing this up. Uh. Reno and I were talking about spells and magic. He said you could give me magic if I gave you joy and happiness. Does that sound dumb? Oh, Shiva, that sounds dumb. Reno, turn your phone back. I'm going to hide behind the chair."

"Laguna Loire, President of Esthar. Look at me." Laguna paused at hearing Rufus's authoritative tone and looked back to the phone.

Rufus was so close he could kiss the screen. His voice went from commanding to smooth in a heartbeat. "I have something much better than mere magic, my dear. I have advanced technology which could bring a new industrial renaissance to your people. As their elected official, it would be in your best interest to come visit me in Midgar. You can see where Cloud and Reno work and view all I have to offer."

Laguna blinked mesmerized eyes as the tycoon with a cover boy's face played him like a fiddle. "Well, Kiros does all the real presidential stuff and we've been making plans for me to retire soon. I want to help raise my grandchildren. What did Reno tell you about me and the state of my people?"

Rufus bowled Laguna over with his most sincere smile. "Only that you have done your utmost to keep the populace healthy and happy. I also heard you've been having problems with the city's main generators. A major disaster could happen if the system should fail as it has threatened to to do for a while. By happy chance, I have a more economical and environmentally safe system to replace your city's archaic one. Once you brighten my office with your beauty and sign off on it. You can be the official proxy between Midgar and Esthar when you retire from the Presidency. Please say you'll visit me soon."

Laguna bit his lower lip and tried to ignore how Rufus's eyes centered on it. "It would be business. Right? All business. You were right about me being old. I'm near fifty. How old are you?"

Rufus practically purred over the line. "I'm thirty. Don't dwell on the age difference, Laguna. It makes no difference to me. Twenty years. Hmmm. Time has been kind to you. What's your secret?"

Reno inwardly cringed as the sun returned to Laguna's smile. "Moomba magic. They're happy little lions-"

Reno swore as Squall's hand snatched the phone from him.

Instead of Laguna's gorgeous face, Rufus received a face full of wrathful SEED Commander. "Are you SERIOUSLY trying to seduce my father across a whole other dimension?! Use his people's plight so he'll whore himself to you for some generators? What kind of sick, wicked bastard are you? Give me a minute! I'm going to kill you over this phone. Better yet! I'll send Ellone after you when I get home. She'll castrate you between eyeblinks and your Turks won't be able to do anything about it. No, Reno! Give me back that phone!"

Reno hung the phone up and sat on it so Squall couldn't get to it. "Holy Hells, Squall! Relax! You can't kill my boss. He pays the bills. Without him, this Turk would've been long dead in the gutter."

Squall slowed his breathing down with Laguna's help as his father helped him back onto the bed. "I know I overreacted. I'm sorry. I know. I just…"

Aerith opened the bedroom door and waved a hand. She smiled as Squall and Reno dropped to the bed fast asleep. Her apple-green eyes widened as Laguna remained sitting in the chair and waved at her. "Little overall-wearing lions?"

Laguna grinned. "Little overall-wearing lions."

Once the amused Cetra left, Laguna tucked the boys in better and dug Reno's phone out from under him. Taking a chance, he redialed the last called number. "Hello?"

To Laguna's relief, Rufus's surprised handsome face filled the screen. "Hello, Laguna. Is it safe to talk?"

Laguna glanced over to his sleeping son then looked back to the phone. "For now. Before you start talking, I should let you know something else about the Moomba magic given to me. It's a humongous reason why I was able to serve so long as President. I can tell when you lie."

Rufus noticeably paled over the phone. "Oh… How nice… Laguna, I'm the President of Shinra, Inc and raised as a Turk…"

Laguna ran a finger down Rufus's curved cheekbone on the screen. "Lies are your bread-and-butter. Reno told me the Turk Code. I understand. The point being is that you can lie to everyone else, but you don't have to lie to me."

The two men, almost strangers, stared at each other for a long time.

Laguna ventured his thumb near the hang up button. "Tell me to hang up, Rufus, and we can forget these phone calls ever happened. I'll make sure to stay away when I'm in Midgar. It would be better for both of us. Tell me to hang up… Please."

Laguna closed his eyes as Rufus brushed the screen as if he was caressing Laguna's beautiful face. "Please…"

Rufus's solid reply won Laguna Loire's heart that day. "I'm glad I won't have to lie to the one I love. Laguna, don't hang up."

XXX

(Ultimecia's Castle)

Cloud slowed his mosey, but didn't turn around. "Go back to the Tower. I can do this alone."

Selphie danced in place with her nunchakus at the ready. "Sure you can! Back up doesn't hurt either. Ultimecia's mind whammies won't work on me, so I'm rock-solid if she knocks you out."

Tifa tightened her gloves. "It's cute when you try to tell me what to do, Cloud. It never works, but it's really cute."

Cloud actually stopped and glared at his childhood friend. "Rude isn't here, but he'll still find a way to end me if your kid gets hurt because of me."

Selphie jumped to the side and gently tapped at Tifa's skirt with a nunchaku tip. The red of Spiritus's protection appeared to swirl around the boxer. "It should be okay. The baby's protected like the rest of them are. Hey! Why didn't you show up in Materia's Sanctuary when she called?"

Tifa shrugged and began to walk towards the main twist in the middle of the structure. "Aerith shielded me with her magic. It's why Materia doesn't know she's pregnant with Tseng's twin girls. Us Avalanche girls like our privacy."

Ultimecia made her presence known with a hail of fiery magical missiles.

Cloud blew them all back with a shockwave from one precise Limit Break from his sword.

Selphie nudged Tifa's arm. "I think Cloud may have been right about being able to do this alone. We can still support him way, way over there."

Tifa covered her eyes as Cloud unleashed another Limit Break which brought down half the structure. The SOLDIER was not allowing Ultimecia any chance to retaliate. "Oh Gods. Cloud's using his full power. There'll be nothing left! Selphie, use the amulet Terra gave you to teleport us back to the Tower!"

Selphie held on tight to Tifa's hand and pressed down on the lavender jewel hanging in her necklace.

Once the pair disappeared, Cloud slammed his sword into the ground so the tremors would knock a severely wounded Ultimecia off her feet. The compact man strode up to the gasping Sorceress and grasped her chin tightly. His glowing gaze stared directly into her soul. "As you may have noticed, your spells and enchantments don't work on me. They've never worked on me, but I allowed you to live cycle after cycle because I promised Squall I wouldn't kill you. I never broke that promise because Squall is everything that's decent and good and he loves me in spite of me being a monster. You had your chance, Lady, and you ruined it by trying to steal Squall's babies. My babies. I hope you enjoyed your borrowed time. It ends here. I'll think I'll tear your tongue out first. Then we can have some real fun."

xxx

When Squall and Reno woke up in the morning, they found a blank-faced Cloud sitting by their bedside.

The pair were quick to open their arms to their hero who shimmied his way between their warm bodies.

Squall kissed Cloud and whispered into his ear. "Was it quick?"

Cloud's eyes didn't meet his as he kissed along a tanned neck. "Yes."

Reno directed Cloud's lips his way for another kiss. "Was it quick?"

Cloud's gaze met Reno's head-on. An ocean of experience and understanding flowed through their connection. "Yes."

Reno's face lit up with the most evil grin as he snuggled closer to his Cloud. "Ding dong the witch is dead."

Squall contented himself by lavishing Cloud and Reno with kisses before yelling at the slightly ajar bedroom door. "Dad, you've been talking all night! You can call Rufus Shinra later. Get off the damned phone!"

XXX

(Canyon Between Spiritus's and Materia's Towers)

The Gods surveyed the surrounding throng of warriors.

Spiritus raised his hands to gain the crowd's attention. "Once more, this cycle has proven a success. Our World is replenished anew. While rules have been changed to allow new life to bloom, us Gods would appreciate it if the baby making could commence between cycles from now on. Thank you."

Materia waved her staff over the assembly. "May the Light guide the way for these heroes and the ones yet to be born. Till next time, my warriors. Farewell."

XXX

(Firion/The Emperor)

Maria rocked the golden-haired newborn with a smile. "It is a new day, Airu. With your Papa's efforts, his people are free."

Laying in bed, the Emperor made grabby hands towards his baby. "Quit filling my child's head with the Rebellion's garbage! It won't help once she learns who the main villain was."

Maria's smile redirected itself to her adopted brother as Firion entered the room. "I think Mama and Papa need some quiet time, Airu. Let's go visit Uncle Guy and Grandma in the garden."

Mateus slammed a fist on the bed as the archer walked out with his child. "Give Airu to my mother. My mother! The less time my baby spends around the huge imbecile the better."

Firion sat down on the bed and caged the disgruntled Emperor with his muscled arms. "The healer stated you were fully healed from birthing Airu a week ago. Why did you faint this morning?"

The Emperor's eyes failed to meet Firion's as his fingers tore at the surrounding bedding. "It seems I haven't been drinking enough water. Since I'm not breastfeeding, I stopped thinking about it."

Firion kissed Mateus's cheek. "You tried. It didn't feel right to you."

The Emperor seemed to shrink in Firion's arms. "It felt like Airu was eating me alive. I couldn't take it. I'm a horrible parent. You should have let me die when I was defeated."

Firion quickly covered the Emperor's tear-filled eyes with his hand. "You had my childhood home burnt down, sent demons after my friends, and nearly killed me many times over. I still fell in love with you and fall more in love with you each and every passing day. Do not talk about death with me ever again. For it shall not be by my hand."

Mateus sniffled when Firion removed the hand from his face. His teary blue eyes beckoned to the lovestruck hero. "Airu should be with my mother for a spell. I've felt so cold since I fainted. Can you help warm me a little?"

Firion gazed into Mateus's eyes. "Don't start this, Emperor. The last time we didn't leave the tent until Airu was conceived."

Mateus reclined back onto the bed until his golden hair haloed around his face. "Even then Maria had to throw a bucket of water on you to get you off of me. Filthy peasant. Nothing but a rutting animal."

Firion leaned in close so their noses touched. "You love this filthy peasant. When I tried to take my cock away to get us more food, you cried until I filled your hole back up. Who was the animal then?"

Firion took the harsh slap to the face with a smile. "There we go! Hope you got your rest, Emperor. It's going to be a long night!"

Mateus could do nothing but try to hold on as Firion yanked both their pants down and drove into his body with one harsh thrust. "Animal! Gah! You animal! Slow down! Oh- Oooooh… Oh, Firion. Right there. Oh, Firion. FIRION!"

Over in the garden, Maria performed a little dance with Airu in her arms. "Who's going to have a sibling soon? I think Airu will!"

The Emperor's mother and Guy smiled at the thought as all three tried to ignore the Emperor's cries from the pleasure Firion was giving him.

XXX

(Cecil/Golbez)

Cecil rocked the newborn until Golbez took her and placed her in the crib. "Am I smothering her? I don't mean to. I was so busy with the kingdom when Ceodore was born. Before I knew it, he was a young man. I wish not to miss one moment of our little girl's growing up."

Golbez settled next to Cecil on the bed. "You won't. Ceodore and I shall make sure of it."

A deep rumble emanated from Golbez as Cecil's hands began to flit around his body. "What are you attempting, Cecil?"

The Paladin edged in to cover the side of Golbez's face and neck with kisses. "The healer says I'm healed from the birth."

Golbez gave in enough to return Cecil's caresses with his own. "Yes. I was informed as well."

Cecil hastily removed his long nightshirt and went to work on Golbez's clothes. "Our daughter will not be asleep for long."

Golbez's chuckle warmed Cecil's heart. "She is a hungry one. I am afraid she inherited my appetite."

Cecil managed to get Golbez's shirt off. His lovely eyes set Golbez's blood on fire with their yearning. "Love me. Until our child screams the roof off the castle with her cries for food. Love me."

Golbez quieted Cecil's hurried excitement with deep searching kisses over a pale body. "A King's request, I shall always be happy to fulfill, Cecil."

XXX

(Larsa/Onion Knight)

Gabranth spoke in a strident whisper to the royal physician. "There must be something you can do! We're losing both of them!"

The doctor finished cleansing his hands. "There is too much blood loss. To have a child so young was folly. The Emperor should have been advised better."

Gabranth covered his face as his knees buckled. "Yes, he should have."

Basch embraced his brother's shaking shoulders. "When you learned of the baby, the deed was done, Gabranth. All you could do was support Onion Knight and Larsa the best way you knew how. By making the Capital safe for the next generation."

Sitting in a corner, Vayne rocked his cooing nephew. "House Solidor lives on, but at such a terrible price. Stay with me, Little Brother."

Larsa smiled weakly from the bed. "I am trying. Luneth? Answer me, love."

Onion Knight barely managed to keep his eyes open. "Larsa… I love you. Try to hold on. For the baby. We can't leave him alone. People will hurt him. We can't leave him alone."

Larsa rested his weary head on Onion Knight's shoulder. "We're not, Luneth. Our child is surrounded by friends and family who will protect him with their very lives. Our child will never be alone."

Onion Knight exhaled in relief. "Good. I… "

Larsa looked up in alarm. "Luneth? Luneth? LUNETH! Wait for me!"

As Gabranth fell to his knees and Vayne hid his tears against the crying baby, the frantic physician was knocked back by a blinding light which appeared above Onion Knight.

A large shining white crystal appeared and spoke to all. "A new hero is born to protect the Light. You have done well, Luneth. Here is your reward."

When the crystal disappeared, Luneth opened his eyes with a big gasp of air. "That was awful."

Larsa raised his head enough to kiss Luneth's pink lips. "I quite agree. Let us not repeat this scene for a very long time."

Onion Knight's eyes searched the room till they landed on a struck dumb Vayne. "My baby! Please give him to me."

Vayne quickly rose up and rested the newborn in Luneth's waiting arms. "I give you, Aria, of the Royal House of Solidor."

Gabranth sat next to a doting Onion Knight and smiled through his tears as the baby grasped his finger. "Aria?"

Luneth kissed the baby's forehead. "The name can be used for both boys and girls. Aria was a priestess who believed I could save the world even when I didn't. She protected me when the Kraken attacked. She died soon after. I never got to thank her for saving my life."

Larsa nestled closer to Luneth and palmed the baby's head. "House Solidor owes Aria a great debt we can never repay. It is fitting our firstborn bears her name. I shall include her in my grateful prayers from now on."

Standing next to the open bedroom doorway, Basch felt a comforting hand run along his back. "The tragedy has been averted. Was this enough drama for you, leading man?"

Balthier hugged his big man from behind and kissed a broad back. "Enough drama for me? I do protest. I believe you are the one who brings the drama to my doorstep."

Basch placed his hands over Balthier's as his eyes surveyed his growing family and filled with happy tears once more. "Have you had enough, Sky Pirate? Shall I leave you to the open skies you love so much?"

Balthier looked around Basch and smiled as Onion Knight had the baby wave at him. "I may love the open skies, but I love you more, Basch. Don't you forget it."

XXX

(Bartz/Kain)

Sitting on a picnic blanket under a large weeping willow, Bartz observed Boko's kids groom Kain's dragon as Boko and his wife pecked around for treasure. "This is the life. Ain't that right, Ricard?"

Bartz shook a chocobo rattle at his alert baby boy. "Yeah, it is."

Kain landed next to his family with a pleased smile. "It seems my dragon has been adopted as a grandfather for Boko's children."

Bartz nodded. "The kids are doing their part. They gather food when it's feeding time and guard the area when it's nap time. They're making sure Grandpa Dragon's gonna live for a good long while."

Kain sat next to Bartz and removed his helm. His ardent kisses were quickly returned. "Ceodore should be arriving soon to babysit Ricard. Whatever shall we do in the meantime?"

Bartz wrapped his arms around Kain's lean muscular waist. "Make more babies?"

Kain cuddled his blushing spouse. "That's your answer for everything, love. Ricard is barely six months old. We should wait."

Bartz kissed and licked Kain's ear. "Cecil's already pregnant again. He told me this morning."

Kain placed a protective hand over his squirming baby boy and laughed as the child shook his arms and legs at him. "That such a blessed miracle came to me… Do you truly wish to have another so soon, Bartz? The toll Ricard's birth took on your body was great."

Bartz's touches became more enthusiastic when he saw his goal about to be fulfilled. "More than anything. The pain was worth it. You're worth it. Please give me another baby, Kain. I love you."

Ceodore chose that moment to walk up. "Hi! Sorry I'm late. Woah!"

The teen jumped back as Kain grabbed Bartz and left with one gigantic leap. "Ooookay. Hey, Ric. Were you finally able to stick your whole fist in your mouth?"

The baby burbled and showed Ceodore a new trick he just learned.

Ceodore nodded with great understanding. "So it's feet now. Good for you. Whole foot already? You're a downright prodigy, Ric."

XXX

(Cloud of Darkness/Terra)

Cloud of Darkness entered the humble abode with bags of groceries. She dropped the bags once she saw a shaky Terra on her feet and swiftly escorted the Esper back to bed. "Disobey me at every turn. What a disagreeable mate I have married."

Terra rewarded her harried wife with kisses as she rested back in the bed. "I'm sorry. She started crying. I can't stand when she cries."

The disguised Servant of the Void speedily checked on the sleeping newborn before putting the groceries away with hands and tentacles. "You shall spoil her rotten. If our child becomes selfish and evil, it will not be because of my actions."

Terra stifled a giggle behind her hand. "Yes. Too much love and attention will turn a baby bad. It certainly had its effect on you."

Cloud of Darkness stopped her activity and scowled at the giggling Esper. "It made me fall in love with a fool who nearly gave her life away so I could have a child."

Terra opened her arms to her love and Cloud of Darkness hurriedly filled them. "I am not sorry. I would sacrifice everything to give you happiness. I did not know there could be a love like ours. Thank you for letting me experience it with you."

Cloud of Darkness stared at the far wall as her tentacles continued the caresses down Terra's willing body. "No. Stop this seduction. It is too soon. You almost died, my love."

Terra halted her mate's retreat with a tightened embrace. "The healer visited while you were gone. I received the official confirmation we can have marital relations once more. If you don't believe me, read the scroll he left on the table."

Cloud of Darkness grabbed the scroll with a tentacle and rapidly read its contents. "You shall regain mobility with your continued daily exercises. This is satisfactory. We shall be able to have more children. I should not care but I am… glad."

Terra reminded her spouse of her intentions by removing her robe and leaving herself naked. "I'm tired of waiting, my love. Come be with me. I've missed you."

Cloud of Darkness dropped the scroll and trapped the joyful Esper's arms and legs with her tentacles. She leaned over her wife and gazed on all that belonged to her. "From the moment we met, you attempted to seduce me. I threatened you with death and ended up between your thighs instead. You made the very manikins blush with your cries of pleasure. It is no wonder you were soon big with my child."

Terra excitedly nodded. "No wonder indeed. Will I have to work so hard for the next one?"

Cloud of Darkness arched an eyebrow. "I think not."

The Servant of the Void dived down to taste her favorite treat.

Terra flung her head back and cried out as she was roughly licked open. "Yes! I love this! I love you! Forever!"

XXX

(Jecht/Kuja)

Kuja fretted near the natural wading pool as he watched Jecht gently puff into their baby's face then drop underneath the water. The Genome only exhaled when the pair popped back up. "Are you sure this is safe?"

Jecht warmed Kuja's heart with a cocky grin as the baby wiggled in his large hands. "Yeah. How do you think Tidus learned how to swim? The brat doesn't remember, but I would take him to the kiddie pool every morning before practice. It was our little quiet time."

Kuja knelt down and placed a hand on Jecht's scarred shoulder. "Then I am happy you allowed me to be a part of it. Did Tidus cry the first time?"

Jecht held the baby closer and kissed her head as he thought back. "Nah. He laughed. Kid loved the water from the get-go. Just like this little one. Shame her mama doesn't feel the same. Should've been a cat the way you shun the water.'

Kuja looked away and patted down the wrinkles in his loose pants. "As you well know, it takes me a good long while to look this good. I don't hate water. I merely don't like to get unnecessarily wet."

"Good to know." Jecht's cocky grin returned as he yanked the Genome into the water. He guffawed as the sputtering male bobbed back up. "Don't hit. You might get the baby."

After regaining his breath, Kuja lowered his fist when he heard his child clapping and laughing at her mother's antics. "Oh, you thought that was funny? Just like your father."

Jecht kissed the baby's cheek dimple. "Chip off the old block. Stop pouting and enjoy this time with our daughter. You know it doesn't last forever."

Kuja dropped the pout and smiled as he embraced his family with both arms. "Yes, I do. So I shall cherish every moment of it."

XXX

(Tidus/Zidane/Yuna)

Near the Mi'ihen Highroad, Yuna sat near Rin's Travel Agency and talked softly to the attentive baby resting in Zidane's arms. "I tried to make a recording here, so I could say goodbye to everyone, but Daddy interrupted me. He thought I was homesick and tried to make me laugh. It worked. Your Daddy can always make me laugh when I'm sad."

Zidane rocked the treasure in his arms. "Me too. During one of the earlier cycles, me and Kuja got into a huge fight. When I think back, it started out about really nothing. I think we were just scared we wouldn't make it. I cried all the way back to the Tower. Squall carried me piggy-back and Tidus talked non-stop about anything he could think of. It ended up with me laughing my head off and Squall throwing a chocobo feather at Tidus's head."

Yuna laughed until her stomach hurt. "We're lucky to have Tidus. Aren't we, Zidane?"

Zidane nodded as he placed a sunbonnet on the baby's head. "Yes, we are. And we have Mama Yuna to thank for that miracle. Don't we, Baby?"

Yuna snuggled up to the Genome and rested her chin on his shoulder. "Tidus was there. Waiting for us. I just had to remember to whistle."

The pair looked up as a piercing whistle rang through the picnic site.

Tidus happily trotted up, riding a chocobo, with two others in tow. "Baby's first Chocobo ride awaits! Is my family ready?"

Zidane took a gleeful Yuna's hand as his tail kept the baby secure by his side. "Ready and waiting, Husband."

XXX

(Vaan/Fran)

Vaan huddled in the Garamsythe Waterway with his twin babies strapped to his chest. "Fran, I understand Viera tradition, and I wholeheartedly embrace it, but there are nicer places I grew up in. We can take the girls to the Giza Plains and get them sun stones or visit Migelo at his Sundry Store. Penelo said he had more gifts for the babies."

Fran placed a hand over Vaan's mouth to stop the yammering. "Here is where their father learned how to hunt and survive. Tell them what you know."

Vaan looked down at two pairs of ruby red eyes and groaned. "I… I don't want them to know. They shouldn't have to know about the pain of starving or of getting kicked in the ribs for being a thief. Of having to explain away your filthiness when there's no way to get clean."

Fran embraced her man close as he began to shake. "This is why. If you keep this all in, it will destroy you. Tell our girls what you know. Show them the strength it took for you and Penelo to rise above the abuse and ill treatment. Let them see their father has a right to be proud."

Vaan raised his head and left Fran yearning with a soulful kiss. "I was surviving, but I wasn't alive. Not until I met you."

Fran left a promising kiss on Vaan's lips. "You are no longer alone in the dark with the rats as company. Your family is with you and you are loved. Tell them."

Sniffing the last of his tears away, Vaan took a breath and sat down on the foot of a nearby column. The twin girls nestled closer to their father's warmth. "Once upon a time, Papa was running away from a very mad stranger when Aunt Penelo pulled me into Gramp Migelo's shop… "

Fran leaned against the column and gently carded her long fingers through her husband's sun-kissed locks. "You are such a precious treasure, Vaan. I will keep you warm and safe. I promise."

XXX

(Hope/Lightning)

Lightning opened the front door to Hope's hopeful face, then promptly shut the door and locked it.

Hope frowned and banged on the door. "That doesn't work anymore! I live here! I have a key!"

"Try it. See what happens." Lightning's curt reply was muffled but her meaning got across to the researcher.

Hope leaned against the door. "Let me in, Light. I didn't know the meeting would run late. I'm sorry I missed dinner. Was it special?"

Lightning resumed folding the baby's clean clothes on the couch. "It was chicken cacciatore. I used the fresh herbs from the garden and burned my finger making the sauce… Asshole."

Both parents perked up on either side of the door when their baby's crying was heard.

Lightning's eyes darted to the door, then upstairs as the baby's cries stopped. "You wall-climbing bastard."

Lightning appeared at her son's bedroom doorway to find Hope singing to the teary eyed baby. "I didn't say you could come in."

Hope checked the baby's diaper and was relieved to find it clean. "This is my house, Light. Name on the deed and everything. See, I can be an adult sometimes."

Lightning crossed her arms over her chest. "I can still take the baby and throw you out the window."

Hope crooned to his child as he rocked away. "You could, but the neighbors would call the cops again. Neighborhood Watch says next time Mommy and Daddy will get a warning. Did you hear that, Baby? A warning! If it wasn't for Mommy, there wouldn't be a world or Neighborhood Watch to give out warnings."

Lightning opened her arms and gestured to the baby. "Shut up and give the baby to me. I left your dinner warming in the oven. If the chicken's dry, it's your own damn fault."

Hope placed the sleepy child in the crib and strode over to his wary wife. "Not interested in chicken. Interested in you. I can't remember most of the meeting because of the last picture you sent me. Why didn't you tell me I hurt you? I didn't mean to bite your thigh that bad."

Lightning disinterestedly drew the shirt covering her naked thigh to the side to view the black and yellow bruise covering her whole upper thigh. "Eh. I've had worse. You don't mean to hurt me? Then quit biting me, you cannibal. It makes it hard to breastfeed."

Hope picked up Lightning and tossed her onto the bed. "Want me to stop biting? Quit running around in just a pair of panties and my dress shirts. By the way, do you even have any bras anymore?"

Lightning rested her cheek against a pillow as Hope drew her panties down her long legs. "You were right. They get in the way. Your son doesn't like them either."

Hope shed his work clothes in less than two seconds and found his way into Lightning's waiting arms. "Good boy. I knew we were raising him right."

XXX

(Cloud/Reno/Squall, Rufus/Laguna)

Rufus Shinra danced the stuffed toy lion and tiger around the double crib as the two babies smiled at him. "Then the ugly fat man told Grandpa that he wouldn't let me build on his land. Then I said too bad since I already bought his family's loan from the bank, so he could suck it and get the hell off MY land. Did you like that story, Lea? You would, little Turk. What's with the face, Sora? Hungry? Laguna, we need a bottle in here."

Laguna scurried in, handed the bottle over, with a kiss to Rufus's cheek, then scurried back out to his soap opera.

Squall stood in the doorway to glower at his father's boyfriend's back. "Quit calling yourself, Grandpa. You haven't married my dad yet. Lea's not your 'little Turk.' He's half SEED as well."

Rufus rubbed a finger against the redhead's pale cheek. "Which makes him twice as deadly. Oh, Reno. You've done so well for Shinra."

Squall took a few steps in to check on his other son. "He had a little help. What about Sora?"

Rufus steadied the bottle in the feeding baby's mouth and smiled at the spiky-haired babe. The child practically glowed with goodness. "Sora is Sora. I'm not sure you've seen the recordings, but Cloud shined like this when he first joined Shinra before… Well, all water under the bridge. I'm happy to see the phenomenon is hereditary. Does this herald the heir to the Planet's Chosen?"

Squall squatted down to brush his boy's brown hair spikes back. "It doesn't matter. Sora's not fighting."

Rufus sat up to argue until he viewed Squall's stone-cold face. "Hello, SEED Commander."

Squall bit off each word. "Sora's. Not. Fighting."

"Ain't that a welcome sight." Reno entered in full fighting form, wearing his tailored Turk black suit, and tightening his fingerless gloves. "Hey, SEED. Heard you can brawl. Feel like brawling with me?"

Squall's ice-cold gaze met Reno's fiery one as he slowly stood up. "I could use a taste. Think you're ready for me? I don't."

Reno's gloved hands balled into fists as he gifted Squall with a cool staredown of his own. "Don't matter. Lea's gonna need a Partner to watch his back, since Sora'll be too busy being good. This Turk wants another one. Put up or shut up, SEED."

Squall exited the room with one leap of muscled legs, taking a grinning Reno with him via a vicious chokehold to the neck.

Laguna wailed as the pair sailed by his couch. "Do it outside! I just mopped the floors. What's that, Moomba? Rick slept with Trina and she's been lying about the baby's paternity all this time? I knew it! That scheming homewrecker!"

Back in the nursery, Rufus picked up Sora to burp him and watched Lea play with his own toes. He gently patted the small back until he heard a mighty burp. "All better. I never thought of you as a family man, Cloud, especially after what happened… happened."

The warrior appeared from the shadows. His glowing eyes surveyed the surrounding area as his enhanced senses kept tabs on his merry spouses sparring out in the street. "Don't bring up my past anymore. Don't even allude to it. Everything good and right around us exists because of Squall. This includes his father, Laguna. So if you love him, like you think you do, you'll leave the past alone, or we'll lose them forever. This includes Reno. His place is by Squall's side. He's earned it."

Rufus placed the sleepy baby back into the crib. "I am sorry. You don't have to believe me, but I am truly sorry. I can try to place all the blame on my father, like everyone else does, but it wouldn't be right in the end."

The tycoon startled as Cloud grabbed his arm and directed his figure towards the family room. "Did I go too far? Don't throw me out. Laguna won't understand."

Cloud shook his head and took Rufus's vacated seat. "Go spend some time with your fiance and leave me to spend time with my boys."

A stunned Shinra made his way to the couch and nearly sat on Moomba.

Laguna caressed the pale man's face. "What is it? What's happened? Talk to me."

Rufus caught Laguna's hand and kissed the palms and fingers. "The files and recordings Kiros collected for you of my past. Did you manage to get through all of it?"

Laguna sat back and, for once, looked every bit of his true age. "Yes. I had to stop and vomit a few times, but I did it. I had my bags halfway packed when I finished your Turk initiation video. It was Squall who talked me down. He reminded me of the difference between idealism and reality. I was ready and willing to marry the Rufus Shinra in my head. Was I now ready to marry Rufus Shinra the real man?"

Rufus's eyes wouldn't meet Laguna's and he seemed to shrink in his white suit. "Are you? I will understand if the answer is no."

Laguna edged in close to kiss all along Rufus's chin, cheek, and hairline. "My answer is yes… yes… until the day I die… yes."

Rufus hid his tears of relief against Laguna's neck. "You will regret your decision. All the citizens of Edge and beyond will pity you for being shackled to this evil man."

Laguna rested Rufus's weary head on his lap as Moomba turned up the tv volume for the next soap opera. "It's a good thing I don't care what other people think. I would have to start acting my age."

Rufus kissed the warm thigh his cheek rested on. "Gods forbid."

Back in the nursery, Cloud didn't blink an eye as he was hit by a fireball. "Tricky Turk. I know Mama Squall told you no more fireballs near the crib. Come to Daddy, Lea."

Cloud cradled the mini Reno lookalike in his arms. "I did some really bad things in my past. You'll be a Turk, so you'll hear all about it. Just know that I'm not that man anymore. Thanks to Mama Squall. He helped Mama Reno too. He inspired us to become better people so we could be good parents for you kids. People will tell you I'm a hero, the Planet's Chosen. We know the truth, though. Mama Squall is the true hero of this family."

Cloud peeked down to find Lea's attention, not on him, but on Sora. "I'm worried about your brother too. Grandpa Rufus wasn't lying. I really did shine like Sora does when I first joined Shinra. Bad people can't stand the light. They do their best to beat you down and snuff it out. I'm counting on you to help me keep Sora safe, Lea. He's the brightest light this family has."

"Ain't that the truth." A leering black-eyed Reno leaned into the doorway with half his clothes torn off and missing one boot. "Squall's waiting in the bedroom. Laguna says he's fine watching the grandbabies. Feel like making more?"

Cloud looked down to discover Lea had fallen asleep while sucking his thumb.

After placing Lea next to Sora, Cloud motioned to an excited Reno. "After you, Turk."

XXX

(Sephiroth/Zack, Cid/Vincent)

In Rocket Town, Sephiroth observed the outside comical scene from the doorway of his house. "Do you see, Riku? It's not my fault. Insanity finds Dada all on its own."

Cait Sith stood proud on top of Nanaki and waved his gloved hands in the air. Instead of a Scottish brogue, Reeve Tuesti's exasperated voice rang through. "We've established you can not rejoin SOLDIER at Shinra, since the program no longer exists. We've established you can not be personally contracted as a civilian in Edge, since everyone and their mother were apparently members of your fan club, meaning they know what you look like. The main point being YOU ARE DEAD!"

Zack scratched the back of his spiky head and shrugged. "Yeah, so?"

Cid guffawed as Cait Sith fell off Nanaki onto the hard ground. "Ah'm so glad Sephiroth married you Zack. With you around, we don't need a tv."

Cait Sith struggled back onto Nanaki's back and pointed to the laughing pilot. "Cid, tell this man he's dead and he can't get a job!"

Cid's sky-blue eyes scanned the area until they landed on his love cleaning a long-range rifle. "Hey Vincent! You're dead! You can't get a job!"

Vincent harrumphed as he wiped down the long barrel. "Whatever shall I do?"

Cait Sith spluttered and managed to hop up-and-down on Nanaki's back without falling off. "Not him! The other man!"

Cid didn't bother to look up from the engine he was working on this time. "Hey, Sephiroth! You're dead! You can't get a job! Guess you'll have to keep leading on that Sugar Daddy Zack don't know you got on the side."

Sephiroth scoffed at the notion as he transferred his sleepy baby to his other shoulder. "Sugar Daddy, indeed. As if any mere mortal could afford the magnificence which is I."

Zack visibly melted as he mused over his Angel's superiority. "Yeah. I'm a lucky son-of-a-gun."

Cait Sith scratched his crown then raised his finger in a Eureka moment. "Say, Zack. Do you know that magical check of magic which comes to your house every month for no reason?"

Zack froze as his Puppy sense felt reality encroaching into his happy place. "Yeeees."

Cait Sith stilled as the sound of keyboard keys clicking filled the air. "Well, the reason it comes to your house is because you are officially dead. Now, if you stop being officially dead, the magical checks of magic stop coming as well."

Zack's lower lip trembled. "No more magic?"

Cait Sith shook his head. "No more magic."

Zack put his hands in his pockets and kicked a dirt clod. "Where's the sense in that? With the check, I earn as much gil as Reno does without having to beat or kill people."

Sephiroth kissed his depressed SOLDIER. "To be honest, roughing up bad people was never your forte, Beloved."

Zack frowned and kissed his baby in Sephiroth's arms. "It was the option, Angel. I could have beat up sleazy drug dealers and crooks if I wanted to. I just didn't want to."

Vincent snorted as he reassembled the rifle in his lap. "Where was this program when I was newly dead? I would be as rich as Rufus Shinra by now."

Cid beamed at his husband. "We're rich on love, Vince."

Vincent tipped his head forward, so his blush would be hidden by his hair. "Oh, Cid."

Cait Sith readied himself for the trot back to the airstrip with Nanaki. "It's for the best, Zack. Stay home. Stay officially dead. Take care of that beautiful baby over there and live the rest of your life with the one you love. You were given a second chance by the Gods. Enjoy it."

When Cait Sith and Nanaki left, Sephiroth handed Riku to Zack and smiled as his child was covered by noisy kisses. "Reeve is right. We gain nothing if the public discovers you're alive. You can still take the private mercenary contracts without having official papers. We get to watch Riku grow up to be a hero just like his Dada."

Zack kissed the baby's pink cheeks and inhaled Riku's sweet baby scent. "I'm alive, Angel. I'm alive and all my dreams have come true. I just want to shout it from the rooftops."

Sephiroth embraced his family with his arms and his large black wing. "So go ahead and shout it. Riku and I will cheer you on from here."

The light instantly revived in Zack's luminescent eyes.

Handing Riku back to Sephiroth, Zack waved his arm Cid's way. "Hey, Father-in-Law! Feel like shouting and howling on the roof?"

Cid threw his wrench down and thumbed his nose with a grin. "Only if the Bumpus's hound dogs can join in!"

Zack pumped his fist in the air. "Let's go!"

After setting their lawn chairs under the huge oak between their houses, Sephiroth and Vincent happily observed their country boys shouting, howling, and singing on Cid and Vincent's roof.

Vincent sipped his tea. "I must commend the Bumpus's. Their hounds are remarkably well behaved. Not one has fallen off the roof yet. I wonder how they were taught to sing in a chorus. Their howling for "Suspicious Minds," was spot on."

Sephiroth cuddled his wide-eyed baby boy in his lap. "Yes, it's insanity, Riku, but it is good insanity. Nothing but good can come from your Dada, Zack Fair."