Cloud came home early a couple of days later, bumping into the stranger whilst walking in. Cloud saw him frown as he walked past him, and shrugged. Inside, Tifa seemed exhausted, as Cloud came up to hug her. Tifa calmed down and turned to kiss Cloud's lips.
"Tifa, what happened?" Cloud asked.
From the counter, Cloud saw Reeve, who told the courier, "That man you walked past... he's consistently been making advances to Tifa, even knowing you're her partner. Just when you came back, he tried to touch her, and Tifa was so frustrated that he banned him from coming back. As such, from now on, you'll probably be seeing Cait Sith stationed by the entrance more often. He'll be watching out for who comes in."
"Oh," Cloud said, "I can't say I'm disappointed; that man gives me the creeps like I've met him before."
"As do I," Reeve said, "but I don't know where…"
Cloud looked to Tifa, who replied, "He doesn't strike familiarity at all to me."
Cloud, Reeve and Tifa thought, but nothing came up. Marlene and Denzel had come home, and went upstairs, then back down when they had changed into clean clothes. The bar closed early when business went down at five o'clock, at which point Cloud asked to go out with the family.
As a family, the four went for a walk into the ruins of Midgar Sector 5, to the church where the beautiful Aerith Gainsborough once prayed. Marlene rushed towards the spring, holding a flower, and laid it beside the buster sword that overlooked the spring in front of it. There the family shared one of their happiest memories, that of Denzel's cured geostigma. He was carried down into the spring by the arms of Cloud who had water poured on the boy's face, thus ridding him of a fate worse than the flu.
In this church, Cloud could sometimes see and hear Aerith; sometimes Zack would be there too. These figments Cloud did not know whether they were real or if they were only figments of his imagination. Today, he saw them sitting on a support beam where they laughed, then jumped down, floating to the floor. They approached the buster sword, and there they stood, Zack on the right, and Aerith on the opposite, as they held each other's hands and looked at one another as though to elope.
Marlene looked to the buster sword and held Cloud's hand. Cloud stared just as Marlene did, as he witnessed the ghost of Zack kiss the ghost of Aerith, in such a way that they both looked content, and as they separated, they walked out of the church together, hand in hand. Cloud watched, with Marlene's gaze copying his.
"Cloud," Marlene said, "Do you think that Aerith is happy? With Zack?"
"Yes…" Cloud said, silently, as Tifa turned to face him.
"This would be a nice place to get married…" Tifa said, "Don't you think so, Cloud?"
Cloud remained silent as Tifa came to his side and repeated her question. Cloud then looked to Tifa and nodded, "I would love to get married here." But much to Tifa's dismay, Cloud spoke no more words, but took her hand and walked out the church with her and the children.
Denzel temporarily confiscated Cloud from Tifa and asked him, "Aren't you going to propose?"
Cloud looked at Denzel with a look of confusion, and brief silence before, giving his answer.
"Denzel, proposals can't be forced - they take time and planning. You have to both be in a good enough mood, you have to be in the right place, at the right time, you have to have a ring, and you have to be ready. I want to marry her, but I'm not ready to propose. Oh, what am I saying? I'm not sure if a boy your age would understand."
"I understand," Denzel said, "you're not ready because it isn't the right time, right?"
Cloud nodded as Marlene and Tifa turned to face them. They were called over and they ran to both of them, as they made their way home. For the rest of the evening, the family sat in the living room, where they chatted and watched television. The children watched a cartoon show about a blonde-haired man with a monkey tail, and dressed in sleeveless regency period clothing. He was a thief, and an actor, tasked with kidnapping the princess, only to find out she wanted to be kidnapped. The princess looked a lot like Tifa, Cloud thought, and the hero looked a lot like him when he was young, with his ponytail, but his blonde hair was straight rather than spikey.
Unlike most children's shows that played on television, Cloud and Tifa could tolerate this one, with its rich storytelling, and charming characters, especially the black mage of whom Marlene owned a toy. The messages too were meaningful, about love and friendship, things that Cloud wished he'd known sooner. There was also a lot of humour in the show, especially from the gluttonous comic relief who consistently sought food, and was a race that Cloud was not at all familiar with. Overall, the show took Cloud's mind off his worries, even the stranger whom Cloud had been increasingly suspicious of ever since Tifa's nightmares.
The next day whilst riding Fenrir, Cloud had thought all about the dark man, who he was, what he wanted, and why he felt familiar. Tseng seemed to recognise him; Tifa told him last night. But why? He wondered. Perhaps Cloud knew the stranger, but he'd changed over the years. He could have seen him before he had his scar, Cloud thought.
Cloud's thoughts overtook him, as he paid little attention to the path en route to Rocket Town anymore. When his attention returned, he saw that he was driving straight into a mountain, and before he could react, Cloud crashed his motorcycle and was sent flying off the side of the road, but because of his mako enhanced strength, he remained unwounded and returned to the impact site.
The Fenrir looked fine, Cloud initially thought, but when he got on to continue, it wouldn't start up, with the engine silently struggling. Cloud panicked and got out his cell phone, and on it, dialled Cid Highwind's number.
"Yes?" a voice asked, "What do you want?"
"Hi, Cid," Cloud said, "it's Cloud, and I'm about twenty kilometres off from Rocket Town. Unfortunately, I've crashed Fenrir and it won't start up again. Could you come over and help?"
"What!" Cid said. Cloud's ear was blasted off by the rage of Cid's anger, as he swore and cursed at the courier, like a child being taught a lesson. Cloud had lost track of how much he'd said a bad word before he came to terms and told him, "But, alright, I'll take my pick-up truck down for you. Where are you?"
"I'm near the mountains," Cloud said.
"Ok, now stay put while I come and pick you up," Cid said, hanging up. Cloud dusted the Fenrir off and observed. The tires were intact, the base looked fine, there was plenty of petrol, and the engine looked alright. His delivery items survived as well.
On the road, came a man driving a white pick-up truck. He got out and approached Cloud, spear over his back.
"Cid," Cloud said, "Good, you've arrived."
"Cloud, how could you be so careless?" Cid said, "Show me what's going on with the Fenrir and I'll see if I can fix her."
Cloud mounted the Fenrir and tried to start the engine. Once again, not a sound was made, except for the struggling engine, desperate to start, but lacking energy. Cloud dismounted, and let Cid observe.
"I see," Cid said, "Well get her on board and we'll take a closer look at home."
Cloud picked the Fenrir up, carrying it to the pit of the pick-up truck where it was laid to rest and secured. He boarded the vehicle next to Cid as they drove off to Rocket Town, where along the way, Cloud tasted the dreadful scent of tobacco through his nose, as the two talked.
"How's Tifa and the kids?" he asked.
"Tifa had a nightmare problem not too long ago," Cloud said, "But I managed to fix that – all it took was a nightlong cuddle. And the kids, they're fine, doing well in school, coming home on time, and we're getting along."
"Well at least you don't have the flu anymore," Cid said, "glad to hear you're treating Tifa well."
"How's Shera?" Cloud asked.
"Well, we've got some good news for you," Cid said, "We'll tell you what it is when we get home."
Cloud looked at him obliviously. What was going on, he wondered, as he turned to watch the roads. The two old allies fought some monsters blocking the road to Rocket Town, and Cloud was asked how he would continue work without Fenrir.
"I'll think of something," Cloud said, "Actually, now that I think about it, do you remember my golden chocobo Aurum?"
"The one you got as a prize?" Cid asked, "Yeah, I remember him. What, you thinking about using him?"
"If Choco Bill will let me," Cloud said, "Haven't seen him in a while."
The men arrived at Rocket Town where Cid parked in his backyard, and Cloud got Fenrir out of the pit. As Cid insisted, Cloud went inside for some tea, made by Shera Highwind, Cid's wife.
As Cid came inside with Cloud, the pilot greeted his wife with a kiss. The trio sat down as Cloud drank his tea and informed Shera of the Fenrir's condition. When Shera had voiced her concerns about him, Cloud had noticed that Shera seemed to be gaining weight in her stomach, but he remained silent.
"Cloud," Shera said, "I've got something to tell you... I'm having a baby!"
Cloud smiled and told her, "Congratulations! How far along are you?"
"Three and a half months," Shera told Cloud, "Be sure to tell Tifa when you get home. How long are you planning on staying?"
"Until Cid diagnoses the problem," Cloud said, "And I promise I'll tell Tifa when I get back."
"Thank you, Cloud," Shera said.
"Say, why don't you marry the girl?" Cid asked, "You have mutual feelings for each other, don't you?"
"Denzel asked me the same question yesterday after we left Aerith's church," Cloud said, "And it's because... I'm not ready to propose. I don't know how to do it, it's the wrong time, and I don't have a ring."
"Do you want to marry her?" Shera asked.
"I do," Cloud said, "more than anything..." Cloud remained silent for several minutes, before continuing enthusiastically, "You know, her birthday's not too far off, only a couple of weeks. Maybe that would be the perfect time to buy her an engagement ring! What do you think?"
"Oh, that's so romantic," Shera said.
"Childish," Cid joked.
After their conversation, Cid took Fenrir into his shed where his airship The Shera was stationed. There Cid placed the bike down and looked, whilst Cloud went into town to deliver his goods and receive his pay. When he came back, Cid finished and told Cloud:
"Well, here's your problem!"
Cloud came down to Cid's side as the mechanic continued, "It looks like someone's sabotaged your engine!"
Cloud saw for himself, that the engine did indeed look different as he groaned.
"No wonder it sounded different!" Cloud said, "It really does look like it's been sabotaged, but by who. I haven't touched the engine at all lately. More importantly, am I going home tonight?"
"I'll give you a lift," Cid said, "I've just finished upgrading The Shera, and hopefully she'll have enough fuel to get you home whilst I get Fenrir fixed. Oh, and I think I'd like a drink at the bar. I'll ask Shera if she'd like to come along."
Cloud went home on Cid's airship, with Shera joining them on the way. The airship was landed on a clear road as the trio ran into Seventh Heaven. At the counter, Tifa was amazed to see Cloud, huffing and wheezing, whilst Cid and Shera came in to take a seat at the counter. As Cloud's breathing normalised, he leaned up to give Tifa a kiss.
"Cloud, why are you home early?" Tifa asked.
"The Fenrir's broken down," Cloud said, "Cid said that someone sabotaged the engine and he'll fix it."
"Said he crashed on the way to Rocket Town," Cid said, "Say, would you mind getting me a beer?"
"Cloud, you crashed the Fenrir?" Tifa asked, in a worried voice, "How are you going to work?"
"By chocobo," Cloud said, "I'm going to ask Choco Bill to lend me Aurum."
Tifa supported Cloud's decision, and he too asked for a beer. When asked, Shera only wanted water, informing Tifa of her pregnancy. Tifa smiled as she gave her some water, and was told the details of the baby.
Marlene and Denzel later came home and greeted Cid and Shera, who spread the news of the baby. The children warmly congratulated the couple and went upstairs to change, then back down again.
"Doesn't look like we'll need children of our own," Tifa said, "We have Marlene and Denzel after all."
"What'll happen when they move out?" Cid asked.
"We'll manage," Tifa said, "I'm sure they'd visit us often."
After another beer and before leaving, Cid told Cloud that he'd let him know when the Fenrir was up and running. The family was given a lift outside of the city of Edge and to the chocobo farm on the east side of the eastern continent. There, the familiar scent of chocobos filled their noses, and in Cloud's mind, memories of his time during Sephiroth's reign.
The chocobos stationed in the pen came up to Cloud to nuzzle his face, as Cloud patted back. Marlene and Denzel watched as Cloud interacted with the chocobos, talking to them and looking into their eyes. From the house next to the pen came an old farmer who approached the family, as Cloud and Tifa went up to greet him.
"Choco Bill!" Tifa said, "How have you been."
"Tifa Lockhart!" The old man said, "What brings you and your family here?"
Cloud approached Choco Bill and told him, "Choco Bill, could we please borrow Aurum? The Fenrir broke down and now I don't have any way to travel."
"Oh, that's no good," Choco Bill said, "but yes, you can have Aurum. Billy's feeding him right now. Would you like to see him?"
Cloud nodded and led his family into the chocobo stable, where two children tended to the chocobos. One was a boy, and the other was a girl, whom Cloud knew as Choco Billy and Chole, who helped him raise his chocobos when he did not use the Highwind during his travels.
The fresh smell of gyshal greens filled the atmosphere as Cloud went over to greet a golden chocobo, a rare breed of which there were only a few in the world. On the stable was a name carved in wood reading: 'Aurum' as he ate from his feeding lot. He was a beautiful creature, with his golden robe of feathers gleaming from the stable lights and reflecting throughout the stable.
"Kweh! Kweh!" Aurum chirped at the sight of Cloud, who gave him a pat. Aurum nuzzled Cloud's face, as Tifa came over to pat his feathered neck as well. The chocobo bonked Tifa's head with his, as Tifa kissed his shinny beak.
Marlene and Denzel were greeted by Choco Billy and Chole, who gave Cloud and Tifa permission to release Aurum from his stable. Marlene and Denzel came up to meet Aurum and patted his coat, his feathers soft and warm, as he lifted a wing to ruffle Denzel's wavy brown hair.
"Aurum really missed you, Cloud!" Chole said, "What happened to your motorcycle?"
"Hey Chole," Cloud said, "the engine was sabotaged, so I had to get Cid to repair it. I came to get Aurum as a backup mode of transport."
"Oh no!" Choco Billy said, "I hope you get it fixed soon!"
"Thanks," Cloud said. After being bridled and saddled, Cloud mounted Aurum and rode around the farm. He was much faster than Cloud remembered, but only half the speed of Fenrir. Despite this, as a golden chocobo, Aurum compensated through his ability to cross the seas, climb the mountains, and leap high into the air, uncovering many hidden shortcuts throughout the world of Gaia.
Cloud stopped beside Tifa and offered a ride. Tifa accepted, having done so many times on the Fenrir, but as she mounted Aurum, the feeling was different. Having not ridden a chocobo in a long time, Tifa was reminded by the bumpy feeling of Aurum that riding a chocobo was different to a motorcycle. She hugged Cloud's upper abdomen as he controlled Aurum's course, the wind ruffling through their hair. They circled the farm, where from the barn, the children came out to watch.
Aurum was slowed down by the stable where Cloud and Tifa dismounted, as Marlene and Denzel came up to them, begging for a ride. Cloud lifted Denzel onto Aurum, as he guided his hands around the bridle, leading Aurum by the reins. Aurum was stopped as Marlene was let on behind Denzel, with her hands guided to his shoulders. Cloud continued to guide the two around the surrounding area of the farm, as the children felt the Spring breeze stroke their skin.
The sun began to sink into the horizon when Cloud and Tifa went inside the farmhouse, where Choco Bill offered everyone some roast beef for dinner. The beef was served medium rare with a crisp crust, and potatoes, cauliflower and gravy at the side.
When Cloud took a bite, his tastebuds welcomed the flavour of the beef. In combination with the juice that gushed out from the pink flesh and the gravy coating it, Cloud's mouth could do nothing but chew, with the seasoning setting off a divine flavour that danced around his mouth, and a texture that felt smooth from the cuts on the inside, and crispy at the crust. When taken with potatoes, it was even better, as Cloud's salivary glands worked harder to help break it down.
"Oh my god!" Cloud said after swallowing, "Choco Bill, this is great! You've really outdone yourself."
The vote was unanimous, with Tifa asking for the recipe. Choco Bill got up and left into the kitchen where he looked through a book of recipes and took out a sheet, which he showed Tifa to be farm beef.
"It's an old family recipe," Choco Bill said, "a recipe I know by heart. Therefore, Tifa, you may keep it. Maybe some of your customers would like it."
"Why, Choco Bill, are you sure?" Tifa asked.
"I insist!" Choco Bill said.
"Why thank you!" Tifa said, "You've done wonderfully with dinner tonight, we really appreciate it,"
"It's my pleasure," Choco Bill said, "Would you two like some red wine?"
Cloud and Tifa nodded, as two glasses of red wine were poured for them, completing dinner. The children bonded as they conversed about life on the farm, the bar, the flu and Tifa's nightmares.
"Since when do adults get nightmares?" Choco Billy asked. Marlene and Denzel both shrugged and continued eating. Denzel paused briefly and leaned in to whisper into Choco Billy's ear: "Tifa banned a guy who'd been rude to her, and Cloud told me at one point that he's suspicious about him."
After dinner, the family gave a sigh of royal satisfaction, as Marlene and Denzel took to the barn with Billy and Chole. There Denzel described the dark stranger to them. He told them that one day, as he walked home from school, he saw a tall ugly man walking on the streets. With a finger, Denzel drew a line down his face to indicate where his scar was, giving a growl whilst speaking in the process.
Denzel went on to say that the man was staring at him in a sinister way, which made him think he was a bad man, but he couldn't say anything about the next day, "For I had the flu" he told them. However, he did see him at the bar when he very briefly left for a cup of water, that day. In fact, he told them, he'd seen him every day at the bar before it closed after Tifa became sick.
He fast-forwarded to after their recovery when they were walking home from school. There they encountered the man again as he stared at them, and asked why the bar hadn't opened, which they answered honestly. They saw him again the next day, and he spoke to them again.
"Hello, kids," he said, "Is your mother any better yet?"
"She's still sick!" Marlene told the man, "And she's not our mum, she's our guardian."
"Oh, I'm sorry, poppet," the stranger said, "I promise I won't get them confused again. Now run along now, go home, relax, and do your homework."
Every day since, Denzel told them, he and Marlene always crossed his path and sometimes, he'd speak to them, other times only stare, and they became suspicious of him. One day Marlene had a nightmare about the man, and he had some monsters chasing after her, Denzel told Billy and Chole, and Cloud requested that he comfort her for the night, which he willingly accepted.
The day before, the boy said that the man had been banned from the bar for trying to kiss Tifa. Marlene reinforced the scene by telling Chole and Billy that only they and Cloud had permission to kiss her, which made Choco Billy gag. He then jetted up when he had a sudden rush of adrenaline fill him.
"Wait, I think we've seen that guy before!" Choco Billy said, "It looked like he was walking with some dragons, and he was leading them somewhere. That might have been why some chocobos were missing from the fields."
"Are you sure he didn't just look like him?" Marlene asked.
"Maybe," Choco Billy said, "But I'm pretty sure it was him."
The barn door opened to reveal Cloud's shadow hovering over the children, as they turned to him. He was holding Aurum's reins, as he went over to sit beside Marlene and Denzel.
"Marlene, Denzel," he said, "We'll be going soon. Are you ready?"
"In a minute!" Marlene said, then facing Chole, "Sorry, Chole, we're going now. But we'll come back to see you again."
"It was nice of you to stay with us, Marlene," Chole said, "you too, Denzel. Is there anything Cloud needs?"
"Choco Billy," Cloud said, "could you get me some gyshal greens, or do I still have to pay?"
"Sorry, Cloud," Choco Billy said, "Business is business." Cloud paid for two whole sacks full of gyshal greens, costing around 2000 gil, and left. Marlene and Denzel farewelled Billy and Chole, as they mounted Aurum with Cloud and Tifa. On the way back to Edge, Cloud held onto Marlene, whilst Tifa held Denzel, securing them in their arms, through the green fields, as Aurum carried sacks of Gyshal greens on both sides.
By the time they came home to Seventh Heaven, it was already eleven o'clock. Marlene and Denzel were sent to bed, whilst Cloud and Tifa sat on the couch. The moonlight sneaked in through the windows, blessing Cloud and Tifa as they kissed. After, Cloud began to speak.
"I'm going to take Aurum to the chocobo stables now," Cloud said, "hopefully they still have one open. Maybe we should build him one at the bar,"
"We may not need it too often," Tifa said, "but I'll arrange something. Don't be too long."
Cloud kissed Tifa in reassurance and left with Aurum. The chocobo stables still had plenty up to rent, with Cloud leaving Aurum to be cared for, at 100 gil a night. When he came back, Tifa was no longer on the couch, and Cloud went upstairs where he opened the door to see Tifa about to get under the blanket before stopping.
After Cloud changed, he joined Tifa under the covers and embraced her, kissing her lips. The two slept serenely through the ocean of the night, sailing through the dreams along the way. There were monsters through the ocean trying to get to them, but Cloud with his fusion sword protected Tifa and sometimes, they both fought together. The chocobos and moogles along the way were welcomed by the couple, as they sailed into the warmth of daylight, where their eight-hour ride ended. Cloud still found Tifa secured in his arms, as they lay in their bed, safely relaxed.
Cloud gave Tifa her morning kiss and went down with the children for breakfast. Afterwards, Cloud left for the chocobo stables, where Aurum had his morning feed from the stable hand. Cloud took him outside the city of Edge, securing his deliveries in place. As predicted, in some ways, the journey around Gaia was faster, with openings to many shortcuts available to Aurum, such as climbing mountains and crossing oceans.
However, in other areas, it was slower, such as direct trips from one city to another, but his recipients, to his surprise, were light on him, assuring that he couldn't have known that someone sabotaged his engine. His recipients all noticed his change in transport, and out of sympathy, paid him a little extra.
During the day, Cloud crossed the seas to Wutai, the home of Yuffie Kisaragi who presented herself before Cloud, bowing to him. Cloud handed Yuffie a box of medicine, containing anti-diarrheal tablets and a liquid solution.
"Hi, Yuffie, how's your father?" Cloud asked.
"Still bad," Yuffie said, "We think it might have been food poisoning; apparently some contaminated fish were being served, and he might have eaten one of them. Apparently, someone forgot to wash their hands."
"I hope he gets better," Cloud told Yuffie, "tell him I sent these, and I hope he gets better soon. You're not sick?"
"Not yet!" Yuffie said, "But thank you for your concern,"
Yuffie gave Cloud his money, as well as a kiss on the cheek, before she planked an uncomfortable position and ran off. Cloud shrugged and mounted Aurum, riding off the island and to the western continent, where he reached Cosmo Canyon. There he dropped off some potion for the infirmary and paid a quick visit to Nanaki who updated Cloud that there was no sight of dragons at all.
Afterwards, Cloud finished his deliveries, but stopped at the Shinra mock-up of Nibelheim and walked around, taking in the sights of the childhood cruelly robbed from him by Shinra and Sephiroth. He approached the water tower, where he climbed up and reminisced of a vow so sacred, it could never be shattered. The noon breeze blew through Cloud's hair as he meditated, then jumped onto Aurum's back.
The sun had drowned into the horizon, as Cloud returned at the doorstep of Seventh Heaven, where the hours were at their busiest, and the room it's loudest. Cloud leaned in to catch a kiss from Tifa's lips then went upstairs for a shower.
The warm water that embraced his skin felt inspiring, as Cloud thought of how to propose to Tifa, and what ring to buy her. She had already a Fenrir ring on her right hand, but Denzel and Barret had the same one, making the change of fingers impractical, Cloud thought.
By the time Cloud discharged himself from the shower, dinner was ready, with the children joining them. At the table, he took in the sight of Tifa with only one thought running through his head.
'I'm going to do it,' he said in his head, 'When the time is right, I'm going to do it!'
Cloud was distracted by eating his steak whilst saving that thought. When Marlene and Denzel went to sleep that night, and Cloud and Tifa were alone in bed, Cloud thought more of his plans, such as where he would do it. It would have to be at the place that was very special to them, he thought, as he reached in to hold Tifa's warm hand.
For the rest of the week, as the countdown to Tifa's birthday grew closer, Cloud thought about what to buy as he travelled the world by chocobo. He soon got news from Cid that Fenrir would soon be up and running once again.
As Cloud travelled, he observed the places he encountered and wondered, was it significant enough for him and Tifa? Of the places Cloud travelled throughout the day, the one that spoke to him the most, of course, was his childhood home, Nibelheim, but at the same time, the place preserved a painful memory for them; he asked himself, "How would she feel if I took her here?"
One day, when Cloud took a day off, Tifa came up to him.
"Cloud," she said, "Do you think we could go somewhere together, with the kids? It doesn't have to be somewhere extravagant, but I think it would be nice, that's all."
"Of course," Cloud said, "And with the kids?"
Tifa nodded, "I think it would be nice to go out every once in a while. As a family, Cloud."
"As a family," Cloud said, "I'll find us a place." Cloud kissed Tifa's lips and went with her and the children to the chocobo stables where Aurum was collected. Through the outskirts of Midgar, Cloud rode Aurum over the hills west of the eastern continent, where a little tree lived. It seemed like the perfect place to have a picnic, Cloud and Tifa thought.