Disclaimer
ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… *Sephiroth pokes Htress with the Masamune* O_o… Do not own, make no money, don't sue me, this chapter is somehow very funny, and Nanaki's on the loose *kicks the catnip away*. Dedicated to my friend Lauren. Enjoy!
Htress
htress@jenovaproject.com
Holidays in Midgar
With Hojo gone and JENOVA rendered harmless, everybody returned home. Months passed. With only few weeks before the Holidays, Nanaki was thinking about giving something special to Cloud and Sephiroth. So, he invited them over for the week before New Year's Eve, insisting on the fact that the peace of the Canyon would be good for them.
- Are they arriving?
Jake, the gate's keeper, sighed, shaking his head.
- I hope the snow isn't a problem, Nanaki added.
Time passed by, and in the late afternoon, two figures riding Gold Chocobos appeared at the Gates, the two of them covered with snow. Jake greeted them and took the birds to the stables while Sephiroth and Cloud made their way to the Inn.
*******
- Red, tell me you're not serious…
- Cloud, you two definitely need some help, I mean, you don't know how to take care of babies… And Alekia could give you a lot of advices…
- Birthing classes? Sephiroth repeated in disbelief.
- You start tomorrow, this is my gift to you. Please accept. It could do you only good.
Red got out of the Inn, leaving the two fighters in a confused state of mind. The Inn keeper giggled, seeing Cloud turn into a bright shade of crimson. It would be a very looong week.
*******
Day one
Alekia was an aged woman, in her mid-fifty. She greeted them with open arms, starting right away with a complete examination of Cloud's tummy. Nanaki had warned her, she made no comments, as Sephiroth twitched nervously on his chair.
- You are both so lucky, she said with a smile, a baby is not given to everybody… and why have you brought that?
Alekia was pointing the Ultima weapon.
- ………
- You're afraid he might laugh at you?
Cloud nodded.
- Don't worry, he'll do exactly what you'll do. A baby is a couple matter, and both of you will take care of him.
With that she turned to Sephiroth and gestured him to come closer and started to teach the basic stretching.
*******
Day two
Sephiroth was trying his best not to laugh… But to see Cloud… The blond was learning how to control his breath to ease the occasionally pain. As he wasn't the one to give birth, the silver-haired man could only watch.
- Okay, now try the dog style. When the baby will want to come out, you'll be able to relax, and concentrate on something else than the pain. And believe me, it will hurt. Go!
It was too much, and the silver-haired man burst out laughing. Cloud stopped immediately, and furious, grabbed the hilt of the Ultima Weapon.
- You are soooooooooo dead!!!!
Sephiroth scrambled to his feet and bolted off, Cloud right on his tail, Alekia shaking his head in despair.
- Same hour tomorrow…?
********
Day three
- Cloud, you're supposed to taste it, not eat it all!!! Sephiroth scolded.
- But I looooooooove that!
The blond took a spoonful of oatmeal and threw it on Sephiroth. The older man stopped cooking his mashed fruits and sent back an apple core right between Cloud's eyes.
- Food fight!!!
The two of them were soon covered by mashed fruits and oatmeal and soaked from head to toes with milk. Running out of ammunition, they started wrestling in their mess until Alekia came back from the store. She dropped her bag at the door, walking menacingly toward her students and grabbed them by the ears.
- Now for the cleaning classes…
********
Day four
Alekia and Cloud were giggling at Sephiroth, dressed in nothing but his pants and a large white cloth fastened around his waist.
- I fail to see the humour in that…
- Awww baby Sephy wanna get his diaper changed? Cloud said, waving a small pacifier in front of his face.
Sephiroth pouted.
- You pricked me at least three times with your safety pins!!! And baby Sephy wants you to get this off!
And baby Sephy threw angrily a powder bottle to Cloud, which exploded, covering both of them. Cloud gave him a slap on his diaper-covered butt.
- Baaaaaaad baby Sephy, won't get his candy, he scolded, giving him the pacifier.
Alekia laughed as baby Sephy suckled on it a little, hoping to get his candy anyway.
- I guess you better use disposable diapers…
********
Day five
Nanaki and Alekia waved as Cloud and Sephiroth walked to the Highwind. The aged woman was proud of them and eager to see the little child.
- You have to come back! I want to see your little baby!
Cloud nodded and hugged Sephiroth as the airship took off. Pensive as always, Nanaki followed Alekia inside her house.
- What do you think?
- They will be fine, the woman answered, they truly love each other, I think it's the best thing that could ever happen to them. Now explain to me, Nanaki… how did your friend got pregnant?
Red sighed.
- It's a loooong story, Alekia…
*******
Midgar haven't changed after Meteor, the city was the same, but the life seemed easier. Reeve and his crew had worked hard, with the army and the Turks to contain crime in the slums and to prevent the starvation. And using electricity instead of Mako, the Planet was no longer in danger.
They landed on the higher plate, on the roof of the Shin-ra Tower. Cid lead the way inside, where everybody was gathered, and as soon as Cloud entered they all shouted 'Baby Shower!'. Cloud was dragged inside where the girls had piled gifts.
- A baby shower? Asked Sephiroth, What is that?
- It's for a mommy… When she have a baby in her tummy. Everyone brings a gift for the baby and give it to the mommy, Marlene answered. Are you the mommy, uncle Seph?
- Noooooooooo (big sweatdrop) your uncle Cloud is.
Without further more ceremony, Reeve and Shera handed them a small package. Cloud tore off the paper and held up a cute blue jumper with a chocobo on the front… About an hour later, they had all the necessary items to take care of the baby to come. Rufus and Tifa offered a cradle along with the blankets. Barret and Elmyra provided the bottles, little spoons and baby plates. The most practical gift was donated by Yuffie, Tseng and Reno.
- Two months and a half and you already can't wear your belt anymore… Our gift will be very helpful to you!, the ninja girl had exclaimed.
In the large box were two long kimonos, traditional garment in Wutai. One was black and white while the other was blue with golden embroider flowers. Rude and Elena had also bought baby clothes. Cid and Vincent's gift was the last opened. With a gasp of surprise, Sephiroth unwrapped a breathtaking painting of a brown-haired woman… Encased in a handcrafted wooden frame.
- Is it…
- Yes… Lucrecia loved this picture of her, but it was so worn out… I thought it would be better if I did a painting… And Cid did the frame.
- Thank you so much… I'll treasure that, father…
Cid pouted, he was feeling unloved all of a sudden. After they placed the gifts in a corner, the real party begun, champagne, music and laughs filled the entire floor, the guests digging into the food and drinks.
- Should have seen his face when we put him a diaper!!! And he even took the pacifier! Cloud giggled.
Cid and Barret laughed loud, well they were all more or less drunk, even Sephiroth. Since they were all passing the night in the tower, nobody restrain themselves. Reeve put a mellow CD in the stereo and dimmed the lights, inviting the couples to a dance. Rufus was way too drunk to dance, so he and Tifa watched as Vincent and Cid waltzed gracefully on the dance floor with Elena, Rude, Shera and Reeve. Barret was twirling with his daughter on his shoulders while Reno was trying to guide Tseng, under the quizzical look of Night Vision. Sephiroth and Cloud were cuddling together, the blond boy well hidden behind two strong arms.
- Hey everyone! It's almost midnight! Yuffie chirped.
The countdown begun.
- 5!
Rufus brought Tifa closer for a quick kiss.
- 4!
Elmyra sat Marlene on his lap, Barret holding her by the shoulders.
- 3!
Vincent buried his head into Cid's neck.
- 2!
Night Vision chirped joyfully, nuzzling Tseng's side.
- 1!
Sephiroth patted lovingly his lover's tummy.
- Happy New Year!
More champagne was passed to the guests, as they celebrated the new year. Vincent and Cid announced their marriage's date, on May 15th. Everyone was invited. The priest in Rocket Town had accepted to bless their union. The white snow that fell on Midgar that night announced a year full of happiness.
End
Author's note
Hehehehe!!! How did you find this? Let me tell you: Cloud's due date is late June… And I would like to ask something to you, all my reviewers… If you're interested, I would like you to draw a scene of this fic (whichever you want) and send it to me… And the one that will make the better will receive a drawing of Cloud's baby! (Or maybe a watercolor, I didn't decided yet) So, what do you do? Will someone send me something? Next chapter: Yes, I do.