Chapter 2: A Surprising Announcement

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"Tifa, are you home?"

"Cloud, is that you?"

"Yes. I just got back from the mountain."

"Oh really? Did you find that stone you where looking for?"

"No."

"Oh well better luck next time!"

"Yea, I hope."

"Well, I went to see the doctor today and he has some news for me."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, well… uh… you see…"

"Come on tell me! I can't bear the anticipation."

"OK, well I'm… pregnant."

"YOU'RE WHAT???"

"Pregnant."

"OH MY GOD, I'M SO HAPPY"

"Yes, isn't great news?!"

"I can't believe it. My own child…"

So the news was out. Cloud Strife was going to have a child. Immediately, as they were quite excited, Cloud and Tifa went out shopping and found many things that they thought their child would need. Of course, in Cloud's nature, he went shopping at different types of places than clothing. He bought the child toys, video games, and even thought of buying a weapon…

"WHAT??? A SWORD??? GEEZ CLOUD YOU HAVE QUITE SOME NERVE. BUYING AN UNBORN CHILD A SWORD??? WHY I'VE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING… THAT'S IT WE'RE LEAVING…"

And so they did. And they didn't go out much after that. It was a constant struggle trying to keep Tifa happy when the unborn child was sitting in her stomach. And Cloud finally grew restless and couldn't help but go out hunting. He picked up hunting from an old man at the bar, and thought he would give it a try. "Hey," he thought, "What's harm could it do? At least I'll have some extra food that Tifa can cook." So one morning, while Tifa was still asleep, he picked up the Buster Sword and went out for a little adventure. What Cloud had not realized is that hunting is usually done with a gun… But Cloud wondered why he had to hunt with a gun. He thought that since he HAD saved the planet, he should have the right to the things the ancient way. About nine o' clock, he decided to head back, having killed over 50 lb. of meat. Tifa would be happy, or so he thought at least…

"Cloud, let me inform you of something. OK, first thing, I'm pregnant."

"Yes, Tifa, I realize that."

"OK then, second thing, do you know what can happen to a woman when she's pregnant?"

"Yes, the doctor went over these things with us…"

"Then why would you leave me at home with no one there so you could go hunting?"

"I'm sorry Tifa, but you know how I am. I like a little adventure in my life. Is there anything too wrong with that?"

"I guess not. But let's not make a habit of this."

And he didn't. Know Tifa was constantly at the doctor's office and always need something, whether it be cocoa, a pillow and blanket, or even a little love and attention. But one day, the doctor dropped some good news on them. "The child you are having," the doctor started to announce, "Is going to be a boy." Of course, Cloud was excited. He really didn't want a little girl, but knew that either way he would still love his child. But luck was with him, and the child was male. So there would probably be another fighter in the family, as Cloud was already planning on training the child at a young age. He was also contemplating whether or not he should pass down the Buster Sword to his child, which he finally agreed to himself that he would. Finally, one morning, Tifa and Cloud decided they should get married before they had the child. So, four months into the pregnancy, Tifa and Cloud Strife were happily marry and sent off on their honey moon to go exploring the ruins of Midgar. Midgar had once been such a beautiful place. Each section acting as a separate community and everything seemed to be going well. But that all change. Slowly, the names were forgotten and the city was sent into being but slums under the luxurious lives of the people on the plate. But soon, Avalanche discovered the secrets of Mako energy, and went on a painful journey to stop the evil Shinra, Inc. And now the city lies in shambles. Grass has over grown much of it and the old Mako cannons are covered in rust and almost withered away. Cloud and Tifa sat in the ruins for hours, reminiscing about the days spent there. They remembered the birth of Avalanche, the travels on the trains and fake IDs, the bombing of the different Mako reactors, and finally, in a moment of sorrow, they remembered the days they lost their friends and teammates to Shinra's evil plot. They sat until three o' clock in the morning, and finally left for home in Nibelheim. The next morning they decided to try and make contact with the rest of the group. Soon they had gathered everyone except Red XIII, and couldn't find a trace of him. They finally just decided to give up and have the reunion without him.

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