The morning swept its way into the room, filling the room with light shimmers of radiant orange light. The thin red haired man stood with his eyes out the window as he stood beside his lover. They were tucked together like a puzzle with another. His arm lazily dawdled down her small back and resting on her waist, and her arm clasped around his waist.
"So my enemy," he smirked as he pressed a kiss to her temple "Another day of watching over her huh?"
Yuffie nodded, "No matter what you say Reno, I'm still going stay here until he wakes up."
"What if he doesn't?" Reno asked.
"Then we'll be spending the rest of our lives in Midgar," she turned her head and glanced outside. "It isn't a bad city."
"Well, I don't care where I am Yuffie, just as long as I'm with you," he smiled and hugged her closer.
Cid coughed which sounded more of an intentional cough rather than natural. "You two irritate me sometimes," he said to the couple. "Freaking locked lips."
Barret let out a chuckle as he followed close behind Cid. "Locked lips."
Reno rolled his eyes, "Just when I thought I can find someone to settle down with, I still get teased."
"What is that suppose to mean?" Yuffie raised her brows.
Barret laughed again, "Caught Reno."
"Damn straight," Cid smirked and gave Reno a playful punch on the back.
"Uh..nothing," the Turk looked wearily over at Yuffie as his cheeks began to grow bright red.
The Wutain glared and squirmed her way out of his arms. "Oh yeah, fine then Reno, keep secrets from me," she told him and walked out of the room angrily.
"Oh well done Turk," Barret chuckled.
Cid smothered a chuckle, "If you love her I suggest you start running after her."
Reno threw them both a glare and ran out the door. "Yuffie," was the last they heard him calling before the silence returned to the room again.
"Uh..everything okay?" Tifa entered the room and pointed back to the scene she just witnessed.
Barret rolled his eyes and smiled, "Their just having some problems."
"Oh," she said softly.
"Yeah, just a little slip up," Cid added with a snigger.
Tifa narrowed her eyes, "A little slip up? Looked to me more like a huge slip up."
"Well nothing to worry about," Barret patted her shoulder. "How was your shopping trip with Denzel and Marlene?"
Just as she opened her mouth to speak the two came rushing into the room. "Look what Tifa bought us," Denzel and Marlene shrieked at the same time. They dashed forward to Cid and Barret, showing them their new toys.
"Oh wow," Barret gasped as he went through the toys, looking as if interested.
"This is getting heavier and heavier each day," her hand rubbed her now five month old pregnant stomach softly before she muttered, "I better go back downstairs and see if they are okay," she blew a kiss to Cloud before exiting the room, closely followed by Marlene and Denzel.
Barret watched and shook his head sadly after Tifa left. "What's going to be of her if he doesn't make it out of this one?" he looked at Cloud.
Cid lowered his head sadly with a sigh, "I don't know anymore."
"Of all people, it had to be him," Barret shook his head angrily. "He's going to be a damn father, to a child that is beyond special."
"Cheer up man, lets talk about something else for a while huh," Cid muttered.
Barret nodded, "So. You're going to stay here huh?"
Cid nodded, "Until good ol' spiko wakes then I leave."
"Well I guess living here ain't that bad, cause I get to spend every day with Marlene and I know she loves it and all," he answered with a smile on his face.
"I don't think there's any other place in this world that I'd rather be than here with my friends," Cid said then grimaced, "Damn I sound too cheesy."
Barret let out a howl of laughter.
"Hmm…" a sound startled them.
His laughter paused as he spun around to look at the limp body on the bed.
"Tifa," the whisper escaped his lips.
"Cloud?" Barret gasped and rushed over to Cloud's side.
The limp body began to whimper a slightly and then the fingers began to move a little. "Where's..Where's Tifa?" he struggled to sit up.
"Just take it easy," Cid instructed and guided the blonde back down onto his back.
"How long..How long was I sleeping?" his blue eyes were open and fully awake.
"Eight weeks," Barret answered and winced at how long that sounded.
Cloud's eyes widen, "Eight weeks?"
Cid nodded, "Its damn hard to feed you spiko."
"How's Tifa?" he asked.
"Ask her yourself," Barret rolled his eyes and stood up. He turned to Cid and muttered, "I'll go get her."
"Ah man a lot has changed Cloud, you should see-"a hand found its way over Cid's mouth.
"When will you shut up? Let the man see for himself," Barret rolled his eyes and pulled the struggling man out of the room.
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"Look Yuffie I didn't mean that," Reno begged down on his knees before the woman.
She stood with her back to him and her eyes fixed at the window. "No Reno, I know what kind of person you are. A Turk Reno, how do I trust a Turk?" she turned around and flashed her tear stained eyes at him.
Reno stared his eyes wide as he felt his heart breaking at the sight of his lover. She looked worn and very upset. "Because this Turk loves you," he lowered his head and looked to the floor.
"How can you prove that Reno? You're a Turk, once a Turk always a Turk," the words slipped out her mouth bitterly as she sent glares to him.
He dropped to his knees, but didn't stare up to her. "I love you Yuffie and I am a Turk who has fallen in love. A cowardly Turk who let his feelings take him over, but I don't care."
"How do I know you won't run off to another woman as soon as you get me in bed?" she asked.
"Because I want to be with you Yuffie. Have a child together, a family," he looked up to her.
She stared for a moment without saying anything. Her eyes softened as she watched him. At the corners of his eyes were forming tears. For the first time she saw straight through the Turk and to his heart. It was small and warm, and with its only desire to love someone. Secretly he wanted a child, a baby that he could call his. Despite the hard labor in Shinra and working for Reeve, there has always been a heart in him that wanted more than just a solider life. Know he found someone that was worthy of loving him, of whom he wanted to start a family with.
"..Once a Turk always a Turk…" the flash back of her bitter words startled her for a moment.
He really loved her and all she did was throw it in his face. It was all just a big misunderstanding. Because he loved her, and it was more than just a childish love.
She reached forward and touched his cheek, "I love you too Reno. I just don't want you to hurt me."
"Hurt you?" he took it with defense, "Yuffie I would never hurt you."
"I meant hurt as running away with another woman," she lowered her eyes. "I know your past and how you took women in just one after the other."
He winced and turned away, "I want to change that," he said softly.
"If you are ready to change, I will wait for you Reno," she touched his lips with hers and drew back. "Because I love you so much and even if you ran away with another woman, I will still love you, and I don't know why."
"I won't," he stood up and looked into her eyes. "I can't touch another woman like the way I touch you Yuffie, they're not worth it anymore."
"Tifa!" Barret shouted from upstairs.
The couple glanced to the steps to see Barret rushing down, "Have you seen Tifa?" he asked them.
"No we haven't seen her," Reno shook his head. "Why is something wrong with Cloud?"
Barret shook his head, "No. He's awake."
Yuffie's eyes widen, "Really?"
"Where's Tifa?" he shouted as he looked around the room. "Tifa!"
"I'm here! I'm here," she walked into the living room from the kitchen. "Geez, I just went to get a cup of water."
"I think you should come see something," Barret led her upstairs.
The couple had their eyes fixed on the steps, both refusing to make a sound as the silence around them grew.
"You're worth it Yuffie," Reno muttered after some silence. "Because once this Turk loves you he will always love you, once a Turk always a Turk."
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Cloud stared up into the ceiling as he waited for Barret to fetch Tifa. Was what he just saw really real? The little boy who called him dad and Tifa mum?
"Cannot be, he's not even born yet right?" Cloud muttered to himself.
The door opened and she stood frozen at the spot. Her eyes softened and were filled with water as she watched him.
"Cloud?" she said softly and watched as he looked to her.
"Tifa," he stretched his hand forward as if calling her over.
Her stomach had grown and was now almost at its peak. He had missed so much, gone so long. What happened? How long was he away? She wasn't in pain was she? He winced slightly as he sat up to try to aid her as she waddled toward him. He couldn't help but smile warmly at the sight of her. She looked so beautiful, so contented but worried.
Her smile faded as she watched him sit himself up, wincing as he did. She waddled faster and touched his arm genuinely.
"No, don't," her voice was softer and calmer. "You'll hurt yourself even more," she told him. He hadn't even woken up for more than an hour and already she was worried. 'What would I do without you Tifa?' he smiled.
He settled down like she asked and calmly laced his hand through hers. A solitude tear trickled down her face as she lifted a trembling hand and brushed his cheek.
"I was so scared," she choked it out softly. "I thought I lost you."
His heart softened as he guided her to his chest. "I'm sorry Tifa," he whispered to her. "Sorry I left you for so long."
She shook her head, "No. You were there somewhere Cloud," she looked up to him and managed a smile.
You were there.