Chapter Five

"You're glowing," said Zack. "I take it you heard the good news?"

"And just how did you know, Mister Big Shot First Class Soldier?"

"Your mother and I had a little conversation about the whole thing."

"You had a conversation with my mother? That sounds…scary." Aeris laughed.

Zack was just happy to finally see her smile again. "Yea, she can be a bit rough sometimes. Not like you though, you were always…soft."

"Are you going to miss me Zack?" she asked, concerned.

"Nah, not really!" Zack said coolly.

"WHAT! After everything we've been through! After I…let you have me that one night before you left?"

"Yeah right! Let me! You couldn't resist! Relax kid. You know I was just joking. Jeez, can't get nothin past you Aeris." They both started laughing.

"Are you going to be alright here Zack?"

"I'll be fine Aeris. I've learned so much here, from you. It won't be as bad now. You have taught me how to hold myself together better here. When I first came, I was scattered. You made me whole again though, babe!"

"Ugh, you know I hate it when you call me that! You just needed a little boost was all!"

"I'll be fine here Aeris, I have friends here now. Not to mention all the damn girls here!" Zack said in the cool tone he always talked in.

"I guess some things will never change. Zack, I want you to know something before I go. You were, and always will be my first love. You have a permanent place in my heart and nothing will ever make me forget that. Nothing."

"Not even my buddy Cloud?"

"Not even him."

"I loved you Aeris, I still do, but I know you don't belong here. You belong with him. It's only right. I just want to see you happy again."

"I still love you Zack, just not that way anymore. I will be happy. And I want to promise you something."

"What?" asked Zack.

"I promise you, that our first child will be named Zack. Zack Strife. What do you think of that?"

"HA! Gee thanks. Kinda jumpin ahead of yourself there though, you think that Cloud will be so eager to just start the paternal engine there?"

"In ten years maybe, I'm not saying now!"

"Well, what if it's a girl? I swear Aeris, if you name a girl after me I --"

"You never quit do you? Well if it's a girl…we will call her…um…Zackette!"

"That's it; you just sealed your second fate!"

They embraced one last and final time. They shared a brief and tender kiss. Little did Aeris know; that kiss would last have to last Zack an eternity. They both stared into each other's eyes one final time.

"Goodbye Zack."

"See ya Aeris."

With those words, he was gone. Aeris tried not to cry but she couldn't help it. She gathered herself. It was almost time.

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"Damn Tifa, these fuckin eggs are amazing! How bout some more Irish coffee there for Cid."

"You aint even Irish ya big jackass!" said Barret.

"Well, you aint as hard as you think ya are there papa bear!"

"I hope Cid isn't taking the kids out on the airship today," chimed Tifa.

"Don't worry Tifa, I'm gonna pilot it." Barret assured.

"Like that's any better!" she said.

"Clouds gonna go too sugar, it'll be alright. Don't worry," Cid said.

"Oh, really? Clouds going too?" she asked.

"Yea, somehow me and this crazy ole geezer talked his spiky headed ass inta it!"

Cloud walked into the room. He had been out all day, but didn't tell anyone where he was going. Those mako blue eyes had to gaze upon one person before he could be with his family, and he was happy he made the decison to go. Cloud really felt good today and almost asked Tifa to go. Cid beat him to it though.

"Why don't ya bring yurself along sweet cheeks. I'm gonna get tired of starin at these two clowns all day!"

Tifa looked at Cloud. He nodded. "I can't. I have so much to do here today, I have to clean, and who's gonna look after all the children?" she asked.

"We're taking them Tifa. Why don't you come along?" Cloud said.

"You can't take them all! Really, it's ok. I'm just going to stay. I had a whole day planned out anyway. Vincent said he might stop by today too. It's been a while since we've seen each other anyway." Everyone knew Vincent wasn't stopping by. Tifa and he were together for a while after Meteor, but when Geostigma arrived, Vincent became more and more engulfed in his "research."

Marlene and Denzel suddenly entered the kitchen. "Let's go!" They both exclaimed.

"Not so fast you two." Barret said. "Eat some breakfast first."

"We're too excited! And Denzel gets airsick anyway. Remember last time?"

Cid certainly remembered. He remembered the vomit covering everything. He remembered cussing quite a bit and said he'd never seen airborne puke before. "Yea, Denzel can prolly get through the day," said Cid

Denzel nodded. "I had a big dinner last night anyway."

"Ok, but you better eat something Marlene. Either eat or stay here." Barret demanded.

"Oh, alright." Replied Marlene as Tifa handed her a light plate while winking at her.

Cloud saw this and went over to Tifa. He put his arms on her shoulders. He whispered: "You don't have to be like this. I'm sorry about last night. The truth is Tifa…I don't know what I want."

She whispered back: "Cloud…I know what I want. I want a family. I want a big family. It was how I grew up, and it's how I want to grow old. Do you want that?"

"Tifa…don't put me on the spot here."

"Well? Do you, or don't you?" she asked.

"Someday…yeah."

"With me?" she asked. "I thought you didn't love me."

"You know what…just forget it. Forget I even asked. I'll seeya later on."

Tifa sighed under her breath, "Typical."

"Okkkkkkk, all finished!" yelled Marlene as she handed Tifa her plate.

"You two ready?" Cloud asked as he calmly glared at Tifa.

"YES!" they both exclaimed.

"Let's go then!" said Cloud.

"YAY!"

And with that, they were off. Little did anyone know, that this would be a day that none of them would ever forget.

Author's Notes: I really had fun here with this chapter. I really liked the Aeris/Zack stuff. Hope you all did too. Anyway the story is going to shift gears here soon with the next couple of chapters and I promise you the good stuff is coming! Can't wait to get some feedback on this! I am currently on chapter six but I cannot post any of the story yet because I just recently rejoined (great site). Anyway, I am trying to get this up ASAP; it should only be a couple of hours. To kill the time I think I'll go play some Kingdom Hearts cuz that game pwns! As always R&R!

Thanks again,

NazMan.