10 PM, 7th Heaven Bar, Bar level...

The bar wasn't as busy as it was during rush hours, but still had some of the usual drunks and rowdy bunch. Lucky for Tifa and Aerith, Zack had returned just in time before late hours started. Each was at their desired location around the bar. Zack sat at the table near the entrance; he was the bouncer for the night as promised. Tifa was the waitress walking around taking orders and serving drinks. And Aerith was in the kitchen responsible for the cooking and making the drinks.

Zack had received the message from Cloud via the kids. While he was looking out for the girls and violate brawls, at the same time, was debating over whether to message or call his parents at all. The number was typed on the call screen but did not press the call button yet. He was hesitant, after all, he died in the past, and he couldn't just tell them that.

He gave it some thought, his fingers hovering over the call button absently. If he did tell them, they'd be baffled and probably freak out. Or just call him crazy, which is the most probable.

"Hello?"

His ear twitched from hearing the oddly familiar voice all a sudden. He searched for the source of the sound, eyes darting around the bar. Finally, He found the source being the cell phone in his hands, his thumb was on the call button. Apparently, he accidentally called his parents.

"Hello? Who is it?"

Zack gulped with panic while continuing to hear the voice of what he believed to be his father on the other end. What should he do? What would he even say to them? 'Hi Dad, Mom, Guess what? I was dead before! But I'm alive now thanks to some crazy experiment.'

"If this is a prank call, it's not funny. I'm going to hang up!"

"W-wait...please" Zack's called out in a strained voice. It was a reflex, he didn't intentionally mean it. Either way, he couldn't stop now. He'll have to continue. "D-dad, It's me... Zack."

It was dead silence after that on the phone call. The sound of the loud customers of the bar drowned his hearing, giving him some comfort. A few minutes after, the man Zack familiarized as his father yelled through the speaker, almost making Zack deaf.

"YOUNG MAN! WHERE IN GAIA HAVE YOU BEEN?!"

'Young man? Very original dad.' Zack mentally scuffed.

"DO YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED YOUR MOTHER AND I WERE?!" The old man continued to lecture him, Zack was thankful the cell phone was not on speaker.

"Dad, I swear it was not intentional. I'll... I'll explain it. I will really."

"Forget about that! We want you here right now!... Just... let us see you, you idiot." Zack could have sworn he heard his father's voice cracking near the end. Crying maybe?

"I missed you too, pops. I promise I'll come soon enough."

"You better. Oh, and your mother says you should bring that girlfriend of yours."

"Got it. See you soon pops." Zack hung up afterward, exhaling his held breath as his tense body relax. Thankfully, during his call, everyone had behaved. But now he needs to get back to work.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

11 PM, 7th Heaven Bar, Bar level...

"good job you two." Tifa congratulated her two helpers after closing the bar for the night. Zack came over from his spot near the entrance with some dirty plates. While she and Aerith cleaning up near the counter.

"you should check your messages, I'm sure Cloud sent you something." Zack offhandedly mentioned to Tifa. Realizing it, the brunette stopped working and quickly pulled out her cell phone, after seeing a message from her boyfriend she immediately ran to the far end to call him.

"She's excited." Aerith giggled, finishing up the last bit of dirty plates and letting them dry.

"Yep." Zack smiled back at her. Soon he recalled the phone call with his father earlier. He should plan when to visit them, with Aerith of course, he needs it to be official after all.

"So... Aerith, busy the rest of this week?"

"You mean other than working here?"

'Right, we are helping Tifa around here.' Zack mentally facepalmed himself. He can't bail on Tifa when Cloud was still out. It would be best to wait till he got back first. "I guess you are busy, let me try asking again next time."

"Oh, were you going to invite me on a date? that's sweet of you Zack."

"Actually it's both a date and a trip."

"A trip? Where to?"

"Well, first Kalm to visit Elmyra. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you. Then, we'll head to Gongaga to visit mine."

"Sounds like fun."

'Fun she said.' He was sure Elmyra has one or two lectures to give him about breaking Aerith's heart in the past. Not to mention they are a chance she'll hit him with a broom if she was that kind of lady. Other than Elmyra, his parents are a different story.

First of all, he ran away from home to join Shinra at thirteen. He rarely sent them letters as he got older and ranked higher. After getting a phone, he still didn't call them that much. He's going to get it, of that he was sure. "yeah, fun."

"Do... think it'll be ok?"

"what do you mean?"

"I mean... won't I shock them looking like this?" Aerith gestured to the wheelchair, looking a tad sad.

"Of course not! It's about who you are, not your condition." He stood close to her, giving her a hug, to make her feel better. Giving her a tender kiss on her forehead, making her giggle and smile.

"Thank you, Zack, I needed that."

"Anytime for you Angel."

Their cuddling came to a stop when the excited kids that were holed up in the second floor came running down. Both heading to Tifa wanting to read the message from Cloud.