11 AM, City of Edge, Market street...

The shopping district of Edge hasn't changed much since both Zack and her's arrival to the city a few months ago. The difference from then and now was that the decorations were taken down since then. All the bright red, black, and yellow streamers, the scary but thankfully fake fireballs were off the streets too. The scary distract looked ordinary and boring now, just natural colored buildings, regularly dressed people walking about shopping for their daily needs. If she were to think about it rationally, since they had brought the kid along, then maybe it is for the best that her first impression of the shopping district was not a horrifying one.

The street wasn't so crowded as Aerith originally though due to most people being either at work or school. The usually bustling market street was quiet and practically empty. Which made it quite easy for her chair to roll through.

Joining her were her boyfriend, Zack, and her newly adopted daughter, who they haven't given a name to yet. And the purpose of this shopping trip? Getting some outfits and necessities for the newest member of their family.

"So where do we start?" Zack asked as he halted the wheelchair to the side so that they won't obscure anyone's way.

"Well, we could start with some kid's clothes for her. Or maybe we should think of a name first? It's not very practical to keep calling her 'kid' after all."

"Oh, right... How about 'May'?"

"Hmm, no not really... 'Helen'?"

"I don't think it fits her either."

"This is hard, isn't it?" Aerith giggled, she didn't think that picking a name would be this hard to do. Her hand casually patting the little girl's head, who was sitting comfortably on her lap during the whole trip.

The girl, on the other hand, was oblivious to what her parents were discussing. Her eyes darting around in awe and excitement. Everything grabbed her attention, the shop windows, the people, the plants, even the buildings got her smiling from ear to ear at the new marvels surrounding her. That is till her gaze rested on a toy store window displaying its extensive range of plushies, a bright yellow stuffed Chocobo doll 19cm tall as a matter of fact.

"Cho...co"

Both Aerith and Zack took notice of her whisper. Now that they think about it, she did bring with her an old beat-up plush. It was so beaten up that it was beyond repair. And while Tifa did offer to try stitching it, it would be best to just replace it entirely.

"You like that plush kiddo?" The girl started acting shy; Zack noticed how she found the ground more interesting to look at while avoiding theirs. Her fingers intertwining with each other. She was also rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet to her toes. Her brows scrunched up in worry as she bites her lower lip. These were all clear signs of a little girl being nervous that's for sure, and both she and Zack knew it.

"If you want it all you have to do is ask, there's nothing to be afraid of." Aerith did her best to comfort her daughter. She reminded her so much of herself when she was getting used to Elmyra after her mother died. The fear, the anxiety, the shyness, it was all too familiar to her.

"M... Mama... Can...I?" Her voice cracked a few times as she spoke, a side effect of her shyness and anxiety taking over.

Aerith, on the other hand, had a look of shock plastered across her face. While she was hoping that she'll be called 'mom' in the future by her daughter. She never expected it to be this soon. It was so unexpected that tears formed in her eyes, but she quickly recovered, giving the brightest smile she could muster.

"O-Of course you can."

"Alright then," Zack intervened, he sounded more excited than Aerith herself over the milestone their daughter took. "You girls enjoy the fresh air while you wait here, I'll handle the bargaining; I won't take long." He walked into the store, leaving his girlfriend and daughter to have some girl time.

As soon as Zack left, Aerith took the chance to pull her daughter into a hug, cuddling her, while her own chin rested on the little girl's head ever so gently. The older woman felt so proud of her daughter's achievement, even if the younger girl was clueless about it.

"I'm so proud of you." She whispered under her breath. Maybe next she'll excite Zack? She shouldn't rush it though. She'll accept him when she's ready. Though this was Zack, he's a big lovable dork after all.

"Oh, before I forget. Do you... hear voices? or maybe whispers?"

"Umm... Y-yes."

"Ok, and can you do this?"

Aerith brought her hands together on the child's lap, giving her a better view of what she's about to do. In her hands, the lifestream swirled and pooled in, forming a slight green mist which usually cured whoever she targeted.

Following her lead, the little girl cautiously but surely closed her eyes and focused. Mimicking her mother as much as she could, but nothing occurred. As an instinct, the little girl flinched, as if anticipating a violent action from Aerith, which never came.

This made Aerith worry, "What's wrong little one? Relax, I'm not going to hurt you."

"Hu? But,... no... hurt me?"

"Hurt you? Why would I hurt you? You did nothing wrong. So you couldn't cast White Magic, it doesn't mean I'll hurt you. It just means that it's not your Natural Job Class."

"C-Clath?" Confused, the little girl relaxed her stiff form and looked back her Aerith, awaiting an explanation.

"'Class', Every Ancient is born with a Job Class that they specialize in."

"Really? That's interesting. So that makes you a White Mag." She hadn't realized it yet, but Zack had returned at some point. And in his hand was the newly purchased Chocobo doll. They were interrupted by the little girl's gleeful gasp.

"Oh sorry about that kiddo, I got distracted there." Zack chuckled at her impatient yet cute reaction to seeing the doll. Her tiny arms outstretched, waiting to receive it from him.

"Alright, alright kiddo, here you go." With his own smile, he gave it to her. The way her eyes glimmered as her eyes gazed on the new cuddly plushie, just caused him to chuckle more at her cuteness.

"She is, isn't she?" Aerith joined in with the giggling, her half-closed hand almost up to her mouth out of habit. Her eyes suddenly shot open. "Oh! I got it."

"Got what?"

"Her name. Doesn't 'Chloe' sound fitting?"

"Chloe... hmm." He thought for a minute, repeating the name a few time in a low tone to him. His arm crossed on his chest, his eyes drifting upwards, looking at the clear blue sky. After a few minutes of thinking, he relaxed and looked at his two lovely ladies with a smile forming. "It sounds cute. Chloe it is then!"

With that out of the way, Zack picked up the happy little girl, now named Chloe, on his shoulder while he helped push Aerith's chair. They could finally get some shopping started and hopefully get everything done before their trip to Kalm.

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12 PM, WRO HQ, Shelke's lab...

Holographic screens covered the walls of the dull grey walls of the lab, displaying all the available data on Deepground, all the previous experiments, base locations, hideouts, and high ranking members and grunts. With the addition of acquired data from Zack and Aerith, Shelke couldn't find anything about where Deepground's current base of operation was. It frustrated her to no end with how much they were trying to avoid detection.

Speaking of data, the file she received from Vincent caught her attention in more ways than one. Deepground went through the trouble of breeding Aerith and Zack to give birth to the child, but for what exactly? Did they expect that Aerith wouldn't be of use to them? Or even survive the experiments? She wasn't sure, she'd have to ask the ancient's descendant about the possibilities.

"It does say that the child inherited the Cetra gene from her biological mother, which seemed to be the desired result."

Deepground have no interest in the promised lands like Shinra did. If anything, they want nothing to do with the planet and would rather destroy it. At least that was the case when she was still part of the Tsviets after all.

"I wonder if there is some connection there."

She suddenly heard the metal door opened, then the sound of clinking of metal boots on the metal floor slowly approaching from behind, stopping right beside her. She didn't need to react to the new presence, she knew exactly who her guest was.

"Hello, Vincent. How was the delivery?"

"As well as it should." As monotone as ever, she noted, joining her at examining the holo screens. She can tell that he was looking for their base of operations.

"It's not listed sadly. The only option I can suggest is an area sweep of the Deepground labs." She answered his thoughts immediately, even if he didn't intend on voicing it to her. As he didn't respond, she decided to continue.

"Are you going to Deepground immediately?"

"Yes."

"Alone?"

Vincent didn't replay to her; instead, finding the information on the holo screens much more interesting than the conversation, something Shelke was very much used to from him. A breath escapes her with a small head tiling low, obviously slightly frustrated at his silence. She made a mental note to inform Reeve of Vincent's decision.

"Please be reasonable, Vincent, going alone is dangerous... especially since you no longer have the perks of being Chaos' host."

"I'm aware of its dangers."

Silence filled the cold metallic room's atmosphere. It was soo quiet that the usually low humming of the active holo screens was the only sound occupying the space. She soon added the tapping of her finger on the note pad to the humming, obviously waiting for him to gather his thoughts. Either he was done thinking, or the awkward atmosphere was getting for him because he ended up sighing. With his hand resting on his messy hair.

"Fine, I'll take Sith then. Happy?"

"Relieved actually, remember to report hourly."

"Got it."

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12 PM, 7th Heaven Bar, Bar Level...

The bar was an hour away from rush hour, which was getting Tifa on her toes for the first wave of customers. To her, it was much more stressful than the times she, Cloud and their friends went head to head with Shinra and Sephiroth years prior. Especially since she can't deck a drunk customer for sexual harassing her or other girls in her service.

Speaking of girls, she'll have to handle the bar on her own for the next few days since her usual helper will be out of town visiting family. It was gonna get lonely without the cheery flower girl for a while.

Her fingers rhythmically tapping the countertop to the tone of the latest music from an uprising singer in Edge. The action got the attention of her boyfriend, who was seated near the entrance. His head off his cell phone, he glanced over at her, his brow slowly showing signs of worry.

"Is everything ok, Tifa?"

"Hu? Oh, no, it's nothing. I'm just getting anxious for the rush hour."

"But you're used to it by now."

"True, but that still doesn't help calm my nerves, everything it happens."

"Right... So will you be ok with working alone at the bar for a while?"

"Of course I will be, I'm used to working alone since way back in Midgar. Have you forgotten already, Cloud?" a giggled escaped her smiling lips, his concern was cute to her. "What about you? Think you'll be fine without Zack taking your shift?"

"I will. If anything, it'll give my arms a break from the daily sparring matches."

Another giggle escaped her, then the ringing of the doorbell got both of them to snap back to business, eyes on said door. To their relief, it was Zack and Aerith's little girl, who had a brand new Chocobo doll, followed by the couple carrying a handful of bags. The site of the happy family brought a smile to her face, same with her boyfriend.

"Welcome back."