I have returned! Yay! Chapter 10 is finally up and running. Took long enough. Took the server almost two weeks until it would finally accept my document. Stupid server. Oh well. Now there is only one teeny weeny little problem. I must figure out what to write in the next chapter. Boo. I think I should tell about Ariaus but I just ain't sure. If anyone has a small opinion it would help lots. The Fuzzy Bunnies will love you forever!

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII

Reminder: Advent Children and Dirge of Cerberus will not affect this story in any way. Thank you and enjoy.

10

Things quieted down after Ariah and Sephiroth left Nibelheim. Life went back to normal, or at least, as normal as it could get. Several years passed this way in silence. No one heard from the two travelers and only rumors followed their path.

Vincent would ask Cid to take him to the Vault every now and then to see his son. He helped the boy to grow strong and to learn of the world outside his home.

On the eve of the twins' twenty-first birthday, contact finally returned between the vampire and the White Devil. He had just returned from a trip to the Vault when his PHS rang. This confused him as no one would call him after a visit and he knew everyone else was very busy with their lives.

He picked it up, wondering who it could possibly be and heard Sephiroth's voice on the other end. "Hello, Vincent. It's been a while."

"Yes, it has been. Three years to be exact. What could you be calling for and how did you get my number?"

"I got your number from Nanaki and, as much as I hate the idea, I need you to take care of Ariah."

The vampire's heart soared at this statement. Ariah was coming here? "Of course. My home is always open to you."

"Thank you." A loud crash was heard over the PHS and Sephiroth gave a tired sigh. "No, no Ariah. You hold it above your head…yes, like that. Now be very careful when you cast it." There was a pause and a second crash. "Very good. Now, again. And this time, practice your form. "Sorry." The general said as if he had forgotten that he was on the phone. "She's finally moved on to attack magic and it's killing me. We'll be there in one week."

"I'll be waiting." Vincent's heart was almost to the bursting point as he hung up after saying good-bye. He was going to see Ariah again! After three years, three long and terrible years, she was coming to his home to see him again. A sudden thought occurred to him as he went to the observatory instead of the basement.

'I am in no way prepared for guests.' And then a second problem occurred to him. 'What do I do to prepare?' He knew nothing of entertaining people. It was a skill he never really needed. What in the world was going to do? Who could he call?

And why was he suddenly so flustered? Hadn't he always had perfect control of himself? Wasn't he able to solve almost any problem set before him? 'I know,' he thought. 'I'll call Cid. His wife can help me. She'll know what to do.'

He quickly grabbed up the PHS once more and dialed Cid's number. It took the pilot a moment to pick up and he was grumpy when he did.

"Damnit Vin, this had better be good. I got an order to fix the damn Bronco and I don't have much time."

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Cid," Vincent said coolly, ignoring the nickname. "But I need to borrow Shera for a bit." There was a pause on the other end.

"…What the hell for?" This question irritated the vampire slightly.

"I need her help. Could you just spare her for a week? I would appreciate it."

"Hmm…." Cid was quiet for a moment while he thought. "I suppose I could. It won't take long to finish up the Bronco. I should be there by nightfall. And then you and me are gonna have a chat, sound cool?"

"Err…yeah…cool." Vincent really hated slang. But Cid sounded happy, almost like he'd made an achievement in making Vincent say one of the words he hated the most.

"Awight. See you tonight. Oh, and Vincent?"

"Yes?"

"Get some real food, man. I know you don't eat much, but I do. Make sure you have enough for the whole week. Shera and I don't wanna !& starve."

A heavy sigh escaped the vampire. "All right. As long as you hurry."

"Yes sir! See you soon."

Vincent grunted his reply and hung up. Oh, why in all of creation did it have to be Cid who had the only person available to help him?

'Oh well.' He thought. 'Might as well go stock up for the week.' He had plenty of gil. Training outside the city, plus the gil he earned by doing odd jobs, (meaning protection, mercenary work and gun training, if he felt like it), gave him enough to live comfortably and provide for a family of ten. (His service did not come cheap.)

When Cid arrived, he was putting away a particularly good vintage that a family had given to him for saving their boy from an angry creature. The pilot came waltzing in, Shera following behind him looking exasperated. Cid gave his friend a good smack on the back nearly knocking the taller man to the ground. (He was bent over in the liquor cabinet.)

"Hey there, Vinny! Y'know, When I said 'stock up' you didn't have to go and fill the damn liquor cabinet, too. Although it is a nice touch. Got a beer to spare?"

The vampire sighed and handed him a cold beer can out of a cooler on the floor.

"Now that you are here---"

Shera took over in an instant.

"I'm guessing you need my help to fix up this place for visitors, right Vincent?"

He just nodded. "Okay. Well then, we have one week so let's start on a few small things tonight, eat and then get plenty of rest. There's a lot to do."

Cid shook his head as the woman went off with notebook in hand to write down what needed to be done.

"I tell ya, that woman is (&$# crazy when it comes to cleaning. I have a bad feeling that she is gonna work the shit out of us. Be prepared to be exhausted." Vincent nodded again and sat down in a chair nearby.

'What have I gotten myself into?'

One week later, the Shin-ra mansion looked better than ever. Carpets were vacuumed, hard-wood floors were swept and washed, all fabric things like sheets and curtains and the like were aired, beaten, and washed several times just make sure all of the dust was out of them, and all glass surfaces were cleaned to a sparkling perfection. The larder was stocked, the kitchen cleaned, new dishes added to the cupboards, and, though Vincent had no idea how to cook, pots and pans and all kinds of cooking materials were placed where they belonged. Plants had been added everywhere to help add some cheer to the place and fires were lit to warm the cold corners.

The townsfolk, who had come to know Vincent as a wonderful help in village safety, had pitched in when Shera had asked. So, within the short time-frame that he had, everything was ready for Ariah and Sephiroth's arrival. Several of the housewives even offered to help him keep the place in good condition. This was one of the many things he was grateful for.

When all was said and done, both Cid and Vincent had to stand back and marvel. "I have never seen this hell-hole of dump, no offence, look so good." The pilot said in his usual manner.

"I must agree with you. I never thought it would ever spruce up, though I have been meaning to ask for help to do it for some time."

Cid took a drag on his cigarette and tapped his ashes into an ashtray on a coffee table next to his chair.

"So, why this sudden change of heart? Did you get a call from a certain little heart-stealer?"

"No!" Vincent bristled slightly at the mention of Ariah. Cid just laughed.

"So, when's she coming?"

The vampire sighed in defeat. "Later tonight."

"Yup, I was right. Well," he said as he snubbed out his cigarette. "Me an' Shera had better head. Don't wanna be in the way, y'know."

Vincent just grunted and sank deeper into his chair. What a day this was turning out to be. Cid and Shera left the mansion to return to the airship that had brought them here to find a pair of familiar faces standing beside it.

Ariah turned when she heard Cid shout her name and a smile crossed her face.

"Uncle Cid! Aunt Shera!" She shouted as she ran towards them. Sephiroth stayed in his position, the black cloak still masking his features from view. The young woman dove into the waiting pilot's arms. "I missed you guys. How come you're here in Nibelheim?"

"We're just here to check on our buddy, Vinny." Cid said as he ruffled Ariah's hair. "Gotta keep on him, ya know."

The White Devil giggled. "Yeah. Well, we better go. He's expecting us." They all waved goodbye and continued on their separate ways.

At the mansion, Vincent was pacing nervously, unsure of what to expect. Would she hate him? Would she not? The doorbell startled him out of his worried trance and he rushed to the door. Before he could even say hello, an excited squeal pierced his ears as one very happy young woman mobbed him.

Sephiroth followed much slower and merely laughed while the vampire tried to pry Ariah from his neck. "I missed you Vincent! Daddy made me stay away forever!" She said as she rubbed her cheek against the soft fabric of his shirt.

"I missed you too, Ariah. Now, could you please get off of me?"

After a few more seconds, she obliged and Vincent stood to address Sephiroth who was waiting patiently.

"Thank you for allowing us to stay with you Vincent." The ex-SOLDIER said with a small bow.

"It is my pleasure to offer you a safe place, Sephiroth. I made sure that no one could see inside this house. You may remove your cloak."

"Of course." And this Sephiroth did. The heavy fabric fell to the floor and he stretched gratefully. "It is good to be able to move around without that on my shoulders."

Through all this, Ariah was getting impatient. She wanted to show off everything she had learned to her friend. "Vincent, can we see ours rooms now? Then daddy can rest while I show you some of the stuff he taught me."

The vampire laughed. "All right Ariah. And I think your father would appreciate if I helped with your training as well.

"Actually, I would like that very much." Sephiroth said, picking up their travel packs.

Vincent took them upstairs to the rooms where the two were going to stay. Then, once the General was resting from the long journey, the vampire went outside with the White Devil to practice. His life felt full once again. He had his son and now he had one of the few people he cared for living under his roof. Could it get any better?