Chapter 19
Cloud sat down on his bed, his midwife massaging his sore back. He felt sick all day today, and Sephiroth wasn't there to comfort him. Cloud was grateful he worked hard to find Shinra, his three month disappearance putting everybody on edge.
But Cloud wanted him to come home.
Cloud sighed softly, closing his eyes as skilled fingers kneaded his lower back. Cloud's mind escaped as he drifted into his thoughts. Sephiroth tried to come home as often as possible, especially now that Cloud was eight months pregnant. His midwife warned him that he wouldn't carry full term, but Cloud knew his babies would be fine.
But, how would Sephiroth know if he wasn't here to see them? Sephiroth, if he wasn't here when their children came, how could Cloud be truly happy?
Cloud felt his eyes burn, his sensitive emotions making him angry. Sephiroth would come when he could, and he would see their children. Cloud opened his eyes, taking in a deep breath.
"What would happen, if I can't have my children naturally?" Cloud asked in a near silent whisper, his midwife quite for a long second. Cloud feared there was no other way, his condition restricting him.
"There is another way, but it will be best if you deliver naturally." Cloud nodded, sighing softly as he closed his eyes once again. He felt a sharp kick, the sudden movement a shock to his insides. He touched a hand to his stomach, feeling another sharp kick.
Feeling movement had been rare during his pregnancy, and this frightened Cloud. His midwife just told him every baby was different. Some were rambunctious, and others were not. Cloud didn't want to lose either of his babies, he didn't want to think about that possibility.
But, it was always a constant fear he spoke to little about.
His mother told him not to worry, but Cloud couldn't see why he should stay calm. Instead of one, he was carrying two. And with his condition, there had thought to be no possible way that he could have had conceived.
But he did conceive, and he was very close to delivering. And, he could feel his children kick.
But what if the kicks he felt were from only one baby?
What if he had lost the other?
"Welcome home, Prince Sephiroth." Cloud opened his eyes, his negative thoughts running away as he saw Sephiroth enter into the room. Since they got married in his sixth month, Sephiroth had been given the title of Prince. Cloud was glad he could stay with him, but Sephiroth found it harder to transition. He was being trained on how to be king, since he was Cloud's partner. Cloud would be taught how to be Queen, but the title didn't bother him. He always thought of himself as Sephiroth's woman. Cloud moved to stand, gasping sharply when there was a sharp pain in his stomach. The midwife raised her hand when Sephiroth moved to come closer, her eyes ordering him to stay.
"Prince Cloud, you must lay down. You need to rest now." Cloud was helped to lay down, the pain in his stomach becoming worse. His midwife laid him on his back, many pillows propping him up so he was partially sitting. Cloud looked to Sephiroth, wanting him by his side.
"You must let him rest, Prince Sephiroth." Cloud reached for him, Sephiroth moving past the midwife when Cloud called his name. The midwife was silent as Sephiroth went to Cloud's bedside, Cloud panting softly from the pain as he grabbed Sephiroth's hand.
Sephiroth kissed him, telling Cloud he wouldn't be far away. It was obvious to them both that Cloud was going into labor, and for this Sephiroth must leave. His midwife believed it would help Cloud concentrate, but Cloud didn't believe that.
He wanted Sephiroth by his side.
…+…
Sephiroth paced in a separate room, Genesis, Angeal, and Zack accompanying him. Cloud's mother and Aerith were the only ones allowed inside Cloud's room with the midwife, comforting Sephiroth just slightly. For hours he had waited, and when the screams started he used everything inside himself to not rush to Cloud's aid.
"Sit, you are making me nervous," Genesis ordered, Sephiroth sighing for the thousandth time that day. He sat down on Genesis's order, slumped in his chair. His hand twitched when he heard Cloud scream again, everything screaming at him to go to him. He had never heard Cloud scream in such a bone crushing manner, his worry and fears getting the best of him. Besides his angst, the other three remained calm, keeping Sephiroth from entering the room on the midwifes orders.
"He shouldn't be in so much pain," Sephiroth said aloud, getting up to go to him. Angeal stood, grabbing his arm. Sephiroth's first instinct was to fight him, but the fight would surely distract Cloud.
"He is having twins, Sephiroth. Having just one is painful." Sephiroth looked to his friend, worry painted on his face. He didn't want to sit back down, didn't want to just wait here while Cloud suffered. Angeal wouldn't let go though, Sephiroth looking to the door when he heard Cloud scream louder than he ever had before. He was in pain and Sephiroth had to go to him. But he knew he couldn't.
He deflated, Angeal sitting him back down. Sephiroth could almost smell the blood from here, his hands shaking as they ran through his hair.
Cloud was in pain, and he wasn't allowed to go to him.
Sephiroth felt like the ultimate failure.
Suddenly the screams stopped though, replaced by soft wails that were not Cloud's. Sephiroth shot up, his first child brought into the world. Angeal grabbed him again, stopping him when he started to walk towards the door.
"He has one more to deliver, Sephiroth." Sephiroth looked to his old friend, his eyes begging him to let him go. Angeal was not relenting.
They all looked to the door when it was opened, Aerith exiting the room. She quickly closed the door so no one could see inside, a small smile on her face. Sephiroth pulled free from Angeal's grasp, Aerith raising a hand.
"The first one is a healthy baby boy. The second one will come shortly." Sephiroth wasn't sure if he should deflate or dance with joy, Aerith looking over her shoulder when her name was called. She quickly left them, making sure the door was shut. Sephiroth just stood there, in a state of shock.
He had a son?
"Sit, Sephiroth. It is not over yet." Sephiroth sat down, his entire being screaming with joy. Zack pat him on the back, chuckling softly.
"I am sure Cloud is just as happy as you." Sephiroth looked to him, the youngest of the four showing off a bright smile. He hadn't seemed as anxious as the others, the opposite of Sephiroth most of the time.
After some time, the screams started again. Sephiroth almost wanted to cover his ears, closing his eyes as he fought to stay seated once again. The screams lasted longer this time, Sephiroth having to be held back by both Angeal and Genesis when Cloud screamed his name. He was forced to sit, his entire body screaming at him to go to Cloud.
Cloud screamed for him, and it hurt Sephiroth to not be able to go to his aid. Sephiroth never forgot that Cloud was bringing his children into the world, he was grateful for that. But the amount of pain Cloud experienced seemed like too much.
Just when he was thinking of bursting the door down with a fire materia, Cloud's screams stopped. Sephiroth heard the small wails, his heart pounding in his chest. After some time, Aerith exited the room once again. She had a wide smile on her face, inviting them all in to see Sephiroth's twin sons.
Sephiroth was the first to bolt in, Cloud looking up to him with a smile. He held two bundles in his arms, Sephiroth slowly walking to Cloud's bedside. Cloud showed him his sons, the two completely identical. They both had Cloud's nose, but Sephiroth's cheeks. They had Sephiroth's lips and ears, but they showed the beginnings of blonde hair.
"Oh gaia," Sephiroth breathed, almost afraid to touch them. Cloud gave him a tired, but amused smile, Aerith helping Sephiroth when Cloud advised he held his oldest son. Sephiroth was sat down in a chair, Aerith showing him how to hold his new born son.
"There you go," she whispered, Sephiroth feeling awkward with a baby in his arms. But he wouldn't let him go, he felt only his arms were safe enough for him. Zack, Genesis, and Angeal were all in awe, cooing to his sons.
"Eric." Sephiroth looked up, seeing Cloud cradle his second born son in his arms with a smile.
"I'll call you Eric." Sephiroth looked down to his first born son, running a finger over his cheek. He at first didn't know what to name them, without knowledge of the genders, Cloud wanted to wait till they were born. But Sephiroth, as he held his son his arms, knew what he would name him.
"You're name will be Nathan."
Nathan opened his eyes for the first time, Sephiroth's breathe taken away. His eyes were just like Cloud's, the pupil normal unlike his own. They were a deep blue he got lost in, just like Cloud's. Nathan blinked, making a small noise. Sephiroth smiled, running a thumb over his cheek.
A few hours later, only Sephiroth and Cloud were left with their sons. After the sheets had been changed, Sephiroth laid in bed with Cloud. Their two sons lay in bed between them, their cribs empty for the moment.
Cloud ran a hand over Nathan's blonde hair, his eyes lidded as he fought his fatigue. They had been fed and burped, the two already fast asleep.
Sephiroth could tell the difference between them, as could Cloud. No one else could, but for Cloud and Sephiroth it was simple.
"Thank you," Sephiroth whispered, Cloud looking to him with a smile. He rose up slightly, making sure he was careful of their sons.
"Why thank me?" Cloud asked, Sephiroth looking into his eyes. Both Nathan and Eric had his eyes, those beautiful blue orbs Sephiroth had fallen in love with.
"For giving me these precious gifts," Sephiroth replied, Cloud laughing softly through his nose. Sephiroth put the boys in their cribs, Cloud already falling asleep by the time he came back. Sephiroth lay down next to him, Cloud moving closer to him to soak in his warmth. In the months of summer, especially in late August it was too hot to cuddle. But tonight, it was just cold enough for it.
Sephiroth looked to the time, the day having yet to end.
August 28.
The day of his son's birth.
He was sure he would never forget this day for as long as he lived. He ran a hand through Cloud's feather light hair, sighing softly as he closed his eyes as well.
He would find Shinra as soon as he could. He would ensure that he never touched his sons. Security had been tripled all over the castle, but Sephiroth only trusted Genesis, Angeal, Zack, and Vincent to monitor around their room. He understood the betrayal some guards had portrayed that night, and Sephiroth would make sure it would not be repeated.
Author's note: Kind of short, I know.
