Now it was like Tifa had three children to take care of, but Shelke was far different than any child and no one would dare call her a child. Shelke was very mature and smart. She was 20 and so why wouldn't she be? Even though her outward appearance didn't show her age it was true.

Denzel and Marlene were happy to add her to the family. Even they knew she was no child and so didn't treat her like one. They respected her like any other adult no matter if her head didn't reach above theirs or not. Marlene was especially happy to have her around for she said she was like an older sister to her, physical form.

Denzel took great care of her. They were both about the same size in physical form, but Denzel was taller and would grow taller. He was a boy and so they always do, but he'd protect her like a younger sister if ever she needed it. Especially in her frail condition she be in now.

Tifa and Cloud were glad the kids grew accustomed to Shelke and that they took gentle care of her. It was good for them and for Shelke. She needed to learn to be around children. Especially ones so close to her physical form.

When Shelke was to have her child the child would pretty much be like a younger sibling to Shelke—as always—in physical form. They did hope though—she'd be able to raise him or her good just like Vincent would if he were there now. This matter always arose with Shelke. Sometimes she was afraid it'd need a father figure 'less it go evil.

But everyone had to tell her that was not always the case. Cloud's father died when he was young and look how he turned out . . . okay sometimes that was a bad example but nonetheless they all knew Shelke knew just enough to mother her child wisely and make sure their way would be a bright one. Shelke, though, didn't think she was capable of mothering her child. She thought about giving her child up many a time—but everyone else bid her not to seeing how she'd be more miserable than now for her child was the only thing she had of Vincent—she'd miss him or her too dearly if such a thing occurred.

Shelke would simply disappear into nothing . . . just like Lucrecia. She knew very well what happened last time Lucrecia gave her child away—darkness and evil. Sephiroth was a good example of mistake a mother could do about giving a child up when you are well fit to raise them yourself. Shelke had many a time to reflect on this and many a time she was in thought.

As the fifth month went by the gentle swell was enlarging just enough to know that she simply wasn't overweight. While her stomach stretched to make room for the child the rest of her body pretty much stayed the same. Yes she had her normal growth spurts but her body still stayed the same—in fact you couldn't tell she was with child until she turned to you.

Shelke was advised to stay indoors most of her pregnancy. It wasn't every day a young child became pregnant. Shelke seeing how she was not a little child could have often argued this, but it wasn't—Shelke was silent to many matters, always in thought . . . just like a certain Valentine they once knew.

She was always in a downward mood it seemed, but in truth she was deep in thought not wanting to express her feelings just yet. Many would see her just sitting by herself with one hand on her enlarging swell that still wasn't a pain yet. They knew when to leave someone alone—but every now and then someone needed another to talk to.

"How is everything going Shelke?" asked Cloud coming up to her and sitting next to her.

Shelke's eyes traveled to cloud and then back again. She tilted her head the right and said—

"I'm not too sure. I don't really know how to answer you're question."

"Well, most people say they're fine," said Cloud with a shake of his head. "But at least you're honest."

"I have been feeling it inside me lately," she said casting her eyes down to her belly.

"Hm, well that's a good sign, or so I've heard," said Cloud with a small curl at the corner of his lips.

"So I've been told," said Shelke looking at Cloud. "It's just . . . I'm beginning to feel . . . numb."

"In what ways?" asked Cloud narrowing his eyes just a bit.

"All," said Shelke inhaling and then slowly exhaling. "But I guess it's just my fears getting in the way."

"Could be, but then that just means you need to face them Shelke," said Cloud. "I'll see you around."

At that Cloud left her. Shelke's eyes followed him until he turned a corner down the hall not to be seen again. Shelke just cast her eyes down and sighed. What was she doing here, like this? She was just a little girl so lost in a dark world.

Shelke got up and readied to head to her room but fell short of that. Another pain struck her without warning. Her eyes widened in an instant feeling it's sudden shock. Soon her eyes were closed shut as she fell to her knees crying out in pain.

It hurt so much to where she couldn't breathe. She inhaled trying to but it wasn't working. All she could do was cry out in pain. Leaning over in agony.

Shelke was even deaf to everything around her unaware of the loud footsteps scrambling to her. Cloud and Tifa had run to her and knelt down to pick her up. All Shelke could do was give up her arm to them so they could help her up.

Cloud and Tifa picked up Shelke and took her to help. The pain soon resided and Shelke was free to come back. She was very silent to all this though only saying she kept seeing the images. Shelke inhaled fearing the loss of her child for she knew—this usually happened with incidents like this.

Not only the death loss of her child, but the darkness loss as well. She remembered Lucrecia's 'spells' while carrying Sephiroth. She remembered her visions as well about losing her sickly child to the darkness. Shelke, in no way, wanted this to happen.

As the months rolled by into eight Shelke seemed to get more and more weaker from the child. The 'spells' left her numb to many things. The child grew normally and Shelke seemed to be growing herself. The time was soon to come for the child to enter the world and so all hoped it would be a good entering and he wouldn't hurt his mother anymore than he had.

It was because of those incidents that caused Shelke to not want the child. Really, it wasn't she didn't want the child it was that she knew she couldn't care for it. Her body was crumbling away from all the stress the child was creating on her body. She couldn't take it—just like Lucrecia. Everyone saw this as well.

They saw her wearing away a little more each day and all feared for her life. They knew, when the time came, she wouldn't be able to handle the birthing. If so then she would die—and so would her child. They weren't about to let any of that happen though.

Each day Shelke would grow tired. Not just of sleep but of everything. She wasn't afraid to say it either. The child was breaking her down.

Her body wasn't ready for something like this. Many were still mad at Vincent for not waiting until Shelke was at least in her teens, but Shelke kept saying it was mostly her fault for consenting with it. Neither of them knew this would be the consequence of their love. A child wasn't supposed to be a bad thing either . . . but now . . . for Shelke at least—it was.

She was in so much pain each month as the child grew inside her. Sometimes she couldn't walk for a couple of days and she had to be bedridden. The doctors told her to stay in bed most of the time, but she was often found walking around thinking to herself. Most wished she would heed the doctor's advice but she didn't and that cost her so much.

Many a time when her 'spells' came on everyone could hear her crying for Vincent. It made them sad thinking he'd never come to her aid—the mother of his child. They all knew Vincent would run to her if ever she fell . . . and she fell so many times.

"Hhh, So tired," said Shelke as she lay in bed with Cloud and Tifa by her side. "This child . . . is making me crumble into weariness . . . so . . . tired."

"Well you get some sleep then Shelke," said Tifa covering her and then leaving with Cloud.

Outside of Shelke's room awaited Marlene and Denzel. They had concerned looks on their faces praying Shelke was alright. Tifa patted their heads and sighed—

"Don't worry, she's getting her rest."

"That's good," said Marlene with a shake of her head.

Tifa just sighed again as she looked back at Cloud. His eyes were downcast. Both knew she might not last till the ninth month. It was a week and a half away, but Shelke—as she said, she was so tired. She was dying in other words—they could see it in her weary eyes.

Cloud tried to find a better way to care for her, but it seemed nothing worked. Reeve and the others even tried their hardest but nothing seemed to work. She was going to die if helped wasn't accompanied to her. They didn't know what to do . . . and it was the hardest thing to deal with.

One day though, when the ninth month was only three days away they received unexpected help. Reeve came to Cloud and Tifa to check up on Shelke and found her pretty much near death. Her skin was beginning to turn pale and she wouldn't eat so she was losing pounds something never good for the baby. He had to speak with Cloud and Tifa first making sure they would consent with him as well.

"Find anything?" asked Tifa with a low sigh.

"I have, but it might be risky," said Reeve speaking to the two.

"Whatever it is we'll take it," said Cloud.

"Yeah, it's not like we have a choice. Look at her," said Tifa motioning to Shelke who sat on a chair watching Marlene and Denzel play.

"Here, take my doll Shelke," said Marlene with a smile as she handed it to Shelke.

"Why thank-you Marlene," said Shelke with a weary smile. "I'll hold her close while you're away."

"'Kay, thanks Shelke," said Marlene running off with Denzel.

At that Shelke let out a soft sigh as she laid her head back in her seat and closed her eyes to have just a little rest to get her through the day.

"Ever time she closes her eyes I fear she won't open them ever again," said Tifa starring at her with sad eyes. "But she always does."

It was then they noticed Shelke open her eyes and lift her head up saying—

"Someone approaches your door."

Cloud looked at Reeve confused. Reeve just inhaled and straightened saying—

"I informed 'them' about our situation. They were the only ones willing to help."

Cloud and Tifa turned their heads to the door as it slammed open showing some people they thought they wouldn't see a while.

"Where's the pregnant girl?" asked Reno placing his pole on his shoulder with Rude behind him.

Cloud and Tifa took a step forward seeing the Turks. They were about to protest until Rufus came in. He rode right up to the three and spoke saying—

"Reeve has informed us Cloud. Don't worry, Shelke Valentine will be in good hands."

Cloud and Tifa glanced over seeing Reno and Rude come over to the weak Shelke and Rude pick her up in his arms. Shelke could not protest. As a matter of fact she let out a little sigh as weariness took her in Rude's embrace. Cloud was about to go to her as the two exited with her but Rufus stopped him by saying—

"I wouldn't do that Cloud if I were you."

"Well you're not," said Cloud taking a step forward ready to go take back Shelke.

"If she doesn't get the care she needs she and the unborn child will return to the lifestream. Would you want that for her?" he asked.

At that Cloud stop and pondered this. His eyes dark as he scanned his thoughts.

"I understand she is the young bride of a fellow friend that has went missing. Mr. Vincent Valentine," said Rufus. "Would Vincent want you stopping her from getting the care she needed to survive?"

"Maybe," mumbled Cloud.

"There is no one else that will help. You should be lucky we have taken concern in young Shelke," said Rufus. "Now—you may oversee everything if you wish, but do not get in our way less you cause something most—unfortunate."

At that Rufus turned and left. Reeve gave a hard look at Cloud who gave one weary look at him before he followed Reeve after Rufus. Tifa soon followed with the children. Later she informed them about Shelke's transfer. Most came to see if she would even make it to the ninth month.