I must remain here for complete control just a little longer. Just to make sure nothing happens. I must be sure I have complete loyalty. This must not fail!
Vincent heard the sound of a motorcycle just outside. He stepped outside to find Cloud hopping off and preparing to give him something. It looked like a letter of some sort. Perhaps an invitation.
Cloud hadn't really changed at all. His face still hardly expressed any emotion and he still resided into wearing those dark clothes he seems so accustomed to.
"Here," said Cloud handing him the letter.
Vincent took it with his right hand and looked at it. It was an invitation. He smiled slightly saying—
"An invitation."
"Zack's turning 16 today. Believe it or not he put you on his list of invitees. He hopes to see you there—so do we," said Cloud getting back on his ride.
" . . . I'll be there," said Vincent with a slight nod of his head.
Cloud just shook his head and then revved his bike and left. Vincent stood there just watching Cloud vanish in the distance for a moment. With the invitation still in hand he sighed and turned to go inside. He stopped just thinking to himself though.
It had been a month since he had last seen everyone. He was surprised they still remembered him or even wanted to see him again. He was sure Gilmore would be there seeing how Zack was his best friend, and if Gilmore was there then so would Shelke . . . how could he look at them again?
Oh well though, he was going to try and make this birthday enjoyable for Zack. It was his right. Vincent just hoped he wouldn't stir up any old grudges between his estranged wife or son by showing up.
He went though, that night. He was greeted most kindly as well.
"Mr. Valentine!" came Zack with a huge smile on his face. "You came to my birthday party!"
"I told you I would," said Vincent with a soft smile.
"Thank-you," said Zack shaking his hand. "I haven't seen you in a while so thought dad'd never find you, but he did and here you are!"
"Cloud's got that habit of knowing where everyone is," said Vincent with a small hint of a chuckle.
"Yeah, that sucks for me most of the time," said Zack scratching his raven spikes. "Well gotta go greet the other guests. I'm glad you're here, bye."
"I'm glad you're happy," whispered Vincent watching the teen run off.
So far it seemed like a nice birthday party. The old gang was there with their families and all. This made Vincent smile seeing how each friend had children of their own and learned to move on without him. He was right when he spoke to Shelke about them—they could take care of themselves without him.
He loved seeing them all come together on an occasion like this seeing how all seemed to slow down in life and not go on as many missions. He was glad they were all so happy and fulfilled in life. Something he wanted for everyone, but never got for himself. Life seemed to be this way towards him.
One of the last guests to come was Reeve, Shelke, and Gilmore. They haven't changed much in the past month, but Shelke's hair seemed a little longer and Gilmore—there was a sort of emotionless darkness about him that Vincent couldn't seem to figure out. Is this what Shelke meant when she came to speak to him about Gilmore? Vincent wondered this but wasn't for sure.
"Ah Vincent," said Reeve as he came up to him with Shelke and Gilmore. "I see you've finally come out of hiding—at least it's not every 18 years right?"
At that both men let out a small chuckle. Vincent smiled a bit and then cast his eyes on Shelke who looked ever more the beautiful the older she got.
"You look beautiful Shelke," he said softly.
Shelke slightly inhaled and turned her head away just grasping Reeve's arm tighter. She didn't want anyone to see her blush and hated the way Vincent made her feel all the time—especially in front of her own fiancé. Vincent couldn't help but stare at her. She almost reflected Lucrecia herself, strangely, what with red hair and all.
"She always does," said Reeve calmly not wanting Shelke to feel to awkward.
Vincent's eyes then fixed on the dark Gilmore whose eyes always seemed unfocused and starring off into nothing.
"Gilmore," he said to him hoping he'd acknowledge him.
But Gilmore just stood there with his wings almost hanging off him recklessly. He seemed too unkempt and wondered what had happened. Vincent looked at Reeve for an answer but Reeve just sighed and said—
"He's been like that since you last spoke to him. Shelke told me she went to confront you about this problem but—"
Vincent then shifted uneasily knowing she had never got around to that last they met. He placed his hands on his hips and looked down just shuffling his feet a bit. He then inhaled and said as he looked at her—
"Yes—she never got around to that."
"We were hoping you could explain why his behavior is so grim of late," said Reeve glancing at Gilmore who stood but a few feet beside Shelke.
"I hate to say but I don't know," said Vincent. "The only thing I noticed that was different was when I touched him on the shoulder. He seemed to not take kindly to that—as if my touch numbed him or something."
"I see," said Reeve touching his chin with the tips of his fingers. "I guess that is another mystery to be solved later, but now we are here to celebrate young Zack Strife."
"Gilmore, why don't you give him your present," said Shelke turning to her son.
Gilmore stood there for a moment not saying a word. In his hands he weakly held the present. Vincent had never seen anything like this. It was like he was brain-dead or something.
"Listen to your mother son," said Reeve.
But still Gilmore stood there emotionless. Shelke turned to Reeve with concerned eyes saying 'This is what I've been telling you about'. Reeve shook his head and patted her hand. He was about to step in to do something until Vincent took the opportunity to do something.
"Gilmore," he said with a firm voice taking a step closer to him.
Gilmore then looked up and starred at Vincent with blank eyes. Both Reeve and Shelke let their mouths hang a bit seeing how Gilmore acknowledged Vincent's voice.
"Do as they say," said Vincent hoping he'd listen.
Gilmore then looked at Shelke and then Reeve. Both just wondered what he was to do. Gilmore then turned and left to give the present. Shelke let out a relieved sigh and then shook her head.
She placed a hand on her head and inhaled then exhaled. He's been giving her a hard time in the past month and it ever made her head ache. Reeve noticed this and so said—
"Would you like me to get something Shelke?"
"Mm, no I'm fine," she said shaking her head with a smile. "But thank-you anyways."
That kind smile—she used to smile at Vincent with now belongs to Reeve. Vincent watched her smile at him and then once she looked at him it just vanished into unknown emotions. Oh Vincent missed her and ever he wondered if she missed him.
Shelke cast her eyes away as Reeve led her away. Vincent just watched as his one and only love Shelke-Lucrecia was taken away from him with his own consent. It felt like a sin it did—to let her get taken by another and him not do anything. Just another sin he had to bear.
Vincent inhaled and exhaled as he followed the guests to the main plaza where they held the party under the stars. Zack looked so happy seeing how every single person he invited came. He seemed to want to be near Gilmore the most, but noticed his mood he always seemed to be in. This made him distant of him, but he still tried to be there next to him.
What have I done to Gilmore? Thought Vincent. What did I say or do?
He couldn't figure out what it was, but then he began to notice things that were different. Ever since he last saw Gilmore he hadn't been hearing that strange voice, no—as a matter of fact it was completely gone but how? This he didn't know and wondered if he wanted to. If it were for the sake of his only son then he'd do anything.
Soon Zack came to open his presents and each one he got he was grateful for. Zack was a different boy; he liked those who gave him the present to open it for him just for fun. When he came to Gilmore's though it was a little hard to get him to open it. In this attempt Gilmore dropped the present and broke it.
Zack just sighed and shook his head. He smiled and said—
"Oh well—you'll just have to get me another one, right Gil?"
At that he let out a laugh, but Gilmore just looked at the hands that dropped the present. Ever Vincent watched his son's movements, but soon he just dropped his arms to his side and was still. Vincent's attention was soon back on Zack as he received his present from Marlene.
"Where's my present Marlene?" asked Zack with a grin as she came up by his side with her arms behind her back.
"This," she said with a smile as she leaned over and gave him a peck on the lips.
"Oh," said Zack straightening. "Just how many 'presents' did you get me?"
Marlene then couldn't help to blush as she pushed him a little. Zack and the others couldn't help but laugh. Marlene smiled and said—
"Just one."
"Alright," said Zack preparing for another kiss but was stopped as Marlene held out a handmade frame to him with a picture of the two on their first date. "Oh—thanks Marlene."
"Sure," she said with another blush.
Zack then embraced her around the waist and kissed her on the cheek. He quickly let go seeing how her father closely examined the two. Zack smiled and proceeded in the other activities on his birthday.
Vincent couldn't help but smile at this as he leaned against the trunk of a tree just observing everything. He looked around to see Reeve was off talking to Barret and Cid. Where was Shelke?
It wasn't long, as Vincent looked around for her until he found her just a little ways off from the party. She was watching from afar beside a storage building. He shook his head always wondering why she distanced herself from everyone. He sighed as he came up to join her.
"Nonsocial?" came a voice that made Shelke just a little as she watched Vincent walk up beside her.
"Oh—Vincent," she said with a small hint of a smile as she turned her head back to the party's direction. "I just like to watch—I don't want to get in anyone's way . . . I learned that from someone a long time ago."
"I see," said Vincent bowing his head a bit. " . . . About Gilmore, I understand now why you wanted to speak to me about him."
"I don't know what's wrong with him," she said looking at Gilmore who stayed nestled in a tree near the guests. "I was hoping you could tell me but—"
"But what?" asked Vincent.
"It looks like you know just as much as we do," she said turning to him. "Vincent Valentine."
Vincent's eyes just scanned her own softly as fireworks began to burst in the sky above them. They took no attention to it though. Their eyes seemed to be so attracted to the other's gaze to where they couldn't unlatch themselves from the other.
"Why can't I stop looking at you?" she asked her eyes still transfixed in Vincent's ruby gaze.
"Perhaps the same reason mine can't," said Vincent admitting how much he still adored her in everything she was.
A tear began to swell up in Shelke's eyes. Vincent's hand soon came to wipe it away. Her chest heaved as she whimpered out—
"Please don't do this to me Vincent."
"Do what?" asked Vincent swallowing a bit hard knowing he'd regret it if she had to answer—again.
Shelke just looked at him with watery eyes then let her head fall on his chest as she wept. Vincent wrapped his arms around her. His left around her head and his right around her shoulders.
Shelke wrapped her own arms around his back and just stayed there afraid to let go. She took everything in that she had missed so much. His touch, his feel, his smell, his love—everything. Once her eyes opened she saw the night illuminated by the red, green, and blue flashes of the fireworks.
She soon slowly pulled away from him still not looking at him. Vincent wondered what was wrong until she took his right hand in hers and pulled him along as she walked further away from the party where they could not see them anymore and now only the fireworks were proof there was a party near. She took Vincent near the entrance of the storage house and there wrapped her arms around him tightly. She hugged him close without restraint this time or regret.
Vincent was a little shocked by this but soon lifted his hands up to hug her as well. He closed his eyes and took her in. Her touch, her feel, her smell, her love—everything. This might be one of the last times he gets to hold her so close and so he wanted to hold her for however long they had.
Once another crackle came from above Vincent opened his eyes in sadness. His bottom lip slightly trembled as he let his head fall on her shoulder so close to her neck saying—
"Don't do this to me Shelke."
"Do what—Vincent Valentine?" she asked as if she held her breath.
"Give me this fake gold," he said shaking his head and tightening his grip on her.
"I'm so sorry," she said in a slight gasp not being able to take herself away from him.
"No, no," he said as he continued to shake his head. "It's not your fault."
"No," she said backing away and placing her hands on his face. "Don't you see it is—if I hadn't have fallen in love with you then this would have never happened—this heartache—"
"Is ours to share," cut in Vincent as he took her hands in both of his and starred at her in the eyes. "Whether we like it or not."
At that Shelke cast her face down and let out a small cry. Soon she looked at him and just scanned him with sorrowful eyes. Her lips trembled before she said—
"Don't you see Vincent Valentine?"
"See what Shelke?" asked Vincent ready to break down with her.
"That ever since that day a month ago—I realized how much—I still love you," she said it as if her heart were about to burst.
"Shelke," he whimpered just wanting to take her in his arms and kiss her forever.
Before he could say or do anything else she placed her slim index finger on his lips and smiled a sad smile at him.
"Shhh," she trembled out her lips. "Don't say anything."
She then laid her head back on his chest to just listen to the soft flow of his heartbeat. Vincent closed his eyes and listened himself, but instead of hearing his own he heard hers. Her hand was placed on her own heart with the other on his. When she opened her eyes he did the same and in silence they stayed—just for a while.
Shelke then leaned up and kissed him sweetly. That one kissed soon turned into two and then three and after that four. Shelke's hand that lay on his heart soon slid up near his collarbone. She then implied just enough press to woo him back.
Without knowing it Vincent did as she commanded. He backed up to where there was hardly any light but the glowing neon lights from the fireworks outside. Before he knew it his back was against a shelf full of storage items. His attention was never on what he was backed against or where he was but on Shelke before him.
Once she took her lips off him she looked deep into his eyes making sure he was completely hers. She didn't need to look to know that though. Her hand fell back to his heart to see its pace began to quicken the more she kissed him.
"On that day—" she said like in a dream state to Vincent. "I also realized . . ."
She only paused for a moment to unbuckle his cape and let it slide off him. Her hands then explored his chest trying to feel his skin beneath the black fabric as she took her eyes back to his finishing her sentence saying—
"How much I want you."
Her hand then came up to his head to pull him down to kiss her again. Vincent was her slave and said not a word that time. There was no need from either to speak.
Vincent's lips soon came to Shelke's exposed neck area and as he gave tender kisses to her there she sighed and placed her hands on his hips. She let out a slight gasp feeling Vincent's claws on her right shoulder. She backed away from him and turned to see that the golden hand lay exactly where her cuts had just healed. She then turned to Vincent who looked at her wondering why she pulled away.
She then placed her index finger and thumb on his chin saying—
"Be gentle this time."
She then lifted his chin upward to kiss his neck while her hands resided in the 'unbuttoning task'. Once that was done she let her kisses trail down to his chest making him moan and ache for her more. Shelke couldn't help but smile a quick smile seeing how it was her turn to give Vincent the more pleasure. Little did she know the tides were about to turn.
Once her lips trailed over his sensitive areas his eyes opened and widened. Soon he took Shelke's wrists in his hands tightly and pushed her away, back against a shelf herself. She looked at him with slightly widened eyes not expecting this reaction from him. She let out a groan as her body was crushed between his and the shelf behind her.
Her eyes kept glancing at his exposed chest to his face and back again. Her heart raced so fast and so did his. They could each hear the hard and loud thumps of the beats. After a few huffs Vincent realized what he had done and remembered Shelke's 'wish'.
He took his hands off her wrists and backed away from her just a little. Shelke soon wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him back to her for a nice long kiss. As she did this Vincent's hands fell to his belts and he began to unbuckle. Once he was done he wrapped his arms around Shelke's back and held her as close as she could get.
Vincent then walked over to a crate and placed Shelke on it. Both their breathing began to get heavy and Vincent let go just to catch his breath. He laid his head on her shoulder and stayed there for a little while before he spoke just once.
"Promise me . . ." he began through heaves.
Shelke let her arms wrap around his back and hands scrunch into fists as she took hold of his shirt. Her hot breath lay against his ear as she readied herself for him.
"You won't regret this," he finished.
Shelke took a deep breath in to steady herself as she spread her legs to wrap around his waist. Her hands slid up his back and then neck to rest in his hair only mangling her fingers in his black locks.
"Not this time," she said as if something had just stabbed her in the heart.
By that Vincent placed his hands on her thighs and let them trail up her white shirt to where they rested on her hips. Vincent turned his head slightly to kiss her neck and let his tongue travel across her smooth skin. Shelke could do nothing but shiver as he did this to her. Her shivering stopped though as he became one with her for the third time in their marriage.
Shelke let out a slow moan afterwards inhaling to catch herself. Soon her breathing became regular and used to everything. She swallowed sharply and let her squinted narrowed closed eyes loosen as she rested her head against Vincent's that lay on her neck. She let out a soft sigh and rubbed Vincent's head a bit signaling she was fine and was very much in pleasure.
"Wow, this is one of my best birthdays ever!" said Zack with a wide grin as he hugged his father. "Thanks dad!"
"This is supposed to be your sweet sixteen Zack," said Cloud with a smile. "I want you to enjoy it as much as you can. I never really got to and so I hope you do."
"I do dad," said Zack with a smile as he looked at his family. "I do."
The fireworks lasted for a long while. At least 20 to 30 minutes. Zack couldn't believe he could stare at those bright lights for that long but he did. Tifa had earmuffs on Sun to make sure he wasn't disturbed by the loud sounds for she knew he could get fussy in thunderstorms so why not fireworks?
Once they were done and over it was time to cut the cake and enjoy the ice cream. It was a great party, especially for Zack. He was the happiest boy in the world. His family and friends were here and nothing else he could think of he wanted. That was the best day to him—where everything he wanted he already had . . . where he was satisfied.
"This day couldn't get any better," sighed Zack tilting his head to the right seeing everyone and everything just perfect.
He then noticed the ruby stare of a certain someone. He turned and looked up in the tree near the table to see Gilmore looking like some gargoyle. He slumped his shoulders and sighed. He turned to his mother and held his plate out to her saying—
"Here, can you watch this for me?"
"Sure sweety," said Tifa taking it with her free hand for her other held onto the youngster in her lap.
Zack then wiped his hands and trotted off to the tree. He stood at the base of the tree and only placed his fists on his hips with a smile.
"Gilmore Valentine get down here and join the norm," he said grinning at him.
"That's the thing—I'm not the 'norm'," came Gilmore's dark voice.
"Sheesh, why so dark all of the sudden. In the past month you've changed," pointed Zack.
But there came no reply from Gilmore. Zack then shook his head and said—
"Fine—if you won't come down here then I'll come up there."
Just as he readied to climb the tree after Gilmore Marlene came up to him and smiled asking—
"What are you doing Zack Fair?"
"I'm going to get Gilmore to come down," said Zack with a smile as he pointed up to where Gilmore was.
Marlene looked up and saw the dark figure up there just looking so grim and mysterious. She then inhaled and looked at her boyfriend with a kind smile saying—
"I can help you?"
"Hey, two hands are better than one," clapped Zack.
"Hm, hm, I'd say," said Marlene with a giggle and twist of the hips.
Shelke let out a long sigh as all her muscles in her body relaxed and she loosened her grip on Vincent. She still leaned into him though as she kept her arms around his shoulders and head resting against his that lay on her shoulder. She was tired right now and wished nothing but to get some good rest with her lover. She could feel Vincent's breathing on her neck start to ease and soften.
She couldn't help but smile seeing how they both were so fulfilled in that moment of lust, passion, pleasure, ache, need, want, and love. She felt Vincent's muscles ease just like hers as he pulled away from her just enough to let the both of them rest. Shelke let him pull away just far enough to where he was but a foot from her. His head was bowed as he attempted to control his breathing and recover from their recent marriage act.
Even though Shelke's hands were still trembling she managed to reach out to his face and wipe back the strands of black and silver hair that clung to him with the sweat, and see his face. His ruby eyes looked at her with tired love. She smiled and touched her forehead to his just staying there for a moment. Vincent then placed his left hand on her neck and moved his face to where their lips touched in a tender kiss.
He kissed her tenderly and then kissed the edge of her lips and then her chin. He then inhaled and exhaled to final get his heavy breathing under control. He closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them saying in a rather husky voice—
"I love you Shelke Rui—I always will and I don't know if I can let you go."
Shelke then placed the tips of her fingers on his lips to silently hush him. Vincent just took her hand with his right and gently kissed those tips placed on his lips. This made Shelke sigh heavenly that sent trills down Vincent. After he was done kissing them he squeezed her hand and placed it near his jaw line.
She just looked at him with glowing blue eyes and fluttered her eyes slowly as she said—
"It's Shelke Valentine remember?"
Vincent's eyes widened slightly after hearing this. She had never really told her about her name like this. He just always assumed she was still Shelke Valentine—never her wanting to be it.
Vincent looked at her with his mouth agape just wondering if this meant she didn't want to give up either. If she wanted to try again and start over. He hoped—he prayed, but could he believe?
"Shelke are you saying—?" started Vincent wondering if maybe she just—wished his own wishes.
Shelke just smiled and bit her bottom lip as her fingers dug into his shoulders. She was about to shake her head back and forth, but she only got one nod before they heard the scream of a young teen and soon following the cry of one so familiar.
"MARLENE!!" came a cry from Zack.
"That was Zack," said Shelke turning her head quickly.
"Something's happened," said Vincent feeling the tension in the air.
"Oh no," worried Shelke as they quickly pulled apart from one another and readied themselves to head outside and see what has happened.
Once they ran outside to the party their eyes widened at what they beheld. Everyone surrounded a tree and at the bottom lay Marlene and Zack. Shelke found Reeve and ran up to him asking—
"What has happened?"
"I—I don't know," said Reeve his eyes wide themselves. "I think Marlene—she."
All eyes befell on Zack and Marlene that lay at the bottom of the tree. Marlene lay in a dangerous slumber for it appears she had hit her head on a rock as she fell from the tree. Zack held her in his lap and cried for her.
"Marlene!" he cried rocking back and forth.
"What happened?!" asked Cloud wanting an explanation.
"Why?" asked Zack being blinded by tears. "Why would he do it?"
"Do what?" asked Barret kneeling down to his hurt daughter. "Who hurt my little Marlene?"
"Why would he push her off like that?" asked Zack look up and away from everyone else. "Gilmore, why?!!"
All eyes then turned upward to where the high branches lay. There in the darkness of the leaves sat Gilmore perched on a branch like some demon. His eyes glowing like coals of hell.
"Gilmore?!" gasped Shelke covering her mouth.
"No—it can't be," muttered Vincent glancing from Marlene to his dark son. "Not you."
"Ah—but I am not me now am I?" said Gilmore in a strange tone of voice. "Heehee."
"What have you done?!" gasped Vincent looking up at the youth. "Marlene . . . Gilmore what have you done?!!"
Hot Shot's girl: Most of ya'll can probably guess what's wrong with Gil, hee hee, I'm evill XD lol anyways I hope you enjoyed and I'll see ya next chp :)