The last month went by strangely fast. It wasn't long before Zack was brought in to give birth. She was scared she was, but she had taken classes and wondered if she should have paid attention.
"Don't worry Zack," said Angeal by her side before he couldn't be there anymore. "You'll be alright."
"I wish I had your confidence," she said in a sort of whine as the contractions worsened.
Angeal, Lazard, Genesis, and Sephiroth watched outside as the doctors surrounded Zack and eased her into the birthing. All prayed Zack would come out okay, but it wasn't long before they heard the cries of a child. Angeal felt his heart leap in his throat. He could barely swallow much less breath as he crept up closer to perhaps see the child.
He let out an almost silent gag as he saw the doctors cleaning the swaddling off. The child cried and cried before it realized there was no use. Once the doctors were done cleaning off all the ick from it they took a handprint and footprint from it. It didn't seem to like it, but it dealt with it.
Angeal placed a hand on the glass wishing to touch or even hold the youngling as the doctors brought out a cloth to cuddling the little one up in. He couldn't believe how small he was, no he was no too small but Angeal just hadn't really seen a baby in his years. Angeal slowly blinked as the doctors finished wrapping him up.
He let out a smile seeing the youngling's black spiky hair—much like Zack. The tainted blue blanket he was wrapped in just made Angeal fall more in love with him.
"What did I tell you Angeal," said Sephiroth coming up beside Angeal and placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "A mother's intuition is always right."
"Yes, I can see that," said Angeal feeling so proud to be looking at his son.
"What a fine son for you old friend," said Genesis looking at Angeal with a smile.
"Thank-you," said Angeal. "But is Zack alright?"
"Let me go check," said Lazard going in.
Once he returned he looked at the three and said—
"They said it's alright to see them now, if you want to."
"Let's go then," said Angeal.
They all entered to see Zack holding the child, but looked completely exhausted.
"Oh my god," she moaned and groaned out. "That was the most painful experience I ever had in my life."
That earned a laugh out of the three before Angeal came closer to look at the child. He saw he was sleeping. Zack just smiled and pointed to the child saying—
"He thinks he did all the work."
Angeal just smiled though. He let out no sound. He found a seat next to her and just sat there looking in such awe at the perfect little boy.
Sephiroth and Genesis just kept quiet in the back wanting Angeal and Zack to cherish the moment of parenthood. They couldn't help but smile seeing the baby though. It had been too long since they had actually seen one—too long.
"Look," said Zack with a smile as she ran her hand over the babe's head. "He's got spiky hair—like me."
"Yes—he looks a lot like you, but I guess that's a good thing," said Angeal looking at Zack.
"That's not necessarily true," she said looking back down at the baby to try and find some Angeal features. "Look—he's got your brow. Look at that frown."
Angeal couldn't help but chuckle. He did. The child had his look he always seemed to have.
"Do you—want to hold him?" she asked.
"Yes," said Angeal without hesitation.
"Here then," she said handing him to him.
Angeal took the baby and just marveled at it. How could one be so small? He wondered. The more he held him though the more he loved and grew attached to him. He hadn't noticed it until it as too late, but he didn't care by then. He was his child—his little boy.
Angeal too his fingers and took a hold of his little hand. He outstretched his palm and felt his small fingers. He twitched slightly at the grip of his little hand wrap around his large index finger. Angeal couldn't help but take his finger out and let him squeeze again just making sure he wanted to.
"Uh oh Angeal," said Zack with a smile. "Looks like he likes you."
"Is that a bad thing thought?" asked Genesis as he and Sephiroth came up to see the child closer. "Oh look at him—it is a him right?"
"Mhm," said Zack nodding her head 'yes'.
"Well at least Hojo didn't screw this one up," said Genesis. "There's one thing that went right."
Zack then remembered what she was . . . an experiment . . . a perfect experiment as of today. The child just proved that she was a perfection and now he joined her in the perfect experiments table. She wondered what would happen to him now. What could?
Zack just watched in silence as the three men examined everything about the little one. She let them enjoy it, but deep down in her heart she wondered what they'd say if they knew she had no intention of keeping him.
"Have you noticed things seem a lot cheerier since Zack had the child?" asked Genesis as he, Sephiroth, and Angeal walked to the nursery to see the child again.
"Yes, it does," said Angeal as they took a corner.
"Hm—that could explain why," said Sephiroth as they stopped at the sight they saw before the glass nursery walls.
"What—are they doing here?" asked Genesis baring his teeth slightly seeing 'those' two men starring at the child.
"Hollander—Hojo, what are you doing here?" asked Angeal marching up to them unafraid.
"Ah, here comes papa bear checking on junior," said Hojo as he turned to the bulky man with a smirk.
""If you've come to try and take him—" started Angeal eyeing the both of them.
"Let me guess we'd have to go through you're cold body?" asked Hojo fiddling with his glasses.
Angeal just wrinkled his brow more. He hated anyone that was even related to scientists. They always seemed to mad and insane. He never saw any use for them at all seeing how they only ridicule everyone around them.
"I assure you Mr. Hewly—if you spend a day in my laboratory I will make sure your body is far beyond cold hee hee," he said with a giggle or two.
Angeal then bared his teeth at the doctor and took a step forward to him, but Genesis and Sephiroth came up to his side to stop him before he did anything he might enjoy.
"Hold on now Angeal," said Genesis as he placed his hands on Angeal's shoulder. "I'm sure these doctors will get what's coming to them once Lazard finds out about this."
"Hm, that's what you think," said Hojo sticking his neck out and head up.
"There is no law preventing us from seeing the child outside," bellowed Hollander as he looked at the three men. "We have every right to be here just as much as you."
"I don't want you to though!" said Angeal turning his head to the side. "He's my son and I want you two to leave him alone!"
"Oh he's yours now is he?" asked Hojo. "I thought you never referred to him as yours so you wouldn't grow so attached to him?"
"How dare you spy into my conversations!" spat Angeal glaring daggers at them now.
"As I recall you always called him 'hers' and so she has all the rights." said Hojo with that same grin of his.
"You bast---!" spat Angeal trying to break free of Sephiroth and Genesis to wail away at them, but he couldn't.
"Looks like we've overstayed our welcome Hollander," said Hojo. "We best be taking our leave. Good-bye 1st class, we'll see each other soon."
At that the two doctors left. All wondered what Hojo meant at what he said, but they all knew it just meant trouble. Genesis turned to Angeal and let him go saying—
"You mustn't let them get to you Angeal. Be strong and you will not falter."
"I know Genesis, but I can't help but be overprotective from them," he said still glaring at where they last were. "I wish they'd just forget about him."
"I highly doubt they'd do even that," said Sephiroth.
"You're probably right," said Angeal. "I just can't imagine what his life will be like then—having them two always spying on his every move."
"Be sure to watch him close then," said Genesis patting him lightly on the shoulder.
"You can be sure I will at that," said Angeal glancing at Genesis before the three entered the nursery.
Once inside they each took turns holding the youngling and even playing a little with him. Angeal liked to see him awake and memorizing friendly faces. He had such light blue eyes. They almost glew, but not like mako induced eyes.
The child was quiet most of the time—as long as he didn't need anything. If he did he could screech their ears off. He tugged and lassoed all their hearts though. All adored him to death.
They would take great pleasure in helping Angeal and Zack raise him if they needed it. He seemed to be such a little angel. When he smiled it was contiguous. They all loved to see him smile, but Angeal the most.
"Just wait 'till he starts getting teeth," said Genesis handing the little one to Angeal. "You'll never hear the end of it."
"I know Genesis," said Angeal with a chuckle. "It's just I wonder where Zack is."
"He could still be resting," said Sephiroth. "He did just give birth the other day. He's probably tired."
"It doesn't seem like him though," said Angeal casting his eyes down in thought. "If he wanted to he'd come and see him—but . . ."
"But what?" asked Genesis.
"I get the feeling he doesn't care," said Angeal.
"Nonsense," said Genesis. "Of course he cares. Why would he have gone through nine months of pregnancy to give birth if he didn't care?"
"I don't know," shrugged Angeal. "But I do have a feeling there's something wrong."
"Do you want to go ask him?" asked Genesis. "We could watch him for you until you get back—just incase those two lowlifes come back."
"Sure," said Angeal with a nod as he handed the baby over to Sephiroth and then headed out.
Zack sat by herself on her bed just rubbing her stomach. It seemed flatter, but it was still a bit bulging. She couldn't believe she missed the feel of that child inside her. She didn't know why, but it made her feel so warm and full when he was inside—sort of like Angeal.
Zack let out a soft giggle at that before her thoughts took her back to her child . . . her child. What was she going to do with him? Her thoughts confused her so much now because of him. She couldn't continue to take care of him when she changed back into a man—she was too young and just started out life. Oh what was she thinking?
Zack then remembered something important. She hadn't even given him a name! Oh no, what was she thinking? She should have, but the months seemed to go by so fast and she was so caught up in the tests and trying to avoid Hojo or Hollander and secretly see Angeal behind Lazard's back.
"Eh—I've got a headache," she said falling back on her bed to just lye down.
She then heard the knock of her door. She didn't want to get up to see who it was. It might have been Angeal, but she wasn't going to make sure.
Soon she heard her name being called by his voice. Yep, it was Angeal. She turned her head towards the direction of the voice, but that's all she did.
"Zack," he said again.
But still Zack did not answer. She then heard her door open and Angeal ask if anyone was here. She wanted to answer, but she just wanted to remain silent. Soon she heard him coming down the hall and into her room.
"Zack?" he came as he opened the door.
She just looked at him and soon tears began to fill her eyes. Angeal looked at her with heavy eyes just wondering why she was acting like this after everything was done.
"What's wrong Zack?" asked Angeal coming to her and sitting down beside where she lay.
"I can't tell you," she said with a shrug.
"Oh," said Angeal nodding. "Why don't you want to see our son anymore?"
"Can't I rest?" asked Zack.
"For you this is long enough," said Angeal. "Is something really wrong Zack?"
"I don't know," she said turning away. "I don't know!"
"You don't have to be like that Zack," said Angeal placing his hand on her side. "Look—just come see the baby. I know he'll make you happier."
"Will he?" asked Zack slowly blinking. "Like you have?"
"If you think so," said Angeal as he got up and headed outside. "Come on Zack. It could do you some good to leave your home."
"You know what Angeal," she said to make him stop. "I haven't even named him yet—heh, wouldn't you know."
"He's only a day old an can wait for a name," said Angeal. "We all can, but please come and see him."
Zack just exhaled and scrunched her body into a ball. Angeal sighed and turned—
"Take your time Zack—we'll be waiting."
And so Angeal left. Zack didn't leave though. She stayed in her room the whole day and then the whole next day. She didn't want to be bothered and she wasn't. She was strangely emotionally distressed and wondered if it was because of what Hojo did to her.
She didn't want to change back into a man yet because she wanted time to say goodbye. It had been a year now that she had been a she and it felt like forever to her. She didn't really remember being a man except strange dreams she had every now and then. She didn't know if this decision would be good or not.
And what of her baby? What was to become of her little prince—Shin-Ra's miracle—Hojo's pride and joy? He may have been titled many things because of her, but he was still hers and always would be . . . even if she was a he once again.
One night Zack got up and headed to the nursery. There she found her little one asleep. She smiled slightly before she began to turn and leave. Once she had though the child woke and began to cry. Zack turned and came to him.
She watched him cry for a little while before she picked him up and held him close. The child immediately recognized her touch even though he had felt it only once. He just starred at her with blue eyes that seemed to absorb her very being into him. She smiled and blinked at the boy.
She looked around and found a rocking chair. There she sat down and held onto him. Just holding him made her feel warm and complete—just like when she used to carry him inside her. Angeal was right—this would make her happier.
But when she looked at him it was like he starred through her and saw her for what she really was—an experiment only meant to be kept in a glass jar. For some strange reason she felt the child looked at her like that—like he didn't care about her, but soon she realized it was only Hojo getting inside her mind and making her feel so useless and horrible to this child. Hojo made her feel so unworthy of the child because she wasn't really his mother—he made her feel so low that her heart soon turned from the child and to madness.
She began to cry once again and so put him back in his crib. As she cried so did he. His cries were like screeching in her ears that only seemed to deafen her.
"No!" she cried scratching at her ears. "Stop! STOP!!
At that she ran out and back to her room not knowing what to do with herself, this situation, or even her child. One thing was for sure was she didn't want to keep him for she knew his life would be just as horrible as it was for her.