Disclaimer- Final Fantasy VII is own by Square Enix
The Promise Rings
Chapter 3
This Meeting
Aerith Gainsborough crawled across the ground, something she had not done since she was a child. She did not want to be seen by them, by Cloud. How could this be? How could this man, who she had not seen in years, just happen to be the best man at her friends' wedding? She slid under one of her tables that held up her potted plants. She pressed herself to the floor, which allowed her to see the shoes of everyone in the other room.
She stared, trembling slightly. She grabbed onto the legs of the table unable to comprehend this. All she could comprehend is that she wanted them to leave. Leave now and as fast as they could. That would at least give her a few hours, maybe, to figure out a way to get out of being the maid of honor at the wedding or get out of going to the wedding period. No, that would not work. Tifa would knock her out if she missed the wedding. That and she could not just avoid the wedding. Tifa was her best friend. Aerith groaned inwardly.
"Where is she?" she could hear Tifa from the other room. "I'm going to check the back room. Maybe she can't hear us."
Aerith bit her lip, shutting her eyes as if that would do any good. If Tifa looked hard enough, she would spot her easily under the table. She could hear her shoes thump across the wooden floor. Just then, the footsteps became closer and closer until they came to a stop. Aerith opened her eyes. She came face to face with Tifa's shoes, which were lightly dusted with dirt. Her eyes peered up to see Tifa with her hands on her hips and looking questioningly at Aerith.
Tifa had no idea why Aerith was on the floor, under a table with her eyes shut. She could not even begin to guess. She knelt down to her friend. Aerith gave her a worried look. Her eyes darted from her friend to the people in the other room. Tifa understood the look in her eyes. She understood that her friend did not want to go out there. The only thing is she did not understand why. The raven-haired girl spun around and headed out the door back into the main room.
"I couldn't find her," Tifa said. "Maybe she stepped out."
"Well if she didn't lock up that means she'll be back soon." Zack said thoughtfully.
"You and Cloud will be late for your tuxedo fittings!" Tifa replied quickly
She began shoving Zack and Cloud out of the flower shop. Cloud did not say a word but Zack kept tp protesting.
"Alright, alright I get it." Zack said after Tifa shoved him outside.
Zack leaned over so he was eye level with Tifa. He gave her a quick peck, which she returned.
"I'll see you later," said Zack.
"Now you two behave!" Tifa glared.
"I thought we were," Sora piped up. He appeared next to Tifa, his bright blue eyes shining.
"Not you and Roxas. I meant Uncle Zack and Uncle Cloud." Tifa ruffled Sora's hair before shooting a warning glare at Zack. "I mean it! No coming home drunk!"
Zack wrapped his arm around Cloud, pulling him closer. Cloud made a noise as Zack's bicep began crushing his throat. Zack simply gave her a large cheesy grin. Tifa's eyes narrowed.
"We wouldn't dream of it, right Cloud?"
The two staggered off. Tifa shook her head smirking to herself. She then turned around and headed back into the back room. Aerith was still on the ground looking nervous.
"They're gone you can come out now."
Letting out a sigh of relief, Aerith rolled out from under the table, her dress collecting dust in the process. Tifa helped her up and Aerith quickly brushed off the dust. Sora and Roxas scampered into the room and nearly tackled their mother to the ground. Tifa smirked.
"Mom!" they shouted. "Can we go to the park today please?"
"Did you behave?" Aerith asked, "Did you listen to Aunt Tifa."
They nodded vigorously. Aerith patted their heads.
"Oh, except those two landed right on top of the best man," Tifa reminded.
"It was an accident!" Roxas protested.
"He scared us!" Sora added.
Aerith eyed them suspiciously. The two boys blabbered on about how they were playing a game and such. Their mother relented because the boys never meant any harm. When she said they could go, the boys cheered and hugged their mother tightly. They scampered into the next room to gather their toys. Sometimes Aerith had to bring the boys to the shop since Tifa and Zack could not always baby-sit. She left some of their toys in the back room where they could play while she worked.
Once the boys were gone, Tifa crossed her arms and stared at Aerith. Aerith looked at her confused. Tifa rolled her eyes.
"Aren't you going to explain what that was all about?" The raven-haired girl asked.
"What was what?" Aerith asked, innocently.
Tifa tilted her head back and threw her hands in the air.
"The whole, hiding under a table and not coming out to meet the best man thing."
"I… look like a mess. I could not let anyone see me like this."
It was a lie. Yet, Tifa bought it completely.
Tifa shrugged as the two exited the back room to the front room. Sora was holding a redl and a wooden sword in his hand. Roxas was holding a similar sword in his hand as well. They were bouncing excitedly wanting to go to the park.
"We want to go!" they chorused.
"Boys, you know I have to go to the fitting for my dress." Aerith said. "We'll go after I promise."
The boys groaned. Aerith chuckled. She left with Tifa and her boys, locking up the shop before she went. The boys were running back and forth between the two adults as they chatted lightly. Tifa was talking about the wedding details but Aerith was simply listening but her mind was elsewhere. All she could think about was Cloud.
Why was he here? Well that was obvious. Cloud was the best man. Next question: How on Gaia was it possible that Zack and Cloud knew each other? Was it some cruel joke that the fates decided to play on her? It had been almost nine years since they had last seen each other. Why after such a long time would he show up? She had gotten along without seeing him since then. How could she even face him? Would he even recognize her?
Aerith was lost in her thoughts that she did not even realize that she was at the dress shop with Tifa. Tifa was already trying on her beautiful wedding gown. It was a strapless jacquard ball gown. The bodice had silver beaded embroidery on it as well as the hem of the skirt. The back of the bodice had corset style with a delicate silk lace that tied into a neat short bow. The shop owner moved around Tifa, pinning certain places that still needed to be tailored before the wedding.
"Well what do you think?" Tifa asked Aerith.
Aerith was planted in a white cushioned chair. Roxas was sitting in her lap tugging at her curls, hoping to snap her out of her daze. Sora was gently rolling the ball across the floor because he would be punished if he bounced the ball inside the store.
"Hello, anyone home?" Tifa asked.
"Mommy," Roxas tugged. "Mommy, wake up."
Aerith blinked and looked over at Tifa who was waiting with her arms crossed. Aerith shook her head.
"Sorry," she apologized.
"What's up Aerith? You're completely out of it."
"Nothing, just daydreaming I guess." Aerith shrugged. "You look stunning. Zack is going to drool when he sees you."
Tifa chuckled. "Oh he'll drool alright! That is after he sees what I got him for the wedding night."
She grinned devilishly. Aerith smiled at her. Tifa probably chose some incredibly sexy lingerie for her wedding night. The tailor finished pinning the dress. With a little help from both ladies, they slipped her out of the dress. Now it was Aerith's turn.
Aerith changed into the dress Tifa was making her wear for the wedding. It was not an ugly dress by any means. It was stunning. It was a sleeveless chiffon dress the came just above the knee. The straps were beaded and the bodice hugged her breasts snugly. Aerith felt out of place in such less conservative dress. She was use to her clothing covering her body. She assumed that Tifa chose this dress to gain some attention than rather blend in with the surroundings. However, Aerith was not ashamed to be another face in the crowd. She had too much to deal with in her life than going around and chasing some person.
"Oh do you think the hem is too short?" the woman asked.
"No, I think its fine!" Tifa answered before her friend could. "In fact maybe you can shorten it an inch or two."
"TIFA!" Aerith sounded horrified. "I'm too old to be dressing like I'm sixteen."
"Oh, please! Aerith you are only a year older than me!"
"You have a better body to boot."
Comparing herself to Tifa, Aerith could understand why men gave her attention. She was gorgeous. With her long raven hair, her deep ruby eyes gave her an exotic look. Her breasts were large and round. Her legs were so long that they looked as if they went on her forever. She was physically fit and above all her personality was beautiful as her. She was a catch for any man! Aerith felt like an old maid.
"Aerith, you know what your problem is? You have no confidence. I bet if you wore that dress outside right now a ton of guys would go for you."
"I have other things to worry about then what a guy thinks of me."
Her biggest problem however was how she could avoid Cloud. They would have to meet eventually. She sighed inwardly. Why was she so worried about this? It was nine years ago! Certainly they could act like mature adults. Aerith could not avoid him forever. She was acting like a child. She should just get over with and get on her with her life! Yes, that would be the right thing to do. She decided she would march up to Cloud and talk to him and get everything out in the open.
"Hey Zack and Cloud are heading this way." Tifa said, peering out the window.
Except now!
Aerith yelped and jumped from the stand and into the dressing room. Tifa, the tailor, and Aerith's sons all watched as the dressing room door slammed shut. Moments later. the tailor knocked on the door.
"Oh dear, I'm sorry did I prick you with a needle?"
Aerith was propped against the door her heart beating a mile a minute.
"Ah, um yeah," Aerith breathed, lying again for her foolishness.
"Well you're finished dear if you wish to change."
"I'm going to go out there. I don't want Zack to see the dress since its bad luck and all. Hurry up so we can introduce you to the best man!"
She could hear Tifa's footsteps retreating. She quickly slipped off the dress and back into her own pink one. She needed to escape. She could not look at Cloud right now, let alone cause a scene in front of her friends. She looked around. Maybe she could crawl under the door and out the back window or something and make a break for it. Maybe she could hide in here until they went away? Or maybe...
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"EEK!" Aerith screamed.
"Mommy, Roxas and I want to go to the park." Sora said from the other side.
An idea formed in Aerith's head.
"Sweetheart," she called. "If you do exactly what mommy says mommy will buy you and your brother ice cream, okay?"
"OKAY!" he agreed, accepting her bribe without hesitation.
"Listen carefully do you see a door in the back?"
"Uh huh!"
"Alright tell your brother to go there and wait for me."
Aerith could here her son talking to the other. The two argued momentarily before Sora pointed out that their mother told him to. Aerith never was one to bribe her kids but she was desperate. Sora returned to the door, knocking to gain her attention.
"Sweetie, tell me if Aunt Tifa, Uncle Zack, or their friend is looking inside."
"Nope, they're not looking."
Aerith opened the door and peered out. When she confirmed her son's statement, she gathered him in her arms and flew to the back door. She pushed it open and gathered her second son under her arm. Without looking back, she ran from the shop in a desperate attempt to escape. She could not face Cloud, not now and if she could avoid him up until the time he left, it would be perfect. However, she knew that would never happen, ever. It would only be a matter of time.
"What is taking her so long?" Tifa said as she impatiently tapped her foot.
Zack was leaning against the brick wall of the building, arms behind his head. Cloud was slouching in his position across from Zack. Tifa crossed her arms, still tapping her foot. She frowned and tossed her head to the side. A minute later, she placed her hands on her hips and her face began to darken.
"Seriously it doesn't take that long to take off a dress and put your own one on!"
"Maybe she's stuck." Zack suggested.
Tifa walked back in to help Aerith. Zack and Cloud looked through the window to see what was going on. They could see Tifa talking with the shopkeeper. A moment later, she came out with a confused look on her face.
"What's wrong?" Zack inquired.
"She left," Tifa answered. "She left out the back door. I don't get it… I just don't get it."
Zack scratched his head. "That is… awkward."
The two looked at Cloud who simply shrugged. He was not sure if he should feel offended or not. He never met the woman so what could he say?
"Well, we were hoping to introduce you guys." Tifa sighed.
"Yeah we wanted her to show you around." Zack groaned.
Tifa punched his arm. Zack let out an "ouch" before receiving a glare from his girl. Zack grinned nervously as he rubbed his arm. Tifa turned smiling to Cloud.
"What he means is that we wanted her to show you around while we finish some of the other wedding details. We don't want to drag you around."
Cloud nodded. "I'll just go sight seeing. I've never been to Midgar before."
"Oh, well you sure you don't want go back to the bar and rest?" Tifa suggested.
"No, I'm fine."
"Alright, well Zack and I will be back around seven. We're having dinner out so we'll meet… oh how about here?"
"That's fine, I'll see you then."
"Don't get lost!" Zack joked.
The three said their good byes and Cloud found himself alone. He wandered around absentmindedly since the city sights were nothing spectacular to look at. He walked around a busy marketplace where venders were trying to get him to buy their random weapons, clothing, and other such things. Cloud ignored them finding no need for such items. He was never one for shopping anyway.
Cloud found the city bleak looking. The buildings seemed to every possible shade of gray. He could not even spot a single tree, flower, or even a blade of grass amongst the fields of concrete. Even the people seemed to dress rather drab. This place was a far cry from his home in Nibelheim. Nibelheim was small and everyone knew everyone. There was plant life everywhere and the sky always seemed blue. From what Cloud noticed, the sky here seemed to be gray. He wondered if it was just a gray day or if it was because of smog.
Cloud stopped walking as he was walking across an overpass. He looked over the railing to see a long stretch of train tracks. His hands rested on the railing and he let out a long sigh. He wondered how in the hell could anyone live in such a place. He wondered why Zack moved here after he left the military. The blond knew his friend met Tifa after so he knew why he stayed but from the stories, Zack's hometown of Gongaga seemed like a beautiful place to live. If there was one thing Cloud knew about Zack, it was never to question the raven-haired man and he never did. Why should he? Zack's life seemed perfect. He had a nice place to live and a soon to be beautiful wife. What more could a man ask for?
Slumping forward, Cloud rested his arms on the railing. His eyes watched a train zooming under him. He rubbed his left hand over the glove. A moment later the train passed and Cloud was walking again. When he reached the other side of the overpass he saw a rather worn out sign that was slightly slanted.
Midgar park- West
Midgar Shopping District- East
Midgar actually had a park. Cloud was rather shocked. He wondered if the park had flowers or was it just as bland as the rest of the city. Deciding to check it out, since he had nothing else to do, Cloud headed west.
At the park already, Aerith was sitting on a park bench watching her children toss their ball around. After she ran what seemed like miles, she had to sit down and relax. That is after she bought her sons ice cream. Neither son asked why their mother had left the shop in such a hurry but that was probably because they were both treated with chocolate ice cream.
Aerith sighed as she stared at her boys tossing a ball around. The park they were at had no actual plants, but it did have swing sets, slides, and things the children could climb on. Roxas and Sora had finished chasing each other around on one of the jungle gyms when they began playing catch with their ball. Sora was tossing the ball purposely over Roxas's head so he would have to run to catch it.
"Stop it Sora!" Roxas cried as he scampered after the red ball.
Normally, Aerith would tell Sora to play nice but with her mind was unable to focus on her sons' minor squabble. All she could think about was Cloud Strife standing a few feet away. He looked the same and yet not. He had the same hair, eyes, and the same quiet expression. Yet, he was older. He had lean muscles and was much taller than before. He was Cloud and not. She wondered if he would even remember her. What would he even have said if he did?
"I said stop it Sora!" Roxas complained as he tried to jump in the air to catch the ball.
Aerith shuttered at the thought of talking to Cloud again. She could imagine him saying many things but nothing she wished to confront. To her, it would just be awkward. She leaned back, rubbing her temples.
"I told you to stop it!" Roxas huffed as he dropped the ball on the ground in front of him.
"Don't be mad because you can't throw!" Sora teased.
"I'm not mad!"
"Yes you are!"
"Sora, Roxas stop fighting." Aerith called to her sons.
"We're not fighting." Sora responded in defense. "Come on throw the ball!"
Roxas crossed his arms. "Promise not to throw it so high?"
"Promise!" Sora said lifting up his hand, while his other was behind his back. "Cross my heart and hope to die."
Roxas picked up the ball and threw it. Sora easily caught the ball in his hands. He glanced over at his mother who was rubbing her temples still, not fully paying attention to her sons. Sora grinned and threw the ball at his brother, right over his head and bouncing across the ground. When Roxas retrieved it, he turned at glared at his twin. Sora was trying hard not to chuckle at his brother's misfortune.
"You liar!" the unfortunate twin huffed.
Roxas threw the ball to the ground and backed up. Then he charged it and kicked it with so much force that it went sailing over his brother's head and far down the field.
"Now you go get it!"
Sora rushed after the ball. At the same time, Aerith turned her attention back to her sons. She let out a gasp as she jumped out of her spot on the bench. Sora was blindly rushing after the ball right into the street.
"SORA STOP!" Aerith cried in terror.
Her son dived at the ball landing in the street. He gleefully held it up when he saw his mom running and screaming at him to get out of the street. Sora could not hear what she was saying. It was only when he heard a car honk that he realized what was going on. Sora's head snapped to the side when he saw a car coming at him. Sora threw his hands over his face. The car zoomed at her son and Aerith let out a horrific cry, as the car kept going.
"SORA!" Aerith screamed.
Her hands on her face, Aerith began sobbing falling to her knees. A car hit her son, her sweet little boy. How could she call herself a mother? Aerith was sobbing hysterically as she called out her sons name when she felt her other son tug her sleeve.
Aerith looked at Roxas who was pointing across the street. Aerith looked across the street to see Sora safely in the lap of some man. Aerith had to have muttered a million "oh thank god" before she stood up and crossed the street with Roxas. When she reached the other side, Sora was on his feet staring at the remains of his ball, which was now in pieces.
"It's all broke." Sora said to the man.
"Who cares, what matters is your safe," said the man.
"It's my fault though."
Aerith launched herself at Sora, wrapping her arms around her son. She did not bother yet to thank the man; she was too busy sobbing and clutching her son to her. Roxas was standing next to the man, not really sure what was going on. He looked at the man questionably. The man smiled very slightly.
"Mom, I'm fine let go!" Sora whined.
"Sora, I can't believe you!" Aerith scolded. "I told you never to run into the streets. You know better than that. You could have been killed!"
"I'm fine mom. Cloud saved me. He came out of nowhere and we were rolling across the street. It was so cool. He was like some superhero! Oh, I broke the ball though."
Aerith's eyes widened. She dissolved the embrace and was now holding her son by the arms. He was smiling up at the man. Horror filled her face. It could not be. The odds of him being behind her were slim to none. There was no way Cloud would be at the park. It was probably someone else.
"So, you're there mom," said Cloud. "Zack and Tifa have been trying to introduce you. I'm Cloud Strife and you are..."
Aerith's hands tensed, causing Sora to squirm out of her grasp. Aerith stood up. She half debated on running away as fast as she could. Yet her mind was telling her to stop being a coward and thank the man who saved her sons life. She chose the latter.
Turning around, her head bent she said, "Long time no see, Cloud."
She looked up, her nervous green eyes finding his blue ones. After several seconds, realization hit Cloud. He knew this girl, no this woman. How could he ever forget those green eyes, that plaited brown hair, and that signature pink ribbon? As he stared at her his mouth opened to form words but nothing came out. He closed his mouth as his eyes traveled down to the two little boys who were standing next to her. Then he opened his mouth again and this time the words came.
"What the…?"
X,X,X,