Disclaimer- I do not own Final Fantasy VII

The Promise Rings

Chapter 5

This Choice I Made

Tifa and Zack sat across from one another as Sora and Roxas were gobbling down their ice cream. They chose a small diner to eat since Sora and Roxas were in a stage of not wanting to eat anything that could be considered healthy. The boys had long abandoned their ties and jackets. They unbuttoned their dress shirt collars so it would no longer choke themas they claimed. Tifa was watching Roxas eating his large chocolate chip ice cream covered in chocolate sauce and sprinkles. He smiled up at her, chocolate all around his mouth.

"Is it good?" Tifa asked.

"Yup!" the golden haired twin said.

Tifa smiled and then looked up at Zack. He was stirring his cup of water with his straw. Tifa reached across the table to hold his hand. Zack smiled.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

Zack shook his head, "Just thinking about Cloud and Aerith."

"What about them?" Tifa wondered. "Do you think they're not going to get along? I doubt they would cause a scene in a public place."

"Not that," he said. "It's just that I wonder why they broke up. They use to date and all and Cloud always talked about her while in SOLDIER."

Tifa shrugged and then looked down at Sora who had finished his ice cream. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He sat back and rubbed his tummy. Zack chuckled as he watched Sora lean back in the booth they were in.

"You full there little buddy?" Zack asked.

"Mhm," Sora said and then added, "Can I have more."

Tifa shook her head. "Your mom would kill us if we gave you too much chocolate. Besides all that sugar will keep you up all night."

Sora frowned and crossed his arms. Sora was hyper enough as is. Tifa and Zack returned to their conversation. Sora looked across the table and watched his brother eating his ice cream still. He eyed the chocolate chip mound greedily. He looked up between Tifa and Zack to make sure they were not paying attention.

"Well, maybe Aerith found someone else she liked," Zack guessed. "She had Sora and Roxas while Cloud was in SOLDIER. Come to think of it Aerith never really mentioned the boys' father."

"Well, it wouldn't be polite to ask," Tifa said as she grabbed Sora's hand. She gave him a warning look before letting him go.

The brunette twin frowned and slumped back in his chair. He let out groan as his brother quietly finished his ice cream. Zack ruffled the brunette's hair which caused him to move under the table to avoid the older man from ruing his hair.

"Well, when I met Aerith she did mention she was single…"

A younger Tifa Lockhart stood examining her new bar. She was dressed in a short skirt, white midriff bearing shirt, overalls, and tennis shoes. It had taken months to prepare this bar for business and she was anxiously waiting to open the following evening. Tifa had made sure to wash ever glass cup until it sparkled, polish all the furniture until she saw her face, and sweep up ever last speck of dust. Her grand opening would be nothing short of perfect!

She held onto her black overalls, running her fingers up and down them as if it were a habit. Inwardly she had herself a chuckle as she dreamt of how absolutely amazing her bar would be.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Tifa snapped out of her daydream and spun around to look at the closed door. She scratched her head as she pondered who could be at the front door. When she opened the door, she jumped back as she came face to face with… flowers?

"Hello, are you Ms. Tifa Lockhart?" said a voice from behind the flowers.

"Er… yes," Tifa said.

The woman lowered the flowers so her head now visible. She smiled cheerfully as she held up an arrangement of yellow and white lilies. Tifa stared for a moment.

"This is for you from a Mister Zangan," she said.

"Oh… OH!" Tifa said, realizing a friend of hers had sent her the arrangement. Probably to congratulate her on her accomplishment. "Please come in!"

The woman walked in, brown boots thumping along the hardwood floor. Tifa looked back as the woman followed her.

"You can put the flowers up there." She instructed to the woman.

The woman placed the flowers carefully onto the bar stand before letting out a heavy sigh. She placed her hands on the counter looking as if she just carried a hundred pounds of weight from the door instead of flowers. Tifa wondered if this was the woman's first job, she looked young and rather weak looking. She also wore her hair in a large braid and a pink bow. She looked around her age. Tifa assumed she was probably one of those prissy girls who was forced to get a job. When the girl turned away from the counter Tifa saw a very tired looking girl.

"Are you alright?" Tifa asked, noticing sweat forming on her brow.

The girl laughed and handed her the card that went with the flowers. Tifa could tell this girl was very professional but she looked very tired.

"It's been a long day," she laughed. "I don't have a car so riding my bike everywhere to deliver arrangements is tiring."

"You look as if you have done a marathon!" Tifa blurted out.

She laughed again, her eyes sparkling. "I think I did."

"Mommy, mommy!"

Tifa turned her head to the door to see a brunette little boy standing at the door bouncing up and down. In his tiny hand, clutched tightly, was a paper.

"Sora, I thought I told you to wait on the steps." Aerith said. "I told you I would only be a minute."

"But mommy!" Sora whined. "You forgot the yellow paper!"

The girl before her gasped and then slapped her forehead. She walked over to the little boy who proudly handed her the paper. She patted his head.

"Thank you, Sora. Mommy needed this paper for this nice lady to sign."

Tifa stared. This woman was a mother? She looked so younger, around her age and the boy looked as if he were four or five years old. The boy smile proudly as he stood strait up, head held high. His mother affectionately patted his head again.

"You're his mother?" Tifa gasped. "You're so young."

Mentally slapping herself, Tifa bowed apologetically for speaking her mind. She felt she might have even offended the woman.

"I get that a lot for being a young single mother," she chuckled, handing Tifa the yellow paper. "Actually, Sora is one of my sons."

"Two?" Tifa signed the paper. "You have two kids?

She nodded, "Roxas come here sweetheart."

A golden haired boy climbed the wooden steps to the bar door and walked in. He looked up at his mommy sadly.

"I told Sora not to come in," he said. His azure eyes looked sad, worried he might get punished because his brother came inside.

Tifa watched until she felt Sora tugging at her hand. She looked down to see Sora smiling up at her.

"You're pretty." He said bluntly. "Roxas said he saw you from the window and said you were pretty too."

Roxas turned completely red. "I DID NOT!"

Tifa gushed. These two boys had to be the most surgery sweet kids she ever met. The were beyond adorable to her.

"Your boys are so cute!" Tifa complimented.

The mother smiled warmly. It was then she took note of the woman in front of her. Her clothes seemed old fashion, maybe homemade. Her hands had minor cuts on them and her nails were not long. Her boots looked old and worn as well. Yet, the twins looked well nourished and properly taken care of. This woman must have had it rough caring for two twin boys and being a single mother. It was painfully obvious to Tifa that this woman worked hard for her children and gave them everything she could before herself. Tifa wanted to ask what happened to the father but found it to be too rude to say. Tifa held out her hand to shake the mother's.

"Tifa Lockhart," she introduced herself formally.

"Aerith Gainsborough!"

"And that's how I met Tifa," Aerith said. "She thought they were so adorable. Of course, they had her eating out of the palm of their little hands. They got her to make them milkshakes after they began crying about how hot it was."

From across the table, Cloud was drinking an expensive wine courtesy of Zack's wallet. When he put down his glass he smirked.

"Well it was summer and they were riding bikes." Cloud pointed out.

"I felt terrible having to take them so far but I didn't have anyone that could really babysit them until I met Tifa. She is a life savior. I've never met someone I could count on more than her. She even rented out one of the rooms in her house for me when I got kicked out of my apartment."

"She does seem sweet," Cloud nodded. "I can see what Zack sees in her."

"Yes, and when Zack met Tifa she had the boys and he was sucking up to them. He thought Sora and Roxas were her kids. Sora and Roxas just let him spoil them with toys and ice cream until I came to pick them up. The boys adore Zack and really look up to him."

Cloud smirked. Everyone seemed to look up to Zack. Even he did back in SOLDIER. Back then he and Zack had a strong friendship. The friendship lasted even after Zack left and started a new life here in Midgar. The older man always kept in touch with Cloud, seeing that they were best friends. That is why he made him his best man, obviously.

Aerith ate her dinner. Cloud looked at her nervously. She looked radiant. It had been so long since he actually talked to her or even looked at her. He forgot how nervous she made him. Yet, he loved how warm her smile made him. He wondered how hard it must have been raising the twins. He would have asked but Aerith beat him to the punch with her own question.

"So what have you been up to Cloud?" Aerith inquired.

"I work as a delivery boy," Cloud replied. "After Zack left SOLDIER I left a few months later."

Aerith nodded, "So I take it you and Zack were very close?"

"He helped me get through basic training. Of course, Zack made everything look easy. He use to show off a lot for the ladies but he's a good guy."

Aerith agreed. "Like I said, Roxas and Sora love him. I'm glad Zack is around. I think they need a male figure around. My father died when the boys were two in an accident and mom died shortly after."

"Oh," Cloud said looking down. "I'm sorry. Your parents were always nice."

True, Aerith's mother was a sweetheart and very loving. She would always be baking something for Cloud to eat when he came over. She knew how hard it was for him and his own mother and was always kind enough to share. Her father was a good man but very overprotective of his daughter. When Cloud and Aerith started dating her father gave him the third degree on the first date.

"It's okay." Aerith replied. "It's been rough but I managed to pull through."

Cloud nodded and cracked a small smile. The two finished their meal and thanks to Zack did not have to pay the five hundred gil for it. The two walked out into the night. As they stepped onto the sidewalk, the rumbling sound of thunder echoed. Aerith looked up and frowned. Cloud followed the suit and stared at the very dark sky.

"It's going to rain soon," Aerith declared.

"Obviously," Cloud said.

"Oh, I hope the Roxas is alright. He is such a light sleeper."

Cloud looked at her, "Is he afraid of thunder?"

Aerith nodded slightly, "He gets frightened easy when something wakes him up in the night. Sora could sleep through anything. Even when they were babies, Sora would sleep well even if Roxas woke up crying in the night."

"They're good kids."

"They really are," Aerith agreed. "I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. I hope Zack didn't spoil them. He always has to spoils them with treats."

Cloud grimaced. He did not like the idea of Zack spoiling the twins. Not that he disliked Zack for it but Cloud felt he should be the one to do it. The twins looked just like him. Aerith and he did the deed and she was working hard. It was not fair for her to be working for the twins without help. She had done for eight years; the least he could do was start now.

Thunder rumbled through the night air and Aerith groaned. Cloud looked at her and smiled. He could tell she was wishing she had brought her umbrella. She began rummaging through her purse for something.

"I better call Tifa to pick us up or we'll get soaked!"

"Aerith," Cloud said as she searched.

"Hm?"

"Don't you think Sora and Roxas need… well someone to look after them?"

Aerith smirked, "Of course they have someone looking after them. They have me! I am their mother."

"No, what I mean is like a father."

She stopped the rummaging to look at Cloud. The smirk on her face fell into confusion. Cloud stared at her, his sapphire eyes shining. Aerith swallowed a lump that formed in her throat.

"I want to be apart of their life, your life." Cloud said, seriously.

"What are you saying?" she asked nervously.

Cloud took her hands into his. Aerith looked down, seeing his gloves still on his hands. They were gentle but warm against hers. Thunder clapped, causing Aerith to look up at the sky before she returned her eyes to Cloud. She licked her suddenly dry lips Cloud's sapphire orbs stared into her emerald ones. Her eyes were nervous while his were serious, focused.

"I want to be apart of Sora and Roxas's life. I want to be their father. I know I am their father and they deserve one. I promise to be a good father to them."

Aerith gasped. She took a step back from Cloud but found him refusing to let go of her hands. His grip on hers was firm but completely gentle. She continued to stare at Cloud her lower lip quivering as she tried to speak. A drop of water smacked her on the cheek. Cloud smiled and brought his hand up her cheek to brush it away but Aerith moved away from him. Cloud stared at her, confusion growing on his face.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Aerith's hand trembled as she brought it up to her chest. She looked down at the ground. After a few moments, she looked at Cloud her eyes distraught. Cloud moved toward her but Aerith backed away. Another raindrop hit her one the head this time.

"Cloud, you're not their father."

Cloud's eyes widened slightly. Did he hear her right? His voice was shaky as he spoke his next sentence, "What…?"

"Sora and Roxas are seven years old."

Cloud felt the color drain from his face as he dropped Aerith's hand. Aerith let her hand hang at her side, as she looked back down to the ground unable to look at Cloud. The spiky-haired man was shaking his head slowly. This made no sense. It could not be true. He stared at his once girlfriend in utter disbelief. They did the deed. They had sex! Those two boys had HIS eyes. He knew it.

"You're lying..." He whispered. "They have my eyes… Roxas looks just like me!"

"Cloud!" Aerith said sharply, still not facing him. "You're not the father."

"You're lying!" he accused again.

She snapped her head up glaring at him. Then she opened her mouth and said in the coldest tone possible, "There are other blond haired, blue eyed men in the world, Cloud. Not just you."

There was silence as more raindrops began to fall, splattering on the ground and on them. Aerith looked back down at the ground unwilling to face Cloud anymore. She knew if she looked, it would be too painful to bear it.

Cloud clenched his fists, the hurt in his eyes immense. His insides twisted painfully. His heart tightened. It hurt, hurt so much that he wanted to rip it out. He tried to say things but nothing came out for the longest time. Water began to pour on them harder but he never stopped looking at her. His body felt numb and he wanted to say so much but he could not. Then when he finally got over the shock he began to slowly shake his head at the woman before him. His face twisted from disbelief to hurt and then to anger. He opened his mouth and he cursed loud enough for Aerith to hear him over the rain and she flinched.

"How could you?" he seethed. "I can't believe you! I can't believe you would do that. I can't even look at you!"

Cloud stormed off into the rain. Aerith stood there allowing the rain to fall down upon her. She did not look up to look at Cloud knowing how badly she just hurt him.

Tifa and Zack were sitting at the bar, just after putting the twins to bed. They were talking quietly about the wedding when Cloud burst in, drenched. Both Zack and Tifa jumped. Startled, they looked at Cloud who moved across the floor, his shoes squishing and leaving a trail of water behind him.

"Cloud," Zack called out to him, worried.

Cloud ignored him and began to head up the stairs. Zack moved from around the bar, followed by Tifa. The older man caught him just before he could ascend the steps. He grabbed him by the arm. Cloud rudely pulled away. Before he could get away Zack grabbed him by the arm again and dragged him back.

Cloud looked back at him and Zack's eyes widened. The look on Cloud's face was so cold that Zack took a step back but he never let go of his friend's arm.

"Cloud, what the heck is going on?" Zack asked worried. "Why didn't you call for us to pick you up?"

He remained silent.

Tifa gasped, "Wait, where's Aerith?"

At the sound of her name, Cloud snapped and pushed Zack off him before storming up the stairs. Zack stumbled backward into Tifa. When he regained his balance he called after his friend only to be met with a cold shoulder and a door slam.

"You don't think they got into another fight?" Zack asked.

"Oh no… I have to go find Aerith," Tifa said, grabbing her coat.

"I'll try and talk to Cloud," Zack said, beginning to climb the stairs.

She ran out the door leaving Zack to deal with Cloud. When Zack reached the top of the stairs he was about to barge into Cloud's room when he heard the door to the second guest bedroom open. He turned around to see Roxas rubbing his eyes.

"Uncle Zack," he called softly. "Why is everyone slamming doors?"

Zack smiled and knelt down to the boy's level. He ruffled his hair affectionately.

"Sorry, did we wake you up?" Zack asked.

Roxas nodded.

"Think you can go back to sleep?"

"Is someone mad?" Roxas asked.

Zack smiled, "No, no one is mad. Here, how about I tuck you back in?"

He lifted the boy up and carried him back into the room. Sora was still sleeping, sprawled out on his bed with his covers on the floor and his pillow clutched in his arms. He sat Roxas down on his bed and he lay back down. Zack tucked him in tightly and patted his head, hoping he would fall back asleep soon. He did not want to talk to Cloud if he was awake and might hear an argument break out. He especially did not want to either of the twins to hear Cloud say anything negative about their mother. With the way Cloud look, Zack was sure he had many things to say and not one good.

Tifa on the other hand was driving through the rain toward the restaurant. She had tried to reach Aerith at her apartment but she never picked up so she assumed she was still in the area of the restaurant. When she drove past the place she could find no sign of Aerith. She drove down the block and found her sitting on a bench at the bus stop. Tifa stopped her truck and got out with her umbrella. She rushed to Aerith holding the umbrella up over her.

"Aerith," she breathed a sigh of relief, "what are you doing out here in the rain? You'll get sick!"

Aerith kept her head down, her hands folding together tightly. She was completely drenched, possible even more so than Cloud had been. Tifa took her hand in an attempt to get her to stand. Aerith did not budge.

"Come on Aerith! I'll take you home and you can tell me what you and Cloud were arguing about. I'm getting sick of this really. Can't you two get along for mine and Zack's sake?"

"Tifa," Aerith said softly. "I hurt Cloud."

"Huh? What do you mean? You slapped him?"

Aerith shook her head.

"How did you hurt him? Did you bruise his ego?"

She shook her head again.

"I hurt him so bad that I couldn't even look at him." Aerith said, still not looking up. "I hurt him and he hates me… I'd hate me too."

"Cloud doesn't hate you," Tifa cried. "It's just a misunderstanding, right?"

"He asked me if Sora and Roxas are his… our children. I couldn't even look him in the eyes and tell him no…"

"Aerith, if they are not his then you couldn't lie to him."

Aerith laughed pathetically. "How could I hurt him like that? I'm so stupid… so stupid."

Tifa placed her hand on her friend's shoulder. Aerith lifted her head to look at Tifa. The raven haired girl's eyes widened slightly. The rain slid down the girl's face but the look in her emerald green eyes said it all. Tifa could tell by the look in the eyes, how much it hurt, Tifa reached over and wrapped her arms around her friend. The brunette rested her head on her friends shoulder, a soft sob escaping as she cried with the rain.

X, X, X,