The Promise Rings
Chapter 6
This Lie, This Truth
Aerith sat in her apartment, her hair damp and her body wrapped in a fluffy pink robe. It had taken Tifa minutes to pry Aerith from the bus stop bench and several more minutes to drive her home. The mother seemed so distraught that had Tifa not been at her side, the raven-haired girl was sure she would never have made it inside her apartment. She sat on her couch, staring into a mug of tea that her best friend prepared for her. The steam ascended up, and the emerald-eyed girl seemed lost within the depths of the liquid.
All she could imagine was what Cloud's face looked like when she spoke those hurtful words. He was not their father. How could she betray him like that? The very thought of that made her heart twist painfully. Her insides burned with guilt. She wanted to tear her heart from her chest. It hurt. She was hurting all over again. Just like eight years ago, when he left she was also hurting. Now, she managed to be hurt again.
It took her so long to forget about Cloud, to forget about his touch, and his kisses. She had to forget about everything. She used to dream about him, next to her and holding her. Yet, when she awoke, she found herself alone. It killed her. When Sora and Roxas were born, she wiped him from her mind. No longer could she live in the past. She could no longer pine for him because she had two sons whom she loved more than anything in the world. They deserved everything because they were her future.
Why did he have to return? Why did he return now of all times? Her life was so perfect. She had her children, her job, and her friends. Now he had to return and unearth things she buried long ago.
Tifa came out of Aerith's kitchen holding a cordless phone in her hand. She lifted her eyes to her friend, just moments ago getting off the phone with her fiancé. While Aerith was in tears, Zack found Cloud in a fit of rage. He refused to talk, refused to listen. Tifa moved around the coffee table and sat down upon it in front of Aerith. She cupped her friend's hands before taking the mug away. The brown-haired woman looked up, her eyes glazed with tears.
"Aerith," Tifa gently whispered. "Please tell me what happened between you and Cloud. I can't stand seeing you like this."
Aerith lowered her eyes, which found the mug of tea on the table. After a moment, she looked back up at Tifa and shook her head very slightly.
"I hurt him," she whispered back.
Tifa breathed, wanting to ask the question that nagged her from the back of her mind. It was almost too hard to ask but she needed to.
"Is Cloud, is he... Sora and Roxas's father?"
Aerith did not respond. She kept her head low, her eyes hidden behind her wispy brown bangs. Tifa clasped her hands once again, giving her a gentle and yet reassuring squeeze.
"If he is, Cloud has a right to know. Sora and Roxas have a right to know as well."
Aerith was quiet but Tifa could feel her hands trembling beneath her own. A series of sobs escaped Aerith as she looked up at Tifa. Tears streamed down her face. Her eyes become puffy and red in the matter of seconds. Tifa released a gasp. Seeing Aerith like this was uncommon. She had always been so strong. She was a single working mother of twins who took each adversity and conquered them. Yet, now she looked so weak so vulnerable.
"Cloud isn't their father," Aerith said, her voice wavering. "I was so hurt that I did something… something I regret.
Tifa asked softly, "You slept with someone else?"
"...Yes, and I had Roxas and Sora. It was a one-night stand! When it started, I didn't care but afterward I regretted it. I hate myself for it but… I can't tell Cloud they are his when they're… not…"
Aerith burst into fresh tears. Tifa leaned forward and embraced her friend. Aerith sobbed into her friend's shoulder. Tifa gently stroked her back trying to comfort her. The raven-haired girl was unsure she could fully understand Aerith's choices. Yet, she could not hate her or be disappointed with her. She only wished things could be easier for her.
Half and hour later, Aerith finally calmed down. Tifa stated she would watch the boys for the night and tomorrow while she was at work. Aerith thanked her friend. The mother did not want to cry in front of her children or make them worry for her.
"Will you be all right?" Tifa asked standing in the doorway, ready to leave.
Aerith nodded, "I have to be."
"Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything." Tifa said before giving her friend another embrace. "I am here for you."
"Thank you," Aerith murmured.
Tifa turned to leave and walked out into the hallway. She gave Aerith a small smile for reassurance before going on her way. The brown-haired woman closed the door to her apartment. She stood facing the front door before she fell against it, crying for the millionth time that night. She was sure she would cry for the rest of the night until her tear ducts were dried out. Yet, even if she did stop crying, it would not stop the aching pain within her heart.
She slipped down to the floor, her legs like jelly and too weak to support her. She wrapped her arms around her and let out an anguish cry as if something cut her, and maybe something did deep within her heart.
"Cloud, I'm sorry." She wept, "I'm so sorry."
X, X, X,
The next morning, Roxas and Sora awoke oblivious to everything that ensued with the grownups. They got out of the guest beds and ran down the stairs in their pajamas looking for breakfast. Secretly, they loved eating at Tifa's place since she made the best chocolate chip pancakes they had ever had. When they reached the kitchen, they found Zack and Tifa talking quietly to one another.
The moment the grownups saw the two children, they screwed up their faces putting on smiles that looked genuine. Sora launched himself at Zack, who gathered him up in his arms. Sora grinned while his brother remained on the ground.
"Uncle Zack," Sora said, "I had this dream where I had this sword and it looked like a giant key and I was fighting monsters like you did."
"Sounds like a good dream!" Zack laughed.
Sora beamed and added, "But now I'm hungry. Can Aunt Tifa make us chocolate chip pancakes?"
Zack arched an eyebrow, "I don't know, ask Aunt Tifa?"
"Oh yeah," Sora turned to Tifa grinning widely. Tifa could not help but smirk at his large grin. It made him look precious.
"Aunt Tifa will you make chocolate chip pancakes?"
Tifa nodded and ruffled his hair.
"Sure thing," she said, "while I make breakfast why don't you and your brother get washed up and dressed."
Sora slid down from Zack's embrace and onto the floor. He ran past his brother and bounded up the stairs so he could get back in time and get the first batch of pancakes. Roxas looked up at the adults. Tifa inclined her head toward the kid.
"Yes," she asked.
"Uncle Cloud slammed the door last night again," he remarked. "Then Uncle Zack said something. I just wanted to know what that word means."
"What did he say?"
He tried to recall it, "He said fuh… fa…"
Tifa's eyes widened realizing what the golden-haired boy was about to say. Zack caught her look and instantly placed his hand over the little boy's mouth before he could repeat it.
"Roxas you better go upstairs and get ready or your brother might get all the pancakes. Hurry and forget I ever said anything."
Zack pushed the boy out of the kitchen, closing the door behind him. However, when he faced Tifa he found her glaring at him.
"I can't believe you Zack!" Tifa scolded. "You know what Aerith is going to do to us if her son repeats that to her?"
"Don't blame me; Cloud slammed the door on my foot last night. It hurt like hell."
Tifa groaned. "Cloud may have a right to be upset but that does not give him the right to slam doors OR you the right to swear in front of children."
"I thought he fell back asleep!" Zack said, trying to defend his use of foul language.
Tifa rubbed her face in frustration before turning around to start breakfast. If tension were not high enough between Cloud and Aerith now, Aerith would blow a gasket if she heard either of her sons' cussing. Now the ebony-haired girl wondered if this day could get any worse.
Upstairs, Sora had finished washing up and putting on his clothes He was combing his unruly hair when he heard shuffling and the sound of something slamming in the room across the hall from his. He threw the comb onto his dresser before he bounded to the room where Cloud was staying in. Without bothering to knock on the door, he opened it a crack so he could peek inside.
Inside, he found Cloud pulling all his clothing and other belongings from their places in the closet and drawers. He began dumping them into his suitcase, not bothering to fold them. He was furious. No, he was beyond furious. He felt betrayed.
He shoved the rest of his things in the suitcase, which now looked like a large mound of laundry. He tried to shut the case but it would not work. Frustrated, he tried to flatten his clothing but it still did not do any good. When that did not work, Cloud threw his clothes all around the room letting out an angered cry. He seethed, breathing heavily with his hands clenching and unclenching. He wanted to hit something, a wall, the dresser, the window, anything that could hurt him or be broken. He wanted something to block out the anger and pain within him.
"Wow, my mom never lets me throw my clothes around," Sora said from behind.
Cloud spun around to see Sora picking up a shirt and throwing it in the air. He laughed and proceeded to do it again. Before he could, Cloud snatched the garment from the kid and shoved it in his suitcase.
"How come you're throwing things?"
Cloud tried hard not to curse or say anything horrible about the boy's mother. He wanted to say nasty things but to upset a kid would just make him cruel. Besides, this situation had nothing to do with Sora, well sort of. Sora and Roxas were Aerith's children, not his. It irritated him to no end. It hurt him to no end that his once girlfriend would just fall into the arms of another man, another man that had flaxen hair and blue eyes. Was she that pathetic that she would make love to another man that was similar to him in looks?
He looked down at Sora who was now tossing one of Cloud's undershirts in the air. Cloud caught the shirt from the boy who let out a groan before crossing his arms in disappointment.
"I wasn't throwing things. I was packing." Cloud explained, trying once again to pack his suitcase.
"Why, are you packing?"
"I'm leaving."
"Why are you leaving?"
Cloud grimaced. Figures Aerith's kid had to be a curious one. The boy smiled brightly waiting for an answer.
"I'm leaving because I want to."
Sora scratched his head, pondering the thought. "But, Aunt Tifa's wedding is in a few days. You are supposed to be there."
"Well, I don't want to and I don't have to!" Cloud argued, childlike.
Sora frowned and watched as Cloud finished sorting his clothes in the suitcase. He then zipped it up.
"Will you come back?" Sora asked, climbing onto the bed.
Cloud shrugged.
"Will you come back for my birthday? Well it's not just my birthday it's mine and Roxas's birthday too."
Cloud rolled his eyes. "Sorry, but I think I'll be busy then."
"But, I'll have a big chocolate cake!" Sora tried to tempt him. "Mom said she would buy me a sword too. Don't you want to see it?"
Sora was standing on the bed now, excited. Cloud sighed. He thought of something quickly so it would quiet and satisfy the boy.
"I have work to do. How about I send you a birthday card?"
Sora pondered for a moment. "Okay but spell my name right… it's S-O-R-A."
Cloud picked up his suitcase. He turned to leave wanting nothing more than to go back to his home and leave his horrible city and his memories behind. He could hear Sora bounding off the bed as he reached the door. He turned over his shoulder to see the bright-eyed boy smiling.
"Well, later kid and happy eighth birthday."
Cloud stepped out of the room.
"Ninth."
A few seconds passed. Cloud returned to the room.
"What did you say?"
Sora crossed his arms, annoyed and clearly offended. "I'm already EIGHT! I'm going to be NINE years old."
Sora stared at Cloud annoyed as if the man should have known his age. Cloud on the other hand stared at the boy completely stunned.
Sora and Roxas are seven years old.
I'm already EIGHT! I'm going to be NINE years old.
Cloud dropped the suitcase in his hand. It landed with a loud thump. His eyes were wide like saucers and his mouth hung open. The twins were eight years old going on nine. They were not seven. That would mean that Aerith lied. She lied.
In mere moments, the shock on Cloud's face evaporated and in it's place was a mask of fury. His jaw clenched and eyebrows knitted together. Sora looked up at the man in confusion, wondering why he looked angry and even wondered if it was his fault. Before the boy could ask, Cloud fled from the room. He bounded down the stairs three at a time and burst out the door. He sprinted away before anyone could call out to him.
Zack and Tifa emerged from the kitchen with Roxas as Sora came down the stairs. The three looked at the brunette boy questionably but he held ups his hands, just as confused as the rest of them.
Outside the flower shop, Aerith Gainsborough was digging inside her purse for her shop keys. She had arrived later than usual to the shop due to the events from last night. It took all her energy to push the memories aside and come to work. She needed money to support the two most important people in her life, her sons.
Aerith fumbled as she looked for her keys, buried beneath the other articles in her bag. It took her mere moments to find out that her keys were at the very bottom.
"Aha," she said softly spotting them.
However, before she could fish them out, a hand clamped around her shoulder and she was spun around. Aerith gasped as she saw a furious Cloud glaring at you. He was breathing heavily, due to the running he had done to get here. Aerith was in complete shock to see him. She did not expect to see him after last night at all.
"Cloud, what are you doing here?" she asked, startled.
"I just had a very informative conversation with your son." He seethed. "He told me something quite interesting. He told me he was turning nine years old, not eight. I think you owe me an explanation"
Aerith felt her blood run cold and her face paled. She opened her mouth to speak but Cloud did not even give her a chance to explain.
"YOU LIAR!" he snapped angrily. "They are my children, our children! You knew the whole time and lied to me! Why? Did you ever think I had a right to know? WELL? Answer me!"
Aerith had been too stunned to respond. Her lower lip was quivering. When she did not reply, Cloud screamed into her face again, forcing her to flinch and move away.
"Answer me!"
Aerith rounded on him.
"Yes! Sora and Roxas are your children!" she cried.
For a moment, the two looked at each other and Cloud saw the tears at the brim. Then she was gone. She dashed away from him, down the street and unable to look at him. It took a moment before Cloud realized he should follow.
Aerith blindly crossed a street but when Cloud attempted, he was nearly plowed over by a car, which angrily honked their horn at him. Cloud gasped and looked past the car and noticed Aerith still running. He shouted out to her but she either did not hear or care to listen.
Cloud watched as the brunette darted around a corner as he finally made it across the street. He dodged the other people walking across the sidewalks to catch up, since she stuck out like a sore thumb amongst a sea of grays and blacks. Several times, he had to backtrack and he would catch a glimpse of the girl ducking into an alley to get past him. He called out to her several times and he could have sworn she looked over her shoulder to see how close he was.
Despite all the running, Cloud found it hard to catch up to her. She new the area and was smart enough to escape down an ally to put some distance between them but there was one thing Aerith forgotten. He knew this game and he won it the first time she acted like this.
The brunette looked over to see Cloud nowhere in view. She lost him. Aerith ran down a long ally before she came to a chain-linked fence. She skidded to a halt, catching herself before she slipped through the rather large hole in the fence. Bottles and other litter cluttered the area all along the alleyway. Breathing heavily, she looked pass the fence and noticed the murky water that ran through the city. Aerith breathed and took a step back, afraid of falling down the slope to the sewage water. Deciding it is better to turn around; she did only to come face to face with Cloud.
"Stop running from me." He panted
Aerith jumped back, her foot slipping on a glass bottle. Her foot flew from under her and she screamed as she felt her body falling backwards through the chain-link fence. Cloud's eyes widened and instantly he leaped after her. He caught the woman in his arms and the two went tumbling down the sleek slope toward the murky sewage water. Cloud dragged his right hand and the heels of his feet against the ground. The left hand lay protectively over the brunette's head. Dust and dirt kicked up as the two rolled down the slope before stopping at the edge.
For a moment, all was silent. Then finally, the muscles that had tightened in Cloud's body relaxed and he let out a long sigh of relief. His hand moved from the back of Aerith's head where it was protectively holding her to him. The female was curled against him, hands clutching at his shirt. Aerith's hands trembled slightly as she looked up at Cloud, fear and tears still in her eyes.
"Are you always going to do this instead of talking to me?" Cloud asked, hoping it would lighten the mood.
Aerith sat up, scooting off Cloud. The two sat next to one another in silence for a long time, covered in dirt and dust. Finally, Cloud spoke more gently then he did when he faced her earlier.
"Can we talk?"
Aerith nodded, her bangs shielding her face.
X, X, X,
The two had made their way back to Aerith's apartment. The two decided to clean up instead of stitting filth. Cloud showered in a second bathroom, the one the twins used. He could tell by the towels, which had cartoon looking characters on them and the bright colored toothbrushes that sat in cups on the sink. He showered quickly, and when he finished he found his clothes already clean and waiting for him outside the bathroom door. He changed and came out of the bathroom to find Aerith in the kitchen preparing tea.
Her long hair was loose, slightly damp from her own shower. She was wrapped in her puffy pink robe and slippers. Beneath the coat, he could see a small sight of pink, different from the dress she had been wearing.
Finishing pouring the tea, she whispered, "Have a seat."
Cloud took a seat at the kitchen table and Aerith handed him a steaming mug. The mug had yellow tulips all over the cup, and the handle itself was in the shape of a flower and stem. Cloud looked at the cup, wondering if he could have received a different one. The cup, the one Aerith was holding, said, "I love mommy" on it. He was sure she would not let him use that one.
They were quiet for a moment and then another.
"So…" Cloud said, unsure what to say.
"So…" Aerith repeated, staring at the tea in her mug.
"Why did you lie to me?" Cloud asked.
Aerith shrugged, "I guess I thought it would be for the best."
Cloud tried hard not to raise his voice. He did not want to argue or end up arguing. All he wanted was answers.
"Best for whom?"
Aerith shook her head. "In honestly, I don't know. I thought my, our sons would be. I thought it would be best for me."
Cloud clenched his fist. "What about me?"
"What about you?" she asked.
"I have a right to know my own sons!" Cloud demanded. "They have a right to know their own father."
Aerith sighed, getting up.
"How am I supposed to explain this? How do I tell Sora and Roxas that their father who they never met is now here? I can't thrust you into their lives and then be heartbroken! How can I… they rely on you?"
Cloud rounded the table and touched her shoulder.
"I'm here and I want to be here for them. Don't you think if I knew I would have been their for them. I want to be there for them, I really do." He turned her around to face him. "I want to be here for you too."
Her emerald eyes found his sapphire eyes, looking at her softly. Cloud's hands rested on her slender shoulders and he moved closer wanting to, needing to kiss her. Aerith felt the distance close between them and before he could kiss her lips she turned her cheek to him. Cloud stumbled. His lips brushed over her smooth cheek. Opening his eyes, he watched the look on her face. It was a mixture of distress and confusion.
"What is it?" he questioned.
She shook her head while saying, "I cannot do this." She turned away.
"What do you mean?"
"Cloud, I'll let you be there for the boys but… that is all."
Cloud looked at her back, her hands gripping her arms tightly as if it were the only way to control her emotions. Cloud clenched his fist, his gloves making a soft swishing noise.
"Why won't you let me be there for you?" he bluntly asked.
Aerith turned around.
"Look at me Cloud, really look at me." He stared, not understanding what he was meant to look at. She could read it on his face.
Aerith breathed, "I moved on. I have a job, I have children, I have my own place, I have my own life and this life doesn't involve you."
Aerith lowered her eyes. Cloud stared at her for a moment and then at her apartment. It was well furnished and yet very cozy. He could see how well organized his ex-girlfriend was with her children and how hard she worked to make this life, a life he was never apart of. How could he be apart of it?
The brunette woman wanted to say something. What could she say in such silence? Would "sorry" be the right thing to say? What could she say to make this any better and yet show him she had moved on? Cloud was her past. Her children are her future.
"When can I tell them?"
Aerith looked up at Cloud. He had an awkward smile on his face as he stared off to the side, scratching the back of his head in the process.
"I would like to tell Sora and Roxas that I am their father."
"Oh, yes, of course," Aerith agreed, "Well, I think it be best if I talk to them first. Prepare them for it. I don't want them to think you ran off from them or something."
Cloud nodded slowly. "So, later, tonight then?"
"Around six would be great. We can sit and have dinner with the boys and tell them."
"I guess… I'll see you then."
"I guess so," she concurred softly.
Cloud awkwardly walked away, wanting to say more but unable to. He finally would be introduced to his sons. He would finally meet his twin sons properly. When he returned to Tifa's bar, he found the boys playing outside, chasing one another with their pretend swords (sticks). He watched them closely, surprised that these two were indeed his children. How could he doubt it? They were indeed spitting images of him, Roxas more so.
When the children spotted him, Sora ran up to him while Roxas remained a little ways behind. He smiled and asked the older man why he ran off so fast. Cloud answered with a pathetic "no reason," before returning to his room. He avoided Zack and Tifa for the time being. He still needed time to soak all this in.
Sora and Roxas are his children. He is a father. Many questions bombarded him. What was he suppose to do? This was all so sudden. Was he supposed to bring them gifts for all the missed birthdays and holidays? Was he supposed to take them out for father son bonding? How should he even introduce himself to his own children? Would the twins even accept him? Worry filled Cloud, making him stare at his hands as he sat on his bed on the second floor. His eyes lingered on the left hand. While questions filled his head, there was still one question that lingered.
Would Aerith ever accept him?
She claimed she moved on but deep down he wished it were not true. He wanted to be with her just as much as he wanted to be with his children. If only she did too.
X, X, X,
Author Note- Sorry for the late update. I have been busy with starting school. Thanks for waiting and being patient.