Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Family

Author's Note: Hi guys and I would like to greet another warm welcome to this story. I decided to post this chapter before things start to get hectic now that I am back in school. Spring Break was definitely too short. I won't be updating for a while due to my busy schedule. Since I am currently in my ICU rotation, I'm back in medical-surgical again. So, a lot of work ahead of me. I'll post the 3rd chapter within this week, but after that I won't be updating until June. It took me a while to post this until I get some information on Final Fantasy Advent Children Complete, you know, just to see if there are any changes. Information about that can be found on if you don't know about ACC already. It also provides all your FFVII, Compilations, and AC/ACC needs. Please read the second author's note at the end of this chapter. Enjoy! ^_^

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Chapter 2:

Dream

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Tifa placed the "closed" sign after Mr. Matsu and his family gave her a warm best wishes on the pending pregnancy. Locking the door, Tifa sighed as she stretched. Now that all the customers were gone, it was time to clean up. For some reason, Tifa suddenly felt this energy that she hadn't felt for the entire 9 months considering she felt tired all the time. She felt like she could do anything. She also felt like she was breathing easier as well. Maybe she was feeling better, who knows. She didn't think about it too much.

On a clean table, near the bar, she could see Denzel and Marlene working on what was left of their homework. Denzel was doing a project on Chocobos as he was required to do a report on a certain species. Marlene, on the other hand, worked on her math homework in amazing speed. Tifa let the two go on with their work as she went to the table to her right side. She was about to reach over when she suddenly felt a jolt of pain. Tifa momentarily stopped as she lightly grasped her belly, deep breathing through the pain. "The third time today," Tifa thought after feeling the pain slowly disappeared. She shook her head, thinking nothing of it since it weren't really contractions. So she ignored it and returned to her work. Before she picked up one plate, someone's hand took it before her. Tifa whirled around to see Cloud behind her with the dirty plate in his right hand. How in the world did he manage to get behind her so quickly like that?

"Tifa, you should rest," Cloud said, his deep, calm voice resonating throughout the quiet bar. It was the first time she heard his voice since he came home.

Tifa shook her head, placing a hand on her forehead. He was on her case again. "You know I can handle it. Me being pregnant does not mean I'm helpless, you know."

"I'm not saying your helpless," he said as he piled the four plates from the table in one stack. "You should be resting. You're too working too much."

Tifa placed her hands on her hips. "How am I working muc-"

"You haven't answered the phone," he said as he placed the plates in the sink. "You usually answer. You usually close the bar at 7 now and you've been cleaning up and down the house for almost 2 days. That's working too much." He then turned to the kitchen to grab some dishwashing soap.

Tifa was surprised to say the least. How did he know all this? Soon, her surprise turned to realization. She followed him to the kitchen. She watched him search for the dishwashing soap.

"So that's why you came home early," she said. "No wonder you were a little uptight. Maybe that's why you decided to kick the guy instead of pushing him off the curve with your hands, ne? Normally, you wouldn't do that. You don't like making a lot of commotion." Cloud simply shrugged as he continued his search for the dishwashing soap.

"It's in the cabinet under the sink," Tifa said, deciding to end Cloud's continuous search since he was making her dizzy watching him move around. He opened the cabinet and found the dishwashing soap. With a sigh, Tifa decided to clean what was left to clean in the bar. She was just about to reach for the broom in the corner near the door when his warm arms wrapped around her stomach gently. Tifa froze when she felt his familiar warmth. She could feel him put his chin on her shoulder.

She didn't expect him to say anything. Just his presence was all the interaction she needed from him. When he showers her with affection like this, it was these kind of moments she always looked forward to. After all, Cloud wasn't good at expressing his feelings through words, but actions.

Cloud simply remained silent as usual, letting himself enjoy being in her warmth. For a while they stayed like that. However, it didn't last long when he felt something on his hands. He looked down to see his hands twitching. His eyes widened, wondering what he felt. Tifa smiled as she placed her hands over his.

"Our baby's kicking," she said. "It kicks every night. I counted ten kicks so it's all right. I guess it wanted to greet its father." Cloud simply nodded his head and let the moment take them in. Again, they fell into a companionable silence.

"It's almost time," Tifa said suddenly, causing Cloud to jerk a little in surprise.

"W-what is?" he asked incredulously.

"For our baby to be born." She turned to Cloud and gave him an amused face. "Don't you know? It's already 38 weeks…"

"38…weeks…"

Tifa sighed. "Cloud, usually babies come within 9-10 months, 38 weeks or more. Didn't you read the information pamphlet I gave you? I know you don't know these kind of things."

Cloud shook his head. He didn't remember receiving those from Tifa. Tifa sighed again. "You really have a bad habit of leaving stuff around, especially leaving all those cans on your desk. Really, Cloud, be a good example for the kids…"

For the third time, they fell to a comfortable silence fell. She sighed comfortably, leaning her head against his. Their hands remained on her belly, looking so much like a new couple with their first child in tow.

"You know, Cloud," she started after a few moments passed by. "Why did you come home early tonight?" Although she already assumed that he came home early because she was working too much, she couldn't help but feel that there was more than just that.

This question caught Cloud off guard as he looked at her once again. Slowly, he looked away, masking whatever emotion he had away from Tifa. "M-mm…"

Tifa gently removed herself from his arms to look at him. She inspected his turned away face carefully. "You look worried. Are you worried about something?"

"It's nothing," he stated again as he began to walk into the bar to start his dishwashing duty. Tifa followed him there. By then, Marlene and Denzel were upstairs, getting ready for bed.

"Nothing. There has to be something if you're worried," Tifa exasperated as she crossed her arms again. Cloud remained silent and went about washing the dishes. "Is there something you're hiding from me? Is there something you want to talk about? Please tell me. You know you can talk to me about anything, Cloud."

He remained silent as he continued washing the dishes.

"I know something is wrong, Cloud. You would never hide anything from me. For 2 months, you're acting cold."

Tifa felt tears forming in her eyes, but she suppressed it as usual. She didn't want to bring this up, but it was bugging her for 2 whole months. She didn't mean to, but she had to put it out. For some reason, during those 2 months, he suddenly changed. He was more reclusive. Whenever she mentions something about the baby, he ignores it and easily dismisses it off. He never mentioned anything about the ultrasound of their baby, whether it had any deformities or it was developing normally. He never asked if the baby could hear their voice through the womb or taste the food that she's been eating, with Cloud asking if the baby would turn out weird since she's been eating these weird foods for the last 9 months.

"I…I feel like I'm not getting any support from you," she continued. "I mean, you are supporting me by helping out around the bar. But, are you really supportive about the baby? Do you really want this baby? You never really asked about the baby…or if it moved…or if it can hear us in here. I just—"

Tifa suddenly stopped as she felt another jolt of pain coming from her stomach. Although she could not see, Cloud's eyes widen a bit, seeing her grasping her belly lightly with her touch. Cloud was about to turn around but stopped when she placed a hand on her forehead. Tifa felt the tears coming and she wanted to stop them before they come out. She didn't want Cloud to see her like this. "Maybe I'm taking everything out of proportion," Tifa thought. Her hormones were making her feel instable and she feels like everything was out of her control.

"I'm sorry," she said after composing herself. "I'm overreacting. Maybe I'm thinking into it too much." Slowly, she turned around to head up the stairs. She needed to rest. All these thoughts were making her feel tired, dizzy, and oddly, nauseous.

"I'm a little tired. I'll go to bed early. Be sure to check everything, okay?" With that said, Tifa climbed the stairs, leaving Cloud alone in the bar.

What she didn't notice then was that Cloud did not budge the moment Tifa spoke her feelings out. She didn't notice the little tremors coming from Cloud's hands as he held the soapy sponge and dish. After a while, Cloud looked to where Tifa was, a sad, worried look appeared in his eyes.

"It's…not that. It's not that at all…"

He was in the room again, with the doctor in the same standing position in front of the bed, with his back turned to him slightly. There, he could see the familiar feminine hands on top of her stomach, with a noticeable white gold ring on her left ring finger. He could feel the tears welling up in his eyes as he stepped forward, trying to make sense of the whole situation. Her familiar face appeared in his vision. She looked peaceful, as if she were sleeping. The feature that brought out the most was her smile. Even through death, she was smiling.

"She was hemorrhaging. I tried to stop the bleeding. But, it was too much. There wasn't anything we could do," the doctor continued. "We didn't realize she was hemorrhaging…I'm so sorry…"

He knew she would risk her life for the sake of others. She would even risk her life to help her family, no matter the cost. It was like her to be selfless. A thought crossed his mind. His head shot up and looked at the doctor. "The baby!"

Again, the doctor blocked the emotion in his eyes by covering it with his glasses. The grim line on his lips spoke otherwise. "I'm sorry…I couldn't…" Cloud's eyes turned to the baby warmer to see a cloth covering a tiny life that did not have a chance to live.

"NO!!"

Cloud instantly woke up by the sound of his name being called, breaking the dreary dream instantaneously. Instinct took over him and he immediately grabbed for his First Tsurugi. When he grabbed for the handle, he turned, facing whatever intruder went into his room. But, he stopped and dropped his hand from the handle. The once glowing angry look from his eyes disappeared and worry filled them as he saw Tifa there, sitting up on their bed, grasping her stomach in pain. She was moaning, grimacing painfully.

Cloud immediately went to her side. "Tifa. Tifa!" he called.

"Cloud…help…" she managed to say as she opened her eyes to look at him.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?" he asked, placing one arm around her and other on her stomach.

"I think…I think…it's time…"

"T-time…?"

Tifa nodded. "My contractions are 20 minutes apart. I was trying to walk to the bathroom when it started. The contractions won't disappear."

"Con-trac-tions…"Cloud pronounced cluelessly. He recalled learning about that somewhere.

Tifa sighed frustratingly. "I need to go to the hospital. NOW! The baby…it's time!"

As if struck by lightning, Cloud finally realized what was going on.

…

"I'm sorry…I couldn't save them both…"

…

A mixture of dread and excitement filled his mind. He averted his eyes away from Tifa and began pacing, with a confused look on his face.

"O-oh," he said absentmindedly as he began to pace around the room.

"Cloud!" He looked at Tifa when she called him.

He opened his mouth and was about to say something, but he couldn't. "I-I…" he managed to utter before looking at the ground again.

"Cloud, what's wrong with you?!" she asked. "Didn't you have plans already?"

A guilty look passed his features. "I-I did. But, I forgot…"

Tifa bowed her head exasperatingly. "Cloud…"

The door to their room suddenly opened. Cloud reacted again only to stop when he realized Denzel and Marlene where there. "Cloud, what's going on? What's wrong with Tifa?" Denzel asked worriedly, his arm wrapped around Marlene's tiny shoulders protectively.

"T-Tifa…is…" Cloud was speechless at this point. He didn't know what to say to a child.

"Denzel," Tifa said, deciding it was best to tell him instead of Cloud who was incoherent at the moment. "You're going to have a baby brother or sister soon."

Denzel's eyes widened in surprise. Immediately, Denzel started walking around just like Cloud did a few moments ago. "Oh no! T-This is new to me…!" he turned to Cloud. "What should we do? What are we going to do? Cloud?!" Both men were incoherent right now.

"I'm going to call daddy!" Marlene, the only one who was leveled headed at the moment, suggested as she ran to Cloud's office to call her father. As Marlene ran over to the office, Cloud looked like he was almost going to faint. Not just because of the situation, but the vivid images of his dream came alive. This situation triggered it to come to life. However, he managed to regain his composure and turned to Denzel with a blank look in his eyes.

"Denzel, get ready. Tifa's bag is in the closet. Be sure you get everything prepared when Barret arrives."

"R-Right!" Denzel said as he ran into his room to get himself ready. Cloud then decided to get himself ready as he put on his pants.

"Cloud…" Cloud looked up to see a worried glance from Tifa. Zipping up his pants, Cloud grabbed her robe and placed it above her pajamas. Wordlessly, Cloud finished dressing up. By then, Marlene came in.

"Papa's coming. He isn't far. He said he'll be here in 5 minutes," Marlene informed excitedly. "Papa was going to surprise us today!"

As Barret said, he came within 5 minutes, roughly opening the door and dashing into the bar. "Oi! Cloud! Tifa! I got here as I fast I could! What's happenin'?!" Barret called with his thunderous voice.

Cloud strapped the last belt of First Tsurugi's holder and turned to Tifa. "I'll be back…" He grabbed his sword and placed it in his unique holder on the lower portion of his body.

"Cloud, where are you going?" she asked as she stopped him. He didn't say anything as his back was turned to her. Tifa couldn't make out his emotions as his back was turned to her. Both stood there silently, not knowing what to say to each other. Tifa knew what Cloud was doing. She hoped it wasn't the worst case scenario: Running away.

Tifa relented as she gave a sigh. She turned her eyes away from him, placing her hand above her heart. "If…you're not going to tell me where you're going…then…can you at least tell me…that you would be there?"

He looked at her to see the sad look in her eyes. A guilty look passed his features. Slowly, he turned to her and gently grabbed her hands. Tifa looked up to him to see his gaze pierce into hers. What was Cloud up to? Why did he have the look that told her he needed to run away?

Gently, Cloud leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek before heading down the stairs.

"Cloud!" Tifa called worriedly.

Within seconds, Cloud was at the bottom of the stairs when he saw Barret picking up Marlene to greet her.

"Oi! Spike! Where ya goin'?" Barret asked as he slowly put Marlene down.

"Going out. There's something I have to do," Cloud said. He stopped for a moment before the front door, his eyes in a contemplative state. Barret frowned slightly as he looked at Cloud's behind, wondering what he was trying to do.

"Take care of her," he finally said. With that, Cloud went to the curb where his motorcycle was parked and started Fenrir. Barret ran out to stop him but it was too late. Cloud left.

"Cloud!!!"

Author's Note 2: Dramatic moment, huh? I tried as much as I could to put as much feeling into this as possible. I tried my best to stay in Cloud's character as much as possible too. This chapter was a little hard. I've probably came up with 2 scenarios how Cloud react to Tifa being in labor. I wanted to show that guys like Cloud do lose their cool when it comes to this. Complete pandemonium when a woman is in labor. Trust me, I've seen a lot during my rotation on Labor and Delivery. Some cases were crazier than this. And a lot of the fathers handle it differently. I think some of my readers who had experienced this agree, right? This is Cloud's way of dealing with it. I believe it is fitting that Cloud took off like that. He has a lot to think about. I'll probably post the different little scenarios as a little extra after the end of this story.

To vx-Luna-xv: The reason I decided to have Cloud and Tifa not married yet will be explained in the next chapter. I'm sorry, but I don't want to spoil it. You'll find out why. ^_^ To Stryper: You'replanning to be a nurse! That's great! Glad to hear that more nursing students are coming on board. It's going to be long path, but you can do it. I thought at first it will never end when I started nursing school, but I managed to come this far and already I'm freaking out because graduation is around the corner. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me and I'll try to answer as much as I could.

Now, on to some facts that I want to point out in this chapter:

True Labor sign and symptoms (meaning YOU ARE IN LABOR!):

Contractions at regular intervals, growing in duration and intensity. So, the contractions will shorten as time grows by and pain. In a way, it feels like cramps on a normal menstrual cycle, but worse.

Discomfort begins in back and radiates to front of abdomen

Walking intensifies contractions

Resting or relaxing in warm water does not decrease intensity

False Labor sign/symptoms (False alarm): Just think of it as the opposite of S/S of True Labor. SO! Cramps do disappear when walking. Discomfort only radiates in the back.

Premonitory signs of Labor (meaning: YOU NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL! NOW):

Rupture of membranes, or your Water broke. You need to go to the hospital right away. Labor will begin within the 24 hours, but really, depends on the mother. The fluid supports the baby. Without the fluid, the baby will descend down. Also, the umbilical cord will be pressed into the walls and that's not good because that's the baby's only lifeline. Go to the hospital immediately.

Sudden outburst of energy called nesting as a result of this sudden energy do something like cleaning the house, as if the mom is preparing for the child

Lightening: sudden increase in breathing. When you are pregnant, as the fetus grows, the organs on the lower portion go up, pushing the diaphragm into the upper portion of the body, resulting to shortness of breath for the mom. But, if the mom experiences suddenly feels like they are breathing, then that means the baby is descending to the pelvis. Also, the mother will experience rectal pressure and increase leg cramps. The baby is putting on pressure on the veins and arteries of the leg, reducing blood flow, resulting to cramps due to poor circulation.

Contractions are short, within 0-30 minutes depending what stage you are in

Loss of 1-3 lbs

This is the start of the laboring process. The mother must be aware of these signs and do interventions to go to the hospital to prevent further complications. Please be aware of these symptoms.

Another thing I would like to point out is the baby's kicks. Within the 3 hours, you must count at least 10 or more kicks. If it's less than that, try waking the baby up by eating something or drinking water. Count 10 or more kicks again after the intervention. If it is less than 10 again and interventions failed, go to the hospital IMMEDIATELY.

Did I gross you out? Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I truly appreciate it! Please continue to review and let me know what you think or have any questions. Thanks again! See you next time! ^_^

-Kuti