Note: This chapter is a Christmas present to all of my readers. Happy Holidays, everyone.

Chapter 12- The Expecting Confessor

Yuffie's childhood home was one of the few things in Wutai that hadn't changed much. The quaint Japanese-style building had a curved green roof and several ornaments standing guard on the outside of the house. Snow had dusted the doorstep, and Yuffie could hear the crunch of flakes under her feet as she approached the door.

Vincent was behind her, carrying Hunter.

The door knocker was small, yet thick enough to make a deep sound as Yuffie entreated entrance. Vince could sense a bit of hesitation in Yuffie's demeanor.

"Don't worry. This is family. It'll be alright."

"Thanks, Vin."

As the door opened, an old man peered through the crack. When Yuffie's father caught a glimpse of the new family that he had not seen together before, he opened the door all the way and happily exclaimed, "Oh, Yuffie! I haven't seen you in forever! It's been so lonely here for all of these years!"

Yuffie embraced her father in a tight hug and queried, "Can we come in?"

"Of course."

Yuffie, Vincent, and Hunter entered the house and removed their jackets. Upon close examination, Yuffie realized that the inside of the house had remained unchanged as well. The family sat down on a huge green couch in the living room.

"So, Yuffie..."

"Yes, father?"

"I don't believe that I've met these two."

"This is my husband, Vincent, and our son, Hunter."

"You've married!? And I'm a...grandfather!? Goodness, I'm so behind!"

"That's alright, Dad. I'm sorry, but there really wasn't a way of contacting you."

"I know. I hate phones. But you're here now! How long are you staying?"

"I...um...I haven't thought about it."

Vincent spoke up and answered, "There's nothing stopping us from living here for a long time."

Yuffie's father smiled at Vincent and replied, "My, you're a fetching fellow. I can see why my Yuffie has taken a liking to you."

"Thank you...Dad."

"And let me see the little one."

Vincent handed Hunter over to Yuffie's father, and from the moment that the transfer occured, Hunter grinned and made pleasant giggling noises. Yuffie brushed her hair out of her eyes and mentioned, "He likes you. I guessed that he would."

"Oh, if only I had been there."

"No, father. We should have been here in Wutai. But it's not too late. You haven't missed everything."

Yuffie cast her gaze on Vincent, who appeared clueless. Not even he knew what Yuffie was speaking of.

"I'm so excited! Dad, me and Vincent are having another baby!"

"Oh, that's wonderful!"

Vincent hugged Yuffie and whispered in her ear, "You're like a little rabbit, aren't you?"

She whispered back, "Birthing your children is my greatest accomplishment."

Yuffie's father faintly overheard them, and said, "Ah, to be in love! I remember my first time. We were 16, and her name was Ichiya. She really wasn't more than a plain farmgirl, and I suppose she was more like a sister to me than anything."

"Yuffie, does he always tell old stories like this?", Vincent interrupted. Yuffie laughed and said, "Most of the time, yes. But I don't think I've heard this story before. What happened to her?"

"She was taken right from out of my hands. There was a rich soldier that came back home from the Great War. His name was Yamasto, and he lusted after Ichiya. All he had to do was wave his money around, and a wedding was arranged against Ichiya's wishes. I never heard of her after that."

Vincent continued, "My first experience was back when I was 16. Her name was Ayasaki. Ayasaki was extremely tall, at least six and a half feet by the age of 16, if not more! She started playing basketball, and after graduation, she went to play for a basketball league in Russia."

"Where's that?", Yuffie asked.

"Outside of Gaia. It's very far away."

"Well, my first boyfriend was named Tsuyoka. I had a crush on him, but it didn't work out. I caught him making eyes at another girl, so I snapped all of his crayons."

"When was this?"

"Kindergarten."

Vincent started to giggle, but Yuffie insisted, "It's not funny! Most girls do start earlier than boys!"

"Yes, but it's still funny."

"I guess I was just advanced."

Hearing Yuffie speak the word 'Advanced' brought a slight smirk to her father's face that the two lovers noticed instantly. Yuffie was the first to mention it.

"Dad, what happened when I was born?"

"What do you mean?"

"You used to tell me that everything happened like normal. I know that I'm partially robotic. How could you say that everything was normal?!"

"Yuffie, I'm sorry I never told you. When you were born, your mother was very weak. She'd had an illness and didn't make it through the delivery. Yuffie, you did something that the doctors had never seen in their lives. Though your mother was dead, you still had enough strength and willpower to be born. The doc said it was because of post-mortem muscle contractions, but I know the truth. You've always been independent, and that day was no different. It was as if you were determined to escape from the darkness into the light.

The problem was, you were a whole month premature. Even with your will to see the lights of Earth, you were still very tiny and vulnerable. Yuffie, you were so small, I could hold you in my palm. The doctors said you wouldn't last the night. I knew you were a born fighter, but I couldn't risk it.

You see, ShinRa was visiting Wutai for the first time. No one knew they were planning a takeover. I knew they could help you, so I got Professor Gast to do an experiment on you.

Yuffie, you are the only human on Gaia to have a robotic backup system. If you were to die, then it would bring you back to life. It was only activated to work twice."

"But Dad, I think it may have already activated twice!"

"I know it activated that first night at the hospital, but when did you 'die' again?"

"When I was pregnant the first time, I fell. I think the backup system was used to save Hunter!"

"Then you're fully mortal now."

"I guess so."

Yuffie looked over to see Vincent whispering to Hunter, "You're lucky, aren't you? You're our lucky charm, Hunter."

Yuffie was happy to have a loving husband, and she was smiling as she patted her belly. It hadn't grown much yet, but her admiration for her family had.