Why hello my lovely readers. Thanks for your continued support. I'm afraid I may have lost some of my followers due to my lateness with that last update, which saddens my heart a bit! But nevertheless I shall continue to write! Thank you a so much.(no this isn't the last chapter)

I DO NOT OWN FF VII

Chapter 19: Shines Brighter

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Zack stared at Tifa for a moment, taking in the words she had just spoken. He was a bit confused, and maybe if he was honest a little upset, but not so much as he would be if Tifa wasn't in his life.

"Well Damn." Zack said, scratching his head. "You okay with this, Tifa?" He asked scooting closer to her.

"Well, to be honest, Zack it kind of bugs me." Tifa sighed. She was really happy with Zack, she really was. But every time she seemed to move forward with Zack, Aerith and Cloud came back with a slap in the face that left a red mark an a stinging sensation that seemed to last. "Only because a few years ago I had talked to Cloud about having a child. We were doing well financially, and Marlene and Denzle were doing great too. I guess I was just ready to take that next step. Cloud wasn't, he thought the idea was ridiculous and wouldn't let me bring it up again. It just makes me mad that he..."

"He's giving her everything you ever wanted." Zack said somberly.

Zack understood, no matter what the situation he was never one to be angry with the emotions Tifa may or may not be wrestling with. Which only made Tifa open up to him more. She truly appreciated the maturity of their relationship. And as she thought on I more, she realized her feelings for Zack were quite overwhelming.

"Tifa I know it sucks, hell I'm kinda pissed too, but..." Zack started. "I... I love you, and I'm not gonna let their shit bug me when I have someone perfect laying right next to me. "

Tifa stared at him wide eyed. She was just thinking about how strongly she felt for Zack, and it made her heart pound fast in her chest to think that he was feeling the same thing at the same time. "I.." She started.

"You don't have to say it." He whispered.

Tifa stood from the bed and looked over her shoulder. "I may not say it, but I can show it." She said with a seductive smile. Zack's heart stopped in excitement. What did she mean by show it? He continued to watch he. She then walked to the doorway of the bathroom and looked back at him once more. "You comin?"

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It had been a week since Zack and Tifa had returned from their vacation. Tifa and Zack had opened up the bar once more and business was booming. It seemed as though everyone had missed them both. It was around noon and Tifa was making lunch for Marlene and Denzel in the kitchen with Yuffie while Zack was out fetching groceries. Tifa had asked the kids to tidy their rooms up, seeing as how they left them a disaster before leaving for Costa Del Sol.

Tifa placed the baking sheet in the oven and closed the door with her hip, and wiped her hands on her jean shorts. She then turned her attention to Yuffie who was sitting on the counter staring at her intently. "You two did it, didn't you?!" She exclaimed suddenly.

Tifa blushed a bit and looked at Yuffie sternly. "Yuffie that is none of your business." She said, crossing her arms.

"Is too. I'm your best friend. Tell me! Was it great?!" Yuffie said, now kicking her legs in excitement.

"Even if it did happen, and I'm not saying it did, I wouldn't discuss it with you."

"And why not?!" Yuffie whined.

"Because you're a v-i-r-g..."

"Hey! Am not!" Yuffie said, before promptly covering her mouth with her hands, one on top of the other.

"What?! You're kidding!? Yuffie you and Vincent..."

Yuffie blushed brightly and nodded. "Okay now that you know, you can tell me." Yuffie said smiling.

Tifa sighed. She was a little surprised at Yuffie, but the more she thought about it 5$3 less surprised she really was. Yuffie was holding back her passion for a long time after all. "Okay... If you must know, yes."

"I knew it! Yes! How was he?" Yuffie asked eagerly.

"Yuffie! That's personal." Tifa pouted.

Yuffie couldn't help but notice Tifa glowing, she knew something was up and it wasn't hard l get things of her. She was beyond ecstatic that her friend was finally moving on. "Okay, if you won't tell me that, tell me this. Was he better than Cloud?" Of course Yuffie knew that if the answer was no it was only because Tifa and Cloud had been together for years and they knew what made the other crazy. So part of her was expecting a solid no.

Tifa finally answered quietly and blushing furiously. "Yes."

"Ahh! I knew it!" Yuffie said excitedly.

"Alright now we can drop the subject right?" Tifa asked, a little embarrassed.

"Yeah, cause I think you got visitors." Yuffie mumbled as she pointed out the kitchen window. Tifa turned to look and she saw Cloud walking next to Aerith. Once they passed, it wasn't long before the knock came.

Tifa let out a sigh. "Oh joy, looks as though we have guests." she said sarcastically. Tifa then went to the door and opened it.

"Hey Tifa. Can we come in for a minute?" Aerith asked sweetly. Tifa studied them both, Cloud seemed a little nervous about something, while Aerith seemed to be quite content. In her delicate hands she held a small round pan. "Oh I baked you a pie. Cherry is your favorite right? That's what Cloud tells me anyway. It's for your birthday."

I hate cherry. He knows that. "Thanks Aerith!" Tifa said, ignoring the smug look on Cloud's face. "Come in." Tifa said, stepping aside for her guests to enter. Once inside Tifa closed the door and took the pie Aerith offered into the kitchen and placed it on the counter. Aerith and Cloud followed.

"Are the kids here? I kind of wanted to talk to them." Cloud asked.

"They're cleaning their rooms. What did you want to talk to them about?" Tifa asked curiously, although she already knew the answer to that question. She was merely playing dumb for the moment.

"Well," Cloud said as he draped an arm around Aerith. "Aerith is pregnant." He said with a soft smile. A smile that Tifa hadn't seen in years.

It still stung. Even though Tifa knew, hearing it come from his lips; the same damn lips that had told her to drop the idea of having a child all together. "Well congratulations." Tifa said as she forced a smile upon her face.

"Thanks. " Cloud said smiling once more.

"Oh I almost forgot, I have to check the oven. " Tifa said turning away.

Cloud made his way up the stairs to talk to Marlene and Denzel.

Yuffie was still in her place on the counter, watching and observing.

"Can I help you with anything?" Aerith asked as she stood by the window.

Tifa peaked into the oven, but as she did, a glint of light caught her eye and she looked in Aerith's direction as he closed the oven door. There, sitting daintily on her left ring finer looked to be a rather large engagement ring. Tifa gulped, that ha to be the ring Cloud intended to give her. "Is that what I think it is?" Tifa asked, approaching Aerith.

"Huh? Oh." Aerith realized when Tifa grabbed her hand. "Yes.. It is." Aerith replied a bit nervously.

"Wow." Tifa said surprised. Even more of a sting found its way to her heart.

Cloud walked his way down stairs and saw the two in the kitchen, Aerith's hand still in Tifa's. "So you found out."

Tifa dropped Aerith's hand gently and turned to Cloud, anger arising. "Who the hell so you think you are. You're coming into my house rubbing all your happiness in my face! You're an asshole!" Tifa yelled.

Yuffie immediately perked up upon hearing Tifa lashing out.

"Tifa?" Cloud asked a little shocked.

"I'll have you know, despite you coming in here and rubbing your baby and engagement in my face, I'm very happy with Zack!" Tifa exclaimed.

"Yeah and he's the best sex she's ever had." Yuffie blurted.

Immediately Tifa's face went red. Cloud stared at Tifa in disbelief. Aerith did the same. It was shocking to them both.

"Is that true?" Cloud asked quietly.

"Is what true, spiky?" Came Zack's voice from behind. Upon entering, Zack could tell that things were heated by the tension in the air and the expressions on everyone's faces. Tifa looked angry, Yuffie looked elated, Cloud looked broken hearted and Aerith looked confused.

"It is. Now leave." Tifa threatened. Cloud quickly took Aerith's hand and lead her outside, closing the door behind him. Tifa angrily grabbed the pie that Aerith baked, opened her kitchen window and threw it l the ground right in front of Cloud and Aerith.

Zack was staring at Tifa in shock, almost afraid of what had happened, but he still desperately wanted to know. He set the groceries on the living room table and went back to the kitchen. "Okay what happened?"

"Well Aerith as Cloud came in announcing that they're pregnant and getting married, Tifa told Cloud off and made him leave, and by the way she thinks you're..." Yuffie was cut of by Tifa's hand on her mouth.

"You told Cloud off? Awesome!" Zack exclaimed. "And what is it that you don't want me to hear, miss Tifa?" Zack asked with a quirk of the eyebrow.

"Nothing." She said innocently, refusing to let Yuffie speak. Suddenly, Yuffie yanked Tifa's hand down and spoke.

"She thinks you're a great lover." Yuffie exclaimed.

Zack and Tifa both blushed brightly.

"Is that so?" He smirked.

It was then that Tifa began to feel free. She had just told Cloud to get out, and here she had this perfectly wonderful man in front of her. She knew that Zack was in her life for a purpose, and no matter how big or shiny Aerith's ring was, the love Tifa felt for Zack would continue to shine brighter.