Oh look a prelude. And this is going to be a looong one. Sorry about that. I hope the long chapter makes up for it? :3 Anyway, I need to explain the Villiers family huh? Well, Serah and Snow got married obviously but after about 5 years they realized that Serah cannot bear children. OH NOES! So they adopt two girls, Noelle and Amelia. :3 Then a few years after that, Serah has a miracle pregnancy and gives birth to non other than CLOUD. OH YES CLOUD. I'm pretty sure some other authors have done this before, but Datte and I had to. So I must give their backgrounds:
Cloud Katsuro Villiers: Around 3 at this time. Mini Light/Cloud Strife. Need I say more? He's a little more distant and aloof than Light, but he makes up for it with his loyalty and protective nature, especially towards his family. Cloud finds his father annoying, something he gets from Light, who is one of the closest to him. Cloud's biggest secret? He's afraid of the dark. Only Serah knows this and she promised not to tell. He secretly has a 'crush' on Lightning and absolutely adores and idolizes her, wanting to become a soldier to emulate her. Another secret: Amelia dresses Cloud up as a princess for her enjoyment...and she's the one who got bored of it. He still has the purple dress and sparkly crown hidden away somewhere.
Amelia Odette Villiers: Amelia was a child of rape, her mother giving her up out of despair and fear. Amelia is afraid people will continue to abandon her, trying very hard to keep attention on her. Because of this, Amelia loves the spotlight, doing anything she can to stay in it. She's tried everything from singing to ballet to baton twirling to even rodeo; deciding that she is the best actress in the world. She uses her talent for putting on a show to keep people talking about her, being very social and popular. She is vain in that light, often stressing over things like keeping up with the latest fashions and that her hair is always perfect. She might not be the most humble child, but she does give some of her time to pointing out problems in the world with her public speaking skills and star quality. She can easily talk people into believing her side of something or maybe get Daddy to get her something or get Cloud to dress up in a princess costume. She is often seen out of the house, having somewhere to be constantly. Some of her quirks include she is a vegetarian, has an odd hatred of some inanimate objects like staplers and lamps, watches her figure a little too closely, and can get high off of cotton candy.
Noelle Kira Villiers: Noelle was a child of tragedy, her mother dying giving birth to her after her father died in a car crash. Because of this, Noelle decides she wants to prevent future children from having to go through what she did, aspiring to be a nurse. Her dreams of going into medicine drives her, she often is found looking in medical books or bandaging a kid who got scraped on the playground. She is rather soft-spoken, only talking enthusiastically when something has to do with prescriptions or medical examiner shows. She's sort of a perfectionist, not wanting to do anything but perfect. She hates it when something is not organized, punctual, or put together. She also has a hard time taking risks, often secluding herself to things she knows and not engaging in social activities. Because she spends a lot of time surrounded by literature, she wishes to write books and often is found taking notes during an episode of a medical mystery or forensic TV show. She takes everything by an analytical view, but still has a capacity to be caring and tender. Her relationship with her family is good, she often takes responsibilities for her step-mother to relax and gets paid off by her step-father. A quirk of hers is that she always has a magical pack on her that has anything and everything you could ever need in it.
Oh god this is long X_X Sorry! Well I hope you like the update to make up for it! :3
Light knocked on the door before them, knowing full well what would come next. "HEY, SIS! HOW ARE YOU?", he yelled, coming in for a bear hug, only to be deflected by Hope. Hope glared at him, "What happened to being a man Snow? Tackling a lady like that." "Especially a pregnant lady...", Lightning muttered, out of Snow's hearing range, silently berating her idiot brother-in-law.
What she said within his hearing range was drastically different, "So, can we come in? Or are you all busy?" Serah popped out from behind Snow, "Please come in! You two are always welcome!" Light smiled at her practically bouncing little sister, "Thanks, Serah. We should have called, actually." "No, no! I expected you! I already have juice and everything! Come in, come in.", Serah practically dragged Light in by the hand. Light pitched forward, not expecting her sister to pull this hard, "Hope, don't just stand there. Come on." Hope shot Snow the evil eye then followed after Light. "Hey! What's wrong, little bro? I thought we were friends! HEY!", Snow yelled, looking at the retreating back of his "little brother".
Serah helped Light into a cushy seat and asked so excitedly and quickly Light felt like she was struck by a Thunder spell, "So, how was unpacking?" "Eh... Hope had something to show me, so my stuff is still all over the place.", Light replied, shrugging, "We'll finish... eventually." Serah smirked, "Uh huh. Then what is...", Serah snatched Light's hand and held up the ring finger, "This!"
"I said he had to show me something, right?", Light said offhandedly, smiling. Serah squealed, pretty much jumping into Light's lap with a lunging hug, "CONGRATULATIONS CLAIRE!"
"Mhm. You're squishing the Huggler.", Light said, squirming under the weight of her little sister to protect her child in some way. "Wow. We leave you two alone for five minutes and this is what we get? God, sis. She's MARRIED.", Snow said, grinning too wide to be humanly possible. Serah backed off, "Oh! Sorry Claire! Sorry precious one!" Hope was shyly staring at the ground, avoiding saying anything. "Precious one? Isn't that what you called Cloud? WHAT?", Snow asked, completely puzzled.
Hope's eyes widened and he began to slowly back away from Snow and towards Light. Serah put a hand to her mouth, "Err.. I mean, it's a really precious ring! Don't want to break it!" "What the hell, little bro?", Snow said, turning towards Hope. Hope scratched the back of his head and stared at the floor to avoid eye contact, "Light and I have some news..." "Quite a bit of news.", Light corrected, still smiling. "Head up, keep smiling...", she whispered to Hope, out of the corner of her mouth.
Hope put a hand on Light's shoulder, "Yeah..." He looked around, "Are the kids around?" "Don't unnerve the idiot. He gets creeped out when others don't act like idiots as well.", Light whispered to Hope. Hope slightly nodded and Serah said with twinkling eyes, "They are upstairs. I'll get them after you tell Snow the big news..." She pawed at Light's shoulder. "Do we have to?", Light asked, looking desperately at Serah without looking desperate at all.
Serah gave Lightning a ferocious stare, "Yes." "Hope? You do it.", Light said, passing the ferocious glare onto poor Hope. Hope looked from Serah to Snow to Lightning, then whispered, "What happened to do it together?" "Che. I lied. You do it.", Light said,"The Huggler says you should do it." Hope pouted, "Fine. I better get some gold stars for this." He took a deep breath and paused. "Snow.", he started, looking at Snow confidently. Light fidgeted awkwardly and attempted to edge toward Hope to offer some semblance of comfort.
"Lightning is pregnant."
Hope immediately looked away after saying that. "All done. See, Hope? 'Inability to be confident' was going to be the next thing on the list. But you did it. Good job, now we leave before the idiot gets suspicious. Come on.", Light said, gripping Hope's hand and pulling him near the door. Snow just stood there with an obvious expression of incredulity on his face.
"That means you...", he pointed at Lightning, "And you...", he said, pointing at Hope. "Did... 'it'?", he stared at them confusedly, making suggestive hand gestures to prove his point. "Yes, idiot. That's how normal people get pregnant.", Light scoffed, holding Hope's hand a little tighter than she would like to admit. Hope gave Snow his usual stubborn stare-down, but didn't say anything.
Serah walked up to Snow, "Come on Snow, it's not like you didn't see them together every day for the last few years." Light continued fidgeting awkwardly, "So... Hope. Feel up to leaving right, now? The Huggler sends his regards. We're leaving. Bye.", Light said, once more dragging Hope towards the door. Hope quickly followed after her as usual, not inclined to talk either.
"But Light DOESN'T GET PREGNANT. Soldiers are on birth control and crap!", Snow yelled. Serah followed after them, "Wait a second! Don't go yet!" Hope finally spoke, "Sorry but we still have unpacking to do. Bye!"
Light turned at the sound of Serah's voice. "And why exactly should we stay?" Serah pouted, "I want you to visit with Cloud and Noelle and Amelia... you haven't told them about being engaged yet!" "WHAT?", Snow yelled. Hope replied in a hurry, "We didn't even tell Snow yet either!" Serah giggled, "Oops..."
"So, let me get this straight. Light and Hope are going to have a baby AND get married?", Snow asked, confused. "I guess we have to explain now.", Light said, sighing. "Come on. We'll get the unpacking done tomorrow.", Light said, tugging Hope away from the doorway. "Sure... not that you wanting to see your little minion as the reason for staying...", Hope murmured as he was pulled back. "That is NOT THE REASON.", Light said, staring at Hope enough to have him shaking in his boots... yet again.
"We just have explaining to do.", she calmed down. Hope exhaled, "Yeah..." He looked up at Snow, "You might want to take a seat. And keep your fists to yourself or I will make sure they stay there." "I'm getting him to beat up people for me. Maybe he'll be able to fight like a guy instead of someone's grandmother in another six months...", Light scoffed under her breath.
Hope's eyebrow twitched as Serah chuckled and everyone sat at the table as if they were at a conference... but with fruity drinks. Serah wanted them to be at least kind of comfortable, but by the look Snow was giving Hope, it felt more like he was about to get detention from the principal.
"Hope...", Light said, placing her hand over his, "You do know the idiot will have to get past me first, right?" "No, don't do anything you don't have to. I can handle this.", he looked from Light to Snow, his determined face appearing again. "I'm not DEAD!", Light yelled, causing Snow to spill his drink on himself. "But you are pregnant. I can fight the battles for now.", he said, patting her hand empathetically. "Yes... Cause that makes me so much happier.", she huffed, "I've spent the last two days taping gun blades, in a car, throwing up, asleep, or walking. I'm BORED OUT OF MY MIND."
"That's gotta suck.", Snow said, attempting to be empathetic. Hope exhaled, "You'll have a lot more to do with helping to plan the wedding. Or at least that was what I was thinking." Serah nodded, "I can come visit with the kids a lot to keep you busy too! "Thanks. I'll be back to work soon enough, though. Until then, bring it on.", Light said, unable to stop her smile. Hope grinned, happy she didn't yell again and was as excited as he was. Serah smiled too, "I can help plan stuff too. I like doing stuff like that, especially for Claire."
"Hmm. So, Snow, you okay?", she asked, staring at her brother-in-law's confused face. "So, you two gonna get married before she gets fat, or gonna wait till after the kid's born?", Snow asked. Said pregnant woman was about to murder him when her fiance spoke for her, "I think we'll just have a small ceremony before the child comes. Light and I don't want anything too big or fancy." "Yeah. Just gonna be you guys, Sazh and Dajh probably, and maybe the quieter members of NORA.", Light said, staring out the window, Hope chuckling under his breath when he noticed the murderous glint in her eye checking for a certain scrap metal entity.
Serah smiled, "Okay, I think that's a good idea." "There. Planning done. So, how are the kids?", Light asked, attempting to change the subject. Serah smirked, "Upstairs. I'll get them. Noelle! Amelia!", she called as she got up, leaving Snow staring at Hope and Light awkwardly.
"Sooo... do you know if it's a boy or a girl yet?", Snow asked, awkwardly attempting to start a conversation. Light fidgeted once again, "Uhh... we're finding out tomorrow." Hope nodded, "They've got a nickname until then." "Serah came up with it actually. She decided the best euphemism for bad morning sickness was that the baby was 'huggling my insides'. Hence, 'The Huggler'.", Light said, cracking her neck. "That's nice.", Snow said, forcing a smile. Hope smiled but used it to hide the glare he used to get Snow to smile, "Isn't it though?"
"I thought you were on birth control though. Don't they do that in the GC so you guys don't miss work for too long?", Snow asked. Hope awkwardly murmured, making sure the kids weren't around, "Hey, don't give me any speeches. There was only a 1% chance she'd get pregnant in the first place." "This is our miracle baby. Beat that.", Light said under her breath, earning a smile from Hope. "So, this is your version of Cloud?", Snow asked, smiling widely once again.
Light was about to reply when, speak of the devil, Cloud came bounding in. "Auntie Claaaaaaaaaire!", he yelled, jumping onto her lap. Serah chided, "Careful Cloud! Auntie Claire isn't feeling good." Cloud looked up at his idol, eyes full of worry, "Is Auntie Claire gon' be okay?" "I'll be fine, Cloud. Don't worry.", Light replied, her maternal instincts kicking in, and ruffled Cloud's hair as she had once ruffled Hope's. Hope smiled widely, "Why don't you come sit on Uncle Hope's lap hrm?" "No. I wanna sit with Auntie Claire.", Cloud replied, crossing his arms and frowning obstinately. Serah picked Cloud up, "Sorry honey, but Auntie's stomach hurts."
The Huggler chose then to hug Mommy as an apology, and Lightning began chewing her lip and swallowed. She smiled weakly at her little nephew and said to Serah, "Hey, do you two mind if I used the bathroom?" Serah nodded even though Snow was about to protest, "Go ahead." Light ran for the bathroom, while Snow was puzzled. "Err... She's different...", he said, thinking out loud. Hope sighed, "The Huggler's huggling again. Don't worry, you can clean up the bathroom. In the meantime...", Hope snuck up to Serah and Cloud, "Does Cloud want to play?"
"Nuncle Hope? Why is Auntie Claire sick?", Cloud asked. Hope turned pale and began to stammer, "Uhm-well-you see Cloud..." "Nuncle hurt Auntie Claire? Is that why she's sick?", Cloud asked, still looking worried. Hope was sweating bullets, "Ern...no..." Serah spoke up, "No honey, Auntie Claire is sick. Uncle Hope would never intentionally hurt her." Hope piped up, "That's right." "Okay!" Cloud said brightening up. "What does tenshunelly mean?"
A young girl appeared behind them and said, "It means that Uncle Hope would never hurt Aunt Claire because she cares about her just like you do." "Kay! That's good!", Cloud yelled, sitting in Hope's lap. The girl turned to her uncle and hugged his waist, "Hey Uncle Hope. How's it hanging?" "Hey Noelle. How are you?", Hope said. Amelia stamped her foot from behind Noelle, "I want to hug Uncle too!", and lunged forward. "Uh hey...don't bowl me over now.", Hope's chair was definitely tilting.
Light chose then to step out of the bathroom, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "I cleaned up after myself, Snow. No worries." "AUNTIE CLAAAAAAAAIRE! YOU'RE FEELING BETTER NOW, RIGHT?", Cloud yelled as he ran up and hugged her leg. "Yes.", she said and chuckled at the antics of her little nephew, "Auntie Claire is much better."
Noelle and Amelia both immediately let go of Hope at the sight of Aunt Claire, his chair falling over immediately. Hope moaned from the floor, "Owww...hey..." Noelle and Amelia didn't pay him attention, lunging at Light, "Hi Auntie Claire!", they said together. Light backed away slightly as the kids barreled towards her, "Hey! How are you guys?" Serah hurried in front of the children, "Let's not hug too hard today okay? Claire doesn't feel very good." Noelle nodded, trying to understand, while Amelia pouted. "Yeah. Listen to your mom, this time, all right, guys?", Snow said, doing something responsible for once. Light said, smiling at the kids, "Sorry, I'm getting too many hugs as it is."
Noelle raised a hand to her chin curiously, "Why aren't you feeling well Auntie?" Amelia sighed, knowing Noelle was planning on popping a pack of bandages out at any second. Light looked at Hope and Serah, "You gonna help me out here?" Hope shook his head furiously, not wanting to explain to Snow and Cloud much less the highly curious Noelle or bubbly Amelia. Serah nervously giggled, "Heheh, honey, Auntie Claire just has a stomach ache. But she does have bigger news...", Serah's eyes flicked to Light's ring.
"Auntie Claire and Uncle Hope are going to get married.", Light said, sweating nervously.
Amelia burst in excitement, "OH MY! That's good Auntie!" She leapt forward to hug again but Noelle stopped her, "Yeah! It's about time..." Hope blinked at Noelle's blunt comment and made a face. "What do you mean, Noelle?", Light asked, eager to hear her niece's thoughts on the matter. (A/N: NOT THAT SHE SHOWED IT)
"I mean you two were showing physical signs.", she stated plainly, like she was diagnosing some sort of illness. "Physical signs?", Light asked, laughing at her niece's idea and wondered if she acted like that around Hope. Hope was sweating bullets again, so much so Serah was having trouble controlling her laughing. Noelle continued, "Yeah. Holding hands, talking nicely, smiling at each other..." Amelia joined in, "You're always together! Like in those movies I watch!" Noelle rolled her eyes, "Amelia can't stop watching them." Amelia huffed, "They're good! Oh! And one time we saw you two kissing!"
"You saw us... what?", Light said, eyebrow twitching in a way almost identical to Hope's, "Amelia... You should at least tell us if you're gonna follow us around. That way we'll stay kid appropriate." Hope turned pale and Serah finally laughed under her breath. "Serah. This is NOT funny.", Light said rather forcefully, clenching her fist for effect only.
"Amelia!", Noelle whined, "That was a secret!" Amelia giggled, "Whoops." Noelle sighed, "Sorry Auntie. Amelia wanted to learn how for acting." "Oh god, Amelia. Really?", Light said, covering her mouth. Amelia piped up, "But Noelle wanted to know for 'sai-nns'!" Hope repeated, "Really?" Amelia nodded, "I want to be a great actress!" She struck a pose and Noelle rolled her eyes, "It's science. And yes, because medical shows talk about stuff like that."
"Can we just move on from here and talk about something happy... like the baby? Oh, the kids don't know yet.. Heh. Heh. Heh.", Snow said, still grinning while inching away from Light.
Noelle's eyes widened, "A BABY?" Hope winced. Serah kicked Snow under the table. Noelle barraged Lightning with questions while inching forward, "You're having a baby? How did it get there? Speaking of which, where do they come from? And where do you put it? Is that why you're sick? Do you need medicine? Would it hurt the baby?-" "Uhhhh... Noelle, the kid magically appeared there. Cause Uncle Hope and I decided that we wanted one after seeing how cute you all were. And yes, your baby cousin enjoys hugging my insides, which is why I'm feeling sick. No more questions asked, or answered, ok?", Light said and sighed. If she had to do this every time, there was no way in hell this was happening again. EVER.
Hope nodded, "Yeah Auntie's right." Noelle nodded, satisfied that she was at least answered, "Okay. I get it. It's in your stomach right?" She fidgeted anxiously, "Can I...feel it..?" "Even I can't feel it yet, Noelle.", Light said, kneeling down to her niece's height. "But when I can, I'll let you know. Just don't experiment on him or her, ok?" Noelle nodded happily, "Okay!" Amelia butted in, "Me too! Me too!" "All right, you too. And Cloud, but not your daddy.", Light said, smiling at Snow. Hope shot a look at Snow to make sure he heard that.
Serah giggled, "Alright, alright, Uncle and Auntie have to go home. They have stuff to do tomorrow and it's getting late for Auntie." Serah hugged Hope, "See you later. I know you'll take care of her but if you don't... well I know you know I was the one who gave Snow the bruises." Hope got wide-eyed and nodded furiously, "I will! I will!" Light laughed as Hope's eyes got wide, "Don't worry Hope, we can try the Human Shield thing if she gets too angry."
Serah shook her sister's hands, "Call me if you need anything okay?" "I think we'll be fine, right Hope?", Light asked, observing that he still looked like a deer in the headlights. He shook himself out of it, "Er, yeah! We'll be okay." He walked up to Snow, "Well, I guess I'll see you later 'big bro'?" Serah allowed Noelle and Amelia to say their goodbyes, "See you and the baby later Auntie!" "Well, well, little bro. I guess we will be seeing each other soon! HERO LESSONS!", Snow yelled, patting Hope on the back unnecessarily hard. Hope stuck his tongue out, "No. I refuse." "Thank God...", Light muttered, looking up.
"Auntie CLAAAAAAAAIRE. Cloud misses you!", Cloud yelled, hugging her leg once again. "Bye, bye, Cloud.", she said, ruffling his hair, "I'll miss you too." Hope went to her side and said, "Bye guys!" Noelle said, "I'll find stuff out on babies so I can help Auntie Claire too!" Amelia sighed and Serah giggled. "All right, Noelle! You do that. We need at least one hero!", Snow said, earning a kick from Serah, "OW!" Hope nervously laughed, "Eheheh, you do that Noelle." Noelle nodded and Hope took Light by the hand, "Come on then, Serah's right, it's getting late." "All right.", she said, following him out the door.
Once they were out the door, and all the goodbyes were done, she said, "God, that was awkward in more ways than one." He exhaled, "You're telling me. I had to explain why you were sick to Cloud." "I had to explain where babies came from to our resident doctor. I think I win.", she pointed out, poking him in the shoulder with her index finger.
"Okay, okay, fine.", his eyes then narrowed mischievously, "You said the baby needed exercise right?" She rolled her neck, "Why do I not have a good feeling about this? Probably my soldier senses are being overactive... again." He grinned and said, "Probably because you're about to get beat! Race you to the car!" She sighed and smiled, "Okay, fine. I'm really tired today though, so you can't gloat if you win."
"Okay! Go!", he took off running. She followed slowly behind for a while, but got up enough speed to beat him to the car. He was panting as he finally got to the door, "How do you do that every time?" "Soldier skills.", she said, panting slightly as well, "Although you almost had me..." "Oh, I'll get you next time!", he said while getting into the driver's seat. "Hmm.. We'll see.", she said, punching him in the arm. "Argh...heeey...", he whined, rubbing his arm.
Serah giggled as she watched the scene from the window with everyone else, "Is that what you were saying about physical signs Noelle?" Noelle nodded, "Yep! See they totally were meant for each other!" Amelia laughed, "They're supposed to kiss now! Or it should rain... Something romantic!" "AUNTIE CLAIRE WINS CAUSE SHE THE HERO!", Cloud yelled. "I guess she is... sometimes...", Snow said, picking up his son, who giggled as he tickled him.
Serah smiled as the car took off into the night, "They'll be just fine. This movie does have a happy ending I'm sure." "Movie? This REAL LIFE, Mommy!", Cloud said. "Then there's an even greater chance this will work out.", Serah grinned as she took her little boy from Snow, "It's bed time. Come on."
"OKAY!", Cloud yelled, laying his head down on his mom's shoulder. "Bedtime story?" Serah whispered in his ear, "Sure. It's about a boy who partners with a soldier as they journey to find a way to live." "Cool! I wanna hear the WHOLE THING! Cloud promise he stay awake.", Cloud held up his pinky to prove it.
"Okay. It all starts with the soldier's sister getting lost...", Serah began as she shut the lights off and went up the stairs. "Did the soldier be best friends with her sister?", Cloud asked, rubbing his eyes. Serah said, "Yes. They are still very close. The soldier went out to save her sister...", she put Cloud down on the bed. Cloud wriggled on the bed, "Was sister OK?" He frowned, "She hurt?" "Yes, the sister was in big trouble. And the soldier would do anything to save her sister so she fought all these bad guys, bigger than your Dad!", Serah raised her hands to the ceiling for emphasis.
"Whoa. That's biiiiiiiiiig...", Cloud said, unable to imagine anything bigger than Snow. "Yep! It would be scary for anyone if it wasn't that soldier. She was very brave and strong.", Serah nodded certainly. "Whoa... She's a HERO. Not like Daddy... BETTER.", Cloud said, clapping his hands. "Well, the sister's fiance was big and strong like Daddy. He was a hero too, trying to save his fiancee.", Serah chuckled under her breath. "Was he smart?", Cloud asked, "Cause all guys are smart... like Nuncle Hope!" Serah grinned, "He was smart to go and save the person he loved. But he did get in the soldier's way a little bit. And...", Serah got a little sad, "He wasn't able to save someone else."
"Oh... how come boy isn't in the story yet?", Cloud asked, "Cloud wanna see da boy!" "You see, the fiance couldn't save the boy's Mommy.", Serah explained, "And so the boy was lost and afraid." "That's sad. Cloud feels sorry for da boy.", Cloud smiled, "Cloud thinks he wants hug!" Serah nodded, "Of course! Who doesn't want Cloud hugs!" Cloud stretched out to her, "I like hugs. 'SPESHULLY AUNTIE CLAIRE HUGS! SHE HUGS DA GOODEST AFTER MOMMY!" Serah nodded and embraced him, "Of course! Now then back to the story, the boy had no where to go, so he did the only thing he could think of. Follow after the fiance and tell him about what happened to his mom. So when he did, he crossed paths with the soldier." "Did the soldier be friens with da boy?", Cloud asked, growing incredibly sleepy.
"Well...", Serah tucked Cloud in, "Maybe you should ask Uncle Hope the next time you see him. He's smart like you said, I'm sure he knows how the story ends. But for tonight...", Serah kissed Cloud's forehead, "Good night Cloud."
"Good night, Mommy. Nuncle Hope knows da story?", Cloud asked curiously Serah smiled as she nodded, "He sure does. I'm sure if you ask nicely, he'll tell you how the story ends. But I will tell you, it's a happy ending." "Cloud promise he ask nice!", he nodded with his head on the pillow. "Okay.", Serah was in the doorway, "Sleep tight." Cloud smiled and closed his eyes, "That was... good story." Serah smiled as she closed the door and stood outside of it for a second, excited to know how the newest story would end.
"You excited for tomorrow?", Light asked, lying on the bed, "We get to go to the hospital... again. This is what? Take 3?" Hope was tired but excitement was still evident in his voice, "Absolutely! And I think it's 3, yeah."
He asked, "Do you think it's a boy or a girl?" "I don't know. Not like we'll treat Huggler different.", she said, "You got a preference?" Hope thought for a second, "Hrm... not really. You?" "No. I said before, it's still our kid, and we'll still love it.", she said. "Of course! It's a part of you, I'll love it no matter what.", he turned to face her instead of the ceiling.
There was a long pause until Hope said, "Do you remember when we promised to protect each other?" "Can I forget?", she asked, happy that the dark hid her blush. "I sure can't.", he stared at nothing, "That was the first time you hugged me." "I enjoyed the hug, if that's what you mean.", she said, smiling. "I did too. It was a little surprising. It felt so good just to be near you. Did you... maybe hear how hard my heart was beating? I was sure even Snow could hear it, even if he was unconscious.", he chuckled at his childish thought. "If Snow could hear anything other than Serah and his own voice, I'd say yes, but seeing as how that's not very possible...", she continued, "And your heart sounded like an atom bomb. Did you know you... liked me then?"
There was another pause.
The next thing Light knew, she was getting hugged around the shoulders. "What do you think?", he whispered right into her ear, so close his lips almost touched it.
"I think... yes...", she replied serenely, before falling asleep. "Then you win again.", he let go, allowing her to sleep peacefully.