41: Tonight with George Crow

"Tonight, we're extremely happy to have this amazing power couple tonight. I won't keep you guessing who they are, because I know that you already know them. Please welcome, Tifa and Cloud!" the host announced, standing up from his seat as the couple made their way towards the stage. Tifa was wearing a metallic black frock, platform pumps and her trademark red lipstick and earrings, whereas Cloud was wearing a simple buttoned shirt and studded skinny slacks. "Hello, hello, it's nice to see you again!" they gushed to each other. The host took Tifa's hand and shook it, "You look spectacular tonight, Tifa dear." She smiled and took her seat. The aura was definitely different from the other talk show s that she's been to before, maybe because she was with the one she loved, and that this show was the show that only big stars got to. The studio was relatively cavernous, and the stage was decorated with simple a wingback chair, a loveseat and a coffee table. The host was wearing a pinstripe suit, with a rock band tee underneath. George Crow was totally awesome. "So, you beautiful lovebirds, how was Costa del Sol?" George Crow spoke with a thick accent and he exuded an aura of confidence, just like every other talk show host.

"It was beautiful," the couple answered almost at the same time. The audience chortled softly in the background. Cloud cleared his throat and crossed his legs, letting his thigh press against hers. George Crow smiled and said, "Really? I know it must have been beautiful for the both of you since you guys did something beautiful there. Can we see the ring, Tifa?" She obliged and let him see the rock on her finger, which sparkled under the spotlights. "Whoa! That is one huge rock, darlin'. How much did it cost you, Cloud?" All eyes were on him the moment the question left George's lips and he was instantly pink. It took him a second to reply. "It cost a little bit over five-hundred grand, I worked with the jeweler personally, whenever I got the chance." George looked at him and nodded. "I see. When did you decide that she's the one, son? I know that she's totally drop dead gorgeous so let's leave that reason out." George winked.

"I love her," Cloud answered quickly, suddenly reaching for Tifa's hand. "I love her, and I want to spend all of my tomorrows knowing that she's happy with me too. I honestly expected her to say 'no' when I asked her, you know. She had so many things she wanted achieve, and I want to be by her side when she reaches every one of those dreams of hers." He smiled, George was looking at Cloud intently. "She's the best thing that's ever happened to me, George." There was a collective rumble of 'aww' from the audience and some even clapped at his short speech.

"You were a pizza delivery boy before you became a model for Heart Locker, weren't you?" George asked. Everybody knew this fact already, given the facts that Cloud's mentioned it in all of his past interviews. "Yes, I was." Cloud said.

"Amazing. How did you meet your fiancé, given thehugedifference of your…uh, worlds? I really couldn't imagine…" George trailed off.

Cloud chuckled nervously. Should he mention Genesis? Cid?

"I saved her from a person, he was harassing her." Cloud said, "I was going to deliver pizza to her, I think she ordered two pepperonis that day."

"Really? So then, what happened then?"

"We sort of became sorta-friends then," Cloud said.

"Sorta-friends?" Tifa asked, laughing incredulously. "I already considered you a good person and a friend from that moment on, you know. I'm hurt that you considered me a sorta-friend back then!" Cloud grimaced. "Hey, it's not really easy getting around the idea of being friends with a hot celebrity, okay?" The audience laughed, and so did George. "Really, darling, your fiancé has a point there." The host agreed, who recovered from his laughing spell a moment later. "Did you know about her hiatus then?"

"I was just as surprised as anybody, actually." Cloud told George. "But we weren't so close back then, so you could just guess how surprised I was when she showed up at the pizzeria one day, wanting to talk to me."

"She came to you!?" George said loudly, eyes wide. "Wow. Did you become a couple then?"

"No, no. She was still with Genesis then," Cloud said, feeling awkward. Genesis's shadow was around and it was creepy. He knew that Tifa obviously didn't want to talk about her ex-lover, and he didn't want to explain further.

"So you weren't the reason they broke up?"

Tifa butted in, with an annoyed expression. "No, he wasn't the reason. The end of that story was because of Genesis's own shortcoming. I think this topic isn't relevant." George nodded, he seemed to enjoy that bit. He proceeded with another question. "So you haven't forgiven him, until now?" Tifa looked at George with a calm expression. "I'm beginning to, since the wound's long been healed. However, that doesn't mean that he's going to be in the guest list." There was solemn silence.

"Why'd you say 'yes' to him, Tifa? Why didn't you wait for me to propose to you?" George asked jokingly.

"You were planning to propose to me?" Tifa laughed. "Just as he said earlier, I want to spend my tomorrow with him, because I love him. Cloud isn't the type of guy that would let celebrity get the best of him, he remains the humble hottie that I fell in love with despite the success he's enjoying right now. He's the guy that isn't scared to get off the grid, something like that. I love him because… he's himself, always. I know he gets intimidated a lot, but that doesn't mean that he's going to back down. He's a strong person, and he's determined to prove that he deserves everything he's got today. Plus, he's an excellent cook!"

George smiled and nodded. "Okay, so Mr. Humble Hottie," the crowd laughed, and Tifa blushed. "if you ever hurt my darling girl over here, I'm going to break both of your arms, comprende?" Cloud nodded and said, "I don't want to make her cry, to make her sad. I hope that the only tears that I make her cry are tears of joy."

"One last question, lovebirds, I know you're dying to make out in the privacy of your limo now… have you decided on a date already?"

"No, we haven't." The couple answered, both blushing furiously.

"So I guess you haven't started planning for it too."

"Yes."

When the interview was over, George took a minute to thank them personally. "Thank you so much for being here tonight, you guys, it's really an honor!" George smiled widely. Tifa smiled and bowed her head. "Thank you for having us tonight, George, it was really great talking to you." George grinned and said, "Hey, don't forget me when you write that guest list, alright?"

"Sure thing," Cloud promised, mirroring George's grin.

Aerith padded out of the comfort room looking pale and dazed. Her hair was fixed into a messy bun and she was wearing a sweater and shorts. The television was blaring from the living room, where Zack was probably still eating the caramel popcorn. Her throat felt constricted, paralyzed, laden with lead. Suddenly, the television's sounds died down. She looked up and saw Zack walking towards her, hands in his pockets.

"Aerith?" he said, with a puzzled expression. "Is something wrong?" Zack's eyes were brilliant under the bright fluorescent light. They almost looked unreal. Aerith blinked and shook her head. "Nothing's wrong," she answered. The pink pearl gleamed subtly underneath the artificial light and gave her strength.

"You look pale," Zack whispered, looking very worried. Aerith clenched her fist and gulped. Zack took a step closer to study her pale face. "You sure don't look alright."

She looked up at him and smiled brightly, felt blood rise to her cheeks. "Zack, I've got wonderful news," Aerith said softly, holding out her left hand, which held the pregnancy test kit. He looked at her outstretched hand curiously. "Hold my hand, baby." Aerith told him and he did. "Now, open your palm."

A pregnancy test kit was idling on his palm, and there were two red lines. "I'm going to be a father…" Zack said dumbly, staring at the kit. Then he looked up at Aerith, who was practically beaming. "I'm going to a father!"

"Yes!" Aerith breathed before Zack scooped her up into his arms and carried her, shouting that they were going to be parents. Aerith looked at her fiancé's overjoyed face and her smile widened. There was evident relief etched on his face as well. When he finally set her back down on her feet, he asked her, "So, are we going to get it over with and have a shotgun wedding or do you want to wait until our baby comes out?"

Aerith grinned at him and said, "I want a shotgun wedding, of course. It sounds bizarre. But I also want a dreamy wedding. Oh…"

"Then, let's do both!" Zack exclaimed, giving her a wink. "But... right now, why don't we ride off to Gold Saucer for that shotgun wedding?"

"N-now?" Aerith stammered. "Shouldn't we at least call somebody to be our witnesses?"

"I think I've got that covered." he told her, whipping out his phone and dialing a number. Aerith didn't really have to think so hard about who he was calling.

Author's Note:

Happy holidays, from your procrastinating author! I hope that you all had good Christmases and lots of presents. I'm sorry (for the 300th time) for being unable to update- I'm betting that you all know the school-time thing by now so I won't bother. My only New Year's Resolution is: to be more responsible. Seriously.

Please don't forget to review.

VC