Chapter 39

Sleeping

Embarrassment colored Tifa's face. He chose now to talk? Kunsel rose from his seat, feigning interest in the thermostat. Tifa appreciated the gesture. Cissnei preferred her hospital room warm, but it suddenly felt sweltering under Cloud's incessant lecturing.

"Is now really the best time, Cloud?" Tifa hissed at him quietly, unleashing her annoyance. She glanced sideways at Cissnei, who lay in her bed, contented in sleep. The Turk hadn't offered her room to Cloud and Tifa so they could bicker. The space was better than the waiting room, at least. The day was stressful enough to only sit and wait for news from Pete.

Happy news, hopefully.

Tifa scowled into her coffee cup, Cloud's effort to draw her into a fight, now of all times, making the rancid hospital brew taste all the more bitter. Hurting his feelings wasn't her goal, aware that she'd become short with him again lately. But she didn't have the patience for his narrowed eyes and frowning expressions every time he looked at her. His worry seemed borne of selfishness, with no regard for her decision in the matter—or Vincent's.

For his part, Cloud kicked at a chair, grimacing like he'd rather be mud wrestling a mob of imps. "I can barely catch you alone anymore." He scratched the back of his head. "What's gonna happen when—"

"Nothing, Cloud," she said through her teeth, exasperated and drained as she lowered her head. Kunsel threw her a sympathetic smile, so she swallowed another outburst, reluctant to let anger drive her response and make a public showing of their family drama.

"Look," she softened her tone. "I know you're worried. But can't we talk about this later? I've been up since 4 a.m. I didn't see Molly before they wheeled her in—and Pete hasn't come out to tell us anything in two hours. I'm too tired to do this right now. I just can't shake this bad feeling I'm having, and you're making it worse."

He groused under his breath and started pacing. Better than nagging about Vincent.

Their hours-long wait came to an end minutes later when Pete burst into the room, a little haggard and disheveled but grinning from ear to ear. "Come meet your nephew," he said, breathless with a boyish smile.

Tifa leaped from her seat and rushed next door, squealing as quietly as she could through her excitement. Her breath caught in her throat at the beautiful sight. Molly dozed with a little bundle safely wrapped in her arms as Tifa crept, just wanting a peek. A tiny nose peeped out from the blue, snuggly blanket. He hiccupped, a teeny chirp from his angelic lips, and Tifa covered her mouth, stifling the little squeal that threatened to wake the new mother and baby. Tears sprang from her eyes. He was perfect—Molly was perfect.

She tiptoed back out, and her shoulders relaxed, shedding the dread she'd felt since Pete called before sunrise, excitedly screaming through the phone that the baby was coming. Tifa exhaled and smiled. Molly was healthy with a chubby little angel. Nothing to worry about, so maybe Tifa could finally spare a few moments to set some things straight with Cloud.

The room appeared one person short. "Hey, where's—"

Cissnei stuck a finger to her lips and pointed to a form sleeping on the window bench. Judging from his awkward position and the press of his face against the pane, Pete had fallen asleep the moment he sat down.

"Guess that'll be me soon enough," Kunsel whispered. "You want to get your walk in before lunch?" He asked Cissnei, and she grumbled an agreement, easing herself out of bed to Kunsel's helping arms.

"Where's Cloud?" Tifa asked softly.

"Oh, he went to the cafe to get better coffee," Kunsel said. "You need me to find him?"

She shook her head. "Nope, that's ok. Just wondering." That suited her fine. She could always talk things out with Cloud at home. "I—uh—guess I'll go pull Pete duty, then."

They quietly left Pete to his much-needed snooze time. As they entered the corridor, Vincent exited the stairwell. He'd left her to baby watch hours earlier, saying he'd search another laboratory in the ruins while everyone stood vigil. He seemed clean enough. Tifa guessed he'd run into no trouble and felt her muscles relax a little more, not realizing his absence added to her tension. She wrapped herself in arms concealed by a red cape, fatigue giving way to comfort.

"The deed is done?" Vincent asked when she burrowed into his chest.

She nodded and turned her face up to his. "It's done. And she's sleeping. The baby is sleeping. Pete is sleeping." She had just enough energy for a little laugh.

"And what's the verdict?"

"A boy. I don't know his name yet."

"I hope it's Kunsel Junio—mrff—" Kunsel's eyes smiled down at Cissnei as she covered his mouth with her hand.

"Such a smartass," she joked as he kissed her palm.

Crash!

A nurse spilled into the hallway a few doors from Molly's, a cart of bloody towels and surgical instruments scattering around her. A baby's cry echoed a moment later.

"No!" A man shouted. "Argh! No! No! No! Aaahhh!" He cried and raged as the sound of furniture and equipment breaking rang through the maternity ward.

Glass shattered, and Dr. Bernard nearly tumbled from the room, tripping over his feet as he crouched with another nurse in his arms, their faces a mixture of sorrow and fear. "Call security!" he shouted, setting the nurse to her feet before the two sprinted down the corridor.

Vincent and Kunsel dashed toward the ruckus in unison as Pete dove into the hallway, following close behind from a sleepy stupor. Kunsel kneeled by the nurse still sprawled on the floor. "Are you alright?"

Tifa edged closer, her hands reaching for Cissnei's as Vincent and Pete lunged. They pulled a man from the room, his enraged face snarling as the two tried to subdue him.

"This is all Reeve's fault!" Luxiere yelled through tears. "And those fucking scientists!"

Tifa hugged Cissnei close protectively, afraid Luxiere might overpower his captors and injure the frail mother-to-be. They inched along the opposite wall where Vincent and Pete had Luxiere pinned. Kunsel disarmed him for good measure.

Cissnei peeked into the room first but quickly turned away, hands shooting over her mouth.

"What is it?" Tifa grabbed her shoulders, but Cissnei only stared ahead in shock, eyes watering with unshed tears. Tifa pressed Cissnei into the wall. "Stay here," she said before stepping through the doorway.

The room appeared ransacked, furniture awry, a window shattered, and medical machines and monitors lying in pieces on the floor. A baby continued its cries from behind another closed door.

Tifa peered closer, past Luxiere's furious wreckage, and saw Liza laying on blood-soaked sheets, sleeping.

No, not sleeping.

"Liza?" Tifa called softly.

The other door swung open, and a nurse appeared with the wailing baby swaddled in her arms. "Are you family?" she asked, touching Tifa's elbow.

"No," Tifa replied, her voice tremulous as she shot a worried, uncomprehending glance back at the bed. "I'm not."

"Then, I'm afraid you'll have to leave." The nurse was shaking, trying her best to calm the wailing infant. "Security is on their way for the—situation—and—well. Only family is allowed."

As the nurse tended to the baby and shut the door, Luxiere continued his frenzy in the corridor. Vincent, Kunsel, and Pete managed to drag him, kicking and screaming, further away when a security force of additional SOLDIERs arrived and took him into custody. Reeve showed a moment later, Bernard close on his heels.

"In here," Bernard suggested. They hauled Luxiere into a vacant room, a few male nurses entering shortly after with syringes and restraints at the ready.

"Tifa?" Cissnei looked faint.

"Why don't you lie down, Cissnei?" Tifa pulled her back into her room as the noise continued.

"Maybe you're right." Cissnei eased onto her mattress. "You should check on Molly. No doubt she heard the commotion."

When she closed the door to leave Cissnei to her nap, Cloud appeared, limping off the elevator. "What's going on?" He looked toward the sound of raised voices though Luxiere's shouting had subdued to the occasional struggling grunt. "Is Molly ok?" Tifa nodded, unable to form words. "What is it?"

She finally took a deep breath. "Just—go check on Pete and the others. Luxiere is—"

"Luxiere?" He glanced down the hall, understanding that something happened that wasn't good, nor something Tifa wanted to say aloud. "Guess I came a little late."

"Trust me," she said, wiping the single tear that escaped. "It wouldn't have mattered."

He reached out and pulled her into a one-arm hug. Tifa continued staring down the hallway toward the room where Luxiere was still putting up a fight. Sounded like the meds they injected into him were starting to take effect. His struggling grunts slowed, words slurring as he launched accusations at Reeve, Bernard—even Vincent.

Tifa tried to tune it out and sank into Cloud's embrace, taking advantage of his occasional show of care and affection.

The door to Luxiere's makeshift prison finally opened. Reeve and Kunsel came out of the room, Vincent following behind a moment later, closing the door. He looked down the hall where Tifa was still in Cloud's hold, his face an odd mixture of emotion but unreadable.

Reeve said something to him and began walking away. Another moment of Vincent watching passed before he turned and followed Reeve down the corridor.

She pulled away from Cloud. "Um—why don't you—"

"Yeah, all right. You gonna be ok?"

She nodded. "I'll just be with Molly."

Molly remained happily tucked into her bed, little Pete Junior content in sleepful repose in her arms. "What's goin on out there?" Molly whispered.

Tifa breathed slowly to calm her panicked heart and put on a brave face. "Luxiere—just—" The words wouldn't come. The new mother and baby looked so peaceful. She found it difficult to disturb this blissful moment for her friend.

Molly raised her eyebrows. "That was Luxiere?" Molly asked at Tifa's silence. "Is Liza ok?"

"The—nurse is in her room—" Tifa smiled weakly. "I can't go check—not family." That was all she could manage without telling a lie or ruining Molly's joyful day.

"Poor dear. I hope everything is ok." Molly cooed at her baby boy. "Yes, we do, precious. I want everybody to be as happy as mommy."

Tifa sat on the bench at Molly's window. The garden beyond the panes offered no respite from the tears she could no longer hold back.

The commissioner hated his job sometimes. The fulfillment and sense of worth he counted on for all the good the WRO achieved could be wiped out with a single tragedy.

Kunsel hung his head, as silent as Vincent, who brooded with oozing guilt in his stare. Cloud stood near, arms crossed and a frown matching the glare he shot at no one in particular.

Reeve put his hand on Kunsel's shoulder. "This is a distressing day. But I assure you that Rayleigh's team is doing everything in their power to prevent these circumstances." Kunsel nodded at Reeve's words. "I know it's little consolation, but from what Dr. Bernard reported to me in today's morning brief, Cissnei is—much healthier than—"

The SOLDIER choked back his agreement, swallowing hard before he answered, "I understand, Commissioner."

"As for Luxiere—" Reeve paused. The SOLDIER could be volatile, certainly. But Reeve knew the man cared deeply for his wife. Her struggles with the pregnancy had been more severe than the others—and Reeve felt an intense regret and remorse for her grieving husband. "I think it would be best to put him on leave for the near future."

Reeve laid a heavy stare at Vincent, who likely was taking this harder than his passive face suggested. "Vincent, I'm afraid we can't put this off any longer. I'm sure the Turks are motivated to find out what Dr. Curie has in her files. So, let's not delay your trip any longer."

Prayer wasn't an activity Reeve usually engaged in. Still, he sent out the silent plea to whatever force would heed that their research efforts would avert more heartbreak. He sat at his desk as Vincent and Kunsel departed. Cloud lingered, watching Vincent exit before he turned to Reeve, mouth pulled in a thin line.

"Something on your mind, Cloud?"

Another moment passed before the younger man finally unlocked his arms and shook his head. "Guess it can wait," Cloud said and started for the exit. "Let me know if something else comes up—or if you need me for anything." He shot a strange look at Reeve and shut the door behind him.

Reeve exhaled and wiped a hand down his tired face. Whatever that was about—he didn't have enough energy to contemplate. Cloud's moods could sometimes shade two colors. Dark and darker. Reeve surmised that his demeanor had nothing to do with Luxiere, but more pressing matters were at hand.

Reeve scratched his beard and turned to his computer, formulating the condolences he would write to the couple's family and friends.