Hey guys! I hope you're liking the story so far
Getting the kids to bed was a nightmare. First Skylar threw a hissy fit when she found out that there were no sweets around. At first you tried to send the girl off to bed without any sweets and she started screaming. Then you tried appeasing her by saying you'll stop for sweets on the way to Kalm tomorrow but she demanded sweets then and now then continued her screaming. At one point Cloud got so annoyed he left slamming the door behind him. About fifteen minutes later Cloud returned to the bar with a small chocolate cake.
As all the kids sat around the table eating the cake, you sat on the counter off to the side with Cloud leaning next to you.
"You know you're a push over" you told him quietly. Cloud glanced at you then went back to watching the kids as he crossed his arms. "You don't fool me Cloud Strife," you playfully nudged his arm, granted he didn't budge at all, but still you tried. "You act all tough and moody but its just because you care about everyone so much more than you let on." You finished with a sly smile. Cloud glanced at you and allowed himself to smile briefly before he turned his attention back to the kids.
Now that the kids got over the initial sugar rush they were just about ready for a sugar coma when the next nightmare began.
"Share a room! You want me to share a room!"
You looked at Cloud in annoyance who put his hands up defensively not knowing what to do about this extremely spoiled child. You turned back to Skylar, "I know you probably don't share a room at home but here Marlene, Denzel and Riley do" you tried to reason.
"I'm not sharing a room" Skylar said defiantly.
"I told you she's mean" Denzel mumbled.
Marlene stood up, "You're such a jerk, all we've done is help you, and you've been so rude to everyone!" Marlene yelled.
The two girls advanced towards each other, it seems Marlene is going to be as hotheaded at Tifa. But breaking up a munchkin brawl is the last thing you need right now. "Cloud!" You said as you gestured to what is about to be a very messy spat. Taking the hint Cloud quickly scooped up Marlene and effectively removed her from the situation. You sighed in relief as the two little girls huffed in annoyance. Marlene decided if she's going to be held she's going to make herself comfortable and sat up on Cloud's shoulder.
"I'm sure we can find a solution that will make everyone happy" you tried to reason again.
"I'm not sharing a bed with her!" Marlene snapped.
"I don't share!"
"We're never gonna get any sleep tonight" Riley mumbled to Denzel who nodded in agreement.
"How about if Marlene and Skylar take the bunk beds tonight and Riley and Denzel share the bed."
"I don't share anything" Skylar screamed.
"Stop yelling at Autumn!" Marlene yelled as she tried to get away from Cloud. She was putting up a good fight, for a moment there it seemed like she was giving the ex-solider a hard time but he held his own and she gave realizing she won't be able to escape.
You ran your fingers through your hair in annoyance sighing as you tried to think of a solution. Then it came to you. "Alright Skylar gets the room, Marlene in Tifa's room, Denzel and Riley get my room. Everyone happy now?" You asked.
The kids all seemed ok with this. Cloud was finally able to release Marlene. You ordered all the kids to get ready for bed. Which started nightmare number three, you offered an old t-shirt of yours for the little girl to sleep in figuring she wouldn't want to wear her clothes and the girl refused demanding a silk pajama set. You absently rolled your eyes, like anyone in this house has a silk pajama set. You tried to give her some of Riley's clothes. Marlene even offered up one of her pajama sets to get the girl to shut up. You eventually appeased her with one of your sweaters and Riley's pajama pants and left the room to tuck everyone else in. Once you were out in the hallway you found Cloud leaning against the wall, he gave you a sympathetic look.
"We still need to talk" he told you.
"Let me tuck the kids in first," you told him as you walked to Tifa's room, you turned back to him before entering the room, "maybe a drink, I think I need one"
You walked into Tifa's room to find Marlene sitting up in the bed, she glanced at you before turning back to staring at the bed in a huff. You sat on the edge of the bed. "You're not mad at me too are you" You asked with a smile.
Marlene sighed and laid back, "I'm not mad at you" she sighed. "Or Cloud. I just really hate her! She's so mean. I don't know why we helped her, I wish we didn't"
"I know it doesn't feel like it, but you did the right thing" you told her.
"I still don't like it"
"I know, but you're a good person, and we should always try to help people, you never know where it will lead"
"I don't understand" She pouted.
"Well think of it like this, Tifa didn't know me but the second she found out Riley is my brother she offered me a place to live, I really needed help and Tifa didn't have to help me but she did."
"I guess you're right" Marlene sighed, "I'm just glad she's leaving tomorrow."
You smiled and tucked her in, to be honest you're glad Skylar is leaving tomorrow too but you have to be the adult in this situation. Once Marlene was content you shut the lights and headed to your room. Riley had already made himself comfortable in your bed and Denzel was nearly asleep on the couch.
"You two look tired." you laughed.
Riley moaned in annoyance as Denzel rolled over and sighed, "that girl is the most exhausting person I've ever met." You couldn't help but agree.
"At least you'll sleep well." you said as you walked to your closet and took out an extra pillow for Denzel, he seemed a bit uncomfortable on the couch. You fluffed his pillows and Denzel seemed more comfortable because he laid back and pulled the blanket over himself. "Sleep well" you told him.
"Goodnight Autumn" he replied before rolling over.
You shut the blinds over the window, you get a rude awakening every morning when the sunrises because you never remember to close the blinds.
"Hey sis?" Riley asked.
You turned your attention to him as you found a tank top and pajama pants for yourself for later, you didn't want to have to come back to get them and wake the boys up.
"You reminded me of mom today" He told you quietly.
You smiled it was the nicest compliment you've ever received, "did i?" you asked as you sat on the edge of the bed
"Mom always took care of everyone no matter how mean they were"
"She always did, she's why I wanted to become a doctor, so I could be like her and take care of people."
"It's more than that you're more like mom than you think," Riley said, you gave him a curious look, "You got Cloud to help make dinner, he never makes dinner, just like mom used to get Dad, Uncle Angeal and Uncle Genesis to help." you were a bit taken aback, before today Riley never mentioned Angeal and Genesis, you thought he may have blocked some memories but it seems he remembered more than you realize.
"I guess you're right" You said with a smile as you tucked him in. You stood up.
"Autumn, why didn't you tell anyone that you're a doctor?" Riley asked. You absently frowned, you didn't have a good reason. As if sensing your discomfort Riley said, "Its ok sis." You nodded and kissed his forehead before pulling the blankets over him and leaving the room shutting the lights and door behind you.
When you exited the room Cloud was still leaning against the wall where you left him. He gestured towards downstairs, you nodded and gently massaged your temples as you walked downstairs. Its been a long day and you've got a headache but the bar is still open for another few hours. Two of the regulars were waiting at the bar for you to return, another had wandered in and took a seat at a booth. You're really hoping no one wants food, you could deal with making a drinks but you've cooked enough for today.
Cloud took a seat at the far end of the bar and started to work on what you assumed was his deliveries, probably planning out the route for tomorrow. You walked up to the two regulars and greeted them like you usually do. They were almost always at the bar together, Jacob is a barfly, he traversed all of Edge going from bar to bar, anywhere that will serve him, you've learned that he used to have a family but he lost everything when the sector 7 plate crashed into the slums in Midgar. The other, Alex is his friend, a man just trying to cruise through life and make sure his friend doesn't drink himself to death. They never stay here too long because you always cut them off after a few drinks.
"Little late today Autumn?" Alex asked making small talk.
"Busy day, I'll be right with you two, just wanna check on the newcomer" You said as you walked over to the booth.
When you got to the booth you found that person sitting there was actually two people, kissing quite a bit. you were a bit taken aback because this is a public bar that does get pretty busy. "Alright call me if you need something" you called, leaving those two alone.
Walking back to the bar you asked Jacob and Alex if they want their usuals, a snakebite and a Jack and Coke respectively. They both agreed. So you made their drinks, and passed them out. You glanced over to the couple in the booth, you were pretty convinced they were actually trying to eat each other's faces but thats none of your business.
"So Spikey, what will it be?" You asked walking over, "after today I'm sure we could both use a drink."
"A beer" he said, a second later said, "Make it two."
You got Cloud's first beer but left the second to keep it cold. Then made yourself an amaretto sour. Cloud had finished his first beer by the time you finished making your drink. You gave him the second beer as you said, "Am I gonna have to cut you off?" you asked jokingly.
"I'm not Cid" Cloud replied simply.
You couldn't help but laugh, "you have a point." Cloud looked at you expectantly. You know you're not going to get out of this conversation, but you can still stall.
After a few more moments of silence Cloud finally spoke, "Why didn't you say that you're a doctor?" he asked.
"It never came up" you replied honestly, Cloud gave you look that asked for more. You sighed, "Honestly I'm not sure. I figured it would come up eventually but I never got to complete my residency." You explained.
"You can now, Tifa will understand." Cloud told you. You were surprised, he's being oddly vocal about it.
"Edge doesn't have a hospital."
"So we'll open a clinic" Cloud decided. You were about to argue because this would be an irrational move, you're in inexperienced doctor who never got to finish her residency with next to no money, you'd never get the funds to start a clinic, when Cloud cut you off. "We'll figure it out" he said simply.
You bit your lip and absently played with your ring. Cloud just looked at you waiting for a response, it took everything in your being to not get lost in his eyes. "Thank you" you said quietly. Cloud just nodded as you finished your drink.
Suddenly Alex and Jacob called you over. Jacob wanted straight vodka on the rocks, and Alex wanted a soda. Three newcomers walked in, they were early thirties, looked like they just finished work judging by their grease covered faces, probably mechanics from one of the local shops. They each ordered a few beers. While you were up you checked on the couple in the booth who were still trying to devourer each other's faces.
Then you went back to Cloud who was staring intently at you. You were starting to get self-conscious about it. You gave Cloud another beer, you knew he could hold his liquor better than Cid, and probably drink Barret under the table. He nodded a thank you as you made yourself cosmopolitan and leaned on the counter, you were exhausted, but you have a few more hours before you could close up the bar.
"Autumn" Cloud said suddenly, you looked up at him still resting on the bar. "Is there anything else you haven't told me?" Cloud asked quietly.
You were a bit taken aback, the usually stoic ex-soldier has been showing you a completely different side today. You felt guilty that you still have a few secrets but you just couldn't bring yourself to talk about them. You sighed. "Just two, but I'm not ready to talk about one of them" you told him honestly as you absently played with your ring.
(Cloud)
As soon as you spoke you instantly regretted. There was a deep sadness in Autumn's hazel eyes. You worried that you upset her because she started playing with her ring again. She nervously bit her lip as she looked away from you. But you couldn't help but wonder what her secret is, it can't worse than Sephiroth destroying Hazeltown and murdering everyone she cares about, can it?
"I promise I'll tell you one day, I'm just not ready to yet" Autumn said suddenly, now she was looking right at you again, she still have the sad far off look in her eyes but she was trying to hide it. "I really don't know why I didn't tell anyone that I'm a doctor, I guess it didn't seem to matter anymore."
"It matters" you said instantly, you were forgetting to think before you speak again. "Why would you work in a bar? " you just couldn't keep your mouth shut, Tifa and Cid would never believe it.
"You're a soldier, why are you a delivery boy?" She replied with a sly smile. She had a point. "Cloud I live here for free, the least I can do is work"
"I live here for free"
"Didn't you and Tifa grow up together? Thats like Alyssa and Jeremy saying I can't crash on their couch" she replied with an amused tone. You shrugged but you had your secrets too, the real reason you live here is because Tifa worries your mental state is too fragile, she thinks you could slip back into your delusion at anytime. You've found the courage to tell Autumn about just about every traumatizing event in your life, from being bullied throughout your childhood which instilled the need to prove yourself and become stronger to Sephiroth's attack and as much as you could remember of the events leading up to Zack's death, but Autumn can't find out about the months where you thought you were Zack.
You knew about her childhood, her family history, her relationship with Jace and friendship with Zack, and Sephiroth's attack on Hazeltown, but for the most part you knew next to nothing about the three years between that night and the morning she showed up at the bar.
"I'm sorry" Autumn said suddenly, you looked up at her confused about her apology. "I'm sorry I kept a part of my life from you, I honestly didn't think it mattered." she paused a moment before continuing" I spent most of the last two years finishing up my degrees, and I never finished my residency at Junon medical center because Riley went missing. All I cared about was finding him, Ryan thought I was looking for you and Zack. We started fighting all the time, he never helped me search he would just scream at me." Autumn paused to wipe a tear from her eye.
"You don't have to" you told her sincerely, you could see the pain in her eyes, you never wanted to see Autumn in pain.
She shook her head, "I've been carrying all this guilt around with me since Jace died and I don't want to be alone with it anymore"
You nodded thoughtfully and absently placed your hand on hers in an effort to comfort her. Autumn gave you a small sad smile before continuing. "Ryan changed after Jace died, I think he blamed me because he died trying to protect me.."
You cut her off, "Jace would have rather died protecting you than see you suffer, if his brother couldn't see that than he didn't know Jace at all" you told her.
Autumn absently bit her lip and nodded in agreement, "If Ryan wasn't yelling at me about not being faithful to Jace, he was calling me awful names or insulting Zack. Then he got sick, it started as greenish bruise on his wrist, then it spread and to his entire arm and shoulder. He became weak and sluggish. While I was doing my residency I was able to diagnose it as geostigma…" she was cut off by the group of mechanics asking for more drinks. She mumbled an apology before walking off in their direction.
While she was helping them she passed by the two regulars who requested another drink and soda respectively. You silently watched as Autumn prepared all the drinks.
"Hey barmaid how bout some service" An unfamiliar voice yelled, you instantly spun around looking for the source of the disrespectful voice. Most customers here are surprisingly respectful so this was unexpected.
Without skipping a beat Autumn replied in annoyance, "I'll be with you once I finish up these drinks."
You finally located the source of the voice as the male in the booth that's been making out with some girl since they came in.
"We've been waiting fucking forever for some service." he said.
"No you've been eating each other's faces, you can wait another minute" Autumn replied as she picked up the drinks for the mechanics and the two regulars and walked off in their direction.
"You can't speak to me like that" The man said as he began to approach Autumn. Unfortunately for him he had to walk right past you. As he crossed behind you, you stood up and grabbed the front of his shirt lifting him off his feet. The man was about to protest when he saw the look on your face.
"Leave" You told him, before dropping him, the man stubbled backwards falling once or twice before running out. His date awkwardly mouthed and apology before running out of the bar as the few remaining customers applauded.
When Autumn came back, you were already sitting taking a sip of your beer.
"Thanks for saving me Spikey" she said with a smile.
You just nodded and said, "I'll still listen if you want to keep talking."
"Thank you" She said sincerely. She paused for a few moments collecting her thoughts before speaking. "The geostigma was starting to get worse when Riley went missing. I don't remember everything about the night I left but Ryan and I were arguing, I just found out that Riley was in Rocket Town and Ryan was convinced that I was searching for Zack. He called me such awful things that night. I remember telling him that the only thing that matters is finding Riley, I'd stopped looking for Zack when I started my residency but Ryan wasn't convinced. He told me I was betraying Jace and then he punched me." She took a deep breath. You were shocked that anyone would harm Autumn, especially someone who was almost her brother-in-law. "I left that night and haven't seen Ryan since. Sometimes I feel so guilty for leaving him because he's the only family Jace had left and he was my patient, I couldn't find a cure."
You thought about the infection on your arm, it's larger than it was last week. "You shouldn't feel guilty, he was abusive, Jace never would have wanted you go through that." you told her, "I'll never let him or anyone hurt you again."