As Costa Del Sol came into view you stood by one of the windows taking in the view. The one and only time you've ever been here was with Jace, he and Zack got some leave time once and you and your friends went there for a weekend. You smiled remembering how much fun you all had, between hanging out on the beach all day and bar hoping at night, it didn't even matter that all of you were underage at the time, no one stopped a few pretty girls and a group of soldiers.
"Thats your sad smile" Cloud said as he put a hand on your shoulder, "are you ok?"
You nodded, "Just memories," you told him, "happy ones, " you clarified upon seeing his worried expression. "I just miss them."
He nodded in understanding. "Cid wants everyone to sit down, we're gonna be landing soon." You just nodded and followed Cloud to where everyone else was already sitting. You had to admit you were pretty relived that you're landing soon, you've been going a bit stir crazy being stuck on Cid's airship for so long.
Cid dropped everyone off just outside of the the town before taking off again to pick up his wife. Your strangely large, motley group wandered into Costa Del Sol earning some glances from most of the tourists and even the locals. Its not every day a ninja, a vampire, a man with a machine gun for an arm, and a large former soldier wander into a beach resort town with a bunch of kids and two pretty girls in tow.
"whats everyone staring at?" Yuffie asked curiously.
You and Tifa exchanged a look before laughing. "I got this one" Tifa giggled before going off to explain it to the confused ninja.
You looked around, this place was just how you remembered it, the bright colors, the tourists, the breezy ocean air. You smiled this is the perfect place for Alyssa and Jeremy.
Tifa lead your group to a super cute house with vines covering one side, a sign on the door that read 'Gone to the Beach,' and there was an assortment of freshly planted flowers in the garden under the window. As you approached, the door opened revealing Alyssa who instantly pulled you into a hug. She welcomed you all into a house that would usually be pretty huge but you're a huge group. As everyone was saying their greetings you couldn't help but look around the living room. It definitely felt like Alyssa and Jeremy's home, you noticed a few decor choices that reminded you of their childhood homes. A few framed photos on the wall caught your eye, you absently wandered over and smiled at the sight of the photos. There was one from when you, Jace, Melody, Alyssa and Jeremy were really little, you were only about three or four at the time but all of you were playing with some of the other kids from Hazelton. The photo above it was of you Alyssa and Melody from when you were fifteen. Another was from your past trip to Costa Del Sol when you, Jace, Zack, Ryan, Alyssa and Jeremy ended up in a karaoke bar. Scattered all over the walls was various photos of you and your friends, some had your parents, others were just your friends, all of them were memories. In the center of one of the walls was a framed doctorate, you felt tears well up, you were speechless.
"Originally we were just going to have it framed for you, but Alyssa insisted on hanging it up, I guess to remind you that you always have a place with us, once you have a clinic its yours." Jeremy said as he stood beside you.
"Thank you so much" you told him, he wrapped and arm around you and pulled you into a hug.
"Anything for our girl."
"How did you get it?" Cloud asked as he walked up, "Tifa's been calling everyone she could think of looking for it."
"Well…" Jeremy trailed off "Reno tracked it down a few weeks ago."
You rolled your eyes and sighed, now you'll have to thank him. Cloud noticeably stiffened at the sound of Reno's name. Weird, you had no idea why he seemed uncomfortable about that.
Alyssa announced the sleeping arrangements: You, Tifa and Yuffie in the guest room. Denzel, Marlene, Skylar and Riley are bunking in Jeremy's den, Alyssa even filled the room with everything necessary for a pillow fort of epic proportions. Cloud, Barrett, Vincent, Reno and Rude will be in the living room. Now you understood why Cid was so ok with sleeping on his airship.
Everyone was settling in, you placed your bag down in the the guest room and headed back downstairs. Cloud began to approach you but as soon as you reached the bottom on the stairs you were grabbed by the wrist and pulled towards the kitchen. Out of the corner of you eye you could see Cloud's legs twitch, he was about to move to help you when he stopped himself. While psychological conditions are not your area of expertise its clear that Cloud has pretty severe PTSD, you could definitely tell Cloud was about to act on impulse but he was able to stop himself. You turned your attention to the one who grabbed you only to see that it was Jeremy. You gave him a curious look.
"I have to go check on the venue and the caterers for tomorrow, I was hoping you'd come with me" Jeremey responded to your look.
You smiled warmly and said, "Of course I will."
"Good because we're late" He said as he linked arms with you and nearly dragged you to the door.
"Dammit Jeremey, somethings never change" you sighed. He's always waited till the last minute for everything.
"I'm stealing Autumn for a few hours!" Jeremy called over his shoulder as the two of you left the house.
"You better bring her back soon! My bachelorette party is tonight" Alyssa yelled. You weren't sure if you should worry about that or not. Alyssa has alway been a partier, you not so much, it was fun when Jace and Zack were alive but you mellowed out since then.
Once you were about a block away from the house you turned to Jeremy, he looked so happy, you couldn't help but smile. Jeremy and Alyssa deserve everything in the world, they've always been two of the sweetest people you've ever known and they've been though so much.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Jeremy asked, "you've never been one to stare."
"You just look so happy," You told him. "I just want to make sure your wedding is perfect."
"Silly Autumn" Jeremy chuckled. You gave him a curious look. "Its already going to be perfect." he told you, "All we wanted is for you to be there, You're family, thats all that matters." You could feel happy tears welling up in your eyes, you were speechless. "Awe are you going soft on me?" Jeremy joked.
"I'm not crying you're crying" you mumbled as you wiped your eyes.
"Yeah ok I'm crying" Jeremy laughed.
"You will be tomorrow."
"I have no doubt about that"
(Cloud)
Autumn has been gone for about 5 minutes but it feels like an eternity. Suddenly the front door swung open and Reno appeared.
"Where's my girl?" Reno announced as Rude pushed past him and collapsed on the couch.
"You just missed her, you were late so Jeremy took her for the last minute wedding stuff." Alyssa answered as she brought Rude a glass of water, "What did you do to poor Rude now?" she asked.
"Being his partner is exhausting."
"lair, I didn't do anything" Reno replied childishly as he sat on the couch next to you. His mere presence annoyed you, I mean Reno has always been annoying but seeing how he treats Autumn brought that to a whole new level.
"She's not your girl" you told him, your voice was low and dangerous.
"She's not yours either." he replied. "you made that pretty clear." You bit back your response, You'd deal with Reno later.
"Reno stop it" Alyssa scolded him in a harsh whisper. Unfortunately it did not go unnoticed.
"Cloud what did you do?" Tifa asked. You turned away and shrugged. Tifa crossed her arms in annoyance, she's been suspicious that you've been keeping something from her and Reno's words confirmed that for her.
"Yeah Cloud what did you do?" Reno nearly yelled.
Still you ignored them, instead you turned to the kids, "Riley, upstairs."
"Got it," Riley replied before ushering the rest of the kids upstairs, you had a feeling it was about to get ugly in here.
Suddenly Tifa was in front of you. "Cloud what happened?" she asked you. "I know you don't like talking but we're your friends we can help if somethings wrong."
"Nothing's wrong" you finally said after a few moments.
"Oh really nothing's wrong, Cloud buddy, guess you really don't care about Autumn then." Reno snapped as he stood up
"Whoa whoa, whats this got to do with little Autumn" Barrett asked defensively, suddenly interested.
"Hey I think everyone needs to calm down" Alyssa started to say.
"We're calm" Reno said as he sat back down next to you. Alyssa sighed in relief and you relaxed a bit, though you could feel Vincent's stare, You won't get out of talking to him later, Tifa you can avoid, sooner or later she'll give up, but Vincent is so protective of Autumn, you at least owed him an explanation. " Just maybe Cloud should learn to keep it in his pants when it comes to Autumn" Reno said casually, so casually it seemed no one heard him at first.
There was a tense few moments, the room went silent. You were surprisingly calm, you leaned forward and rested your face in your hands preparing for what about to happen.
"Cloud you didn't…" Tifa trailed off in disbelief.
"Wait I don't get it" Yuffie said as she looked around in confusion.
"You ignored her for days" Reno accused, "You took what you wanted and then ignored her."
"You know thats not what happened." You told him calmly.
"Reno stop it" Alyssa snapped at him, you wondered why it seemed like she was siding with you, maybe Autumn talked to her about it? It would make sense.
"Cloud how could you" Tifa snapped at you, "Did you even think about protection, or Autumn's feelings" Tifa sighed in annoyance, looking for the right words to yell at you.
"Yeah Cloud did you?" Reno taunted. You stayed silent. This was none of their business and you shouldn't have to explain yourself.
"I'm gonna go watch the kids" Yuffie announced as she ran upstairs not wanting anything to do with this conversation.
"I'll make sure she doesn't cause too much damage" Rude announced before following the Great Ninja upstairs.
"Cloud and Autumn have been acting weird around each other." Barrett mused. "I honestly didn't think you had it in you." You shot a glare at him, you're about as emotional as a brick but you're still a guy, an inexperienced one but still.
"So Cloud buddy are you going to tell them or should I" Reno taunted again.
"Reno stop it" Alyssa yelled at him again.
"Its none of your business" you finally said.
"God Cloud I don't think you realize how serious this is, what if she gets pregnant, Its not like you carry protection around and knowing you, you didn't plan this" Tifa just kept going on. The whole thing is weird you and Autumn are adults and of course you knew you about protection, you're inexperienced not an idiot. It all just sort of happened, its not like you planned it.
"Tifa stop it" Alyssa focused on the angry brunette in front of you. "He didn't do anything wrong, its none of our business." But Tifa ignored her and continued to yell at you. Vincent was staying surprisingly calm, the night everyone returned Vincent did pull Autumn aside, you wondered if he knew or at least suspected what happened, but its strange, if he knew before this why hasn't he confronted you. You pinched the bridge of you nose, its been years since Tifa's yelled at you like this, and the last time was when you never came home from SOLDIER. This was giving you a headache.
"Stop it! Autumn can't have kids!" Alyssa yelled, and then gasped in shock, you could see the look of pure terror followed by remorse and regret clear on her face. It wasn't Alyssa's secret to tell, and it wasn't yours either.
That stopped Tifa in her tracks. "Wh..what?" she questioned, clearly shocked.
Alyssa sighed and wiped her eyes, mentally preparing before speaking. "Autumn is infertile," she said slowly and calmly. "Thats what you're concerned about right Tifa?" Alyssa questioned, was this the angry Alyssa Autumn wanted you about, because it is terrifying. When Tifa didn't respond, Alyssa continued, "There won't be anymore kids running around the bar, they had sex, it happens, you need to stop yelling at Cloud. I know everyone is protective of Autumn but we can't blame Cloud. This is between him and Autumn."
You glanced at Tifa, she looked pretty ashamed. You knew she was only yelling at you because she knows the extent of your mental instability and she's worried about you and her new best friend and what would happen if you or Autumn was hurt over this. Its just Tifa usually just gets violent first then gets rational.
You were knocked out of your thoughts by a loud slapping sound, you turned to see Reno with a very clear imprint on his face and Alyssa looking smug.
"Ow! What was that for?" Reno whined rubbing his face.
"Autumn told me what your drunken ass did and then you pull this shit. Tomorrow is my wedding and you better be on your best behavior" Alyssa left the threat opened ended, you were pretty thankful that all this was directed at Reno and Tifa, because Autumn was not kidding when she said Alyssa is scary when she's angry.
In the awkward shuffle you didn't even notice Tifa sit next you until, you felt her hand on your sleeved arm. You turned her with a blank expression, she was looking down at her hand on your arm.
"I'm sorry" she said quietly, her words were further muted by the sounds of Alyssa scolding Reno. "I overreacted, I was out of line." she continued, you nodded because well she was. Unsatisfied with your response she continued. "I shouldn't have done anything of that, yelling at you like you're a kid, I guess I never thought you'd have feelings for someone." she sighed, "Its funny I remember when we were kids, you were so tiny and scared, you'd follow me around all day. I guess thats how I see you." You gave her a curious look, you really didn't appreciate that she sees you a scared little kid, you hated thinking of your lonely childhood, granted you've had a pretty lonely adulthood thus far but at least your not a scrawny kid like you were. Seeing your confusion she clarified, "I shouldn't be surprised you have feelings for Autumn," you were about to cut her off, when she gave you look that said if you cut her off she's gonna smack you, so you remained quiet. "Don't go denying it, you've treated Autumn differently from the start, you never acted like this around anyone not even Arieth. I'm just surprised is all, I didn't expect you be intimate with her so quickly and I panicked. I said everything wrong."
You nodded thoughtfully, accepting Tifa's apology. but the conversation is not over yet. Knowing that all is forgiven, Tifa smiled and asked, "Have you told her how you feel yet?"
You shook your head ever so slightly, but you noticed Vincent watching you. You were surprised that he wasn't glaring but you could tell he's upset with you. His bond with Autumn is that of a father, theirs a certain level of respect that you violated. You were knocked out of your thoughts when Tifa slapped the back of your head, you blinked a few times before looking to her for an answer.
"Now I'm mad at you, you need to tell her how you feel, you can't just have sex with her and not tell her" Tifa told you with her arms crossed.
You sighed, "I know, I never meant to, it just happened" you explained quietly.
Tifa nodded, "you need to tell her soon," you nodded in agreement, you know you have to tell her soon, theirs just so much going on. "Dilly dally shilly shally, you're gonna lose her if you don't" then she directed your vision to Reno and said, "Right now thats your competition, you've got a really good chance, but you've seen the way guys look at her, if you wait too long…" she trailed off.
"I know Tifa" you told her. She nodded, and squeezed your arm before standing up and heading upstairs to check on Yuffie and Rude, the kids can handle themselves just fine.
(Autumn)
Along the way you found that Jeremy had planned the venue, the ceremony, picked the caterers and the menu. He wanted to make sure everything is perfect, he kept track of everything Alyssa had ever mentioned and planned it all himself. Alyssa was in charge of the seating arrangements, center pieces and clothing. You were truly amazed at how Jeremy planned everything, you got to do the final taste test, and saw where the ceremony will be. It was breathtaking, Alyssa will be so happy tomorrow.
As the two of you headed back, you laughed and joked like old times, but once you were a block away from the house Jeremy turned to you suddenly serious, you looked at him curiously. "Autumn I wanted to ask you a serious question, you don't have to answer me"
You nodded thoughtfully, its not like Jeremy to be so serious. "What is it?" you asked.
"What happened between you and Ryan? It feels wrong that he's not here, but clearly something happened." You bit your lip, unsure how to answer, you knew you couldn't avoid this question forever but you never prepared an answer. "I don't need details, if you feel this strongly, I know it has to be bad but I need something." Jeremy continued.
You collected your thoughts for a moment, "He's not a good person" you said quietly. "Jace's death really messed him up, in a different way then it did me" you explained. "he became violent and controlling…" you trailed off to wipe the tears away.
"Autumn stop" Jeremy told you before pulling you in a tight hug. "I understand now, I'll never bring it up again." you nodded into his chest, thankful that he was so understanding. "Whenever you're ready to talk about it, You know Alyssa and I will always be there for you, we're family." Jeremy told you as he pulled away.
You nodded with a soft smile. After spending so many years by yourself you're are so happy to finally have your friends back.
"Now come on, wipe those tears away, or Cloud is gonna kick my ass thinking I hurt you." He's right about that too.