*friendly reminder that I'm not trying to be a writer nor am i trying to improve my writing. this is simply a way for me to relieve some stress an anxiety and because i enjoy the characters and my life is a mess. Its an escape that i chose to publish because i've been reading poorly written fanfiction for years and if my ideas can give someone else the escape i needed that's wonderful. if you don't like my writing then why are you still reading 40 chapters later. - sorry for the rant guys, I got a bunch of nasty messages recently and felt I needed to address it*
It had been about two weeks since Sephiroth was defeated and for the most part things have gotten back to normal. Its always a toss up of whose gonna wake up first between you and Tifa, but whoever wakes up first starts breakfast, the other gets the kids ready and Cloud usually wanders in about halfway through breakfast. Then you and Tifa go through the chores for the day, usually cleaning the bar or grocery shopping, and Cloud goes off to work, thankfully he's started to get deliveries again. You finally heard back from some of your old mentors and you started planning a trip to Junon to meet with them.
Though their has been a strange occurrence, you've been infertile for years, ever since you miscarried when Sephiroth attacked Hazeltown, sure sometimes you'd still get an irregular period but your period started the other day and it was exactly like the ones you would have before the miscarriage. You emailed Dr. Winters, she had been your mother's mentor as well as your own and you definitely wanted to talk to her about this. Its only been an hour since you emailed her, but you were getting anxious waiting for a response.
"Autumn" Tifa said suddenly catching your attention. You blinked a few times, you couldn't help but be distracted, what if you're not… no you didn't want to get your hopes up. "You ok?" she asked, you could tell from her tone that wasn't what she was going to ask originally.
"Yes, sorry, I guess I'm just distracted." you replied.
She gave you a look as if trying to figure it out before accepting your answer. "Why don't you and Cloud spend the day together" She suggested.
You and Cloud looked at each other but then Cloud frowned, "I have a few deliveries" he said.
"So take Autumn with you!" Tifa said, before either of could respond she continued, "then its decided, I'll clean up here" she said as she began cleaning the breakfast dishes. "You two get going." You were pretty confused as to why Tifa is being so pushy. Cloud just shrugged and tried to take a snip of his coffee when Tifa snatched it out of his hands. "Go" she said before ushering the two of you out of the kitchen.
"What was that about?" you asked in confusion.
"No idea" Cloud replied.
"Its not like she needs to force us to spend time together" you mumbled. You gasped as Cloud wrapped an arm around your waist and pulled you to him, you looked up at him curiously, he looked genuinely happy with a hint of mischief in his eyes. "What are you…" you trailed off as Cloud carefully lifted your chin, your lips were only an inch apart. You couldn't help but get lost in his eyes.
"I want to spend all of my time with you" Cloud finally said, you could feel his breath on your lips. You closed your eyes in anticipation as you felt Cloud move a hand to you cheek.
"EW!"
Your eyes snapped open as you tried to pull away but Cloud kept you close.
"Do you really have to do that here?" Denzel whined.
"Come on the living room is for everyone" Skylar added.
"I think its romantic" Marlene said. The kids shared a few laughs except for Riley who mimed 'i'm watching you' to Cloud.
"You're still here?" Tifa asked from the doorway.
Cloud reluctantly released you. "Give me five minutes" you told him before you scurried upstairs and into your room leaving the poor former SOLDIER to deal with the grossed out kids and Tifa's unwarranted wrath.
As you brushed out your hair, you noticed your phone had several alerts, a text from Alyssa saying that she and Jeremy made it home alright, several texts from Vincent, though they didn't make sense, it seems he's trying to figure out how to use his new phone. You texted him backing reminding him that he better be back soon, he's only been gone two days and while you knew he'll be back soon, the kids weren't too sure. You were a bit disappointed, still no response from Dr Winters and no response from Skylar's mom either. That one worried you, it had been two weeks and she hasn't responded to any of your calls or texts. You decided to try again, leaving a quick voicemail.
After quickly checking yourself in the mirror you headed back downstairs, where you found Cloud laying on the living room floor with Riley, Marlene, Denzel and Skylar all sitting on top of him.
"New game?" you asked.
Marlene tried to explain the rules to you, but Denzel and Skylar kept cutting her off and talking over each other, you just smiled and nodded your head, you had no idea what the point of this game is but at least they seem to be having fun. When the explanation was over you looked at Cloud who just simply said "I've been defeated"
"Well yeah you're suppose to slay the dragon" Marlene said in a matter-of-fact tone as she crossed her arms.
"Oh excuse me" Cloud said as he easily sat up causing all the kids to tumble off of him, "I've been slain" he said as he stood up, "I'm also apparently a dragon." you giggled at the sheer ridiculousness of the statement.
"Awe don't go we want to play more" Denzel said.
"Yeah we need a dragon" Marlene ordered stomping her foot.
"Don't you think Tifa would make a better dragon?" Cloud asked as he picked up a few small packages and the two of you headed outside.
"Cloud," you gasped,"be nice" you told him with a playful push, granted Cloud didn't budge at all but still, he just chuckled at your attempt.
You waited as Cloud took Fenrir out. "So where are all your deliveries." you asked curiously.
"They're just around Edge, it shouldn't take too long" Cloud replied as he mounted fenrir and motioned for you to join him. You hopped on behind Cloud and wrapped your arms around his torso, deciding to have some fun with this, you cuddled up as close as you could to him, causing a low almost inaudible grunt from Cloud. "Autumn.." he trailed off as he shifted enough to glance at you.
"Something wrong?" you asked innocently.
Cloud just shook his head and speed off in the direction of the shopping district of Edge. The first few deliveries were pretty standard, mostly messages or paperwork for a few business, those went pretty fast, it seems most businesses don't want a large man in leather hanging out in their lobby. Then you headed to the auto shop district, these deliveries took a bit longer, delivering small parts and making small talk with the owners, Cloud was surprisingly knowledgable about not only motorcycles but all kinds of atvs and cars. Plus he was networking, most of his pick up's and deliveries are parts that the shop's need, he's definitely working hard to rebuild his business.
You recognized the last shop as it was Pop's the same one you delivered to once. As you pulled up and hopped off Fenrir you could hear Miguel, a young mechanic and regular at the bar call out, "yo Pops, Strife is here!" Then he turned back to you and did a finger guns gesture as he said "Hey Autumn looking good"
"Ah thanks" you replied awkwardly, though you caught Cloud glaring at him.
"oh wow, Tifa let you out of the bar" Aiden, another regular joked before going back to his work.
"You seem popular" Cloud commented quietly, by his expression you weren't sure if he was was being grumpy or not.
"Jealous?" you asked with a teasing smile.
"Maybe a little" He replied quietly as the two of you approached Pop's.
A bit surprised by his serious answer you said, "You have nothing to worry about Mr. Strife."
"Whatever you say Miss Knight."
You stood by Cloud's side as he spoke with Pop and completed his delivery, as you expected it was some random part you had no idea what it was for.
"Are you starting to get back on your feet?" Pop asked suddenly.
Cloud nodded, "My contacts are starting to reach out, I finally have a steady flow of deliveries again."
"Thats great, so we won't be seeing you around as much?" Pop asked.
"Maybe once in a while" he replied.
"Well good for you, the offer always stands." He said, then seemed to notice you, "So you got yourself a little employee?"
"Oh I'm not" you said awkwardly.
Cloud shook his head, "I only had a few orders today, so I'm taking Autumn out afterwards" Cloud replied.
"Well its a beautiful day, you two enjoy it"
You left the shop shortly after, and Cloud drove into the restaurant district of Edge before parking Fenrir. You were a bit surprised to find yourself outside of a cute cafe, sometimes you forget that theirs more to Edge than than your local dive bar and a ton of auto shops. As you followed Cloud inside you couldn't help but notice flowers beginning to grew in a window flower box.
The bell on the door rang as the two of you walked in.
"Welcome, please seat yourselves, I'll be over in a minute" A voice called from what you assumed to a kitchen.
You absently followed Cloud to a small table near the window, looking around the room you saw that this is a super cute cafe and bakery, their furniture was mismatched and there was a large showcase with various desserts. near the counter.
"What are we doing here?" you asked curiously. You seemed to answer your own question when your stomach began to growl.
Cloud smiled in amusement at the sound and said, "Its about lunch time, besides I did say I was taking you out" you said pausing a moment before continuing, "Like a date" he said quietly looking away.
"A date" you mused more to yourself. You liked the sound of being on a date with Cloud.
"Unless you don't want it to be" Cloud said quickly, "It doesn't have to be if you don't want it to be…"
You cut him off by pressing your index finger to his lips, "Cloud relax, I want it to be a date." you told him with a genuine smile. He relaxed as you removed your finger.
He was about to speak but was interrupted by the waitress coming out of the kitchen. "Sorry to keep you waiting, we've been redecorating ever since the flowers starting growing again" they said absently as they approached, "Well if it isn't Cloud Strife, what is it your night to cook?" the waitress asked. She was an bit of an older women, with a very motherly looking round face and wild curly red hair. "Or did you finally decide to grace us with your presence." She joked.
"I've been a away a while" Cloud replied. You looked at him curiously, you couldn't imagine that he'e be a regular at this extremely cute cake but then again he's just always so full of surprises.
"Yeah, yeah excuses, should I box up a cake for the kids?" she asked.
Cloud nodded, "and two menus" he added.
It seemed the woman noticed you for the first time, "Oh now who is this?" she asked surprised, but before anyone could speak she continued, "Oh don't tell me, you're Autumn, oh Cloud just can't stop talking about you"
You couldn't help but blush, though you managed to squeak out a 'nice to meet you'
"The pleasure's mine, I'm Betsy, and my husband Jonah is in the kitchen" She said as she handed you and Cloud each a menu. "Just holler if you need anything?" she said before heading back into the kitchen.
Once she was out of sight you turned to Cloud, "So this is where you buy cake for the kids" you giggled, "Though it seems you're a regular" you commented.
"I"m the only delivery boy who can get out of season produce in two days" Cloud replied, you nodded. "But i kept coming back because Betsy reminds me of my mother" he added.
"Oh Cloud" you mumbled, unsure how to respond, it was such a sweet and personal detail, you smiled knowing that Cloud trusts you. Then he changed the topic to the menu, you eventually decided on a simple sandwich and peach tea and Cloud called Betsy back to order. Once the order was in you and Cloud sat in a comfortable silence just enjoying each other's company.
As you took a sip of you tea you caught Cloud staring at you, "why are you looking at me like that?" you asked.
"I can't help it" He replied quietly, you gave him a curious look. "You look so happy, and you're so beautiful, sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve…" He trailed off realizing that he was about to call you his.
"However we got here, it doesn't matter, as long as we're..." you paused unsure what the right would would be, "whatever we are, thats all that matters."
Cloud gave you a genuine smile, a formerly rare sight but its been more prevalent recently. The rest of your lunch date was wonderful, you and Cloud talked and enjoyed the cafe food. Once your lunch was done the two of you said goodbye to Betsy and headed back to Fenrir.
As you walked Cloud suddenly spoke, "What do you think about moving Zack's memorial to Aeirth's church?" he asked.
You thought for a moment, the buster sword is currently on the desert hilltop overlooking both Edge and the ruins of Midgar, Cloud had told you it was where Zack had died. "I think thats a wonderful idea" You told him with a smile.