Chapter 49: The Western Continent Continued
February 16, 0010
"So anyways, we got to Kalm," Aerith continued. "We found the inn, and Cloud told us his story of how he met Sephiroth. I'll admit I was a little skeptical, but that really wasn't why I was attracted to him."
I had heard that story, too. Cloud had taken Zack's identity when he thought he was dead.
"Finally we got out of there, and we went all the way to Junon. That was where Cloud saved that little girl who drowned. What isn't widely known is that Cloud and I had another date that night."
"I didn't know that," I admitted.
"Nobody does except us," Aerith giggled. "I knocked on the door to his room that night. I decided to show off some skin, so I went without my red jacket, leaving my shoulders bare."
"I'm sure that got his attention," I said.
"Oh, it did," she replied. "That was the first thing he mentioned. I also toyed with the idea of unbuttoning my dress a bit to show of some cleavage, but I didn't want to be too forward. Besides, my boobs were nothing compared to Tifa's. Or yours."
I blushed, as I was reminded my breasts were out.
"The next day, we took the barge over to Costa del Sol," she continued. "I had some bonding time with Tifa, but her vibe suggested she had some feelings for Cloud. But she was there for me that night, when the gale got me."
"Oh yeah," I remembered. "The gale."
For those who don't know, if you're planning a trip to Costa del Sol, beware of the gale. It's a freezing cold breeze that comes at night.
"The worst part of that was that it happened while Cloud and I were making out for the first time on the boardwalk," Aerith continued. "The sparks were flying so much that I forgot about the thing until it was too late. That was the one regret I had about going on a date with him without any pants on."
"You didn't wear pants for your date?!" I exclaimed. "Didn't you get arrested?"
"I wasn't bottomless!" Aerith giggled. "I had bikini bottoms on, but I couldn't feel my butt after it hit!"
"Oh," I said.
"But I felt even closer to him that night," she continued. "By the way, when you're making out with Tobin, you may want to put your hands on his cheeks. That's a real sign of love and affection, and it'll turn you both on."
"I'll keep that in mind," I said.
"But I felt so close to him that night, so the next morning, I texted him what I texted him. And he was bold enough to text back accordingly."
FLASHBACK….
As Cloud was getting ready to step out of his hotel, he decided to be a gentleman and texted Aerith. He wouldn't admit it, but sparks were indeed flying for him as well.
"How are you feeling?" he texted.
A few moments later, he felt his phone buzz.
"Better," her text read.
He realized he needed to be romantic; this girl really liked him.
"Been thinking of you this morning," he texted.
He sent the message.
This time, the response took slightly longer. He wondered if she was away from her phone, or if that might have been too much. Girls were still a mystery to him.
And then, the phone buzzed again.
"With or without your pants on?" Aerith's text read.
She texted me that?! Cloud thought to himself. Is she really thinking that way already?
Of course, he needed to respond to her. He wasn't sure how to do so. A "with" might sound like he was rejecting her, but a "without" might seem like he was too lustful.
He had to think fast, so he settled on what he eventually texted.
"Both," he texted.
He then waited apprehensively, wondering how she would respond.
Soon, his phone buzzed again.
"Ha!" she texted. "I knew it!"
And then, it hit him. He realized she might want to take that next step with him. He wondered how she would respond if he asked her the same question.
"And you?" he texted.
He had to lead up to it somehow.
"And me what?" Aerith replied.
"Been thinking about me this morning?" he clarified.
The suspense was starting to kill him.
"Of course!" she replied.
That wasn't specific enough.
He took a deep breath, and decided to text her what she had texted him. If she had texted it, surely there was no way she could be offended.
"With or without your pants on?" he quickly asked.
Then, before he could change his mind, he sent the text.
Cloud waited, knowing he could not unsend it.
Then, his phone buzzed.
He cautiously checked it.
"Both," her text read, with a heart emoji.
Cloud then felt his mouth dry, as he realized what was coming sooner or later.
….END FLASHBACK
"Anyone over the age of fifteen would know that means I want to make love to him!" Aerith said to herself. "I wore my skinny jeans that day to show my butt off for him."
I really didn't have much to comment. As you know, I never actually dated.
"I gave him one last hint when we got to Gold Saucer."
FLASHBACK….
"I'm comin' with you no matter what you say!" Cait Sith gleefully announced.
"Fine," muttered Aerith as she placed her hands on her hips. "I guess that means this date's over." She then walked up to Cloud. "But I had so much fun, you still get a good-bye kiss."
Aerith promptly wrapped her arms around Cloud and pressed her lips against his. Then, without warning, she began to kiss him hungrily, tongue and all, leaving Cloud with a surprised face when she broke the kiss.
"My room, at ten p.m." she ordered with a seductive wink.
With that, she kissed him again. She then walked off, throwing Cloud one last, seductive smile before she disappeared around the corner.
"I will admit," began Cait Sith, "that even I didn't see that coming."
Aerith felt free to express herself once she jumped into a random tube and found herself at another square.
"He got the message!" she giggled out loud.
And then, her heart sank; Jack and Sumner Balen were standing right across from her.
"Hey, look!" Sumner announced. "It's crybaby!"
"Please just leave me alone," Aerith pleaded.
"Relax, cutie with a booty," Sumner laughed. "I'm not interested in you right now."
"Right now?" Aerith asked skeptically.
"We have other priorities," Jack added.
"Other priorities?"
Aerith then noticed that both brothers were scanning the children passing through the area.
A sickening, nervous feeling took her.
"Why are you eying kids?!" Aerith demanded as she placed her hands on her hips.
"I think you know," Sumner replied slyly.
She immediately thought of what they had planned to do with Rufus.
"You're going to kidnap strange kids?!" she exclaimed. "Why?"
"For ransom, that's why!" Sumner insisted.
Aerith turned to run to the authorities, but she immediately felt a hand grip on her wrist.
"You'd think I'd tell you that and just let you run?" Sumner insisted. "I know damn well who'd you say that to."
"We're not stupid enough to let you give us the slip," Jack added. "We're going to take you with us and put you with the kiddies. And if any of their families cannot pay or will not pay, that's the story of the kids, and you get to watch."
Aerith struggled again, which only caused Sumner to tighten his grip.
"Don't try that again," he warned. "And if you open your mouth, I'll snap your cute little neck."
Aerith lowered her head in defeat.
"Hey you!" called an alto.
Jack and Sumner turned their heads to see Tifa standing there, cracking her knuckles.
"Let her go!" she demanded.
"Fuck you, skanky bitch!" Sumner retorted.
In response, Tifa charged them.
Before either man could react, Tifa grabbed each of their heads and conked them together, knocking them out cold.
Aerith stood humbled before her savior.
"Thanks!" she exclaimed as she threw her arms around her. "I owe you big! Again!"
"You make Cloud happy," Tifa said. "That's enough to pay it in full."
Aerith smiled.
And then, Tifa prepared to take off again.
"What's up?" Aerith asked.
"Something's going on. I need to tell Cloud," Tifa informed her. "We'll talk later."
With that, she disappeared into a tube.
Aerith shrugged, wondering what that could have meant.
It was, of course, Dyne's murders.
….END FLASHBACK
"Tifa totally saved my butt that night," Aerith acknowledged. "Everyone thinks of her rivalry with me, because we were both in love with the same man, but we were good friends up until the day I died."
"Tifa's not a girl you want to mess with," I said. "I remember one guy ran by her and smacked her butt. She beat the shit out of him. You're pretty safe with her on your side."
"If only I knew she was on the run from security," Aerith laughed. "But anyway…"
FLASHBACK….
Aerith stood grateful. She looked around as both Jack and Sumner were loaded onto gurneys by the paramedics. She smiled, knowing Tifa was a true friend.
And then, her smile faded, and her mouth dried, as she remembered what would happen after this.
Aerith thought about what she had said to Cloud. She hadn't had sex in almost two years, and she was eager to take that next step with him. She jumped into a tube; she had a place to visit before he arrived.
It was called Grown-Ups' Row; a little known section of Gold Saucer. It was where the more adult-themed attractions were.
In fact, the adult store was the first thing she saw. She went in, and went straight to the erotic wear section, where she picked up the sexiest outfit she could find. It was a lacy black tank top, complete with a pair of heels and a thong.
Aerith quickly made the purchase without making eye-contact with the cashier, and quickly walked outside before he had time to bag it.
As soon as she got outside, she found Dio, the owner of the park, facing her.
"Miss Gainsborough?" he greeted.
"That's me," she replied, blushing as the adult shop was clearly behind her.
"I just wanted to give you an update on those Balen brothers. They've been trespassed from Gold Saucer," he informed her.
He then noticed the lacy black tank top and thong in her hand.
"You might want to hide that," he informed her, which sounded odd coming from somebody walking around wearing nothing but a red speedo.
Aerith blushed.
"I'm having sex with my boyfriend tonight," she said innocently. "For the first time."
And why did you tell him that for? she thought to herself.
"Say no more," he said. "I have to report prostitution and rape, but, other than that, no questions asked."
He then turned and walked away.
Without further ado, Aerith glanced at the clock; it was seven. Cloud wasn't due come to her room until ten. Of course, she would need to quickly get to her hotel room before too many people saw her sexy outfit. She thought about stuffing it all into one of her jeans pockets, but realized it would end up crumpled. So she quickly fast-walked through the park without making eye-contact with anyone until she arrived at her hotel.
"Safe at last, girl," she said to herself as she closed the room door behind her.
It was a spacious hotel room, with a sitting area, dining room, and bedroom.
Glancing at the clock, Aerith saw that it was only 7:30. She spent the next hour cooking their dinner, which they would have later on.
Once she was finished with that, she set the table. It was now 8:30.
"Still an hour and a half," she muttered to herself.
She decided to shower. After that, it was 8:45. She dried herself off, along with her hair. Then, she glanced at her purchase, and smiled.
"This is totally the sexiest thing I ever owned," she said to herself.
She slipped on the thong first, followed by the top, and finally the heels.
She then walked through the room to test the heels, and found them surprisingly comfortable.
She went to the mirror in the bedroom to check how she looked. Her tank top had a built-in bra, and, like her heels, was much more comfortable than expected.
She couldn't say the same thing about the thong. It was tight, and she felt like it was giving her a wedgie. Aerith soon realized that not only was it grossly uncomfortable, but, when Cloud arrived, it would block his entrance, so she decided to go bottomless. She thus slipped off her panties and tossed them aside.
Aerith looked up at the clock, which now read 9:00.
"Just one hour to go," she said to herself with a smile before returning to the mirror to put her makeup on.
She applied her lipstick. She then applied her eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara. She put in her earrings and donned a necklace as well. She applied her perfume.
She was now finished.
The clock read 9:15.
"This is going to be the longest forty-five minutes of my life!" Aerith sighed to herself.
She began to pace around the room, but that didn't make the clock move any faster. After a few minutes, her heels began to hurt, so she stopped. She then lay on her front on the bed, on her cell phone but keeping an eye on the time.
Finally, it was 9:55. Realizing he could be early, Aerith got up and walked to the bedroom window, where she could see the street outside. She remained crouched down with only her eyes over the window sill.
There was a small crowd passing through the streets, but Cloud was nowhere to be seen.
Aerith checked her watch; it was 10:00.
Still no Cloud.
"Where could he be?" she asked herself.
She checked her watch again; it was 10:05.
"He's late," she said.
She was beginning to worry. She knew Cloud was aloof, but she also knew he was kindhearted deep down; he would never stand her up like this.
Her watch read 10:10.
"Please tell me nothing happened to him," she said to herself.
For the record, something did, but he had managed to get out of the situation, and at 10:12, she finally saw him approach the hotel.
Her heart did a little flitter-flutter as she saw him approach her door.
One she was sure she was out of his view, Aerith finally stood up.
Moments later, she heard the door open and close, and realized that Cloud was in the sitting area.
"This is it," she whispered to herself. "My boyfriend's in the suite with me. My vagina's out; there's no turning back."
Aerith heard him walk into the dining-room. Butterflies were in her stomach as she realized he would be seeing her naked for the first time.
A moment later, she heard him walk through the beads, and realized he was in the room with her.
He can see me! she thought. I feel him checking me out!
She turned her head, revealing her beautiful eyes and perfect smile.
Cloud looked mesmerized by her body.
"Don't know what to say?" she asked.
Cloud shook his head as his eyes continued to scan her exposed lower half.
She smiled again; she knew he was checking her out, but she didn't mind the least.
It made her feel beautiful.
She faced out the window once more, and then heard his footsteps approaching her.
Soon, she felt a masculine hand on her butt.
This feeling was most certainly welcome as well.
It sent chills up Aeirth's spine and gave her goosebumps. No man had touched her there in two years; he was the right man to do so.
She felt fire raging through her body. She quickly turned, allowing Cloud to have a full frontal view of her.
He scanned her for a few moments, with Aerith blushing as she felt his eyes on her front lower half.
She then kissed Cloud passionately on the mouth. Their tongues met, and Cloud gently lifted Aerith a few inches off the ground. He kept his arms tight around her waist, keeping her close to him.
Upon breaking the kiss, he gently placed her on the ground. She continued to face him, with her hands placed on his shoulders, and his arms still wrapped around her waist.
"Did I keep you waiting too long?" asked Cloud.
"I've been waiting my whole life to meet somebody like you," Aerith replied. "Someone kind, someone handsome, someone passionate."
They kissed again, causing passion to rage though their bodies. When the kiss broke this time, she turned to face the window again, and positioned herself. She was ready.
She felt as if she could not go any longer without making love to him.
Cautiously, Cloud undid his zipper and stepped behind her.
….END FLASHBACK
"That is incredibly sexy," I admitted. "I kind of want to try that with Tobin.
"You've been married for two years and never had sex?" Aerith asked me skeptically.
"No," I laughed. "What you were wearing that night. A black, lacy cami, heels, and no bottoms."
"Oh, that," she realized. "I wanted to wear that for our first time. It was my way of telling Cloud that I wasn't a slut, but I wasn't a virgin, either."
"I guess it's a regular part of dating," I said. "I wouldn't know, since I never actually dated and just jumped straight into marriage."
"I guess I should feel honored," she said. "I took his virginity. But from then on we were having sex just about every day. Sorry if that's TMI, but I knew I was low on time. We did it in Gongaga. We did it when we stayed the night at Cosmo Canyon and after meeting Cid in Rocket Town. Wutai was special because it was also where I told him I loved him. And then, there was Gold Saucer after we found out Cait Sith was a spy, when I knew we would be going to the Temple of the Ancients the next day."
"When you thought you were parting forever," I said.
Aerith nodded.
"You can call it our good-bye sex."
FLASHBACK….
Aerith lay in Cloud's arms, both in their naked glory. Although she was the one who initiated the lovemaking, she seemed uneasy.
And then, Cloud noticed tears in her eyes. "You okay?" he asked as he gently stroked her bare back.
"I'm fine," she replied.
"Your mom?" he asked.
"I guess," she replied. "But there's nothing we can do."
"We'll follow them to the temple tomorrow," Cloud assured her. "He'll free them when it's over."
"I know," Aerith sighed. She then reached for the head of the bed. She pulled a white tank top from the nearby clothes pile and put it on.
"What's up?" asked Cloud.
She had done this the previous night as well.
"Oh," replied Aerith, "I always wear a tank top to bed. It feels really uncomfortable with my boobs hanging loose."
"Oh," Cloud replied.
"You learn something about me every day," Aerith said. "But, Cloud, I'm searching for you."
"But I'm right here," Cloud replied.
"I know," said Aerith, "but I want to meet you."
"We met in the streets," Cloud said.
"I want to know all about you, Cloud," Aerith informed him. "You know, I don't even think I asked how old you are."
"I'm twenty-one," Cloud replied.
"You're twenty-one?!" Aerith exclaimed. "But you look so mature. I would have guessed twenty-five."
"How old are you?" asked Cloud. "Eighteen? Nineteen?"
Aerith blushed.
"I'm twenty-two."
"You're older than me?!" asked Cloud, somewhat surprised.
"I'm older than you," she affirmed. "Wow. I'm laying half-naked in bed with a younger man. I am such a cougar!"
"It bothers you?" asked Cloud.
"No, silly," Aerith replied as she kissed him. "I'm just glad you didn't say seventeen. Seventeen would get me twenty!" She paused. "I suppose I should put my hair up."
Aerith got up out of bed and walked several feet to the dresser.
Cloud got another generous view of her bare butt as she rummaged through the top drawer. She found some clips and began to braid her hair, giving Cloud a view of the small of her back. She was so beautiful. And yet, what bothered him the previous night continued to do so.
"Cloud," Aerith began as she continued to put her hair up, "I love you to the moon and back."
"I love you, too," Cloud replied. "What's on your mind?"
"I just want you to remember that," Aerith said. "In case anything happened to me, you'd remember."
Aerith was relieved Cloud couldn't see her face. She could see it in the mirror. It was the saddest face she had ever seen.
This is our last night together, she thought. And the tears returned to her eyes.
Cloud continued to watch his beautiful girlfriend until she finished putting her hair up.
"Can you sit up?" Aerith requested.
Cloud was already sitting up, so he stretched himself up higher.
"At the edge of the bed?" she clarified.
He brushed the covers aside, leaving himself as exposed as she was. He then sat on the edge of the bed as told.
Aerith smiled. She rolled up her tank top and tied it to expose her midriff. She put her hand on her bare hip, as if to strike a pose.
"Like the view?" she giggled.
"Big time," he replied with a smile.
"Me too!" Aerith said.
She blew him a kiss. She then walked over to him and sat on his lap.
"Hold me," she requested.
Cloud gently wrapped his arms around Aerith's bare midriff.
"I don't care that you're a year and a half younger than me," Aerith began. "But I love you so much, Cloud. I really do."
"I love you, too," he whispered as he kissed her on the cheek.
"These have been the best two weeks of my life," she said in a broken voice, making every effort not to cry.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Don't tell him! It'll ruin your final moments alone together!
"Nothing," she lied. "I just wanted you to know how much I love you. Like I said, just in case. I've never loved anyone like I love you."
She was speaking from her heart.
"Same here," he said as he kissed her on the cheek once more.
The rest of our lives would have been wonderful.
He then slid his left hand down to her bare hip, and then ran it over her bare leg.
The Forgotten Capital's going to crush him for sure.
…END FLASHBACK
"That was the closest I had ever felt to him at that point," Aerith said. "The way he was holding me was so intimate."
I was silent. I'll admit I found what she was describing was both sexy and emotional at the same time.
"You really ought to try that tonight," she said. "You know, sit on his lap. The feeling of his skin on your butt and the feeling of your butt on his lap will send you both over the edge."
I was tempted; I won't deny it.
"Speak of the devil," Aerith continued, "Tobin's five minutes away. I'll come back tomorrow."
"Hold on," I asked. "Before you go, can I ask you something?"
"Sure," Aerith replied. "Ask away."
"Since you see a lot," I began, "how's everyone else doing?"
Aerith cracked her neck.
"Elena's in labor and she doesn't even realize it," she began. "Her water broke this morning while she was taking a shower and she didn't really notice. It sounds like an episode of Nobody Told Me I Was Knocked Up!, but she knew she was pregnant. She won't go to a hospital or see a doctor because she's afraid of getting Geostigma. She's taking a huge risk having the baby at home. A life-threatening one."
I was silent. In all fairness, I was afraid to see a doctor myself, for the exact same reason. True, Tifa had also had a homebirth (which I wouldn't mention to Aerith, as I knew it would trigger her), but she would have gone to a hospital if there was an extreme emergency. Not Elena, however. She was too afraid of infecting herself, her husband, and her son.
"What will Tseng do if she doesn't survive?" I asked, though it was more to myself than my deceased companion.
"Ideally," Aerith replied, "he'll find someone nice and remarry if she dies."
I was silent again. Elena and I weren't that close, but the thought of losing her haunted me.
"Zack tested positive for Geostigma," Aerith suddenly added.
I gasped; the thought of losing him did haunt me, as we were a lot closer.
"Right now, he's getting treatment from Romina Ronkin," she informed me.
"The shock jock on the radio?!" I asked in surprise.
"Her procedure works," Aerith informed me. "It renders Geostigma as a chronic illness, rather than a death sentence."
She paused.
"He plans on proposing to Yuffie," she then added solemnly.
"I'm sorry," I said, remembering they had dated.
"Don't be," Aerith insisted. "I want him to be happy."
"Is she going to say yes?" I asked.
"I can only see what's happening," she replied. "I can't predict the future. She might say yes because they've been together for two years. She might say no because she's only eighteen. If I was in that situation, I'd say yes in a heartbeat, since I was hoping to marry right out of high school anyway."
I had forgotten how conservative and traditional Aerith was.
"But anyways, your other half is almost here," she said. "We'll talk more tomorrow."
I nodded.
"Cute boots, by the way," she complimented before disappearing.
"Thanks," I said.
I was now alone once again on my balcony.
MEANWHILE…
Romina Ronkin returned to the room to find that Zack had finished his tacos, chips and salsa.
"How are we doing?" she asked.
"Thirsty," Zack replied.
That would be an understatement; he was desperate for something to drink as his mouth was burning.
"Good," Romina said as she place three two-liter bottles of soda on the floor, remaining six feet away.
"I don't understand why I have to eat and drink," Zack admitted.
"Trust me," Romina assured him. "You will."
A moment later, Romina left the room.
Zack immediately ran to the first soda bottle, opened it, and began chugging away.
MEANWHILE…
The 0007 Elena began laughing.
"Three hours?!" she laughed.
"I don't know how accurate this thing is," the 0007 Tseng replied.
"Maybe it's not perfect?" Elena suggested. "I mean, I was able to make dinner."
She then took their plates.
"And I'll be able to wash the dishes," she continued as she stood up.
Tseng got ready to protest, but Elena read his mind.
"Stay seated," she commanded. "I'm a big girl."
She looked down at her bump.
"Both literally and figuratively."
With that, she turned around and waddled over to the sink.
She began to wash the dishes.
She then felt Tseng staring at her bare butt.
"How's the view?" she asked in a flirty tone of voice.
"Perfect," Tseng complimented.
Elena giggled as she finished the second dish.
And then, she felt another contraction hit, and she gripped the counter.
Tseng ran to her side and held her until it was over.
"That was a nasty one," she groaned.
"You okay?" he asked.
"I am now," she replied. "It's over. But this floor is kind of cold on my feet. Can we go in the other room and watch TV?"
Tseng nodded as he led her to the other room.
They sat down on the couch, with Tseng sitting upright, and Elena laying on her side with her head in his lap.
Tseng gently rubbed her bare hip.
"That feels good," she purred.
Tseng turned on the TV. Down on the Downing Farm was on.
"Oh great," sighed Elena. "The people who wanted to kill us."
Tseng changed the channel; Putty the Little Dog was on.
"I suppose that's better," Elena said. "Nothing cheers you up more than a farting dog."
And then, she suddenly sprang up, turned away from Tseng, and doubled over.
"Are you having another one?" Tseng asked; it had only been four minutes since the last one.
"Yes!" Elena groaned as she clutched the couch pillow so hard she dug her nails in. "Oh my God! This….fucking……hurts!"
Tseng pressed the small of Elena's back until it passed.
Then, something had crossed his mind.
"What's your dilation?" he asked.
"How should I know?" Elena replied. "I don't know how to check it!"
"Weren't you with Tifa when she had her daughter?"
"She had some device on her watch that checked it," she replied. "You think she'd let anyone take a look at her lady parts?"
"Point made," Tseng agreed.
And then, he realized something.
"Point made!" he repeated as he pulled out his phone. "I'll bet I can check your dilation on the app!"
"What's next?" Elena sighed as she folded her arms. "A comment section?"
Tseng remained absorbed in his phone.
"Here we go," he said after a couple of minutes.
"What does it say?" she asked.
"You're at nine centimeters," Tseng informed her.
"But my water never broke!" she protested.
"Are you sure?" he asked. "Could it have happened while you were asleep?"
"Then the bed would be drenched," she replied.
"What about when you were in the shower or on the toilet?" he asked.
"Come to think of it," Elena said, "I think I did feel something weird when I took a shower this morning. Shit. I've been in active labor this whole time and I didn't even realize it! Sounds like something out of Nobody Told Me I Was Knocked Up!"
They both laughed for a moment before realizing the reality of the situation.
She placed her hands on her bump through her shirt.
"Hey kid," she said, "this is your mom. I think this is you're eviction notice."
She then looked at Tseng sincerely.
"Well," Tseng said, "where do you want to do what you gotta do?"
"Umm….the bedroom?" Elena replied.
"Okay," he said gently. "We'll head to the bedroom and evict our son."