Genre: Drama
Summary: It's just another brilliant day for the soon-to-be mother, although Aeleus still hasn't contacted her yet. Things are looking great... Except... Something strange seems to be going on with Xehanort...
Ships?: mentioned Aeleus/Aerith
→Familyships?: mentioned Aeleus/Aerith + unborn!Sora
→Friendships?: Aerith&Zack&Tifa&Cloud, Aerith&Cid, little!Rinoa&little!Squall
Characters: Aerith, Tifa, Zack, Cloud, Rinoa, Squall, Cid, Xehanort
→Mentions: Aeleus
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: None! This was written before BBS, so. (8
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or any related characters. This was written out of enjoyment of the series, and no profit is being made.
Music: Zydrate Anatomy from Repo! The Genetic Opera
Notes: Strangely enough, I'm updating this faster on FF.Net than on here. XD Ha.
Family Ties, Chapter 2
"Hey! Hey! I think I felt something!"
"Are you sure? I mean, doesn't it seem a little early?"
"Okay, you two goofs, give her some space!" Aerith finds herself laughing as Tifa grabs Zack and Cloud by the back of their shirt collars, hauling them away from the expectant mother. "Honestly." Teasingly, she flicks Cloud's nose after setting him down. "You act like you've never seen someone pregnant before." The blond just snorts and looks to the side while Zack elbows him in the ribs jokingly. The sunlight of the market square shines down on the four friends, reflecting off their hair and giving their faces a happy glow.
"You've been sulky ever since Aerith got pregnant, you know," Zack points out. "Upset our beautiful flower girl is being swept away?"
"It's not that," Cloud denies, shaking his head. "It's just that..." Trailing off, he falls silent, and Aerith smiles softly.
"I'll be fine," she tells him as she reaches for his hand from her seat on the edge of the fountain. Gently, her fingers curl around his. "I want this, Cloud. Everything will be fine, I'm sure of it. Aeleus will take good care of me, I just know it."
"Don't be such a pessimist, Cloud." Zack thumps the blond on the back, and earns a playful glare in return. "Listen, I knew Aeleus when we were kids. He's a good guy."
"And if he doesn't make our Aerith the happiest girl in Radiant Garden," Tifa vows, "then we'll take care of him." Cracking her knuckles, she winks at Aerith, who giggles.
"Now, enough of that," Aerith scolds jokingly. "I won't have any of you touching a hair on my future husband's head! And I won't have you-" Tugging Cloud closer, she taps him on the nose. "-being miserable. Here, you haven't felt the baby yet, have you?"
"You don't have to-" Cloud's protest falls on deaf ears, and quickly go silent when Aerith places his hand on the small bulge her stomach's become. His eyes go wide, and even his breathing slows as he waits. After a few minutes, he jerks in surprise. "Whoa."
"That's all you can say?" Zack laughs, but even his eyes have gone soft. Even he understands the little miracle which is growing as they speak. Cloud just blushes at the comment, rubbing his nose as he pulls away. Before he can shoot back a retort, two child voices call out.
"Aerith, Aerith!"
"We got what you needed!"
Smiling, Aerith turns her head and watches as two young children, only a couple years away from adolescence, come running through the market crowds. The one leading is a boy with dark brown hair which falls around his face, framing bright gray eyes. Right behind him is a girl, her own long brown hair decorated with streaks and flowing behind her. Their arms are full of groceries, all the necessities the expectant mother needs. As they stop before the group, Aerith smiles and pushes herself up onto her feet. "Thank you, Squall, Rinoa, for all the help."
"Do you need any help getting them to your house?" Squall asks, brow furrowing even as Tifa takes the groceries from his arms. "You're already carrying a baby."
"Don't worry, Squall." Aerith runs a hand through Rinoa's hair as she takes the one bag from the 11 year-old. "I'll be alright, and Tifa is helping me." A small hand brushes against the fabric of her dress, and Aerith looks down at Rinoa again. "Do you want to touch my belly as well?" The child nods quickly. "Well, go ahead!"
Giggling, Rinoa presses her hands against where Aerith tells her and closes her eyes. Aerith doesn't think much about it; many have been surprised at her pregnancy, and these two are so young-
"This will be a special child."
Aerith's breath catches. There is a strange deepness to Rinoa's eyes that see right through the flower girl, and her voice- it is not quite her own. There is no child-like innocence, but some strange duality that echoes. Hands shaking, Aerith can only stare into this Rinoa's eyes. The world becomes lighter, and with a blink, a bright laugh, the girl says, "It's Aerith's baby after all!"
A quick glance to her friends only makes Aerith feel stranger; only she had noticed the bizarre change which had taken over the child. Zack is crouched down, entertaining Squall with some sort of tale while Cloud and Tifa stand by. Redirecting her gaze to Rinoa's beaming face, Aerith smiles weakly. "Indeed."
Eventually, farewells are said, with Zack having to return Squall and Rinoa home while Cloud has to return to his delivery job. Only Tifa stays by Aerith's side, a comfortable silence between them as they walk down the road to Aerith's home. "It's so strange," Tifa says suddenly, her voice soft and contemplative. "We're just teenagers, even if we are a year or two close to twenty, yet you're pregnant and..." She trails off with a shake of her head. "I just can't believe it. Aerith, are you sure about this?"
"More than anything." A little frightened laugh bubbles out of her throat. "Even if it is a little overwhelming. I keep thinking it would all be a little easier if Aeleus was here..."
"He still hasn't contacted you?"
"Don't worry; Xehanort did tell me all the apprentices would be busy for a while, not to mention Aeleus works with the guards as well. Hopefully, when he comes back..." Aerith smiles, subtle mischief in her eyes as she rubs her stomach. "This little one will convince him to finally propose to me."
Tifa stares at her for a moment. "You really love him, don't' you?"
"We love each other," Aerith corrects gently, looking into her friend's eyes. She falters before she gathers herself to ask, "Speaking of the future, Tifa, I wanted to ask you something... When the baby's born, would you be their godmother?"
The brunette stumbles to a halt, her eyes wide. Aerith can barely bring herself to look up at her, fiddling with her dress. The sight she sees from underneath her bangs stuns her: large, fat tears are gathering in Tifa's eyes and rolling down her face. "T-Tifa!?"
Giving a garbled laugh, Tifa babbles, "I'm sorry, I'm being so silly. I don't even know why I'm crying, b-but-" When Aerith reaches over to wipe away her tears with her hand, Tifa grabs it. "You're a mother. I know it sounds stupid, to just realize that, but it didn't feel real at all and-and-"
Even as Tifa talks, Aerith can feel her own tear ducts betray her. "I'm a mommy," Aerith agrees in a choked voice before she and Tifa clasp each others hands and burst into simultaneous tears and laughter. "W-We're so r-ridiculous!" Aerith says in a choked laugh as Tifa draws her into a tight hug.
"Shouldn't be crying for something happy," Tifa agrees as she pulls back, wiping away her tears with a smile. "Come on, look, we've spilled all the groceries because we spazzed." Aerith laughs again before the two friends kneel down, gathering the scattered goods. She pauses when Tifa speaks up again. "And Aerith...?" Smiling, just a little nervously, Tifa looks at the other girl. "I'd love to be the godmother to your child.
Something warm blossoms in Aerith's heart, and she closes her eyes with a serene smile. "Thank you, Tifa." The peaceful feeling is interrupted by a sudden jab of pain in her abdomen, and Aerith groans with an accompanying wince. Almost immediately, a hand is on one of her shoulders. "It's okay," she reassures Tifa. "Just a little cramp."
Grabbing her by the hand, Tifa pulls Aerith up. "Come on, then. Let's get you home."
Something's out of place, however, when the two friends come to Aerith's doorstep. Frowning, Aerith lightly touches Tifa's arm while her eyes remain on her little stone chocobos she has placed out front. "Someone's taken the spare key," she murmurs.
Red eyes flash in warning and Tifa very carefully sets the groceries down against the wall besides the door. "Think it's a thief?" she asks very quietly, even as she takes her strong metal knuckles out of her pants pocket.
A memory flashes into Aerith's mind: a familiar apprentice with dark skin and pale hair with a message waiting in her kitchen. "Xehanort knows where it is," she tells Tifa as they quietly open teh door. "Aeleus told him. Don't hit the first thing that moves, okay?"
Tifa just nods, and then the two are in the hallway, creeping towards the kitchen. Even as they do so, Aerith can't help but shiver. Something feels... wrong. Last time she had found Xehanort in her house, there had been noise, life, rustling as he looked for paper and pens. This time, the house is deathly silent. Perhaps he already left she thinks and left the key somewhere for me. That's proven wrong, however, when she and Tifa peer around the door frame. It is indeed Xehanort visiting, and the apprentice sits at the table in the middle of the large kitchen. He doesn't notice the two women checking in on him; in fact, he appears to be in something of a daze, hands clasped and his gaze focused absently on a wall. For how innocent the scene appears, Aerith suddenly wants to leave, go find Aeleus at the castle. The feeling itches at her, and for some reason, Xehanort is the cause of it.
That's silly. It has to be. Xehanort is one of Aeleus' friends.
Going against what her heart tells her, Aerith speaks up. "Xehanort?" The second those normally warm amber eyes land on her face, Aerith feels her heart slam against her chest. The fear is unreasonable, but Aerith suddenly doesn't want this man to know about her child, not one bit. Following faith instead of logic, Aerith keeps the rest of her body behind the wall, in the hallway, so not to let him see her pregnant body. "I didn't know you were coming to visit today."
"It's a little rude to just barge into someone's house, you know," Tifa says, stepping out from behind the wall with her arms akimbo.
"I apologize." Calmly, Xehanort stands up, still looking at Aerith. "I was simply acting the messenger again."
"You should have just left a note," Tifa says with a frown. It's hard to tell where her hostile behavior comes from; perhaps she gets the same disconcerting feeling Aerith does from the visitor, or maybe she just sees through to her friend's fear. "We were out grocery shopping."
Finally, Xehanort's gaze shifts to Tifa. "Who are you?"
Tifa just her chin out, stubbornly, unafraid if it is to defend a friend. "Tifa Lockhart."
"She's my friend," Aerith adds, and would say more if the pain hadn't come back. It's not something that goes unnoticed; spotting her wince, Xehanort takes a step forward. For only a moment, Aerith thinks she spots a part of Xehanort she knows, worried.
"Are you hurt?" At his words, Tifa turns to Aerith in worry.
"Come on, you need to sit down," she tells her, a hand coming to rest on Aerith's shoulder. Reluctantly, Aerith allows herself to be guided to the kitchen table. The entire time, she keeps her eyes on Xehanort, subtly watching form beneath her bangs. There it is again- that strange look in his eyes, the feeling she should run away or find Aeleus. As she sits down, her hands automatically fold over her stomach protectively.
"So you're pregnant," Xehanort notes with a dark smile; he has to be remember the loss of his own wife and child. "Congratulations are in order. I'm guessing it's Aeleus'...?"
Aerith stares him right in the eyes. "Of course."
"Of course," Xehanort echoes. "You said you two were grocery shopping?"
Tifa winces as she remembers. "That's right, we left them on the front porch."
"Allow me to help," Xehanort offers, and the two head to the front of the house. The entire time, Aerith feels uneasy, right until Xehanort leaves the room. With him gone, she slumps in relief. Something is wrong, terribly so. What's wrong with Xehanort? What have the apprentices and their king been working on? Why hasn't Aeleus contacted her? Or Ienzo, even Even?
"I worry about you when you're gone, Aeleus," she whispers to the air, still cradling her stomach. "Return to us soon."
Footsteps alert her to Tifa and Xehanort's return. While the two put the groceries away for her, Xehanort chats the entire time. People from the castle Aerith can only vaguely remember are mentioned, and tales of the apprentices are told. Aerith finds herself only distantly listening; she just wants him to leave. At last, every cupboard is filled, and he is ready to leave. "I promise to tell Aeleus of the good news," he says, and she feels guilt at not being able to trust those words. "I'm sure he'll be pleasantly surprised." He reaches for her stomach-
Aerith grabs his wrist before his hand can touch her. Smiling and feeling strained, she explains, "I've been feeling a bit sensitive lately."
"I see." It's hard to understand what's going on behind his eyes as Xehanort pulls back, smiling. The expression seems fake, somehow. "Well, I need to get going. I wish you well, Aerith." He exits the kitchen, and Aerith is tense until she hears the front door slam. Tifa immediately goes to the doorway to peer out into the hallway.
Turning back to Aerith, Tifa confirms, "He's gone." As her friend heaves a breath, she frowns. "Did you have a bad feeling about him? I thought you said he was alright."
"He was, but..." Aerith trails off. "Something seemed off." Nervously, she rubs her stomach. "I wonder..."
Tifa follows her train of thought perfectly. "It's not safe for a pregnant girl to be alone in her home." Tapping a finger against her lip, Tifa hesitantly proposes, "Maybe it would be alright if you-"
-----
"-stay at my place?" The blond mechanic before them furrows his brows, gnawing on the end of a toothpick. As he adjusts his goggles, he asks, "And what's wrong with your place?"
"She's a girl with a baby on the way, all alone," Cloud says to his friend, the one who so often fixes his beloved bike. "Have a heart, Cid."
"Where's the dad?"
"Aeleus is still working in the castle," Aerith interrupts. "Xehanort has said he'd tell him of our child, but I'm not sure of him anymore. Zack sometimes makes visits to the castle as well, but there's no guarantee he'll be able to get a message to Aeleus. Maybe I'm getting worried over nothing... But I 'd rather be safe than sorry." Her mouth draws into a thin, stubborn line. "I refuse to lose my child."
Cid rubs the back of his neck, glancing to the side. "Fine, fine," he grumbles. "I ain't the kind of guy to leave a mom all on the street. Let's get your stuff then."
They all heave a breath of relief. "You're a life saver, Cid," Tifa declares as she and the boys pick up the few suitcases and bags Aerith has brought with her.
"I don't know how to repay you," Aerith agrees, and just smiles at Cid's embarrassed and gruff response. As the others move into the modest home where the mechanic lives alone, she lingers outside. Her gaze moves up to the castle which looms over Radiant Garden. All other times, it has been a reassuring sight, but these days...
She can feeling nothing but worry when she looks up at its walls.
"Aeleus, what I wouldn't give to see you again..."
