Lost and Found

“Lost and Found”
Chapter 6: Reunited
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(Warning: Possible spoilers for all FF7 game/movie titles)
*Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and all related characters belong to Square-Enix. This fiction piece is strictly a non-profit exercise of creativity and entertainment for people (like me) who can’t get enough of this world and the characters.*
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He walked straight up to the foreman, holding the newspaper in his hand. The foreman was a heavy-set, middle-aged man with a thick head of brown hair that he kept in a ponytail. He regarded Zack curiously as the former Soldier approached, taking in his physique with professional interest.

“I’m here for a job,” Zack said as he held up the newspaper and pointed out the circled ad.

“You are, eh?” The foreman liked his straightforwardness. “What kind of experience do you have?”

“None,” admitted Zack with a shrug, “but I’m a fast learner.”

“You’ll have to do better than that,” the foreman said with a frown. “I don’t hire guys without experience unless they really impress me. So far, you haven’t done that.”

Zack smirked and looked over his shoulder at the stacks of big metal girders waiting to be transported. He set his newspaper on the ground and approached the beams. While the foreman stared, Zack picked up one of them with little difficulty and shifted it in his arms. He looked at the ogling man and smirked again.

“Where do you want it?”

~*********************************~

A week passed before they heard anything from Zack. Aerith and Tifa were out for the day, shopping for baby furniture and clothes despite the fact that there were no signs of conception yet. Tifa was attacking the endeavor with optimism, determined that she and Cloud were going to get what they wanted and refusing to wait on buying things for their future son or daughter. Cloud had just walked in from his latest delivery job and he heard the answering machine pick up.

“Uh, hey, is anyone there? It’s Zack. If you guys aren’t too pissed at me, could you pick up?” The familiar voice floated in from the living room and Cloud jogged to the phone and picked it up hastily.

“Where the hell are you?”

The man on the other end didn’t answer immediately, surprised by the outburst. “Well hello to you too, Spike. I’m calling from a pay phone. How’s it going?”

“Okay, I guess,” Cloud answered crossly. “It’d be going a lot better if you hadn’t taken off. Come home.”

“I can’t do that, man. I’ve got to do good by Aerith.”

“How?” demanded the blonde. “By breaking her heart?”

“Come on, you know better,” Zack argued. “I’m trying to get my life straightened out before I try to be with her.”

“You’re trying to hide,” countered Cloud. “I know a little something about that. If you want any pointers on being guilty and broody, I’m your man.”

“Damn, I’m acting like you?” Zack chuckled. “The world’s going to end.”

“It’s not funny,” Cloud snapped. “You’re not doing Aerith any good hiding away from her like this. You can stay with us until you can afford your own place, but don’t punish her by staying away.”

“I’m not trying to punish anyone!” Zack’s frustrated rebuttal was practically a howl. “Do you have any idea how hard it would be for me to keep my hands off her if I came back and lived in the same house? I’m trying to do the honorable thing here, buddy.”

“So this is about you being unable to control yourself when you get a happy?” Cloud snorted. “I don’t believe it.”

“Well, too bad,” Zack sighed. “Because it’s true. I don’t trust myself around Aerith and until I can put a ring on her finger, I’ve got to stay away.”

“Then wear a fucking chastity belt or something,” growled the blonde. “You devastated her when you left.”

Zack’s voice was husky when he spoke again. “I never wanted to hurt her. Tell me you know that, Cloud.”

The blonde sighed. “I know that. But whether you wanted to or not, you did hurt her. If you won’t come back and stay with us, at least tell me where you’re staying and working. Just because you can’t live with Aerith right now doesn’t mean you can’t see her once in a while.”

Zack was silent for a moment as he mulled it over. “I…can’t do that yet. I’m not ready, Spike. Just tell her ‘hi’ for me and let her know I’m okay, will you? I’ll come and visit sometime next week, after I get my second paycheck.”

Cloud’s jaw clenched angrily but he knew he couldn’t convince his friend to change his mind. Zack Fair wouldn’t budge once he set his mind to something and having some experience with guilt himself, Cloud could appreciate what the other man was going through. “Fine, I’ll tell her. Don’t wait too long to start patching things up, Zack. Tifa’s already talking about trying to set Aerith up with dates.” It wasn’t true, but Cloud guessed his friend was lovesick enough to be prodded into action by the warning.

“What?” Zack’s alarmed exclamation made Cloud smirk grimly. “She can’t do that!”

“Why not?” prompted Cloud. “It’s not like you’re with her and Aerith shouldn’t have to wait forever.”

“I may not be with her right now but she’s still my girl,” Zack’s voice almost sounded petulant.

“Then maybe you should let her know that yourself,” suggested Cloud with a shrug. He was pleased with himself…Zack had taken the bait and now he had something to think about.

“I…I’ll see what I can do about visiting sooner,” Zack said. “I’ll take her out somewhere nice…just don’t let Tifa set her up on any dates, man!”

“Maybe I can stall her,” Cloud said. He bit his lip to force back a laugh. Like anyone could take Zack’s place in Aerith’s heart. Obviously, the brunet’s head wasn’t on straight if he really felt threatened by the prospect of Aerith going out on a date or two with someone else.

“Yeah, stall her.” Zack’s voice was eager. “Do that for me, buddy. Look, I’ve got to get back to work but I’ll call again in a couple of days.”

Cloud heard machinery in the background and he made a guess. “You got the construction job, didn’t you?”

“Um, yeah.” Zack didn’t sound thrilled about his secret being out. “Don’t tell Aerith, okay? Some of these guys are real jerks when it comes to ladies and I don’t want her coming to visit me and getting harassed. You know I’ll have to beat the shit out of the first guy that does a wolf whistle at her and that’ll cost me my job.”

Cloud grimaced. He’d intended to do exactly that but Zack brought up a good point and he didn’t like the idea of Aerith being sexually harassed, either. “Okay, I won’t tell her but you’re going to have to, eventually.”

“I will,” Zack promised. “I plan on having a good talk with her when I come visit. Just hold the fort for me until then, Blondie.”

~*****************************~

As promised, Zack called again a couple of days later and this time Aerith was home to speak with him. Her eyes lit up when Cloud answered the phone and told her it was Zack. The blonde spoke with him for a few minutes before handing the phone over to Aerith.

“How you doing, kiddo?” Zack’s friendly, light voice was music to her ears.

“Not bad,” answered the Cetra with forced casualty. “I’ve been growing flowers and selling them to Tifa’s customers. You’d be surprised at how willingly guys buy flowers for their dates or wives when they’ve knocked a few back.”

Zack laughed. “Taking advantage of the drunks? Shame on you, little lady.”

“A girl’s got to make a living somehow.” Aerith smirked. “So how are things on your end?” ~Are you ever coming back home? When will I see you again?~

“Pretty good, actually. I got that construction job and I’m already up for a promotion, can you believe that?”

Aerith smiled with quiet pride. “Knowing your determination, I can believe it. Good for you, Zack. Um…you do have a place to stay, right? You aren’t sleeping under a bridge or anything like that?”

“Nah, I’ve been staying at a motel near the work site,” he assured her. “It’s not the nicest place in the world but it’ll do until I can find a decent apartment and save enough for a deposit.”

“Where were you staying before your first paycheck?”

Zack cleared his throat. “Uh…under a bridge. I had to go to one of those charity soup kitchens to eat for the first week, but it wasn’t so bad. Don’t worry, okay? Things are looking up, now.”

Aerith sighed. “You never would have had to do that if you would have just stayed here with us, at least until the money started coming in. I just don’t understand why you did this, Zack.”

“I did it because I needed to get my act together,” he informed her. “Nothing motivates a guy like desperation, baby.”

“I guess so,” she murmured. “I really miss you, Zack.”

“I miss you too. So Aerith…do you want to go on a date next week? I’d offer this week but I spent most of my paycheck on some new clothes.”

“Next week sounds fine,” Aerith assured him with a relieved smile. Her heart was thumping annoyingly. “When?”

“How about Monday?” Offered Zack. “Meet me at your old church and I’ll take you somewhere nice, okay? Say around four o’clock?”

“You don’t want to meet at the house?” Aerith’s face crinkled with confusion.

“No, this is going to be our day,” explained Zack. “I’ve got some things I want to talk to you about. I’ll visit Cloud and Tifa later on but I want to be alone with you Monday.”

Aerith’s heart skipped a beat as she wondered what it was he wanted to talk to her about. She didn’t think it was anything bad, given the way he’d said it. “Okay, I think I can live with that. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me too,” answered Zack. “I’ll talk to you then, babe.”

When she hung up the phone, Aerith embarrassed herself by squealing softly with excitement. Tifa was standing a few feet away and the brunette was smiling broadly at her. “Er…we’re going on a date Monday,” Aerith explained to her friend, trying to gather her dignity.

“I guessed it was something like that,” replied the barmaid with dry humor. “Look at you, you’re like a teenager that just got asked to her first dance!”

“I know…pretty pathetic, huh?” Aerith felt her face heat up. “I’ll bet you never acted like this over Cloud.”

“Oh, I’ve let loose a squeal or two before,” admitted Tifa with a chuckle. “Just don’t tell him that.” The man in question had gone outside to give Fenrir a tune-up after handing the phone to Aerith. “I guess some of us never outgrow that thrill. Let’s open the bar and get started for the day, all right?”

“Right,” agreed Aerith. It would be good for her to busy herself and take her mind off of Zack for a while.

~*********************************~

The days seemed to pass too slowly for Aerith. As the weekend went by and Monday came around, Aerith was on pins and needles. Tifa helped her with her hair while she put on her makeup. They were in her and Cloud’s room because Tifa had a vanity table and curling iron.

“You need to calm down,” advised the barmaid with amusement. “You’ll be just fine.”

“I’m so nervous,” admitted the Cetra as she finished applying her peach colored lipstick. “He said he wants to talk to me about something before we go out. What could it be?”

Tifa could guess, but she didn’t dare say it aloud to her friend for fear that she’d give her false hope. “Maybe he just wants to give you a formal apology for running off like he did,” she suggested. She released the long lock of hair from the curling iron and started on another one. “At any rate, you shouldn’t get yourself so worked up about it. You’ll find out the truth when you meet him at the Church.”

Aerith started putting on the mascara and she jerked when she accidentally poked herself in the eye with the wand. “Oooh, I hate this gunk!”

Tifa giggled. “I don’t think you need it anyhow. Your lashes are long and thick enough on their own and Zack’s always appreciated your natural look.”

Aerith dismissed the mascara as a lost cause and replaced the wand in the container. “I guess you’re right. I just want to look perfect for him.”

“I think he’ll be so happy to see you again he wouldn’t notice if you showed up in a burlap sack,” Tifa guessed with a smile.

Aerith chuckled softly, feeling a bit better. “Maybe, but I’m still going to try to look nice.” She’d picked out a powder blue dress for the occasion and it was laid out over the bed, waiting for her. Zack seemed to like the bodice style dresses with the thin straps, so she’d chosen the garment especially for him when she went shopping. The skirt was a little shorter than she was used to and she wondered if she’d end up spending the entire date with her legs crossed self-consciously.

“Tifa, do you think the dress is too short?” Aerith asked with a glance over her shoulder at the clothing in question.

“I wear shorter skirts than that,” scoffed the barmaid. “I think mid-thigh is fine. It’ll look really cute with those strappy sandals you bought.” She finished curling the last bit of hair and she set the iron on the table and began to style the thick masses. “Stop worrying.”

“I’ll try,” sighed Aerith. She looked at her friend through the mirror and considered her thoughtfully. “So, any luck yet?”

Knowing what she meant, Tifa shook her head. “Not yet. I took a test last night and it came up negative.”

“I’m sorry,” Aerith said sincerely. “You’re charting your cycles, right?”

“I haven’t started doing that yet,” answered Tifa, “but I’m considering it. I didn’t want to do it that way because scheduled sex seems so…boring. It might be our best shot, though.”

“Your chances would be better,” agreed Aerith. “You might want to see a specialist soon, too.”

Tifa smirked. “You seem to know a lot about this stuff.”

Aerith shrugged. “It interests me and I like to read. I also thought it wouldn’t hurt to learn about it in case I get the chance to start my own family, some day.”

Tifa concentrated on styling her friend’s hair and she said nothing, again because she didn’t want to spoil her friend’s dreams with false hopes.

~**************************************~

Tifa drove Aerith to the old church and checked to make sure she had her cell phone in her purse. The Cetra laughed nervously and assured her that she would call if anything went wrong.

“I don’t know if I want to leave you until I’m sure Zack’s here,” Tifa said through the window as her friend got out and started to walk toward the church. “This isn’t exactly a safe area, if it ever was.”

“He’s in there,” Aerith said with certainty, her eyes fixed on the tall doors of the building. “I can sense him.”

“If you say so,” Tifa sighed. “Just call us if you need one of us to come pick you up later, okay?”

“I’m sure Zack will bring me home.” Aerith grinned over her shoulder at the brunette. “Really, you and Cloud worry too much about me. I used to come here all the time, remember? I’m used to the slums.”

“I know,” Tifa said, feeling a little foolish. Something about Aerith just inspired her protective instincts. She knew the Cetra was capable of taking care of herself but like Cloud, she worried over her. She deduced that it must have something to do with watching her die. Now that they had her back again, both of them worried about her getting hurt. They worried about Zack too but he didn’t have Aerith’s innocent demeanor. Tifa put the car into gear and drove away reluctantly, hoping Aerith was right about Zack being in there already.

Taking a deep breath, Aerith put one foot in front of the other, approaching the church with her heart pounding heavily in her chest. One of the doors was ajar and she pushed it further open slowly, wincing as it creaked. She stepped through the threshold and walked in slowly. She could see him sitting on one of the benches. He appeared to be watching the water, visible through the large hole in the floor.

“Hey, Aerith,” Zack said without turning around. “Why don’t you come sit with me?”

She paused for a moment before continuing forward. Zack’s uncanny senses still took her by surprise now and then. She walked down the isle and circled around in front of him, clasping her hands together nervously as she looked him over. He wore his hair in his customary, spiked style and he had on an outfit of dark denim pants, a button-up blue dress shirt and black oxford shoes. Evidently, she wasn’t the only one that had splurged on clothing for the occasion. He looked absolutely dashing to her and she smiled happily at him as he stared at her with his mouth open.

“So, what is it you’d like to talk about?” Aerith asked, her confidence returning as she realized he was as enchanted with her appearance as he was with hers.

“Wow,” Zack breathed, his amethyst gaze scanning her from head to toe. “You look…wow. Uh…I forgot what I wanted to say.”

Aerith giggled softly and took a seat beside him, self-consciously pressing her knees together with feminine modesty. “It sounded kind of important over the phone,” she persisted as she rested her hands in her lap. “You can’t remember, now?”

His eyes were still glued to her helplessly. He loved her hair…particularly when she let it down. It fell in soft spirals around her shoulders and down her back, pouring over her like honey. The bodice of her dress outlined her pert breasts perfectly without revealing too much cleavage and her legs…he was afraid if he got the chance to touch those smooth, shapely legs he’d go berserk with lust.

“Zack?” a touch of impatience entered her voice and he gave himself a mental nudge and grinned at her.

“Sorry, sweet thing. My brain just switched off for a minute. Damn, you look beautiful.” Zack was babbling and he knew it but he couldn’t stop staring at her.

Aerith raised a hand to her mouth to hide her pleased smile. “Thank you. Are you ever going to tell me what you wanted to talk about, though?”

“Oh, right…that.” Zack stood up abruptly and ran his fingers through his spiked hair. “Listen, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking since I left and I want you to understand why I did it.” He looked at her with a completely sober expression. “At first I told myself I only left so I could offer you more than the shirt on my back. After thinking about it for a while, I realized I was also kind of running away. I was embarrassed about the things I did…especially to you.”

He knelt in front of her and took her hands in his. “Aerith, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to get you in bed. I’ve wanted you for almost as long as I’ve known you, but I didn’t want you that way. I didn’t really give you a choice and I took something special from you…something that by rights should have been yours to give, not mine to take.”

Aerith was blushing furiously but she held his eyes and shook her head. “I made the choice, Zack. You didn’t force me.”

She studied his noble, sincere face and she realized that to Zack, her virginity was something special—not physically but spiritually. Knowing him, he probably had all sorts of different scenarios he would have preferred over what happened at Fort Condor. She could see the guilt that was eating him alive and she tried to think of something else to say to make it all better. She reached out and stroked his hair, looking into those gorgeous eyes she loved so much.

“You were gentle with me,” she reminded him. “It could have gone a lot worse. Stop beating yourself up over it, okay?”

Zack grimaced. “I’m glad I didn’t hurt you very much, but it doesn’t change what I did. Aerith, I…oh, hell.” He looked around as he gathered his thoughts. He had nothing solid to offer her yet and he had no right to ask what he was about to ask. His gaze settled on the bed of flowers pushing their way up through the floor, near the water. He fixated on the smallest one and an idea came to him. He looked at her again and made his decision. “Sit tight. I’ll be right back.”

Aerith watched in bemusement as Zack stood up and walked over to the flowerbed. He knelt down and picked the smallest one. As she watched, he manipulated the stem into a small loop before turning back to her. His actions were quite puzzling and she was sure her confusion showed on her face as he walked back to her and knelt before her again.

“Zack, what are you—“

“I’m putting myself on the line, here,” answered Zack before she could finish the question. He took her right hand in his and slipped the looped flower over her ring finger. “So how about it, Aerith? I know it’s not a proper ring but I’ll buy you one when I can afford it. I want you to be my wife. Wanna get hitched with me?”

Aerith thought her eyes were going to roll right out of her head. She’d expected him to give her a long, guilt-ridden speech about his actions when he was under Sephiroth’s influence but she hadn’t expected him to propose. She stared at him in stunned silence, her hand utterly still in his.

Zack squirmed a little. “Come on Aerith…don’t leave me hanging. I can take it if you say ‘no’, I promise.”

“Yes,” Aerith said, the word tumbling out of her mouth without a need to think on it. “I do want to marry you, Zack.”

His mouth split into a toothy grin. “Really? That’s not a joke, is it? Because if it is, it’s mean.”

“It’s not a joke,” Aerith chuckled. She looked at her makeshift ring. “And I don’t need an expensive engagement ring. This gesture is ten times sweeter than a diamond ever could be.” She suffered a moment of doubt as she considered the events that led to this moment. Zack clearly had an old-fashioned streak in him and she wondered if his desire to marry her was genuine or guilt-induced. “Zack, you’re not asking me because of that night, are you? Because if you are—“

“No,” he swiftly interrupted her with a kiss. “I would have asked eventually anyhow. I was going to wait until I have my place and a real ring for you but you know how impulsive I can get.”

She smiled at him and kissed him back. “I like how impulsive you are,” she murmured against his lips.

~********************************~

Zack took her to a restaurant that Aerith was sure he could barely afford. She protested softly as they were seated, not wanting him to blow his entire paycheck on one date. He only grinned and winked at her before looking over the menu. Aerith gave up the fight and sighed, deciding to enjoy the evening since it was clearly so important to him. Zack was a romantic sort and it would avail her little to argue over the amount of money he was spending on her. She ordered the salmon plate and he ordered the steak.

The meal was delicious, even though she thought it was overpriced. For some reason, Aerith had trouble with the wine that came with the dinner. As soon as the smell reached her nose, she grimaced unconsciously. She tried to drink it but something really bothered her as she brought the glass to her lips. It was the same odd feeling of distaste she’d briefly gotten the night before Zack left, when he made spaghetti for everyone.

“What’s the matter?” Zack asked her when he noticed her frown and put the glass down.

She reached for the glass of water that had come with the wine and shook her head. “I guess I’m just not in a wine mood, tonight. Maybe I just got myself so worked up over this date I gave myself a nervous stomach.”

“Do you want to try a mixed drink instead or should I order something else?” Zack offered, looking faintly concerned.

“Maybe some ginger ale would settle my stomach,” she suggested. Even the food was curdling now and she dearly hoped she wouldn’t end up having her expensive meal in reverse.

Zack waved the waitress over and asked her to take the wine away and bring a glass of ginger ale. He reached across the table and squeezed Aerith’s hand. “Do you need me to take you home early?”

She shook her head. “No, I’ll be fine. I just need to let my food settle a little.” She smiled at him and returned the pressure of his hand. The waitress returned after a few moments and Aerith felt better as she sipped her ginger ale. “I think I’m ready for dessert,” she announced with a grin at her date.

For dessert they had cheesecake and after paying for the dinner, Zack called a cab. As they rode in the back of the vehicle, they kissed heatedly. Aerith’s pulse fluttered desperately as his lips caressed her neck. His hand grazed her outer thigh and slowly pushed upwards under her dress. She was so turned on that she thought if he tried to take her right there in the back of the cab, she wouldn’t refuse.

“Baby, we’ve got to stop,” Zack said breathlessly as he tore his mouth away and pulled his hand out from under her skirt.

“You don’t have to leave when the cab stops at Cloud and Tifa’s house,” she whispered coaxingly, rubbing her hand up and down his left thigh. “Why don’t you just come back and live with me there while you’re saving for the apartment? I can help pay for it with the money I’m making from flower sales.”

His eyes were smoky with longing and he shifted uncomfortably to ease the pressure on his crotch. “You don’t know how tempting that offer is,” he said truthfully. “But if I live with you, I’m not going to be able to wait for our wedding night. You deserve better than that.”

Aerith rolled her eyes. “The damage has already been done, Zack. Did you ever stop to think that maybe I want to sleep with you?” Emboldened by her frustration, she slid her hand up his thigh and cupped the straining bulge between his legs.

Zack sucked in a sharp breath and reached down to pull her groping hand away from his tender parts. “Uh, Aerith…that’s going to get you into a heap of trouble.”

She nibbled his ear. “Maybe I want some trouble,” she purred, rubbing his package gently and ignoring his weak attempts to dislodge her hand. He turned his head and kissed her passionately on the mouth, his tongue lancing in to stroke hers with eager sensuality. Aerith was chagrined to hear herself moan into the kiss and she squeezed his crotch more firmly.

If someone told her she’d end up making out in the back of a cab with Zack Fair one day, she’d have scoffed. While she didn’t consider herself prudish, she usually had more restraint in a public setting. The cab driver could look through the rearview mirror at any moment and see what they were up to. The thought sobered her and she reluctantly stopped massaging between his thighs and stopped kissing him. The look on Zack’s face made her giggle impulsively. He almost looked devastated that she’d stopped.

“Wrong time and place,” Aerith whispered with a smile. “But I still want you to stay the night with me, at least.”

“Oh god, I want to,” admitted the former Soldier. “But I can’t…not ‘till we’ve said our vows. I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t disrespect you like that again.”

Aerith sighed. She was beginning to regret the night she’d shared with him, if only because now she knew what she was missing out on when he refused to cooperate. “Then we need to set a date, soon. Guys aren’t the only ones that get frustrated, you know.”

Zack grinned at her. “Is someone all hot and bothered?”

She glared at him. “Jerk.”

~************************************~

Tifa heard the cab pull up in the street outside and she looked out the window to see Aerith and Zack locked in a passionate embrace on the sidewalk. She grinned and watched as they separated regretfully and Zack escorted Aerith to the tavern door.

“Aerith’s home,” Tifa informed Cloud, who was lounging on the couch watching the nightly news. “If that kiss they just shared is any indication, the date went pretty good.”

Cloud smirked. “Now if he’d just stop acting like me, things might be okay.”

Tifa laughed softly and crossed the room to sit down on the other end of the couch. “I don’t think Zack’s been that bad.”

“Hmph…thanks,” Cloud grumbled, poking her in the side with one sock-bedecked toe.

She caught his foot and tickled it, making his leg jerk. “You came to your senses. I’m sure he will too.”

“Hope so,” Cloud grunted, trying to pull his foot away.

Tifa stopped tickling him to crawl on top of him and give him a kiss. Cloud responded with typical enthusiasm and they both forgot that they were due for an audience until they heard the front door open. Tifa pulled away from Cloud and got off of the couch as Aerith came in.

“So, how was it?” Tifa asked her friend with a sly grin. Aerith was practically glowing with happiness.

“The big dummy wouldn’t stay the night, but we had a great time,” answered Aerith enthusiastically. She held out her right hand and showed Tifa the wilting flower that was wrapped around her finger.

“Um…that’s…pretty,” Tifa said awkwardly, unsure of how else to respond.

“It’s what he used as an engagement ring,” explained the young Cetra. “Zack proposed before we went on our date.”

Cloud immediately got off the couch to see and Tifa clapped her hands together with delight. “I knew it,” Tifa said with satisfaction. “I just knew he was going to ask sooner or later! Tell me you said ‘yes’, Aerith!”

“How could I say ‘no’?” Sputtered Aerith with a laugh. “Of course, I said ‘yes’. I…I didn’t even realize how bad I’ve wanted this until he asked me.”

Tifa impulsively hugged her, pleased beyond words that Zack was stepping up and doing the right thing. “I’m so happy for you,” she murmured truthfully.

“Have you settled on a date?” Cloud asked with a little smile.

“We didn’t really talk about it but I don’t want to wait too long,” Aerith answered. She flushed as her friends exchanged a knowing glance between them. “What? I just think Zack and I have waited long enough, is all.”

“Oh, I agree,” Tifa chuckled. “But I think you’re after more than the vows. I saw that kiss.”

“Peeper,” accused Aerith, crossing her arms over her chest with annoyance.

“Well you were right there in the open,” defended the brunette with a shrug. “I just glanced out the window when the cab pulled up and there you both were for all to see. It’s not ‘peeping’ if it’s right there in your face.”

“Okay, okay,” Aerith sighed as her friends chuckled. “Pick on me all you want. You guys are lucky you don’t have to deal with this kind of frustration.”

“I have a feeling we’ve had our share of frustration in the past,” Tifa countered dryly with a meaningful look at Cloud, who looked away guiltily and cleared his throat.

~********************************~

Zack took Aerith on dates two, sometimes three times per week after that. He stopped by the house to visit the others as well and keep them updated on his progress. He and Aerith set the wedding date for the end of summer, which meant a couple more months of waiting. Aerith found herself in a state of almost perpetual sexual frustration and she wondered if Zack somehow did something to her when he made love to her that night. Sex was never something she thought much about until he came along. Now she found herself exploring the unknown areas of self-pleasure, desperately trying to get some satisfaction by her own hand since Zack was being so stingy with his body.

In the middle of the second week after proposing to her, Zack stopped by Seventh Heaven after he finished work for the day to visit and have a few beers. He waved at Tifa as he walked into the tavern and took a seat at the bar. Knowing what he liked, she immediately selected his favorite lager and put it in front of him.

“Thanks, sweetness,” Zack said to her as he lifted the drink and took a couple of swallows. “Where’s my girl at?”

“She just went to the restroom,” Tifa informed him. “I don’t think she’s feeling well today. She tried to blow it off when I asked her about it but this is the third time in an hour she’s been in there.”

“Think she could have the flu or something?” Zack frowned in concern.

“Maybe. There’s been a nasty stomach bug going around and a lot of Denzel’s classmates have been home sick this week. I hope he didn’t bring it home with him.”

“Has Denzel been sick?” inquired the black-haired man thoughtfully.

“No, he seems fine,” answered Tifa with a shrug as she washed some glasses. “He hasn’t even had a fever. Just because he hasn’t had any symptoms doesn’t mean he didn’t carry it home with him, though.”

Aerith came down the stairs leading to the house and she ducked under the bar to help Tifa with the glasses. She smiled warmly at Zack when he toasted her and she tried to ignore the concern in his and Tifa’s eyes.

“Okay, that’s the third time now,” Tifa muttered to her as she sidled close to her friend. “Aerith, if you’re sick you should be in bed.”

Aerith looked at her sidelong and bit her lip. “Um…Tifa?”

“Yes?” Tifa paused in her work and looked at her with a frown. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it? Whatever it is, you can tell me. You know that, right?”

“I skipped my period,” Aerith replied in a strained whisper.

Tifa nearly dropped the glass she was drying. Her eyes went round and she stared at her friend. “Oh…my…god. Aerith, do you think you could be pregnant?”

“I…I don’t know,” Aerith said uncertainly. In truth, she’d been sensing a little presence near her for a while but she’d been brushing it off as her imagination. “I’m kind of scared.”

Zack watched the two women as they had their whispered conversation and his anxiety increased. Something was definitely wrong with his fiancé and he wanted to know what it was. “Hey Aerith, can you come here for a minute?” he called, motioning to her. She shared a look with Tifa and he swore he saw dread in her expression as she obeyed. Tifa followed her as if to support her as she moved closer to Zack.

“What’s the matter, sweetheart?” Zack murmured the question gently and he reached out to check her forehead for temperature. “You’re too pale. Are you sick?”

Aerith looked to Tifa for support, uncertain of how to answer him. Tifa squeezed her gently on the arm and whispered: “You have to tell him.”

“Tell me what?” Zack inquired suspiciously, his dark brows drawing down.

“I’m late,” blurted Aerith. She bit her lip and looked at him almost pleadingly.

Zack scratched his head in befuddlement. “Late for what?” a light bulb suddenly clicked on in his mind and he realized what she was insinuating. “Oh…OH, THAT! Uh, how late are we talking?”

“Um, three weeks,” answered the Cetra softly.

“Three…you’re three weeks late and you never said anything to anybody about it?” Zack felt an unusual mixture of emotions ranging from frustration, joy and fear. “You’ve been having morning sickness?”

“More like ‘evening sickness’,” corrected Aerith with a little shrug. “You know me…nothing’s ever normal.”

Zack finished his beer in one go and set the bottle on the counter with a “thunk”. He got off his stool and looked at her intensely. “Just stay right there and don’t move,” he ordered as he started walking backwards toward the door. “I’ll be right back!” He turned around and nearly barreled into a customer that was walking in. “Oops…sorry man.” Zack steadied the man he’d nearly run over and dodged past him while he watched in confusion.

“Where is he going?” Aerith murmured.

“Probably across the street to the pharmacy for a pregnancy test,” answered Tifa. “I could have told him you could use one of the ones I’ve got stocked upstairs, but it’s more fun this way.”

~************************************~

Zack charged through the glass doors of the pharmacy and he jogged down the isles, searching for the item that he was after. He saw a familiar shock of red hair as he turned down the isle with protection and feminine products and he cursed behind his teeth. Reno was there, browsing the condoms and lube.

“Can I help you find something Sir?” a saleswoman said to Zack when she noticed his frantic search.

“Uh…I need a good pregnancy test,” he explained. Reno looked up from the condoms he was browsing and he grinned predictably at Zack.

“Hey Fair. Good to see you up and about. So, you think you’ve got a bun in your oven?” Reno smirked at him.

“It’s not for me,” Zack snapped un-necessarily. The clerk handed a box to him and he took it mechanically. “So have you guys bagged Scarlet’s gang yet?” Zack questioned, changing the subject.

“No, they’re slippery fuckers,” answered the Turk with a shrug. “We’ll get ‘em sooner or later though. You want in on the hunt?”

In truth, Zack would have loved to be involved in capturing the terrorists. He still had a score to settle with Scarlet over her deceit and her attempts to murder Aerith. He reminded himself that he’d promised Aerith that he wouldn’t take up dangerous work if he could help it, though.

“No,” he sighed. “I’d love to help but I’ve got bigger things to worry about now.”

Reno glanced at the box in Zack’s hand and grinned. “Yo, I kind of figured as much. So who’s the lucky lady, man?”

“Who do you think?” Zack muttered, turning his back on the redhead. Reno grabbed a few boxes of condoms and followed him to the register, much to his annoyance.

“So you think you knocked your Ancient up, huh? I’ll bet Hojo would be happy about that if he was still alive.” Reno snickered.

“If Hojo was still alive, I’d hunt him down and kill him,” Zack said in a low, dangerous voice. He paid for the pregnancy test and thanked the cashier.

“So if it turns out you’re gonna be a Dad, congrats,” Reno called after him as he exited.

Zack threw a smile over his shoulder, mollified by the comment. “Thanks.”

~*********************************~

When Zack returned to the bar, he almost ran over someone again in his haste. This time it was Cloud, who was returning from a delivery and trying to get through the door when Zack charged forth. Zack quickly apologized to his friend and gave him a sheepish grin as he dodged past him and hurried up to the bar. Aerith was still standing behind it, washing glasses with Tifa.

“Here,” Zack said as he handed the paper bag over to her. “Go check now, babe.”

“I don’t need to go to the bathroom right now,” Aerith informed him, flushing with embarrassment as some of the customers watched the exchange curiously.

“Tifa, get her a pitcher of icewater to drink,” Zack insisted. “I’ve gotta know!”

Thoroughly amused by his eagerness, the barmaid obeyed his request and filled a beer pitcher with water. She got a glass and filled it with ice, then set the items on the bar and winked at her flustered girlfriend. “Well, drink up Aerith. You know he’s not going to leave you alone until you do.”

` “What’s going on here?” Cloud asked as he took a seat next to Zack at the bar.

“We think Aerith might be pregnant,” Zack muttered softly.

Cloud ignored the mixed drink that Tifa set in front of him and he stared at Zack with dazed blue eyes. “Aerith…pregnant?” He repeated dumbly. When Zack nodded, the blonde’s expression changed from shocked to reproachful.

“Hey, you can wipe that disapproving frown off your face, kid,” Zack whispered. “I haven’t laid a naughty hand on her since that night and I’m marrying her, remember?”

“If you’ve gotten her pregnant, you’d better bump that wedding date up,” Cloud murmured.

“You know I will,” Zack answered him, feeling a little hurt by his attitude. “Don’t you know me at all, Spike?”

Cloud’s expression softened an he looked at Aerith, who was dutifully gulping down a glass of icewater so that she could take the pregnancy test Zack brought for her. “Sorry,” Cloud apologized softly to his friend. “I know you’re one of the most honorable guys on Gaia. I shouldn’t have said that to you.”

Zack shrugged, pacified by the apology. “It’s all right. I know you’re just trying to look out for her and I was pretty horrible to her when my head was all screwed up.” Tifa brought him another beer and he took it and thanked her before getting up and motioning to Aerith. The Cetra took her pitcher and glass before joining him at one of the tables.

“Maybe you should drink a bunch of water too,” complained Aerith as Zack pulled out a chair for her and she sat in it. “Just to make it even.”

Zack grinned and got up to ask Tifa for a glass. He returned with it and filled it with water from Aerith’s pitcher.

“I was being facetious,” Aerith chuckled. Zack merely winked at her and drank down the entire glass.

“Hey, it’s only fair. We’ll both be busting for the toilet before long.” He set the glass down and took another swig of his beer.

“You’re such a goof.” Aerith smiled as she said it and she drank more of her water. She was very nervous and her tension combined with the heavy water consumption soon had her ready to use the bathroom again. She gave Zack a trembling little smile and stood up to retrieve the test from behind the bar. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this,” Aerith whispered to him as she started to go.

Zack stood up and put his arms around her, unmindful of the audience of customers. “Hey, nobody’s ever really ‘ready’ for something like this. Just remember, I’m going to take care of you no matter what.”

Aerith nodded and returned his embrace before going to the bar to get her test. Zack watched her go and he was grateful when Cloud sat down with him at the table as he waited. His knee was bouncing rapidly and Cloud smirked at him.

“Relax,” advised the blonde. “It’s not like you’re the one that might be pregnant.”

“I know…it’s just…I’m stoked about this.” Zack couldn’t stop smiling.

“I can tell you’re excited,” Cloud said dryly, “just don’t get too happy until the test comes up positive, okay?” He was speaking from his own experiences of disappointment and he didn’t want to see his friend get his hopes up too much.

Zack caught on and he frowned, feeling a little guilty. Cloud and Tifa had been trying for months to start a family and he was sitting there gloating over the possibility that he’d knocked up his girlfriend the first time they ever had sex. “I’m sorry, Spike,” Zack murmured sincerely. “I forgot about you and Tifa.”

Cloud shook his head and shrugged. “The world doesn’t revolve around us. You don’t have to feel bad for your success if Aerith is pregnant, Zack. I’m just reminding you so that you don’t get disappointed if it turns out to be a false alarm.”

“Thanks for keeping my head out of the Clouds, Cloud.” Zack grinned at him and held up his beer in a toast. The blonde smiled quietly back and clinked his whisky drink against it.

Several minutes later, Aerith came back downstairs. Zack stood up anxiously as she approached, his eyes going to the stick test she held in one hand. Tifa paused in mixing a drink to watch as the Cetra crossed the room to stand before Zack.

“It’s positive,” Aerith said to him. Her jade eyes were glazed and disbelieving as she handed the test over to her fiancé.

Zack and Cloud both looked at the stick, then back at her. A grin spread over Zack’s face and Cloud’s little smile was reassuring. Aerith found herself embraced tightly by the brunet and Cloud was patting her gently on the back. Tifa came around from behind the bar and embraced Aerith from behind, congratulating her softly.

“Are you okay?” Tifa asked when Aerith didn’t move or speak.

“I…I’m going to have a baby,” answered the other woman mechanically.

“That’s what normally happens at the end of a pregnancy,” Tifa chuckled. She stroked Aerith’s hair gently and looked up at Zack. “Maybe you should take her upstairs to her room.” Poor Aerith looked like she could pass out at any moment.

Zack nodded in agreement and gently guided Aerith’s stiff footsteps to the stairs leading up to the house. As ecstatic as he was over the revelation, he was worried about how terrified Aerith seemed to be. “Hey,” he murmured to her as he put an arm around her, “It’s going to be okay, sweetheart. Like I said, I’ll take care of you. We’ll move the wedding date up and you and Tifa can start shopping for a dress tomorrow, okay?”

Aerith nodded convulsively and leaned thankfully into his strong embrace. “Zack…when will you have your place?”

“By next week, I hope,” he answered her.

“I want you to stay with me,” she said. “Move back in here, will you?”

Zack kissed her on the cheek. “Sure thing, baby. Things are different now and I don’t think I’d do well being apart from you, knowing you’re carrying our kid.”

Aerith sighed in relief and relaxed a little. She finally had him back and although she was frightened by the knowledge that she was carrying a tiny life in her womb, excitement was quickly replacing the fear. Zack’s agreement to move back in made it easier for her to cope.

~**************************************~

-To be continued