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Wutai was windy when they arrived. She missed this weather. It’s also far prettier than Midgar, but what can she do when she’s lived there for half of her life. Her husband takes her hand into his and she smiles.
“Are you cold?” He asks, willing to lend her his coat if she was.
“Not at all.”
Her mother’s house was a pretty one. It was spacious with its two story height, curved rooftops adorning the top of it. A small pond in front with viridescent plants and trees all over. The koi fish swimming around energetically.
Rufus has never been here before this, and it surprises him how much their home is reminiscent of this place. From the knickknacks and down to the atmosphere. Once they made it to the small steps leading to the front door, she stopped briefly. He wonders if it’s excited jitters or unsolicited anxiousness.
“Worried?” The way he asks was gentle, so gentle, and it makes her heart flip as if she’s still a teenager.
“No, I just can’t wait to see her.” She replies, squeezing his hand.
“Then what are you waiting for?” He gestured towards the door and gave her a slight smile.
“Right,” Tifa let out a nervous laugh and faced the door.
The knocks were gentle against the hardwood door. That excitement continues to bubble as she clasps her hand, waiting for someone to answer the door. An insignificant amount of time passes before the locks on the door can be heard twisting.
A lady ranging between her late 40’s and early 50’s opened the door to find her daughter right by her doorstep, standing patiently as ever. Her straight bangs almost obscured her wide eyed gaze as she stood frozen, trying to process the surprise visit. That moment was short lived because before Tifa could say anything, her mother leaped and pulled her into a tight hug.
“Baby, what brings you here to visit me without a call?” Thea cupped her cheek and peppered kisses on it. Tifa pulled away while grinning from ear to ear. She looked back to Rufus before facing her again. “Rufus has some work here and since we’re already here…I thought ‘why not?’.
The older woman looked over her shoulder, an alarmingly wicked expression forming on her face. “Ah, the pretty son-in-law. I trust you’re doing well, Rufus?”
“Yes, Ma’am.” He says with ease. Even though he may appear as self-assured right about now, little did Thea know—or maybe she did— that he was shivering in his coat. That time when she threatened to take back Tifa when realizing he’s the son of President Shinra haunts him sometimes. Yet the thing that mellowed her out was the promise to take good care of her daughter. Obviously there wasn’t any problem there. He wouldn’t say he was kind of frightened by her, no of course not, he’s going to carry that secret into his grave.
She smiles at the reply. For her age, her face was still a youthful one with barely any wrinkles, which he finds utterly bizarre.
“That’s good,” Thea turns to Tifa, still not letting go of her grip. “Have you two eaten yet?”
“I mean…we shared a sandwich.”
Her face twisted into a look similar to distaste. “Dear Leviathan, that won’t do. Come in, come in, I made noodles!”
That was it. The motherly love that she missed.
“How’s your father doing, angel?”
Tifa looked up from her bowl with slight confusion. “Uh, he’s doing fine, Mama.”
Rufus continued eating his serving as if he’s not interested in what’s going to unfold. He could hear Thea scoff. “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t glad to hear that. Midgar is a scary place.” He begrudgingly agrees with that sentiment.
“Don’t worry, he’s adapting well.” Even though the divorce was beyond rocky and the façade her mother wore was not giving a shit, it sometimes slipped through the cracks.
As soon as she said that, she had the sudden urge to go pee. Damn bladder. “Ah sorry, I need to go to the bathroom real quick.”
“It’s okay, don’t rush.” Her words weren’t left unheard when the bathroom door was shut. An amused sigh escaped Thea’s mouth, averting Rufus’ full attention to her. She intertwined her fingers lazily on the table before saying, “I see that you’re taking good care of her. She’s practically glowing.”
He smiles a genuine one. “She’s getting more and more beautiful by the day, isn’t she? I wouldn’t be half as sane as I am today if it wasn’t for her.”
He could tell she was pleased. “That daughter of mine. Only she could make Gaia’s most influential man fall head over heels.” ‘Head over heels’ was an understatement. He was smitten with all of her.
“But, say, when is this influential figure going to have children of his own?” The question was asked so nonchalantly he was caught off guard, resulting in him choking on spit. He coughs and coughs and coughs while she watches with that vicious expression.
Rufus accepted the tissue she was handing out and wondered what’s taking his wife so long for in the bathroom. “Aww, you’re flustered, how adorable! Now answer the question.” Gods above, what did he do to deserve this.
He has calmed down while simultaneously regaining his usual confidence, ready to tackle the big question.
“We’re planning to take things slow for a while, since we’re both incredibly busy right now.”
For some reason, he thought she would glare him half to death, instead she reacted rationally well. Probably some stuff she regretted in the past came rushing in. “Well then, I’ll have to wait for my beautiful grandchildren.” She reciprocated the smile he threw her way.
“Really sorry for the hold up! What were you guys talking about?” Tifa’s voice interrupted their chatting session as she came out of the bathroom—much to his relief.
“Oh nothing! Mama was just asking how business was going. Right, Rufus?” Tifa sat down and grabbed his hand out of habit.
He nods frantically at the question and Tifa arches an eyebrow at him. Suspicious but brushed it off when her mother interjected.
“Baby, I forgot to tell you earlier but the festival you liked is starting tonight. Want to go see it?”
The hold on his hand tightens almost painfully as she gasps. “Really?! We would love too!”
She was warm, he noticed. He loves seeing her this excited, it was infectious even though he was still fearful of her mother’s presence in general. At least she makes to-die-for noodles?