Chapter Text
Cloud taps his fingers on the table, working his way through yet paying off another bill. His eyes kept looking out the door, listening to Aerith hum as she folded laundry. He was ready to get up and check on her again, for the tenth time that day.
Aerith was in her final month of pregnancy, her due date approaching fast. His mind couldn't wrap around it. Seemed like only a day ago, she announced to him that they were gonna have a baby. Then in the blink of an eye, nine months flew by. Any day now, their son would be born.
Cloud was terrified. Was he ready to be a father? Would the birth go well? Would anything go wrong that would put either Aerith or the baby in danger? So many "what-if" scenarios crossed his mind practically daily now. The only thing that eased his mind was Aerith being on maternal leave from work, so she wouldn't be doing strenuous work like lifting heavy bags or rearranging the shop. Finishing up the bill, he set it aside and got up, exiting the room. Heading into the nursery.
The nursery was all ready for the bundle of joy, clean and organized. Rocking chair in one corner, diaper changing station in the other. Fairy lights were strung around the room, and Aerith was putting away some onesies into a drawer. His eyes couldn't help but fall onto her stomach. Round, swollen, Aerith looked ready to pop. No wonder she now began to complain about back pains, and no longer being able to see her feet unless she sat down.
"Aerith." He says, approaching her.
She looked over. "Hmm?" He didn't need to get another word out. "Yes, Cloud, I'm okay. The baby and I are fine."
He couldn't hide the smirk that appeared. "That obvious?"
"Tenth time you've asked today, I've been counting." She says, resting a hand on her bump.
He gives a short sigh. "I'm sorry...it's just, y'know...any day now..."
"I know, hon. Trust me, Cloud, it's okay. I'm feeling great actually! Minus some back pain, but that's because our son's in there, that's all." She giggles. "If I can be honest.." her smile fades a bit. "I'm worried too. I want everything to go well, and for no complications. I'm positive things are gonna be okay, cause I have you by my side, Cloud." She grabs his hand with her free one.
He grabs it back, squeezing it. Her words made his anxiety dissipate, for the most part. If she would be confident, then he would be too. "I'm here for you, all the way. I'll be by your side the whole time." He rests his other hand on her middle. His heart skips a beat when he feels a kick from his unborn son. Just a few days from now, he'd be in his arms. His, no, their son.
"Did you feel that kick?" Aerith says with such excitement, his heart flutters. It warmed him to see her get so excited whenever their son had a movement. He was alive, thriving, healthy.
"I did." He gently rubs circles on her stomach, eliciting a few more kicks.
"I think he's excited to meet us. Aren't you, my little man?" She speaks softly to her belly. "We can't wait to meet you either."
"Mhm, we...we can't wait, kiddo," he speaks with an awkward tone. Cloud never really got used to speaking to her stomach.
That night, he laid in bed with Aerith beside him, staring at the ceiling. Arms over his head. Aerith was on her phone, busy texting Tifa. His mind was preoccupied, deep in thought.
'We packed our bags for the hospital, nursery's all ready, I have everyone's numbers....am I missing something?' He thinks to himself, tapping his fingers against his head. 'Maybe I should get gas for the car too. I'm not risking the car running out on the way there.'
"Babe." Aerith's voice startled him out of his thoughts. He quickly shot up in bed, whipping around to face her. His face a look of deep concern.
"What?! What?! Are you okay?!" He frantically asks.
"Hey, hey, get it together." She rubs his arm to soothe him. "I'm alright. I was just asking what you were thinking about?"
His muscles relax, though he was still on edge. "Oh, uhh...it's nothing. Don't worry."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive." He lays back down and turns onto his side, closing his eyes. 'Get it together...c'mon. Baby's not due for another week or so. There's still time.'
About a couple weeks later, Aerith got moodier, complained of aches more, and lazed around the house. Cloud didn't mind, he knew it was just her pregnancy.
Then, one spring day, Aerith seemed to just not feel well at all. She kept rubbing her lower back, she held her stomach now and then, and did not want to be touched. Her crankiness only doubled from the lack of sleep she got the previous night. She was up and down all night, in and out of the bathroom.
Cloud's heart raced as he went into their bedroom, standing by her side. "Aerith?!"
"I'm fine!" She hisses, before wincing a bit. "Just let me lie down and rest for awhile, dammit!" She gave him a frustrated tone.
His heart clenched, she's never really acted like this before, much less get angry. Sure Aerith wasn't immune to being angry, but she rarely snapped at him. He glanced away, though her outburst made him worry even more. Was something wrong with her? Or their son?
Aerith combs a hand through her hair, and she sighs. "Cloud, I...I'm sorry." She apologizes. "I shouldn't have snapped like that. I'm just not feeling the best."
He swallows the lump in his throat. "No, no it's fine. I'll leave you alone, get some rest alright?" He tenderly plants a kiss onto her forehead.
"Yeah, thank you."
Cloud headed back into the bedroom after a few hours, checking up on Aerith. He opens the door, and his face goes pale.
Aerith was on the floor, lying on her knees. Gripping onto the bed, eyes clenched shut. Her hair fell over her face, as she gave a low groan. Her face a tinge of red, sweat rolling down. She breathes in and out, gasping. "Ah!" Her knuckles turned white as she grabs the bed more, clinging onto the sheets for dear life.
Cloud doesn't hesitate bolting to her side, his heart racing a thousand miles per hour. Something's wrong. He knelt down, cradling her in his arms. "Aerith?! AERITH?! What's wrong?! Hey-?!" He stares into her eyes. He can't stand this. He can't stand seeing her in such pain. In this moment, Cloud wanted nothing more than to take it away. He brushed some of her hair out of her face.
"Get...get the bag," Aerith finally spoke after a minute, wiping her head. "I'm in labor..."
If Cloud's heart had the ability to do a triple backflip, fall, and slide right out of his ass, it surely would do it now.