Secrets of a Roughwood (Vincent ValentineXOC) Romance

Chapter 15

The WRO ball.

The biggest party in Midgar, now that Shinra was no more than a handful of employees and a washed up president. Reeve made every effort he could possibly muster to make this event something grand. He wanted to make an impression, make Midgar know that this was what a healthy business party looked like. He wanted his employees to know they were appreciated with good food, a pat on the back from him, and expensive drinks all around. He knew his Avalanche friends thought he did all this to impress Rufus and keep that money flowing in to aid his promising organization. It was so much more than that.

In fact, it was the opposite.

He wanted it to be better than anything Shinra had ever attempted and all for his people. That was something that Shinra never gave thought to, their own people. Reeve was nothing like that.

"Yuffie, do you need more tape?"

The Ninja was currently perched high above the ground on the ledge of a window sill hanging the banner he and Shelke had worked on for hours. She mumbled something.

"...What?"

"I said NO, Reeve. Let me work my magic!"

He held up his hands in a mock surrender before strolling through the rest of the auditorium, analyzing the set-up for tonight. It was still morning, but he had called Yuffie over for extra help when she had informed him that Cid and Shera were coming, along with Vincent... and the young woman that escaped from deepground. He had never met her, so he could never think of her name. Rachel? Ren?

...Reece. That was it.

"I should remember that, it's one letter from my own," he thought to himself in frustration. He wanted to see what this mystery girl that had Vincent so preoccupied looked like. Sure, she was in a file on the WRO's database for professional business pertaining to Deepground, along with all the other victims.

He wanted to see her with Vincent.

The gunslinger hadn't been available in months for a true mission, exempting the small monster hunts he had him run from time to time. Still, most of those had not strayed too far from Nibelheim. She and the child were taking up all of Vincent's time, and even as his boss as well as his friend, Reeve couldn't be happier for him. He had to admit, he missed his expertise when he needed someone with his skill set or espionage missions. Vincent was the best and his absence had caused Reeve to look to others, less qualified to carry out orders…

Yet, that was besides the point.

Reeve was excited to see his friends again and he focused on secretly critiquing Yuffie's set tables as quietly and delicately as he could move each centerpiece…

Reece POV

I stared at the dress laid out on the bed for over 20 minutes before undressing. I could not believe I was actually going to put that on, leave my daughter with someone from Deepground and parade around a ball with a man on my arm.

I must have lost my mind.

Shelke had mentioned staying behind in an effort to keep Marlene at 7th heaven, and although I didn't like it, it made the most sense to leave Lucy as well. I had to be thoroughly convinced though, something Valentine had worked on for half the afternoon when I reluctantly agreed.

"She will be fine and get much more enjoyment out of playing with Marlene then being forced to prance around an auditorium."

...He was right, damn it.

And if Vincent trusted her…..I begrudgingly did too….

…but I didn't want to.

I had left a complete list of foods Lucy could and would eat, how to finally get her to sleep if she refuses to go, and how I usually fixed her bottles. She had finally stopped nursing much to my utter surprise, and took to regular milk with a vengeance. What a relief, to not be the sole provider of her nutrition anymore. I sighed and my mind went back to the fabric in front of me as I cringed.