Love of My Life

Chapter 2

I wasn't quite sure what to do. After cooking her a rabbit she had snuggled into my chest. Where could we live? The Shin-Ra mansion definitely wasn't the best place for a child. I pondered for what seemed like hours when I watched the sun start fading from the sky. I looked down to realize she had fallen asleep, a small smile crept across my lips as I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Is this real? Could Lucrecia really have sent me our daughter from the Lifestream? It seemed impossible, but then again here she was. My heart squeezed at the thought of waking up. I held her tighter to make sure she wouldn't disappear. I kissed her forehead. She was so warm... It wasn't often that I was able to feel the warmth of a living creature. Marlene was the only one brave enough to be this close to me. I smiled when I remembered spending time with her; uncle Vincent was what she called me as I braided her hair. My smile broadened when I realized I would be able to braid Ellie's hair. My heart warmed as I imagined buying her pretty dresses and treating her like a princess, like Cloud and Barret did for Marlene. I chuckled, what would they think when they saw her? I could imagine their gaping faces as she ran around with the other kids.

My mind wandered at all the things we could do together. There were so many possibilities for us but one thing I knew for sure. If someone wanted to hurt her they would have to go through me. I could feel chaos growl and my eyes shot open. What if I hurt her!? What if chaos took control? What then? I breathed in heavily. The thought lingered in my mind, If you hurt her, I'll destroy you! Chaos' growl reverberated through my mind even less pleasantly this time. There were very few times chaos and I were in unison enough to understand each other and this was really not one of those times. An uncomfortable fear shivered through my body, my stomach somersaulting for the first time since my death. I wasn't much for prayer but at that moment I prayed to the Goddess that, chaos or not, I would never hurt my little girl.

I jumped when my phone rang, "Daddy..!" she grumbled before nuzzling further into my cloak.

Daddy... A grin spread across my face. Daddy... It's been so long since I thought I had had a chance like this someday... This was my dream... I vaguely remembered my phone and dug in my pocket for it. It was a text from Reeve;

Meet me in Kalm. We need to talk.

A weight settled on my chest... I had been expecting this but... I looked down at Ellie... Not even a day together and they already needed me... I paused for a moment before texting back, the phone buzzing in my hand a moment later.

This is extremely important. You know I wouldn't text if it wasn't.

I knew it was true before I even tried to get out of it. And going by our track record this was going to be something apocalyptic, so no matter where I tried to hide us it wouldn't matter. I breathed in heavily before deciding on the only thing I could do, I texted Tifa.

"Did you hear from Reeve?"

"Unfortunately, why?"

"I need a favor," I could imagine her surprise that I even texted her, let alone asked her for a favor.

"A favor?" I thought for a moment about how best to explain the situation to her when I remembered what my sister had always said about pictures being worth more than words. So for the second time in my life I actually tried to use the camera on my phone. The first being when Marlene wanted to take a picture of us together. I grimaced as the flash nearly woke her, I un-tensed when she just mumbled and started breathing evenly again. Almost immediately after I sent the picture she texted back with, "Aww! Is she okay? Where'd you find her?"

"She's fine... Long story... Her name is Eliora," I had a tinge of apprehension about anyone else watching over her but if I was to trust anyone with her it would be Tifa or Cloud.

"We'll watch over her don't worry."

"Thank you."

"Meet you at the bar?" she asked.

"Yes. Two weeks."

"See you then." Great... I sighed. I never get a break... Instead of brooding I decided to spend what little time I had left watching her sleep.

When I awoke the next morning I found her grinning at me. Her smile was infectious, "I love you daddy!" she giggled.

"I love you too, Ellie."

After snuggling me she asked what we were going to do today. I was hesitant, but I told her about visiting my friends in Edge, "You can play with Tifa and Cloud's kids."

I nearly fell over when she bounded with excitement, "Really!?" She wrapped her small arms around my neck. "I wish mommy could come with us too!" I tried to swallow the lump that formed in my throat.

"Me too..."

She startled me out of my darkness when she kissed my cheek again. She pressed her face against mine, "I'm sorry I made you sad... But Mommy's watching over us, so don't be sad," she paused, "She told me that you proposed to her. That she really wanted to say yes but she was scared because she believed that grandpa dying was her fault."

"She doesn't deserve the blame for that..."

"That's what grandpa said too. He said he wanted to protect her," she was quiet again, "Will you two get married now? Mama wants to," My heart shattered into a million pieces, "I'm sorry daddy! Please don't cry!" I felt a tear slip down my cheek...

I nuzzled her face against mine, "It's okay... Someday," I didn't have the heart to tell her that I will never be able to die again... To reunite with Lucrecia in the Lifestream... That's my curse... My chest squeezed when I thought of Ellie returning to the Lifestream one day without me. I held her closer. This time I have with her... I'll cherish it for as long as I have...

"When we return to the Lifestream?" I nodded, unable to speak. We stayed there in silence for the longest time until she said, "Daddy?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm hungry." I gave her a small smile before hoisting her up onto my hip and heading off into the woods in the direction of Cosmo Canyon. She giggled, "I can walk daddy!"

I grunted in acknowledgement, "Right," I set her down hesitantly like she would disappear the moment I let her go. I let out a breath of relief when she was still there looking up at me with an adorable grin spread across her face.

She hugged me again, "I love you, daddy!" A smile swept across my face as I reciprocated. She giggled before wrapping her tiny little fingers around my hand and hopping as she looked around the place in wonder. I felt more relaxed the more we walked, the anxiety in my chest releasing, little by little.

A twig snapped nearby making us both freeze, I wrapped my clawed arm around her before quietly withdrawing Cerberus. I could feel her shake as a growl sounded from the trees. Nibel wolves. I silently cursed. Normally they'd be rather easy to defeat but with Ellie here? I looked down just as she looked up at me, "It's okay, I'm here." I could feel her nuzzle her face into my hip as I scanned the tree line. So who's going to make the first move? Just as the thought crossed my mind I heard a twig snap behind us.

In an instant I turned and shot it down mid-air before three more came at us.

I shot the one nearest to my right as one latched onto me.

I grimaced as it sank its teeth into my upper arm.

I bashed the other one with my clawed arm, hearing it's body break on a tree as I pointed Cerberus behind me, shooting the wolf on my back point blank.

Two more wolves howled and whimpered before running off into the brush. I listened closely to their retreating footfalls before turning my attention to Ellie. The poor thing was crying, "You're bleeding..."

I glanced at my arm before refocusing on her, "Are you hurt?" She shook her head and sniffled. "I'm okay." I told her. She nodded before wrapping her arms around my chest and weeping. "Everything's going to be okay." I comforted her before reaching into my pouch for a potion. "See?"

She looked up before touching my arm, "H-how?

"I took a potion."

"A potion?" she sniffed.

I attempted a playful smile, "Your mother didn't teach you about potions?" she shook her head as I hoisted her onto my hip again and started teaching her more about the world of the living.