Love of My Life

Chapter 4

I had intended not to ride with Cid but the man just showed up out of nowhere saying that Reeve wanted to meet with him too. "So how you been, Vincent?" he asked in his casual drawl as Nanaki came out with Ellie in tow. "Who's the kid?" he motioned to Eliora, "Looks kinda like you Vincent. Got an admirer?" He chuckled.

I just nodded as Ellie ran over and hugged me. I wasn't too keen on explaining my story to Cid, the man would ask too many questions. "Is he one of your friends too?" she whispered as she tugged on my sleeve.

I nodded, "Hi!" she said it timidly but the chirpiness was still in her voice as she hid behind me.

Cid squat down to her level, "Well hello there little one, this yer pa?" He chuckled.

"Yep!"

I smirked, it's funny he joked like that considering she really is my daughter. "Well I'll be! When did you become a father Vincent?"

"Yesterday!" Wouldn't I technically be a father ever since Lucrecia became pregnant with our child? I smiled down at her before sadness crept in... We could've gotten married, made a family together, had more kids, and lived a normal life... There would be no Sephiroth... I felt guilty about that... Lucrecia still loves him... An alarm shot through me, my Eliora is Sephiroth's sister... My face soured with disgust and hatred when I remembered what Hojo did to us, did to her...

"Vincent?" Nanaki snapped me out of my thoughts.

He and Cid were staring at me. "Where is Ellie?"

"She went to say goodbye to some kid named Breein. What's up with you Vincent? Looked like someone pissed in your cornflakes for a minute there!"

I gave him a look before turning away, just the name of that man made me seethe. "Hojo."

"Oh..."

"Damn that man's enough to get anyone pissed!" I immediately tuned him out when he started ranting.

"Cid? Cid?" Nanaki tried again, "Cid!"

"Huh?"

"There are children nearby. Their mothers have asked me to let you know they do not appreciate such language around their young."

"Well shiiet!" Nanaki moved to speak before Cid put a hand in front of him, "I know, I know! Hard to change my language that's all."

Eliora ran back giggling with a flower in her hair, "Can we come back soon? Breein said he's really going to miss me," she twirled in a lovestruck way as she spoke to me.

Oh no... The sooner we get out of here the better. "Maybe," I grunted half-heartedly.

"She's coming with us?" Cid's brows shot up, "Isn't she one of yer Cosmo Canyon kids or somethin'?"

Nanaki shook his head. "I told you silly! He's my daddy!" She giggled as she hugged me.

His eyebrows went higher as he studied me, "Okay then... So, you two are headed to Kalm too?" I nodded, "Alright then! Let's go! Just came to say hello!" He threw at Nanaki before punching my shoulder, "I bet yer glad you don't have to walk!" He gave me a wink before rushing off.

"Why'd he hurt you?" Her face twisted with fear and concern.

I shook my head "It's just a way of showing affection sometimes. Just make sure, you do it lightly." I picked her up and kissed her forehead before punching her arm lightly making her giggle.

"That tickled!" A warm fuzziness spread through my chest, I love my little girl.

We said our goodbyes to Nanaki before following Cid to his airship and preparing for flight. The whole way she kept asking me more and more questions about the world of the living. Halfway through the flight she ran off to explore, Cid making sure she knew the rules of the Highwind beforehand. "So where'd you find her?"

"Long story," I grunted.

He scoffed, "Well we got a long ride ahead of us."

That we do, I sighed, "Hmm..." I paused, how would Cid feel about her if he knew she was Sephiroth's half-sister? It should mean nothing but... People were touchy with the subject of Sephiroth these days. I scanned the room to see so many people within earshot. I inwardly grimaced, no best not right now, maybe not at all with Cid's mouth. "Later."

"Ehhh!? What's the big deal Vinnie?"

"You call me Vinnie again," I warned.

He smirked in response, "Well since you asked, Vinnie." I left in search of Eliora. "Oh come on! I was just kiddin'! Vincent! Vincent! Damn I'm curious now!" I heard him mutter.

I smirked, he can be curious all he wants. I found Ellie peeking out a window near the center of the airship, her face pressed against the glass cartoonishly as she looked down below. I chuckled and she turned to me with a grin. "Look daddy, look! We're over the mountains now!"

I leaned beside her against the railing the sunshine shone through the clouds enveloping the horizon in light, the hills below us rolling smoothly. I paused to look at the scenery with her, "Why didn't uncle Cid believe me?"

I smirked, "Children don't usually pop up out of the Lifestream, Ellie."

"Why not? Where do they come from them?"

The blood instantly left my face. I was speechless, what do I say? What did Cloud say? Reeve? Barret? I couldn't tell her the truth, but looking into her innocent little face made me feel guilty for even thinking about lying to her. "Uhm---well--ask me in a few years." Oh no... How am I supposed to help her understand puberty!? I grew anxious just thinking about it.

"Dad?" her curious little eyes inspected me.

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay?"

"Uhm---fine... Just thinking."

"About what?"

"The future. Our future," I corrected.

She grinned, "Yep!" she hugged me, "So when can I see Rena, Marlene, Denzel, and May?" she asked excitedly.

I thought for a moment, "In a few days at the most... Ellie?"

"Yeah."

I knelt at her level and put my hands on her face, "I know we've only just got this chance to be together but I need you to stay with Cloud and Tifa for a while..."

Her smile broke and she looked like she was going to cry, "Without you?" the look on her face tore me apart.

"Yes... Reeve needs my help for something dangerous and I don't want you getting hurt."

Tears welled in her eyes, "You're gonna be safe? You won't go to the Lifestream without me?"

I bit my lip and hugged her close, "I'm going to be fine, Ellie."

"How do you know for sure?"

"Because I have you to come back to," I kissed her temple.

"I love you daddy."

"I love you too, Ellie."