Aetiyu

[Tifa Lockhart]

"Alrighty." Zack said, reluctantly relinquishing his hold on Aerith to let her go, turning to eat his rolled up pancake.

"What're we doin' today daddy?" Ynyr asked, his mouth now empty.
"Daddy's gotta run into town for a while, but we can do something a little later buddy." Zack replied with a soft smile.
"Aww... alright." Ynyr replied looking a little downtrodden.

[The Painted Lady]

"Maybe Mama will let us help her with her flowers today," Ashlynn said to Ynyr.
"Aunty Yuffie isn't good at looking after flowers..."

Aerith soon returned with Zack's coffee in one hand, her tea in the other, setting them down the table.
"Looks like Yuffie and Kunsel kept us well stocked... perhaps we should pay them for what's in the fridge."
She picked up her fork, but paused before she began eating.
"What was it you needed to go into town for again?" she asked with a small frown.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"Yeah, it was good of them." Zack said after he'd finished his last mouthful of pancake. He paused though when Aerith asked why he needed to go into town, he hadn't thought of a reason...
"Uh... just a few little things. Non-essentials. Just thought it would be nice for me to go and get them while it's on my mind..." A thought suddenly crossed his mind, permission... how was he going to go see Elmyra and his parents while Aerith thought he was in town shopping?
Oh boy was he in for some explaining... cunning explaining >.>

Ynyr smiled to his sister and nodded with enthusiasm, "That would be fun." He grabbed his cup and took a long drink from his juice.

[The Painted Lady]

Aerith gave a small frown, clearly not satisfied by Zack's explanation.
"Zack--" But before she could ask, a cup of orange juice went flying, clattering to the ground messily.

Ashlynn squeaked; evidently, it was hers.
"Sorry Mummy!" she said as Aerith pulled out her chair to retrieve it.

"It's okay honey," Aerith sighed, picking up the cup.
"I'll get you another one, just be careful..."

Ashlynn watched her mother go, before she shot an unmistakeably cheeky grin at her father. She had never been a clumsy child...

Aerith looked to Zack as she returned with the refilled cup and paper towels. By now, her mind was elsewhere.
"While you're out, I might give Mom a call... we never really got to tell her or your parents that we were leaving..."

[Tifa Lockhart]

Zack gave a perplexed look at his little girl as she grinned at him and noticed that Ynyr was snickering mischievously as well. He swore the two of them had the twin-ESP thing going... because they always seemed to know what the other was doing even when they were not together.
Zack mouthed a thankyou to Ashlynn, curious about whether the little girl knew that she'd saved him, or whether he was imagining it XD
When Aerith re-emerged, he had an idea. "Well, maybe we could all go visit your mother Aerith? You can stay with her while i run into town in Kalm and get the things i need. Then we'll go to Gongaga together. How's that sound?" He looked to the twins with a smile.
"I'm sure the twins would love to see their grandparents."

"Yay!" Ynyr exclaimed, clapping in confirmation.

[The Painted Lady]

Aerith smiled as Ashlynn voiced her enthusiasm too.
"Okay, I suppose we can."
"We should ring ahead first," she added.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"Sure, i'll go ring." Zack said, gulping down his tea, muffling some inappropriate words as it burned his throat and then hurried off to get the phone and call their folks. First up was Aerith's mother.

[The Painted Lady]

"Za-- Ah..."
Aerith lowered back into her seat again as Zack left to finish her breakfast. She look over to her children, waiting patiently for her.
"Finished?" she asked with a smile, moving to gently lift each from their chair, before collecting the plates and utensils left on the table.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Ynyr nodded and stretched his arms out for his mother to get him out of the chair. Once he was on the ground he smiled happily and reached out for Ashlynn's hand.
"Let's go get ready to see grammy G, grammy F and grandad!" He said happily.

Zack dialed Mrs. Gainsborough's number and leaned against the wall, toying with the cord of the pone with a sigh.

[The Painted Lady]

Ashlynn took her brother's hand, smiling up to him.
"Okay," she said, just as cheerfully, ready for him to lead her along.

"Hello? Aerith?" Elmyra's voice came desperately over the phone, having instantly recogised the number.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"No Mrs Gainsborough, sorry to disappoint." Zack replied in a friendly tone. "She's here though, um... we were thinking of coming to visit this afternoon. Is that convenient?" He tried to keep the shifty tone out of his voice, that and the nerves. "Only if you're sure of course."

[The Painted Lady]

Elmyra paused momentarily.
"O-okay..." It was apparent she was crying.
"Of course. You should come. Stay as long as you like."

[Tifa Lockhart]

Zack sighed slightly and straightened from the wall.
"Mrs Gainsborough, i'm... i'm sorry we disappeared without saying anything, we'll explain everything when we get there..."

[The Painted Lady]

"You better," Elmyra said firmly.
By no means did Aerith's mother dislike Zack, but she was still fiercely protective of her daughter and... well, old habits die hard.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"Of course." Zack replied, trying to hold back the intimidation in his voice. "We'll be there soon... Goodbye Mrs. Gainsborough." He hung up the phone, and dialed his parents number with a sigh, he hoped one day he might earn Elmyra's full trust and respect.