Aetiyu

[The Painted Lady]

Aerith smiled.
"That's the most important thing," she said softly.
"... We haven't got him a name. I didn't think we'd have to think of this so soon..."

[Tifa Lockhart]

"We'll think of something... we're good at names," Zack said with a confident laugh. Then the door opened, and Darts entered.
"Hello Mrs. Fair, how are we feeling?" he asked as he approached her bedside.

[The Painted Lady]

Aerith smiled to Zack, then looked to Darts as he entered.
"Better," she replied.
"I cannot thank you enough for all you've done..."

[Tifa Lockhart]

"Don't thank me," Darts replied humbly as he inspected Aerith's chart and checked her medication. "There's someone somewhere looking after you two, what happened today was a miracle."

[The Painted Lady]

Aerith gave a small smile.
"We are very lucky... How long will he have to stay here?"
Another thought occurred to her suddenly.
"The twins!"
She looked to Zack.
"Where are they now?"

[Tifa Lockhart]

"I will estimate three days for now... but I expect it may be a little longer," Darts said, turning to nod to a nurse who then disappeared, presumably to fetch the baby.

"Cloud said he'd take them somewhere nice so they don't fret," Zack explained. "Not sure where... but they'll be with Cloud and Tifa regardless."
He smoothed Aerith's hand with his thumb gently.

[The Painted Lady]

Aerith gave a small smile, squeezing Zack's hand gently.
"Have you seen him yet? How does he look?"

[Tifa Lockhart]

"I haven't," Zack said with a shake of his head. "They offered... but I said I'd wait till you woke."

The door opened again and a nurse entered, clutching a blue bundle carefully in her arms.
"Here you go Mr and Mrs Fair," she said, offering the delicate bundle to Zack, who was already trembling with anticipation.
He took the bundle very carefully, and slowly pulled the blanket back just a little so that they could both better see his tiny face. He was very small, and looked like he might break at any given moment, but he filled Zack's heart with joy.
"Hey..." he whispered, looking up at Aerith with a twinkling grin, before he stroked the tiny baby's face very gently.

[The Painted Lady]

Aerith gave a small laugh, overjoyed to see her son in Zack's arms.
"Hello my brave little man," she smiled.
"Mama's so, so proud of you..."
She looked up to Darts.
"How old is he?"

[Tifa Lockhart]

"Five hours," Darts replied, glancing at his watch.
"She was really out that long?" Zack asked, not taking his face off of his baby boy.
"Yes, we were expecting you to start breaking things if she didn't wake soon," Darts teased with a laugh.
Zack just smirked.

[The Painted Lady]

Aerith gave a small smile.
"He's so tiny..."
At six weeks premature, it was to be expected. With so many things working against him, it really was a miracle he had survived, let alone she could see him now.
"I feel bad, not being around for his first few hours," she sighed softly.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"I'm sure he wont hold it against you," Zack said, still stroking the tiny baby's face.
"He's so quiet..." he offered softly, looking up to Darts as if seeking an explanation.
"He cried at first," Darts clarified, "he has gone very quiet however... with your permission there are a number of checks I'd like to do on him... given the difficulty of the pregnancy."
Zack looked at Aerith for her opinion.

[The Painted Lady]

"Anything..."
She swallowed hard.
"Anything to make sure he's okay."

[Tifa Lockhart]

Zack gave his own permission in the form of a silent nod, and Darts just smiled softly.
"I'll be sure to let you know of any developments. Now if you'll excuse me... I have other patients."
With that he slipped quietly out of the room, leaving the new parents alone.

[The Painted Lady]

Aerith looked up from her son to Zack then.
"Can I... just have him lay beside me for a little bit?" she asked softly.