I don't own Final Fantasy 7 any of it's characters or references.

Here's a new story it had taken me some time, but, well, hope you enjoy.

Forward

Chapter 1: The Beginning

The afternoon rain was over, and the bar Seventh Heaven was filled with patrons, it was not over crowded but held a fair share of people. The dark-haired bar tended had just finished serving a customer and stood there behind the counter. She was dressed in short white top with a black leather one over it, with black pants that stopped just short of her knees, and a pair of black sneakers on her feet. There were many of her male patrons that were glancing over at her but she ignored them, a part of her kept wondering why she did her job, after all wasn't it not Barret who suggested they opened back up a bar, and where was he now?

Suddenly she heard the sound of a motorbike in front of the bar, immediately it was turned off and about a minute later a blond-haired blue-eyed young man walked in. He was slightly taller than the bar-hostess, he wore a sleeveless navy blue shirt that used a zipper instead of buttons with long dark jeans and dark boots, he also had a sword holster on his back despite it having no weapon.

"Welcome home Cloud," She said as he approached her.

He could see her with her welcoming smile she always had whenever he reached home.

"Hey Tifa, where are the kids?" He asked.

"Oh, they went to play with their friends they'll be back soon," She replied.

"Well when they do remind me that I have a package for them," He stated.

"A delivery for Denzel and Marlene?" Tifa asked slightly surprised.

"Yeah, it's from Barret, apparently he feels we don't spoil them enough," The young swordsman said.

Tifa giggled at Cloud's previous remark. Cloud couldn't help but smile also, he loved the kids but couldn't help feel like they were spoiling them, but nevertheless both very responsible for their age.

"I'll be upstairs, I have some supplies for the bar, I'll take them out when I'm finished," He said.

Tifa nodded and watched as he disappeared up the stairs, she sighed as he faded, a part of her was happy that he was back and that they were acting more like a family, but there was a part that longed for something more.

Night had begun to creep in and Tifa had closed the bar, both Denzel and Marlene were anxious for Cloud to retrieve the package that Barret had sent for them, and he did, he placed it on the table in which they were about to their supper.

"What is it?" The brown-haired boy asked.

Immediately the two opened the brown box and to their surprise it was filled with all typed of candy, both their eyes went wide as they saw their feast prepared for them, as they were about to take one, Tifa swooped the box off the table.

"No sweets tonight," She stated.

"But Tifa…" Marlene protested.

"No buts," Tifa replied, "Now both of you get ready for dinner."

Dinner had changed much around the bar since the Geostigma syndrome, it was no longer quiet with just Tifa and the kids, now they were filled with Marlene and Denzel bombarding Cloud with numerous questions about his day, and one of Denzel's favorites if Cloud had fought any monsters? And if he did he would ask more questions about what type and if Cloud had to use material?

Dinner had passed and everyone had gone to sleep, Tifa was left alone awake, after making sure the house was locked she prepared to retire to her room for the night, but as she did she checked on her two children and sure enough the two angels were sound asleep on their beds, then she checked in on Cloud, he to was asleep, he was probably tired from the days events because from what he said at the dinner table he had to fight a pack of Behemoths.

She watched him for several minutes sleeping peacefully, a part of her were always worried about him whenever he had to take dangerous paths to make deliveries, she was unaware of the passage of time as she stared at him through the tiny door opening, he laid on his back with his cover reaching only to his chest.

"Hey Cloud, do you love me?" She asked him.

She had done this before asked him that question while he was asleep but he was still awake and his eyes immediately opened, Tifa had immediately changed the question, but this time he continued to sleep, she wanted to muster the courage to ask him that question while he was awake but never could, she would always get weak whenever she saw him awake and smiling at her, and her mind would always become black and soon she'd forget what she wanted to ask him.

She sighed again and went to her room where she would sleep again alone.

Morning came and to Tifa's surprise she was awoken by Cloud, he was still dressed in his long black pants that he slept in. His top half was exposed showing his defined muscular chest, Tifa couldn't help but stare at him, she found him irresistible and no matter how hard she tried she couldn't get the image of him out of her head.

"What are you doing in my room Cloud?" She asked.

Suddenly a memory came to his mind and sly smile formed on his lips.

"Well if you must know I was going through your underwear drawer," He stated bluntly.

Immediately her eyes flew open and she sat up, "What!" She exclaimed.

Tifa didn't notice that the blanket that was covering her fell off her top half as she sat up revealing the black bra she wore, Cloud was speechless as he couldn't help but stare at Tifa' developed bosom. Her cheeks turned red when she saw what he was staring at and immediately pulled the blanket back over her.

"What were you doing Cloud?" She demanded.

"I was just joking," He replied, "I forgot to tell you yesterday that Red, Yuffie and Vincent were coming to visit today."

With those words he immediately got up and left. He couldn't take being around her anymore, if he had stayed he would have done something he would have regretted and he had already caused Tifa enough pain and misery he won't cause more.

To Be Continued...

First chapter kinda short i know but it was difficult coming up with a start for this story, but don't worry it's gonna get better, oh and it's gonna be longer than my last story, if you ever read On the way to a smile you'll notice many references to the novel, i plan on updating tomorrow hopefully. Oh and the rating will change when i decide to add the CloTi lemons, so there you've been warned.

Oh and you can always leave a review and tell me what you think, but only if you really want to, i'm not forcing you to.