A/N: Well, I dropped the whole Aeris thing at the beginning for my own reasons- but she might show up in heartfelt moments in the future. I don't know. I'm just trying to make everything better. Shhh, shhh. Yes, that was me comforting myself... haha. And Denzel had been added. Man o man o man. I changed a LOT of it. I kind of had a writer's block while writing this, too... so a lot of it is stupid. Whatever. And I'm not a big fan of Aeris... so if you're a Aeris/ Cloud fan I don't suggest this...
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy or any of it's characters. I own nothing!
Tifa pushed her hair behind her ears and steadied herself against the bar, hands pressed firmly against the ledge. She smiled, watching the children in front of her as they worked on their homework- Marlene cheerful and kicking her feet while Denzel only focused on the problems in front of him.
They balanced each other out, these two. She admired how they were able to care for each other, enjoyed watching them play and grow. She fantasized about being a child again from time to time- carefree and happy. However, right now, she was thankful for what she had.
The new Seventh Heaven was coming along fantastically and she had a family, though Cloud had disappeared again. It had it's drawbacks. Marlene was upset- but it was Denzel who took it to heart. It brought out an anger in him. Negativity that Tifa, at first, didn't know how to handle. She only knew how to do what she did best- love him.
And it had paid off. To have these two in front of her, and so many other children that came to her when they needed help, helped to keep her mind off the things that tore at her. Her guilt, her bitterness at all the promises Cloud seemed to forget, and her worries that he might fall into trouble and she wouldn't be near enough to help.
"Tifa." Denzel looked up from his work, pulling her from her thoughts. "Do you think Cloud will come home?"
Tifa took a moment to answer. She smiled and grabbed a washcloth, began to wipe down the counter. "Yes. Eventually."
"Denzel." Marlene looked up and pulled on the sleeve of Denzel's shirt. She was always trying to make things better, trying to smooth things over so there were no rocks for them to bump against. "How do you do this one?" She placed a finger against a problem and Denzel looked over her shoulder. He explained, and she listened- nodding every now and again to assure him she was understanding. Tifa refilled a glass of wine for a man at the end of the bar.
That night when Tifa tucked Denzel and Marlene in her bed- for they refused to sleep alone- Marlene looked up at her, eyes shining.
"Are you going on a date with Quentin again?"
"Maybe." Tifa smiled. Denzel grunted in disapproval. Denzel did not take to male suitors, and Tifa could think of many reasons why he wouldn't. He was the man of the house, most of the time... and he probably imagined Cloud as a Father and Tifa and a Mother. Don't most children want their Mothers and Fathers to marry and live happily ever after? Tifa stroked Denzel's hair back and he turned away from her. She smiled again, a sad smile, and looked back at Marlene. "Why?"
"He's nice." She said, scrunching her nose up a bit which gave away that she thought differently. "But, what about Cloud?"
"I don't know." Tifa answered, honestly. "Cloud has other things on his mind right now, I'm sure." She kissed Marlene's forehead. "You both should get some sleep. I'll be up later." She turned out the light but left the door open, the light from the hall shining on their faces. Marlene was smiling, Denzel still had his back turned to her. "Good night." She walked down the stairs and continued to straighten up the bar, sipping small amounts of wine before coming to a stop. She washed the single glass and stood over the sink.
"Damn it, Cloud." She turned and went upstairs, sliding into bed between the two children. She was relieved and smiled when Denzel scooted in closer to her. At least he forgave her a bit- if only in his dreams.
Marlene was laughing as she tugged on Tifa's arm, trying to pull the woman out of bed. Tifa just lost herself in her pillow and grumbled, stretching her free limbs out to embrace the morning. Denzel was already downstairs, dressed and waiting.
When at last Tifa sat up, Marlene stared at her
"Such messy hair." The girl giggled.
"Messy hair?" Tifa looked at Marlene and in an instant gathered the girl into her hairs and ruffled her hair up, sending Marlene into a shriek of laughter. "Who's hair is messy now?" Marlene continued to laugh and struggled as she fought Tifa, but didn't succeed in getting far. Finally Tifa let go and climbed out of bed. "I'll make breakfast in a minute." She escaped into the bathroom and heard Marlene's footsteps run down the stairs.
Mornings were always the same for the family. The children woke up before her, got ready and when Tifa woke up she would fix breakfast. She'd make them lunch and walk them to school. She kept her eyes peeled for any harm, and would be joined by many other school children. Denzel, though feigning to be tough, would grab Tifa's hand. Sometimes she thought it was because he wanted her to know he was protecting her- other times she knew Denzel just needed the security of her touch.
Marlene held her hand out of innocence. She wanted to be close to Tifa, to be close to Denzel. She wanted to be a family. She was simple- wanting nothing more than the comfort of love.
Tifa adored them, hugged them both (which must have embarrassed Denzel at his age- but he never refused her hugs) and watched them enter the school. She didn't turn her back until she was sure they were safe inside, and still sometimes she waited for a few moments after the bells would ring. She couldn't help it- they kept her together. She couldn't imagine being without either of them now- she had already lost Cloud somewhere. Her world was already shaking out of balance... she needed Marlene and Denzel to weigh down whether was left of her soul.
She stopped by a market to pick out fresh food and saw a girl selling flowers. It stopped her for a moment- her heart caught in her throat. Memories rushed through her and she looked away quickly, evading all thoughts of the past. When she made it back to Seventh Heaven and unlocked the doors she realized she had been holding her breath. A place she was weary to open, weary to rename had become a safety.
"Tifa." She jumped and turned around, yet to open the bar. Quentin stood before her, smiling with a bundle of flowers in his arm. She couldn't quite brush the feeling of coincidence- but hid it with a smile.
"Good morning, Quentin." She opened the doors and he followed her inside. "Kind of early for a visit, hmm? Don't you need to go to work?"
"I can be a bit late." Quentin gave her the flowers and she went to the kitchen to find a vase. "I just had the urge to see you." Tifa displayed the flowers at the end of the bar- closest to the wall.
"That's very sweet." She nodded towards a regular customer as he entered, already filling his glass with beer. "Thank you." She took it to the customer and greeted him. Quentin watched her.
"So... I was thinking..."
"Uh oh." Tifa teased.
"What about this Friday?"
"Friday? That's too soon, Quentin." Tifa shook her head. "I'd have to find someone to watch Marlene and Denzel."
"What about the woman who watched them last time?"
"Denzel didn't like her."
Quentin remained quiet. "What if I hire my sister's Nanny for the night? She watches her kids- and they love her just fine."
"I haven't met her, Quentin."
"You can meet her tonight. I'll bring her by."
"On such short notice?"
"It'll be fine." Quentin was persistent. It was one of the many reasons he was so successful in life. Tifa knew it, but she never brought his wealth up. Nor did she acknowledge that he was charming and handsome. If she acknowledged it- it would be too close to letting go.
"I don't think it's such a good idea."
"Just meet her. If you don't like her we'll drop the whole idea."
"...Fine." Tifa agreed and shook her head, then smiled.
"Good." Quention leaned over to give her a kiss on the forehead.
"Tifa." The voice made her jump. She pushed Quentin away from her fast and looked at the door. Cloud was staring at the two, an expression that looked tired and a bit annoyed. Tifa was ready to let a stream of excuses fly out of her mouth but Quentin's grip on her arm brought her back to reality.
"Cloud."
"So this is Cloud?" Quentin looked surprised at first, then smiled. "I've heard a lot about you." He held out his hand to Cloud. Cloud, in turn, looked at his hand for a few moments before reluctantly taking it. "I hope Tifa looks up to me someday as much as she does you."
Cloud didn't respond, just let go and looked back at Tifa. "Tifa?"
"Cloud... this is Quentin." She introduced, and looked for an escape. The customer still had half a glass of beer left. She decided to bring him another, anyway.
"Mmm." Quentin looked at a clock. "I had better get going. Tonight, Tifa." He smiled and nodded once more to Cloud. "Nice to meet you, Cloud."
Cloud waited until Quentin was out of sight before saying anything else.
" Who was that?" He asked her when she returned to the bar.
"Quentin."
"..."
He didn't have to say anything for Tifa to know he wanted an explanation. "We've gone out a couple of times. Nothing serious. You look tired, Cloud. Marlene and Denzel will be so excited to see you're back." She suddenly remembered that he had been gone for so long- and that if anyone had a reason to be mad it was her. "You should go to bed." She said dryly.
"Bed. Right." He kept his eyes on her for a few moments before leaving her alone to tend the bar.
Cloud was still asleep when it was time to get the kids. Tifa ushered the customers out of the bar, smiling and telling them they would be open again in an hour, and made her way to the school. She was always early, waiting a few minutes before the bell would ring and letting out a sigh of relief to see Denzel and Marlene rushing to greet her- often holding hands.
Today both were in even better humor than usual- neither had homework.
"There is a surprise for you when we get home." Tifa told them, keeping her face straight as she took their hands.
"A surprise?" Marlene became giddy. "What kind of surprise?"
"I can't tell you." Tifa shook her head.
"A food."
"I'm not going to tell you." Tifa repeated. She looked at Denzel, questioning whether he would take a guess. He didn't.
Cloud could see out the window as Tifa walked towards the bar, her hands occupied by smaller hands. He smiled to see it. He had missed it. While he was gone, questioning his worth, he missed his family more than he imagined he could. He missed Marlene's cheerfulness and Denzel's negative way of dealing with life- though inside he knew Denzel was happy. He had missed Tifa. Everything about her. Her struggle to hold back her feelings- whatever they happened to be. He missed her smile, her eyes, her words. He missed the way she put everything before herself- seeing to it that everyone, even customers, were completely satisfied before taking a break.
He walked downstairs, quickly, because Marlene was rushing to get inside. Both of them had recognized his motorcycle outside. She came at him fast, running full speed into his legs before he picked her up and let her throw her arms around him.
"Cloud!" She shouted. "You're home!"
Tifa and Denzel entered next, he was still holding Tifa's hand. He didn't say anything.
"Are you home for good this time?" Marlene smiled, eyes full of hope.
"Yes." Cloud answered, showing her a smile before setting her down. He set his eyes on Denzel. Tifa let go of his hand and Denzel glowered up at him. "Hello, Denzel."
Denzel came at him, then- only in a way that was opposite to Marlene. He threw his little fists at him, angry and nearly crying. "You said you would come home!"
"I know." Cloud answered, allowing the boy to hit him. "I'm sorry." At these words Denzel came crashing and Cloud kneeled down to let the boy hug him. Cloud's eyes searched Tifa's eyes and she was smiling. Denzel let go and turned to Tifa.
"Now you don't have to see Quentin anymore." He stated.
"You don't have to feel lonely anymore." Marlene chirped in, grinning from ear to ear. Cloud stood back up. He searched Tifa's face again for a sign that she wanted him there but she wasn't looking at him, only at Marlene and Denzel.
"Mmm..." Tifa walked back behind the bar. "Are you two hungry?"
"Yes!" Marlene smiled and took her seat by the bar. Denzel looked at Cloud.
"She's been seeing this guy, Quentin." He shook his head. "A real loser."
"Loser?"
"He's attached to her. I can see that he wants to get rid of Marlene and me as soon as he can... Tifa wouldn't let that happen. Would she?"
"No." Cloud shook his head. "You're talking about the woman who has to check on you're breathing five times before being able to sleep herself." Cloud looked at Tifa. "You have nothing to worry about."
"Yeah..." Denzel agreed. "And you're here now." He smiled and joined Marlene at the bar.
A/N: Wooo boy that was long. I realize that Cloud showed up abruptly and I was going to change it but it's sooo late/ early and I'm tired so I'm dealing with it. You should, too? R/R please!