Disclaimer: Square Enix owns mostly all. xD I don't own the titles/songs; "Here We Come A-Wassailing", "Ding Dong! Merrily On High", "Away In A Manger." (x Don't sue, pretty please.
Here We Come A-Wassailing
Chapter One ll Merrily On High
----------
A swift turn on his motorbike revealed another long street, lightly covered in a dusting of snow and the houses perched on either side already adorned with twinkling rainbow lights. Cloud smiled to himself as he drove past in the ebony twilight, the chilly night breeze ruffling his hair.
The blonde mercenary came to a stop outside a regular-looking building and climbed off Fenrir, amused when he saw a string of icicle lights put up clumsily from one end to the other, drooping down low in the middle. Looks like they're gonna need some help on that, he thought amusedly.
Heart beating quickly at the thought of coming home, Cloud quickly crossed through the empty bar to the house at the back, welcomed by the sound of singing and a piano playing. Curious, he stuck his head into the doorway of the living room, staring blankly at the mess of cardboard boxes and bags that were spilling out ornaments all over the carpet.
"Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head..."
A vague grin unfurled across his face when his blue eyes fell upon the colourful group in the far back corner; Marlene and Denzel were both singing as Tifa played the piano gracefully, chuckling before she joined in with them.
"The stars in the bright sky, look down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay."
Tifa can sing? Cloud was momentarily mesmerised by her sweet, vulnerable voice, standing out beautifully against the kid's high-pitched crooning. Before he could listen some more, however, Marlene looked around and saw him.
"Cloud!" she squealed, eyes and face lighting up. She and Denzel yelled in delight as they bounced over to him and threw their arms around his middle, "You're home!"
"Hey, Marlene, Denzel," Cloud said a little sheepishly, patting their heads. He adored the two kids but had never become entirely used to their perpetual delight of his company. His eyes quickly sought out Tifa who was watching the little scene with a smile on her face. Their eyes met and her smile widened sweetly for him. He found himself feeling bashful all of a sudden.
"Cloud, did you hear us?" Marlene asked excitedly, tugging his hand so that he would look at her.
"Yeah, did you hear our singing?" Denzel piped up.
"Oh - yeah. You guys are great," Cloud bent down to their level with a warm expression, "Keep it up, alright? We have to remember our little saviour."
"Yeah, our Lord Jesus!" Marlene exclaimed gleefully, "He came down to - "
" - save us," filled in Denzel, looking up at Cloud eagerly, "Isn't that right, Cloud?"
It had been a long time since those snowy mornings spent in the little Nibelheim chapel, listening to the magical story of Christmas, the three wise men and the little baby saviour, but Cloud was still mindful of the essentials. Proud and a little awed, Cloud nodded affirmatively at their gleeful grins.
"Alright, you two, time for bed," Tifa called genially as she shut the piano. Obediently, the little figures trotted over to her and Marlene placed her hands on Tifa's waist.
"Tifa, can Cloud read us a story tonight?" she asked innocently.
"I don't know," Tifa replied amusedly, a twinkle in her eye as she glanced over at the man in question, "Can he?"
Cloud looked at her questioningly and then at the expectant looks on the children's faces. A wan smile broke across his face, "Alright, alright. I'm coming." Tifa grinned at him as a rejoiceful Marlene clung onto her hand and skipped up the stairs, Cloud following them with Denzel hanging off his back.
"How many books does it take to do it?" he murmured out of the corner of his mouth.
"Oh... just one," Tifa said innocently.
Finally, after three bedtime stories the two children were sound asleep, both curled up on either side of Tifa on Denzel's bed. Cloud grinned at the sight of her, half-asleep herself with her eyelids drooping.
"Just one story, huh?" he whispered defiantly as he scooped up a sleeping Marlene and placed her on her own bed. He heard Tifa chuckle softly and turned back to see her snuggling her head comfortably on Denzel's pillow. He grinned to himself and bent down to her side.
"C'mon, Teef, you're tired. You should get some sleep," Cloud whispered, watching her breathe deeply.
"Your stories work," she murmured drowsily, "They really put me to sleep..."
Cloud pretended to be outraged, "Okay, that's it. You're going to your room." He promptly wrapped his arms around her shoulders and picked her up, much to her chagrin.
"Heeey, Cloud!" she protested through muffled giggles, now wide awake, "Put me down!"
Cloud grinned and was about to persist when Denzel stirred at the ruckus. Both adults immediately fell silent and glanced anxiously at him, but when the young boy continued to sleep peacefully they relaxed. Tifa turned back to Cloud and smiled warmly at him, tightening her arms around his neck and pulling him in a hug. Warmth rose up within him as Cloud embraced her back, allowing her scent to overwhelm him.
"I'm glad you're home," she murmured in her soft, caring voice, sending a pleasant shiver down his spine, "Did you have a good day?"
"Yeah," Cloud replied feebly, still holding onto her. He closed his eyes in contentment, secretly hoping she would never let go, "It was cold." He felt her shoulders wriggle in a little laugh. "What were you all up to today?"
Tifa gently pulled away from him and he helped her up from Denzel's bed. "Christmas shopping," she said with a significant look at him.
He looked a little baffled, "Tifa, there's still at least a fortnight till Christmas."
"I know, I know, it's just the kids really wanted to go and everywhere we looked there were more things to buy," Tifa shook her head slightly with an amused look, "But it was wonderful. I think we bought out the mall. Marlene and Denzel wanted everything right away, to boot. No patience in those two."
"And the Christmas lights outside," Cloud said amusedly as they walked into the warmly lit kitchen, "Did they want them up as well?"
An embarrassed expression caught Tifa's face, "Oooh... actually, that was me. It just looks so pretty at night," she said in her defence, setting his dinner in front of him. She went back to the counter to make some hot chocolate.
Cloud chuckled appreciatively, "I think some nails are need up there to hang them up straight," he paused, twiddling his spoon hesitantly, "...if you like I can hammer them in tomorrow."
Her eyes sparkled as she sat opposite him, hands cupping her mug, "You don't have work?"
"Nope," he said with relish, having a bite of his dinner. A look of pure joy radiated on her beautiful face and she exclaimed happily, "That's great! We could really use your help to decorate the bar and the house. It's going to be a beautiful Christmas!"
She beamed at him and Cloud smiled feebly back, feeling a little light-headed at her radiance. "I'm - I'm looking forward to it," he managed genuinely.
To cover up his uneasiness, he put his head down and stuffed his mouth with rice. Decorating the house, huh? Cloud glanced around the cosy room fondly, reflecting what a roomy and comfortable house he had with Tifa and the kids. Over the past few years since its construction, it had been furnished and papered and painted with the dreams and personalities of its occupants. Marlene's crayon drawings were stuck on the fridge and Denzel's lego creations were placed proudly around the living room.
It was... a real home, with its own little character.
Smiling contentedly to himself, Cloud looked across at Tifa to see her staring out of the window with a glazed look, her hands cupped around her mug of hot chocolate. His heart gave its usual little jump when he was reminded of her pure, flawless beauty; her little porcelain face and ebony strands of hair.
"Tifa?" he said, concerned, "C'mon, you should go to bed. You don't have to wait up for me."
She started and looked up at him with bright eyes, "Come look at the snowflakes!" she said wistfully, giving no sign of hearing him. She glanced back out the window again and smiled, "It's been a long time since I've seen snow fall at Christmas. It's so pretty." Her eyes rove back to him pensively, "Makes you think the Planet's finally forgiven us, doesn't it?"
Smiling at her ability to find joy in the little things, Cloud obligingly looked out of the window, himself agreeably surprised when his blue eyes trailed a perfect snowflake drifting down the glass.
"It is nice..."
An unconscious smile spread across Tifa's face as she stole a glance at his boyishly curious look. She loved seeing him interested in the natural things of the world. Her cheeks flushed faintly, she stifled an incoming yawn and exhaustion enveloped her mind. Mmm... sleep.
"Tifa, if you don't go upstairs right now I'm going to have to make you," Cloud said firmly, coming out of his reverie and getting up to put his dish in the sink. She hid a smile.
"Okay, okay, I'm going," she reluctantly got to her feet, hiding another yawn, "And have my dreams full of vivid, fat turkeys - "
"A turkey?" Cloud deadpanned.
"Yup. For our Christmas dinner," she returned plaintively.
"...Dinner?"
Tifa looked up at him with a little frown, "Yeah, a dinner. A big family dinner on Christmas night. Of course, Barret's going to join us too, to be with Marlene." Her rapturous smile faded a little when she saw his dumbfounded expression, "...Cloud, are you alright?"
"Oh... um..." Cloud struggled to regain his composure. The truth was, he'd never been to a Christmas dinner before. Not that he could remember. The very thought of being part of such a festive celebration was quite overwhelming.
"It sounds... wonderful, Tifa," he finally breathed out sincerely, looking deep into her beautiful brown eyes. She looked up at him with a shy and confused look in her eyes.
"It sure will be," she said quietly with a small smile. Then it broadened and she clasped her hands excitedly, "Ooh, Cloud, it's going to be so exciting! The best of western and Asian cuisine, of course. Seafood, noodles, pudding, pies..."
Cloud knew Tifa loved cooking and that this Christmas feast was going to be an absolute treat for her. They hadn't been able to have a real Christmas celebration in the past two years; restoration of the world and to their lives had proven to be quite time- and energy-consuming. He smiled affectionately as she rattled off her list with her infectious smile, eyes as bright as stars.
A real Christmas dinner, he thought almost in reverence, fond eyes upon the vibrant young woman in front of him, A real family Christmas dinner with Tifa and the kids. A wry, little smile caught his lips.
Christmas was going to be beautiful this year.
----------
A/N: Bwahaha hello everyone! Christmas is just around the corner and I felt like I had to write a lil Cloti. x) Just a note; I am a Christian and I'll prolly be tossing in a few Christiany things in. Just a warning! Aww, Cloud and Tifa are so adorable. Props to them for being so perfect and cute together. xD Feedback shall be shone upon with fairy lights! - msq.