A Better Man
by Jess Angel

For a long while, it was all I ever wanted.

I wanted to be someone for her, someone worthy of her. It hurt… bad when I ended up the very opposite. Some twisted experiment and unconscious liar.

By some miracle, she stayed.

That's the only thing I can call it: a miracle.

I watch as she smiles and gives me a little wave before returning to collect the empty beer mugs. She was always doing that - picking up after others… helping others pick up the pieces.

She had put mine back together.

Even though the new Seventh Heaven bar, aptly named Avalanche's Seventh Heaven, is an upscale and employed establishment, Tifa can't stand to be the 'boss' and just walk around supervising. She loves interacting with her customers, lending an ear and some advice.

'A true bartender,' I grin at the thought.

With slow and careful movements, I make my way towards her. I stand, and continue to observe her busy hands concoct drinks I never knew existed. She spies me with her eyes and quirks an eyebrow.

It never fails to fascinate me, watching her work.

I just shrug back, and she returns it with a light laugh.

Who am I to be blessed by such a sound? Me, who had few reasons to become anyone of importance.

She had been the first reason.

To me, she would always be the reason.

…Once, she had been the only.

I rock the bundle in my arms back and forth. Tufts of soft brown hair and eyes like mine. He was just as beautiful as her.

She had given me my life back three times - in the Lifestream, the day she became my wife, and the moment she gave birth to our son.

Tifa Lockheart made me want to be a better man.

I could only hope that I had succeeded.

But you know what?

I think I have.

She has made me one.

…Fin.

Author's Note: I was inspired by the movie "As Good As It Gets." I slightly tweaked a line from it to fit the story and my purposes. Let it be known, I borrowed the main idea of the line for the fic's sake and am making no money off any of this. As always, comments and constructive criticism loved.

"It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…"
I Corinthians 13:7-8

"As Good As It Gets" belongs to its respective owners.
Final Fantasy VII and its characters © Squaresoft, Inc. n.k.a. Square-Enix, Inc.