Disclaimer; I do not own any of the characters or games mentioned in this story.
First things first, I'd like to start off by saying this is a Sora and Kairi story I promise. But instead of going straight into the mushy fluff I wanted to show Kairi's back story. I understand that Cloud and Tifa aren't her parents but this story is literally Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy characters just mashed up. I wanted to show what Kairi's childhood was like and her family so it may be a few chapters before Sora will be introduced, but the boy will be here and there will be sparks!
I'm sorry if it isn't what you're expecting for the first chapter but here we go.
Kairi Lockhart was a tiny three year old everybody adored. The young girl was the progeny of Tifa Lockhart and Cloud Strife, each absolutely idolizing their daughter.
It all started when Tifa had just turned sixteen.
Tifa Lockhart was an exceptionally beautiful woman, her dark russet hair trailed far down to the small of her back with her bangs covering the right side of her forehead; strands of hair framed her face in layers then cascaded vertically straight into feathered ends.
Her eyes were an auburn reddish colour standing out from her sharp ivory skin and her almost ink black tresses. She had a beautiful figure and even at only sixteen she was an absolute heart stopper, but she wasn't available.
Cloud Strife was an utter heart throb; flaxen hair which seemed to defy gravity by the top layers spiking up but his bangs covered his crystal ocean coloured eyes.
He was tall, tanned and undeniably handsome; being athletic helped the girls swoon as well, his muscles were ripped and his abs resembled rock. He could have had any girl in his whole school but he chose his childhood sweetheart.
Cloud had asked Tifa out when she were only fourteen and Cloud being a year older waited for her sixteenth birthday to become intimate. Their first time was passionate, perfect and precipitated. Each had been waiting long enough and forgot about protection, not even stopping and thinking the next day to get the morning after pill their lives went on as normal.
But only for a few weeks.
Tifa began to feel really ill, especially in the mornings and would frequently get faint and dizzy spells throughout the days; often sent home from school her mother rang the doctor to book an appointment.
Sitting in the doctor's office her usual pale complexion turned death white, with her own mother's face mirroring her daughters. How could herself and Cloud have been so asinine, how had it not crossed her mind that she could actually have been pregnant?
Exiting the doctor's office she broke into tears, after having a scan she was in fact 7 weeks pregnant. Her mother pulled her sixteen year old daughter into her chest and let her cry as she soothed her back in an attempt for comfort. She herself had only given birth to Tifa at a tender age, perhaps not as young as sixteen but she was in her teens, all she could do was offer the best support she could give.
'What will Cloud say?' Tifa remembered blubbering to her mother but with no answer replied she just continued to sob wondering what her next move would be. Abortion was certainly not one of them.
Needless to say Cloud was seething, but only with himself. He paced up and down Tifa's room fuming as she sat and helplessly watched seemingly paralyzed on her bed. She timidly reached out a hand in his direction only to jerk it back when his blazed eyes focused on her features.
The young girl surveyed as he let out a deep exhale and ambled over to the edge of the mattress, dropping in a squatting position he took her right hand in both of his strong ones and gazed into her eyes mumbling an incoherent apology of his unleashed anger attack minutes before.
'We will do it.' His voice came out so strangled and chokingly raspy she was unsure if she heard correctly.
'What?' She questioned burning a hole right through his glistening irises, begging for him to repeat what he had just revealed.
'We will raise this baby, you and I together. We will find a small apartment, you finish up school by doing your final exams at home and I will forget my unneeded A-levels and I will go get a job.' The tenacious tone in his voice proved palpable and she knew right then and there that he was serious. Raising her eyebrows overwhelmed by his confession/dream she threw her arms around his neck and bawled into his shoulder.
They did exactly what Cloud had announced in that sentence and albeit becoming pregnant in the first place was a mistake, they both vowed that it was the finest, happiest mistake they had ever made.
Purchasing a small cottage just down the block from Tifa's mother's house, they moved in when she began showing rapidly, the bump was getting large very quick and eventually she was taken out of school and had to carry on what was left of her work at home by a tutor. She was given a few exams and a set time to do them and in no time, she had completed her primary education. Perhaps a few months before everyone else but she had a valid reason and had passed with flying colours.
Their cottage was small but particularly light and airy, making it feel very homely. There was an extension upstairs built which lead up to two bedrooms, Cloud had decorated the smaller one into a nursery for their little one. Neither wanted to find out what the gender was so they decided to keep the room neutral heading for pale yellows and whites. It suited with the house in any case.
There was a standard sized garden with luscious forest green grass and a small patio with a white picket fence surrounding the house. Tifa often joked how 'fairytale' the whole scenario seemed but she couldn't even begin to describe how happy she felt.
Both parents to be knew they were too young to become parents, each only sixteen and seventeen but despite their anxious qualms and nerves on the situation they knew they would be able to handle it; together.
Cloud had got a job working as a mechanic at the local garage just down the hill to town from where their small apartment was located. His love for machinery had grown, his very own Fenrir bike was his most valuable possession and he literally guarded it with his life. Their apartment had a small garage to the left side connected to the small building, which managed to fit a few boxes and his bike in perfectly.
If you knew of Cloud's reticent and distant demeanour to strangers and who he was loosely acquainted with, you would have never imagined him to be such a warm hearted, loving man. He took care of Tifa through thick and thin and though he would never admit it nor show it, even to his partner, he was actually ecstatic for this baby.
As expected the day came all too quickly for the young and eminently inexperienced couple, Tifa's contractions began in the early evening and with Cloud not able to take her on his bike he had no choice but to ring the ambulance to pick them up and take them to the hospital.
Tifa was in labour for an excruciating 14 hours but Cloud never lift her side; not once.
The tight grip she released on his hand was actually frightfully painful and it was then that he realised either he wasn't as strong as he looked and thought or she was the incredible hulk in disguise. The young male decided to go with the latter, of course he was as strong as he looked; he was the Cloud Strife.
A very worn out and drained Tifa collapsed back into the sheets on the bed breathing heavily as the beads of sweat dripped down her forehead. Her hair was matted and the side bangs were clung to her face like there was some invisible glue sticking them there. Cloud had tied her hair into a loose fitting bun atop of her head while she was going through the contractions, he knew it would have been irritating her and just getting in the way.
A small cry filled the room emanating from a fluffy pink blanket cradled in one of the nurse's arms.
'Miss Lockhart, Mr Strife; please meet your new baby girl.' The nurse smiled happily handing the newborn over to Tifa's awaiting arms. The new Mum eagerly embraced the small child and cuddled her close.
'Oh Cloud, she beautiful!' She exclaimed brushing a lock of ruby hair off of the infant's raw pink complexion as Cloud leaned over his girlfriends shoulder and melted at the sight of what they had brought into the world. The bundle squirmed around in her mother's arms letting out soft whimpers.
'She is pretty gorgeous.' He laughed and then it struck him, 'Who has she inherited the red hair from?'
'Probably my mother, she's a natural redhead; I don't care though she's perfect.' Tifa responded not for one second taking her eyes off of her little girl. Even though most newborns aren't the prettiest sights in the world, Tifa and Cloud couldn't help but believe she was the most fascinating vision ever.
The teensy baby opened her big eyes for the first time revealing amethyst orbs and jet black lashes. Searching for nothing in particular her eyes darted about adjusting to light; after all she hadn't been born less than five minutes ago.
'How are her eyes purple though; do you think because mine are blue and yours are red that she has developed a mix between them?' Cloud asked gazing lovingly at the small innocent face peeping out from behind the cotton sheet.
'I don't think it works like that honey but good try; I'm guessing she got them from my mother too.' Tifa beamed before adding, 'Looks like she's gonna be a Grandma's girl.'
Cloud let out a throaty laugh, the deep rumble causing Tifa to shiver, she had already forgotten the searing pain she had gone through only a few minutes back.
Cloud lowered his index finger and the little girl grabbed hold of it, her tiny appendage not even able to wrap around his finger once. He wouldn't admit this either but he knew his heart had dissolved then and there; he already loved his little girl to the moon and back having spent only five minutes with her. He knew now that he didn't regret this one bit. This wasn't even a mistake anymore, he refused to call her that; she was a gift and she was obviously meant to be. No matter how young they were.
'What are we going to name her? I hadn't even thought of baby names yet.' Tifa spoke up glancing to up to her boyfriend of almost three years. 'Although, I've always loved the name Kairi. How about you?'
Cloud seemed to mull over the option for a few moments, truth was he hadn't given the name situation much detailed thought either as he'd been too busy getting ready for what was about to come, he had daydreamed a few but they were so unoriginal, so common names. Tifa's suggestion was adorable. Taking a glimpse at his baby girl, her dainty perfect face beginning to cool, the redness on her skin clearing as her mother's pigmentation began to form and her worn out eyes succumbing a nap, it clicked. That was the name for her; Kairi Lockhart.
'Perfect.' Cloud grinned leaning down to kiss his girlfriend on the top of her head. 'I will go and call relatives and friends while you try and get a bit of shut eye with Kairi.' He revelled in the way that sounded rolling off of his tongue. Forget perfect this was paradisiacal.
Stepping out of Tifa's and now Kairi's room he strolled into the lobby carefree and slightly giddy, the brand new father hadn't even considered the time; he looked and realized it was actually five to ten in the morning and that is when it hit him, poor Tifa had been in labour all night and everyone was sure to be at work now, his parents and Tifa's mother. He knew who would be able to come though.
Cloud and Tifa had four very close friends; Aqua, Ventus, Terra and Zack.
Aqua and Ventus were in the same year as Tifa but Ventus was youngest in their whole year so while everybody had already turned sixteen, his sixteenth was up and coming in a few weeks time. Cloud was a year up from Tifa. Zack however was in Cloud's year and Terra was in the year above them. Despite the variety of different ages though, they all got on incredibly well and had done since they were young children themselves.
All had reacted surprisingly thrilled when they had told them Tifa was pregnant. Aqua demanded she'd be the unofficial Auntie whom the child would adore and they had more than happily agreed.
After a quick phone call to all four of them only two were able to make it, Aqua and Ventus were at school for the time being but where going to try and skip the last lesson to come by a little earlier, where as Zack and Terra had already got their grades and had left. It only took a few minutes before Zack who was Cloud's ultimate best friend came running into the lobby of the hospital.
Zack Fair and Cloud Strife had been friends since they were two years of age and were the closest out of the whole group of friends. The black haired seventeen year old dashed to his buddy's side and was immediately asking how Tifa and the baby were.
Once reassuring Zack that Tifa and the baby whose name was Kairi were doing well Cloud walked him to the room his new family were resting in. The sixteen year old girl was out like a light after what she had gone through but the small bundle of pink that was wriggling on top of her mother's chest made it clear that she was completely restless.
Cloud went over to his daughter and picked her up, even though this was the first time he'd held her he didn't feel the need to let his friend know that. Gazing at her wide, bright violet eyes he realized how tiny she felt in his muscular arms and how she seemed weightless. She gurgled and stuck a finger in her mouth attempting to chomp even though she had nothing to chew with. The saliva dribbled down her chin and he wiped it away with his thumb gently basking in the delicate fragile skin underneath his callous touch.
The blond haired young man admittedly wasn't extremely fond of kids, although most teenage guys aren't and even though he'd suggested to raise this baby with Tifa he'd be lying to even himself if he said he wasn't scared shitless.
What he was more frightened of then anything though was the chance of if he didn't love his own child and if he'd find the child awkward to hold or be around. He wasn't a very talkative person as it was, he rarely showed emotions or cracked a smile, he acted cold and insensitive to people he disliked, it wasn't as though he was a nasty person, he just wasn't good with people; he was shy.
But all of his insecurity and misdoubt had ceased then evaporated because now holding this little girl, his little girl in his arms he felt like the happiest, proudest man ever. He rocked her benevolently while bouncing her up and down softly in his arms beaming down at her.
Zack in all of the fifteen years of knowing his best friend had never in his life seen Cloud act like this. Not even with his girlfriend, sure he'd seen the blond act a little gooey and sappy around Tifa, but never had he acted like this, it was actually a little unnerving and quite the comical sight to see.
Here was a strong seventeen year old 6'1'' male, who was eighteen in a couple of months, a earring in one ear and scars and cuts all down his arms from fights he'd gotten into previous years before. It was safe to say that Cloud was quite rebellious and he was a bad boy along with Zack, but to see him holding this baby girl wrapped in a cerise blanket with a mushy, almost laughable expression conveying from his features was way too out of the ordinary.
'Are you going to introduce me then or are you just going to stand there ogling at her all day?' Zack interrupted with a laugh as Cloud snapped his head up and gave a disapproving glare to his raven haired best friend. Even so though he just couldn't seem to keep the smile off of his face and walked over towards the slightly taller 6'3'' young man cradling her close to his chest.
'Zack let me introduce you to Kairi Lockhart, the newest member of our group.' Cloud declared proudly as he held out the fidgeting infant. 'She's a little squirmer but she's too cute.'
'Cloud man, what has happened to you, where has my bad boy gone?' Zack chuckled but glancing down at the tiny girl in his best friend's arms he understood fully why he'd gone all soppy. The girl had to be the sweetest thing in the world, she was still sucking her fingers and salivating all down her chin but her amethyst eyes were curiously watching the new man in front of her as he reached his right index finger down and tickled her left cheek. All of these new sightings and experiences were locking into her head; even at not a day old you begin to learn every little thing.
A knock on the door echoed throughout the room and Zack went to open it revealing an extremely out of breath Terra, he had run all the way to the hospital as his car was at service and he wasn't going to miss this for the world.
Standing in front of his two close friends without saying a word the 6'2'' brunette looked at the little girl before glancing back up and smiling as him and Zack watched the new father toying with the redhead's hair. She only had a little bit and it was simply fair but the vivid colour was exceptionally eye catching and vibrant.
The afternoon had passed pretty rapidly and the exhausted Tifa had slept right through the boys visit and even when they'd left promising that they'd come over as soon as they got settled back home.
Cloud had received a text explaining that Aqua and Ventus were popping to the hospital in around an hour or so to meet the little angel. He'd already told his two remaining best friends that she was a girl and her name and he was actually dreading the point of Aqua coming in and disrupting the ecstasy of silence. She'd actually seemed more excited throughout the whole pregnancy than they had.
While Tifa had been literally hibernating, Kairi was completely contradictory, she wouldn't stop squirming. The nurse had come in a few minutes before and explained she needed to be fed and that would mean waking up her mother.
Cloud walked over to the sleeping girl and while balancing his daughter in one arm he used his hand on the other arm to gently shake her awake, she finally came to but he knew she needed more rest so he gave her the instructions the nurse gave him and told her to go back to sleep straight after.
Tifa did what she was told and began to breast feed her little baby, Cloud stood at the side originally feeling repulsed at the idea but seeing it and watching how content and happy it was making Kairi he now realized it was the most natural thing ever.
Putting her breast away Tifa kissed Kairi on the head and handed her back to her Dad who happily took her and then went back into a deep slumber. Only a few minutes later a soft knock followed by the door opening signalled that Ventus and Aqua were here already.
Ventus entered first and even though he may have been the youngest out of the small group of friends he was just as tall as the other guys, in fact he was identical to Cloud's height of 6'1'' and also had extremely light blond hair which swept over to the right side and spiked up leaving his fringe to linger slightly over his sapphire eyes. He looked a lot older than a fifteen year old seeming to have matured a whole lot faster than most people his age.
Aqua was around Tifa's height of 5'6'' and had bright blue hair to compliment her name. She was a very pretty young woman with a kind hearted attitude but she had a tendency to speak before thinking.
'Oh my goodness let me see my little unofficial niece!' The bluenette squealed as she pushed past Ventus and very nearly knocked over Cloud, peeking in her eyes glazed over in admiration for the girl. 'She is so adorable. I actually want her.'
Recovering from his blow and regaining his balance Ventus casually ambled towards his two friends and peered over Aqua's shoulder. The blond fifteen year old thought she was adorable. All three young adults laughed a little as she stifled a small yawn blinking her eyes and then watched as they began to droop, closing as she gave into the drowsiness overcoming her.
Cloud without a word handed her to Aqua who was beyond eager to hold the newborn bairn and excused himself as he quickly went to the bathroom to freshen up. Aqua and Ventus sat in the chairs close to Tifa's bed where she was sleeping peacefully, her chest moving up and down steadily with every soft breath she took.
'She's beautiful Ven.' Aqua exclaimed almost inaudibly to the slightly younger boy next to her. Ventus admired the infant in his best friend's arms, being the placid, loving, young gentleman he was, he loved kids; he thought they were the cutest things in the world and now that he'd get to see this little creature almost every day and be able to become her unofficial Uncle meant a lot to him, more so than Zack, Terra and Aqua most likely. He'd be able to teach her things when Cloud and Tifa were too busy, he wanted to be able to give piggyback rides to her and take her down to the arcade and play games with her.
Ventus had always wanted a sibling but growing up as an only child and being almost fifteen, he knew his parents probably weren't going to give him one. Since he had always been the youngest out of the group of friends he wanted someone to look up to him for once, he wanted to be the one who could teach something new to someone, to be able to explain what a certain experience felt like having gone through it already and it looked like he was going to be able to do all that with Kairi.
Discerning the eerie silence in the room aside from Tifa's rhythmic breathing and Kairi's soft exhales Aqua altered her gaze to the extraordinarily quiet male beside her and noted his fascinated expression towards the tiny girl, she watched him mutely as the right corner of his mouth curved into a smile. He must have felt her stare though because he looked up and locked eyes with her.
'You okay Ven? You seem a little out of it.' The bluenette catechized wondering what had stunned him speechless.
'Yeah I'm fine sorry it's just,' he paused glancing down at the sleeping baby once more. 'She's captivating and so small.'
'I know she's precious, I can't even begin to imagine how Tifa and Cloud are feeling.' Aqua agreed as said male walked into the room rubbing his eyes from washing his face.
So now three years on from that day, a pocket sized girl with a pointed birthday hat sat neatly atop her shoulder length ruby red hair came running into the garden dragging an extremely tired looking Ventus behind her, him having to crouch and run just to be able to have her grasp his index and middle finger in her tiny hand.
Ventus who was now eighteen soon turning nineteen turned around mid run to the sound of laughter radiating from the patio where Tifa, Aqua, Zack and Terra were howling in amusement as the toddler continued to haul her favourite uncle towards the barbeque.
It was Kairi's third birthday and Cloud and Tifa had invited their four close friends and all their relatives to a barbeque, there was over thirty people there in their small backyard and all of the undivided attention Kairi was swimming in was making her happier than ever. The young girl had grown exceptionally well in the past three years, she was undeniably a Daddy's girl but clung to her Mum like there was no tomorrow. Her speech was very developed and she understood most things and even though she was still a little unstable on her feet she was as fast as lightening at anything.
Cloud and Tifa had recently themselves turned nineteen and twenty and were remarkably living a healthy life. Cloud was bringing in a lot of income for the three of them while Tifa stayed at home to look after their little angel who usually followed her around like a shadow.
Cloud and Tifa's parents adored the little girl almost as if she were their own, as did their four best friends who had branded themselves as the four unofficial Uncles' and Auntie.
All in all Kairi was extremely loved and everybody adored her sweet characteristics and unquestionably bonny face, but Kairi had Ventus as her favourite which nobody minded as they saw what the poor eighteen year old had to put up with even though he didn't care and actually enjoyed it.
'Uncle Ven, I want a hotdog.' Kairi giggled as she pulled the blond towards the outside cooking device where her father was cooking the food for people. The young girl released the man's fingers and ran up to Cloud's leg hiding her face in his knee. Ventus laughed at the sight, that was her favourite way to suck up to Cloud as she only reached his knee so she usually used her puppy dog face and hugged his leg if she wanted something or bury her face from his view so he'd cave.
Kairi was the only person in the world who made Cloud turn sappy, so before shooting the chuckling entertained Ventus a death glare in order to shut up he squatted down to his daughter's level and straightened out her wonky paper headpiece with gratification.
'And what would the birthday girl like?' He enquired caringly as he picked her up and rested her on his left him, holding her close with his left arm as his right hand used the iron tongs to carefully flip the burgers and turn the sausages.
'A hot dog please.' She asked politely as Ventus began grabbing a bread bun, spreading tomato ketchup onto it for her and holding it out for Cloud to neatly put a medium sized hotdog in the centre, he knew his little girl would struggle to finish if he had put in a larger one. As Ventus handed her the snack Cloud set her down on her feet before resting his hands on his thighs as his legs were slightly bent. He leant forward and gave her a small kiss on the forehead while she took a bite of her food eagerly.
'Go sit with Mummy honey I'm sure she's missing you, you've been playing all day.' Cloud laughed as he ruffled her hair. Kairi looked up at him with glistening happy eyes.
'Okay Daddy.' She replied as she scampered off to where her mother was sat on the patio. Cloud and Ventus watched as the little girl was greeted with a huge smile by Tifa and then scrambled half-hazardly onto her lap, the two males observed chortling as she wriggled about for a comfortable position before settling and taking a huge bite while swatting away Zack's hand who was teasing her by trying to get a taste of her rations. Tifa began to plait the girls crimson locks as she continued her conversation with Aqua and one of her other good friends Lightning.
Cloud turned to Ventus while placing a burger into a buttered bread bun and handing it to him.
'Hey thanks for playing with Kairi, Ven.' He acknowledged showing his appreciation. 'I wanted to make sure this day was special for her but it took quite a bit of preparation and with me as chef I don't have time to play with her and Tifa has to entertain and interact with the guests, so even though its Kairi's day the only time we will get to spend with her is tonight when everyone's gone. So thank you for keeping her entertained.'
'No problem man I love her to pieces, she just has so much energy that I don't know where she gets it from.' Ventus replied with a huge smile glancing towards the girl who had now finished her food and was sat quietly listening to her mother's conversation with Aqua and Lightning. 'Cloud you have no idea how much everybody loves that little girl, she is officially the definition of adorable.'
'I know, Tifa and I have both agreed that she is the best thing to ever happen to us and everybody else. I don't even care how young I am and the fact that I am a Dad anymore, all that matters is Kairi's happiness and my relationship with Tifa.' The slightly older male explained watching his family of two from across the garden as people started coming up for their first portions of food enthusiastically.
'Happy third birthday Kairi, you're becoming a big girl now aren't you?' Lightning beamed as the girl nodded at her rhetorical question. The young girl was bashful when it came to people she didn't see often so she just sat in her mother's lap taciturn and smiled politely, she was beginning to get restless though and wanted to play desperately but she couldn't see her Uncle Ventus anywhere so she settled on the next best thing, hopping off her Mum's lap she located her next target and skipped up to him.
'Uncle Zack, please may you come and play with me?' Her doughy eyes and plumped up pout were hard to resist and he lifted her into the air above his head as she shrieked in delight. Excusing himself from the conversation he was previously in he held the wriggling toddler as he walked down the garden casually, attracting the guests attention who laughed at the sight. Cloud watched beaming as his best friend placed his daughter carefully on the grass and tickled her mercifully watching her roll around with laughter.
Wanting to desperately spend at least a little bit of time with his daughter on her birthday he promptly traversed to where Zack and Kairi were and politely asked if Zack could take over the barbeque for half an hour or so, once the black haired male had agreed Cloud swooped the giggling girl up and flung her over his shoulder, she screamed in rapture as he carried her in doors to retrieve something. Positioning her vigilantly onto the tiled floor of the small kitchen she looked up curiously as to what was going on.
'Daddy, why have we come in here?' Kairi enquired as she interlocked her hands behind her back and tilted her head to the side inquisitively. Cloud knelt down to her level and told her to wait there as he'd be back in a few minutes. She watched as he walked up the stairs to his room he shared with her Mum and heard a little bit of rustling, too engrossed in what her father was doing she didn't hear footsteps behind her until a finger tapped on her right shoulder. Whirling around she came face to face with Ventus who had crouched down to her height.
'Uncle Ven, I was looking for you!' The tiny redhead shouted excitedly giving her favourite Uncle a big hug, her small arms wrapping around his neck. He encircled his arms around her and picked her up resting her on his right hip.
'Sorry pumpkin I was talking to someone, what are you doing in here?' He asked genuinely confused as to why the human energy bubble was away from all the excitement happening outside.
'Daddy told me to wait here while he went upstairs.' She replied; she was a very good child, always doing what she was told and never making any sort of trouble. Just as Ventus was about to retaliate he looked towards the stairs where he saw the unquestionably platinum spikes of Cloud bouncing up and down with every step he took behind a huge boxed present with sparkling pink wrapping over it and a red bow sat atop neatly almost matching the exact colour of the little girls tresses.
Ventus grinned widely as the little girl flailed in his arms to be let down, an electric aura suddenly surrounding her as she ran in elation towards her father. Holding out her small arms to take it from him he shook his head and positioned it atop of the kitchen table out of the little girls reach, he then grabbed her under the arms and sat her on the table next to the giant gift. Ventus leaned against the sink with his arms crossed smirking at the look on Kairi's face, she looked so befuddled by her father's actions and it was unbelievably cute.
'You couldn't have carried that honey it was way too heavy even I was struggling, but would you like to open this now in front of everyone or would you like to open it with me and Mummy later?' Cloud asked looking at the young girl dead on in the eye.
'NOW!' Kairi cried happily clapping her tiny hands gleefully.
Cloud and Ventus exchanged a fast amused glance before Cloud looked back to his daughter, 'stupid question.'
Kairi rotated her small body and leaned on her hands as she dropped herself off of the table counter, she attempted reaching on her tiptoes for her father's hand but she couldn't quite reach so she opted for pulling the material of his trousers.
'I'm coming go and tell your Mummy, your Uncle and I will be out in a minute okay honey?' Cloud smiled as she bounded out of the nearest exit in search of her mother; the patio doors. He turned to Ventus. 'Dude you're gonna have to help me get this out of the doors and past that step, it is really heavy.'
The younger male willingly agreed and took one side of the weighty box and proceeded to lift it with Cloud, they managed to get it onto the patio and place it beside where Tifa was sat with only a minute struggle. Some of the guests kept interlocked in their conversations dotted all over the garden but the six best friends, plus Lightning and Kairi's grandparents of both sides huddled around the little girl as she began to shred the sides of the paper. As the gift was taller than her however her mother helped her out by pulling off the ribbon and with the left over glue that sat upon it she stuck it gently on Kairi's party hat.
After thrashing about with the wrapping paper it finally came off revealing a perfectly carved wooden crafted dolls house. Opening the front wall of the dream house up revealed a diminutive paint set which was set up for the little girl to decorate each of the rooms. There was miniature furnishings dotted all around the wooden structure. It was very plain, but Tifa and Cloud bought it that way so Kairi could make it up how she wanted.
Cloud and Tifa waited anxiously hoping their daughter would like the expensive gift, they had already given her some little stocking fillers when she had woken up, for example toys and a few TV shows which were available on disk etc, but nobody especially Kairi had been expecting this.
The little girl's face turned from shocked to exuberant, she squealed joyfully as she bear hugged her mother as best as her little arms would let her and then ran to her father holding out her arms to be picked up. Cloud more than happily grabbed her around the waist from behind, lifting her into the air and positioned her on his shoulders while she rested her head on his hair and clasped her arms around his neck and face.
'Thank you Mummy, thank you Daddy.' The little girl whispered shyly, she was a little coy now that everybody was looking at her.
Tifa walked up to Cloud and the little girl sat atop of his shoulders, reaching up a hand she stroked her little face then ran a hand through her hair which framed her face. 'You're welcome baby.' She then turned to Cloud and gave him a kiss on his jaw whispering, 'We did well.'
As the evening started to drift in the guests began to departure one by one until the only people who were left were Cloud, Tifa and a very exhausted Kairi.
The small family of three were sat in the living room, the television was blaring but Tifa and Cloud who were on the sofa paid more attention to Kairi who was sat on the floor playing with her dolls set oblivious to the two sets of eyes focusing on her. She yawned slightly while rubbing her eyes with her enclosed fists trying to fight off the feeling of sleep conquering her. Tifa took this as a sign that she was ready for bed and stood up off of the couch and sat on the floor next to the young toddler.
'Come on you, I think it's time for bed you've had a busy day today.' Tifa smiled as she fiddled a little bit with the doll's house, but Kairi shook her head stubbornly pretending to appear wide awake, her mother wasn't having any of it though. 'Come on baby girl, you've stayed up two hours past your bedtime, if you go to bed now you and me can get up early and play with all your new toys while Daddy is at work tomorrow.'
Cloud groaned realising that since he'd only taken Kairi's birthday off of work so he had to go in tomorrow. Tifa grinned at her boyfriend's audible grief towards his job and thanked her lucky stars that she was the one that got to spend the day with Kairi. She looked back down at the redhead who mulled over the idea and possibilities of going to bed now. She nodded eagerly and scrambled up from the floor and crawled over to her father. She positioned one leg up onto the base of the sofa and with her arms hoisted herself up and climbed on her father's lap.
Kairi gave her Dad a hug and a peck on the lips before clambering into her mother's arms and was carried up the stairs. Her Mum brushed her baby milk teeth for her and tucked her safely into bed.
'Would you like the landing light left on baby?' Tifa asked and receiving a nod as the answer she gave her daughter a kiss goodnight and left the door slightly ajar to allow the light to stream in a little from the hallway, just the way Kairi felt comfortable with. The dark brunette woman walked downstairs back to the living room and collapsed beside her boyfriend snuggling into his chest as he draped an arm over her petite frame.
'I think today was a success, Kairi was so thrilled.' Tifa smiled evidently pleased at how the day had panned out.
'Yeah I know, Tifa I think she is the best thing that has ever happened to us.' Cloud admitted to the young woman wrapped in his arms. All the brunette could do was nod and reply,
'Definitely.'
I know, I know the characters were OOC but it was meant to be like that. ^-^
Hope it wasn't unbelievably awful, review.