This is just an idea that popped out of my head after re-watching FF VII ACC and re-reading "On the Way to a Smile- Tifa's Case".

I would've wanted to know how they were after the events from the movie. And following the timeline of the whole FFVII, of course this comes after Dirge of Cerberus which was the last of the whole FFVII stories (basing on occurrence.)

They're back to being a normal family.

I hope you'll enjoy reading this. :)

"CLOOOOUD!"

Cloud was busy checking parts and adding modifications to his motorbike, Fenrir, when a little girl came barging in to the garage and then towards him. Strife Delivery Service has been getting a lot of requests lately that he's missed his vehicle maintenance this week.

"Marlene? What's the matter?" He stopped what he was doing and approached the kid. Marlene paused for some few moments to stare at his features; suddenly she tried to hide in a giggle. He innocently raised a brow out of curiosity for her reaction.

"Is there… something on my face?" Cloud asked Marlene. The lass nodded.

"You have some grease on your forehead." She gestured her hand for him to stoop down to a height where she could reach him. Cloud bent one of his knees and faced Marlene now equal to her stature. She picked up a handkerchief from a bag she was carrying and used it to wipe off the lubricant. He took notice of the hamper that she brought with her at the back.

Marlene cleared the strands of hair covering his eyes to wipe off the traces of sweat on his face and saw his gaze looking at something from her rear. "Tifa asked me to bring this to you here. We didn't see you at the table this morning so she figured you might be hungry and fixed something for you to eat. But… why'd you leave off in a hurry Cloud?"

"About that, I—"Just when he was about to respond to her question, his stomach grumbled a bit. While it wasn't really loud, it was just enough for Marlene to hear. The little girl laughed and set the sullied piece of cloth aside on one of the nearest chairs in the area.

"Tifa was right when she said you'd be looking forward to eating something. You'll love what she made, they're your favourites!" Marlene excitedly grabbed the contents of the bag and rushed to a table to prepare them. Cloud stood up and watched her preparing his meal, his expression looking a bit thoughtful.

"I wonder if she's still upset about last night." He mumbled to himself.

Marlene waved her hand. "Cloud, what're you waiting for? They're good to go! And you better take off those gloves or you'll spoil the food", she sang.

Tifa asked me to bring this to you here.

"She's still such a worrywart, after all."

"Did you say something?"

He just shook his head and smiled a bit while tossing his gloves away. "It's nothing. C'mon, let's eat."

Tifa was busy lining up bottles and glasses on the counter while Denzel was busy taking down orders from customers. It was the weekend, and 7th Heaven was busy during these times. It was tough for her to handle the job on her own, which was why she was thankful to Denzel for his help.

"I'm sorry I had you to give me a hand out here, Denzel." She gave an apologetic smile and laid a hand on his head.

The boy looked at her face and hurriedly turned his eyes away from her smile, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I don't mind. I guess it's pretty fun to get to work like this; It's not often that I get the chance to talk to other people."

She seemed delighted with the boy's answer. "That's good to hear." She sighed in relief and embraced the lad. "Thanks a lot."

Denzel couldn't help but blush. "N-No problem."

Tifa ruffled the boy's hair and went back to the counter where she continued doing her work. Denzel noticed that she's not in her usual spirits that day, she lacked her bright demeanour. Unable to hide his inquisition, he proceeded to interrogate her.

"Did…something happen?"

The question totally caught her off-guard.

"What do you mean?" She widened her eyes; that surprised expression was hard to hide.

He scratched his head. "You know, we've been living together for some time now. Marlene and I can definitely tell that something's off when you two are acting weird."

"Oh", was all that she could utter. These kids were keen, too observant for their own good. "It's nothing that you should worry about, Denzel. We just had a little... you can say… misunderstanding. That's all." she flashed him her signature smile.

Denzel narrowed his eyes, his lips formed a frown. He was neither satisfied nor convinced of her answer; she was definitely hiding something from them.

"Excuse me, I'd like another bottle of Corel wine for table one."

"And two glasses of gin for table three!"

"Coming right up!" The 7th Heaven's bartender responded, trying to sound a bit cheerful in her tone so as to persuade Denzel that she was alright.

She and Cloud didn't have a problem. It was just a teensy-weensy thing they talked about last night.

Tifa creased her forehead, talking to herself as she flared different flavours of liquors into several glasses. "If only he'd trust in me more…"

"Cloud, can I borrow your phone?"

"It's strapped to the handbrakes on the bike. Would you like me to get it for you?"

Marlene shook her head. "It's alright; I can go and get it myself. Just keep on eating there, okay?"

"Ah. Okay then."

She jumped off her chair and ran towards the bike. She saw his cell phone dangling down on the right side handbrakes, carefully took it off and browsed the phone directory. She reached the contact '7th Heaven' and pressed the call button.

Ring. Ring .Beep.

'Hello?'

"Denzel! Thank goodness you picked up the phone."

'It's pretty busy here so Tifa's got her hands full. Anyway, what's the situation there? Is Cloud telling you anything?'

The girl glanced back at Cloud who was putting his arm on the table with one hand on the left of his cheek, staring at his food that's been only half-eaten.

"Could you hold on for a sec?" Marlene asked Denzel on the other line.

'Sure but what are you—"

"CLOUD! You know you shouldn't do that in front of a meal, where are your manners?" She reprimanded the spiked blonde who became stunned at her scolding. Cloud just sighed, picked up the utensils and continued to eat to ease himself from Marlene's glare.

Denzel was a bit shocked too, judging by his voice from the phone. 'Ma-Marlene…'

"Oh yes, where was I?" she chuckled.

"Ah… I see."

'Tifa's not slipping a word out either, huh?'

Denzel nodded his head. "But knowing her, she'll give into us sometime soon", his tilted his head to the counter where Tifa was with one of her hands on her neck, sighing and looking deep in thought. Seeing her like that made him think that maybe, he overlooked the situation a bit. "…at least, that's what I'm hoping."

He could hear Marlene's giggle from the other side of the phone.

"What's so funny?"

'You know, they're acting just like us.'

"Us?"

'You know, like kids.'

"How can you say that? The last time you me told they disagreed on something, it took a lot of weeks for them to make up—"

'I think I know why Tifa's like that.'

"You think?" Denzel remarked, his tone a bit sarcastic.

Marlene seemed a bit irritated with his comment and didn't say anything for five seconds.

"…Okay, I'm sorry for being rude."

'Better.' The girl replied with renewed optimism.

"So, why do you think they're acting like this?"

She was about to tell Denzel about her idea when another voice interrupted coming from the other line.

'Who're you talking to Marlene? You're awfully taking a long time.' The deep voice belonged to Cloud.

Marlene hurriedly whispered to the phone. 'I'll tell you later when I come home!'

"H-hey Mar—"

She had already hung the phone.

end of chapter one.
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