A/N: First, thanks to CuteKick for reviewing~, I'm glad you like the story!

So now we change to Tifa's point of view for a chapter as she waits for Cloud to come back home. Since I'm from Denmark, I've allowed myself to be inspired by the Danish way of decorating and our way of celebrating Christmas so if some of it seems weird to you, now at least you know why. I had trouble finding the English words for things like "klatrenisser" and "julekugler"; hope you'll know it anyway. (:

Also, I know they probably don't have Christmas in the world of FFVII, so there's really no need to tell me.

Anyway, hope you'll continue to enjoy the story. (: Merry 2nd Sunday of Advent!


Chapter 2

"Tifa, can I put this one here?" Marlene asked as she stood on her toes next to the tree, a shiny Christmas ball in her hand.

"Yes, of course," Tifa replied. "In fact, I don't think there's any place that would suit it better than there."

This made the girl grin broadly and she quickly ran to get another Christmas ball before Denzel could take them as they were her favorite sort of Christmas decorations. She needn't worry, however, as Denzel was currently busy with the cardboard elves instead. It made Tifa smile, seeing the two children so exited. And of course, it was nice that Christmas Eve was slowly getting closer. However, she could not help but worry about Cloud.

It had already been more than a week since he left to take care of that delivery job. She wondered how far he had gotten, if he was on his way home yet. She had not wanted him to take such a far away job this close to Christmas, but sometimes Cloud just needed to be alone for a while and so she had not said anything, had not stopped him. After all, he always came back a lot calmer than he took off.

She supposed it was the ride, making him shake off his thoughts. Tifa wished she could be the one to help him with that, though. Cloud had opened up his heart to her now more than ever before, yet she still sensed there was some worry inside it he could not let go of and could not voice out. She knew what it must be; Sephiroth was still haunting the mind of her beloved even now. But at least it seemed Cloud no longer doubted he could fight him and Jenova and always end up the winner. Tifa sensed she had at least brought him that much peace because he stayed home a lot longer than he used to.

She did not realize she had gotten lost in thoughts before Denzel came over to her.

"Are you looking for Cloud?" he asked quietly, and Tifa knew she must have let her worry show. She quickly shook it off and smiled at him.

"No, I was admiring the snow," she replied. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Mm." Denzel leaned on the windowsill, an unplaced elf in his hand. They were both silent for a while. Then Denzel spoke again.

"Is Cloud gonna be home for Christmas?"

She had forgotten how perceptive Denzel had become. It was no wonder, really, that he was doubting as well. Only Marlene was still too little to understand how the snow could easily block every road and make them impassable. But Cloud had fought his way past enemies more hostile than the weather, and Tifa wanted to believe in him no matter what.

"Of course he is," she assured Denzel. "Right now, he's probably a whole lot closer than we think."

This apparently made Denzel a bit calmer. Because if Tifa said so, of course it must be right. He put down the elf and went back to the box still full of decorations, and soon he and Marlene was mock-arguing about where to place a specific Santa Claus figure.

Tifa turned her eyes back to the still-falling snow. Then she got herself together. Walking over to the two kids, she said:

"All right, who wants to help me prepare dinner?"