Helllloooo. :) 'Tis me again. Not much to say about this chapter...(besides it's the last one). I'm not really sure how I feel about this one, because I don't feel as if I did as well as I probably could have. BUT...I guess I'll keep it the way it is. Feel free to read and review--me likey reviews. ^_^ Enjoy.

Tifa winced as her aching joints cracked painfully after a long day of running back and forth from the backroom and bar; busing customers and kicking out a few drunks that had overstayed their welcome. Although she usually hated going to bed without taking a shower, she felt as if she wouldn't be able to carry herself twenty steps further to do so. She sluggishly unzipped her black vest and threw it into the dirty laundry basket, where both Cloud and her's clothes were beginning to pile up. Maybe she should teach Denzel how to work the washer and dryer.

On second thought—maybe not.

When Cloud tried to wash the laundry when she wasn't home, he nearly succeeded in flooding the main floor. Knowing that Denzel was already beginning to take after the oh-so-handy blonde, she knew it was probably for the better that she stuck to washing the clothes. Besides, the kids were young—they should be able to enjoy their childhood instead of having to do chores all day.

Tifa nearly forgot how good a warm bed felt after a hard day. Cloud had been gone for a few days on a delivery trip, and it left the other side of the bed feeling sadly empty recently. He had returned earlier that day, however, and although he was tired and slightly agitated from irritable clients; it was nice to see both Marlene and Denzel showing him pictures they had drawn for him as 'welcome back' gifts.

"…Tifa?"

The barmaid's garnet eyes snapped open. If I hadn't gotten enough sleep already. She sat up and forced a smile onto her face. "…Denzel. Are you alright?"

The young boy nodded sleepily and ran a hand through his shaggy brown hair. Marlene poked her head around the corner of the door. "…Marlene and I are going to sleep, now."

Tifa slowly rose to her feet and walked to the door, where she wrapped her arms around the two. "Goodnight."

Marlene's smaller arms wrapped around her neck. "Goodnight, Tifa."

After a moment, Denzel pulled away. He peered further into the bedroom and looked around for a moment.

Tifa searched the area for a moment before she turned back to face the boy. "…What?"

"Is Cloud in here?"

She shook her head. "I think he's taking a shower in the bathroom. I'm sure he'll be out soon."

Marlene pushed past Denzel and sheepishly dug her feet into the ground. Although it was cute, Tifa frowned upon it; as Yuffie had shown her how to do it to get her way every time Tifa or Cloud told her 'no'. The girl smiled. "…Can we stay in here until he's done?"

Tifa sighed. She wanted to sleep…but watching Marlene put on the cute act was too much for her foggy mind to handle. She effortlessly gave in and nodded; groaning softly as the kids cheered and threw themselves onto the bed on the other side of the room. She spun on her heels and placed her hands on her hips. The kids quickly silenced when they noticed her groggy eyes and her messy, frizzed, pulled hair.

"…If I let you stay here, will you two both be quiet? I'm tired, and you know Cloud's tired; so please don't make too much noise."

They nodded. Denzel's brown eyes gazed past. "…Cloud!"

It was just then that Tifa realized that there had been somebody behind them, watching them from the doorway. She quickly turned, only to be thrown to the side as the two kids shoved past her. She laughed—Cloud's cobalt eyes grew wide as Marlene nearly tackled him to the ground, giggling and grinning. To Tifa's surprise, Denzel stood off to the side and watched. His eyes shifted over the ground, as if he were thinking about something.

After getting up, Cloud looked up at the young boy. "…Is everything alright?" He knew that he was usually the first person Denzel wanted to see and talk to.

Denzel cautiously made his way forward, his eyes still downcast. Cloud knelt down before him and lowered his head to meet his hidden eyes. Cloud's own eyes took on a concerned appearance as Denzel remained silent.

Finally, he looked up. The young boy slowly wrapped his arms around Cloud's waist and buried his face into the side of his arm. "…Goodnight, Cloud."

The blonde was completely still for a moment before he eventually brought his arms around Denzel's smaller frame. "...Goodnight."

Denzel drew back and stared at Cloud for several minutes until his face broke into a wide smile, and he ran past him into the hallway. The two adults could hear the children's door shut; and the two kids were once again laughing and playing.

Tifa laughed softly.

Cloud quickly turned back. "…What?"

"Nothing," Tifa stifled another quiet laugh and shook her head. "…That was just so cute."

The blonde blushed. He lay down on his side of the bed and turned out the small lamp on the table close by. The two were silent for a moment, but then Cloud tried to silence a soft chuckle of his own. "…Goodnight."

Tifa smiled as she gently rested her head against his chest. Maybe tonight would be the night that the horrible nightmares would disappear, and be replaced with ones that would finally be pleasant.

Good…night.