A/N; It's 3am and I am sleep writing. This is fresh rough draft and the hell I care with the spelling... English is not my first language so bare with me.

Warning: Lots of angsts here...I'll try to make it up in the next chapter besides I just write for fun so why not make worth my while...

I don't own FFVII or I else I would have made Tifa Lockhart the major lead character in the game...

A month has passed since Cloud and Aerith were reunited. It's been one month since he left 7th heaven and officially moved in with Aerith at her church. It was absolutely not an easy task breaking the news to the kids during their dinner about him eventually leaving for good. It broke Marlene and Denzel's heart more than Tifa's. She was too strong for this and ironically, she has gotten used to Cloud breaking her heart every time. It is just unfair that she cannot hate him for his sheer ignorance. However, it took all her efforts explaining the situation to the kids knowing Cloud can only reason himself with nothing but his brooding. Aerith was more than eager to help which made things a bit easier and the fact that the kids seem to understand their strange situation even with their young age. The only thing that hurt Tifa deeply was knowing that Marlene and Denzel loved and adored Cloud despite him not being there for them all the time and now she has the responsibility to fill the void he left.

Looking into the corner table of the bar where Cloud normally sits, a dawn of new realization hit her that Cloud or with no Cloud their family may have never been real in the first place.

1 month earlier….

Tifa woke up to the sound of ruckus that echoed downstairs coming from the bar. It is barely just past 8 of Saturday morning and the kids normally are not this up early on weekends. Tifa as well enjoys the extra sleep she could get before the bar opens in around ten but today, her head was incredibly throbbing from getting only 3 hours of sleep. After Yuffie and her went back to the bar late at night yesterday, the kids started to ask endless questions of where Cloud is and when is he coming back. She only told them half the truth about his long deliveries that would derail him for days. She still holds that little hope that somehow Cloud at least has the decency to come back to say goodbye to them.

Loud small bangs of metal on the floor prompted Tifa to eventually get up and check the commotion in the bar. She grabbed her blue silk robe draped in one of her desk chairs as she wraps it tightly around her body while scurrying down the stairwell. She paused in the middle of the steps when she heard familiar giggles of laughter from the kids and as well as a hushing sounds from seemingly two adults.

"You are going to wake Tifa up with that". A deep male husky voice can be heard from one of the adults that she instantly recognizes who.

"Oops! I know, I know, I know. Sorry. Wouldn't that be good though so I can finally see her?" Replied by one of the adults who Tifa knew could only be Aerith.

"Good Morning Tifa!" Marlene happily greets her as she walks slowly down the steps. "Look! Cloud is here and we have a visitor." The young girl motions her arm towards Aerith.

A warm smile grazes Tifa's lips as the green eyed flower girl drops the pan she was holding and rushed towards her for a long embrace.

"Tifa!" Aerith joyously exclaimed.

"Aerith" Hugging her back tightly.

The red hair beauty slowly distanced herself while never letting go of her arms. "Now, where were you yesterday?" Her eyebrows knitted together with a questioning look.

"I went looking for you after Cloud told me what you and Yuffie did. Silly you, you disappeared again. Are you trying to avoid me? I assure you I am not a ghost" Aerith chuckles feigning hurt.

"Why didn't you stay?" Cloud stoically asked. His eyes narrowly looking into to Tifa's.

Tifa was taken aback by his forwardness. Seriously Cloud? Why didn't I stay? It's the best you can come up with? Tifa shook her head and shifted to face him. "I…..I needed to get back for Marlene and Denzel." She smiled at the two kids sitting on the chair waiting patiently for their food. "Besides I knew you two needed some alone time" She winks at Aerith while striding off behind the bar holding her breath pretending to pick-up one of the fallen utensils on the floor.

Aerith blushed at Tifa's words but Cloud just kept the blank face and bluntly replied. "Still, you could have at least stayed a little".

Tifa had to pause from standing as she balled her first turning her knuckles white while trying to contain her anger. Really Strife? You of all people lecturing me about STAYING!? "I know. But if you just paid attention, you would know by now that I do "Stay" where I am needed. Marlene and Denzel needed me after school. " She paused and continues with disappointed tone. "Honestly, I don't even know why I am explaining myself to you Cloud."

The tension between two childhood friends completely rendered the air in silence. Tifa felt guilty for snapping at him but she had all the reason to do so!

"You know it is okay Tifa. We are old enough to handle ourselves on our own. Right Denzel?" Marlene thankfully broke the silence.

"Yeah sure Marlene until you start crying in your sleep looking for Tifa." Denzel mockingly replied.

"I do not" Marlene defended angrily.

"Do."

"Do not."

"Do."

"Alright. Alright. That's enough you s kids." Aerith cheerfully interrupted and walked behind the bar now standing alongside Tifa. The red hair maiden elbowed her raven haired friend and whispered, "Now, why don't you sit there with them as I make breakfast for you all."

Tifa had to stifle a laugh as she lifts the backside of her right hand to cover her lips. "You can't cook Aerith unless they taught you that in the Lifestream?"

"When did making a bowl of cereal requires cooking?" Oh Aerith, you never changed! "Besides, it's my one way of thanking you for what you did. I would never be here again with you or to be with Cloud again if not for your help." Aerith lowered her head and smiled as she reaches her friend's right hand, squeezed it and warmly looked her in the eyes. "Thank you Tifa for bringing us back together."

Tifa remained speechless not knowing what to say to Aerith. She cannot surely be angry but she can't help not to envy her and feel all the more pity for herself. Aerith is such a good person and a friend to be hated to; no wonder Cloud fell in love with her. As much as it hurts to admit but what can childhood friendship & fleeting attraction do compared to one great Aerith Gainsborough?

Breakfast went well despite the earlier situation between her and Cloud. Thanks to Aerith's sweet personality and the kid's funny curious questions here and there. It took all her efforts to avoid from looking straight into the Mako enhanced glowing eyes right before her. Marlene and Denzel went upstairs into their room after breakfast to work on their assignments and project leaving the three of them on the table.

Just when she was about to stand up and gather all the plates, Aerith stopped her and offered to do the dishes. She tried to reject her but the Cetra can be very persuasive. Now, it's just her and Cloud left on the table and an awkward silence enveloped them for a long time before she nervously cleared her throat and spoke "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come on to you like that. I'm just…just not myself. Funny I blame it from the lack of sleep and…"

"No, I am sorry." Cloud interrupted her rambling. He apologetically looked her in the eye and reached out for her left hand. His gesture made her heart beat rapidly feeling the smooth way his hand covers her hand. She curses herself for feeling so weak when it comes to him. It's like no matter what he does even if it is ripping her heart, still makes her defenses fall.

Cloud slowly retracts his hand and averted his gaze towards her. He sighs deeply as he lowers his head and casually pushed his chair but paused before standing up and stuttered, "I …I am moving in with Aerith. She needs me and I …I …well..we.. we will be staying at her Church."

Well, that felt like a bomb has just been dropped on her chest waiting to explode. Tifa knew this was coming but she was not prepared how deeply it would hurt. "When?" She asked trying to keep her voice from shaking.

"Today." He shortly replied not even once trying to look her in the eye again.

"Well at least, stay for the whole day, stay until dinner." She lowered both of her hands to her legs as she straightens her back while breathing in sharply. She looked up to him and continued, "I know you are not good with words but please at least try to let the kids know. No…no I can't talk in behalf of you Cloud. The children deserves better."

Cloud nodded then stood up, "Ok. I think I can do that….…I should go pack now."

She sadly watched him walked towards upstairs to his room as if it is the last time she will ever see him again. Hearing the door shut, Tifa quietly pushed herself up against the chair then walked up towards her room deciding to take a shower.

As the hot running water cascaded downwards all over her body then so as the tears that sluiced along with it.

To be continued...Now about that guy in chapter 1?...Just wait a little more for the next chapter ...zzzzzzzzzzzzz