After putting the children to bed, Tifa clambered down the stairs, a fleece blanket wrapped snuggly around her shoulders. She shivered as her bare feet came in contact with the frigid wooden floorboards, and she went about the living room as she usually did at night. She turned off the lights and made sure the stove was off in the kitchen, and after performing these nightly rituals, Tifa padded across the premise and ventured towards the front door.
She placed her hand on the knob and gently turned it, the door propping open as a gust of wind ushered through. Tifa huddled in on herself, opening the door a little wider as she peered out into the night, her gaze anchoring on the glittering night sky above. The moon shone with a splendor she wasn't accustomed to—she was feeling too putout to marvel at it.
Was Cloud staring up into the night sky like she was? Was he staring at the same exact star, was he feeling the same frigid chill of the wind against his pale skin? She hoped he was somewhere out there, safe and sound, far away from any peril. He didn't deserve any more turmoil, he didn't deserve to feel any more pain, even though she could feel the stinging well of hurt swelling in her breast.
If only he could just realize how good he had it here with her and the children. He had a home to return to, he had a best friend to lean on, and two of the most amazing children to coddle and adore. What was wrong with them—what was wrong with her?
She eyed a shadowed figure that walked about the street a little ways away. The stranger turned to her and waved, a smile across his lips. The glint of a silver ring caught against the light emitting from the lamp on the porch step. Tifa smiled and nodded, before shutting the door close behind her.
Tomorrow would be a better day. If that man could smile, so could she