Alrighty, one more chapter and this one is done, and I have an awesome ending planned. I think everyone will enjoy it, but I'll warn you now, there are allusions to things said in Crisis Core, so if you don't want any sort of spoiler, don't read the next chapter. It's not really anything that will ruin the story, but it is very important to the growth of Cloud's character. I'm borrowing this idea I saw in another story and saying, who ever gets the 50th comment for Puppy Love will get a cameo with Cloud and Tifa in my Yuffentine story Angel. It'll even be relevant to the plot! So review often! Same disclaimers apply, and read the warnings. I listened to "Cloud Smiles" the entire time I wrote this, so if it's overly sappy, blame Uematsu for his amazing score of Advent Children.
WARNING: This chapter contains Lemon. There are sexual situations between Cloud Strife and Tifa Lockhart. If you don't want to read, then don't read between the lines.
Chapter 7: The Proposal
The party went on, every person in attendance making sure to get their birthday greetings to Tifa, who had taken to sitting on a barstool next to the present table, since it was easier for all the people to come to her, then to try and get around the crowded bar. The floor normally had a lot of people in it, but this was crazy. Where had Cloud found them all? The only person she hadn't talked too was Reeve, and she still hadn't seen Cloud after his cryptic message. She figured he was probably around somewhere, so she didn't worry about it.
In truth, Cloud was with Reeve in the kitchen, nervously running his hands through his hair and pacing. "What if I get the wording wrong? What if I embarrassed her? There are a lot of people out there Reeve. What if she says no?" The older man smiled softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Cloud, we all know Tifa, and we all know that she's not going to say no. She loves you, and I'll bet she wants this just as much as you do."
The blond bit his lip a bit, rubbing the back of his neck and he always did when he was nervous and unsure. "Alright, give me the ring, and go out there and get Yuffie to start the presents. After she gets to the end and sees there isn't one from me, then I'll ask her."
"You aren't going to chicken out, are you?"
The swordsman frowned and shook his head. "No, it's the right decision for me, I just hope she thinks it's right for her too. I may be clueless sometimes, but I'm not stupid enough to let her go this time. I'll be ready." He watched Reeve walk out of the room to start the presents, and he stood there for a moment, opening the black velvet box in his hand. He looked down at the mythril ring, a delicate version of the ring she already wore. The wolf had become a totem for him, and since his crest in a way, already marked Tifa, he figured something prettier was in order. The ring was small; the head stylized to seem more feminine, and instead of the ring in its mouth, and it held a small, but perfect diamond. It was only a quarter carat, but he hadn't wanted a single flaw in the gem, not to give to the most perfect woman he'd met. He heard the commotion in the bar had calmed down, and it was just light chatter and Tifa's voice saying thank you, coupled with the sound of ripping paper.
Cloud left his hiding place and walked around the back of the huge mob vying for a glimpse at Tifa's mound of presents. He managed to see some of them, from things for the bar to candles and perfume, anything and everything that would allow the over worked woman to pamper herself a bit.
Tifa picked up a small box and read the card, seeing it was from Yuffie, Vincent, Shelke and Baby Valentine, though she figured the ninja had added that after her announcement. She tore the carefully wrapped present, and then opened the box. She gasped at the necklace, running her fingers over the silver A. "It has all of Avalanche's birthstones in it, even Aerith's. Blame Vincent, it was all his idea!" She giggled as he glared at his lover, who used the edge of his cloak to hide behind. The bartender sniffed a bit, wiping the tears away and she got up and hugged each of them, even the reclusive gunslinger that surprisingly enough didn't seem to mind. Each of the other gifts from her closest friends was just as thoughtful. A new set of gloves from Cid and Shera, the pilot boasted they were the best on the market. A large, group picture in a beautiful frame from Nanaki that was taken right when they first met Cid, and she had to laugh a bit and the very disgruntled looks Cloud and Vincent were both giving the camera. Reeve gave her a small plush of Cait Sith, which he told her to save in case she had a baby anytime soon. She blushed at that, but thanked him greatly. Barret and Elmyra gave her a Mystile, and she was shocked they'd been able to find another one. The kids brought her a huge bouquet of lilies from Aerith's church, and photo album with a few pictures of them and Cloud in it. "It's for the family, and the blank pages are so you can fill them up!" Denzel grinned at his mom and she hugged them both tightly.
Reeve grinned, "well, that's it, all the presents are unwrapped!" Everyone was about to go back to the party, and Tifa noticed that there wasn't one from Cloud. She figured all this must have been her present, not to mention he couldn't have wrapped Heaven, so she didn't even think about it. "Wait…" she heard that familiar voice come from the back of the group, "there is one more, but I didn't wrap it." The bartender watched as Cloud came forward, all eyes were on him, and he reached forward to take her left hand in his. Tifa looked at him, a rather puzzled look coming over her features. "Cloud, you already did all this, and got me a puppy, what more could I possibly ask for?"
The swordsman gave a silent answer by going down on one knee. He ignored the gasps and giggles that were coming from the partygoers, and he just focused on the gorgeous creature before him. "Tifa, I never thought I'd have the courage to do this, but knowing that you're happy, here with me, and that you deserve everything in life, that gave me the strength to kneel at your feet, in front of all these people, and ask you the most important question of my life." He paused and smiled a bit, watching as her right hand went to her mouth and tears came to her eyes as he pulled out the velvet box. With his free hand, he pushed the lid back and held it up for her to see, and he squeezed her hand. "Tifa Lockhart, will you be my wife?"
A tear slipped down the martial artist's cheek, and she blinked, and then nodded, and the swordsman slipped the ring on her finger. "You're supposed to actually answer Teef," he whispered and she grinned, pouncing him and sending them both to the floor in an undignified heap. "Yes, you silly man, I would love to have you as my husband." His hand slipped to her cheek and brushed her happy tears away, before guiding her into a tender and passionate kiss. The crowd was clapping and laughing, Yuffie started to cry too because of her hormones and Vincent just stood with her, patting her back.
The happy couple stayed right with each other the rest of the night, dancing and eating cake and drinking punch, enjoying the time together and with their friends. Tifa never thought she'd have such a perfect birthday, especially since all of hers had been so lack luster after her mother died. She was overjoyed, and hadn't felt so complete in along time. Then the party started to wind down; they were left at midnight with the rest of Avalanche, who was staying with Reeve at his house in Edge to give the lovebirds some time alone. Barret and Elmyra took Denzel for them as well, since Marlene would be returning to Corel in the morning. They all said their goodbyes, which left Cloud and Tifa standing in the middle of a huge mess. He wrapped her up in his arms and smiled gently, kissing her lips. "Don't worry, I'll clean it up in the morning." Tifa gave him a very sweet smile, "I can't ask you to do that, and it wouldn't be fair. You've done so much for me, and tomorrow isn't my birthday."
Cloud pulled her into a gentle hold, kissing her with a bit more fire that time. "If you think that these two days are just for your birthday, you're wrong. I've been so distant for so long, I have to make it up to you." The bartender let her hand slide up his chest and to his cheek, lightly caressing his skin, "You already have Cloud, but if it will make you feel better, we can do it together." The blond gave her a nod, then scooped his bride to be up into his arms and started for the stairs. Tifa let out a giggle, and wrapped her arms around his neck. "It's after midnight, my birthday is over you know."
He raised and eyebrow and stopped at the door to her bedroom, "I just told you…" He stopped as she closed the distance, slipping her tongue in his mouth. There was no further complaint from the swordsman, and he pushed the door open with his foot and brought her in, laying his precious cargo on the bed with all possible care. He peeled the little jacket off of her, and then let his hands run over the soft skin of her shoulders. It felt like fire trailing over her alabaster skin, every touch he gave her lit her desire. So Cloud had known he would propose last night when they made love for the first time, and it made her heart warm to know that he wanted to be her husband even then. She started to work on his buttons, wanting his shirt off, when she realized that she was rushing again. She broke the kiss for air and looked at her lover, and how beautiful he was flushed and breathing hard in desire of her. "Cloud, lay down…"
The swordsman wasn't sure what she wanted to do, but he finished removing his shirt and pulled his socks and shoes off before tossing the empty box to the floor and lying in the center of the bed, propped up on his elbows. "Like this?" The bartender nodded and slipped herself out of her dress, stockings and shoes, moving up his body slowly in just her bra and panties. "Yes, you've done so much, I'm going to do something for you now. Close your eyes."
Cloud licked his lips a bit, his eyes going over her toned body, and he nodded, laying back and closing his eyes. Tifa started to kiss his neck, and he could feel the satin of her bra brush down over his belly, and the zipper on his pants came down. The strong martial artist tugged the pants down, with his boxers and got rid of the offensive clothes, leaving him exposed. He let out a moan as her fingers brushed over his hardening member, and just as she started to stroke him, he felt the head enveloped in moist warmth. As first he thought that she's settled down on him, but then a tongue flicked over him, causing an extremely pleasurable sensation. He moaned Tifa's name, his hips wanting to come up to seek more of the heavenly hotness, but she took it slow, and it was like sweet torture. After she'd taken him all the way in, he opened his eyes a bit to watch her suck on him like a Popsicle, the sight causing him to shudder. She looked up at him from under her long eyelashes, and she continued to treat his organ and the most delicious treat imaginable. It was the hottest thing he'd ever seen. After a few more moments, his hand went to her hair, "Teef…" he panted, not quite able to form the words, "stop, I want you to come with me. If you keep doing that…" his voice was lost in a loud moan as she did something amazing with her tongue before pulling away.
It didn't take him long to grab her around the waist and flip her onto the bed, causing her to look up at him in shock. He rid her of the bra quickly, and then started to attack her pink nub with his tongue while his hand slipped down into her panties. He smirked a bit against her breast when he felt she was wet already, and her hips moved against his hand, causing her to nearly purr his name. But he wasn't satisfied with that, and the panties were tossed across the room as well, and he started to trail hot kisses down her belly to her womanhood. He parted her thighs and really took a moment to look at her, before moving to lightly run his lips over her southern ones. His tongue flicked between the folds and he nearly chuckled at the moan he got. He really liked it when she was loud, though he did sort of feel bad for the neighbors. He pleasured her like that for a long time, getting her hotter and hotter, and he could hardly contain himself as he felt her muscles clench around the finger inside her, and her juices spilled out, over his hand. When he crawled up over her, she looked so beautiful and spent; her skin had a lovely rosy glow.
He didn't have much time to wait, because the woman took his inaction as a moment of weakness and used her leverage to flip him over, and she moved to hover over his hips. "We should probably use a condom Cloud," she whispered, rubbing herself over him to excite him further, but the man just moved his hips and slid inside, causing a groan to come from each of them. "We're getting married, if Vincent and Yuffie can have a baby, so can we…" Tifa smiled softly and nodded, resting her hands on his chest and letting herself slide down him to the hilt. "Alright," she whispered, and started to move her hips slowly. The swordsman just watched her for a moment, as her breasts and hair moved with her thrusts, how her face was angelic, her lips parted and eyes closed as she enjoyed his body. He grabbed her hands and pulled her down, holding her close to his chest and thrusting into her, but leaving her on top.
The position she was now in caused her hardly used passage to tighten further, and she moaned, moving with him in an easy and quick pace. He felt so wonderful, and she felt so full. It didn't take her long to release again, which caused Cloud to go with her, his arms holding her close as they went over the edge together, the feeling so intense that neither one of them was even able to make a sound more then a gasp.
It took a few moments before either of them could move, and the swordsman didn't want to unsheathe himself from his lover just yet. After they'd caught their breath, Cloud kissed his fiancée gently, looking into her half lidded, sleepy eyes. "I love you," he whispered gently to her, and the barmaid smiled brightly, illuminating the dim room. "I love you Cloud, I always have… don't ever forget it. We're in this together, from now on."
The swordsman nodded, kissing her again, and gently ran his fingers over her cheek, "from now on, starting with cleaning tomorrow." The woman made a face, but it was playful, and he slipped out of her, easing her to the bed.
Cloud pulled the blanket over them and snuggled against her, wrapping them both in warmth. They were exhausted, but they both wanted to snuggle a bit before going to sleep. He kissed her shoulder and whispered, "If we have a boy, at some point, can we name him Zack?"
Tifa moved a bit to look him in the face; a small smile came over her lips. "I wouldn't have it any other way, and I think if it's a girl, Angel… in memory of both him and Aerith." The blonde nodded and snuggled into the blankets with her. "Can I move into this room and use mine for an office?"
The barmaid giggled and nodded, nuzzling his cheek. "I wouldn't have it any other way… after staying with you one night, I find myself needing you close to sleep." Another small kiss sealed the deal, and they both fell into a peaceful slumber.
