Exams over, found some time to go on.. hope you like it.
Will have time again to write some chapters ;-).. Don't know how long it will take but.. they will come -smile

Enjoy!

Chapter 10: Tifa...? - I love you...

"Umm... how long did I sleep" I was mumbling with a yawn while grabbing for the alarm clock. "Oh my.., way too long! It's nearly 8:00pm!" I jumped out of the bed and stood up immediately, but calmed down really fast...

I wonder what she is thinking... I have barely talked to her since... yeah since then. Maybe she's angry...? Well... I'll see soon...

I went downstairs and heard them talking in the kitchen.

Hm smells good...seems like Tifa cooked dinner; sadly I am not really hungry. Guess I will go and watch some movies. The day is almost over, so it doesn't make sense to start something big....

Before going into the living room I made my way to the kitchen and saw all 3 of them sitting on a table eating their dinner. I saw the faces of the kids; they were smiling the time they realised me. I couldn't see Tifa's face as she was sitting there in a different angle.

"Hey there..." I said quietly.

"Cloud! There you are!" Danzel almost yelled on me with a smile. Marlene was looking at him. I grinned and nodded.

"Tifa... I am sorry that-" I started staring at her. Even if I didn't see her face, she is still the most beautiful 'thing' I've ever seen.

"It doesn't matter Cloud." I still couldn't see the expression on her face. Was she mad at me?

"Huh? Are you-"

"No, I am not." She turned her face to me and smiled. She wasn't mad, I was lucky...

"Well... anyway... sorry. I was just a-"

"It's ok Cloud. Are you hungry?" she was still smiling.

"Not really, thanks...I will just go and watch some movies; I need to ...anyway, enjoy your meal." I told her and the kids with a smirk.

"See you later." Were the last words I heard from her before heading into the living room. Once reached, I closed the door behind me and went to the TV wondering what I should watch. Normally I don't like watching movies but this wasn't a normal day... I just needed some distraction. I grabbed the Box with all of our DVDs and I picked a random one.

Horror... and almost 4 hours long, that's good! The day will end smoothly with this one...

I put it into the DVD Recorder and took a seat in the sofa.

It was almost 10:00pm as I heard someone was opening the door. I turned around and saw Tifa.

"Hey Cloud" she seemed to be a bit nervous or afraid of something.

"Hey..."

"Do you mind if I join you? The kids are in bed and I've got nothing to do..."

"Well... no problem. But you know, that's no movie for little girls." I was teasing her with a smirk.

"Hey!! But you are also watching it!" she replied with a grin. The both of us started to laugh. She moved closer and was going to sit down in a chair next to the TV, but before she could sit down I stopped her.

"What are you doing?" I asked her wondering.

"What?" she looked really confused.

"Why are you going to sit there?"

"Cloud, this is the second best position to watch movies. Only the sofa got a better angle, you know?"

"Okay that could be, but I still think 2 people fit into the sofa or not?! So please join me if you want." I told her with a smile.

"Really?" her eyes widened.

"Sure..." I replied with a wink and while clapping with my right hand on the free place next to me. "...but don't complain if you can't sleep later on..."

"Don't worry Cloud, I am not a Baby anymore!" she answered while poking out her tongue at me. I just smiled naughty.

She sat down next to me and leaned her cheek on my upper arm. Seems like it was comfortable for her, I also enjoyed it but I didn't tell her.

//////////

Time passed fast, the movie was over. We were still sitting in the same position... nothing happened. We even didn't talk. She was wincing at some parts of the movie but that's all. Maybe she was a bit afraid... I couldn't say. She was the first of us who was standing again.

"Guess its bed time now." She said yawning.

"Yeah, again for me...by the way did you like the movie?"

"It was... It was okay..." I just smiled to her answer and gave her a nod. She then went out of the room.

I turned off the TV after standing up and went upstairs; I wasn't tired but what I should do...I had to go to sleep again. Once fallen asleep I will sleep like a rock...

Before opening the door of my room she went out of the bathroom. I was blushing while looking at her as she was wrapped in a towel and nothing else.

"Umm..." I wanted to say something but I simply couldn't. She was breathtaking.

"I wanted to take a shower, but... I forgot something in my room." She told me smiling.

"Ahh... okay... see you tomorrow Tifa..."

"Good night Cloud...by the way, Barret is coming tomorrow to pick up Marlene. They want to go somewhere..."

"That's okay. Have a good night." I replied with a smile and went into my room. I immediately went into my bed and was trying to fall asleep while thinking.

Oh man, she looks amazing. It was hard for me to talk to her without staring. Hopefully she didn't see that I was blushing...Wait...If she did, I don't care... I love her and I will tell her... soon..I think. There is no problem if she saw me blushing then...And good thing Barret's coming – I need a friend to talk with before my mind falls to pieces..." A few minutes afterwards I was sleeping.

I woke up the time someone was suddenly opening my door. The person turned on the light. I was too tired to look up who it was. I would know it the time the person starts talking...

"Cloud?" It was Tifa.

"Hmmmmmmm?" I was too tired to answer properly.

"I... you were right... I can't sleep... Can I... maybe... you know... if you don't mind... one night... just... maybe... join you? I am... I have nightmares" I never heard her stuttering like that. She was searching her words.

"Hmmmmm..." I gave her as an answer. Then I fell asleep again...

A few minutes later on I woke up again and searched Tifa. She wasn't there! I went out of my bed and hurried into her room. The door was open and she was laying in her bed crying softly.

"Tifa, what's wrong? I thought you wanted to join me?" I asked her wondering, still amazingly tired.

"Uhh.. I wasn't sure what your answer should be... so I decided not to disturb you..." She replied while wiping her tears away and with a sad voice. "I can't sleep, that's all... I have nightmares..."

"Tifa...I am sorry..." I answered. I was such a fool. I didn't pay attention to her once again... I went to her bed and got slowly under the cover.

"Now...please sleep. You'll be save, no need to have nightmares Tifa." I told her caring.

"Thank you Cloud..." she replied and closed her eyes. Her body was gliding near my one; she made it comfortably for herself – I enjoyed it and put my right arm around her waist to signal her that she don't has to worry anymore. She wanted to sleep so badly.

Half an hour later I still didn't sleep. I couldn't believe that she wanted me to stay with her during the night. Though... I would do anything she's asking for. I will be there for her, it doesn't matter what she wants from me. All I need is to remember our childhood, there has to be something about it.

I was staring at her face, she was sleeping peacefully and I could hear her breathing softly. She looks so gorgeous... I couldn't repress anymore and moved my mouth to her ear.

"Tifa...?" I whispered softly.

"..." she was sleeping though.

Before taking back my head and falling asleep again I whispered 3 more words into her ear and kissed fondly her left cheek.

"I love you..."