Chapter 26

Cloud opened his eyes and admired the gorgeous, nude lady sleeping beside him, her head leaning on his chest. He thought of what had happened between them the night before and he smiled. His mind was still reeling of the fact that she was finally his. She belonged to him. He finally got everything he wanted from her.

He gently positioned her head in the pillow so he could have a better look at her. He loved her beauty and her scent. Now that he had her, he would never do things that would hurt her or make her run away from him again. He had gravely suffered the consequences of his indifference towards her before and he didn't want to encounter that pain anymore. He would not let her go.

I feel so alive. The years of loneliness have finally come to an end, Cloud thought. His eyes moved to Tifa's left hand and he smiled again. She was no longer wearing the engagement ring Noctis had given her.

She used to wear the ring all the time even if she was asleep. I'm glad it's no longer in her hand. This is a good sign.

He moved closer to her and kissed her on the lips, enjoying the softness of her delicious lips. She suddenly opened her eyes and smiled at him. "Good morning. Did you have a good night's sleep?" she asked.

Cloud played with her hair. "Next to you, who wouldn't?"

Tifa's smile widened. She stood up and grabbed her clothes. "You stay here. I'll cook breakfast downstairs and bring it here for you."

Cloud stood up and started to wear his own clothes. "No thanks. I'll just help you. The children and Barrett might freak out if they found me here, not wearing anything. I hope they are still sleeping."

The two of them, after being fully dressed, went downstairs. Both were relieved that Barrett and the kids were still asleep.

I do hope nothing will go wrong between us this time, Cloud thought.

Tifa answered as though she had read his mind. "I'll be a good girl, Cloud. I hope you'll be a good boy, too."

"Not just good. I'll be the best," he answered back. When I had done something bad, she did something worse. I left once, she left twice. I got attracted to Aerith, she fell madly in love with Noctis. I made her a bitch and I would not let that bitchy Tifa come back.

"I promise, Cloud. No more arguments about the past, especially the bad memories," she vowed sincerely. "There's no sense if we still brought up our past mistakes."

Cloud stroked her hair again. "I'm glad you realize that. I promise, too, that I won't do anything that would hurt you again. You and Francis will always be my priority."

Tifa locked him in her embrace. "I believe you, Cloud."

He smiled and tightened the embrace by putting his arms in her small back.

"So how's the new lovey-dovey couple now?" Barrett entered the kitchen and laughed. "It looks like the two of you had a very good time last night. Am I right?" He was looking oddly at them.

Cloud remembered him and Tifa making love. Did Barrett hear us last night? I don't think we were too loud. Oh no. This is embarrassing.

"It's obvious from your faces, you know," Barrett pointed out. "Since Francis slept with us, I'm sure the two of you were able to do anything you want last night. I mean anything you want." He had emphasis on the last sentence.

Tifa let go of Cloud and laughed as well. "I don't know what you're talking about. What do you want for breakfast?"

"Don't change the subject. I know something happened last night," Barrett jested. "After nine months, Francis will have a baby brother or a sister. I'm sure of it!"

Cloud wanted to laugh at Barrett's statement, too. How he wished what he said would come true. If Tifa and I have our own child, she will never be able to escape from me.

"Barrett, we'll let you know if he would have a sibling," Cloud informed him nicely. "But for now, we just want to cook. What do you want to eat?"

"I won't bother you again but I know something fishy happened last night," Barrett teased.

Tifa shook her head. "That's good because if you bother us again, you won't get paid for delivering yesterday," she said, pretending to be mad at him.

"How harsh," Barrett contended, pretending to be hurt. "Anyway, I want bacon for today. Thanks. I will leave you alone here so you may continue doing here what you did last night." He grinned at them and left the kitchen.

Tifa laughed again when their friend was out of earshot. "Oh Barrett," she mumbled.

"Let's not mind him. He will forget about it," Cloud advised.

"I don't even care what he is thinking. We didn't do anything wrong. Let's start cooking."

The two of them cooked together, laughing and sharing stories about their good memories.

The first week of Tifa's extended stay in Edge had been blissful. She and Cloud got along so well. The years of tension and aching were gone. Cloud was happy Tifa had finally become the woman he wanted her to be. She no longer argued with him. She was not the detached woman she had turned out to be when he committed the mistake of leaving her and the children they used to take care of years ago.

Please. I want the odds to be on my side. I don't want to lose her again. I hope nothing will hinder us from being so happy, Cloud thought. He had just finished his deliveries and was already going home. He was riding on his Fenrir, eager to go home and see Tifa and Francis after a long day's work.

Although he was happy she had returned in his arms and learned to love him back, Cloud could not give his complete trust to her yet. He still wanted to test her, to test her devotion to him. He just had no idea how.

When he reached his house, he hopped off Fenrir and went inside. He was greeted by a smiling Tifa and a playful Francis who suddenly ran up to him and shouted, "Daddy Cloud!"

Cloud carried the little boy and gave him a quick hug. He had told the boy to call him Daddy and he was pleased that the boy happily obliged.

"I'm glad you're home," the child said to him. "Let's play puzzles, Daddy!"

Cloud released the kid and touched his hair. "No problem. I'll just change clothes and then we can play."

"You're early," Tifa said. "I haven't cooked for dinner yet. I'll start now."

"It's okay. I'm not hungry yet," Cloud said. "There's no need to rush."

It was a peaceful evening for the three of them. He spent time playing with Francis in their bedroom while Tifa stayed in the kitchen to cook for their dinner. He liked the kid's politeness and obedience. He didn't throw tantrums like most little children do. He only cried or kept quiet when his favors would not be granted. Tifa knew how to pamper the kid and yet discipline him at the same time.

Tifa really knows how to be a great mother, Cloud said in his mind as he looked in admiration at the little boy who was busy arranging his puzzles.

Thanks, little boy, for helping me win your mother's heart. I'm so glad I was the one who found you crying in the park. You brought me closer to her and I'll reward you by being a father to you.

The boy suddenly looked at him and smiled. "You know what, Daddy? I feel so lucky."

"Why? Of course, you're lucky," Cloud said. "You have everything."

"Most kids have one Daddy. Others do not have at all. But I have two," the child explained. "I have Daddy who is asleep and a Daddy who is awake and that's you."

The child's words made Cloud smile. "Thank you. I feel so lucky, too, because of you. You always brighten up my day."

The two of them continued playing with the puzzles. An hour later, they heard Tifa's voice downstairs. "Dinner's ready, boys!" she called out.

"Let's go downstairs." Cloud led the kid out of the room.

"All right! Mommy is the best cook I've ever known," Francis complimented with a smile. "Let's go."

The three of them had dinner. Francis suddenly spoke, "Mom, are we going to stay here forever or we will go back to Sapphire soon?"

Tifa pinched her son's nose. "We will just get our things in Sapphire and we will come back here. We will live here with Daddy Cloud. Are you fine with that?"

"It's up to you, Mom," he said. "I'm fine with anything!"

Cloud quickly felt guarded again. He and Tifa did not talk about Sapphire for the past week. She had another week left before she and her son would come back to that kingdom. He feared that she might abandon him again. Losing her was the last thing he wanted to happen to him.

What should I do—no, what should she do to convince me that she intends to return? Should I just come with her? Not a bad idea but…

The little boy stood up and said, "I'm full. I'll watch TV. Thanks for the dinner, Mom."

"Wait. You brush your teeth first." Tifa took her son in the bathroom so she could brush his teeth.

Cloud watched them disappear behind the bathroom door and thought, Lovely mother and child.

Tifa brought Francis in the living room. "You could watch TV now but when I say you sleep, you go to sleep, okay?" She kissed the child in the cheek.

"I will, Mom," Francis answered politely. He flicked the television on and viewed a TV show suitable for kids his age.

Tifa went back to Cloud who was still eating dinner. She continued eating her food, occasionally glancing at Cloud.

"Tifa, about your return in Sapphire…" he began.

She broke in, "I thought we would discuss about that at the end of the week."

"Are you really sure you'll come back here?" he asked again.

Tifa began to feel annoyed again. "You asked me that before. I will give you the same answer. The answer is yes. Why don't you just come with me? It's a good place for a vacation."

"I have my reasons," Cloud muttered. "Convince me that you'll come back here without tagging me along there."

Tifa stared at him in confusion. "How? You know Cloud if you would just come with me, we won't have to argue about this."

"I don't know. Think of something."

"Cloud, this is pointless. If you worry about your job, then we can ask Barrett again to do it for you while we are away."

Cloud's eyes coldly pierced through hers. Tifa was surprised that she felt frightened at how he was looking at her. I can't blame him, though. He is right. Every time I go there, I end up staying there for good. I did it twice, but not anymore this time. How could I convince him? Cloud, just come with me.

"It's not about my job, Teef."

"Then what's your reason, Cloud?"

"I'll tell you soon. For now, persuade me. Give me a good reason to believe you," he said, his eyes showing more seriousness than before.

"Come with me. That's the only way I know, Cloud."

"No, Tifa. Think of another way."

The two of them gazed at one another in silence for a long time, the uneasiness filling them once again. Tifa was upset. Why can't he just go with her? Why did he hate that kingdom? She wished she knew how to read his mind so she would have an idea of what was going on to him.

Then he spoke. "I want you to do something for me."

Tifa nodded in agreement. "Name it. I'll do it if I can." Then she waited for Cloud to continue.

Tifa and her son were back in Sapphire. They entered her workplace so she could have a talk with Ignis. She was still exasperated at him for refusing to accept her resignation. She hoped he had already found someone to replace her. She really needed to come back to Cloud, her Cloud.

It's a good thing I was able to convince him that I would come back. If I had failed, we would just argue non-stop. He would not let me leave…

Tifa saw Ignis' daughter playing with her dolls in one of the tables. Francis asked her, "Can I join Angel, Mom? I want to remove the heads of her dolls." He was beaming devilishly.

She suppressed a laugh. "Don't do that. She might cry. If you make her cry, I'll spank you."

"I'm only kidding, Mom." Her son giggled. "I hate hearing her cries. She cries like a wild animal. I'll join her but I'll play with my own toy." He was holding his teddy bear.

"Go ahead. I'll come back to you later. I have to talk to Uncle Ignis." Tifa watched her son approaching the little girl. She went to Ignis' office and saw him reading some papers.

He looked up. "You're back. Sit down, Tifa."

"I hope you have already found someone else," Tifa said, taking a seat in front of him. "Have you found one to replace me?"

Ignis hesitated. "I won't lie. Honestly, I already did. I hired a new assistant manager three days ago."

Tifa wanted to explode out of anger. "Three days ago?" she asked, trying not to raise her voice. "Why didn't you tell me? Ignis, I can't believe you did this to me!"

"I'm sorry," he answered with an apologetic look. "I was about to call you but Squall told me not to. He said you might not return here. He is the one who doesn't want to let you get off the hook."

Tifa was stunned. She remembered a person Squall wanted to introduce to her. Was that person the reason why Squall didn't want her to stay in Edge? Who was that person anyway? What did he want from her and her son?

"He said there is someone who wants to see me and my son. Do you know who he is?"

Ignis was nervous. "You better ask Squall yourself. He is in the palace now, waiting for you. The man he wants you to meet is there, too. I want to tell you who he is but that would be against the order of our king."

"Ignis! I won't tell Squall that you told me about him. Tell me who he is now," Tifa insisted.

"I can't! I suggest you go to the palace now. I promise you would be happy when you meet this man. He is so eager to see you, especially your son."

Tifa thought of the man. Who would want to meet her and her son? She never dated a man in this kingdom after Noctis died. She turned down plenty of suitors. Her life only circled on her son. She thought of the men she had met in her three years of stay in Sapphire and she could not think of one who would want to get to know her and Francis.

Maybe a distant relative of the Caelums has visited Squall, she thought.

When she was in Edge, she didn't think too much of the man. She had been fixated on Cloud and Francis. She loved being Cloud's girlfriend and she was so amazed how nice and sweet he had been to her. He was so truthful and caring for her and her son. He was never the old Cloud who was so distant and callous. He still loved her son as if Francis was his own son.

I'll meet this man and I'll go back to Cloud. No one, not even Squall, can stop me.

"Okay. I'll go to the palace now. I do hope this man is interesting to be friends with," Tifa told him, not hiding the irritation she was feeling. "What you and Squall are doing to me is starting to get on my nerves."

"I promise, Tifa. You might feel grateful once you meet him," Ignis replied with a smile. "I really apologize. I'll give you your separation pay tomorrow."

Tifa said farewell and thanks to her former boss and left the restaurant with her son. On her way to the palace, she asked the driver of the limousine and the bodyguards about the mysterious man. But they all refused to answer her queries out of some loyalty for Squall.

Damn you, Squall! Tifa wanted to scream.

Her son began to feel curious. "Mom, someone wants to meet us? Maybe it's Daddy! Maybe he is finally awake!" he exclaimed in joy. "He is waiting for us in the palace. What do you think, Mommy?"

Tifa stiffened at her son's words. He could be right but that was impossible. His father was dead. "No, baby. Daddy is peacefully asleep now. I told you he will never wake up. Maybe that person is a relative of your father. We will know soon. We are almost near the palace," she said to her son. When she looked at him, she was looking at his father. Tifa felt a pang when she remembered Noctis. She looked at the streets so she would not get too emotional again.

Her son did not stop. "But I do hope it's Daddy! I'm so excited to see him again. I will embrace him and tell him never to sleep in the grave again. Mom, I feel so enthusiastic, thinking it might be him!"

"Honey, stop talking about his reappearance. When I said he won't come back, he won't come back."

"Mom, what if it's him? What would you do?"

They were already inside the vast Caelum grounds.

"Francis, we are here now. We will know who that person is."

The limousine stopped in front of the main entrance of the palace. Tifa and her son stepped down and went inside the palace. They were followed by the bodyguards who were carrying their bags. They strode off to their bedroom. The bodyguards put their bags in a corner and left.

Francis jumped to the large, soft bed and squealed, "I miss this bed! I want to sleep, Mom. Can I? I feel tired!"

"Of course. I'll just find your Uncle Squall. Have a good sleep, darling."

"No, Mom! You sleep beside me. I cannot sleep alone!" Francis demanded. "I'm scared!"

Tifa felt another urge to laugh at her son's behavior. "Baby, it's daytime. You don't have any reason to feel scared."

"Mom, let's sleep together!" he contended. "I feel safe with you."

Always, baby. You will always be safe with me. I will never lose you again. Tifa smiled at her son and happily lay down beside him in the bed. She waited for him to fall asleep, adoring his face with a strong motherly love that had existed within her from the time she learned she was carrying him.

Life has never been the same when I met Noctis. I've known how it feels to love and be loved back. I've regained my self-confidence. I found out that this kingdom exists. I met the king and Squall. I've become a part of this royal family. But the most unforgettable change he has brought into my life is this baby boy. We became parents because of him. He is the best gift to us.

Tifa recalled once again her memories with her fiancé, the good times they had. Falling in love with him will never be a mistake…

She interrupted her thoughts of Noctis and glanced at her son again. He was already sleeping. Tifa stood up and started to look for Squall. He was not in his room. She looked for him in the library and in the art gallery. He was not there, too. She searched for him in the guest room where Rinoa sometimes slept. Squall was not there.

Maybe he is in the garden or in the swimming pool.

Tifa went in the area where the swimming pool was located. She noticed there was a man standing in the side of the pool. He was talking to someone in his phone. She studied his hair and his figure. He was not Squall.

She walked closer, eager to know who he was. Something was very familiar with the man. She could not see his face but she knew who he was just by looking at his back.

This is impossible, she thought in shock. He is dead. He died in my arms five years ago.

"Impossible," she whispered. "I'm dreaming. I know he is dead. I'm sure he is dead."

She blinked her eyes many times, thinking what she was seeing was not real but only an apparition of him. She moved closer, her hands reaching out to him, wanting to touch him, to know if this vision was real or not.

Spiky hair, muscular body… I think it's really him. He came back. I thought dead people don't come back. But he is here. What happened to him? Where was he during these past five years?

Before she could touch his back, he turned to her.

Tifa was face-to-face with Noctis.

A/N: Folks, don't get mad at me, okay? I have a reason for this twist. You will know in the next chapter.

Was Tifa's vision of Noctis real? Was it really him or someone who only looks like him? Is Noctis really dead? Would this man be an obstacle for Cloti? What did Cloud ask Tifa to do for him? You will know in the next chapters. Don't worry. I won't make you wait long for the next chapter.

The date here in my country is Nov. 5, 2013. I would update within 7 days. I promise. Expect a new chapter on or before Nov. 12. Reviews, please! :)