A series of honks, slurred yelling, and mechanical whines of cranes were among the first sounds to have assaulted his ears as he stepped out the back door. Grimacing at the grey sky overhead before looking down in a squint at the quest objective: at least the paperboy had been on time today."Nothing like a typical day in Edge…" he grumbled to no one in particular. Some things never change, Cloud Strife was and probably would never be a morning person.

Retreating into the kitchen of Seventh Heaven was a welcome embrace back into the routine lull as well as more welcoming sensory experiences than that of outside. Fresh brewed coffee that was steaming and black, the rumble of the heat kicking in, and then the familiar sight of those burgundy eyes always looking back with the warmth of home. The very same eyes he had once held up a glass of Cosmos Canyon and confidently stated "Beautiful". He smirked to himself, Perhaps I do have some of that game still left in me.

She must have noticed as a sly and mysterious smile crossed her face as she came over setting a plate in front of him.
"Someone seems to be having a good morning…" she said, stifling a small laugh at the sight of his bed head which made his usual spikes even more pronounced and a slight but silly grin on his face.
"Mmm" he replied "Morning Teef".
"Morning Cloud" still smiling at him "Plans for today as usual?"
He hinted something different in her tone at this question. Nothing sinister, but something that was pleading with him "Please say no because I need to ask you something."
Taking a hard swallow of coffee he set the paper down, "Shinra is still processing the new business license for Strife Delivery Service, until then the jackasses aren't gonna be too happy about me doing my deliveries around the city….. at least legally speaking… can you believe they really make us renew the darn thing every 5 years?"That sparked a real laugh this time from her "You would like they would make an exception for the people who saved them and the Planet but you know Shinra is Shinra." Cloud joined her with a low laugh, still tinged with the grogginess of waking up.

There was a surreal comfort in the new monotony of his life since he came back home, something that still at certain points terrified him but over time was becoming a welcome friend. It almost felt sacred, this routine he had with them that was only possible with their patience and forgiveness of his past mistakes. Maybe he was starting to just get old? Maybe, but there was also something in the contrast to their past that granted him an appreciation for this small but peaceful existence. It was the sound of children running across wooden floors the moment he walked through the door, their meals that were humble but always prepared with care, and the soft gazes that passed between him and her in calm evenings as she washed glasses. No plates falling down, no bombs to set off, security to evade, and no genocidal maniacs that needed stopping.
Well, competent genocidal maniacs he thought to himself as the sharpness of coffee hit the back of his throat. There would always be unanswered questions, the pain of the past lingering on, and the deep fear within him that this could all be gone like the snap of a finger. No, he internally wagged a finger at that side of his brain, We've spent far too long brooding on that one, back into your hole old friend. Taking a deep inhale through his nostrils, he exhaled picturing that anxiety exiting his chest. A new tactic he had been working on recently. Something Tifa had suggested to which he scoffed that it sounded like "New Age nonsense" but would never directly admit that it was helping. He centered himself back to the present situation, the Planet would be fine and right now he should just enjoy these slow mornings with the woman who had stuck with him through it all.

Almost as if sensing him going through this process, Tifa decided to interject to further bring him back to the room. "If you're not busy I have a favor to ask then."
He raised an eyebrow "Ah? I have a feeling I owe you one anyway."
Another chuckle from her "Hmm, probably." But then all of a sudden she looked down, biting her lip as if whatever was coming next would be some earth shattering revelation.
"Tifa?" he questioned "What's up?"
She shifted in her chair slightly uncomfortable "Well….. I realize this is going to be a big ask. For you anyways."
Monster slaying? Keeping creeps out of the bar? Doing chores for Marle? God forbid, he thought to himself at that last one.
"The kids have their annual conferences, you know the ones where the teachers let us know how they're doing and all that" she explained, now able to look back into his blue eyes.
He blinked "…. Don't you usually have that sorted out with Barret?"
She shook her head "He can't this time, he's stuck out in the middle of nowhere on one of his jobs and wouldn't make it."
Considering it was Barret this must have really been the middle of nowhere. Cloud was convinced you could call and tell him that Marlene had sprained an ankle and within the hour he would be there looking to hurt whoever or whatever caused that like there was no tomorrow. The realization then turned in his head.
"So.." he started "You… want me to go?"
A pleading smile this time "I think it would be a great way to connect with the kids. You would get to see their work, hear about how they're doing, and I'm sure they would love knowing that you went and got to see their classroom…."
"Tifa I…." he trailed off "I mean, I'm not so good at these uh things as you know."
She sighed "I know, this is way outside of your comfort zone but remember that we've both promised to try new things? Especially for the kids, they deserve it. And if not for them, would you do it for me?" Oh, that was cruel, he thought. She knew he could not resist that combination of tone and the eyes she was giving him right now. As much of a people person Cloud Strife was not, the lethal ways of Tifa Lockhart somehow always managed to bring down every defense.
"I guess if there's no other way." he sighed, and her eyes lightened up as she clasped her hands together.
"Marlene will be thrilled" she said, "I promised Denzel already I would go to his one. And afterwards I'll cook your favorite meal since you're doing such a big favor for me."

Just as the pleasant memory of pot pie waffled it's way into his mind a distinctive noise made it's way into the kitchen. Before Cloud could even greet them, he was assaulted by the little devils he loved so much.
"Morning Cloud!" Denzel beamed at him, making sure he would notice his freshly brushed mouth. Cloud responded by ruffling his and Marlene's hair and replied in an affectionate low tone "Morning kids"
As they took their places at the table, Tifa came over with their own breakfasts.
"Marlene honey," she said, "Cloud has some exciting news to share with you."
The little girl looked up at him expectedly, a look that he had come to cherish more than almost anything that the world could offer him.
After taking of bite of his eggs he replied "Looks like I'm going to meet your teacher this evening. Barret can't make it, so you're stuck with me instead."
He was of course joking but this didn't stop the girl from flashing a huge smile and jumping into his lap.
"REALLY?" she exclaimed "You're going to just LOVE it! Ms. Chambers has the best classroom and then you can see the…"
As if she had already prepared it, Marlene listed off every detail down to the number of hamsters and where he could find her drawings.
Tifa couldn't suppress the grin on her face but lightly interrupted "I'm sure Cloud is excited to see all of that and to hear about all the great work you've been doing in school, but it's that time now and the bus doesn't wait forever although you guys might think different sometimes."
Both kids gave off their best exaggerated pout before rushing off again to collect their backpacks and coats.

Once she made sure they were out of the kitchen Tifa turned back to Cloud "There is one other thing…"
He grimaced slightly "Something to add onto my already hurt ego?"
She playfully punched his arm "No, silly. Marlene's teacher. Ms. Chambers. She can be kind of a….. Karen let's just leave it at that."
"A Karen?" he asked, giving her a look of pure bemusement.
She laughed "I forget you're still under a rock most of the time. Karen is the nicer word now for a certain type of woman that can be well…."
"A bit-" he was cut off by the door swinging wide open with the kids all ready to go. Tifa responded by giving him a nod and he groaned ever so slightly.
"Don't forget, we're having pot pie for dinner tonight" she winked at him, standing up to walk the kids out. Perhaps he was starting to miss some of his old life now, somehow the prospect of having to face a Zolom sounded better than having to deal with Ms. Chambers.

Sitting amongst the rows of lockers and under the blaring overhead light, Cloud fiddled nervously with his tie as if remembering why he never wore one. There were also the stares from other parents as they walked by him in the hall, probably not expecting to see someone like him there. He supposed he couldn't have blamed them for their judgmental gazes but that was also the least of his worries right now. The door to Classroom 26 opened, a thin-lipped older woman now sizing him up and down.
Great. He thought Tifa wasn't kidding.
The woman paused to look at the clipboard she was holding "And you are here for?"
"Marlene Wallace." he replied, clearing his throat as she scanned down the list.
She scowled "Forgive my impudence but you don't appear to be Barret Wallace, Mr. ?
"It's Cloud." He answered, "Cloud Strife, I'm one of Marlene's legal guardians."
Her frowned deepened "Hmm. I see. Well Mr. Strife you'll have to excuse my line of questioning, but you'll have to understand that I find this present situation to be considerably odd. You are not Mr. Wallace nor are you Ms. Lockhart so I have yet to see why I should believe you are who you say you are."
His patience had run thin even an hour ago and now he was really put on the spot. How the hell to even explain? he thought, scanning his own head to think of something that he could do or say that would meet this person's stupid expectations.
"I uh" he began "didn't really think to bring proof. All I can tell you right now is that I've been raising her with Tifa for over 2 years now and-"
"Ah" she replied "That'll do I suppose, come on in"
Completely bewildered he asked "Wait… now it's… ok?"
"I had my doubts but since you seem to be none other than Mrs. Lockhart's husband I see no reason to prolong this further." she said blankly holding the door open for him to enter but Cloud was now off in his own head again.

Husband?
Hold on.
He knew he should say something, right? Suddenly it was as if every nerve in his body stood up to attention and his heart raced in a pattern, he didn't think possible. Husband? Tifa's husband? The situation flashed him back to several instances something similar had happened.
"It's not really my business, but are you guys close?" That he didn't even have an answer to and was saved by Barret briskly bumping into him as the elevator opened.
"Is Tifa like….. you're girlfriend?" That one he had the quick response of "No".
"But she's someone special." Why did he deny that also? Especially when he fumbled to find an answer that would fit after that was said.
A mixture of the childish games of youth and jealousy, also complicated by the whole having to save the world thing. But it was obvious to everyone as much as he could try and deny verbally that something was there.
It wasn't as if he wasn't into her, heck anyone with eyes would be stupid not to be into her. No, it was more than that too beyond all their years of bashful flirting, the impulses to grab onto her during moments of danger, and that fateful night under the Highwind. There had been no doubt in his mind for a long time that it was love. But… husband? He found himself struggling for a breath. He had been fighting off the impulse to put a label to their relationship for years now. Not exactly dating since they did not really do those sorts of things but something far beyond friends. Ever since he had returned home after the bout with Geostigma and having to kick his own depression in the ass there had been the elephant in the room about what exactly the status of Cloud and Tifa were. Most of the time the thought was overwhelming to him. He had been working so hard to build up her trust in him again after he had left. The thought of losing what they had, the kids, their family was too devastating to even consider. He didn't want that to all crumble because she couldn't trust him after what he had done. Time had marked the shift into change, they were no longer just the troubled young adults trying to figure out confusing feelings in an even more confusing period of their lives. It wasn't just the obvious mutual attraction; this was now years of shared experiences good and bad. Regardless of what happened they appeared tied by fate, after all who could have guessed that he would now be living with her and raising two kids?
It would make sense for them to be married right? Something about that thought gave him a strange warmth in his chest but something also constricting.
It was not as if it wasn't painful that he didn't make a move. Did she know about all the times he wished that he could just envelop her in his arms? That he could wake up next to her, running hands through her long dark hair? And maybe deep down there was a thrill at her opening her eyes to him and whispering that phrase.
"My husband"
Love was never in doubt, it was a fear of change.

Same old damn fear that kept coming back to keep him from living. He really should say something, this is something that should be corrected. Anyone normal would have said something by now. But for all the reasoning he did in his head it did not translate into actual human speech but to him standing in his spot awkwardly.
The click of Ms. Chambers heel, tapping annoyingly on the floor was able to finally break him from this trance. "Mr. Strife if you're quite ready to begin…"
"Oh, right" he stammered "Sorry about that" Why the hell have I still not said anything about the whole damn husband business? Uh but she probably wouldn't let me in otherwise but still… This debate raged in his head as they took their places inside the room, and not even the continuing icy glare from Ms. Chambers could shake him out of it fully.
As she went through Marlene's grades and performance, they were all words that seemed to float past him as the puzzled look he had remained in place.

Tifa.
Would she even say yes if he asked her? Even after all the years of unspoken words between them? Her voice entered as a remnant from the past at that moment "Words aren't the only thing that tell people what you're thinking…."
He had done his best to show her everyday through his actions. After all wasn't that why he was sitting here right now even as he prayed to all of his might that he could be on his bike with wind in his hair and face? If anything, she was warmer to him now than ever before, not just returning his sly flirting with a blush in her cheeks but in all the little things she did. Folded clean clothes, with new stiches even, neatly laid on his bed. Their morning routine. The way she looked at him as the kids cuddled up close during story time, never letting her gaze go and as if a tear of joy would grace her face at any moment.
A pang of guilt. She deserved so much better.
Hadn't I told you earlier to crawl back into your wretched hole jackass? I thought we were done with this.
Inhale. Exhale. It worked but with a surprising resolve that he hadn't expected. Why shouldn't I just do it?

"Ahem" like nails on a chalkboard the voice of Ms. Chambers grounded him back into the room. "As I was saying, Marlene's performance has shown considerable growth despite the difficulties she's faced. She is a bright child if sometimes with a mischievous nature that I dare say also shows a certain….. lack of focus at times" Since Tifa had made him promise no swords he had to make do with a glare back at her with that last line.
"She's got a good mom" was all he thought to say in that situation.
"So she appears to. Well, Mr. Strife if you have no questions for me that's about all I have wrapped up. Although if I may say it is quite commendable once again that Marlene has been able to achieve the success she has considering the circumstance." A wry smile crossed dry lips.
"And what exactly do you mean by that?" Cloud found himself saying, looking directly into Ms. Chambers blank face.
"With her home and family life being so…. Disjointed I can only imagine it is rather difficult for a little girl who's been orphaned that she has what appears to be two different fathers and only one of them married to her mother figure." Ms. Chambers stated, tapping a pencil on the clipboard that was more like the ticking of a bomb about to go off inside of Cloud's head.
He leaned forward "Ms. Chambers, Marlene is well taken care of. We give her everything she needs or could even ask for and that woman loves her to death. She'll be just fine."
She scoffed and smiled "Let's hope so. Well Mr. Strife it's been a pleasure, but I have other parents waiting so if you'll excuse me."

He stood up suddenly, as if a weight that had been keeping him on that chair was finally removed. His annoyance even masked over the mention of their apparent marital status that once again Cloud didn't move to deny. As he walked back into the hallway, he paused at a mural that had been painted by the kids in Marlene's class. Why shouldn't they just do it? Wasn't it time to finally close that gap between them? Previous annoyance turned into a light feeling inside of him. No longer like something constricting him and stopping his breathing, no this felt like…. Hope? As he walked out of the school, he texted Tifa that he was going to make his own way back. After all, he needed an excuse to look out for any jewelers on the way home.

"Tifa said she liked my paper on dinosaurs the best!" Denzel grinned before going to shovel food onto his fork. Usually, a habit she would have corrected gently but tonight she could let certain things slide. An air of contentment hung over the table, but something different as well. She glanced over at Cloud and found his blue eyes looking at her in a strange way, completely fixated and almost as if he were fingering something in his pocket.
A bashfulness came over her "And what did Ms. Chambers have to say about Marlene?"
The brown-haired girl looked up expectedly at him and he turned to face her.
"She's doing just great. Ms. Chambers says she's friendly to everyone and one of the best artists in the class." He smiled as a grin looked back at him from the girl. And then the expression changed on her face to one of irritation.
"Honey?" Tifa asked "Is there something that's the matter?"
It was at that exact moment Cloud had forgotten that the kids were also at the school as the conferences were going on, waiting for Tifa to be finished. And that it was highly possible Tifa had asked Marlene to be sure to say hi to Ms. Chambers just before they headed out.
Marlene folded her arms together and with a pout replied, "Why didn't you and Cloud tell us you were married?"