A week passed since the wedding. Through an 18-hour labour, Shera gave birth to a healthy little boy named Kain, after Cid's granduncle, and the couple smouldered the child with love, the same love Cloud and Tifa gave to Marlene and Denzel.
The evening Cloud and Tifa came home, Cloud sat on the couch, embracing his new wife, who was half-covered with a blanket that brought back memories during Dugald's reign. Angel sat on them too, although Marlene had filled her bowl with food.
"Cloud, do you remember when you had the flu?" Tifa asked as Angel purred.
"I do," Cloud said, "That was when I first encountered Dugald, as I was going to the shops. We didn't talk at all back then, but I was suspicious of him, though I was so focussed on shopping that it didn't bother me that much. I don't think Sephiroth will give him another chance,"
"I doubt it," Tifa said, "Cloud… Thank you for always keeping your promise. I love you, my husband."
"I love you too, Dearest," Cloud said, to Tifa, "And I promise, no one will ever harm you again, for as long as I live. Tifa… How about I make you some chicken soup for dinner, just like old times?"
"That would be lovely," Tifa said, as she kissed Cloud's lips. The two stayed for several minutes as Angel secured the couple in place, and soon, after the kiss was broken, Tifa fell asleep on her husband's shoulder, as Cloud held her. Silently, she once again thanked Cloud for keeping his promise.
Dinner can wait, Tifa needs some love first, Cloud thought, as he held his wife in place. Soon he rested as well and forgot about dinner until he woke up. As he rested he thought he could hear Tifa whisper, her warm breath embracing his ear.
"Cloud, you know those nightmares I had?" Tifa asked, "Dugald was in all of them, and sometimes Sephiroth too. I'm sorry I never told you, I didn't know how you'd react."
"Tifa," Cloud said, "Dearest, don't worry, they're both gone for good this time, I hope. Besides, I am and will always be your knight in shining armour. I promise..."
With this, Cloud gave his wife another kiss and embraced her. Though their eyes were shut, they still found each other with their hearts and continued their whispers, consistently kissing one another. The children watched from the bar and only bothered them to pat Angel who was all but forgotten by the newlyweds, as they resumed to exchange sweet nothings with one another. Words such as 'I love you' and 'you're beautiful' passed through Cloud's lips as they kissed in between, ready for the next statement.
Soon the couple stopped as Tifa said one final 'thank you for keeping your promise' before Cloud gave a kiss before parting and told her: "I'd better start making dinner. I won't be long," and left to make the meal. They ate together that night on the couch, as Tifa told her husband, "You did great," and kissed him once again. The rest of the night Cloud expressed how much he loved Tifa, through more than words, and Tifa was content, as Cloud told her, "I'll never leave you, Tifa," and kissed her as he fell asleep beside her.
From then on, the number of kisses Cloud and Tifa gave to one another doubled. There were two morning kisses, two returning kisses and two goodnight kisses. Cloud's heart never let go of Tifa, nor did her's let go of him, even as many years passed and they were taken to the lifestream, where they reunited with Zack and Aerith, a couple who were happily married in their own right, reminding Cloud that a love like that he shared for his childhood friend and wife was eternal… They were always there for one another.