A/N: (twirls around) Huzzah! I have brought chapter 8! I am sorry this took me forever to post up. (bows) But! Like I said, I would post it on my b-day! (dances) Short 'n sweet chapter. I hope you like!

Thankies for reviewing everyone!
YingYang, I'm glad you like-ith my story! And, I know what you're talking about. Very very strange things happen here…
Mako, hehehe, yeah, but I always love to bake cookies with my mom. If I did it without her… I'd be like… panicky. (sweatdrop)
VtVV, I was gonna make Marlene and company go to the Gold Saucer and meet up with Cait, but then I decided I couldn't find a good place to fit it. And, hehe, yeah, I know it was mean. I really like Yuffie a lot. PST! Blame Barret! Hehe…
Tiramisu, I'm glad it makes you happy. It makes me happy too. (hugs Marlene)
Raven, Glad you likie! E-gads! Then you should read this chappie to find out!

Disclaimer: NO! NOTHING! NO! Except for Damian!

My Little Star
Chapter Eight

Coming To You

I bounced up and down my bed. Papa was going to surprise me with something! I was so excited! Maybe he was going to come back home? I squealed at the thought. Just thinking about it made me even happier. I couldn't wait! I pulled my blankets off and skipped around my room. It was only one in the morning and I couldn't sleep at all! Tifa and Uncle Vincent said that tomorrow would come quicker if I sleep, but…! I covered my mouth to prevent myself from squealing again. I didn't want to disturb everyone's sleep. So, I decided to grab something warm to drink to help me fall asleep.

As I quietly walked down the stairs, I noticed that the kitchen lights were on. I peered over the railing and spotted Tifa and Uncle Vincent talking to someone. Suddenly, the lights flicked off. I watched a tall shadowy figure walk towards the door. As soon as he opened it, the bright moonlight shined on it, revealing that it was… Papa! I gasped and quickly ran down the stairs to catch him, but the door closed in my face. I swung it open and stepped outside. Papa wasn't seen anywhere. It was like… he just disappeared! I dropped to my knees and continued staring outside. Why… did he leave…?

Just then, I felt something warm on my shoulder. I turned and spotted the shadowy figure. Its green demonic-looking eyes glowed brightly into my eyes. I tried pulling away but its grip tightened. The figure revealed sharp teeth that were coming closer to me. I tried screaming, but nothing came out. The only thing I could do was watch as the figure opened its mouth and…

A very loud scream escaped from my mouth as I feel on the ground. My eyes shot right open as the bright sunrays shined on my face. I sat up and looked around. I was in my room…? Then that meant… everything was a dream? I gasped and ran right out of my room. The front door was open and I spotted a black cloak on the couch. My mouth hung open as I cautiously peered over the railings. The kitchen lights were on and I could hear Tifa and Uncle Vincent talking to someone. I quietly hid behind the couch and peeked into the kitchen. Someone… was sitting at our table. I really hoped that it wasn't that… thing I dreamed about. Before I could take one step, Tifa spotted me and gestured for me to come into the kitchen. I whined to myself and slowly made my way there. I peeked my head inside and found myself face-to-face with…

"P-Papa!" I leapt up and wrapped my arms around him. He gave me one of his all-time famous tight hugs. I didn't mind… I really missed those actually. I smiled and pulled away from him. "You're really back!"

"Yep! Did you have fun while I was gone?"

"Oh, yes! We rode on Uncle Cid's Highwind and practically went all around the world!"

Tifa smiled. "I really hope you didn't mind that, Barret."

"Oh, not at all. Marlene always wanted to go to different places. I would love to take her, but something always comes up," Papa frowned at me. "I'm sorry I'm always so busy."

I shook my head. "That's okay! I understand," I turned to Uncle Vincent and smiled. "I especially had fun with Uncle Vincent, Papa!"

He lifted an eyebrow at that. "H'oh really? He didn't do anything spooky to you, did he?"

I gently pounded my fist on his shoulder. "Papa!"

"I'm kidding!"

Uncle Vincent rested his chin inside the palm of his hand. His red eyes stared right into mine. I think he really wanted to smile, but I knew he didn't want to show it to anyone. I smiled in response and nodded my head. Papa placed me on the ground as he stood up and stretched.

"Welp! You guys did a very good job taking care of my Marlene. Thanks for everything. She seems really happy. I hope there weren't any problems."

Tifa shook her hands. "No! No problems at all, right Marlene?"

I smiled nervously and nodded. "Y-Yep! No problems!"

Papa smiled. "Well good. I guess you guys are free to go now."

I blinked at that. Tifa nodded and hugged me tightly. "Hope to see you again sometime, okay?"

"W-Where are you gonna go?"

"I'll have to head back to my bar. I let the Turks look after it while I was gone. Gee… I hope they didn't destroy my bar," she giggled at that. "Take care, Marlene! Visit me anytime!" she waved goodbye and headed out of the house. I frowned as Uncle Vincent lifted me off from the ground. He let me rest my chin on top of his shoulder. I gripped his red cape as he hugged me (first time he ever did that to me!).

"Please take of yourself, alright?"

I nodded and pulled away. "Y-You too!"

Only thirty minutes have gone by but it felt like ten hours! Ever since Tifa and Uncle Vincent left, there wasn't much to do. Papa had been talking to Uncle Cid for a while and I was stuck watching cartoons (not that that was a bad thing…). As usual, there wasn't anything good on. I've seen every single episode of Chocobo Charlie's Adventure and Moogle Madness. I sighed and sunk into the couch. I think I missed Tifa and Uncle Vincent's company. It kind of felt like they were my older brother and sister! They even act like my papa and m- I paused. Mama. I turned the TV off and hopped out of the couch. I think now was the best time to ask Papa about… my Mama. As soon as I entered the kitchen, Papa had finished talking on the phone. He pulled his newspaper away and smiled at me. I did the same too.

"Heya, Marlene. What's up?"

I fidgeted around. "U-Uhm… can I ask you something?"

"Sure," he lifted me up on his lap. "What is it?"

"I know I've asked you this before… but… I really want to know. What ever happened… to Mama?"

He paused and sighed loudly. "Marlene… I…"

"I really want to know! Papa, a lot of things happened while you were gone. I met this boy in Wutai and he said that his Mama died when he was very young. I thought that I was the same as he but… I wasn't sure."

Papa gently stroked my cheek. "…Marlene… it brings back memories that I don't even want to remember anymore. You… are not ready yet. I'm very sorry."

I frowned. Part of me agreed with that, but the other really wanted to know. I just nodded my head. "Okay."

"But, I can tell you this," he started to smile. "Your Mama was very kind… and she was very adventurous like you are."

"Really? What did she look like?"

"Oh, she was really pretty. You even remind me of her. You even have the same likes and dislikes. You hate radishes, she likes-"

I giggled. "Marshmallows!"

"H'oh yeah! She was crazy for them!"

I was glad I decided to talk to Papa about this. That really made my day. I could now think about her in a very happy way. I may not know what happened in the past, but I think this was good for now. Perhaps when I'm older, I would understand more about her.

"Hey," Papa said. "You know, your birthday is coming up next week!"

I perked my head up. "Oh yeah! I almost forgot about that!" (I honestly did!)

"Wow… you're going to be five-years-old! You're turning into a big girl! So, what do you want to do on your birthday?"

I already knew what I wanted to do. I hopped off of Papa's lap and turned around. "Papa, I want to go to the beach! And I want Tifa, Uncle Vincent, and everyone else to come too!"

A/N: End of chapter 8! Sorry it was so short. Oh, and if you're wondering about Marlene's dream… don't let it bug you a lot. Sometimes when you get too excited at night you dream about stuff like that? (shrug) I've had that several times. (shudders) Not pretty. Anyways! Look out for the final chapter! Yes, unfortunately it's the last one. (sob) I promise I'll make it much longer! Get ready for Marlene's 5th b-day party! Hope you liked reading and please tell me how you thought of it!