Chapter 5: Cozy

Mary followed Cloud into his room at the seventh heaven. It was right next to Tifa's room, and it was messy. Clothes thrown everywhere, the floor littered with maps and various order slips.

"Cozy," She replied with a smile.

"I… need to tidy…" He said, grabbing a handful of paper from the floor and stuffing it into the trash can. "Make yourself at home."

Mary took a seat on the edge of Cloud's bed, and folded her hands neatly in front of her.

"You'll be staying in this room," He said.

"And will you be sleeping with Tifa?" She asked quickly, and then blushed and turned away.

"No," Cloud said, "I'll be on the couch."

Mary smiled at him, a smile he couldn't mistake for relief.

"How do you plan to help me?" She asked.

"Well, I was thinking that tomorrow we could go to some of Aeris's old places. Her church, definitely…"

Mary flopped down on Cloud's bed, and snuggled her face into the pillow. "Sounds good."

"I guess you're pretty tired," Cloud told her.

"Yeah," She agreed, "It's been a long day." She closed her big green eyes.

Cloud watched her for a minute, before heading to the door.

"Hey, Cloud?"

He turned back to her.

"Thanks," She said.

"For what?" Cloud asked. "I may not even be able to help you…" His thoughts trailed off. What if she wasn't Aeris? But no--- he couldn't think like that. She had to be Aeris, she just had to.

"But you're trying." Mary replied, and winked at him. "And you offered me into your home. I don't know how to repay you."

"Just get some rest," Cloud said, trying to stop the thoughts of his male mind that came dancing into his head. Cloud wasn't like that, he wasn't a one-night stand kind of guy. He had to give his heart and soul completely to something--- to someone, and it wasn't something he had ever thought about before until Aeris changed him. God, he owed her so much.

"Goodnight," Mary mumbled, her voice caked with sleepiness.

"Night," Cloud said, and left the room. He was greeted by Tifa who was walking up the stairs.

"She asleep?" Tifa asked, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Yeah," Cloud said, and stepped around her toward the stair.

"Cloud," Tifa said, grabbing his arm, "We never really discussed this, you just sort of ran into it…"

"Not here, we'll wake her."

"Oh, heaven forbid…" She mumbled, following him down the stairs.

The door that lead out to the Seventh Heaven was ajar, and Cloud pushed his way through, greeted with fond memories of the place. There were so many memories here… Biggs, Wedge and Jessie had lived here. Barrett had lived here. So many people had relaxed and unwound here, but now all of that was gone. The bar was gaining in popularity again, but there was an un-spoken sadness, and everyone knew it.

"I'm not sure this is such a good idea," Tifa said.

Cloud ran a hand through his hair. "Look, if it's too much for you, with the kids and everything, Mary and I could find a…"

"That's not what I mean, and you know it." Tifa said.

Cloud rested his back against the wall, crossed his arms and turned to her.

"Why is this girl so important to you, Cloud? You just met her, and five minutes after that, you're living with her. That's not like you… at all."

"You've seen her, Tifa. You've heard her voice. Something's telling me… my heart is telling me that Aeris has come back."

"What if she hasn't? What if this is all just a coincidence, I mean, look at Raine!"

"Raine isn't Aeris." He said simply, shaking his head. "This girl--- I have to know."

Tifa walked to him and placed her hands on his arms. "For your sake, I hope you're right."

The door opened and two little faces appeared in the doorway. One belonged to Marlene, and the other, a small boy was an orphan that Tifa had taken in named Denzel. His parents had been killed when the plate fell, and Tifa couldn't help but feel a little responsible. The boy had been living with her and Marlene the past two years during Barrett's absense as he was off searching for another source of energy for the planet.

"We heard you talking," Marlene said.

"Oh, the partners in crime are awake." Tifa said. "And why aren't you two in bed?"

"Some lady's in Cloud's bed," Denzel said, grinning.

"Can we have ice cream?" Marlene asked.

"Want to help me getting them back into bed?" Tifa asked.

Cloud took Marlene's hand, "Sure."

"Piggyback!" Denzel yelled, jumping on Tifa's back.

Marlene arched a brow at Cloud, and he scooped her up, hanging her upside down as he climbed the stairs. The children shrieked with delight as the two adults carried them into their beds.

"Story, Cloud!" Denzel insisted.

"Yeah, tell us a good one from one of your deliveries!" Marlene said.

"Alright, but you two have to settle down, our guest is asleep."

"We promise!" Denzel said.

Tifa gave a loud yawn, "Thanks Cloud. I'll see you in the morning, you two. Goodnight."

"No, Tifa, stay!" Marlene squeaked.

"Oh, alright," Tifa said, pulling up a chair. "But after this, it's really time for bed." She gave a smile, and couldn't help the feeling that they were like a family.