Chapter Two – 7th Heaven
"Marlene?" The little boy called as he descended the stairs to find Marlene pulling a blanket over Tifa's sleeping form. She turned to face him and placed a finger to her lips, signaling Denzel to be quiet.
The two children had just woken up. It was eight in the morning, and they had brushed their teeth then headed downstairs, ready to assist Tifa in setting up the bar. But it seemed, this morning was different, instead of entering downstairs to find Tifa just finishing washing the dishes with a warm breakfast on the table for them, they saw her sleeping on the couch. It was rare to see her still sleeping even after the clock stroke past eight, but the children didn't mind. Although today was out of daily routine, they thought of it as special, for they could become a little more independent.
Denzel's stomach gave a low growl as he placed the last bar stool down onto the wooden floor boards. Glancing over at Marlene who had positioned the last vase on the table, he pointed at his stomach.
"I'm hungry," he whispered over at her. They had just finished setting up the bar without Tifa's assistance, and they had also managed to keep quiet.
Marlene frowned a little at Denzel's remark, "I am too but we can't wake Tifa." She answered looking over her shoulder at the inactive Tifa.
Denzel nodded in agreement as he searched the room for something her could eat. He looked everywhere, until his eyes rested to a box of cereal which was cleverly placed on top of the fridge. As if he had just found gold, the box of cereal seemed to gleam at him as if daring him to get it. Grabbing Marlene by the hand, he indicated up at the large fridge that was situated behind the bar, and directed his finger upwards right where the cereal box was resting.
Marlene was a very intelligent girl, she had barely laid eyes on the box before running over to grab a bar stool. Seeing what she was doing, Denzel helped her carry the chair to the fridge. The two of them heaved the chair and brought it behind the bar, all the while doing their best to stay silent so as to not wake Tifa. By the time they had brought the stool to the fridge, the two small figures were a little out of breath.
After catching his breath, Denzel stood straight and made eye contact with the now muted Marlene. "You hold the stool, I'll get the cereal." He ordered, "Understand deputy?"
Marlene couldn't resist a barely audible laugh for he made it sound like they were on a serious mission. For once in a long time, she felt as if they were on an adventure, trying to obtain food or they will starve to death. They also had to complete this mission keeping an eye out not to wake Tifa. It had been a while since her wild imagination had been active and it felt good to know she had Denzel to join her in her wild escapades.
"Aye sergeant," Marlene half called, saluting him then she realized how loud she was. Shifting, she made sure Tifa was still asleep before commencing. Getting into position, Marlene held the stool in place with a tight grip.
"Are you ready?" Denzel queried, and saw her nod in reply. "Here I go," he announced noiselessly as he hoisted himself up onto the stool. Stretching his hands out, reaching for the cereal box only to find that his arms were a little too short, Denzel returned back to normal standing posture.
This time, he re-positioned himself to be standing on his tippy toes he attempted yet again to get his hands on the cereal but failed. The space between the fridge and the stool was the one and only thing stopping him from attaining his goal. Standing back onto his heels, Denzel breathed in deeply not admitting defeat. He thought a little more like Cloud and how Cloud would to this, and then he took a step to the very edge of the stool and stretched out for the box once more, just like what Cloud would do. The person he depicted as his hero.
"Denzel!" Marlene cried as the stool was kicked out from under his feet and Denzel was now holding onto the fridge so he wouldn't fall.
Marlene tried to catch the stool before it plundered onto the kitchen floorboards but it was already too late. The sound of metal clanking with wood echoed through the entire bar and Tifa immediately sat up. She glimpsed to her left to set eyes on a helpless Marlene and a struggling Denzel hanging off the fridge.
Jumping to her feet, Tifa ran for him. "Denzel!" She had screamed in concern as she caught him just as his hands grew sweaty and slipped.
The little boy fell into her arms, and Tifa hugged him close to her, so scared that he would come to harm if she hadn't caught him in time. After recovering, and finally releasing him from her arms, Tifa placed him back down and knelt to pick up the fallen stool. Her heart was beating a little quicker but she was relieved that the children were safe.
"What in the world are you guys doing?" She interrogated, and then spotted what they had been grasping for. Food. They were hungry and didn't want to wake her from her peaceful slumber.
Marlene was the first to react to Tifa's inquiry. "Denzel and I were hungry," she managed to explain.
Putting her hand to her hips, Tifa couldn't help but smile at the two apologetic faces. "How about some bacon and eggs?" She offered and was rewarded with loud shouts of 'yes' from both children.
Shaking her head at the hyperactive kids, she shooed them out from behind the bar and commenced on the eggs. Whilst heating the pan, she noticed all the chairs were put down and pretty flowers in vases were situated right in the middle of the tables. The bar was ready for customers, and ready for the days work.
"Did you guys see my house elves? They must have got to work while I was sleeping. Look at this place!" Tifa proclaimed knowing full well how Denzel and Marlene were going to react.
"Marlene and I did that," Denzel elucidated feeling unjustified.
Tifa pretended to be surprise and puzzled at the same time, "You guys did that? But when I woke up you were busy getting food with Marlene," she teased.
"Your house elves are being lazy so Marlene and I told them to go away and now we're your new team of house workers," Denzel stated. He was standing with his head held high, looking like a proud knight as Marlene stood beside him flashing one of her glowing grins.
Arching one of her perfect eyebrows, Tifa's mouth formed an O. "Is that so?" She requested as she sited two pieces of bacon in the pan and began frying away. "So that means you'll be doing their jobs?"
When the kids didn't respond, she moved to face them to find them beaming and nodding their heads vigorously at her. "Ah, that means you'll be sweeping the floor, cleaning the tables, washing the dishes…" Tifa rumbled on, making a list of things for the non-existent 'house elves' to work on. By the time she finished creating a list of chores, breakfast was ready.
Scooping the bacon and eggs into two separate plates, she gazed up at the two children, just long enough to see them pass one another a worried look. Marlene and Denzel were no longer smiling; instead they appeared to be planning an escape route. Tifa chuckled to herself as she brought the two plates to one of the tables near the bar for the kids to eat.
Shifting to them, Tifa shook her head, "Well hurry up and eat, you two need to get to work soon. Now that my house elves are gone, you're doing their chores."
Denzel and Marlene took a seat. Denzel glanced up at Tifa who was bringing fresh bread to them. He threw Marlene a sheepish look then spoke, "I will do the instructing, and Marlene will follow my orders and clean."
Marlene protested, "Hey! Why do you always get to be in charge? I'm not doing all the work," she cried indignantly and crossed her arms facing her back to Denzel.
Tifa broke in, "Now there, both of you are wrong." She entered into the conversation, sensing a little animosity from both parties. She continued, "Since I'm in charge, you two will work and I will instruct," she emphasized and gave an evil laugh to add more character to her evil sounding role. "And if you don't do as I say, I will lock you up and eat you!" She threatened playfully.
The children jumped out of their seats, "No you won't!" Denzel defied, "Cause Cloud will save us!" He shouted as if he was on stage performing.
Tifa's eyes widened as she cocked her head to a side, "Save you? We'll see if Cloud will save you now," she breathed and lunged for him. Once she grabbed hold of him, she started tickling him. She was too fast for him, and he hadn't had enough time to run. Denzel fell to the floor, and laughed. Tifa tickled him mercilessly. When Marlene wasn't joining her, she turned to face the little girl. "Marlene, what are you waiting for?"
Marlene hesitated for a moment, and she too joined in on tormenting Denzel who was now laughing twice as hard. The sweet sound of laughter filling the bar was like heaven. Just as the bar name suggested, 7th Heaven.
A/N: Any better? Please after reading, pretty please with a cherry on top review! It'll really help... Cheers.