THanks for the reviews:)..about the first chapter..and the skipping of pov's sorry about that..I should probably fix it..but I'm lazy lol. I shall do it soon..sorry though for the jumping around in pov's. hehe..my bad.
It was the night before they were scheduled to leave for Nibelheim. Cloud had gone ahead and gotten the task of filling up his bike so that they could ride it there. Although it was only fitted for two grown people, Cloud figured he could squeeze Denzel between them after all Denzel was a tiny tad small for his age. Luggage however, was limited to one back pack each. Besides they were just going for no more than 3 days. It was one of those fast holidays.
"Tifa," Denzel winged as he dragged his backpack toward the room that Cloud and Tifa shared.
"Yes," Tifa answered, poking her head out from the cupboard.
Denzel saw Cloud lying down in the bed already snoring with a couple of clothes scattered on the bed. He chuckled at the sight of Cloud.
"I think I've got too many things," Denzel said, handing the backpack over to Tifa.
She raised her brow. "How many things do you plan to bring Denzel?" She asked. "Your entire room?"
Denzel grinned and nodded. "Can you please help me?" He asked, pouting.
Tifa smiled warmly and nodded. "Sure I'll help you, just as long as you help me, unlike Cloud," She rolled her eyes at Cloud's sleeping form.
"Thanks," Denzel smiled and sat down next to her.
The two went through the packing like fire on a house; with Tifa giving out instructions to get this and that as they packed. Every once in a while they stopped and chuckled as Cloud's snoring suddenly louden. Life was starting to look great, but like what they always say, pain always follows happiness. You can't be happy for the rest of your life because in the end death will take you away.
Finally of what seemed like hours Tifa and Denzel sat down with a grin plastered on their lips. There were three back packs that were packed full with clothes fit for three days. One was purple which was Cloud's, another was green which was Tifa's and the last; blue which was Denzel's.
"Shouldn't Cloud help us?" Denzel asked staring over to Cloud.
"Nah, he needs his rest I guess. Besides he's the one doing the driving tomorrow anyway." Tifa smiled.
"Do you think the rain will stop before tomorrow?" Denzel asked, looking out the window. Outside was pouring rain with Thunder.
"I am not too sure," Tifa said, ruffling Denzel's hair.
Denzel let out a yawn but shuddered as a thunder struck the sky. He clung onto Tifa as they sat leaning against the wall.
"Where's the 'I'm so brave that a little thunder should never scare me?' Denzel?" Tifa giggled at Denzel.
"That's different," Denzel said shyly.
"Oh yea, cause last time Marlene was here ey?" Tifa smiled.
Denzel blushed, and clung on tighter as another thunder struck the sky.
"It's okay," Tifa cooed and ran her hand up and down Denzel's hand. "You can sleep with us tonight," Tifa smiled as she noticed Denzel yawning.
He nodded and hugged Tifa's arm closer to his chest as he snuggled up closer to her, resting his head on her side and closing his eyes. Sometimes Tifa thought as Denzel as her own son. She had never thought of children before, but well being surrounded by two kids; Marlene and Denzel, it sometimes gets you thinking. Her whole life, she had been in many ends that she thought death would follow; but look at her know. She was alive with the man she loved and whom loved her, along with Denzel. There wouldn't be anything else that could make her life any happier; well besides a child of her own, but that wouldn't happen not anytime soon. Maybe some time in the future.
She was shaken out of her thoughts when she noticed Denzel sleeping soundly. Startled at first she was unsure of what to do, should she stand up and carry Denzel over to the bed or just sleep there after all she was in a very comfortable position. Shrugging her thoughts away she closed her eyes; deciding to sleep there along side Denzel.
It wasn't long before Cloud decided to awake and realise that he had slept during the time whilst Tifa packed. He felt bad for doing that, besides he was tired; what they did that morning did take up a lot of energy and well he figured an early night would be good, he just didn't expect to fall asleep during packing. Smirking he turned to Tifa's side, hoping his hand would rest on a nice warm body that he could cuddle too since it was cold. His hand found nothing but loose sheets, panic ran through him as he stood up quickly.
Eyes searching the room; peace fell to him when he saw the two huddled at the wall. Tifa and Denzel looked like mother and child; the way they sat like that. It was a wonder why Tifa never had children, she was too young, and that was it. Having a child at the age of 22 was slightly early but well, they weren't too young to start.
Cloud made his way over to the two figures he had come to love so much. One he loved like a son and the other as the only woman he would ever love this much. She was his everything; she was his life, his reason to live, his promise, his happiness. She was the one that stood by him at the edge of death so many times. She stood there not because of the enemy but because she didn't want to lose him. Why hadn't he seen this earlier? But what matters, they were happy and together. Their friends may have packed up and gone their separate ways; however this one special friend he would keep with him for the end of eternity and always. Tifa was that friend.
He squatted in front of the sleeping two, eyes fixed upon Tifa's contented face. It was a wonder how she could hold onto Denzel that way whilst still sleeping; 'only Tifa' he figured. He brushed her hair back from her face, which mad her stir abit, but soon after she went back to sleep.
Gently and quietly he took Tifa's arm off Denzel and placed it on her lap. Holding the child in his arms he thought of whether to put Denzel in his own room or in theirs. After a quick decision with his mind he came to a conclusion, placing Denzel on the small couch that was in their room. Denzel often slept with them during these kinds of nights; raining and storming wasn't exactly the go with Denzel.
Taking the blanket that was folded neatly on the hand rest; Cloud covered Denzel, tucking the child in. Instantly Denzel moved around in his new found burrow, tucking himself further into the blanket and shifting to his side; facing the inner part of the couch.
Smiling at the child Cloud turned around and made his way over to Tifa. Squatting down beside her, he got down on his knees and held her in his arms. Coming to a stand he held her gently in his arms; she didn't stir but snuggled closer to his chest. He couldn't help but smile again. Tifa always made him smile, it was all the little things she did that made him want to melt with happiness.
He walked over to the bed and lay her down on the spot he slept on earlier. Walking to the bottom of the bed he took the blankets and brought it to her neck. He was so deeply concentrated on the blankets that he didn't even notice her eyes open and smiling at him.
When he looked at her he couldn't help but smile back at her. "Hey," he whispered, kissing her forehead. He drew back and looked down at her, sitting down on the edge as she shifted to make space for him.
"Thank you," she said.
"For?"
"Tucking me in bed," Tifa smiled.
Cloud smirked. "Don't have to thank me for that," he answered.
"Are you going to go back to sleep?" Tifa asked.
Cloud smiled and nodded, leaning down he kissed her on the lips, resting his forehead against hers. "I love you," he smiled and stood up again.
Walking around the bed, he stopped briefly at Denzel and pulled the covers up again before walking back to the bed he shared with Tifa. Lifting the covers he lay himself down beside Tifa; turning to his side to face her.
"If the rain doesn't stop we might not be able to go," Tifa said, staring out the window.
Cloud nodded, and snaked his arm around her waist; holding her close. His emotions were hard to read especially when he kept his face blank all the time.
"I'm sorry I fell asleep whilst you packed the bags," Cloud shrugged.
"Its okay, Denzel helped me out so it's all good," Tifa smiled and snuggled closer to him.
Cloud kept silent just listening silently to Tifa breathing in and out. "Goodnight Tif," He whispered in her ear and closed his eyes.
She smiled and nodded. "Goodnight Cloud," she mumbled back.
"Love you," Cloud said softly and pressed his lips against her forehead.
"Mmm.." she mumbled from the kiss. "Love you too," she whispered as she dazed off to sleep followed by Cloud.
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Cloud awoke sometime in the morning; his eyes fluttering open and resting on Denzel who stood at the side of the bed staring at him curiously.
Instantly a smile grew on Denzel's face as he witness the waking of the adult. Cloud couldn't help but smile at the child before him. "Having fun watching me sleep?" Cloud asked smirking.
Denzel smiled and nodded. "You were snoring; sometimes I wonder how Tifa can sleep with a sound like that."
"Well it depends," Cloud began, removing his arm around Tifa and sitting up facing the child. He scratched his head and stretched before continuing, "When I'm tired I guess I snore."
"Tired?" Denzel asked. "You haven't been doing anything tyring," he said.
Cloud smiled. "Well..yeah, I guess," the thoughts of the morning before coming back to him. "Come on; let's make breakfast," Cloud suggested with a warm smile; standing up he ruffled Denzel's hair.
"Hey," Denzel gasped, shrieking Cloud's hand away.
"Shhh," Cloud shushed and pointed to Tifa.
Denzel nodded and smirked.
"Hmm…Maybe we can't go today," Cloud looked outside at the weather; pouring rain and dark grey skies.
"Tomorrow then?" Denzel asked.
"We'll see how it goes," Cloud smiled and walked toward the door; followed by Denzel.
The two men of the house walked downstairs to the bar where the kitchen was. Cloud opened the fridge and glanced in. "Hmm.."
"Toast," Denzel smiled sneaking his way between Cloud and the fridge; grabbing the bread and butter.
Cloud watched the child come between him and the fridge; watching as Denzel reached up for the bread and butter. He shut the fridge door and stepped back, walking over to where Denzel stood.
"Toast it is," Cloud smiled, taking the knife out.
Denzel smiled to Cloud before taking the bread out and placing it into the toaster.
"Now we sit and wait," Denzel said, jumping up onto the table and sitting there quietly; hands in lap.
"Hmm..you sure know what you're doing," Cloud pointed out as he walked over to Denzel.
Denzel smiled and nodded. "I helped Tifa a lot when you were gone last time," Denzel answered.
'Tifa,' Cloud thought sadly, 'I never meant to leave.'
"You should stop thinking about the past," Denzel said, "Tifa's happy know," he smiled.
Cloud managed a small smile. "I won't leave you two again," Cloud said, "If I ever do, you and Tifa would be coming with me."
"DING," the adult and child gazed upon the toaster that had made the sound.
"It's ready!" Denzel gasped, hopping back down on the floor; he strutted his way over to the toaster.