A brand new year to make a perfect start. That's what I always say. (winks)

Hope ya all had a great New Years Party. I sure did. The fireworks were sorta crap, cause the buildings were blocking the way but hey..we saw some so that's all that counts.

Anyway enjoy..and review.

Thanks to the following people who reviewed for chapter 6: louise, son et lumiere, Rockangel14, The Spirit182, uma-isuzu-chan, bookwormzes, Hipathya.

Tifa awoke a few hours later, feeling her cheek brushed up against something warm. Smiling she fluttered her eyes before opening them fully; instantly they rested on a familiar figure.

He was on his side facing her with his hand over her waist, holding her gently and close to him. She could only smile at the position they were in. Last time they did this, he was the first to have woken up, but this time it was her turn.

She touched his tanned chest softly; eyes gazing onto his face to see if he stirred. He remained sleeping; however a small smile sprawled over his lips at the touch. Even as he slept, he could always manage to smile for her.

His smile wasn't one of those face piercing grins, more of the gentle, sweet and small smiles. One she named Cloud's contented smile.

Deep in her heart, this was the secret wish she had always wanted. To share this moment with only him, only Cloud and she had; this was their second time. She had loved him and she still did, she always has, she always will.

She knew he felt the same, what more could she ask for?

Tracing his outline with her finger she watched as he slowly stirred from his sleeping state. His eyes fluttered open slowly and then rested on her, he couldn't help but smile. Even though he was still half asleep, he still had some sense in what was happening around him.

Eyes slit and small, "Hey," his whisper was so soft, only she could pick it up. Drawing a deep breath in he let it out with a sigh, then shifted to press his lips against her forehead.

She smiled at his greeting, "Sleep well?" she asked.

Cloud nodded, and drew her closer; lifting his arms up as she made herself comfortable in his arms.

"Hmm..," he thought for a moment, "when I hold you like this yeah," he smirked.

She blushed and burrowed her head into his chest, tightening the embrace they were already in.

"You didn't put your clothes back on," Cloud mumbled, noting the fact that when he ran his hand up and down her back, all he felt was her naked skin.

"I only just woke up," she replied from his chest.

He could feel her lips moving up and down against his chest as she spoke, it was sort of ticklish, but he didn't mind. It was only Tifa. She had all privileges to do whatever she wished with him.

"If um..you feel uncomfortable Tifa, go put some clothes on okay," he told her, removing his hand from her waist and lifting her chin so he could look in her eyes.

She nodded and smiled. "I'm okay," she answered. "Besides, it's just you."

Cloud replicated her smile. "I'm just..I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable or anything," he said.

She let out a long contented sigh, "I think that, even though I was completely..naked, I don't feel one bit afraid that you have complete advantage right now," she spoke nervously.

"Really? How come?" Cloud asked, narrowing his eyes. A hint of wonder in his voice.

She avoided his gaze and moved her eyes to his chest, lacing their hands together.

"Because I know Barret for one will hunt you down and probably kill you if you ever tried anything and plus, I don't think you even had a chance if I fought back," she giggled and then looked back up at him smiling.

Cloud rolled his eyes, "Sure sure," he mumbled.

"Oh really?" she raised a brow.

He smirked back, than in a swift move he took her in his arms and shifted his way over the top of her, trapping her between the bed and his body.

She rolled her eyes at him, "Please," she muttered disgustingly.

Using her will power, she used her arm to push his chest back onto the bed, lying roughly above him with her hands clasped tightly around his hands above his head.

He chuckled. "I guess you win," he said.

"Oh don't let me win Cloud. Lets see what you're really made of," she laughed.

"I'm not going to hold back Tifa," he lied. He would always hold back when it came to her. He would push his attempt to the maximum but his moves were always swiftly ready to hold back in case of hurting her in any way.

She smiled and nodded.

Quickly and fast he shook her clasped hand of his and pinned her again to the bed, this time his hold rather tight against her wrists.

She was a bit startled at first but didn't let her guard down too soon. Finding the perfect thing to make him forget she looked seducingly at him and licked her lips.

His hold loosened as he moved down to kiss her but was instead met with her hand. She pushed him back yet again against the bed, one hand holding his hands above his head and the other clasped on his mouth.

She could feel his lips curling into a smile against her hand.

"I win," she cooed happily.

He rolled his eyes and took back his hand as she released them.

"Know what?" he asked. "I'd always let you win," he confessed.

"Wha-"

"I'd never win against you Tifa," he saw her confused expression and continued, "even when I say I won't hold back, I still do. Because I can never fight you the way I fight in a battle," he softened, "I love you way too much to do so," he whispered.

"Cloud," she whispered with a warm smile. Everything he always said made her want to melt.

He stared into her eyes for a few minutes, keeping the silence around them. Sometimes you don't have to speak your feelings for a person to understand them, just keep silent and by the forces of all emotions, they will know, some how.

The heart radiates the feeling, almost like a frequency of electricity rushing through the air. The second party receives it like a radar and reads it clearly, and soon enough, the other knows what the other is thinking or feeling. That is the way of life, it doesn't make sense, it never will.

"I have another secret," he confessed quietly in a whisper she only just picked up.

Her eyes shot up to him, unaware of whether she should be startled or peace. Before she could speak anything he spoke.

"When I battle on the field, you're my goal, my hope in surviving. I try my hardest to win so that I can sit there and listen to you scolding me for being too daring or taking such a risk," he smiled.

Her reaction was subdued. She couldn't seem to imagine that she was what he thought of when he fought in battles. He had never shown any sort of happiness when he made it back from battles, but he always made it a point to speak to her and let her scream her head off at him.

He continued, "I would rather die trying to make it back to you, than trying to stay alive without any hope at all."

Those words told had come from his heart; deep within the flesh and bones of his body and from the little organ that had much meaning.

Her response was quick, hugging him close, pressing herself up against him in a even tighter hug.

"Cloud I love you," Tifa whispered through the water in her eyes. She was crying, no one ever made her cry, besides that day when life was stolen from Aeris.

"Hey," He winced at her tears, touching her cheek and running his fingers to her eyes. "Don't cry."

She smiled through the water on her face and sniffled back. "I'm just so happy Cloud."

He smiled.

"Stay with me always okay?" she said softly.

He nodded his head. "Always Tifa, always."

After moments of silence her eyes fluttered and closed eventually. Her breathing lengthening and smoothing out as she fell back to sleep.

The blonde thought of whether to sleep or to wake up. Denzel might be awake, the poor child was alone all the time since Marlene had left with her 'dad'.

Unwrapping himself from the embrace he sat up, turning around to pull the blankets up to her chin as the temperature of the wet weather outside cast off a cold air. Picking up his boxers at his feet he wore them on, standing up and stretching.

Walking around quietly, he picked up their sprawled clothing. Always smirking at the thought of why they are not bothered to be neat when during 'moments'. It must be those spur of the moment compassion that causes one to be so 'unnaturally' neat

Placing them neatly on the near chair he stopped at the door and stared at her. Sleeping so peacefully and beautifully, he could stand there; watch her sleep and let the time pass by. But Denzel was waiting; he wouldn't want the child to wait too long.

Goodness if Denzel walked in and saw. What would they explain to the child? Of course Denzel knew of their shared feelings but not any of this kind of 'moments'. He was a tad to young to properly understand why lovers do what they do. In time Denzel would find out, but till then.

He circled his hand around the knob and turned it, walking out without a shirt he didn't really care. Seventh Heaven wasn't opened yet, and it wouldn't be open for a while either. Their vacation was still on the go, they just have to wait for the rain to finish out.

Cloud made his way to Denzel's room, wincing as a creak escaped the floor of one wooden floor board. Making a mental look to fix it he finished his quest to the room. The door was open.

Denzel sat at the window sill, eyes fixed outside the glass window and onto the street. Cloud assumed the child was watching the rain falling. Walking up to the child he leaned against the wall, glancing outside too.

He knew Denzel could sense his presence; probably see him in the reflection off the mirror. He just didn't want to say anything that could break the silence Denzel had put up so nicely.

"Hey," Denzel smiled warmly but didn't turn his eyes to Cloud.

"Been watching the rain long?" Cloud replied.

"I was actually thinking," Denzel answered, pressing his forehead against the cold glass. He closed his eyes, after Cloud had not said anything he continued, "I think of my parents."

"Denzel," Cloud said softly, laying his hand on the kids shoulder in order to comfort the child.

Denzel responded kindly and opened his eyes, turning to Cloud.

"I don't know who they are, or where I come from. I don't remember," Denzel said sadly.

Had Denzel been crying? His eyes were red and puffy, the clear symptoms of crying.

"Hey," Cloud soothed the child, sitting beside Denzel and pulling him in for a hug. "The past may hurt, but there's always a chance to make your future bright."

Denzel nodded. "I just..Marlene's got a daddy, and I got no one. I don't know where I belong."

Cloud drew back, "You belong with me and Tifa," was his answer.

"But-"

"You're like the son I never had," Cloud confessed and ruffled Denzel's hair.

Denzel couldn't help but smile, his tears still visible at his rim of his eyes.

"Me and Tifa, we're.."

"In love?" Denzel answered.

Cloud smiled and nodded. "Speaking for Tifa as well, I don't think we would mind, adopting you as our son."

The smile on the child's face light up.

"And even if Tifa and I have kids one day, you will still be our first Denzel. You're welcome to our family any day," Cloud smiled.

"Wow, so if..you had to go somewhere one day, and I'm at home with Tifa, technically I'm the man of the house?" Denzel grinned.

Cloud chuckled. "Yes," he nodded. "A mans job in a household is to keep the participants in it safe from all danger."

"Cool."

"And I think," Cloud paused. "That having a job like that is the best thing that a man could ever do. I wouldn't want to trade it for anything else. I find no better happiness in knowing that you and Tifa were safe from all dangers possible. It is all I can do, and I shall continue to until my time is up."

Denzel nodded and turned his eyes back to the window. After sometime he spoke up, "I wonder when the rain will stop, it's been raining like this for two days non stop."

"Hopefully tomorrow," Cloud said.

"Hmm..yeah."