Chapter Six - Arrival

Tifa sat in bed with her eyes wide open, her legs brought up to her chest with her face buried in her pajamas. A crystal-like tear slid down her pale cheek as she heaved a sigh. She'd been awake for hours now, in the same position too, never leaving the comfort of her bed, as her eyes darted towards the window every now and then. It had been hours since he'd left… And now as the sun began to rise, changing the dark sky into a pinkish-orangey color, all she could do was close her eyes, unable to watch such a beautiful scene for she felt so horrible within. It was clear that Cloud had left for good; it was also evident that Tifa Lockheart was in agony.

Now as she remained immobile, her sniffing echoing in the bedroom every now and then, the sputtering of a vehicle came chugging up the driveway. As Tifa lifted her head, her back set straight and rigid, she glanced at the window but saw nothing. With her ears alert, she heard the engine turn off and then the opening and closing of doors. Getting to her feet, Tifa wiped at her eyes and cheeks frantically, attempting to cover up the fact that she'd been crying.

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Denzel and Marlene both grinned widely, their smile reaching their eyes as the car pulled up the driveway to 7th Heaven. It was early in the morning as the vehicle came to a halt, the children hustling out, ecstatic to see Cloud and Tifa. The two children stood outside, observing the bar's exterior, happy to see the place again. Their eyes scanned the entire place. First the bar, then the garden, and finally the garage; the moment their eyes reached the garage was the moment their smiles changed into a frown. Cloud's motorbike was nowhere in sight. Just that very view of the garage made everything appear to be so cold and hollow, very different to the usual warm place they always referred to as 'home'.

"C'mon, what you waitin' for?" Barrett remarked as he led the children to the doorstep and rang the doorbell. He too sensed something had gone wrong.

There was a few minutes of silence as footsteps from within reverberated down the stairs. As the children stood and waited, the door unlocked and gradually opened to reveal Tifa. A weak smile was plastered onto her face, never reaching her eyes as she greeted and hugged the children in a warm fashion. She barely glanced at Barrett in the eyes as she led the children into house, away from the chili morning atmosphere. Barrett had spotted Tifa's puffy eyes and pinkish nose. That very image of her was enough to confirm that something had definitely gone wrong.

"Where's Cloud?" Marlene asked the moment she was in the house, her eyes searching the area.

Tifa winced inwardly at Marlene's remark. To be honest, she didn't know where Cloud was. All she knew was that he wasn't coming back after the sudden change in their relationship. He simply took off, leaving her behind in tears.

Shaking her head at Marlene, a faint apologetic smile took over her face. "Cloud's gone to work." She lied and saw the frown on the child's face.

"He left pretty early," Denzel remarked his eyes averted to the floor to hide his discontentment.

An unwanted tension befell the room as Tifa sat up straight, racking her brain for something to say to enlighten the mood. She didn't want to disappoint the children when they had just arrived. Glancing at Barrett, to find that he was staring at her she quickly turned away.

"Uh…" She began awkwardly, her fingers entangled. "You must be tired," she stated towards the children. "I've set up your room; I used your favorite bed sheets too. How about you get some sleep, and when Cloud comes home, I'll call you." She suggested breaking the unusual tension. She examined the children that she was trying so hard to impress as a small grin took over each face.

Marlene was the first to jump to her feet as she gave a curt nod in reply. Grabbing Denzel's hand, the two of them began making their way to the stairs. As Marlene disappeared onto the second floor, Denzel hesitantly turned back to face Tifa, his blue eyes reaching hers.

"Y-you won't forget to wake me?"

"Of course not." Tifa assured as he flashed a grin at her, running up the stairs after Marlene.

As the children's footsteps faded away, a hushed silence engulfed the room and everything it contained.

"You a'right?" Barrett questioned, taking a seat across from her. Her eyes were puffy and red; it was obvious she had been crying.

Nodding her head, Tifa made her way to the kitchen. "Coffee?" She offered but Barrett ignored her comment.

"Somethin' happen between you an' Cloud?" He queried but knew he would get no reply. With his brown eyes set on her form, he noticed she wasn't staring at him. "If ya need some time for yaself, I can bring the kids back another time."

At his proposition, her swollen eyes met his gaze. "No." She half cried and recollected herself. "I need the company." She answered as he stood.

"Ya sure?" Barrett asked as she nodded her head in response. "I'll be off then. Need ta go and pick up somethin' for Cid. He's upgradin' the system in Sierra. I'll send meself out; ya look like ya need some rest." With those last words, Barrett made his way to the door, taking one final glance at the frail form of Tifa before closing the door.

He hadn't expected things to turn out this way. Barrett Wallace had expected to see Tifa and Cloud together, both happy and announcing their wedding on this trip of his. At the moment, that thought of Tifa and Cloud marrying appeared out of reach.

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Cloud Strife continued driving aimlessly. He didn't know where he was going; all he knew was that he needed to be away from Tifa for a while. His pride was damaged, and his heart was bruised but a part of him was raging within. Why didn't I go after her and explain? He thought to himself, but already knew the answer. It's cause I don't want to get hurt again. He replied to his own enquiry. He knew that if he had gone after her to clarify issues, Tifa would have deemed his words as a lie. He didn't want to risk whatever was left of his pride to face disappointment again. He had basically put all his dignity on the line, only to be rewarded with a 'no' from Tifa.

Now as he zoomed down the deserted road, he grabbed his cell phone to discover nothing. No phone calls, no messages, not even a voicemail. It appeared he had gotten very used to Tifa and her attentive ways. Usually she would have left him a voicemail, but today, there was nothing. Not even a call for a delivery. It appeared today wasn't his day as he shoved his phone back into his pocket to discover the ivory box he still possessed. Obtaining the box in his hand, he pulled over to the side of the road to take a final look at the ring. Summoning all the pride and honor he had left, he planned to go to the nearest pawn shop to sell off something that he no longer wished to be in possession of.

A/N: A chapter to announce the children's arrival and the pain and suffering both Tifa and Cloud are going through. I've decided the children are going to be a big impact on this story! So patience with the upcoming events!

I'm absolutely grateful for the numerous reviews I'm recieving (I appreciate ever word you reviewers type)! I guess I'm doing an alright job huh? Well I do hope I continue to please you guys! Thanks so much for the support :D

Take care for now! I'll be back!