Chapter Ten – A First

7th Heaven came into view as Marlene and Denzel half ran up the few steps that lead to the entrance of their home. They were tired, and hungry, and not to mention a little miserable about the punishment they just received a short while ago. Although they were filled with some dissatisfaction, neither of them complained, they were very aware of Tifa's full wrath and knew they got off lightly. As Denzel reached for the door handle, his guardian's tone halted him.

"Not so fast," Tifa called. After all the worry she'd endured because of the two rascals before her, she felt no remorse for the orders that were about to escape her mouth. "I want you two to start dusting the bar down, and then wash yourselves clean." She studied the blank expression on their faces, before she advanced on them, prepared to release her full wrath. Before anymore words came out of her mouth, Tifa felt a light tug on her arm as she shifted around to face Cloud.

He was holding her gaze with a solemn stare, making her lose all thoughts for a moment. Breaking the eye contact briefly, Cloud threw the children a quick glance before Marlene and Denzel scurried into 7th Heaven for safety, hurrying upstairs, thanking Cloud for the save. Momentarily overlooking Tifa's words, they ran into their rooms, peering through the window, their gaze locked onto their guardians' forms. They were bright children indeed, and yet sneaky at the same time.

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The two adults walked down to the grassy patch where Cloud once proposed, it was a place Tifa dreaded to be. The blonde spiky haired man sat down casually as Tifa followed his lead. With the two of them settled on the grass, feeling uneasy, an awkward silence pursued before both voices erupted into the warm sunny, afternoon sky.

"I'm sorry,"

"I apologize."

Blue eyes met brown ones, both pair of eyes glistened with laughter, and suddenly, the ice was broken. The two adults had to admit that they were both nervous about their conversation. But now, after what appeared to be a great start, Tifa and Cloud relaxed as they stared off into the distance at the lovely sky, their minds thinking of what to reveal.

Being the first to speak, Tifa understood it would take Cloud a while longer to express himself for he was never great with his words. As she peeked at him from the corner of her eyes, a smile danced across her lips, she was ready to compromise.

"Let's just start over." She suggested, and sighed softly. "We'll just forget the things said and done." Tifa finished, and paused for a while, thinking of what to add.

Cloud intercepted, shaking his head in reply. "No." He responded, not allowing her to see his defencelessness. "I can't ignore words that I truly mean." He explained with difficulty.

At that last sentence, thoughts flooded Tifa's mind. "Truly mean?" She repeated, her tone turning bitter. "I witnessed you at the church, I heard everything you said. I…" She whispered weakly and took in a deep breath, confusion was overtaking her. "How am I supposed to believe you Cloud? How do I know for certain that the things you said wasn't out of pity? How can I believe that you're not doing all this out of pity for me?"

Silence roamed around the atmosphere as she waited for his reply, only she never got one. "I don't care if never marry in my life, and it doesn't matter if my title's always going to be Miss. Tifa Lockheart. Can't you see that I just want you to live the life you want?" Her eyes fastened onto him, reading his expression before she continued. "Is it because of our childhood promise? Is it because you think that marrying me is a part of protecting me?" She queried. Her eyes fixed onto Cloud, as she pushed on, making assumptions. "I don't need you to do-" Tifa fell silent when she heard him speak.

"Don't you see…?" He stumbled, "I-I love you…" Those last couple of words were lingering in the air when he finished. His tone was barely audible, but Tifa had caught the last three words.

She felt numb. Tifa barely managed to glance up at Cloud, clueless of how to react, as her body digested the meaning of his words. Her heart was pounding with glee, as a part of her mind wondered if she'd heard correctly.

Not understanding Tifa's silent condition, Cloud retrieved the ivory box from inside his pocket. Grasping Tifa's left hand, he placed the box securely into her palm, unable to propose again. He had said enough to make her understand. Wrapping her fingers around the smooth ivory, Cloud released her hand before standing. It didn't matter if she didn't want to marry him, and it also didn't matter that his pride and dignity was bruised, he just wanted to give her the ring for his sake. The ring was no longer his property; he had finally returned it to the rightful owner, but attached to that box and the ring, was his heart. Breathing in deeply, he began to step away, her voice stopping him.

"Wait..." Tifa choked; watching as he came to a halt. She stood, feeling as if she was living a dream. She considered the situation she was in for a moment before she spoke. "Aren't you going to put this on?" She managed to whisper hoarsely.

Cloud's ocean blue eyes stared at her. Her left hand was extended, the ivory box still resting in her palm. With trembling hands, he grabbed the box and opened it to reveal the magnificent ring within. His eyes met hers again.

"Are you sure?" He asked. "There's no going back after this," he explained.

He observed as her eyes locked onto his lips for a short moment in contemplation, and then she nodded her head with certainty as her brown orbs reached his gaze.

"Are you sure?" She breathed, and all Cloud could do was give a curt nod in reply. "No going back?" She added as Cloud shook his head at her. A grin broke loose on her face. "I'm not dreaming am I?" Tifa inquired, her hand reaching up to caress his cheek. Even if this was a dream she was satisfied with being able to touch his smooth, flawless cheek.

Cloud seized her left hand, pulling it down. Grabbing the ring, he gently slid it onto her finger, and then a rush of peace passed through the atmosphere. She was his now. Tifa Lockheart was now Mrs. Tifa Strife. At that very thought, a wide, face splitting grin surfaced onto his lips as he shyly framed her face in his hands, his studying eyes examining her closely. It was something he'd always wanted to do, but never got the chance to. His eyes read hers, memorising those pretty eyes she possessed. He then studied her nose, and finally, he discovered her strawberry red lips.

Cloud found himself drawn to her as his face inched closer to hers. Her lips protruded in a teasing way, they were full and red, with a gleam to it, tantalizing him. As her face grew closer to his, he watched as her eyes closed, his lips brushed onto hers lightly.

A tingling sensation ran through the two. Sweet was the only word Tifa could use to describe the feeling. As her eyes opened, a shiver ran down her spine. So this is what it feels like. She thought, a thousand sensations running through her. All these emotions, and experiences were all a first for her.

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Marlene and Denzel stepped away from the window; both faces were flushed and embarrassed after what they had witnessed.

"Ne Marlene?" Denzel whispered, his cheeks burning. "Think things are normal again?"

Marlene shook her head in reply. "Better than normal," She said, as she rummaged through the wardrobe for some clean clothes.

Denzel grinned, losing the flush in his cheeks, "I sure hope so, maybe we won't have to clean anymore."

A/N: And so I've updated... I'm not sure if I want to keep this chapter because I honestly believe it was OOC. But I'll let you readers decided. So review when you can, and I'm sorry if I've disappointed some.

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Cheers!