Chapter Fifteen – United
Cloud leaned Tifa's fragile body closer to him, resting her head onto his chest in a protective fashion as his blue eyes closed. Come back Tifa…He pleaded. It can't be the end. He thought, his eyes burning. Two familiar voices sounded in his ears, making the blonde's eyes open, searching the room for the source of the voice, he saw nothing.
You won't find us there Cloud.
For a moment, the mako eyed man thought he was going insane until he heard a familiar giggle.
Aeris? He questioned.
Don't worry too much. Came her tone which was fading away into the distance.
Wait. What about Tifa? Cloud called but he got no response; only the slow drizzle of the rain dying out gave him the indication she had heard him.
The loud pounding of an object rang in Tifa Lockheart's right ear. Her eyes regained focus, Cloud's chest coming into view. I'm still here… She thought, realizing the thumping was Cloud's heart. Fresh air flooded her lungs, as she involuntarily shivered from the cold. The shiver had triggered Cloud's attention as his ocean blue eyes fixed onto her brown gaze. At first, neither of them knew how to react, barely comprehending the sight of one another. But in the next couple of seconds, instincts took over.
Cloud let out a sigh of relief as Tifa's slender fingers reached up and rested gently onto his lips. An infectious grin surfaced to his lips at the very sight of Tifa. At first, the blonde deemed himself to be dreaming, but when Tifa smiled back at him, he knew everything was too good to be a hallucination.
Everybody that stood in the church had their eyes locked onto Cloud. He had his back facing the crew, covering Tifa's form so that they were unable to see that the brunette was alive. A cold rush of doubt ran through their veins as minutes lapsed. Nobody could find the courage to move in closer, for they were afraid to see a dead Tifa. All they could do was stand motionless in the background, giving their leader and Tifa their undivided attention.
They all watched in as the blonde enveloped Tifa's form in an affectionate embrace. Anticipation crept up on them before a timely sigh occurred. It wasn't Cloud's embrace that had made everybody fall into relief; it was the sight of Tifa that wrapped her arms tightly around Cloud's neck that made the group smile. Once reassured that Tifa was alright, Yuffie was the first to call out in a cheer.
The loud tone of Yuffie reverberated off the church walls in the background, but it didn't end the hug the blonde and brunette shared. They didn't need words to unveil the various emotions that were surging through their veins. Tifa buried her face in the hollow of Cloud's neck as tears stung her eyes. She had been so scared that she would never see him again, so afraid of journeying on without the blonde to guide her. But now that he was here, in her arms, all she could do was hold him securely so that she wouldn't leave him again.
- - - - - - - - - -
Two invisible figures watched from the entrance of the church in the distance.
So this is the life for you Cloud? Came a male voice as he laughed in a teasing tone. Cloud and Tifa Strife, remarked the man. Has a ring to it.
All eyes averted to the entrance, catching everyone completely off guard.
I think a child named after Cloud and Tifa sounds better. Came a giggle.
Cloud and Tifa fixed their eyes at the entrance, spotting Zack who threw them one final grin, and a wave of his hand before he disappeared. Aeris gave a curt nod of her head in greeting, staring at her friends with smiling eyes before she too, disappeared…
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Tifa lay curled up in Cloud's arms. The bright sunlight penetrated the blinds as he studied her sleeping expression. The sunlight danced across her now healthy coloured cheeks, the faint thumping of children's footsteps echoed down the halls.
"Cloud?" the brunette breathed, her left cheek resting on his warm bare chest, listening to the calm beating of his heart. She had felt his eyes on her as a delicate smile broke onto her lips, her eyes gradually fluttered open. The familiar pair of brilliant blue eyes greeted her, as she remarked: "The children are awake."
Cloud gave a small groan in reply as he reached for her soft hand, linking his and her fingers together. Just a little longer… He thought, it was all he asked for. Cloud watched as Tifa's thumb rubbed across the back of his hand affectionately. Warmth crawled through him as he released her, getting out of bed. The children's footsteps were thunderous now.
Brown eyes followed the back of Cloud. Her cheeks flushed as he turned, giving her the full view of his bare chest. Her eyes ran down his flat stomach as she spotted the scar which he had obtained in Neibelhiem. She had one too, only her scar wasn't as noticeable. With her eyes averting back to Cloud's face, Tifa studied his tousled blonde hair, giving him a weak grin as her cheeks grew brighter. She had been staring at him for a while, and throughout her inspection, his eyes had never left her form.
Pulling the bedcovers up, Tifa covered her eyes, too embarrassed to even look at the blonde. The soft rustling and zipping on clothes sounded, as seconds lapsed. She waited a while longer before finally peeking through the covers to discover Cloud was fully dressed. He flashed a grin at her, his eyes glistening with amusement as he reached for the door.
- - - - - - - - - -
Marlene and Denzel waited discreetly at the doorway of Tifa's room. They had been waiting for minutes now. As the door gradually opened, the children raced into the room, heading for the bed.
Tifa watched wide-eyed as Denzel and Marlene approached her bed at a rapid pace. Squeals and giggles filled the air as she watched in horror, pulling the covers closer to her chest. Just as the two were about to leap onto the bed, Cloud had caught them in time.
Lifting both Denzel and Marlene by the waist and over his shoulders, they hit the blonde's back playfully.
"It's almost afternoon!" Denzel called as his legs kicked the air. "You promised you'd take us out today."
"After breakfast," Cloud responded, throwing Tifa a quick glance before adding, "and when Tifa's ready." He further explained, carrying the children out of the room, and giving Tifa some peace for a short while.
A sigh of relief, flooded the room, the brunette relaxing. Cloud had saved the day, and had saved her a lot embarrassment. But in the end, Cloud will always be Cloud (her husband now). And as for the children, well they'll always remain as rascals.
A/N: And so I finally have some precious time to update! I hope you didn't wait too long.
It's been a while... And I'm honestly sorry for the delay. Due to school, and the heavy workload which I'm lugging around, life is absolutely insane! And no, I still have my sanity intact :) Apart from all that, I present to you chapter fifteen! Though a somewhat bland chappie, please do Enjoy!
Review when you can. Hope you're all safe and sane too! Thanks guys! Cheers!