CHAPTER FOUR
Tifa watched from the bar window as Reno's car pulled into the drive and the two climbed out of the car. She noticed Denzel was carrying something in his hands and giggled when he pulled his jacket around the object to hide it from view.
"Hey guys have fun?" She called to them as they entered the bar, Denzel didn't even respond, instead he quickly ran up the stairs leading towards the bedrooms. Reno however moved towards the bar and took a seat on one of the stools, "I think the poor kid's been permanently scared being stuck around two women for so long, while Cloud was away, he had me go around the mall three times! Three!"
Tifa just laughed and handed Reno a pop, upon seeing his raised brow she just shook her head and waved her hand towards his parked car. With a sigh he opened the drink and took a long gulp of it before speaking again, "so how are things?"
The raven haired beauty smiled brightly and shook her head, 'same old Reno.' "They're much better, everyone seems to be adjusting quite well to the peace we have now, Barrett has been making it a point to spend more time with Marlene, it seems this last battle really showed us all not to take the little things for granted, and that as long as we all stick together we can make it through anything. It's nice this time around it appears we're all staying in touch, and we've even gained a few extra friends out of it too." She finished this last sentence off with a big grin directed at the red head.
Reno waved his hand while he released a chuckle, "yeah, yeah I know I'm seriously starting to question my sanity, here I am willingly hanging out with members of Avalanche, never thought I'd be doing that…but I guess it's cause you're all a bunch of party animals, and that's why I must be drawn to you all! And that's the only reason I can think of as to why I put up with the damn psycho ninja girl!"
He watched as the bar maiden narrowed her eyes and smirked at him, 'uh oh…' was the only thought to make it through his head before she spoke again, her voice now taking on a note of teasing.
"Right, you just keep telling yourself that Reno, you may not want to admit it but you really don't mind her, you two bicker a lot but it's all in good fun and you know it! And don't even try to blame it on my drinks mister!" She teased while wiggling a finger in front of his face.
"Yeah well as much as I'd love to stay and chat more about this I really do have to get going I've left Rude alone long enough, I gotta get back and make sure he's kept himself out of trouble. Tell the kid anytime he wants to go back to the mall…call Cloud!"
Cloud and Barrett stood back to examine their work, the mine was finally back to being one hundred percent, it had needed some fix ups as of late and Barrett wanted it as safe as could be for the men working it. "Well Spike-O I think that's that, thanks for your help."
Cloud smiled a small smile, "no problem Barrett I told you I owed ya one, and besides it was a good excuse to take you up on your offer to come see this place."
The two men began walking towards Clouds bike, "Well you be sure to tell Marlene I'll being seeing her bright and early tomorrow! Tifa said something about my little girl helpin' to make breakfast for us, can't wait to see what they cook up!"
Cloud laughed... a rarething for him,as he climbed upon his bike, "Yeah I remember Tifa saying something about her and the kids taking care of breakfast tomorrow and that I'm suppose to sleep in." Cloud chuckled at the memory, but still felt a light blush rise in his cheeks.
Barrett stared at his young friend and decided to voice his thoughts, thoughts he wouldn't even consider voicing only a few months back, but things have changed, the young man standing before him has changed.
"You know Cloud, you really have changed, I've seen how those two kids look at ya, hell I've been there to see how they greet ya when ya come home from your deliveries, I ain't seen those two or Tifa for that matter smile as much as they do now. And that boy, Denzel, he never gave up on ya, he holds so much respect for ya Spiky, I just thought ya should know what I've seen in the way he looks at ya, you've really made his life better…both you and Tifa."
Cloud nodded not really knowing what to say and gave Barrett a smile, "Well I should get going I told Tifa I'd be home in time for supper, and I'll be sure to pass your message on to Marlene.
