CHAPTER FIVE

Denzel ran into the room he shared with Marlene to find her sitting at their little table that was now completely covered with paper of all different colours, she looked up as he entered and flashed him a huge grin.

"Denzel! You're back just in time, I thought we should make Cloud a card, what do you think? Hey what's that?" She asked curiously as she spotted the package in her friends hands.

The young boy stared at her for a few long moments seeming to debate if he should tell her what was on his mind or not, finally coming to a decision he motioned her over towards his bed, once both were seated he decided to explain to her first why he bought the gift.

"Marlene, promise me you wont say anything…" he waited until he saw her nod her agreement. "I wanted to get Cloud a present…"

Marlene's eyes grew large with excitement, "You mean like a fathers day present like what I did for my daddy? That's good, I think that'll make Cloud happy, he's always been like a daddy to you hasn't he?"

Denzel nodded looking down at his comforter lost in thought, "I never knew my real dad, I hardly remember my mom, Tifa's always been like a mom to us, at least she's been what I think a mom should be like…and Cloud…he's…I've…I've never had a dad, and he's been…do you think he'll go away if I give him something? Maybe he doesn't want me to think like this…maybe this…"

"Don't be silly Denzel! Cloud cares for us, he's proven that, he's stayed here with us when we've asked him to…he came home, Tifa said he's found what he was looking for. Even Cloud told us that… remember his first night back with us after you both were all better? He promised us he was here to stay, that he was home, he was where he belonged...remember?" Marlene stared hard at her friend daring him to disagree with her, however he didn't he just gave her a smile. "May I see what you got him Denzel?"

A little while later Tifa entered the children's room to see why they were so quiet only to find both hard at work on something at their craft table. "Hey you two, what are ya working on?"

She watched amused as both kids looked at each other nodded and then looked up at her, both grinning like crazy.

"We're making a card for Cloud!" Marlene announced happily.

"Yeah wanna see Tifa?"

Denzel and Marlene stood proudly as they waited for Tifa to finish reading their card, they grinned even more at each other when Tifa let out a giggle, once she finished reading the card she handed it back to them, and had to actually wipe away a couple of tears. Kids had the purest of hearts and gave trust and love with out question, and she had no doubt in her mind that Cloud would surely cherish what the children had written to him as it was direct from their hearts…and worded in a way only children can word things. It was the purest and simplest form of them telling him what he really meant to them, and that in itself was a grand gift.

"You two never seize to amaze me, it's a very sweet card…" Tifa was cut of by the sound of the front door opening and shutting behind someone.

"CLOUD!"

Tifa laughed and picked up the forgotten card setting it on the table before making her way back down stairs to finish preparing the evenings meal.