A/N: Alright, I lied...this will be the next one-shot I post before the two-parted one shot for Cloud's birthday! I was watching Arthur the other day, yes a kid show but I really don't care, I still love it! Anyways, there was an Episode when Arthur's little sister, D.W had an operation on her ears and I thought "Aww...what if Marlene had to get an operation?"

warning: Cloud MAY seem more touchy and talkative in this one-shot but this one-shot is based on family fluff, and I don't think that Cloud would have the heart to be quiet and emotionless during a time like this! And Marlene is a brave and smart child but I kind of think it'd be cute if she had her shy moments like Denzel? SO they MAY be OOC but hopefully not too much! :)

Oh, and this is probably the longest one-shot I've written, Sorry! :(

I hope you all enjoy, and seriously, thank you all for your support and kind reviews! :D *Big hugs!*

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII and all character rights go and belong to Square Enix! The TV show and book series, Arthur doesn't belong to me either, all character rights and plots go and belong to Marc Brown. :)

Characters:
Cloud&Tifa Marlene&Denzel&Barret

Setting: After ACC I guess :p

Rating: T (For slight swearing)

~Marlene's Operation~

"Tifa! Tifa!" Marlene shouted from up the stairway.

"I'm in the bar, Marlene!" Tifa shouted, as was in the middle of mixing a drink for a costumer.

Tifa always had the bar open early on Friday mornings, she worked seven am to seven pm. It was a crazy shift, and Cloud didn't understand who would come for a drink at seven in the morning but the pay and the tips were worth it. So he decided to stop questioning it.

It certainly helped Cloud, even though he was doing fine with his delivery business.

He was out of the house by five thirty and came home around four, he had the weekends off so he could spend more time with Tifa and the kids.

Marlene came down the stairs slowly, still dressed in her Chocobo nightie.

Tifa raised a brow.

"Marlene, what are you still doing in your Pj's? you only have ten minutes left until the bus arrives!"

"Can I please stay home today? My ears are hurting!" The girl whined, holding her head in her little hands.

Tifa handed the customer his drink and walked over to the girl to check her temperature with her hand.

"Again? This is the third ear infection you've had in six months! How long as it been hurting for, sweetie?" Tifa asked softly, bending down so she was eye-level with Marlene.

"A couple of day's ago..." Marlene whimpered, looking down at the floor.

Marlene was paler than usual, now that Tifa looked closer at her.

"Oh, Honey, why didn't you tell me or Cloud?"

"B-because, I didn't want to bother you guys!" She said, crying now.

Both females were aware of the customers staring at them.

"Honey, if you're not feeling well, you should always tell us. You'd never bother us, it's our job to take care of you, okay?"

Marlene nodded. "Okay..."

"Now go back to bed, I'll be up as soon as I can to give you some breakfast and antibiotics."

"Thank you, Tifa." Marlene sniffled before she headed back upstairs, whimpering of the pain that her ears have caused her.

Denzel came out of the bathroom and greeted Tifa with a smile. "Where's Marlene?"

"In her room, her ears are bothering her again." Tifa replied with a sigh.

"Oh no, I'll make sure to read her a book when I get back home!" Denzel said grabbing his lunch from the counter.

Tifa smiled. "I'm sure she'd love that, I'll probably have Cloud take her to the doctors once he get's home, have a good day, sweetie!"

"Bye, Tifa!" Denzel said hugging her tightly and running out the door after waving to the customers.

"I'm sorry for the wait." Tifa said apologetically as she came over to a customer with a notepad and pen, to take his order. "What can I get for you?"

The man smiled.

"You're a wonderful mother, Tifa."

Tifa smiled back.

"I try."

It was now four, and Cloud would be home any minute.

Tifa had just got off the phone with Marlene's doctor, to schedule an appointment for five. She wanted to take Marlene herself but the bar was swarming with customers and she couldn't just kick them all out, it'd be rude and they needed the money.

Cloud arrived at the Seventh Heaven at 4:15, he parked Fenrir in the garage and remembered to take off his boots before setting foot in the bar.

The first thing his eyes went to was Tifa, she was moving around the bar like crazy, taking multiple customers orders. It wasn't unusual for the bar to be this crowded, it was a Friday night.

Cloud walked over to Tifa, with a small smile.

"Busy day, huh?"

Tifa whirled around, relief washed over her once she saw Cloud. Looking hot as ever with his bike goggles on, and wild road hair.

"Oh, Cloud! I need you to take Marlene to the doctors, she has an appointment at five!" Tifa nearly had to shout over the laughter and loud conversations of the customers at the bar.

Cloud raised a brow. "She doesn't have another ear infection...does she?"

"I'm afraid so..." Tifa replied turning her back to him to fix a customer a drink.

"Isn't this her second one in the past six months!?"

"Third!"

Cloud massaged the back of his neck.

"Oh...well, I better get her ready." He said giving Tifa a light peck on the cheek when he was sure nobody was watching him.

Tifa smiled up at him. "Thank you, Cloud."

Cloud gave her a small nod, and headed up the stairs to the children's room. Denzel was sitting at the edge of Marlene's bed, reading her a book. Both children looked up once they heard a pair of footsteps stop outside their room.

"Cloud!" They greeted him with large smiles, and hugs.

"Hey, there." Cloud greeted, patting their backs gently. He looked down at Marlene who was still in her nightie. "Tifa told me to take you to the doctors today."

Marlene's eyes widened. She never liked the doctors. Whenever she was feeling ill or had an injury she always wanted Tifa, Cloud, Barret, sometimes Denzel to take care of it. People that she knew and loved, not some Doctor she only sees twice a year.

"Cloud...do I have too? You love me, don't you?"

Cloud chuckled, and bent down to take the little girl in his arms. "Of course, that's why I'm bring you."

Marlene pouted.

"We have to find out what's wrong with your ears, you want to feel better, don't you?"

Marlene rested her head on Cloud's shoulder and sighed. "Yes...but...can Denzel and Tifa come too?"

"Tifa needs to work, but Denzel may, if he wants too."

"Of course!" Denzel cried, he quickly ran over to Marlene's bed to grab her stuffed teddy bear, Honey.

"Thank you, Denzel." Marlene replied taking Honey from Denzel and holding him with one arm while her other was wrapped around Cloud's neck. "Can I stay in my nightie, Cloud?"

"I don't see why not." Cloud replied. "But when we get home I'm giving you a bath, doctor's offices are disgusting."

"Hello, Miss Marlene Wallace?"

Marlene's doctor greeted them as the three were seated in the waiting room.

She was a kind elder lady, who had three grand kids of her own, but Marlene would choose Cloud and Tifa to aid her in a heartbeat.

"That's me." Marlene replied, holding onto Cloud tighter.

"Cloud Strife? Nice to see you! Right this way, please! Now, Marlene's having another ear infection, I hear?"

"Nice to see you too, Doctor Jones, and yes that is correct." Cloud replied, holding Marlene protectively in one arm and holding Denzel's hand with his other. He couldn't help being protective of them in public places like these.

"Aw, I'm sorry to hear that, Marlene. Now let's do a quick check up and then we can see what's going on, alright?" Doctor Jones said kindly, leading them to an examining room with a scale and height chart on the wall.

"Okay.." Marlene said in almost a whisper as Cloud set her down to her feet.

Doctor Jones smiled. "There is nothing to be afraid about, Marlene. I'd ask you to take off your shoes but since you have none on you can just step up on this scale right here so I can see how much you weigh."

Marlene did what she was told and Doctor Jones looked back at Cloud.

"How well is her eating habbits?"

"Very well." Cloud replied still holding onto Denzel's hand.

"Good, does she sleep alright?"

"Not lately, because of her ears, but when they're not bothering her she sleeps fine."

"That's good. Alright, Marlene...thirty-seven pounds! Skinny little thing you are!"

"Is that bad?" Marlene asked as Doctor Jones guided her to the wall.

"No, you're fine. Now stand still please, with the back of your feet touching the wall and shoulders straight."

Marlene did what she was told, looking sadly over at Cloud and Denzel.

She was tired, in pain, hungry, and wanted to go home and snuggle with Tifa.

"Okay, at forty inches. You may go back to Cloud, how old are you again dear?" Doctor Jones asked as she recorded the data on her clip board.

Marlene went into Cloud's waiting arm instantly, he picked her up, still holding onto Denzel's hand.

"I'm five." She replied as they followed Doctor Jones into a little room with a bed, sink, cabinet and a chair besides the bed.

"You're very healthy, Marlene. You're height and weight are exactly where they should be. Now I'm going to have to take some blood."

Marlene gasped and clung to Cloud tightly, even Cloud cringed as he sat down in the chair.

Denzel held Honey and stood by Cloud's side.

"Don't be afraid, it'll only be a little pinch and you're welcome to stay in Cloud's lap."

Marlene held out her left arm before burying her face in Cloud's neck, squeezing her eyes shut.

Denzel looked away as well, while Cloud just sat there staring blankly at the tube sucking Marlene's blood out from her body. It made him sick.

"Alright, Marlene. You can look now." Doctor Jones said after a few moments. She gently placed a yellow band-aid with a grey kitten in the center of it on the spot she took blood from Marlene.

Marlene slowly turned to look at her arm, then back at Doctor Jones.

"Can I go home now, please?"

Doctor Jones smiled.

"Almost, I just need to ask Cloud a few more things, and check your ears!"

Cloud looked at Doctor Jones, showing her she had his attention.

"Now, Marlene's had three ear infections in the last six months right?" Doctor Jones asked as she looked inside Marlene's ears.

"That's correct."

"Mhm, I see a lot of fluids in her ears. Are her ear infections painful? Do they take more than a few days to get over?"

Cloud looked down at Marlene, since that was more of a question for her.

"Yes...just make it go away!" Marlene cried, hugging Cloud around the neck as she sobbed softly.

Cloud patted her back and rubbed little circles in it, offering as much comfort as he could give.

"Tifa's been giving her antibiotics to help cure the pain, but they keep coming back." Cloud replied. "There must be something that can stop them."

"Yes, I offer this now since Marlene's not three. It's called Tympanostomy tube placement. It's the second most common surgery for children all around Midgar. We consider tubes for a child who's had three ear infections in the past six months, Marlene's exact record of infections. If we don't do so, Marlene could get many and more powerful ear infections later on as she gets older."

Cloud sighed, he didn't like the thought of putting Marlene through surgery, but it looked like he had no choice.

"What are the side effects to this surgery?" He asked, holding Marlene closer to him.

"The complications after the ear tubes are installed are; blockage, drainage, tubes falling out early...but those symptoms rarely happened to my past patients who've suffered the same problem as Marlene, our Doctors at Midgar's Hospital do fine work." Doctor Jones replied, giving Denzel and Marlene a sweet smile.

"I'm sure that Tifa will be fine about it, if not we could always cancel the surgery." Cloud replied giving Doctor Jones a nod.

"Splendid! That will be all for today, I hope you feel better, Marlene!"

"Surgery!?" Tifa nearly shouted. "Surgery!? Cloud! She's only five!"

It was after nine-thirty, the bar was closed for the night and the children were asleep upstairs.

Cloud decided to tell Tifa when they were alone.

"I know, but she's in pain. She's had all these ear infections and the Doctor said it'll only get worse as she gets older, Teef."

Tifa sighed.

"I want her to feel better but...she's so young...and...ugh!"

Cloud watched her, she was drying the dishes with a little too much force.

"Uh...Teef?"

"She's going to be so scared, Cloud!"

"Teef?"

"When Barret's going to find out he's going to be pissed!"

"TEEF!"

Tifa jumped and stopped her violent-dish-drying.

It wasn't so often when Cloud raised his voice, or for Tifa to lose her cool.

Tifa flushed and placed the dishes down on the counter.

"I'm sorry, Cloud...I'm just worried..." She placed her hands at the edge of the counter and stared down at the plates.

Cloud walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

"I am too...damn, I'm scared for her!"

Tifa turned to look up at Cloud, his eyes filled with worry.

She cupped his cheek with her hand so that he'd look at her.

"We just need to be strong, like we always are for them. They look up to us, Cloud."

Cloud nodded. "You're right...you're always right."

Tifa giggled and leaned up to peck his lips.

"I better go make that appointment, try to get some sleep, okay?"

Cloud nodded. "You're...going to tell Barret...right?"

Tifa rolled her eyes. "I guess so."

Cloud opened the door to the children's bedroom, and leaned against the door frame watching them sleep for a few moments.

They meant everything to him.

They were so young, so innocent, so naïve to the outside world.

Now that Cloud's been around much more, Tifa, and the kids made him feel like he actually had a purpose in life.

To protect his family.

"Cloud?"

Cloud turned around to look down at Tifa.

He must have watched the children longer than he thought, since Tifa has already showered and dressed in her pj's.

"I just got off the phone with the hospital, Marlene's operation will be on Thursday at two. I'll be opening the bar at six that night and closing at one."

Cloud could only nod. He felt a little better that Tifa would be with him during Marlene's operation.

"Alright...I'm going to bed." Tifa said rubbing Cloud's arm tenderly before she left him be by the children's bedroom.

"I'll be there in a moment." Cloud called out to her before he stepped inside the children's room to tuck them both in.

He looked down at a sleeping Marlene and gently brushed her hair back from her face.

"Don't worry, Marlene." He whispered softly. "I'll always be here for you guys. I'm not leaving, never again."

As Cloud quietly left their room, he didn't catch the small smile that appeared on Marlene's sleeping face.

"Just got off the phone with Barret, sweetie. He said he'll be here soon." Tifa said as she helped Marlene change out of her clothes and into the hospital gown.

"How did he take it?" Cloud asked, he was leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest. Denzel was sitting besides him playing his handheld game to keep him busy while Marlene was in surgery.

"He flipped at first, but then he calmed down once I told him that this is the best way we could do to fix it."

Cloud nodded.

"Alright, the doctors are ready for you now!" A smiling young nurse greeted as she stepped in the room, she stopped dead in her tracks once she caught a sight of Cloud.

Cloud rolled his eyes as the nurse was practically eye-screwing him.

Marlene looked over at Tifa and threw her arms around her tightly. Tifa picked her up in her arms and gently laid her down on the hospital bed.

"You're going to be fine, Sweetie. We love you and will be right here waiting when the surgery is over, it'll be done before you know it." Tifa reassured.

"B-but papa's not here!" Marlene pouted.

"Shh. He will be, don't worry. Okay? You're strong, and just think...after this is over, you'll be cured of all those nasty ear infections!"

Marlene wiped her eyes and nodded. "Okay...c-can I talk to Cloud first?"

"Of course you can!" The nurse said, smiling at Cloud. "This man's not your father, is he?"

Tifa raised a brow.

"I am, actually." Cloud said, he walked over to Tifa and wrapped an arm possessively around her waist. "And this is my wife."

The nurse looked crushed. "Oh..well, don't be long...the doctors are waiting."

Cloud ignored her and sat down besides Marlene.

"It's alright to be afraid, everyone gets scared."

"Not true!" Marlene cried. "You're never scared of anything!"

Cloud smiled, and shook his head.

"Not true, I've been scared many times in my life."

"When?"

Cloud glanced over at Tifa, who was talking to Denzel about something, then at the nurse who was staring at the floor pouting.

He looked back at Marlene and smirked.

"The time when Denzel and I had the stigma. I didn't know how long I was going to live for, I was afraid of dying, I was afraid of loosing you guys. The time I found Tifa laying hurt in Aerith's church, I was afraid for her, I thought she died. The many times I've faced Sephiroth, during deep ground, and now...with you. I'm scared for you, but I'm being brave for you. It's alright to be afraid, even for hero's..." He winked at her. "But we defeat our fears by staying strong and brave...can you do that for me?"

Marlene smiled and nodded.

"Yes, oh...but one more question?"

"Hm?"

"C-can I...call you Papa too?"

Cloud looked like he just gotten hit by a truck.

"I-it's just that...I call Barret Papa and...well...he's been so busy...you've been more of a daddy to me...you even said so yourself to the nurse!" Marlene giggled.

Cloud took her little hand in his bigger one and squeezed it gently.

"It would be an honor."

"Alright! Times up!" The nurse growled, walking over to the back of the bed.

Marlene stared up at Cloud as their hands parted. She then whispered as she was being rolled away:

"I love you, Papa..."

Cloud could only watch her disappear down the long hallway.

He thought his heart might break right there.

Marlene knew she had to be brave as she watched the nurses poke and stick needles in her, and one holding a mask over her mouth and nose.

The doctor smiled at her. "Don't worry Marlene, this is just going to help you fall asleep while we work on your ears, you won't feel a thing, and you'll be up before you know it!"

Marlene could only hum in response, as her eyelids started to drop, and everything went black...

"Marlene? Sweetie can you hear us?" A calm child-like voice said.

"T-Tifa?" Marlene whispered as she slowly opened her eyes.

Tifa, Cloud, Denzel, and Barret were sitting around her with smiles on their faces.

"MARLENE! I'M SO PROUD OF YOU, BABY!" Barret cried, taking the girl's hand in his enormous one.

Marlene smiled. "You came!"

"Of course! If Spiky wasn't such a f-uh dummy, I'd be here sooner!"

Cloud rolled his eyes.

"Hey, what did I say about yelling in the hospital!?" TIfa scolded before turning back to Marlene with a smile.

"Good news, Marlene! The doctors said you can go home since your operation went well!" Denzel said, smiling widely.

"And...we got you a little gift!" Tifa said holding up a stuffed Chocobo that has 'congrats!' written on its belly with pink letters.

"Thank you!" Marlene said weakly accepting the gift, she was still a little drowsy from the operation.

"doesn't she already have twenty of those at home?" Cloud asked, earning himself a kick in the shin from Tifa.

"Come on, let's get you home, Sweetie." TIfa said as she gathered the sleepy girl in her arms.

"Tifa?" Marlene whispered, her eyelids were getting heavy again.

"Yes, Honey?"

"Can I have some chicken nuggets when we get home? I couldn't eat for a while before the surgery...and I'm hungry..."

Tifa giggled. "Of course you can! Now go to sleep, honey...you need your rest."

"Okay...and Tifa?"

"Yes, Marlene?" Tifa asked, now gently getting Marlene strapped in her car seat.

"I love you guys..."

Tifa kissed her forehead. "We love you too, sweetie."

Marlene fell asleep with a smile on her face.

A/N:
I apologize for such a long one-shot, I just feel like it wouldn't have been good if it were rushed!:(

And I also just LOVE the cute family fluff between Marlene and Cloud! :D

The next one will be about Cloud's Birthday celebration! (Yes. Zack and Aerith will be in it also and it will follow the past one-shots of Aerith and Tifa being pregnant!) Please stay tuned and R&R! Thanks again for your support! :)