A/N: Thanks everyone who reviewed for chapter 8. I have to admit, there is a number of you that have a liking with this story. :) thanks. And wow, the reviews, are pouring in, there isn't one that doesn't ask for me to update soon. So here's the update, I almost forgot to update too. So sorry for the long wait. Usually I update every saturday, but exams are coming up and I've been so stressed, luckly i remembered :) ... Heres the chapter. Enjoy.

His eyes never tire of watching her. To him, she was the symbol that meant peace and tranquility. Her presence gave him a peace of mind, in a world where he could venture off and live in his own dream, but with the image of her. She could make his thoughts venture so far, that sometimes he wondered how to get back. Then she would say something, and the dream would just vanish. Like her words were the key to escaping. Or was it that his dream didn't matter as much as listening to her?

The room was silent as Michi sat on his lap and stared attentively at Tifa cooking. Denzel and Marlene were still asleep and pretty soon they would come down with happy faces as usual. He glanced down at Michi; there was something about this boy that intrigued him. Michi made his heart stop and listen to what it was so desperately trying to tell him. If it wasn't for Michi, he wouldn't have said anything to Tifa. He may very well have been somewhere in Midgar roaming the streets mindlessly.

In a way, he had to thank Michi for that guidance, for teaching him how to have a family. He owed this child a lot, and Aeris and Zac as well. If it weren't for them he wouldn't be here with her. He wouldn't have confessed his feelings in his heart. He wouldn't even be thinking about all of this. But he was, and he was thankful.

"Miss how did you do that?" Michi's voice startled the two adults.

Cloud shook away from his thoughts and focused on Tifa who turned around, with the pan in her hands and a weary smile on her face.

"Do what?" Tifa asked and smiled at him for a moment before returning her gaze back to Michi.

"The egg in that round thing."

"Oh it's a pan," Tifa walked to them and showed him the pan.

The boy narrowed his eyes, "P-pan?"

She nodded, "Yeah, it's what we use to cook our food."

"Oh," he trailed off and glanced wearily up to Cloud.

He watched her as she retreated back to the stove and resumed her cooking. Her food was one of the best that he had ever tasted. Just how was she able to battle well and cook a great meal as well? Maybe that was why she mastered the hand to hand combat. The tingling of the finger is great with mixing sauces and creating such great tasting food.

"What's your name mister?" Michi tilted his head back and stared up at his guardian.

Cloud removed his eyes from Tifa and looked down at the child. "Cloud," he answered.

"Oh.. Like the Cloud in the sky?" Michi's face lit up suddenly.

He nodded with a small smile, "Yeah."

"I like your family mister," Michi smiled.

"My family?" Cloud questioned.

Michi nodded, "Yeah your wife and children."

'Wife and children?' he felt his cheeks flushing.

Tifa too heard and snatched her head up to gauge his reaction. She couldn't help but smile at the child that sat in his arms. He truly was the guide for Cloud. Sometimes it took a good push to bring a person back into reality.

"Yeah," Cloud answered. Did he really just say that? Wasn't he going to object and tell this child that they were not an official family?

It was then that Cloud saw the deep desire in the child's eyes. All Michi wanted was a family, a place he could call home. A warm group of people who he could trust with his young self. He was after all no more than four. Still a little boy.

"Can I be your son too?" Michi asked.

It was time she saved him from all the questions. He did look like he was about to faint right there at any given moment. She placed the pan down and neared the bar table.

"Michi," she began and waited for him to turn his gaze to her.

"Can I?" his eyes were lighting up with hope.

She drew in breath and winced, "Cloud and I we're not-" she hung her mouth open.

"Yes," Cloud cut in before her. "We will be your parents. You can be our son."

Her eyes were wide as she let out a gasp. Did Cloud, the Cloud she knew really just say that?

"Yay!" Michi cheered as he squirmed his way out of Cloud's hands and down the stool. He looked up at Tifa and gave her a bow, "Thank you." He beamed and ran off upstairs.

She looked at him as he tried to desperately to avoid her gaze. He really wanted a life with her now and he wanted to begin it with being a proper family.

Is it because we aren't a real family, is that why? The words rang freely in her head.

"I want us to be a real family," he said softly but continued to stare down at his hands on the table. "To stick together and face things together."

She smiled and kept the silence around for a moment then said, "You are the man of the house Cloud; go wake our children then."

His eyes widen and he slowly looked up to her. His children? Their children?

Would she be pushing it if she gave him a kiss? After all if she recalled properly, it was him who played out the first kiss before. She saw the weariness in his eyes as he continued to stare at her.

Leaning forward she lifted her hand and brushed the back of her fingertips against his cheek. She gave him a small smile, "If we are a family, then we must be the parents. Incase you haven't noticed, we are the only two adults in this home and you're the man, I'm the woman," she tilted his chin so he wouldn't avoid her gaze again.

She saw a smile growing on his lips as he slipped his hand over hers and slid it to his lips, where he then planted a soft kiss on the back of her hand. He drew back and looked nervously at her.

"Tifa I.." he trailed off into the silence. 'I love you' Why did it seem like this wasn't the right moment to tell her?

She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and nodded, "I know Cloud."

He kept his mouth shut as he felt her hand slipping away from his. She gave him another smile before turning and walking back to the kitchen.

"Tifa I.." he said louder this time. She turned around and looked at him again. Waiting patiently for him to speak.

Hehe.. cliffies, you hate them, I love them. Stay tuned. Next update next weekend.