A/N: Yay! Exams are finally over, therefore I can pay more attention to Perfection and write more! Thank you to all who reviewed for chapter 9, already at 90 reviews. WOW! This is my first ever record. I hope to hit 100 for this chapter :) And next update: Saturday of next week yet again. :)

"Mmm.." Denzel patted his full stomach happily as he smiled at Tifa. "That was good."

Marlene nodded and added, "Yeah Tifa, I want to grow up and be just like you."

Tifa blushed, "Well thank you."

The girl beamed and stood up from her chair, she looked beside her where Michi sat and smiled. "Want to play with me and Denzel?" she outstretched her hand.

Michi looked nervously to Cloud who gave him an assuring nod. He glanced his eyes back to Marlene and smiled as he took her hand.

"Come on Denzel," she outstretched her other hand to the older boy who gladly took it.

The adults watched amusingly as Denzel stumbled across the room as Marlene tugged harder on his hold. The three kids broke in laughter as Denzel almost walked into the wall. They hurriedly ran up the steps with the trail of laughter lingering down below. Then it struck him, they actually looked like a fine set of siblings.

His family.

He looked over across the table to her. Her eyes were dazed and it looked like she was deep in thought. Just what could be haunting her thoughts?

"Tifa," he called out to her.

She spun her eyes to him.

"Are you okay?"

Her nod somehow didn't trick him. He saw straight through that and past those eyes, to the very core. Something troubled her deep in her heart. She stood up from the table quickly and reached to the other plates. He watched as she took the plates and retreated into the kitchen where the last thing he saw was the side of her weary face.

/"What are you waiting for?"/ her voice hurried in his mind.

'Aeris?' he narrowed his brow.

No answer.

What are you waiting for? The words kept repeating in his mind. What was he waiting for? He stood up and walked to the kitchen. She was hunched over the sink, working hard as she scrubbed and dried each dish.

He slipped his hand onto hers that held the plate under the running water. His glove still lingered upon his hand, it was a wonder when he would be taking it off. He watched as her eyes directed up to his.

"I'll do the dishes Tifa," he said softly.

She was taken a back at his request. "No it's okay Cloud I-"

"It's okay," his voice was softer. "You cooked," he said with a shrug.

"Oh," she sighed as she slipped her hand away from the plate and positioned it beside her.

He levered the last plate onto the drying rack and turned to her. She stood there, quiet without word. Her eyes, just watching him. She looked lost, like she was trying so desperately to find her way but couldn't and it was because of him.

"Everything okay?" he recalled her trademark question.

She sighed and shook her head, her eyes still avoiding his.

"Can you tell me?" he asked as he took a step toward her.

Her eyes widen a little as she continued staring at him. There were so many questions she want answered, but there was only one that haunted her the most. Did he love her just as she loved him? Or was he doing this to seal up a promise he made long ago?

"I need to know if you are doing all this for her, Aeris, or for yourself," she looked up at him. "I mean, you loved her, so much."

He did love Aeris, but not the same way he loved the woman standing before him. More than anything.

Her expression lowered into a sadden tone as she gauged his silence.

"No," he said abruptly as he took her shoulders, "Look Tifa I loved her," he said, "But not in that way."

"Then in what-"

He placed a finger on her lips, "But you," he began. "Are different again," he tipped her chin up lightly.

His eyes softened the moment he locked vision with those brown eyes. He leaned down and touched his lips with hers. He felt her smile forming on her lips as they kissed. She tasted sweet; the best candy he ever tasted. Gentle yet passionate. He slipped his hand away from her chin and trailed it down to hold the side of her head at her jaw. His other hand had moved from her shoulder, to around her neck, pulling her closer to him as he deepened the kiss.

This kiss haunted him and urged him to continue on. If it were possible, he would do this forever. Whatever happened to the emotionless Cloud? Who cares? His thoughts were interrupted when he felt her both hands slipping behind his back and linking together, as if holding him closer to her. They were drifting so far that he didn't even notice himself running his hands up and down her small back. His eyes were closed, but he could feel each time he positioned different ways to claim her lips.

He came around with his senses and pulled back. The look on her face amused him a little. She looked some what disappointed that he drew back. "I'll say it properly Tifa.."

"I love you Tifa..."