Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII with the characters, items, places, etc. are the property of Square Enix, Inc. No infringement is intended.
Author's Note: This is a Cloud and Tifa story, just with a dramatic twist due to his absence. They will be happy later.
A special thanks to Kelleyj17 for being my beta reader last minute to get this story out in time as a Christmas present to all you readers! And another shoutout to Denebola Leo for the help in this chapter as well. I wouldn't have made it this far without you, a story I've been wanting to properly write for years.
Before we dive into the latest update, at the end of the chapter there is a rather long author's note I've written about this story and it's future updates with hints for the next story arc. Please thoroughly read it, my readers. I'd appreciate the time and understanding.
On with the story! We left off in a heartwarming exchange between the two, with Tifa finally realizing her feelings for Cloud. For this update, a few lines from the chorus for Hikaru Utada's song Don't Think Twice really helped me out.
And now, the moment is almost here…
-. Don't Think Twice .-
Chapter XX
December 22nd, εγλ 0009, 7:54 p.m.
He would rather be back at his apartment with the children, but a new trade center was in the works for the Northern Continent on the outskirts of Bone Village. Just like Gongaga, this was a high priority project pushed on him by both Reeve and Bartholomew to help modernize trade access in that region. It was past dinner time, and Cloud was still pushing paperwork around at the office. It just happened to be the day that Yuffie dropped by for WRO business and volunteered to watch the kids while he worked late tonight.
Tifa was still sick, so Denzel and Marlene were staying with Cloud. He wished he could be spending his time with them instead of being stuck at work. After Christmas, he was going to be shipped out once more, much to his dismay. He only had two more nights with them before they went back over to his wife's house.
A small knock sounded at the slightly ajar door, a petite woman on the other side. "Cloud, I have the quarterly reports for you…"
Seeing Iris peer inside his office, he nodded to signal her in as he kept on typing.
Sliding the stack of papers on his desk, she crossed her arms as she stood there for a brief moment before speaking up. "You're working awfully late tonight. You sure Tifa won't mind?"
"It's not an issue, but I'm almost done."
"Hmmm," she hummed as she began to round the desk. "Can I ask you something, Cloud? I've just been thinking about it since it all happened…" Iris trailed her fingers along the smooth wooden surface as she came up next to him.
"Is this about work?" He didn't like how close she was making herself, noticing the small sway in her hips, but he still sat in his chair. He pulled his hands back from the keyboard though, his chair turning a bit towards her, already seeing where this situation was bringing them.
Her eyes were concentrated on the small space between them, before she gazed up to meet his eyes. And it was written there: purposeful with a little passion. "It's what happened during work, when you dropped me off for office supplies by the school." A coy smile spread across her glossy lips as she tilted her head. "If you are already taken by Tifa...why would she assume I was your girlfriend? Isn't she already your girlfriend?"
And there it is. "No...she isn't."
"But, you are 'taken' by her?" Her voice resonated with delight to this confirmation.
"I'm...just interested in her," he admitted, trying to turn her down more directly. It wasn't exactly a secret to him that his coworker held feelings for him. He just thought she understood they were only to be friends after their run in at Johnny's Heaven.
"Oh, I just thought you might've been lying to me."
"No—"
Iris took the opportunity to lean forward, placing her hand on the arm of his chair, her face a short distance from his. "Cloud, she might have you but you really don't have her. You might not ever. Maybe you should stop wasting time on Tifa and see what's really in front of you."
He'd never been this close to her eyes before, bronze with flecks of amber in them, adding to the heat that held them. "You do remember I'm technically your boss…"
"And I've read the employee handbook. There is nothing against coworkers dating," she playfully countered, looking at him as if she knew his real desire.
He groaned, moving her hand off his chair. "Iris…"
Taking the hint, she pulled back, placing the same hand on her hip. "Cloud, I'm just saying you can't chase her forever," the secretary flippantly added while walking away. Nearing the door, she stopped to turn to him directly. "And I'll be here when you realize that. See you at the holiday party tomorrow."
"Right. G'night, Iris," he said as he reached for the papers, eyeing the attractive girl's exit from his office. He didn't enjoy her forwardness tonight, especially at work, but she did have a point.
He really couldn't chase Tifa forever.
December 24th, εγλ 0009, 9:09 p.m.
"Tifa! You're all better now!" Marlene ran into the house to give her a hug.
"I am! And I've missed you two so much!" She knelt down to receive the little girl's embrace. It had been almost a week since she had seen them due to her illness, plus Cloud's time with the children. Denzel closed the door and stood near the entryway behind his sister. "I made a batch of chocolate mint candies to use in our cookies tomorrow, too."
"Really? Oh, those are the best," the girl bounced in her arms as she stepped back.
"My illness wasn't going to put off our tradition if I could help it. Did the both of you have a good Christmas Eve with Cloud?"
"Yeah, I got an expansion for my racing track, and some pretty cool astronomy books," Denzel gave a short nod as he explained.
"And I got a new Gaian Girls doll set! This time, it's the veterinarian one, so I finally got a dog and cat to add to my collection," Marlene chimed about her gift. "I also got gardening books."
"Well, that all sounds exciting. Hopefully Santa brings you more tomorrow morning," Tifa stood up, noticing the door was shut behind them. "Is Cloud...coming inside?"
The young boy was about to answer her, but the door behind him creaked open, and he stepped out of the way to let his foster father inside. He shook off the white dust that had accumulated on his shoulders as he set down the presents. "Is the furnace running okay? I don't think it's ever been this cold."
"It's been keeping up just fine. Every few years we get a bad winter in these parts," Tifa smiled at the man that just entered her home. "I heard Christmas Eve was a hit!"
"Really, because I just made them burgers for dinner…' He perked up his pale eyebrow at her.
"Hey, those burgers were really good! We only told her about the presents though," Denzel interjected.
"Speaking of presents…" Tifa shortly began as she turned to grab the gift resting at the end of the bar counter. The small box was wrapped up in a shimmering gold wrapping paper with tiny chocobo silhouettes on its pattern, tied up in a cranberry colored bow. Holding it out for Cloud, she smiled at him. "This is for you."
Marlene beamed up at the exchange, as Denzel tried to hide his smile from the sidelines. Her husband, on the other hand, looked awkwardly staggered by the gesture. "You really shouldn't have, Tifa…"
"Open it!" the young girl exclaimed excitedly. "I wanna see what it is."
Looking down at the kids staring at him hopefully, he retrieved the gift from her hands to begin carefully tearing the wrapping paper. Inside the box, he revealed a small statue of a familiar wolf god in a metallic bronze finish. "Fenrir…"
"Whoa, it really is Fenrir!" Denzel marveled at the wolf ornament.
"For your office. I know how much he means to you, and with your new job, you don't get to wear the pauldron too much anymore. Or even ride your bike for deliveries."
"This is—wow. You really didn't have to do this," he scattered his words in excitement, flipping the small wolf over to give it a better look. His beautiful blue eyes widened at the sentimental gift. "And this is...really great."
"Well, I'm glad you like it," Tifa smiled warmly to him, clasping her hands together in front of her.
"I just...if I had known we were exchanging gifts this year, I would've gotten you one too," Cloud sighed with a hint of guilt.
Marlene let out a small giggle after that, and Denzel quickly shushed her.
"I saw it and couldn't turn away the opportunity. Really, it's okay Cloud," she honestly replied. They didn't say anything to each other about giving gifts this year. It stung a little, but they weren't together anymore. Tifa wouldn't let it bother her, because it shouldn't right now.
"No, it's not. I only went Christmas shopping for the kids, the office party, and Iris. I didn't think of getting one for you, and I should've."
Iris? He got a gift...for Iris? And then didn't think...of her. Now it stung. Now it was bothering her. But she wouldn't show it. Chewing the inside of her cheek, she paused for a moment. "Christmas is about giving, not receiving."
His cobalt eyes were soft and tender while visibly swaying to comfort her or not. Sighing, he placed the gift back inside the box. "I do have to be going, as my time in Bone Village just got pushed forward to a 4:00 am flight instead of two days from now."
Blinking away her affliction, she asked, "you have to leave on Christmas for work?"
"Yeah," he nodded. "Big snowstorm coming in. We can't delay this center any longer. And I'll still be gone for two weeks."
"You'll call every night?" Denzel asked.
"Every night. Especially because of your math homework." He tussled the boy's hair with his hand before scooping him into a hug.
Tifa stepped further back to give the children room to say goodbye to their father figure. She wasn't looking to speak with Cloud honestly about her newfound feelings with him so soon, now she wasn't so sure if she even should. The quiet brunette kept looking at the small box in his hand that held her gift. She really wasn't expecting a gift, but she definitely wasn't expecting to hear that Iris got one. Yuffie said that it was just a crush, nothing serious on Cloud's behalf.
Or is it now?
She pursed her lips, trying to control herself. She knew she had no right after all this time. Especially after Jace, a man she didn't want to be with anymore. Really, it was silly how she was feeling right now when she hadn't even broken up with her boyfriend yet. Chocobo races were running nonstop with the holiday crowd until after the New Year anyway. It had to end between them, and she was going to do it in person.
Was she too late?
Tifa pinched the hem of her sweater, trying to ground herself.
Nevertheless, it was disheartening to hear how long she wouldn't see Cloud for now. His trips during his delivery service were barely that long, and her heart began to pound in the familiar agony it once did from that time.
Of when they were together.
But they weren't together.
"Tifa?"
"Hmm?" she turned up to face her husband.
His hand on the front door knob, he smiled at her. "Merry Christmas."
Her smile was weak, but it was there. "Merry Christmas, Cloud."
She waved him goodbye as he departed from her home.
This Christmas wasn't any better than the last…
December 25th, εγλ 0008, 10:03 p.m.
It was a wonderful Christmas Day today with the family. Waking the children up this morning to open presents this morning from Santa, Tifa also found her own surprise under the tree.
A present from Cloud.
Inside the large square box meant for her, she found a collection of picture frames with large prints of their family together. She had small portraits on nightstands, but now she had a set to hang on their walls. She was touched, overwhelmed to see such a sentimental gesture from him when she felt for a long time he was possibly regretting their marriage. Cloud had distanced himself from her; arguments between them began when the children weren't around, with one that even ended with forcing him to drink in his room alone.
It was bad. With no affection from him for over two months...his last kiss to her was becoming a distant memory. Her husband couldn't even give her a hug anymore, and made his stay in the office permanent.
But not too long ago they had a moment under the stars on the front porch, when he joined her with hot cocoa to wait for the first snowfall. His cobalt eyes that night were soft and warm, and he was sweet towards her as they conversed.
It gave her hope that night. And the gift today gave her even more hope. Now with the children in bed, she could talk to him alone. To her, it'd be worth trying, as she married him because she loved him, despite the circumstances they were in back then.
Closing the bedroom door to the children's room behind her, she saw Cloud reaching for the handle to his own.
"Cloud?"
.
.
.
Her voice was clear and light when she called out his name in the dim lit hallway of their home. He'd hoped he would be in his room by the time she was done with the nighttime routine, to avoid another awkward encounter with his wife. It's not that he didn't love her…
Cloud didn't deserve to be happy with her.
His nightmares over the past few months had become more real, stricken with the blood of lost friends, or the cackle of a mad scientist making him his test subject. That's when it started to go downhill in his marriage with Tifa, his past demons eating him away on the inside. Then his arm locked up one day in pain just before he had to return home, his vision speckled with black spots as he fell to the ground, sweating and shaking.
He had Geostigma for awhile now, just after his 22nd birthday. His wife could never know. Under the stars he made a promise to protect her, and that included this. Cloud was finally paying for his sins: a slow and painful disease with not a lot of time left. His curse, his problem.
It was much worse than Denzel ever described, making him really consider that the small boy was much braver than he ever was. But he was also sure the symptom of hallucinations was never mentioned from him, and Cloud had been experiencing them repeatedly. The silver haired phantasm had become a frequent visitor during his ailment, mocking him with laughter and ridicule.
"Remember who brought this pain upon you, Cloud. You only have yourself to blame."
And Sephiroth was right.
But he would need to further keep his secret of the stigma from Tifa. If she knew what he was seeing...she wouldn't be able to pull herself away from him, risking her own life. Whenever his nemesis did appear, he would lock himself in his room to protect those around him. After what he did to Aerith before...he didn't know if he could live with himself if he lost control around his wife like that.
It really shook him up whenever Sephiroth did decide to show up. Even if he knew the bastard was dead and not really there.
"Thank you...for the Christmas present this year," Tifa shyly shared her gratitude. He wasn't sure how long they stood in the hallway together, his back to her as she slowly approached him.
Lately, she was walking on eggshells around him. He was always such a bother to her, and she didn't need to put up with a husband like him. Swallowing hard, he turned to face his wife and was immediately engulfed in a new wave of guilt. Those beautiful carmine eyes bore right through him with hopeful desire as she stepped closer.
His will was shattered by that one look, and soon he found her seeking comfort in his arms. Tifa touched him first, and his arms encircled her just as she tenderly embraced him. It had been a long time since they had even been mildly intimate like this. He'd been holding back from her for the longest time, to keep her from finding out about his stigma, to prepare her for the worst. She had never really needed him, but he wanted to be close by for the kids.
Tifa wanted a future with him, and he was going to end up making her a widow. His heart pounded hard in his chest with this reality, as he only ever wanted to be there for her. But someday soon, he was going to die.
Cloud couldn't take care of himself, let alone his own family.
How long had it been since he simply held her this way? Softly, he inhaled her scent as they held one another, and while being stoic on the outside, he was satisfied that her hair still smelled of coconut and vanilla. The tresses were soft and tickled his nose, keeping him in this blissful fleeting moment from his own harsh reality.
"I want to try," her voice trembled against his collarbone. He didn't have to look to know she was holding back tears.
"Tifa?"
"I want to make more happy memories with you, just like the ones in those photographs you gave me. We can make more together to hang on our walls, can't we? Maybe even make more memories for just the two of us too," his wife whispered as she gently pulled back to look at him sincerely, her arms still loosely around his neck.
He knew he should just push her away. He wasn't good enough for her or the kids. His hands fell to her waistline as he just couldn't seem to manage to pry himself away though. He loved this woman, and yet, the presence she desperately wanted from him would only further damage her.
His markings were getting worse, and he had tied them up with a bandage while covering up the arm with a sleeve duster. Honestly, he should've left for good a month ago but he wanted one more Christmas with this family. And this moment right here of her begging for a fighting chance of their marriage was what he was afraid of.
"Cloud?" Her voice snapped him out of his plaguing thoughts again. "I don't understand why you've been so distant to me...but if you try with me, I'll try for us too."
His sapphire eyes just stared back at the ruby ones swelling with warmth and compassion for him. And they offered to be a great distraction from her leaning up, her lips suddenly pressing against his. Her eyes fluttered closed, fringed with her thick eyelashes.
He couldn't move. He couldn't do affection anymore and she was kissing him. Perfectly still against her curvy form, his wife was kissing him as his lips stayed motionless against hers. It had been months since he had even tasted Tifa Lockhart. But he had to resist. Even if his carnal desire was trying to come out and capture her mouth back, he kept it at bay. Forgotten and locked away, along with the secrets of his impending epidemic.
Reality was striking him now, starting with a sharp pain in his arm, setting his skin on fire as it pulsed under his bandage.
An unwelcome and familiar laugh from his past echoed in his head...
He was having an attack, and this is why he kept her at arm's length the whole time...
Reluctantly, he broke her kiss, turning his head away. "Goodnight."
Cloud grabbed the handle, keeping his arm in control as he turned the knob, and stepped into his private sanctuary. His face remained emotionless from their encounter and the searing pain he was under. But from his peripheral view he captured her face crinkle up in agony, her eyes brim with tears at the loss of hope for them. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt his wife, but kissing her would only bring her more pain down the road.
She could never know he had Geostigma.
When he closed the door behind him, he leaned up against the wooden pane as his face grimaced from the torment. Rolling up the sleeve to his shirt, he could see the ooze fester out of his bandage while hearing her sob as she walked towards her room. Her bedroom door slammed as black gook dripped down his arm, onto the floor as he witnessed the walls in his room shake slightly.
Even from across the hall he could pick up her tearful sorrows from her room. Cloud stumbled to his desk, reaching into the drawer to pull out fresh bandages and gauze to redress the wound. Taking an old towel he wiped away the stigma, and began to contain the lesion. Quickly, he focused on wrapping his arm despite the shadow that hovered in the corner of his room. He knew he wasn't really 'alone' in there.
"If only she could see her hero now." From across the room, green eyes dangerously glimmered towards him. "I'll rob you of your light forever, Cloud."
"Shut up," he muttered to the apparition near his window. He had to clean this black mess up, and get ready to pack. As for tomorrow morning, he knew he would have to leave.
Running from her was all he could do now to protect her.
December 24th, εγλ 0009, 11:42 p.m.
All seemed to be going according to plan for Tifa's surprise. The delivery truck from the storage unit arrived on time, with the driver helping him unload the piano to the back door of the house quietly. Honestly, he was just so glad he was able to arrange this on a holiday evening, with extra gratuity, of course.
It was just too bad he was leaving before the morning, and wouldn't be able to witness her reaction right away with his business trip. However, the timing for Christmas was too perfect to pass up on.
Cloud waited outside the double panel doors in the winter night air patiently, as the children needed to let him in. Even in his black leather jacket, he was starting to get rather chilly. Edge dropped to freezing temps at this time of year consistently. After a few moments, Marlene appeared at the bottom of the stairs, a pink robe wrapped over her night clothes, and he could see the excitement lit up in the little girl's eyes when she saw him. Marlene skipped over quietly to the doors to unlock them, smiling as he knelt down to greet her. "Hey Marlene. Tifa still asleep?"
"Mmhmm," she nodded. Then she cocked her head behind him to give a good look at the present. "Oh, you got a big red bow for it too!"
"Yes I did, but we need to keep it quiet, okay?"
"Okay."
Denzel had just joined her, still dressed in his pajamas this late at night. His brown eyes widened a little at the size of the piano. "Am I going to be able to move that?"
"It's got wheels on the bottom, so we should be fine. I just need help steering it in," he directed his son, going to the far end of the piano to get ready to push it in the house. Denzel stood on the other side, and nodded to Cloud to begin the move. Slowly, as they needed to be quiet for the surprise, the piano was maneuvered inside at a gradual pace. Marlene stood off to the side, quietly observing the two work. Cloud closed the back doors to break off the cold air seeping in, turning the knob slowly to keep the noise level down.
With the piano in the middle of the walkway between the dining area and living room, Denzel spoke up. "Where do we put it?"
"We can move this end table over, and have it against the wall," Marlene suggested, and began to push the furniture over across the floorboards with a loud creak.
"Marlene, you're making too much noise," Denzel warned her, distress apparent in his whisper.
Her apologetic face turned to her family, but the lamp wobbled erratically at her abrupt stop. With no time to catch it, the table light toppled over to the floor with a clatter. Marlene stepped back a bit from being startled, but the lamp itself wasn't damaged. She picked up the lamp and place it back on the table, which was now out of the way. "I-I'm sorry, Cloud...it was an accident."
"It's alright, nothing broke," he replied in a gentle tone, nodding his head to get Denzel to move the piano into place against the wall. Hoping the noise wasn't too loud, they finished up their work silently. With the wooden instrument fleshed up against the wall, Cloud opened his mouth to bid farewell to the children, and thank them for their help, but a door opened upstairs.
Denzel heard the noise as well judging by the alarm in his eyes, while the little girl clasped her hand over her mouth as to somehow stay quieter. It was obvious to them.
Tifa had woken up.
A few footsteps followed up as they all looked towards the stairs, as still as they can be.
"Marlene?!" They heard her cry out frantically above, followed up by more footsteps. "Denzel?!"
Cloud was about to blow their cover, as hearing the fear in his wife's voice was too much for him to witness. About to call out her name, his phone rang loudly in his coat pocket. Grabbing the mobile device, seeing her name displayed on the tiny screen. The ringing stopped immediately after the first round, as Tifa had appeared midway down the stairs to see her family in the living area. Just like the children, she was dressed in her burgundy pajamas. He always liked any shade of red on her, as it really brought out the color in her eyes. Even with her hair tousled from a deep sleep, his wife was still stunningly beautiful.
"Oh Cloud," she lifted her hand to her chest. Joining them, she gave him a small simper. "I thought someone broke into the house and took the children."
Standing behind the children, he scratched the back of his head sheepishly for being caught. "Nope, it's just me."
"Sorry for waking you up," Denzel perked up with an apology for all three of them.
"It's alright, I was scared something happened to you two again," she looked down at the kids, than placed her hands on hips. "But what are you two doing up anyway? Santa won't come to bring presents if you are awake."
The children were quiet, but smiled brightly at the word 'presents'. The surprise for her wasn't going to be kept for long as she was now awake. And Cloud was somewhat thankful for Marlene's clumsiness earlier.
Somewhat skeptical of how the children were acting, Tifa looked past them. Straightening up, his eyes connected with hers as they sparkled back at him, her smile getting bigger. "Wait...what is that?"
Marlene couldn't suppress her giggles. "What do you think it is?"
Carmine eyes bounced back and forth between the piano and him with excitement. "Cloud?"
"Why don't you take a closer look?" He motioned with his head to the surprise as he stepped out of the way.
Timidly, she walked past the trio to sit down on the red plush seat. Her hands smoothed across the surface before she lifted the cover, and then he saw it. Her eyes marveled when she uncovered the familiar initials from her past: T.L.
Head whirling to him, her face appearing in complete awe at what she had discovered. "How?"
"I happened to be in Nibelheim at the right time."
"Cloud called us a couple weeks ago and asked us for help too!" Denzel explained cheerfully.
"That's right, he did," Marlene added with a chipper.
"Oh, he did?" Tifa asked as she turned in her seat to them, giving Cloud a knowing look. He'd been so smooth with his offhand comment that he didn't get her anything at all.
"Merry Christmas, Tifa!" Both the children said as they came over to embrace her.
She hugged them back just as eagerly. "Thank you, this has to be one of the most wonderful Christmas presents I've gotten."
"Well...that was the idea," he conveyed to his wife, leaning on the edge of the piano with his hand as he smiled at her.
As she still held onto the children, she smiled back up at him. There was something in her vermillion eyes that was so beautiful, so amorous and warm as they stared back into his, never breaking contact. Nostalgia came to his heart as she looked at him just the same as she did on their wedding day. A look of pure love as if her heart was about to leap out of her chest, and it made his speed up in return.
Marlene pulled back a bit from the embrace. "Can you play us a song?"
"I am a little out of practice...but I think I know just the song," the brunette said as she was released by the children, turning in the piano seat. Their eye contact may have broken, but her smile never wavered. So began a familiar tune as her delicate fingers stroke down on the ivory in rhythm.
Marlene bounced up beside her to begin singing. "I'll be home for Christmas...you can plan on me…"
"Please have snow and mistletoe...and presents on the tree…" Denzel sang in unison with his sister, making Tifa's smile more radiant in this wonderful family moment. One that they hadn't shared in this way for a long, long time. They were making the best of the custody situation, but this was different now. Back to where they belonged before all the bad took over. As they continued to sing the lyrics, his wife looked up at him with an enamored gaze, perfectly playing the end of the song.
"Ohh, can we do another song?" Marlene asked when they were finished.
"It's nearly midnight," Tifa answered, her eyes drifting up to Cloud before returning to the little girl. "And you two should be in bed. It wouldn't be a Christmas morning if Santa couldn't drop off his presents."
Denzel looked between the two adults and faked a yawn. "I am tired."
"Come on, I'll tuck you both in again," she rose from the piano seat. Marlene was about to protest, but after the look Cloud gave her, she closed her mouth. It was way past their bedtime. Silently the kids began their ascent up the stairs, leaving the two adults alone as Tifa had lingered behind.
"I'll be right back. Will you wait for me?"
Cloud nodded, his heart racing a bit at her request. "Of course."
Moments went by, but it wasn't long for her return. She approached him slowly, barely keeping eye contact as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Thanks for waiting," she said rather shyly, her cheeks tinged pink.
"Well, you asked me to," Cloud replied, scratching the back of his head. "Is there something you wanted to talk about?"
She bit her lip at his direct question, looking down at the floorboards between them. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, but a bashful one at that before she spoke up. "When we first got back to Nibelheim...I couldn't check for my initials, let alone be in my old room." Slowly, she walked past him, smoothing her hand over the lacquered finish. "Besides my father, I also lost my mother again that night. That fire burned everything I thought she had left me, and I woke up alone in Midgar after it was all over."
He noticed her shoulders shake a bit from behind. "Tifa…"
"I always wear her earrings because its all I have left of her. And now you bring me back her piano…" She didn't turn to him, but he could feel the tears collect in her eyes as her voice wavered. "You planned this...with the children?"
"Yeah, I did."
"Why did you say you didn't get me anything this year?"
"I didn't want to spoil the surprise," he answered her.
.
.
.
Tifa turned to him, her cheeks flushed and her eyes glossy. She wanted to wait, but his heartfelt gift made her heart melt and her knees weak with an overwhelming love. "What...what is going on between us?"
He looked taken aback by her forward question, but she noticed he couldn't help but cock up the corner of his mouth. She both loved and hated it when he did that. "What do you mean?"
"Y-you have to know what I mean, Cloud. These moments lately, it can't just be me that notices, can it? You gave me this wonderful gift…and yet…," she hesitated, feeling the pain from earlier when he revealed he also got her a present. She had no right to feel jealous, but she did. And now that she knew what she wanted, was she too late? Tifa couldn't have been imagining his charm lately. "I'm getting...so confused."
"About what?"
"About you! About us! About how you may feel, and what I feel for you. We've been so...distant because of all this, and now it's like you nev—"
.
.
.
She never got a chance to finish. Stepping forward and cupping her rosy cheeks, Cloud seized the opportunity and captured her mouth in a searing kiss. He couldn't take it any longer, her beautiful face reflecting her want but uncertainty for him. He needed to reassure her she was it.
And the small confession of her own feelings for him again…
Her lips were soft, warm and sweet like a Christmas candy shop, with a hint of chocolate mint that mingled there. Just like he knew she would taste when she made her homemade holiday treats, based on her traditions. What he didn't know at first was if she was going to let her kiss him, but he found her hands inching up his back, pulling him closer to her. The passion reciprocated by her lips eagerly matched his.
It had been...too long for him to feel this right again. Being here holding her, having nothing but love between them as they continued exchanging kisses, he felt complete. She was the missing piece for him to feel truly at home.
Still cradling her face, Cloud slanted his mouth over hers to deepen their passionate exchange. She was still letting him kiss her and he wasn't going to pass the chance of showing her how he felt. The woman he loved was taking over his senses with the scent of her hair and velvet touch of her lips.
Gradually, he slowed down his affections to catch his breath. Mouth still lingering near hers, he opened his eyes to her loving carmine eyes staring right back.
"Cloud, I'm sorry for not being more clear in my last call. I wanted you to come back for me, not because you were gonna lose me." A few tears trailed down her cheeks, breaking him at the sight. Her hands on his back shook as she spoke while he held her close. "But I never thought you were coming back. I thought that you left us, that you broke your vows."
"I did break my vows. In sickness and in health and all that." He had gently brushed the tears out of her eyes, his hands softly finding purchase on her shoulders.
"Yeah, but...I broke them, too." Her words clear with contrition, her hands now steady. There was a long, pregnant pause as they thought about the turmoil they had caused each other; they were both at fault for the troubles in their marriage, and after they had been through so much!
Cloud, despite being the quietest of the pair, spoke up first. "Do you think...we can keep them this time?"
Smiling softly, she nodded. "Y-yes."
He pressed his lips against her again, kissing her tender and slow. The blond wrapped her up in his arms, giving into the sweetness of her delicate mouth responding to his. Her arms now hooking up his back to hold him closer to her body. It felt like a dream to him, being with her this way, right now. Even though he wouldn't mind getting caught up in the heat of the moment, after more than a solid year since he'd actually kissed his wife this way, he reluctantly broke his lips from hers once more.
"Cloud?" Tifa whispered, her eyes dazed.
They had been through so much, but pain was apparent on both sides. Tifa had moved on and was slowly coming back to him, but he wanted this to be forever. Not rushed with the risk of hurting each other. Not only should their love for each other get them through this, but so should their patience for one another.
He was certain, but he wanted her to be as well. Because to him, they were always meant to be. Two souls that connected in the Lifestream that had loved each other since their youth.
Her ruby eyes flickered with sapphire as she bit her bottom lip, waiting as his brow furrowed from his own deep thoughts. Brushing the silky tresses out of her eyes, he smiled down as he held her.
"Tifa...when it comes to us, I am sure." Holding her chin up a bit, he continued on. "But I need you to be sure if this is what you want too."
"It is, it's you. It's always been you, Cloud."
"It's always been you for me too, but you have a decision to make. Tifa...I need you to be sure about us, as much as I am sure, so we don't hurt each other again. It'll help me if we give this a little more time. And we can take this slowly."
She looked down at the lapel of his jacket, still holding him close. "I think I understand what you're saying."
"I'll be away for two weeks, and when I'm back we'll talk more," he reassured her, threading his fingers through her smooth hair. "And...we can kiss more too."
Her face broke into a smile at his teasing as she coyly responded. "Oh?"
"Tifa, I am gonna kiss you again," he replied with a cocky tone, lifting the corner of his mouth. Even though he asked for time in her decision, he was confident he would be the one she picked. "And when I do kiss you again, I'm not gonna stop."
"I—I see…" A blush had bloomed on her cheeks, but her smile never dissipated to him. "I look forward to that then."
"I wish I could stay...but I do have to be going. There is a snowstorm coming and my airship flight leaves in just a few hours," Cloud regrettably reminded her. "I'll give you a call when I land."
"I'd like that," she said back while releasing her hold, putting her hands behind her back as she smiled.
They stood there for a long moment, before he finally spoke again. "Merry Christmas, Tifa."
"Merry Christmas, Cloud."
He really didn't want to leave her, but he had to go. He wasn't so sure how long they stood there, quietly enjoying each other's presence. Her smile never faltered towards him, her eyes still bright for him as she silently stood there, beautiful and patient like always.
It kinda reminded him of when he first started his delivery business, and neither one could get enough of each other before each trip. But he was always the one to take the first step to leave. Nodding towards her, he turned away. Walking through the bar area, he exited the front door of Seventh Heaven, stepping into the snowy street. He had parked Fenrir a block away earlier, and was crossing the street to reach the other side to begin heading to his bike when her voice called out to him.
"Wait, Cloud!"
.
.
.
She didn't want him to go, but she knew he had to. After he disappeared into the bar area, Tifa reluctantly began to move towards the stairs before she stopped herself as she clutched her chest.
Her heart was still wildly beating from their kissing after the long awaited confessions to one another. Cloud wanted to get back together, but he also wanted time for her to properly answer him. Time that would reassure him he was the man she truly wanted.
She couldn't let him go tonight without an indication of what her answer would be. Two weeks is a long time to wait…and she would wait. But that didn't mean she couldn't show him the way she felt, show him she loves him, show him he would be the one she's picked after all.
A kiss was all that was needed to fulfill that.
Her mind made up, she ran to the front tavern door, threw it open and spotted him in the middle of the street. She didn't care that when she stepped outside, her bare feet met the frigid white padding that covered the ground, or the chilly air that struck her skin through her dark red pajamas. No time to put on proper winter outwear, she ran a short distance to meet up with her husband.
Just...one last goodbye…
"Wait, Cloud!" she shouted, a puff of air escaping her lips as she said his name.
The blond turned around suddenly, his hands still in his black winter coat as she approached him. Cloud looked both happy and shocked to see her outside, standing in the street with him in the wintery night.
"Tifa…"
Throwing her arms around his neck, she stood up on her tippy toes that were deep in the snow, and found he met her halfway for a kiss. Her fingers threaded through his pale, spiky hair as her soft lips played against his. Cloud only pulled her closer, his hands now up her back, through her silky hair, finally anchoring one hand to the back of her neck. Under the moonlight that illuminated the white dust around them, he kissed her passionately while she sought the same warmth from him. Her senses were swirling from the fire in their kiss while they were surrounded by snow.
She picked him, she wanted him, she loved him.
It was always Cloud that held her heart. And her running out into the cold would show him that right now. For when he returned, she'd be waiting for him in their home with her answer to truly start over in their marriage. To have a happily ever after together as husband and wife, once and for all.
Cupping her cheeks, he gradually broke their kiss as he touched his forehead against hers, trying to catch his breath. "Tifa...I…"
"See you in two weeks," she gently reminded him. All she wanted was one last moment between them. One last proper goodbye before his return to her. To them.
He sighed, embracing her closer with his tight arms around her. His fingers lingered at the nape of her neck as his cheek rested against hers. "See you in two weeks, Tifa."
It was a very Merry Christmas this time after all.
Author's Note Continued: Kiss me once, kiss me twice, kiss me three times...
FINALLY! A big part of me can't even believe that we are here! This moment of them finally kissing was a treat to write, and had to be perfect for what I have put you all through. I know it hasn't been easy, and really, thank you all for sticking with the story so far.
There are a few things I need to discuss: a basic timeline so far as I'm going on a creative hiatus with Don't Think Twice.
Yeah, I know. I finally got them kissing and won't be back for a while for this story. I'm working on the plot for the next arc, and while I'm writing, I won't be updating for a bit. There are a lot of details to work out, but you'll be plenty fed when this story makes a comeback in Spring 2020. The Final Fantasy VII Remake will keep you entertained, and I'll be updating a few other stories here and there.
So what's going on in the next arc? Well, you'll have to wait and find out! Plenty of drama ahead, but here are a few hints of what to think about:
Who is Yuffie's boyfriend? I'm finally going to introduce him! And he is a hottie!
What was the small shiny object that Jace dropped in the beginning of Chapter 19? Oh, did you miss that before the big fight in the bar? Jace quickly put it in his pocket when he fell!
Also, how is Jace going to take being dumped by Tifa? Not well, but it doesn't matter as it's over between them. CLOTI IS FINALLY HERE! Jace will show up one or two times more, but only as Tifa's ex.
And I've been heavily hinting this for a few chapters...but what is Jace trying to hide from Tifa? That'll finally be revealed in the next arc as well.
Again, thank you all for reading this long note and I appreciate the understanding for the hiatus! I'm leaving some further notes below for the timeline as a quick recap of where we are at before the big break. I love all your feedback. Send me a PM on here or Discord, I'll be around!
Here's the story timeline so far:
Chapters 1-9: September εγλ 0009
Chapters 10-12: October εγλ 0009
Chapters 13-16: November εγλ 0009/Beginning of December εγλ 0009
Chapters 17-20: December εγλ 0009
And Cloud left his family on December 25, εγλ 0008, for almost a whole year! But it's come full circle for their reunion to happen on Christmas Eve! The perfect kiss in the snow, hugging under the moonlight.
Until next time! Love, MarleNadia
By the way, I updated Chapters 1-19 with dates and time stamps, as well as scattering hints of Cloud's rejection to Tifa on that Christmas he left.
