A/N: This is a continuation from the stand-alone one-shot 'After the Return'. It's supposed to be cute and funny, but my Cloud muse wanted to have some dignity during the insanity. Hopefully this works as a compromise…

Summary: Cloud's return from the Lifestream has caused many changes in him and his personality. So many, in fact, that Tifa is having a hard time keeping up. Can she accept all the alterations and begin to move on with their lives?

Jealousy, Take 10

By Ivy Elise Tanté

Chaos reigned in the 7th Heaven Bar in the city of Edge. The sign in the window might say 'Closed', but the lights, music and voices streaming out indicated quite a crowd. Laughter seemed to spill out as the door opened briefly to admit yet another person into the already over-crowded room.

Tifa Lockhart couldn't remember ever being quite so happy. Her world was filled with friends made into family, and they were all together in one sprawling jumble as everyone tried desperately to smash themselves as close as possible for a group shot. Reeve Tuesti stood in front of the assemblage, waving a camera and pointing at the ones that needed to move in closer or get cut out of the shot. She couldn't get over the fact Nanaki had actually allowed Marlene to sit on his back for this impromptu photo session.

And she could hardly believe that standing beside her, his arm curled protectively around her waist, was Cloud Strife.

He hadn't run the second the Director of the World Regenesis Organization had pulled out that camera, and that had startled everyone. Hunting Cloud down to take a picture was common during these affairs, and usually ended with the swordsman right in the middle of the photo, half a dozen hands conspicuously gripping various limbs to keep him from bolting. His face would assume this half harassed half furious expression that -unfortunately for Tifa, at least- gave him a dangerous look that caused women visiting her bar to pause over the framed shots on the wall with wide eyes.

The unfortunate part was they would turn and ask her, in breathless tones no less, who was that man in black.

"Look, maybe we should make this two shots. I just don't think I can get all of us in. Our crowd has grown a bit over the years," Reeve called over the rising voices.

Of course Cid Highwind would take that as a personal challenge as he surged to the fore, snatching the camera out of Reeve's hands and shoving him into the mass of humanity teetering in the center of the room. "Shera! Get over here and get these crazy chocobos where I want them!" And he began firing off orders like a drill sergeant, making people jump and assume almost comical positions as he verbally crammed the whole lot of them into a tightly knotted lump.

Since she was in danger of falling over, Tifa wrapped both arms around Cloud and snuggled in. His appreciative hum seemed to vibrate right through her, as well as the warmth radiating from his body. She looked up just in time to see that wicked grin of his flash and disappear before he unexpectedly scooped her in his arms.

Tifa went so completely motionless one would think a casting of 'Stop' was responsible. And she wasn't the only one, either. Heads were snapping in their direction from all over the room.

Cloud did not willingly participate in the type of group insanity that took place whenever they gathered for special occasions. He hid in corners, ducked when someone pulled out a cell phone to take a picture, and dodged frantically every time someone attempted to hug, pat, or kiss him. And he would usually disappear about halfway through the event and wouldn't resurface until silence descended on the bar again.

Yet he was standing in the middle of the morass holding her in his arms, face inscrutable as he waited patiently for Cid to finish shouting and take the blasted picture. The change was so dramatic a difference the noise level dropped to the point the occupants of the bar could actually hear the outside traffic.

It was no surprise that Cid broke the silence. "Damn, Spiky! First you willingly pose for a &% *!%# picture, and now you're going all caveman by snatching Tifa up? Hey, who spiked his drink, and can I have some of that £¢!§?" The crazy grin on Cid's face had everyone smiling at the ex-SOLDIER with affection.

"It seemed appropriate," Cloud said in his quiet way. Shifting Tifa slightly, he managed to remove a small box from one of the many pockets of his jeans and handed it to Denzel, who was standing just in front of the couple. "Remember what we planned?" Cloud asked him gently.

Denzel nodded solemnly and opened the box. Inside, nestled in red velvet, was a platinum band surmounted by a deep red ruby that exactly matched the color of Tifa's eyes. On each side was a small sapphire glowing with the same intensity as Cloud's too-vivid blue ones. Holding it out, Denzel enunciated carefully, "Cloud Strife asks Tifa Lockhart if she will marry him."

Marlene, also playing her part, added the line of, "And make him the happiest man and the proudest father on this world."

Shocked immobile, Tifa's jaw dropped as she took in the symbolism of the ring and the fact Cloud had included both children in his proposal. The joy that filled her was almost too much to bear, and Tifa buried her face in the side of his neck and just bawled.

Cloud's return from the Lifestream weeks ago had been punctuated by one shock to her system after another, and the changes in him were wide-reaching. He was affectionate, paid attention to the little details, and participated in the day-to-day lives of his family. Cloud spent time with them, actually talked to them with words instead of grunts, and made it a point to be home on time unless an unforeseen monster attack delayed him. In the evenings he would help Tifa cook dinner, assist in the clean-up, and read the kids' favorite stories out loud before putting them to bed.

And Cloud made Tifa fully aware that he could barely keep his hands off her.

Their spontaneous love-making in the church the afternoon of his return hadn't been repeated - yet. Cloud seemed to understand they needed time to completely heal all the hurt his leaving had caused. But that didn't stop him from assaulting her senses at every opportunity. Kisses had become his favorite weapon of choice; on the mouth, of course, but whenever he leaned over her, the nape of her neck was a prime target. If he was walking by, it would be her temple, or sometimes her nose. Whenever they held hands he would nibble on her fingertips or press his lips to the pulse in her wrist or the center of her palm.

Every time she stopped by his room in the evening to tell him goodnight was a struggle. Just getting back out of his office it was a major victory because he was so darn tempting. With soft kisses and gentle caresses and heated whispers Cloud would utterly seduce her into a panting, boneless state that seriously undermined her determination to take the time she needed to come to terms with his obvious commitment to her and his family. Two nights ago she'd thrown down the gauntlet in a desperate attempt to bind him to her before succumbing to his blandishments again.

Tifa had told him she needed to be sure he was serious before going any further. His question of how he could prove his intentions had been met by the furious snap of "Find a way, Strife."

Obviously, this was his method.

If the room had been chaotic before, it was absolutely insane now. People were shouting, jumping up and down, waving hands and occasionally feet, hugging each other and crying. Well, the females in the room were crying. And in the middle of all that craziness, Cloud still stood like an unmovable rock, waiting for Tifa to answer his plea.

Raising her head, Tifa framed his face in her hands and whispered, "Oh, yes. Of course, oh yes, Cloud."

Without a word he lowered her to her feet and gestured to Denzel. The entire population of the room watched with bated breath as Cloud removed the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger, then pledged softly, "My life to yours, now and forever, Tifa Lockhart.

And with those simple words, the wound in her heart was healed.

For the next few minutes Tifa thought she might have to bust out a few martial arts moves, as everyone seemed intent on pummeling them in delight at the wonderful news. Tifa was hugged so many times she honestly lost count. It was when Tseng bowed before her then pressed a kiss on her cheek that she found herself snatched up and actually tossed over one broad shoulder and hauled upstairs like a sack of grain.

Ribald shouts accompanied her trip as Cloud took the steps two at a time in his haste to get away from all the enthusiasm of their friends. While he regretted giving the impression he was physically carrying Tifa upstairs to… well… he knew exactly what they were thinking. But the real reason was to try and calm a suddenly riotous stomach. Stopping in the bathroom, he set Tifa back on her feet and sank to the floor with his head between his knees. Several gasping breaths later and the nausea started to recede.

"Sorry," he muttered as he leaned back against the cool tile wall. "It got just a little too close down there." His eyes nearly popped out of his head when Tifa straddled his legs to settle down on his lap.

"I'm not sorry at all, Cloud," she purred, arms sliding over his shoulders so her fingers could tangle in the hair at the nape of his neck. Pressing a kiss to his tempting mouth, she revealed, "I locked the door."

Recovering from the slight anxiety attack downstairs, Cloud found himself grinning, "Did you now?" His hand shifted her slightly, heightening the intimate contact so they both moaned at the sensations.

"Oh, yes, I did."

"I guess that means you're not trying to escape." This was breathed into her ear, causing her to shiver in reaction.

"No, I'm not." Tifa tilted her head as Cloud's mouth made a lingering trail down to her collarbone. The soft exclamation echoed about the small room.

"This is not the best place for us, Tifa. Everyone will hear," Cloud continued as his hands started to wander more intently.

"We can be quiet, right?" she suggested as her hands yanked off his shirt.

"To hell with that," he growled against her throat in a manner that had her clutching a handful of blonde spikes. "I've waited for weeks to get my hands all over you, and I'm not holding back this time." Staring directly into her eyes, he stated firmly, "One of us is screaming tonight."

And she laughed as she captured his mouth with hers. "Challenge accepted, Cloud Strife!"