OhmyGod, it's 10:50 pm on the 31st of August. And I'm SO tired. So this will still be posted on September 1st....just sometime in the middle of the day instead of right before it ;)

Enjoy!

Tifa's POV----

Opening my eyes, I felt disoriented. Where the hell was I?
It took me a few minutes to realize I was home, where I should be.
It just felt odd not waking up next to anyone...after having lived with Zack for so long...sharing a house before our marriage.
The marriage that would never occur.

But that didn't stop me from smiling and biting my bottom lip, thinking of Cloud.
My boyfriend. The man I was completely and totally in love with, and finally could be with without any problems.
I picked up my phone. I had to share this information with someone who would be happy.

I called Elena.

"Really?" She gasped into the phone, after I was done telling what had happened the previous day.
"Yeah.." I muttered, a small smile playing on my lips.
"Remember that one day, back in senior year? Like when you had first met Cloud?" She asked.
I thought about it. "Um...kind of."
"You said something...what was it? Oh...'how can we be, when we can't even stand each other?' That was funny."
I gasped. "Oh God I do remember that! I thought there was no hope of even being his friend..."

Elena laughed at the regret in my voice at having said that. "I think it's cute." She said, and I grimaced. How like Elena.
I sighed and leaned further back into my bed. "Am I doing the right thing? I mean...he does have a young girl, only like, three. And his wife just left him..."
"After cheating on him with your fiance. Don't worry Ti. You aren't in the wrong here, hun, not one bit."

I couldn't help but smile. Elena was too sweet.
After getting off the phone with her, I received a call from Cloud.
"Hey sweetie." He said, after I'd answered with my usual "Hello?"
I smiled."Good morning."
"Same to you. So what are you doing?"
"About to take a shower..." I said.
I could practically feel Cloud's teasing grin as he replied, "Need company?"
I gasped, but laughed, and said, "Definitely not. However...you can meet me at my house around noon...and bring Skye...I want to get to know her better."
Cloud sighed in mock-hurt. "Well that works with me. So I'll most definitely see you later, beautiful."
I smiled and hung up.

Then hurried to clean up and take my shower.

Cloud's POV----

I knocked on the door to Tifa's house, holding Skye gently by the hand.
Tifa answered the door, with a huge smile on her face, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, her brown eyes dancing and full of light.
I wanted to kiss her right then and there. But I needed to get Skye inside first. And wait til she wasn't looking.
Skye hadn't asked about 'mommy' and it almost seemed as if she didn't care Aerith hadn't been around.
But she was only three...how could I explain?

Tifa sat down, pulling Skye onto her lap and holding her, finding cartoons on her tv.
I sat down next to them, and Skye turned herself around.
"New mommy?" She questioned, pointing at Tifa, looking at me.
Tifa's jaw dropped.
"Is that what you told her?!" She hissed.
I shook my head. "It's...complicated Skye."

Skye didn't seem to think so.
"New mommy." Skye muttered, and I saw Tifa's eyes soften and she hugged the girl to her.
"What are we to do about this?" I whispered in Tifa's ear, kissing her cheek.

Tifa turned and smiled at me, vivaciously so.
"I think this means you better think about your 'intentions' with me."
I caught what she meant.

Tifa and I, married?
It seemed to perfect to dream about, let alone happen.
Tifa was looking at me, and I stole a kiss from her so soft lips.
Giggling, she pulled away from me, to focus on Skye, who was intently watching the Cartoon Network.

Tifa leaned over to whisper in my ear. "I already feel like you guys are my family."
I smiled. "Cause you love us, and we love you."

"I know I don't have a ring on me, and that's awful...but Ti...will you marry me?"

Tifa smiled contentedly and leaned in for a searing, and quick, kiss.
"Duh, silly. Why wouldn't I? I love you."

I smiled and wrapped my arms around her and Skye.

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super short. and as it's made obvious by the title, the penultimate..meaning second to last...chapter.

the next chapter will be long, I swear..(:

I love you guys who have read this! :D