Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy or any of it's characters.

A/N: Yey! Chapter two! Been so busy with college and work. And I've been sick for a MONTH now!!! Antibiotics aren't working! Stupid, stupid...illnesses. Geez. Anyway- hope you enjoy the second chapter!!!

As planned, Quentin returned that evening with the nanny. Tifa was trying to search for quick excuses to call the whole thing off- but nothing came to her. Now she knew she would not need a nanny because Cloud was back. An inner guilt kept her from sending the nanny away as soon as she entered Seventh Heaven, though. Tifa sat across from her at the table, Denzel and Marlene at her sides. Quentin sat beside Denzel much to Denzel's dislike.

"I've been taking care of children since I was a child myself... I was, after all, the oldest of nine children."

"Oh..." Tifa tried to focus on the woman, but the children at her sides were being obvious with their annoyance.

"And I've been a professional for about thirty years now."

"Thirty years..." Tifa repeated. Quentin cleared his throat and Tifa looked at him. He was staring at her and she felt even more guilty for taking advantage of his kindess. "Well, I'll talk to Marlene and Denzel." Tifa looked at the nanny and smiled politely. "They're old enough to be able to have input... and we'll get back to you soon. Thank you." Tifa stood and shook the woman's hand and Quentin escorted her out, talking in a low voice and chuckling. Tifa looked at Denzel and Marlene. Marlene didn't seem angry, just bored. Denzel, however, was another story.

"You're not really going to let her watch us, right?"

"Well, now that Cloud's back we don't need a babysitter!" Marlene smiled.

"No, Denzel. She won't be watching you." Tifa murmured.

"Good."

"So?" Quentin reentered the bar, having seen the nanny home. "What did you think?"

"It won't be necessary now, Quentin." Tifa looked at him.

"Didn't like her?"

"She was perfectly pleasant." Tifa tilted her head. "But... with Cloud being home now... he'll be here to look after the children."

"Cloud is staying? Here... I mean?"

Tifa nodded, unsure of herself. She never really thought of how awkward it would make Quentin feel living with another man. But Quentin knew about Cloud before he started dating her.

"Of course he's staying here." Denzel grumbled. "Where else would he stay?"

Quentin only looked at Denzel, a hint of something Tifa had never seen in his eyes before. Complete anger at Denzel. She frowned.

"Don't be mad at him, Quentin." Tifa grabbed Quentin's chin and forced him to look at her. "If you're mad at anyone it should be me. And this is Cloud's place, too. He helped build it. And he's the one that brought Denzel home, after all. Cloud is like his father."

"Fine, fine." The anger in Quentin's face quickly disappeared and he kissed Tifa's forehead. "I'm just worried someone will take you from me."

Tifa couldn't so easily change moods. She was frustrated at Quentin. She was frustrated with herself. She looked at the clock. "It's getting late. I have to get them to bed." She grabbed Quentin's hand and led him to the door. "Good night, Quentin."

"Will I still see you Friday?"

"..." Tifa only looked at him for a moment. She kissed his cheek. "Yes." He smiled and left. Tifa locked the door behind him and turned to Denzel and Marlene. "Go get ready for bed."

"Awww..." Marlene pouted. "But it's so early." Denzel was already upstairs. Tifa sighed.

"Not any earlier than I usually have you go to bed."

Marlene, reluctantly, went upstairs without another word. Tifa heard keys jingling behind her and turned her head- already on the defense. It had been so long since Cloud had been home she had almost forgotten what it sounded like for someone else to unlock the bar doors and enter on their own. She was relieved to see Cloud, though. He was carrying groceries. Tifa hurried to take a bag from him and lock the door behind him.

"Cloud..." She started.

"Hmm?" He was putting away the groceries and she watched him. There were so many things she wanted to tell him. So many things she wanted to ask him.

'Do you love me?' was at the tip of her tongue.

Instead, "I'm going out with Quentin tomorrow night." She set the bag in her arms on the bar counter. "Denzel and Marlene are looking forward to their night with you." And she went upstairs. She hoped that the children weren't angry at her. Hoped they would forgive her. These hopes and thoughts ate at her as she changed into her pajamas in the bathroom.

She smiled when she saw Marlene and Denzel asleep at opposite ends of her. She crawled between them and gently pulled the covers up so that she could slide underneath and closed her eyes- hoping to wake up to a guiltless morning.

Cloud made his way up the stairs after he had finished putting the groceries away and cleaning up the bar. He stopped in front of Tifa's room where the door was cracked up, allowing the hall lighting to flood across the bed. The three were sound asleep, Tifa in the middle. Both of the kids were close to her, Marlene's leg carelessly thrown across Tifa's lower back and Denzel's face smashed against her arm. Tifa was the more normal sleeper of the three- on her stomach and her face turned towards the door.

Cloud watched them before retiring to his own room. He sat on his bed and hoped to make things better again.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews! If you haven't reviewed yet- please do so! Thanks again!!! D