Tifa was already up when Cloud stumbled into the kitchen, his eyes red and puffy, hair still sticking in different direction. He slumped into one chair and a slight moan found its way from his mouth.
"Good morning" her voice could have been a little LESS chirpy.
"Morning…"
She grinned as she made her way towards him, a bigger than usual parcel in her hands. With a soft chuckle she ran one palm through his hair, then resting it on his forehead.
"You ok there?"
"There's someone drilling through my brain with one of Barret's machines…." Azure eyes closed with visible relief as her hand was cool against his skin.
"I always thought you SOLDEIR material guys can't get drunk… well Zack didn't" Tifa left his side, making her way towards the sink.
"Come back…" he whimpered as she took that strong, lean and COOL hand away "He didn't have to get up at such an ungodly hour… he's bigger than me and older and … OH gods…" she placed a fresh, wet cloth on his forehead and his face was a sign of pure bliss all of the sudden "I don't know how you do it Tifa, but I'm soooo glad you do…"
"Yeah well living with men does that to people. "
"That what?"
"Knowing what they need after getting drunk. You're going to be ok out there?"
"Yeah, yeah…" he sighed and with great reluctance he placed the towel down "I'm gonna meet up with Barret, I got some stuff for him"
"Really?" she threw him a look over her shoulder, as she already began preparing things for making breakfast "Invite him over, it's been a while and Marlene would love to have him around"
"I will" the slight throbbing in his head started to subside slowly, as he got up finally and went over to where she stood, and fumbled with the rim of his shirt.
"Say Cloud, what am I supposed to do with him?" she pointed to the ceiling ,where the kid's bedroom was, Zack sleeping soundly in one of the beds there.
"Uh…" the blond scratched the back of his head lightly "Send him to the 'smiths? Since he was going on and about getting the Buster Sword all rusty and dull. Say, where is it anyway?"
"Cellar"
"His idea?" he grinned slightly as she nodded and he embraced her getnly, his fingers resting on her stomach, face hidden in brown tresses "… say Teef… When I'm away.. maybe…"
"I'm going to go to the Church later on… I want to meet her" she smiled softly, feeling the embrace tighten into a heartfelt hug. And feeling how a whispered thank you brushed against her shoulder "You should get going. I pulled your warm jacket out, it's by the door"
"Thanks Teef" he grabbed his parcel "I'll see you in a couple of days then"
"Bye Cloud"
And with the soft thud of the door he was out.
The fresh, crispy air outside indicated it will be cold today. He grinned.
He was SO not freezing his ass off today!
***
"Big Sister!"
Aerith was pulled out from her dream world when an extra weight was suddenly added to her bed, her green eyes out of focus and her vision slightly blurred with the remains of her sleep.
"Marlene…" she yawned slightly, shifting so the girl could get some more room "Good morning!"
She watched the girl make herself comfortable, looking absolutely adorable in a short pale blue nightgown, her hair already nearly braided. Obviously she was up for some time already, as she seemed as cheery as the sun that fell through the windows.
"Why are you up so early?"
"Couldn't sleep with Aunt Elmyra making sweet buns!" Marlene giggled.
True, there was this marvelous smell coming from the kitchen. From the noises downstairs, she could make out that Denzel was there too. Her stomach made a small noise as she inhaled the sweet scent and the little girl let out another giggle, adjusting in her place.
The sun already filled her room with a warm glow.
"Aunt Elmyra was s'posed to walk us back today, you know? Before lunch, because it's today and today Tifa makes those yummy tarts for lunch….?" Marlene played with the rim of her gown "And they delicious, you know?"
"Aaand…?" Aerith smiled lightly, propping her head one her hand.
"And I was wondering… " the girl grinned lightly, a small pink hue appearing on her cheeks "Well.. you're here and … "
"You'd like me to walk you back?"
"I mean, Tifa would be so surprised and happy!" Marlene bounced in one place "So will you??"
"Alright… I'd like to see Tifa myself"
Aerith was rewarded with a brilliant smile and the child jumped down to the floor happily.
"Come then!" and she was gone.
The Cetra sighed softly and gently fell down onto the pillows again. She enjoyed the few moments of peace, and the feel of the soft cushions under her head. Gods, after months of living in the Lifestream, sleeping seemed an absolute bliss.
With a quick look around her room, her smile widened. It was just like she remembered it… It was all soft pillows and fuzzy blankets, pastel and pink, and oh how she missed it.
She grinned as she heard her mother's voice coming from downstairs, calling for her to get up and ready for breakfast.
This was going to be a great day, she thought as her feet met the fluffy carpet. Great day indeed.
***
The bathroom was filled with steam and the fresh smell of soap, the large mirror fogged, drops of water starting to form on its smooth surface. Tifa stood in front of it, one wet palm wiping the steam away to gaze at her flushed reflection. Her skin tingled from the harsh scrub she used, long tresses sticking to her bare back. No longer did she feel the dust and dirt from finishing her inventory….
Her morning was an eventful one. Maybe not as much as yesterday, but still. Tifa was very amused by the way the two men, who now lived under her roof, differed. Cloud would be up like a shot, he didn't even really need to set his alarm clock. He was ready in a blink of an eye, and quiet and cooperative. Taking a quick shower and then he would join her in the kitchen. He would try to steal a snack from her every once in a while, but other than that he just took his food and was on his way.
Zack on the other hand…
She thought about the newest addition to her household, shaking her head in silent amusement.
Waking Zack up was harder than getting your average scholar up on a regular weekday. She went up there 4 times. He finally got up after she took his covers AND his pillow AND threw him out of the bed. It was the first time she almost burned her coking, waiting for him to come out from the shower. And oh gods, getting him out of the bar after that? Almost a hopeless case!
A soft chuckle found its way out from her mouth as she got dressed.
It was so amusing, how different those two were. Keeping Cloud in the bar for too long seemed close to impossible, but actually forcing Zack OUT broke the records.
He would probably stay with them. His home was half-world away, and Edge was where people he knew lived. Not that he knew many… Till Cloud was away, Zack could sleep in his bed, she reasoned. They would have to get another one though and put it in the delivery man's room. They would feel pretty crammed, two grown up men in a small room but they would have to live through it. The children had the biggest one, and moving them was out of the question. And she'd be damned if she were to give up her own…
She noticed Zack's clothes, placed in a neat pile on a dryer. The blood stains were gone, the purple fabric regained its vibrant hue. The beater was soft in her hands, and she actually felt how worn out it was. Her fingers brushed against the bullet holes, the outer corner of her eyes slightly softening. She would have to take care of those later on. All they needed were some stitches and minor repairs, and maybe after closing the bar she could do that. Zack wasn't all that happy and comfortable with wearing Cloud's clothes, which were rather skin-tight on his bigger frame.
She chuckled softly remembering as he squeezed his head through the dark blue wife beater, pouting heavily due to the process. His hair a mess, black strands sticking in every direction.
Tifa sighed lightly as she slipped on her shirt, the material brushing against her scarred chest. The kids should be back soon, and she would have to make lunch so it would be fresh and ready when they come.
Her lips stretched in a smile, merlot eyes gaining a new glow as she heard the door open downstairs and the quick tapping of little feet on the wooden floors. Speak of the devil… She brushed a few damp strands and made her way downstairs, eager to greet the two children in her care.
A sweet, sweet scent that was disturbingly familiar hit her nose and she hesitated slightly. Next thing she knew, was Marlene filling her vision with a wide grin and sparkling eyes, small arms wrapping around her middle. Denzel was right behind her, literally brimming with cheer as he too gave the older woman a tight hug.
Tifa felt her heart swell as she picked the girl up, hugging her rightly. Marlene smelled of freshly cut flowers and freshly baked buns.
"We got you something" the girl placed a sloppy big kiss on her guardians cheek, before slipping out of the warm arms and going upstairs , Denzel following her every step. The two youngsters were giggling and throwing each other glances.
Long tresses danced slightly as slowly she took hesitant steps, the wooden stairs slightly creaking under her weight. Strange… she never thought that with each step she would feel like air was gradually sucked out of her lungs. The sweet smell was getting stronger, not nauseous, but making her feel weak and her knees shook.
She took one last step and entered the bar.
Only to be greeted with a soft glow in green eyes and a charming smile.
There was something between a choked sob and a laugh that escaped Tifa's throat, as her next steps were as far from hesitant as they could ever be. A chestnut hued lock tickled her nose as she felt the warmth radiating from the slightly smaller body, her arms wrapped around the pink frame, slender ones around her neck.
She was here. Here, right next to her.
Warm, soft and cute and pink.
"Hey you…" Tifa breathed out after a longer while, feeling her cheeks ache from the wide grin.
"So how did you know?" Denzel asked upstairs, bouncing slightly on his bed.
Marlene looked up at him, from her sitting place on the floor.
"Know what?" she blinked in that adorable way of hers that worked miracles with her father.
"That Tifa wouldn't mind"
"Oh oh… Tifa and Big Sister were friends! She helped us all, brought you and brought Cloud back then…" she moved some toys from her way and looked under her bed.
Then she pushed her sleeves up and started crawling under it, causing Denzel to sit still and raise both brows up.
"What are you doing?"
"Looking for Spooks" her tiny voice was a bit muffled.
Denzel's curiosity rose and he climbed down from his bed, joining her on the floor.
"Spooks?" he was already with her under the wooden bed of hers.
"Lini told me about them the other day" a speck of dust landed on Marlene's nose and she sneezed "Spooks live under the beds and make you feel afraid in the night"
Downstairs Aerith stretched her legs, sitting in one comfortable chair at the dining table, enjoying the family like atmosphere that filled the kitchen. The sun fell through the windows, warming up the air inside.
"Tifa…"
"Hm?
"You… didn't look as surprised… when you saw me out there…"
The brunette nodded slightly, her lips slightly pouting.
"As surprised as what?"
"Well…" Aerith pondered about it for a moment, recalling the look on her friend's face as she came down those stairs "Hopeful I'd say…."
"I got Zack living upstairs" she laughed lightly and the older girl joined in.
"You now I'm not even surprised by that? It's just so like him to find the best place to live in!"
"Well I can't just kick him out you know…"
"I would" Aerith admitted honestly "He's like a child..."
"Well, I already have two on my head, I think I can manage a third! He is rather big though..."
The Cetra ginned, easily amused by the response.
"Say… were you wandering around old Midgar yesterday … ?" Tifa threw her a look over one shoulder, pulling out the ingredients for the kids lunch.
"Yes" green eyes blinked with slight surprise, slender fingers wrapped gently around a cup of steaming tea.
"Cloud saw you on his way back" she couldn't help but chuckle at the memory.
The events of yesterday were so hectic and bizarre, she actually found them amusing.
"What so funny?" the flower girl smiled lightly.
"You should have seen us" her laugh gained strength "Gods, I was freaking out here the whole evening, trying to figure out how to say Zack is upstairs. And he just comes in, with this really strange face and just blurts out he saw you and that he really isn't going through any depressive moments!"
"Sounds like him alright " Aerith grinned "How did you react to that?"
"Poured us some more Wutaian win, what else!"
The flower girl listened to her laugh with glee. She missed her friends terribly, and while it was possible for her to communicate with Cloud, Tifa was a different story. She locked everything deep down inside of her and rarely let her emotions slip at all.
Most of all, Tifa was a constant, that much Aerith knew. She may have paled a little since the last time the Cetra saw her, her hair was shorter, and maybe she loose a little weight as her collarbones were visible even through her shirt. But she was still here, always urging people to go forward, always giving them a helping hand or a solid push, depending on the situation. Always there for people to fall back onto something solid.
"I have to thank you" she said suddenly, walking up to the brunette, taking one hand into both of hers.
Crimson eyes wide as Tifa looked at their hands. Her calloused one against soft, gentle palms.
"I can't even begin to think of anything YOU might want to thank me for" she blinked finally "You brought Denzel here… brought Cloud back to us…"
Aerith shook her head, the braid dancing behind her back.
"I could never take care of them"
With some amusement she saw Tifa blush, and mutter something under her nose.
"I'll have to go back now."
Tifa nodded slightly with understanding. Of course Elmyra would love to spend as much time with her adoptive daughter right now.
"Cloud will be back in a couple of days " she said as she opened the door to the porch, slightly shivering as they stepped out into the cold "You might want to come for dinner then"
"I will., thank you!" Aerith jumped off to the solid ground lightly, turning to her friend with a contagious smile "I'm going to sell my flowers again. I'll need a new cart for them "
"I'll ring Cid to make you one"
"And thank you again!" she laughed lightly "Say hi to Zack from me!"
And with a small wave she turned around and literally started skipping back to her own home. Tifa sighed lightly, leaning onto the door frame, a soft smile playing on her lips as she watched the figure clad in pink retreat happily.
Well at least she didn't have to go to the Church…
A sudden loud rumble came from upstairs, braking her blissful moment where she cherished the miracle that had had happened. Her brows knitted as the sound really resembled chairs falling down.
What on earth where does up to today??
"I told you there weren't any Spooks there!"
Maybe she didn't want to know.
Author's Note:
Kudos for kiddie logic! I mean seriously, Marlene's six, and while she is rather mature, she is still a kid and I firmly belvie that with everything going alright she acts like a true 6 year old.
Well this chapter is heavily influenced with the whole Chistmas spirit, being all homey and family-love and everything...
Hope you guys had a nice holidays!