Dudley The Delightful Duck
I'm getting them ready for bed, and they still haven't let it go. Sure, they've been helping me out, they're doing everything they can for Tifa. However, for me?
"Hey, dad...you gonna kiss mommy good night?" Marlene teases.
I lead them towards their bedroom, "Yeah, say that in front of your father and we'll see what he says."
She grins, "Oh, he wouldn't get mad at me, just you."
"Really?"
"Of course! He can't get mad at me, plus, he'd just think you'd stole me away."
I grimace slightly, she's probably right about Barret thinking that.
"Let's just get you in to bed."
I tuck them in, Marlene first and Denzel. I give Marlene a kiss on the cheek, and I ruffle Denzel's hair.
"Hey, wait!" Marlene calls out.
"Where's our story?"
"...story?"
"You have to read us a story!" Marlene calls out, Denzel nodding knowingly.
"...ok...which one?"
Marlene reaches down, pulling a book from beneath her bed. She holds it out to me.
"Dudley the delightful duck..." I state.
"Oh not that one! It's boring!" Denzel shouts.
"Then it'll help you fall asleep faster." Marlene states.
"Hmmph." Denzel crosses his arm.
"Come on, Cloud! Read it!"
She's way to excited about something with a delightful duck. If anyone saw me reading this...well...judging by this book cover, Barret's probably read this many more times than I. Still...
"What a delightful day, Dudley says." I state, monotone.
I can't believe I'm doing this.
Marlene scoff's.
"He's not even doing voices!" Marlene says, tossing her hands in the air.
"That's not how mom-
It's now I hear my cell phone ringing. I sigh, saved. I've left it down in the bar.
"I'll be back."
Well, saved for the moment.
After a long call trying to debate when I could deliver again, I head back upstairs. Hopefully, Denzel and Marlene are asleep by now. I hear voices though.
"And that's how he saved the day, his friends, and his home. The end."
It's Tifa's voice. She's up? She's still sick!
I rush towards the door, but stop just outside of it. Tifa's putting up a book, and it's not Dudley the Delightful Duck. She walks back over, giving a Marlene a kiss on the forehead, and Denzel as well. They're yawning, and rolling over, already half asleep. I step back as Tifa comes out and shuts the door lightly behind her.
She's wearing baggy pajama bottoms and a blanket from my bed is wrapped around her. However, what catches my eye is that she's wearing one of my t-shirts. It's sleeves nearly reach her elbows, and the shirt ends at about mid-thigh.
She looks so cute.
"What're you doing up?" I ask, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
"It was just a bedtime story, Cloud...and don't worry, I'm not contagious, so I won't get the children sick."
"But you weren't doing Dudley.."
"I know, that one's reserved for Barret." Tifa states as I lead her into my room.
She lays down, and I can tell she's been worn out just by doing that little.
"Besides," She says as she flops down, "I figured you could use a break from the two...they can be a handful, especially when you don't do anything the right way."
I blush, but I see a teasing smile play her lips as she snuggles down beneath the blankets. I turn to leave.
"Where are ya going?" she asks.
"I still have some things to clean up." I state.
I can tell she doesn't want me to go. I know Tifa hates being in bed, and she hates being helpless, but even more than that, she hates being alone. I sigh slightly, I don't really mind. I walk over, laying down on the bed. She throws the covers over me, and slides over to my chest. I marvel a moment at how well she fits me as she snuggles her head into my shoulder, falling asleep as she does so.
"Good night Teef." I whisper, kissing her softly on the forehead.
She smiles in her sleep.
A/N: heh...dudley...hehe...just a continuation of Tifa's sickness...I have to say, I've never read Dudley the Delightful Duck, and I doubt it's even been written...if it has, then, well...oh well...I couldn't think of any childhood stories of mine, so I made one up...enjoy! thanks for all the awesome reviews!