How Much Is Enough?

I was home late again that night. I'd been out on another long trip, gone for about a week. I hate those trips. I hate being away from Tifa and the children for so long, but they bring in good money, and that always helps.

I haven't been this tired in a long time. I think it's time for another day off.

I frown as I enter, Tifa's no where in sight. Sure, I don't like her waiting up and falling asleep on the couch, it's not good for her, but still...she's normally here. I shrug, she probably went to bed early. I check on the children first, they're both peacefully sleeping.

I go and take a shower, washing the gas fumes, dirt, and a collection of unknown stains off of me.

My mouth twitches as I heat up my supper, I'm glad to have Tifa's cooking back. I had received a few meals from the people I delivered to. They paled in comparison to even Tifa's packed meals, which were days old and slightly smushed. After scarfing down my supper, I head upstairs, full and clean, ready for bed. I pause at Tifa's door, though. I should check on her.

Opening it slightly, I peak in.

She's not there.

Oh...oh no...

I rush to my room.

Not there.

My heart is thumping wildly in my chest, and my eyes dart around, searching for any sign of her. I rush back to her room, and it's then I notice the open window. Walking swiftly to the window, I lean out. I notice the drain pipe on the left, and looking up, I see the corner of some fabric hanging from the roof. I swing out gently, getting my footing, using the pipe to climb up. I sigh in relief.

She's spread a blanket out on the roof, and fallen asleep looking at the stars. I pull myself up, gazing at her. She's beautiful.

She's rolled onto her side in her sleep, and I slide softly across the roof, brushing her hair back from her face. I watch her.

I can tell she's dreaming, her eyes darting back and forth behind her eyelids. I frown slightly, watching as her fists twitch, her leg jerks, and she digs her fingernails into her palms. A tear escapes her sleeping eyes, and I feel awful. She's having a night mare.

I roll her over and pull her into my arms, she doesn't wake. She seems to calm in my arms, her fists unclenching, her eyes resting now. She snuggles her nose into my chest and breathes out a word.

"Cloud."

It's so soft I doubt I really even heard it for a second. She gives a content sigh, sinking deeper into sleep. It's in this moment I recall the kiss we shared the morning after Valentine's Day.

I'd been so shocked that I hadn't even considered what I felt. It was just enough to kiss her. Never mind the fact that my lips burned for the rest of the day, the edges of them tingling every now and then. Never mind the fact that my heart beat jumped, skipped, and stopped all at the same time it seemed. Never mind the warmth that spread through my chest, lighting fire to my senses and bringing me into a new kind of comfort. Every single minuscule sound I heard, and at the same time, I didn't hear. I was lost in her lips, there was only her and I, and yet, I knew everything that was happening around me. I could hear the faucet drip, I could hear the cars go by outside, children laughing, a dog barking, and yet, I had no real perception of them. In my mind, even though I knew they were there, they did not truly exist. Only myself, and one other thing existed. The most important person in my life existed with me. In that single, solitary moment, it was enough.

Sure, it's enough right now, I think to myself as I lean over, kissing her temple, then her ear, her cheek, and finally her neck. She breathes into my shoulder, burying herself deeper in my arms. I feel my cheeks flush, heat spreading across my body.

Yes, this is enough for right now, just to hold her as she sleeps, to make the nightmares evanesce for the time being, to protect her as she dreams.

I know I'll always be happy doing these things, that these small gestures can bring me happiness. I'll never take them for granted, nor will I ever take her for granted again.

I guess the thing I'm trying to get at, is how much longer until this stops being enough? How much longer till I'll have to have more? Till I'll need more?

This now, this won't be satisfactory soon. I'll need more...I know that, I'll have to have more, until it's enough. And yet, the biggest question has to be answered, let alone asked.

How much will I need?

And how much is enough?

A/N: And Cloud contemplates...kinda deep for mr. chocobo head, eh? Ah well, I've been so busy these past couple days...sorry! But I'm very pleased with this chapter, me loves it! Anyways, thanks for all the reviews, and a mariage proposal...haha! I'm sad to see a reviewer go for the time being, but I know they'll be back when they can. Anyways, trying to write, promise, and as always, posting as soon as I can!