First of all, I am so sorry that I haven't updated in so long. Make-up is a super long chapter! But it's a bit rough due to college starting and lack of time. Sigh. Ohmigosh, college. Freaking math XP But I have returned and will finish this story!

Yours truly, Adolis

Happy Birthday All Around

As April neared its end, Cloud was getting slightly anxious. He had no idea what he was going to get Tifa for her birthday. He'd already decided that he would get her an actual engagement ring, but he felt like he would be cheating if that's all he did. I mean, we're technically already engaged. It wouldn't be much of a surprise. He wished he could bake. Then he could at least make Tifa something not out of a box. He wracked his brain for something that she would like, but wouldn't cost too much, because he'd chosen a really nice ring for her. Figures the one that caught his eye would be fancy. Dinner? Maybe he could ask someone to help him make a dinner? Tifa would appreciate the thought, even if it wasn't quite 3 star quality food.

Cloud nodded to himself and started wracking his brain again, but this time for someone who knew how to cook and would help him.

At that moment, Tifa came out of the bathroom in one of Cloud's big T-shirts and some of her shorts. Cloud loved it when she wore his clothes. He watched her cross the hallway and greeted her when she crawled under the covers.

She smiled at him, "Hey. You gonna shower? You smell."

Cloud scoffed, "I do not," nevertheless, he got out of bed and pulled his shirt over his head. Tifa hummed. He looked over at her, "There a problem, dearest?"

"Nope." Tifa smiled warmly at him.

Cloud smiled and flexed before grabbing some pyjama pants and boxers and going to the bathroom.

When he returned, Tifa turned over and looked at him, "Hello."

"Hey." Cloud crawled into bed and pulled Tifa to him. She curled into his chest and neck and exhaled through her nose in a small sigh. He pulled her face up and kissed her deeply. Tifa laid her arm over Cloud and ran her fingers through his hair. She broke the kiss and leaned her forehead against Cloud's cheek.

"I love you," she whispered. She felt Cloud's chest rise and his face warm. She smiled. When she was in the shower, it had dawned on her that she had never actually told Cloud that she loved him. It felt nice to let him know.

"I love you, too," Cloud said quietly as he wrapped his arm around Tifa and held her close. He yawned.

Tifa nodded, light as a feather, "Goodnight."

As the week progressed, Cloud started making himself scarce. According to him, he had recently gotten an onslaught of deliveries and it was keeping him incredibly busy. The bad thing about birthdays is that the one marking another year can never be truly surprised. It's a shame, really. Everyone always becomes so forgetful near a friend's birthday. Tifa didn't mind, though. She tended to the few patrons at her bar at the odd not-breakfast-but-not-lunch hour.

The day Barret got back in town, Cloud drove to meet him so he could tell him about his plan. Barret had cooked occasionally back when Sephiroth was a large and the meals, while not as heaven sent as Tifa's, were pretty good.

Cloud banged on the door, "Barret. I need to ask you something."

The door remained firmly shut for the next few minutes. Cloud scowled and crossed his arms. He waited a few more seconds before banging on the door a second time, "Barret."

There was a loud crash from inside and a moment later, a grumpy, dripping Barret opened the door holding his head with one hand a towel around his waist with the other. "WHAT?"

"…You go ahead and change first."

"Gee, how kind o' ya." Barret walked back into his room, but left the front door open. Cloud walked in and shut the door behind him before going and sitting on the sofa and watching T.V. until Barret finished getting dressed. The man in question emerged a minute later clad his usual tank top and cargo pants. He plopped in the armchair next to Cloud and turned to the commercial on playing. "So what'chu want?"

"I need help doing something for Tifa's birthday. Would you be willing?"

"Depends on what'chu need help with." Barret raised an eyebrow, "I ain't doin' no heavy liftin'."

Cloud laughed quietly and shook his head, "No, I need you to help me cook dinner."

Barret stared at the blond, "Da hell, Cloud?"

Cloud shrugged, "I already got her a nice gift, so I didn't want to do anything that was too expensive."

"Ain't the gift enough?"

"Normally yes, but…it's complicated." Cloud gave his signature 'don't bother asking why' shrug.

Barret narrowed his eyes at Cloud, "So why's you comin' and askin' me to help your spikey ass cook? Seems like sumthin' Tifa would enjoy doin' wit' you."

"Because ah don't want her to cook her own birthday dinner. I thought that was obvious?"

"Hmph, so the next best cook is me? I thought chu said you'd had better dog food," Barret sneered.

Cloud rolled his eyes, "I was givin' you a hard time, idiot. Just help meh cook the stewpid dinner." He pursed his lips. Crap.

"Meh? Yuh need meh duh help lil' ol' yew make dinn'r? What was it? Stew pig?" Barret drawled and snickered.

Cloud glared at Barret, "Me, stupid."

"Nibelheim."

"Coreyle."

"So," Barret leaned back against the chair, "When do you want me to take Marl and Denz?"

Cloud shrugged and carefully kept his accent under control, "Anytime's fine, I suppose. It's not like we won't be able to visit each other. Is there anything you need from their room? You have enough beds and stuff?"

Barret nodded. He started somewhat sheepishly, "I've, uh, already started makin' up their rooms a bit. Wanna see?"

Cloud smirked. Barret was the mother hen if Tifa wasn't. "Sure." He got up and followed Barret down the hall to the bedrooms and bathroom. Barret pointed at two doors standing next to each other, "The one on the right is Marlene's. Left is Denzel's." He opened the door on the left and walked in. Cloud followed and looked around at the boy's room.

It was fairly small. A twin bed with dark blue and green covers sat in the back left corner, away from the light streaming in from the window on the back right hand side. Obviously being part of a set with the bed, two sets of drawers and a bedside table decorated the room. A double sliding door on the right side hung ajar showing the closet with a big bin inside, presumably for dirty clothes, and a second bin in the corner of the room was meant for storage of some kind. A small set of wooden swords hung on the wall. A metal rod about Denzel's size was propped against the wall next to the swords. Cloud looked over the room and could easily see Denzel liking it.

"It's nice. You're not half bad at decorating." Cloud smirked at the older man.

"Shuddup. Lemme show you Marlene's room."

Cloud followed Barret out into the hall and into Marlene's room. Cloud blinked. "That's a lot of pink." The room was about the same size as Denzel's, but laid out opposite. The window was in the back left corner and the closet was on the left side and further back on the wall. The twin sized canopy bed was light baby pink with dark pink and white embellishments. The white curled poles hovering over the bed supported light pink cotton cloth, and a sheer fabric of the same color hung down in the corners. Cloud looked at the wire support underneath the cloth and noticed that the sheer fabric could close around the bed like a veil. He looked back at the light pink and white dresser and vanity set. The furniture was set up much like Denzel's, with the most obvious difference being color.

"Do you think she'll like it?" Barret asked nervously.

Cloud looked back over at the doting father and laughed quietly, "You're gonna spoil that girl."

Barret smiled, "Perfect!" he walked over to the bed and lifted the bedskirt, revealing more bins for storage. He pulled a small one from under the frame and held it out to Cloud, "Made it myself. Made the beds and furniture, too."

"Really? Huh." Cloud took the box and opened it. Inside were two nicely worked metal picture frames (one pink, the other green) housing a group photo of everyone when they had gotten together after Kadaj and his gang had been defeated. Cloud and Tifa stood in the middle, Cloud staring boredly at the camera and Tifa smiling with her hands clasped behind her back. Nanaki sat in front and to the right of Cloud while Barret loomed behind the hero and waved his metal hand happily. Yuffie was pulling Vincent by the arm closer to the center of the picture on Tifa's side and Cid was yelling angrily at her for knocking into him. Reeve stood close to where Vincent used to be, broad smile covering his face. A Cait doll stood in front of Reeve and waved. In front of the large group stood Marlene and Denzel, proudly grinning at the camera and leaning back into Cloud and Tifa. Marlene had one arm raised in a wave and was holding Denzel's hand in her other. The boy was smiling happily with his weight on one hip and his free hand in his pocket, apparently having no problem with holding the younger girl's hand.

Cloud was startled awake when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He hurriedly shut off the alarm so that the noise wouldn't wake Tifa and looked over at her. If she was awake, she didn't show it. Cloud quietly got out of bed and went downstairs to make breakfast. He whipped together some scrambled eggs and turned the stove on, remembering this time to put some olive oil in the pan to keep the eggs from sticking. He put a second pan on the stove and put some sausage in it and let it cook for a bit before pouring the eggs into the first pan. When that was about done, Cloud heard someone come downstairs. He glanced over his shoulder, "Hey, Marlene. Denzel. Morning."

Marlene waved sleepily and rubbed her eyes, "Morniiing…"

Denzel raised his eye at Cloud and smirked, "You're whipped."

Cloud blinked, "Excuse me?"

"This is for Tifa?"

"Yeah?"

Denzel snapped his hand in a whipping motion, "W-TCH!"

Cloud rolled his eyes, "I can't do something nice for her birthday without being 'whipped'?"

Marlene knocked Denzel's arm, "I think it's sweet. Is that just for Tifa, or for everyone? Because that looks like a lot for one person."

"It's for everyone. Except maybe Denzel."

"Hey!"

Cloud finished the eggs and sausage and turned the heat off. He got some breakfast onto two plates and left the rest for Marlene and Denzel to divide amongst themselves. Shelke might be coming by later, so Cloud had made a little more than Tifa usually did when she cooked eggs.

When Cloud got upstairs, Tifa was stretching. She flopped back onto her pillow and rolled over onto her side until she smelled food. She turned over onto her other side and looked at Cloud. "Morning…" she yawned.

Cloud gave a small smile and walked over. Tifa smiled. She sat up and Cloud set the plate in her lap before sitting next to her and giving her a kiss. "Happy Birthday."

"Thank you. I certainly didn't expect you to cook me breakfast."

Cloud shrugged, "It's no big deal."

Tifa laughed, "I suppose not, but it still makes me feel nice," she started eating, "It's really good! Who taught you?"

He suppressed a laugh, "Glad to see you have so much confidence in my cooking ability."

"Well, it's not exactly a secret that you're not the best chef around, Cloud."

Cloud shrugged again and started eating.

At around 11, Marlene and Denzel took Tifa out to have fun. Cloud stayed behind and called Barret over so they could start cooking dinner. They were making pig stew. Barret thought it would be funny, but Cloud wasn't incredibly impressed. At least it would taste good.

Cloud chopped onion and set it to the side for when Barret told him to put it in. He wiped his eyes and sniffed, then coughed on the smell and wiped his eyes again with an irritated groan before getting started on some carrots.

Barret checked the simmering broth before getting back to his pork. He had explained to Cloud that he had to cook the pork a bit before putting it in the pot, or it wouldn't cook right. He took the handfuls of chopped onion and tossed it into the broth before checking the pork once more and removing it from the heat. He slapped it down next to Cloud and started on some other task that the blond couldn't handle. Cloud set the carrot aside and dutifully started cutting the pork into chunks like Barret had told him to do a few days ago.

Cloud felt guilty that he couldn't help very much. He was glad that Barret cared about Tifa, though. Well. For the moment, at least.

Tifa followed Marlene and Denzel to a park and set them loose to play before finding an empty bench and sitting down to watch. She smiled at all of the playing children before leaning back against her bench. She wondered how Zell was doing. How old would he be now? The boy had been about 6 months old when she gave him to Edea…Tifa frowned. Zell was over a year old now, and she never even tried to call. She coughed and cleared the tightness in her throat before pulling out her cell phone and stared at it. She couldn't remember Edea's phone number. She called Reeve, but wasn't answered. Tifa sighed and wracked her brain for that number. When it didn't come to her, she looked through her call log to see if Edea was in there, by luck. Tifa smiled, relieved when she found Edea's number at the bottom of the too-full log. She punched in the number and waited. And waited. The phone went to voicemail and Tifa's chest fell.

We're sorry. The number you have dialed is not available at this time. Please leave a voice message at the tone.

Tifa waited a few moments for the tone and wondered what she would say.

Beep

"Um, hi, Edea. This is Tifa, Zell's mo-. The one who dropped him off. I was just wondering how he was doing. Is he doing well? He doesn't give you trouble, does he? Does he eat well? Um. I'm sorry. It would really mean a lot to me if you would call me back…if you got the chance at all. Again, this is Tifa Lockhart asking about Zell Taber…thank you." Tifa hung up and sighed. Of course Edea couldn't answer the phone. Who knows how many kids she has to juggle…

Tifa shook her head and hopped to her feet. She needed to move. She'd been sitting still too long. She trotted over to a different part of the park until she got a better view of Marlene and Denzel. She smiled. Those two were always together lately. Tifa thought it was cute how they had little crushes on each other.

After being at the park for a while, Marlene insisted that she and Denzel take Tifa shopping, much to Denzel's disappointment. The boy went along with it quietly though, for the sake of Tifa's birthday. Some time and a couple stores later, the trio decided to head home and see how Cloud was doing.

Cloud stirred the pot once more and let Barret check it before replacing the lid and prepping the bread. Sure, it had been bought from the store half-baked, but it would still taste good.

Tifa walked in with Marlene and Denzel and set a few bags on the sofa.

"Papa!" Marlene ran over to Barret and gave him a hug.

"Hey, baby girl! Are you havin' fun today?"

Marlene nodded enthusiastically, "Yeah! We went to the park, and we went to my favorite store, and it's always fun playing with Denzel and Tifa!"

"Good! You wanna help me cook the stew?"

Marlene nodded and Barret lifted her up so she could stir the pot while Denzel craned his neck to see into it.

Tifa walked over to Cloud and gave him a hug and kiss, "Well, this is a pleasant surprise." She smiled.

Cloud adjusted his "Mr. Good-Lookin' is Cookin'" apron and wiped his hands. Tifa rolled her eyes. "Very subtle."

"What do you mean?" the blond asked innocently.

"Hey! Wouldju two quit flirtin' so Spike'll get back to work?" Barret scolded.

Tifa looked over at Barret and laughed at his camo "Kiss the Cook" apron.

"Sorry, Barret. Let's take these upstairs, kids."

Denzel trotted over with Marlene close behind him. They grabbed their things and went upstairs.

When Tifa and the kids came downstairs, Cid and Shera were sitting at the kitchen table and Cloud and Barret looked like they had just been surprised.

Cid waved, "Yo! How's the birthday girl doin'?"

"Cid! Shera!" Tifa jogged over and gave the newlywed newcomers hugs, "Are you going to be spending the night here?"

Shera shook her head, "We thought it would be rude to barge in and demand a place to sleep, so we booked a hotel before we came."

Tifa nodded, "Ah, I see."

Shera reached into her bag and took out a wrapped box and handed it to Tifa, "Happy Birthday!"

"Aw, thanks! Should I open it now or later?"

Cid huffed and smirked, "You really think we'll give a shit? Open it whenever the hell you feel like it! Ya got any tea in the fridge?"

Tifa nodded and moved to get the tea, but Cloud beat her to it. "You go ahead and sit," he said, "I'll take care of stuff like this today."

Tifa rolled her eyes, "Thank you, sweetheart." She ruffled his hair and took the glasses of tea he offered and sat back at the table.

Cid took his glass and drank some before making a face. "Ya got any sugar?"

Tifa raised an eyebrow, "It's sweet tea, Cid."

"Not where I come from, Teef."

Shera sipped at the tea and placed the drink down, not looking like she hated or loved it. Tifa rolled her eyes and smiled before getting sugar while Cloud's back was turned. She placed the bowl on the table and Cid put in 5 spoonfuls before stirring it in with his spoon. Shera also put in a lot of sugar, but her 3 scoops were a bit more discrete.

Everyone hung out and chatted for a few hours while the finished stew simmered. Cloud got the bread out of the oven and looked out the kitchen door to the Seventh Heaven's bar area (The restaurant had been closed for the day), "Bread's done, Barret. We good to eat?"

Barret traded spots with Cloud and Cloud sat next to Tifa. Barret hollered out from the kitchen a moment later, "T'sall ready! Come and eat!"

The front door opened and Reeve stepped in, "I hear the food's done? I've gotta say I have excellent timing!" he laughed.

Barret poked his head and shoulder out of the kitchen, "Yeah, well yous at the back o' the line."

"Very well. Is that pork?"

Barret smiled tauntingly, "Yup. Spike suggested it."

Cloud rolled his eyes.

Once everyone sat down and had been eating for a bit, Marlene asked when they were doing presents. Cloud shrugged and looked at Tifa, who also shrugged.

"Well, can Tifa open her presents right after dinner?" the 9-year-old asked.

Tifa swallowed and nodded, "Sure, sweetie. We can open presents after dinner."

Marlene looked over and grinned at Denzel.

After dinner, Marlene handed Tifa a present from the small pile on the sofa. "Open this one first! It's from me and Denzel."

Tifa smiled and opened the box. "Oh, thank you!" She picked up a small bottle of bath salts and looked at the rest of the fancy bath things Marlene and Denzel had picked out. Lying on top of the arrangement was a handmade birthday card from the pair. Tifa opened a nice set of cups from Barret, who explained that he had no idea what to get and just went with what he thought was pretty. Next was a nice pair of reins for Goldie from Cid and Shera. Halfway through Barret asking Cloud why he hadn't gotten anything for Tifa, Tifa's phone rang.

She answered, "Hell-"

"What the hell, Tifa?! No one told me it was your birthday! Are you trying to get rid of me or something?!" Yuffie shrieked in outrage.

Tifa laughed and rolled her eyes, "You know you could have written the date down somewhere."

"Wha-! Bu-! Oh come on, Tifa! Why didn't you call me?"

"Well we were going to get together in a couple days, so I didn't think it was that big a deal. You're coming on the 5th, right?"

"Well, duh. I'm not about to miss some of your food. All I've had since I got back home is a big dish-out of punishments for running off again! Never mind that I saved the world while being gone! Yeah, but I'm all packed up and rearing to go! That being said, I could have gotten down there yesterday if someone would have called."

Tifa laughed, "Alright, Yuffie. I'm sorry I didn't let you know my birthday was so soon."

"You should be! Oh, gotta go Teefie. My dear old geezer beckons. WHAT, DAD?"

Yuffie hung up and Tifa closed her phone, "So sorry about that."

"Nah. Just imagine how much trouble you'd be in if you hadn't answered," Cid leaned back against his chair.

Barret looked back over at Cloud. "Now, as I was sayin'. This dinner better'd not be your present for Tifa, Spike."

Cloud shrugged, "I got her a little something else. I don't see why it's your problem."

Reeve scoffed, "Maybe a big something."

"In a small package." Cid added.

Barret gave everyone weird looks, "Da hell you getting' at?"

Marlene giggled. Barret glanced at the girl before looking at Tifa for an explanation.

Tifa was looking at Cloud curiously, already half-knowing what he had gotten her.

Cloud shrugged again and gave a small smile in Tifa's direction, stalling for a time. Everyone here with the exception of Barret knew that he and Tifa were engaged, but…it was scary. Barret was going to be scary. Cloud took Tifa's hand and stood away from the jumble of chairs before getting the ring box out of his pocket and dropping to one knee. Tifa covered her mouth and giggled.

Cloud blinked, "Want to make it official?"

Tifa laughed and nodded, hand still over mouth. Marlene cheered from the table. Cloud stood back up and put the engagement ring on Tifa's finger. They snuck glances at Barret from their peripherals. Cloud stuck one of his clammy hands in his pocket and led Tifa back to sit with the other. She rubbed his knuckles gently.

"Well, well…ain't this a suhprise." Barret started once Cloud and Tifa sat back down.

"Oh, please don't get all protective, Papa. You know that they love each other." Marlene shook Barret's arm lightly. Cloud and Tifa shifted a bit uncomfortably. This is why Cloud didn't really want to do this in front of his friends.

Denzel added, "And I don't think it's really that big of a surprise, right?"

Barret looked around at the table with a confused look on his face. "I ain't mad. Spikes finally startin' ta do things proper!" he shot a warning look at Cloud, "But don'tchu screw it up or I'll rip you in two."

Cloud shrugged. "I knew there was a catch."

Everyone hung out a little while longer before starting to dissipate. Eventually Barret was the last one to go. When Barret started giving hints that he was about ready to leave, Marlene jumped into the conversation. "Hey, Papa?"

"Yeah, sweetheart?"

"Well, when you left last time, you said that the next time you came back me and Denzel would come live with you."

Barret smiled before putting on a confused look and scratching his stubbly chin. "I did?"

"Papaaa!"

"Aw, you know I's just kiddin'! I've got rooms ready for you and Denz if you wanna pack up an overnight bag. That alright wit' you two?" the question was directed at Cloud and Tifa.

Tifa smiled warmly, "I didn't know you had rooms ready for them, Barret. That's so sweet of you. Sure you can have them spend the night!"

Cloud nodded, "I don't see a problem."

Marlene and Denzel shot grins at each other before darting up the stairs to their room. Barret turned his gaze sharply to Cloud and Tifa.

"Don'tchu two be getting into no funny business. Ya ain't married yet!"

Cloud rolled his eyes. "There go my plans for the evening. Damn."

Tifa knocked Cloud on the shoulder. He bumped back into her when he swayed back into place and knocked her off balance. He continued to lean heavily against his fiancé.

"Cloud." Tifa leaned back against him to keep from falling over for a second before taking a step back and letting him stumble. Barret chuckled.

Marlene and Denzel ran back down the stairs, each with a bag full of clothes.

Tifa looked over at them, "Toothbrush and toothpaste?"

They went back upstairs and came down a minute later, "Yup."

"Pyjamas?"

"Yup."

"Shoes and socks?"

Denzel went upstairs while Marlene informed of her choice of sandals tomorrow. Denzel came back downstairs and put a pair of socks in his bag.

"Underwear?"

"Yup."

"Denzel, do you have your deodorant?"

"Oh. Hold on." Denzel went and got his deodorant from his and Marlene's room. Tifa blinked when the boy came back downstairs. He was 13. Barret said he had rooms for him and Marlene? Denzel was getting too old to share a room with Marlene anymore.

"Denzel, come here." Tifa motioned him over.

Denzel cocked his head to the side and walked over. "What?"

Tifa stood straight and put her hand on the top of Denzel's head. She kept her hand level and moved it to her shoulder, "Oh my gosh," she laughed, "When did you get so big?"

"Tifaaa! You sound like my mom!" Denzel half groaned-half laughed before pushing Tifa's hand away.

"Well I can't help it! I just realized that you're big! Cloud, look at him!" Tifa gushed.

Cloud smirked, "I see him."

Denzel grinned and ducked out of Tifa's reach. He grabbed his bag. "You've been seeing me every day, Tifa. Why am I such a surprise?"

Tifa laughed, "Because I've seen you every day. You've never grown so much overnight that I noticed it in the morning." She sighed, "Well, I've held you three up enough. If you both have everything you need, then you're good to go."

Barret smiled, "I'll make sure to take good care o' the tykes." He ruffled Denzel's hair and scooped Marlene into a one-armed hug.

Denzel struggled to escape from Barret and grunted, "Didn't we just go over that I've gotten a lot bigger?"

"Alright, big guy." Barret smirked as he released Denzel and Marlene, "Let's go. I got something tuh show you two. Comin', cutie?" Barret looked at Marlene before opening the door.

Marlene grabbed her bag and chased after Barret and Denzel, "Bye, Tifa! Bye, Cloud!"

"Bye, Marlene! Bye, Denzel! You make sure you behave for Barret, okay?" Tifa called after the retreating trio. Cloud waved.

When the door closed, Cloud dropped his arm around Tifa and gave her a kiss. His phone buzzed and he read the message.

No funny buisness.

Tifa laughed bemusedly when she saw the message. Cloud closed his phone and put it back in his pocket. He wrapped his arms around Tifa and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"So…" he started.

"What?"

"Did you like your birthday present?"

"I love it. Thank you so much, Cloud. I hope you didn't spend too much on me, though," Tifa crossed her arms and gave her fiancée a curious look. It's too bad its impolite to ask the price of things, even when the reasoning is pure.

"You're worth way more than a piece of metal, a rock, and some time," Cloud answered simply.

"Aw, I didn't know you could say cheesy stuff like that."

"Hmph."

I forgot about Shelke -.- I will go through this someday and add her in or give her an excuse for not being here. I am sorry. Thanks for reading! Only one more chapter until the wedding, guys! :D