Chapter 18: Steam

February 29, 0008

The next morning, Cloud awoke alone. He showered, dressed, and went downstairs to find Tifa sitting in front of her laptop.

"What's the news?" he asked.

"I'm up in the polls," she began. "But we're tied again. I'd kind of like a boost before the first debate."

"When's the first debate?" Cloud asked.

"March 4," Tifa replied. "Four days from now. Enough time to pull it off."

"Pull what off?" he inquired.

"We need to go to the battleground cities," Tifa replied.

"You mean Xing and Wutai?" he figured aloud.

"You got it," she answered. "They're still undecided. Whoever wins them both over has the election."

March 1, 0008

The next day, Tifa began her tour of the Western Peninsula, starting with Xing. She made speeches, handed out flyers, and met with individuals and leaders. She also prayed at the Ancestor's Shrine.

She wore a traditional Xing dress, which seemed to have mixed responses. Some people praised it for respecting their culture; others dismissed it as a simple image-polishing exercise.

Tobin and I actually came along to support them. We handed out flyers, took pictures, and went around explaining why Tifa was the better candidate.

Mainly, it was because Jack Balen was a racist, and was quite hostile to anyone from the Western Continent.

Anyway, we all did what we could. We would have to wait until the next day to see whether there was any budge in the polls.

THAT NIGHT…

Tifa led Cloud into their hotel suite in Xing at seven that night. Her day as a candidate had ended; Now she wanted to be with her childhood friend and husband. She had their dinner in a bag; they had stopped for takeout at a traditional restaurant on the way.

"Well," she began, "we're here. Now it's time to play the waiting game."

"Always the hardest part," Cloud said.

"Would you mind checking the fridge?" she requested. "There might be beer in there."

Cloud walked to the fridge and checked it; there was no beer.

"Sorry," he said. "There isn't any."

"Bummer," Tifa said as she joined him in the kitchen, her heels clacking the floor as she walked.

They sat down at the table and had their dinner. It was a quiet and peaceful suite, with a kitchen, dining area, bedroom, and another door that Cloud didn't know where it led to.

When they finished eating, Tifa cleared the table and marched the plates over to the sink, her heels again clacking the floor.

"Don't you want to take those things off?" Cloud asked.

"I kind of need to get used to heels!" Tifa laughed. "If I pull this thing off, I'll be wearing them a lot more!"

Tifa began to wash the dishes. She then washed her hands.

She looked back at Cloud and smiled at him.

Then, without warning, she lifted up the back flap of her dress, revealing her bare butt to Cloud.

"Did you forget something?" Cloud playfully asked.

"I took off my panties while you were checking the fridge!" Tifa laughed, still holding the flap up. "Why else would I ask you to check for beer when I'm below the drinking age?"

Cloud realized she had a point; he should have seen that distraction coming.

Laughing, Tifa walked over to Cloud, kissed him, and lifted him to his feet.

"Let me show you something," she said as she signaled for him to follow her. "It's not my ass again, I promise."

"I wouldn't mind seeing your ass again," he admitted.

Tifa lifted up the back flap of her dress again as she led him to the remaining door in the suite. She opened it, reveal a peaceful room that had wooden bleachers, and had a humid atmosphere.

It was a sauna; the suite had come with it.

"I thought we could unwind in here," Tifa said, with a seductive smile on her face.

With that, she raised her right knee, allowing Cloud to catch it, thus half-straddling him, while keeping her left foot on the ground. She pressed her lips, and her tongue, against his, igniting the fire of passion between the two.

"Undress me," she commanded as she finally kicked off her heels.

"Tifa," Cloud whispered.

"Undress me," she repeated. "You deserve it."

Cloud undressed her, though he somewhat fumbled, as he never had removed a traditional Xing dress before.

Tifa undressed Cloud as well. She then gently smiled at him.

"I really love you," she said.

"I really love you," he responded.

She took him by the hand and led him into the sauna. She sat on the wooden floor.

"Lie down," she commanded.

"Lie down?" he asked.

Tifa nodded.

"I want to hold you," she said.

Cloud lay down with his head in Tifa's lap, facing upward.

No, nothing sexual was happening; she simply smiled lovingly and stroked his hair, stopping occasionally to bend down and kiss him. She was feeling so much love for Cloud that she simply wanted to hold him. Guys, seriously, if your girlfriend or wife wants to hold you, let her; it means you're lucky enough to have someone who really loves you. I hold Tobin from time to time.

"Do you know what tomorrow is?" Tifa asked.

"March 2," Cloud replied. "Our one month anniversary.

Tifa smiled and kissed him again.

"It seems like forever," she said. "But I want every month to seem that way."

She glanced at the wedding band on her ring finger, and began to laugh.

"We actually did it!" she laughed happily. "I'm still taking that in!"

"Me, too," Cloud admitted. "I just wonder where we go from here. After the election, I mean."

Tifa silently looked up at the ceiling for a moment. Unknown to Cloud, she placed her free hand on her bare midriff.

"What's on your mind?" he asked.

"If we do win this thing," she replied, "there's a possibility we might have kids while I'm in office."

"Yes," Cloud replied. "I've considered that."

Tifa felt relieved that they were in the same page with that.

"Listen," he continued, "it won't interfere with your presidency. I'll put my career on hold."

Tifa's eyes widened. That was not something she was expecting.

"You're willing to be a househusband for me?" she asked with emotion in her voice.

"It's the most reasonable thing to do," he admitted. "The president's salary is probably pretty high."

Tifa kissed him again; she was amazed at the sacrifice he was willing to make for her.

She continued to hold her husband for a few more minutes, lovingly kissing him and stroking his hair and shoulders.

Then, Cloud displayed a restless look on his face.

Tifa knew exactly what that face meant.

"You want to have sex, don't you?" she teased.

"Umm…" was all he could say, as he was somewhat embarrassed, thinking he had ruined the moment.

"Don't lie to your wife," she commanded.

"It wasn't the plan," Cloud replied. "But if it happens, it happens."

Tifa smiled, stood up, and pushed Cloud onto his back again.

"Well," she announced with a smile, "it's happening!"

Afterward, they were sitting upright next to each other.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Tifa clapped his hand in hers, and smiled at him.

"Thank you for this," she said.

"For what?" Cloud asked.

"I definitely wasn't wrong to propose to you!" she said before kissing him again. "Thank you for marrying me."

I know, she said that a lot.

But, looking at what they had been through, it was definitely something to be grateful for.

MEANWHILE….

Our suite, next to Cloud and Tifa's, was identical to theirs. We also stopped and got traditional Xing food for takeout.

But there our nights' resemblance ended.

As both Tobin and I were old enough to drink, we brought champagne. Unlike Cloud and Tifa, we went straight to the sauna. We relieved ourselves of our clothes and had dinner in the nude, feeding each other with chopsticks.

After we made love, I was sitting next to Tobin when something crossed my mind.

"I think I know what might make Tifa jump in the polls," tipsy me blurted out.

Tobin looked at me funny.

"Yes," I continued, "we're sitting here, butt naked like Adam and Eve, and I'm thinking about your cousin again. But it just popped in there."

"Go ahead," Tobin sighed.

I could tell he was annoyed; I was really hoping I hadn't spoiled the night.

"A hot photo of her," I replied. "Fully clothed, but still hot."

"Why a hot photo?" he asked skeptically

"Sex appeal," I replied. "Most men find your cousin quite attractive."

Maybe it was the champagne talking, but it seemed reasonable to me.

"And what will my cousin say?" Tobin asked honestly.

"If I wasn't married to you," I replied, "she'd likely punch me in the face."

We said nothing more about Tifa after that for the night. We spent the rest of our time in the sauna sitting next to each other, holding hands and making small talk. Then, we ran out of heat, which I didn't know could happen.

I stood up and stretched, and I could feel goosebumps on my arms and legs. I placed my hand on my butt; sure enough, there were goosebumps there, too. I realized it was time to go.

As soon we left the sauna, I felt the room temperature again, and I began to shiver. I ran for the bed and got under the covers. Once Tobin joined me, we held each other close.

It's funny how easily we could solve a problem together.