Distance Chap. 3

Tifa's POV

That morning, I got up very early and took a quick shower to start fresh the day.
As usual, I went to the children's room to wake them up and then headed to the kitchen to make some breakfast.
After the breakfast, I put the dishes in the sink and went upstairs to help the children to get ready for school. Denzel was old enough to prepare himself for school, so I helped Marlene instead.  
After I said goodbye to the children, I headed back inside to start to do the housework.
It was a lovely day in Seventh Heaven and for some reason I was in a very good mood, so I took the day off and went to make a few errands before opening the bar.

Cloud's POV

It was almost time to open the bar, so I speeded up on Fenrir to get there on time.  I was so eager to see their faces when they realized that I was back. I specially wanted to surprise Tifa, but I knew I had to be cautious, so I stopped a few blocks away and pushed Fenrir all the way to the bar.

When I finally arrived, I headed to the bar's entrance and stopped when I saw the "CLOSED" sign on the door.

That's odd. Tifa always opens the bar after 8 am.

Anyway, I took my house keys and entered the front door. Everything in the bar was shimmering, as if nothing or no one had been here.

I put the keys on the counter and headed to the kitchen to look for Tifa. When I saw that she wasn't there, I turned around and went upstairs to see if she was in her room; but she wasn't there either.  

I already knew the children weren't going to be there since it was a school day, so I assumed they'd be back by noon.

But, where's Tifa?

I looked into her room to see if there was some sort of hint of where she might be.
I tried to call her on the phone, but then I remembered I would ruin the surprise.  

I really thought my return would be a bit livelier than this, but apparently I would have to wait a little longer to see them again; so I lay in her bed for a while to rest from the long journey.

Sigh.

If only I had my celphone.

Tifa's POV

I lost track of time and spent the whole morning doing my errands. It's been a while since the last time I went to shopping and it felt so good to give myself a little bit of time.
I bought some new clothes along with other stuff that might go with the outfits. I also bought a new cook book to add some new recipes to the menu. It felt so good to change the routine a bit.

After I came out of the store, I remembered about Cloud's phone. So, I grabbed my stuff and went to a small kiosk to look for a new phone. Luckily the phone I was looking for was still on sale, so I took the opportunity and bought it with the rest of my savings.

It was almost time for me to go back. I don't know why I felt so anxious to get home. Maybe it was because I wanted to try the new things I bought or perhaps I was excited to try the new recipes from the book I've just got.

Whatever it was, I needed to go back.

When I finally arrived, I took my house keys to open the front door, but then I saw that it was already open. That's weird, because I swear I closed it before I left. At first I thought someone broke in, but when I entered the bar and saw everything in place, I sighed in relief. Maybe I did leave the door open.

Anyway, I took the shopping bags and went upstairs to try on the new clothes I'd bought. I wanted to look nice when Cloud gets back so I took Yuffie's advice and brought with me some of the things she said it would make him go crazy.

When I entered my room, my heart stopped. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

Cloud was lying in my bed, sleeping. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. So beautiful that I even thought it wasn't real. I rubbed my eyes in attempt to clear my sight but the image of him in my bed was still there.

Is this... for real?

My heart skipped a beat when I saw him stir and I felt so relieved that this wasn't one of my fantasies.
Carefully, I approached the bed and put the bags on the floor. I sat on the edge of the bed to admire his beautiful figure for a moment. His breathing was so contagious. I've never seen him so calm before.

He's here… he really is here.

I didn't want to wake him up, but my hands were aching to touch him, so I ran my hand in his blonde spikes just to make sure he was real.  

Cloud's POV

I felt a hand stroking my hair gently. I tried to open my eyes but the way those fingers were caressing me were so relaxing that I had trouble waking up from my sleep.
When I finally opened my eyes, I saw her. The face of an angel. My angel.
She looked at me tenderly and smiled warmly. I love that smile of hers. It can make my heart melt in just a second. I should wake up like this every morning.  

"Hey." she whispered softly.

My eyes were still locked on hers and the only thing that could come from my mouth was...

"Hey..."

"When did you came back?"

I blinked twice before I sat up and then I realized that I've been asleep for almost an hour.

"I'm not sure..." I said incredulously and she let out a soft chuckle.

"I thought you said you'd be here in two days?"

"Well, I guess I got off from the job a bit earlier."

"That's great." She smiled.

That smile... is going to be the end of me.

"So, where were you?" I asked curious.

"I took the day off and went to do some shopping."

"How did it go?"

"It went well." She narrowed her eyes and smiled. "Oh! I almost forgot."

She bent down and took something from a bag.

"Here."

She handed me a box.

"What's this?"

"Open it."

I grabbed the box and saw that it was a new cell phone. I couldn't help the smirk when I realized that it was the same model as my other cell phone.

"I saw that cell phone in one of the stores and I took the liberty to buy it. I just hope you don't break this one too."

I let out a chuckle.

"Thanks." I smirked.

"You're welcome." She smiled tenderly.

Our eyes met for a moment and for some reason I couldn't break away from her gaze. It was like I was in some sort of spell that wouldn't let me take my eyes off of her.  She brought her hand to grab my cheek and then began to caress it with her thumb. I closed my eyes when I felt her tender touch. Her hands were so warm that I just couldn't help feeling numb.  

"You must be very tired." She whispered softly.

No.

"Only a little."

"Do you want me to get you something?"

Just you.

"No, that's okay."

"Well then, I'll leave you now so you can get some rest." She stood up from the bed and pressed a soft kiss on my forehead. The contact with her lips took me by surprise and I couldn't help the blush. Then, she headed for the door and turned around. "I'll be downstairs if you need me."

I need you now.

"Okay."

"Oh and Cloud...?" She turned around one last time.

"Yeah?"

"Welcome home." She smiled.

That smile again.

I nodded. "It's good to be back." I also smiled.

And with that, she left the room.

I don't know for how long I stared at the door when she left, but I bet I looked like an idiot. I touched my forehead, right where she planted the kiss and then brought my hand to my mouth to taste the kiss.

I wanted more.


Tifa's POV

As soon as I stepped out of his room, my heart began to slow down its beating. For a moment I thought I was gonna die when I saw him stare at me like that. His eyes were so full of longing that I just can't describe it and I could swear I saw a little bit of glow in his eyes.

How is he capable to make a mess out of me with just one glance?

I sighed deeply and composed myself before returning to the kitchen. I wanted to be with him so badly but I knew I had to let him sleep. He was exhausted from the long trip and it was natural that he would want to get some rest.
I placed the rest of the bags on the counter and grabbed the cook book. I wanted to make something special for him so I decided to make him something from the book.
While I was there trying to figure out which dish I should make for him, I heard a noise coming from the stairs. I turned around and saw that it was Cloud. Once again my heart started pounding faster and I tried to keep everything in place and act normal.

"Hey there sleepy head." I teased him a bit. "Did you sleep well?"

He didn't say anything. He just stood there looking at me with those blue eyes again. I felt my cheeks burned red when I saw him stare like that and I quickly turned my head away to avoid his gaze. I grabbed the first thing I had nearby and tried to come up with something to break the awkward silence.

"So... Hey, look!" I lift the book "I bought a new cook book to try some new recipes."

Cloud said nothing in response and began to approach me.

"Uh..." I gulped. "H...How about if I cook you something from the book, huh?" I said nervously.

Cloud was getting closer and I was beginning to sweat. I turned around and opened the book quickly to look for something clever to say.

"Oh look! Here's a dish that you might..."

And before I could finish the sentence, Cloud wrapped his arms around me.
I was petrified. I couldn't move a muscle and the only thing I could hear was the sound of my own heart beating fast. I stayed like that for a moment until I recovered from the shock.  
Cloud moved his head to the side and put his chin on my shoulder. I couldn't help the blush when I felt him rubbed his lips on my shoulder.

"C-Cloud... What are you...?"

"I've missed you, Teef." He whispered softly into my ear.

I felt a tingling all over my back when I heard his husky voice. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

Did he really miss me?

It was so overwhelmed to know that he also missed me. I felt like crying. All those lonely nights thinking about him and wishing he was here, were finally over.
I closed my eyes for a moment to enjoy his touch. I put the book down and turned around into his embrace to hug him as well.

"I've missed you too." I said softly while I buried my face into his chest.

Cloud's POV

It felt so good to have her in my arms. I didn't want to let her go. I wanted to stay like that all day, so I tighten the hug and she buried her face in my neck. I felt her tears wet my collar bone and I wanted to kill myself for making her cry. She deserves better than this.

"I'm sorry I made you wait so long for this." I whispered in her ear.

She let out a chuckle and then looked at me with tears in her eyes.

"That's okay, Cloud." She said smiling. "I will always wait for you." She cupped my cheek in her hand and stroke it with her thumb.

I can't believe that after all the damage I've caused her; she still welcomes me with open arms.

What did I do to deserve such love from her?
I wanted to tell her everything. I need her to know that she is the reason I never gave up, the reason I keep trying, the reason why I wake up every morning just to see her smile, the reason why I keep fighting and the reason I work so hard to be the man she deserves.
She is my reason to live and I'll never leave her again. Ever.

I need to tell her. I need to tell her that I love her.

"Tifa... I uh..." My tongue was betraying me again.

I have to tell her at all costs. She deserves to know.

"Teef, I want... No, I need you to know that I..."

She put her finger in my mouth to silence me. At first I thought she wouldn't listen, but then she smiled at me and pressed her lips against mine. The contact was brief but its effect was enough to make my heart race. Then she looked into my eyes and whispered the words I've been meaning to tell her for so long.

"I know, Cloud." She whispered in my lips. "I love you too."

My heart stopped for a moment and I could hardly breathe.

She loves me.   

The last thing I remember is that I took her in my arms and pressed her mouth hard. I was so overwhelmed to finally realize that she also felt the same way and I couldn't stop kissing her. I wanted her. I needed her. I love her.
After a moment, our lips parted for a moment for breath. She was intoxicating and I wanted to eat her lips. And just when I was about to kiss her again, a familiar voice brought us back to reality.

"Cloud?"

I turned my head and they there were. The faces of my two little guardians.

"Hey there kids."

Their faces lit up when they saw me there and without hesitation, they threw their things and ran towards me to greet me with a hug. I bent down to support my weight on one knee and welcome them with open arms. The two were very happy to see me and their joy filled my heart.

"We missed you!" Both said simultaneously.

"I know. I've missed you guys too." I tighten the hug.

Tifa smiled at the tender moment and she also joined the hug. We stayed together like that for a while, but for some reason it felt as if time had frozen that moment.

This was definitely the welcome I was expecting. Now for the first time, I can finally say...

"...I'm home."


The End