Disclaimer: I don't own the rights or the people. Just the thoughts in my head.

So I was watching Advent Children last night and I had goosebumps through out the whole movie. It was awesome! The only problem was it was too short! I needed more! I didn't sleep, things wouldn't stop slamming into my head. Now...I must write or my nose will start bleeding or something o.O Ska-chan.

Chapter One

The door slammed shut. I smile at the fading footsteps of Marlene and Denzel as they make their way back toward the school. There's no threat now. Nothing to worry about. I know Denzel won't pass out from pain today. Marlene won't come home crying. Every thing's normal now. We can get on with our lives. I sighed. Some lives huh? Behind a clean bar the facade fades into a family barely holding on. The children don't know what goes on behind closed doors. They don't know Cloud still says her name in his sleep. Will it ever change? Will he ever say my name instead of hers? Will he ever look forward or will his life always be on rewind? Shaking my head, I looked around for the eighty millionth time. Some life.

The phone rings and I don't even pick up. I just think the same thing I always do. He isn't here anymore and that's not him now. But the phone kept ringing. I put down the glass I was drying. This is ridiculous. I'm ridiculous. I stepped into the back office, pulling the phone from papers strewn across the desk. "Strife deliveries, this is Tifa." I sound cheery enough, writing down an order, dying a little more on the inside. Why do I always get my hopes up? "All right. Have a good morning." I hang up, letting out a breath. It really is back to normal. The family Cloud and I started falls apart more and more every day. I thought after Sephoroth he'd change. Be the Cloud I knew so long ago. But after that day, after so many children were healed, he just stayed there. Cloud didn't come home that night. Or the next. Marlene and Denzel ask about him. I lie and say he's on a delivery. I don't want them to think he doesn't care. They need him in their lives. "You're the only father they've got," I whisper. My fingers brush the picture on the desk. It's the four of us. We're happy. Or at least the children are. That's what really matters right? Cloud and I may never be what I dream about but so long as the kids grow up right, I should be happy.

The bell on the front door rings. I peek my head out. It's Yuffie. She's all smiles so I smile back. "So how's our favorite barkeep today?" she asked as she walks up to the counter. Shrugging, I went out to meet her, give her whatever she came for. Her slender finger comes up as she sits on a stool. I give her the mug I was already filling and she looks at me. "Guess...you haven't seen him in a while, huh?" I only shook my head. "Yeah, you don't look too happy." She reaches across the counter to poke me. A grin breaks out on my face as I try to dodge her ninja fingers. You could say I lost. "Don't worry about Cloud. When he's ready to come home I'm sure he will. If not, we hunt him down and take care of him!"

I rolled my eyes. "RightYuffie. We'll track down the elusive Cloud Strife together and let him have it."

Her brown eyes disappear behind the bottom of her mug for a second. Slamming down the empty mug she winks. "That's only if I'm still around. So let's hope he gets his act together soon." I smile and nod before gesturing to the mug. Yuffie waves her hand. "I gotta go. Just wanted to see how you were." She gets up, dropping her gil on the counter. "Keep the change. I might steal it later." I smile and wave but she's already walking away. This is my life now. Small talk with the people I used to know best. People who knew me better than myself. Never would have guessed.

Returning to the back, I set the beds in the kids' room and moved on to mine. The wind blows hair in my eyes as I smooth my blankets. I didn't remember opening the window. Shrugging it off, I prop the pillow up and sit on my bed, facing Cloud's. I can feel my face twitch as I think about him. It's funny but I can't seem to sleep any more without his lullibye of Aerith's name. Hugging my pillow, I run my memories through all the nights I've spent in that bed. Breathing in his smell, wishing he were mine. Wishing he was home. I fell asleep like that again. Holding my pillow tight, a solitary tear drying on my cheek or soaking into my pillow. I hate waiting.

The kids woke me up. You can tell they were trying to be quiet but after two years of tiny voices, your ears hone in on the noise. Marlene giggled in their room, Denzel told her 'Shh! Tifa'll wake up." I blink, thinking, A little late guys. "Do you think she'll be happy?" he whispers.

"What are you two up to?" I call out. Marlene giggles again. Little feet scamper across hard wood and the bell on the door rings again. Shaking my head I get up. I smoothed my hair down, going up to the front. I stopped in the door way. Cloud turned from the window to smile at me, the children already playing outside with thier friends. He came behind the counter, his blue eyes were warmer than usual, saying "Hi."

"Hi."

"We woke you up?" I smile and shrug. He nods, moving closer to me. "How have you been?" I shrug and look away. I don't want him here. I don't want him so close to me, looking so warm and right. He puts a gloved hand on my arm, covering the the red ribbon tied there. It's the closest we'll probably ever be to being a real family. It means we're there for each other, we'll take care of each other and protect our family. I touch his and smile sadly. "Tifa.."

"We got a call for a delivery this morning," I cut in. I'm almost afraid of what might come out of his mouth. "It's not far, outskirt of town. Needs to be picked up tomarrow." I go past him, into the office to hand him the slip of paper. He takes it, studies it, puts it in a pocket. I tried not to look at him, staring at the filtered sunlight, dim yellow from the curtains.

"Tifa," he says again. I know I'm stronger than I felt right then. I guess it's just after you've dealt with loving some one who doesn't know if they love you year after year after year, it starts chipping away at you. Maybe this last like chip pulled off more than it should. His hand returns to the thin ribbon on my arm. I can't hide the shudder. "I had to find what I was looking for before I could do this. When I made our promise, I was still restless and I needed answers. What happened a few days ago let me see the answers were right infront of my eyes. I'm home now." I broke down in tears.

Chapter One complete. I have to go watch Advent children again now. Excuse me. Oh! Please review! I always appreciate it! Ska-chan.