Although Cloud's mother is present in flashbacks in Final Fantasy VII, "family" does not become a major theme in Cloud's story until after the Jenova War. When detailing the tragedy of Nibelheim to AVALANCHE, Cloud -- an only child -- describes his mother as a "vibrant woman", and the only mention of his father is an acknowledgement of his existence at one point ("My father... died when I was still very young"). Although troubled, any problems in Cloud's childhood seemed to come from outside the Strife household despite his single-parent upbringing. His mother was a widow, but she loved him. The only time we see mother and son interact is during Cloud's flashback of Nibelheim when he visits her. She is full of questions and concerns, all of which she voices affectionately. Is he well? Is he taking care of himself? Did he find a nice girl?
Cloud's reaction to his mother's questions could be perceived as aloof. He lies sprawled across his bed while his mother works and chatters around him. Although one could claim this to be proof that Cloud held as little affection for his mother as he did for the rest of Nibelheim, it's important to remember that this scene is only visited when Cloud is retelling his version of Nibelheim's events. Cloud's version is distorted by his need to be the stereotypical hero--the tough guy who has never tasted defeat and is respected by all. Cloud the War Hero isn't one to show affection towards anyone. That and the relationship just isn't important to the overall story and thus didn't warrant much screen time. Cloud's past with Tifa plays a much bigger role than that with his mother, not necessarily because of some animosity between the two, just because that wasn't the story Square went out to tell.
Making his own
Likewise, Tifa is the one who ultimately introduces "family" as an integral theme to Cloud's story. As he steps out on his own for the first time, the narrative of On The Way To A Smile -- written from Tifa's perspective -- pointedly compares his actions to those of a child. Having spent his childhood on the outside looking in, his teen years in a giant glowing tube, and his early adulthood, well, saving the world, this is the first time Cloud has had the opportunity to just be normal. It is a totally new experience for him, just as it is for most children when they first venture from their mothers' side.
Soon after Cloud moves in with Tifa after the Meteor crisis, they are immediately confronted with more than the usual new couple's woes (almost-end of the world notwithstanding). In addition to having to rebuild their own lives, they suddenly find themselves the caregivers for Barret's daughter Marlene. For her part, the maternal role is one Tifa fully embraces, but Cloud continues to be compared to a child himself.
Cloud finally feels comfortable in the family after he unceremoniously adopts Denzel. Cloud starts taking fewer jobs for more consistent hours, making time to sit with both Denzel and Marlene while he plans out delivery roots and organizes jobs. He answers all of their questions about the world he travels, and when they have trouble reading the names in his files, he helps without hesitation and immediately hands them a pen to write the word down themselves; they won't remember it if they can't spell it, he says. In doing so, Cloud helps Denzel and Marlene become more self-sufficient while simultaneously making himself available as a source of support. With this decision, Cloud's portrayal in the narrative makes a notable shift. As Tifa notes, one could easily mistaken the trio sitting around the table as a young father and his two children.
Early in the film when the office phone begins to ring, a framed photograph can be seen nearby. The figures in the picture are distinguishable as Tifa kneeling down between Marlene and Denzel with Cloud standing off to the side. The image perfectly captures the relationship between these four people; yes, Cloud is physically distant, unsure of how to express himself, but he's there, and the picture is there. The fact that this photo is kept on his desk says more about the relationship than he could express in words. He cares about these people -- the friend who has always been there for him and the children who, let's face it, are really cute -- and he's comfortable in their company.
Cloud's state of being "there" becomes another measure for which his progress is measured. His eventual, unannounced absence is what threatens to tear the family apart, and his return is what brings it back together. When his story is finally closed, the only reassurance he needs to give Denzel is "I'm here"; likewise, the deceptively simple admission that "I'm home" is all the re-assurance the audience needs to know Cloud will be okay after the credits roll.
Fear of Failing
The Geostigma scar threatens to destroy everything Cloud built and loves. As Cloud is visited by thoughts of people he failed to protect in the past -- Zack and Aeris -- he falls to his fear of failing the people he loves in the present. Thus he concludes that the only way to protect his family is to cut himself off from them while he dies.
Cloud: I'm not fit to help anyone. Not my family, not my friends, nobody.
However, as an exasperated Tifa points out during their confrontation in the film, although he has removed himself from their lives, his cell phone is still on and he gets their messages even if he doesn't reply to them. Despite what he tells himself, he's not ready to let go of that family he left behind, whether it be Tifa, the two children, or the rest of AVALANCHE. It takes lectures from Tifa, Aeris, and even Marlene to get the point across, and by the final battle, he is able to finally identify the force that drives him: the people he loves.
Cloud and Sephiroth's showdown brings Cloud stance on family into focus. Save for his aforementioned confession of not being "fit to help anyone", the relationship between Cloud, Tifa, Marlene and Denzel had been explored largely from Tifa's point of view as she desperately tries to create a family from the broken pieces she's been given. Naturally, many viewers were rightfully skeptical of Cloud's commitment to her ideal, and the comparisons to a child suggested that Cloud himself was only just figuring out where he belongs. However, when asked by the ex-general to consider what is important to him, six distinct images flash before his eyes. He sees Aeris and Zack, each smiling during their last moments of peace; he then sees the smiling faces of Tifa, Marlene, and Denzel, before finally seeing all three standing together in their family photo. This flash of images -- however brief -- shows that Cloud has come to see them as a unit; not only are these individuals precious to him, but the group -- the family -- they form is important to him as well. Even if he wasn't fully aware of it during his struggle to come to terms with his past, now it is clear that he loves his family, and he will fight for them.
After the credits roll, we see another photo has been framed beside the original portrait; it is a group picture of all of AVALANCHE gathered in front of the 7th Heaven. In the center stand Tifa, Cloud, Denzel, and Marlene, all four smiling. Cloud has found his place; he knows what's important, and he plans to live by that standard.
