Once every child with the stigma was completely healed, Cloud finally walked over to his friends. Maleena still held her "fathers" hand. Barrett joked with his "daughter" about the battle that had just been fought. Denzel stood with Maleena laughing at the jokes. Sid tried to get Vincent to smile, but all he got was an exasperated stare. Yuffie was laughing at his defiance. And Tifa…Tifa looked directly at Cloud and cried. She cried every tear worth crying, until finally Cloud grasped her in what might just be the longest, most passionate hug every recorded. Then, and only then did her tears cease flow. The chatty group around them backed off ever so slowly. Cloud swore he heard Aeris say,
"Love her Cloud, just like you once loved me. Don't dilly-dally…not again."
That was when Cloud let go of Tifa.
Don't dill-dally…not again. Well, I'm not going to this time. I am not risking everything by not risking anything.
Tifa still held onto Cloud. She wasn't letting go. She wasn't letting him get away from her. She didn't have to worry. Cloud slowly wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her lightly on the lips. She closed her eyes, and let him kiss her, over and over. She laughed as he picked her up and spun her around.
"I'm sorry," he whispered
"I'm so sorry."
In response, Tifa grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the water. Into the water they both went. Tifa felt the tears come on again, but not of pain or sadness. No, this was the greatest feeling. The feeling of love. She closed her eyes and wrapped her hands around his neck as she felt his lips touch hers once again.
"I love you," he whispered. "I've always loved you. I always will."
Cloud felt a pang of sadness as he again reflected on Aeris' words. Thinking to himself,
Don't worry. Nothing will happen. I think…I think I am going to be fine. We all are.
Then, whispering so lightly, no one with human ears could hear, he said,
"Thank you, Aeris."
He felt her hand brush his, and she said,
"Good luck."
Cloud pulled Tifa towards him, and said,
"Come on. Lets go."
Tifa jerked herself away and put on a ridiculously fake angry face and replied,
"No. Not until you swear you aren't going to disappear again. And you have to answer your phone…"
Cloud tuned her out after awhile. When he finally heard her stop talking he said,
"Not a problem. I swear."
With that they kissed once more, and made their way home, there new life finally beginning.
And then…well we'll svae that fro Chapter Two