"Do you, Cloud, take Lightning to be your wife?" the vicar asked.

"I do." he replied.

"Do you, Lightning, take Cloud to be your husband?" the vicar asked.

"I do." she nodded.

"And so, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." the vicar announced.


TWO MONTHS LATER...

"Cloud." Lightning began.

"Hmm?" her husband blinked.

"I'm pregnant." she announced.

Cloud fell silent.

"Are you alright?" Lightning asked, sounding afraid.

He smiled. The news had just sunk in. "Of course I am!" he replied, embracing her. "I'm going to be a dad!" he exclaimed.

"I know." Lightning beamed.

"You've made me the happiest man in the world." he smiled.


NINE MONTHS LATER...

"Come on, Light! Just one more push!" Cloud exclaimed.

"I AM pushing!!" she screamed, her voice filled with pain. They then heard a shrill cry.

"It's a girl." the midwife announced. The baby girl was handed to her overjoyed parents.

"Hello, Serena. I'm your mommy." Lightning beamed happily.

"And I'm your daddy." Cloud added. He kissed his exhausted wife on the cheek. Finally, he'd found true happiness. But he had no idea of how long that happiness would last.


ONE YEAR LATER...

Lightning was getting ready. The land was involved in a war, and she'd been called up to arms, which meant Cloud would need to stay at home, looking after Serena, and hoping that she'd be returning home alive.

"Why do you have to go? What about Serena?!" Cloud demanded, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"I'm sorry Cloud, but I have no choice." Lightning sighed. They embraced tightly.

"Just...promise me that you'll be safe." he whispered.

"I promise." she nodded. She gently kissed her daughter, and then kissed her husband. Then she opened the door and was gone.


SEVERAL MONTHS LATER...

Cloud was playing with Serena when there was a knock at the door. He opened it to see an officer at the door.

"Are you Mr Strife?" he began.

"Yes I am. Is there something wrong?" Cloud replied.

"I'm afraid so." he nodded.

"Come in, Officer." Cloud replied.

The officer sat down. "I'm afraid I have some terrible news." he announced.

"What is it?" Cloud asked.

"Your wife was killed in battle." the officer sighed.

Cloud felt the colour drain from his face. "Y-You're kidding, right? She can't be dead!" he exclaimed.

"I'm sorry. The medics did all they could to save her." the officer replied.

Cloud sat on the couch. He felt as though his heart was breaking into pieces.

At her funeral, Cloud stood to speak. His voice trembling, he began his speech: "Lightning was a wonderful mother, friend and sister. But to me, she was my soul mate. I've never loved anyone as much as I loved Lightning, and she'll always be in our hearts. I miss you my angel, and I long for the day that we'll see each other again."