Everyone looked in wonder and shock. No one reacted. Not even when they spoke to each other.
"Vanille? Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." Hope went pale.
"I guess we woke up again huh?"
Vanille smiled, "I guess so. I heard something though, didn't you?"
Fang smirked, "Yeah, it was his voice." She pointed to Hope. "What's the matter guys? Afraid you've seen a ghost?" Everyone lit up and ran towards the duo. Snow hugged Fang, as did Sazh and Vanille grabbed him for a hug. Lightning hugged them too, and properly introduced them to Serah, who then hugged them both and thanked them for everything they did. Hope stood still; motionless. HE had no idea how to react. Vanille looked at Fang and everyone else. They nodded in approval. She smiled brightly and charged towards Hope. She grabbed him and hugged him tightly.
"It… it was you! You called out to me! You told me you loved me! I love you too Hope!"
He quickly realized that this wasn't a dream. Vanille was really here, holding him. In true Snow fashion, Hope let out a big laugh and sweeped her off her feet and swung her around. "You're here! You're here!" He laughed and smiled. Lightning was overjoyed, she hadn't seen Hope like this in such a long time. Even Yun was excited. Hope set Vanille on her feet, she giggled,
"Wow, look at you! You've changed so much! You almost remind me of Snow!"
He looked into her eyes and held her chin, "I've missed you…" He pulled closer for a kiss. It was his first kiss. That may sound pathetic for a nineteen year old, but he never wanted to kiss another girl if it wasn't Vanille. She gripped on to him tightly and he lifted her off her feet a bit, again. Snow wooted and hollered, Sazh looked away, Fang, Serah and Lightning smiled and the kids giggled. The lovers broke their embrace, Vanille locked her fingers with Hope's and dragged him back to the group. They were all together again, life was perfect.
For the second night in a row, a party was held in the town circle. This was fine with the members of NORA, an excuse to drink was an excuse to drink. Sazh and Lightning took their usual seats but this time were joined by Fang and Serah. Snow was being an idiot with all of his friends. Dajh, Dia and Yun were playing with the other children and Hope and Vanille were dancing with other people. Fang looked at her friends, "So hey, why do the twins have our names?"
Lightning and Serah laughed and explained the story to her. Fang smiled,
"Aw Serah, you didn't have to do that, thanks!"
"I thought it was only fitting. Thanks to you, Dajh and I woke up and we got to all be together again. It's only fair that you were represented as well."
Fang clincked cups with Serah, a sign of appreciation. Lightning looked over at the two love birds, who were now inseparable, but she couldn't blame them. She then turned to Fang,
"So, what was it like in there?"
Fang took a sip of her drink, "Well, it was warm actually. I think it was cause the sun was beating on us." They all laughed a little, "But honestly, it was a little sad. Vanille and I could still think and even hear each other's thoughts. And all she ever thought about was Hope. I tried to change the topic often but nope; it always went back to Hope. She really loves that guy." Lightning at them again, this time Hope was whispering in her ear. Then suddenly he took her hand and they bolted for the lake. Lightning got up, but Serah pushed her back down. "Leave them. They're going to have alone time. So romantic!"
Hope and Vanille arrived at the lake. They stopped by the waters edge and looked at each other. Hope pulled her tightly to his chest. "I've missed you so much," he said, "I thought about you all the time."
Vanille wrapped her arms around his chest, "I missed you too. I never realized when I was here with you how much I truly loved you. Guess you don't know whatcha got till it's gone." She looked up at him and smiled, then pulled away. She took off her shoes and socks and started to walk in the water, looking away from Hope. She took a deep breath,
"Every day I was up there, I thought of some way that I could free myself. I never figured out a way. Every time the gang came to visit, Fang and I could feel their presence. I didn't feel yours though… I used to think you didn't care about me anymore,"
Hope took a step forward and opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off again.
"I could hear every word they said. And I heard Lightning say 'Poor Hope. He loves her so much, yet he can't be with her. It's not fair to him. To both of them, actually.' Then I knew you still cared about me! I just never knew when you'd visit."
He spoke, "I tried; so many times. But it was difficult. Seeing you up there… it would make me realize that you were really gone and I refused to believe that."
She turned to look at him, "So then why did you visit today?"
Hope's eyes widened. He knew why: he was at the pillar to say goodbye. He was there to tell her that he was going to move on with life. He sighed,
"I went today to say goodbye. I finally gave in and was going to try to move on. For myself, and for everyone else."
She turned back around facing away from him, "I see then…"
Hope took another step, not caring about his clothing or shoes, "Vanille I'm sorry…"
She shook her head, "I know you are. It's all right Hope."
She turned again to look at him and smile, "We're together now, aren't we? You don't have to move on now. I'm going to be with you now, always. Weither you like it or not!" She stuck her tongue out at him and giggled. He smiled to and rushed to her, now totally soaked. He cupped her face again and kissed her with as much love and passion as one man could possibly muster. Her knees started to buckle, so she grabbed onto his body for dear life. He pulled away and looked at her,
"I'll always want you with me. Forever. Here and now." He winked at her, using her own words. She smiled and took his hand and went back to the waters edge. She sat them both down and laid down on the ground. Hope followed her and cuddled with her. For five years, he had to go without her. He was damn sure that he would no longer go a minute without her by his side. After laying by her side for what seemed like forever, he got up and offered her his hand.
"Come on, we should head back. The party is in your honor after all."
Vanille laughed and grabbed his hand. They walked back to the circle, telling jokes and laughing as if she had never left.
