Chapter 4: Friends Reunited

The Lifestream slowly shrank away from Midgar, it's task complete. They watched as the flowing waves moved back, some of them moving very close to the airship on which they stood. Then, the ship was enveloped.

The nine members of AVALANCHE weren't sure what to think. The Highwind had been encased in glowing Lifestream, and a brilliant white light blinded them. A wave of warmth passed through the ship, and with it came a soothing tranquillity, touching them all in the deepest corner of their hearts.

Cloud Strife felt it the strongest. He knew what had summoned the Lifestream. He knew what had saved them all. Not what, but whom. He felt her presence near him. He felt her pure spirit wash over him, making his body tingle, the way it always did when she was close to him.

In the blinding light, the smiling, angelic face of Aeris Gainsborough appeared before them. Her loving emerald eyes glistened with unshed tears. And as soon as the light appeared, the bright light was gone. Outside the Highwind, a single tendril of Lifestream was visible, apparently the only one that hadn't returned to the Planet. It moved closer, and passed through the window as if it wasn't even there. It moved straight toward him.

When it came close, it grew larger. Ever so gently, the Lifestream moved low to the ground, as if it was setting something down. The green glow became brighter.

And Cloud understood.

Still smiling, Aeris appeared before him. She stepped timidly out of the Lifestream, which quickly retreated. Tears of joy were in her eyes. He felt the eyes of his eight companions on them, no doubt in total shock, but kept his gaze on Aeris. Cloud felt utter joy as Aeris stepped close to him. He wrapped his arms around her slender body, the smell of her skin making him dizzy. He felt her warm arms go around his neck, pulling him closer. Actually being able to touch her again was electrifying.

"I keep my promises.", she said, touching his cheek.

"But how?!", Cloud asked.

"When Sephiroth struck me down, I went into a state of suspended animation, while my Centra powers were slowly healing me.", Aeris explained. "When you guys placed me in that lake, the process took a little longer, with the barrier I had to form."

He said nothing, only stared into her shimmering green eyes for a few seconds, and the gently touched his lips to hers. She tightened her arms around him, and ran her fingers through his spiky hair.

Totally absorbed in their kiss, Aeris and Cloud were whole again. Their adventure had come to an end, but their life together was only just beginning.

Cid looked at his comrades. To him, they were like his family now. A little weird, but still family none the less. But, there was still one problem.

"Alright, where can I drop you guys off at?"

Barrett broke in first.

"Drop me at Kalm. I gotta see if Marlene s okay."

"I want to go to Midgar.", Cait Sith said. "Gotta find Reeve."

"Wutai for me.", Yuffie said

"Cosmo Canyon, if you please.", Red XIII said as his tail glowed with satisfaction.

"Drop me off at the Cave.", said Vincent. "She's alive, I know it."

"Heck, it s on my way anyway.", said Cid as he turned towards, the last four people. "What about you guys?"

"I want to go to Kalm as well.", Aeris said. "I want to see my mom again."

"Well, I'm with Aeris.", Cloud said.

"What about you two?", Cid asked Aldaros and Tifa.

Aldaros and Tifa didn't know where they could go. Midgar was not on the list for them. And neither was Junon.

"You two may stay in Cosmo Canyon until you decided what you want to do.", Red XIII. said.

"Well, Cosmo Canyon it is.", Tifa said.

"Wait!", Aldaros said. "I have one more thing to do."

"What is it?", Barret asked.

Aldaros then walked over to Tifa, and held her hands.

"Tifa, how much do you love me?", he asked.

"More than anything.", she said smiling.

"If that's the case,", Aldaros said as he got on one knee. "then marry me."

"Are you serious?!", Tifa asked.

"I wouldn't joke about something like this, Tifa.", Aldaros said as he pulled out a diamond ring.

"Then yes, I will marry you!", Tifa said.

Aldaros then put the ring on her finger and kissed her.

"So, when's the wedding?", Barret asked.

"I don't know about the wedding, but we can get married tomorrow.", Aldaros said. "We can go to the justice of the peace.

"How about tonight.", Cait Sith grinned.

"Come again?", Tifa said.

"Well, in Kalm, there's a 24 hour justice of the peace."

"What do say, Teef?", Aldaros asked.

"Try and stop me.", Tifa said.

So, Cid dropped off everyone where they wanted to go after Aldaros and Tifa and Cloud and Aeris got married. Yuffie was first. They even gave her some materia. Only thing was, it wasn't all mastered. The only mastered Materia was the ones she had in her weapons. The ones in the sack weren't.

Inside the sack was a note:

Dear Yuffie,

Turn about is fair play. So, this is our payback on you.

Sign, Avalanche.

P.S.: Ha Ha

"Those jerks!", Yuffie said as she tossed the note away. "It's kind of funny though."

"It's not much, but, I think you two will be happy with it.", Red said as he showed Aldaros and Tifa the room they were staying in, at the inn.

"As long as it has a bed, I'm happy.", Aldaros said as he put his things near the door.

"Sleep. Must have sleep.", Tifa said as she started yawning.

"I'm tired aswell.", Red said as he walked towards the door. "Goodnight my friends."

"Goodnight Red.", Aldaros said as he got a fire going in the fire place, using his fire materia.

"See you in the mourning.", Tifa said as she closed the door behind him.

"What a night.", Aldaros said as he took off his shirt. "I'm gonna get me a good night sleep."

"Night? I'm going for a whole day.", Tifa said as she took off her boots, and laid on the smooth, silk fabric of the spread that was laid on the floor, which was the way people here slept, ready to go to sleep.

"Don't you have a night gown or something?", Aldaros said as he slipped into his sleeping pants.

"Nope.", Tifa said as she undid her suspender. "Didn't have time to buy one during our journey."

"Well, here. Put this on.", Aldaros said as he handed her one of his t-shirts. "It may fit me well, but, it may just be big enough for you to use as a night gown."

"Thanks.", Tifa said as she unbottuned her shorts. "Turn around please."

"What?!", Aldaros asked in shock. "I'm your husband, woman! I'm allowed to see the goods!"

"You see nothing, until we sleep together.", Tifa grinned.

"What do you think we're about to do now?", Aldaros asked with a smirk.

"You know what I mean!", she said as she pointed towards the wall. "Now turn!"

"Fine! I'll turn.", Aldaros grinned as he turned towards the wall. "My own wife won't let me see her change clothes."

After she changed into the t-shirt Aldaros gave her, Tifa then, playfully threw her sports bra at Aldaros. Aldaros grabbed it from his shoulder and looked at it.

"Dang! I know milk does a body good!", Aldaros said as he looked at the bra. "But how much have you been drinking?!"

Next thing you you know, her shorts and tank top hit him.

"I was only joking!", Aldaros laughed as he turned around. "Dang! You look good!"

The t-shirt was white with a blue number 00 on the front. Most of her left shoulder was exposed, but she didn't mind.

"Thank you.", she said as she laid on the spread.

Aldaros then laid down next to her.

"Now take it off!", he joked.

"Hey!", she laughed as she jumped on top of him.

Aldaros then looked into her wine-colored eyes and saw her true beauty. Tifa in turn, looked into his brown eyes and saw the love he had for her.

"I missed us being this close.", Aldaros said as he stroked her hair. "I missed your touch. I missed holding you in my arms. I missed how soft your lips are when we kissed. I just missed you all together Tifa."

"I remember crying myself to sleep for a month after I found out what happened to you.", Tifa said, as she rested her head on his chest. "I hardly left my room. Jessie had to bring me my food for a while. I didn't want to be around people much. But, within time, I got better, but, I never stopped loving you."

Aldaros saw a few tears sliding down her face. He just gently wiped them away as she continued.

"I thought that I'd never see you again. So, I figured that I'd try to start over, but, you were still always on my mind. I realised that I still loved you. So, when Cloud and Barret decided to go after Sephiroth, I decided to go with them. I wanted to help, but, I was hoping that I'd find you. And you know the rest."

"To be honest, I never thought that I'd see you in a prision.", Aldaros said. "But, I was still happy to see you. Then you had me scared senseless when you were in that gas chamber, and then you falling in the Lifestream."

"Don't remind me.", Tifa said.

"Well, it's all over now.", Aldaros said. "The world is safe, Aeris is alive, and me and you are together again. We even got married two hours ago. All and all, I'd say this a pretty good happy ending."

"Well, I know how it can be even better.", Tifa said.

"And how's that?", Aldaros said with a grin.