Chapter 10
Three months later, Zack sat in the pews of the old church, Aerith tending to the flowers as she usually did. The scar on his chest stood as a reminder of the addiction that had cost him his job, and almost his life as well. Zack felt no shame in what had happened to him however, the materia was a strong thing and many could not resist it's call. Despite all that had happened, Zack still kept Jak's addiction a secret. He understood what his friend had gone through in the months leading up to his death, and to Zack, the fact that Jak had lasted so long with his addiction was proof of his strength. Jak still remained a great Soldier who died doing his duty. His death was still a mystery to everyone but Zack. However, all this was now in the past. Now, all Zack could think about was the future. At this very moment, Zack sat on the pew with his hand in his pocket, fingering the small object in his pocket. Finally, Aerith stood up and walked over to the bench. Sitting down next to Zack, she lay her head on his shoulder. They sat like that for a few hours, until once again Aerith fell asleep. Careful not to wake her, he stood up, and once again stepped outside the church. Once outside, he pulled the small object out of his pocket. The object meant everything to him, and was going to be very important in near future. He just couldn't figure out what the proper time to use it would be. He stared at it in his hand, watching it as it seemed to shine. Suddenly, the door behind him opened, almost causing him to drop the item. He quickly closed his hand around the object, and turned to find Aerith staring at him.
"Zack? What are you doing out here?" She asked him.
"Uh... nothing." Zack stammered, but knew he was busted.
"What's in your hand!" Aerith demanded. "Zack, I know you better than this. I know you can't be using materia again."
"I.. uh." Zack said, searching for a good excuse.
"Zack?" Aerith demanded.
"I wasn't going to tell you yet." Zack said. "I don't know what to do."
"Zack, what is it?" Aerith demanded again. "You know you can ask me for advice."
"Well, the thing is..." Zack said, before slouching his shoulders. "fine." he said, raising his hand and exposing the object he held in it. Aerith stared at the object as it shined in the night. Her eyes flashed up to Zack's face, and then back down to Zack's hand.
"that's... that's" Aerith tried to say, it was her turn to stammer.
"Well, any advice? Like, perhaps, how I should ask you to accept this?" Zack asked, his voice carrying a teasing tone.
"Is that..." Aerith began to ask.
"Yes sweet heart, I think it's quite obvious what it is." Zack said, smirking. Aerith jumped into him, pushing him backwards. He quickly closed his hand around the object.
"Calm down, you'll make me drop the ring." He said, laughing before Aerith's kiss silenced him. The two lovers embraced, as they both thought about the long, happy life that awaited them.
The End