Epilogue

It was weird. They hadn't been here long, but Jessie could tell that she was going to miss this place.

Of course, she knew that it wouldn't be permanent; that her new duties, which still sounded strange to her, would lead her back to this quiet mountain town that was hiding such a big secret.

She looked at Cissnei, who was busy packing up a few last things. After going to bed, she had told her a few things. How she hadn't been honest with her about her past. That she had previously worked for Shinra as one of the Turks.

It was surprising, yet not at the same time.

And it didn't matter. Shinra was gone; Cissnei was here, with her. That was what mattered.

"Everything ready?" she asked her.

"Almost," Cissnei replied while closing the zipper on her backpack. "There!"

Jessie looked around the room that had been theirs the past couple of days. "Guess that's it, then."

The couple left the room and headed downstairs, where they found Tifa waiting for them.

"You got everything?" she inquired, a sad smile on her lips. After she had heard what happened she had spent the better part of the evening apologizing to them, even though it wasn't really her fault.

"Yeah." Jessie nodded.

She watched as Tifa walked over to the counter where a package was lying and picked it up.

"I made you a little something for the road," she said and handed it Jessie. "Oh, your materia is in there, too."

"You didn't need to, you know?"

"Just let me clear my conscience a little, okay?"

Jessie chuckled. "Sure."

"I also have something for you," Tifa said to Cissnei and handed her a letter. "It's from Zack. He asked me to give it to you since he's already out on another monster hunt."

Cissnei looked at the letter for a moment before putting it away. "Thank you."

Tifa nodded and looked at Jessie once more, her smile much bigger now. "I was also asked to give you this."

Reaching into the pocket of her dress, Tifa pulled out a beautiful chunk of amber, the color of honey and shaped like a dew drop. "The mountain wants this given to the sea. You'll know where."

Jessie looked at it for a moment, before taking it. "I have an idea," she replied.

After that, Tifa accompanied them towards the town's gate where Cloud was waiting for them with two Chocobos.

"You know...We could've used a mechanic like you," Cloud wistfully remarked to them as they stopped in front of him.

"I'll be around, ya know. Hey, we're both mailmen now!" Jessie said jokingly, making him chuckle.

He stepped aside to let the two of them get on their Chocobos and took his place next to Tifa.

"They'll find their way back home on their own, don't worry," he assured them.

"Thanks," Jessie said, patting the side of the fluffy bird's neck and eliciting a happy noise from it.

"I hope you're going to return soon," Tifa said.

"Who knows?" Jessie shrugged. "But don't worry. We won't be strangers."

"Well, I hope that even without a message you can come to visit us," Tifa said and stepped a little closer to Cloud, giving him a knowing smile. "Maybe around...nine months?"

She blinked for a second, before realizing what she just said. "Holy crap, congratulations!"

"Thanks." Tifa giggled. "I learned of it this morning!"

"Uh...how? I didn't see any pregnancy tests at the general store," Jessie said.

Tifa winked. "We fjallfolk have our little tricks."

"I bet..." was Cissnei's dry reply.

"Well, it's time, guys." Jessie gripped the reigns of her Chocobo. "See ya around, you two. And say bye to the others for me."

"Don't worry. We will," Cloud said.

The young couple waved after them, as the two of them rode off, leaving Nibelheim behind.

As they left the town's premises, Jessie saw that Cissnei had pulled out the letter from Zack and opened it. She read it for a couple of seconds before smiling.

"What is it?" Jessie asked.

"A wedding invitation."

"Huh. Guess we'll have to go shopping once we're back home."

"Yeah..." Silence set over them for a moment, before Cissnei said: "Hey, Jessie?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

Her heart skipped a beat at hearing the words she had secretly longed to hear for a while now, and she couldn't help the small blush that stained her cheeks red.

"I love you, too."

And that's a wrap. I will admit this one was a full on indulgence piece, but I hope some of you still found enjoyment from it.

I'm not sure yet, but I'll probably return to these two down the line. For now this is it though.

See ya around!