By: LGStrife
"Aeris!" Elmyra called as she sorted the letters. "Your mail has arrived!" She heard quicke heavy steps coming from the stairway.
"Coming mom!!" Aeris Gainsborough showed up, hair let down. She approached Elmyra and recieved the letter. But before she could read it, she decided she should help Elmyra fix the dishes first.
"Who started this letter sending in the first place anyway?" Elmyra asked curiously as it has been a weekly habit to recieve a mail from Cloud Strife.
"It was Cloud." Aeris replied cleaning the dishes. She remembered how she reacted when she first recieved his letter. It shows that he does not know how to write a letter as it was seen in the envelope having no name of the recipient.
'Aeris, you have a mail!'
'I do?!'
'Just come down here and get it!'
'Wow! It IS for me.'
While she was reading it she felt something clutch her heart. She was terrified. Until she read:
'Cloud Strife?!'
Her heart slowed down then when he admitted how he felt about her. She was totally speechless then.
"Aeris, why don't you go up to your room and reply to Cloud? I'll handle these." Elmyra suggested taking the plates from her hand.
"Are you sure, mom?" Aeris asked her.
"Of course, I am." Elmyra gave her a warm smile. "Now up, up, up!"
Aeris giggled and nodded. As she went upstairs, her hair flew softly.
Inside her room, she closed her door and immediately tied her hair with her pink bow. She sat down on her seat and moved it near her desk. She took her favorite pen and started writing her letter.
*****
1 week later
*****
"Mail!!" The mailman called outside the old Lockhart residence. The door opened and revealed a blond haired man with strange blue eyes. "Your mails, sir."
Cloud strife nodded and took them. "Thanks." He watched the mailman leave before he closed the door. *Hmmm...wonder what's in the mail today...bills...bills...offers...books...*
"Sir! You forgot something!" The familiar voice called. A letter was slipped under the door.
"Huh?" Cloud knelt in one leg and took it. *Aeris!* He smiled and stood up leaving the other letters in Vincent's desk. he entered Tifa's room, now his room, slumping on the bed. He didn't cared to take his boots off. He opened the envelope and pulled the letter out.
Dear Cloud,
Thank you for congratulating me in my recent flower business. I'm happy to tell you that it's doing very fine. Elmyra is helping me on it. I'm easily coping up with my new life here. I must say it's much better than our old one. I bet you're still having a hard time, huh? I understand the case of a fighter like you.
Haven't you realized, Cloud? It's been over 3 months ever since the day you've written to me. Have I told you my reaction then? I think not. While I was reading your letter, I thought it was some secret admirer. Though the words are rather familiar. Then when I read your name, I didn't know what to feel. I felt the same way to you while we were together. It's just so hard to say it, huh?
Yesterday, Barret and Marlene just visited us along with Cid. I was actually surprised to see a wedding ring on Cid. He's married to Shera and will have a child this month! He planned to name the child Lance if it is a boy, Sheila for a girl. I can see how fulfilled he was when he came to our home in Kalm. He wasn't saying much swear words. But he still hasn't given up smoking.
By the way, Marlene's birthday is a week from here! Barret's invited everyone in the AVALANCHE and other friends in her bash. Marlene was very happy to know that she's growing older. Barret will be expecting you and Vincent's presence in his daughter's birthday.
Oh yeah! How's Vincent doing? Has he forgotten the evil things done to him by Hojo? I wouldn't blame him, though, if he hasn't. It was really mean, wasn't it? You know, you're supposed to be living a normal life then all of a sudden, he'll just mutate you to get rid of you.
I'll be waiting for your reply soon.
Love,
Aeris Gainsborough
Below it again is her signature. Cloud smiled and heard three knocks on the door. *Must be Vincent.* He jumped off the bed leaving the letter scattered on the floor and slid down instead of running. He somersolted upon reaching the end and landed down perfectly. He rushed to the floor and welcomed Vincent Valentine.
"Cloud," Vincent Valentine began. "Please be reminded that our home is old. If the whole AVALANCHE is here, this would crash."
"Sorry." Cloud opened the door wider for Vincent to come in. "How was shopping in the item store?"
"I was able to sell some of our useless items." Vincent showed gils.
"Ooh, cool. How much did you get?"
"About 2, 505 gils."
"That's unfair! Did you sold the Bolt Plumes?"
"No."
"Oh." Cloud scratched his head. "That's why." He took the money and opened a cash box being given the key by Vincent. he twisted it clockwise and pulled the top of the cash box up. He placed the money and closed it, twisting the key counter clockwise. He tossed the key to Vincent and showed him the letters. "I think you've been waiting for the new issue of your magazine of books?"
Vincent smiled and took the letters. "Yes, thank you. I believe you have received Aeris' letter?"
Cloud nodded. "She told me about Marlene's birthday. Barret's inviting the two of us. I think it'll be held in Rocket Town."
"How did you know?"
"Aeris told me. And the location? Common sense. Well, I'll be going up now!"
*****
The night of Marlene's birthday arrived. The Highwind residence was well lit and decorated. The foods' aroma filled the house. Why would it not? It was cooked especially by Tifa. Aeris arrived alone. Elmyra didn't cared to come. "Hi, guys!"
"Hey!" Barret waved and approached her. On his shoulder is a young, happy girl with a party hat.
"Yay!! Flower Lady is here!" Marlene rejoiced.
"Barret, you're not wearing a party hat?" Aeris asked.
"Ah...couldn't fit me..."
Aeris giggled and took out a bouquet of various sweet smelling flowers she was hiding behind her. Marlene has recently showed interest on flowers..
"Yay!!" Marlene rejoiced upon recieving a flower and smelled.
"Hey, Aeris!!"
Aeris looked at her right and waved. "Hello there, Mr. and Mrs. Highwind."
"Wow, it feels strange to be called as 'Mrs. Highwind'." Shera Highwind approached the newcomer walking slowky because of her enlarged stomach. "How are you?"
"Fine, thank you. And you?"
"Perfectly fine, thank you."
"How's life, Cid?" Aeris asked.
"The Tiny Bronco's flyin' again!" Cid Highwind rejoiced while guiding his wife.
"That's great! Congratulations!"
"Thanks! You'll be the third one to get the chance to ride it."
"Who's the second one?" Aeris asked knowing it is Shera who will ride it first.
"Aeris!!"
Aeris looked behind Cid and smiled widely as the man approached. "Hi, Cloud."
"Heya!" Cloud nodded. "Were you able to recieve my letter?"
"Not yet."
"Really? What's with mailmen nowadays?" Cloud scratched his head.
Aeris giggled. "You really haven't changed."
"Hey!" Barret called waving his hand to catch attention. "The party's startin'!"
*****
In the latter part of the night, near midnight, Cloud and Aeris left the house and walked in the silent town.
"So, how's Elmyra?"
"She's good." Aeris replied looking at the night sky.
"By the way," Cloud fumbled in his pocket. "The reason why you haven't received my mail," Cloud showed a folded paper. "Is because I haven't sent it yet."
Aeris twitched her lips. "Silly boy." Aeris took it and unfolded the paper. But what she read, she did not expected. She looked up to Cloud but saw a ring in front of her and him.
"Aeris, will you marry me?"
Those were the exact words written on the paper Aeris is holding. Her hand shook and her heart beat fast. She smiled and answered. "Of course...of course I will."
Cloud inserted the ring on her finger and took it near his lips as he kissed her knuckles. After that, he embraced her and kissed her on the lips.
- End of Sequel -
Disclaimer: Everything here is not mine as well. Thanks to some readers who wanted a sequel of 'A Letter to Aeris Gainsborough'. You guys are so sweet!! : ) If you want the next part of this, read 'Cloud and Aeris'...Wedding?!'. : ) Wait, I don't think it fits...