Chapter 61: Come Away With Me

Come away with me in the night

Come away with me

And I will write you a song

Come away with me on a bus

Come away where they can't tempt us

With their lies

I want to walk with you

On a cloudy day

In fields where the yellow grass grows

Knee-high

So won't you try to come

Come away with me and we'll kiss

On a mountaintop

Come away with me

And I'll never stop loving you

Come Away With Me – Norah Jones

They spent the next week together and on the Friday, they gathered together for one last coffee from Barret's Café.

Cloud looked around at them.

"Well guys, we made it. Our first year – last in Vincent's case – is over."

"We survived!" Yuffie grinned. Aeris laughed.

"Not quite sure how. It was one heck of a ride."

"I'll second that." Vincent agreed. Tifa smiled around at them all.

"I don't think we did too badly. We all got a partner, two in Aeris' case, a truckload of cash, great exam results, a great summer to look forward to and some great new friends."

"And we only ended up in hospital, what, three times? I say go us!" Yuffie giggled. Aeris smiled.

"It was a tough year but mostly definitely worth it. I mean, this year was amazing! Sure, we got attacked by a madman, I found my real father, gained a successful musical career and got engaged, but who doesn't do that in their first year of college?"

They all laughed and then Aeris said,

"Seriously guys… couldn't have done it without you. Not trying to get all soppy on you, but I really do appreciate it."

"Not a problem." Cloud said putting an arm around her shoulders and squeezing her.

"And I know that for the next month or so we're going to be a little bit spread out, but I'm expecting postcards and holiday souvenirs from each one of you!" Aeris said, winking. Yuffie laughed and said,

"Well, me, Cloud, Reeve and Tifa are meeting up in Wutai. You're welcome to fly out."

"Love to but can't. I'm meeting music people over the summer and Vincent has his exhibition in two weeks." Aeris said, a little regretfully. Tifa smiled.

"Don't worry, Aeris. When we get back we're definitely going to hang out again."

"We'd better. Sorry to disappoint you guys but you're stuck with me for life." Aeris said, sipping her coffee casually. Reeve smiled.

"I think I speak for us all when I say we wouldn't it any other way."

Aeris and Vincent set off for Kalm early the next day, a Saturday. They were spending the weekend with the Gasts and moving on to Fort Condor on the Monday. With their money, they had decided to invest in a new car. Not that Aeris could drive, but it had seemed like a good idea. Come to that, she actually new very little about cars. But Vincent had let her pick which colour to have it in.

She flicked on the radio as they drove out of Midgar and looked out of the window at the passing countryside.

"Here's a summer song for all you students!" A cheerful song that Aeris didn't know began to play and she looked over at Vincent as he drove.

"I should probably warn you than Mom's going to want to kiss you when we get there."

"I think I'll survive." He smiled.

"I figured she'd give me a talk about how it's too soon and we're too young, blah, blah, blah… but she was actually pretty cool about it. Dad too."

"When a couple have been through as much as we have, I think we can honestly say that we can survive anything." Vincent said. Aeris laughed and looked out of the window again.

"You're probably right there. What more could we possibly face?"

"Let's not tempt fate." He said warningly. She smiled at him and he reached across, taking her hand in his as he drove with the other hand.

"We'll be fine."

"They're here! Matthew, they're here!" Infalna screamed as Aeris and Vincent knocked on the door. She hugged both of them with astounding strength and then seized Aeris' hand.

"Oh my god, it's so beautiful! Come in! Oh, Vincent, you're so wonderful!" She seized him and kissed him before hugging him again. Aeris couldn't' help snorting with laughter at the look on his face.

Matthew emerged from the lab and ran to Aeris, picking her up and swinging her around as if she were a little girl.

"Aeris, you're home!"

"Dad!" Aeris hugged him tightly. Matthew kissed her cheek before hugging Vincent, in that way that men do, clapping each other on the back before stepping back and shaking hands.

"How are you Vincent?"

"I'm great, Matthew."

"Didn't waste any time in hanging onto our girl." Matthew winked. Vincent smiled.

"I'm not letting her get away."

"You'd better not."

"Still standing here. Able to hear everything you say." Aeris pointed out. Vincent smiled and took her hand. Matthew examined the ring.

"That's one heck of a ring, Vincent."

"Thanks. I got a little help picking it out."

"Talk later! We've got plenty of food prepared and we want to catch up with you two." Infalna said, pushing them towards the garden.

Over the delicious meal, they chatted. About Vincent's display, Aeris's songs, their plans for the summer, everything at once, and nothing at all. Aeris felt so relaxed it didn't seem quite plausible. Infalna passed her a drink.

"Have you decided on a date yet?" She asked, almost hopefully. Aeris smiled.

"Mom, I already told you on the phone. This is a long term engagement. No dates in mind."

"Yes, I just wondered if you'd changed your mind." Infalna said. Matthew laughed.

"Let's just keep the grandchildren on hold."

"Dad, there are definitely no plans for children!" Aeris said, horrified. Vincent looked just as worried.

Infalna laughed at the looks on their faces. Matthew grinned at them and said,

"We know, we know… there is no way I'm letting my teenage daughter get pregnant."

"Although sometimes I forget that you're nineteen… you act very maturely."

"Well, the last year definitely made me grow up in a hurry." Aeris agreed. Matthew asked,

"Have you had any thoughts about the wedding at all?"

"A few… we know where we're going to have it." Aeris said. Vincent nodded.

"The church where my parents got married. That's where we want to have it."

"That tiny place with the flowers?" Infalna asked. Aeris looked at her.

"You know it?"

"Aeris, I was Lucrecia's maid of honour. Of course I know it! Oh, that'll be a lovely place to get married." Infalna sighed.

Matthew went to the bookcase and took down a photo album. He flipped the pages until he one and showed it to them. It was of Lucrecia and Richard's wedding. They stood outside the church, with Infalna, Matthew and Eric. Aeris stared at it.

"Is that the church?" Vincent nodded and took the picture.

"They look so happy."

"They were. They loved each other more than you'll ever know." Infalna assured him. Vincent swallowed and nodded. Aeris took his hand and squeezed it.

"You OK?"

"I'm fine… I just wish I'd known them better."

"They would have been so proud of you. Especially your art. Lucrecia loved art."

"She did?" Vincent asked, surprised. Matthew smiled.

"Oh yes. She even tried painting a couple of times, but she wasn't very good."

"I think we've got one of her old paintings in the attic. I'll go up and find it for you." Infalna said, getting to her feet. Vincent looked very enthusiastic. Matthew smiled.

"You two go up. Aeris and I can have a chat."

Matthew and Aeris walked around the garden, admiring Infalna's work.

"She's really put a lot of effort in." Aeris commented. Matthew nodded.

"She loves it out here. It's relaxing, after spending a day cooped up in the lab." There was the jingle of a bell and Nanaki stalked out of the bushes. Aeris smiled and bent down. Nanaki raced to her and leapt into her arms.

"Hey, Nanaki!" She said, cooing over him. He purred, rubbing his head against her chin.

"Aw, you're so cute." She said, stroking his ginger fur. Matthew smiled.

"Looking forward to moving on to Fort Condor?"

"Oh yeah. Not that I don't love hanging out with you and Mom but it's going to be nice to have some me and Vincent time." Aeris said, putting Nanaki down where he rubbed his back against her legs.

They sat on the garden chairs, soaking up the warm sunshine. Nanaki lay on the grass, flicking his tail in satisfaction. A few minutes later they were joined by Vincent and Infalna. Vincent was clutching a small canvas.

"Look." He said, showing it to Aeris. It was a simple picture, of Fort Condor. Nowhere near the standards of Vincent but with a signature in the corner. Lucrecia Hojo.

"Oh my god…" Aeris said, admiring the picture.

"I know. It's so weird." Vincent said, scratching his head. Aeris smiled at him and he put his arms around her. Infalna and Matthew exchanged a smile.

"You could name one of the grandkids Lucrecia!" Infalna smiled. Vincent looked slightly nervous.

"We haven't discussed names at all."

"…Jessie." Aeris said, looking up at the sky. Everyone's heads snapped to look at her. Vincent blinked.

"Jessie?"

"I don't know… I just like the name. If we ever had kids I'd quite like to call one of them Jessie."

She caught his terrified look and laughed.

"Stop worrying! We don't have to even consider names for a very long time."

"Thank god…" Vincent said. Matthew looked relieved too. Infalna looked at Aeris.

"I've been married to him for 15 years and he still gets nervous around subjects like this. This is what you're letting yourself in for."

Aeris glanced over at Vincent who was talking with Matthew and smiled.

"I think I can handle it."

The weekend passed quickly and on Monday morning Aeris and Vincent said goodbye to Infalna and Matthew. Aeris waved out of the car window and then turned to Vincent, who was changing gear.

"We made it through our first weekend with my parents."

"Now we can do anything." He said, smiling. Aeris laughed and asked,

"How far to Fort Condor from here?"

"A couple of hours, I should think. There aren't really any main roads, so it's a lot of country roads." Vincent said, making a left turn. Aeris settled back in her chair to enjoy the journey.

When they entered the cottage, Aeris couldn't help feeling as if the house had been waiting for them.

"Like it's been preparing for us." She told Vincent who smiled.

"Shall we unpack, or get some lunch?"

"Unpack! I'll do it!" Aeris said excitably. Vincent eyed her.

"Are you going to alphabetise everything?"

"Hey, don't take this away from me." She said seriously.

So Vincent brought things in from the car and Aeris excitedly organised them. It shows how much Vincent loved her that he let her do this. After about an hour and a half Aeris looked around in satisfaction.

"I love this place. It's perfect."

"And wonderfully organised." Vincent agreed. Aeris smiled up at him.

"Thanks. Hungry?"

"Starving. Shall we go to the pub?" He asked. Aeris nodded and then Vincent paused.

"Or… we could hang around here for a while." He said casually.

Aeris looked at him in surprise.

"Really? You want to?"

"I wouldn't mind." He smirked. Aeris laughed.

"Fine. We'll hang around here and then we'll go to lunch."

"Or dinner." Vincent suggested. Aeris winked.

"Let's see shall we?"

But Vincent didn't reply. Instead he scooped up Aeris in his arms. She squealed and then laughed as he carried her upstairs.

They spent the next few days lazing around the house. Vincent painted mostly whilst Aeris tended to the large garden. A few weeds had sprouted up. She pulled them out and made sure the other flowers were growing properly, checked that the trees had enough room, mowed the lawn and discovered the beginnings of a pond.

"I suppose someone started to build one and never finished it." Vincent said. Aeris looked at him.

"We could finish it."

"If you want to." Vincent smiled. The phone rang and Aeris said,

"I'll get it."

She went inside and picked up the phone.

"Hello, Aeris Gainsborough speaking."

"Aeris, its Mike."

"Mike! How are you?"

"I'm great, thanks. Having a good summer so far?"

"It's wonderful. I'm in Fort Condor with Vincent."

"OK, well I rang about the music actually. When are you coming back to Midgar?"

"The weekend after next. Vincent's got an art display."

"Fantastic. I want you to record some songs." Mike said. Aeris said, in surprise,

"Really?"

"Yeah. I know you only wanted to be a songwriter, but I really think you could make it as a singer. What do you think?"

"I… well, yeah. That sounds great, Mike!"

"Excellent! Marlene'll be over the moon. She's been begging me to try and get you to record some stuff."

"I'll thank her next time I see her." Aeris laughed.

"You'd better. Call me when you get back to Midgar and I'll book the studio for you."

"Thanks Mike, I'll see you then."

She hung up the phone and went back out into the garden. Vincent was sat on the bench, sketching idly.

"Who was it?"

"Mike… he wants me to record when we get back to Midgar."

"Aeris, that's wonderful!" Vincent said, hugging her. She laughed.

"I know! I'm so lucky…"

"Luck has nothing to do with it. You have talent." Vincent said. Aeris smiled, sitting beside him and resting her head on his shoulder.

"You're the best. You know that?" She said. He smiled, and carried on sketching.

Aeris looked up at the condor and said,

"I'm so glad we came here."

"Are you?" He asked.

"Yes. If you'd asked me to come away with you, to go anywhere in the world I would have said yes." She admitted.

"What about… the end of the world?" Vincent asked.

"I'd ask what time do we leave." Aeris smiled. Vincent laughed quietly and put his arms around her.

"Then you'd have made happier than ever I thought I could be." He told her.

(A/N: Setting things up for the next chapter. Something might actually happen then! LOL, but I'm now on holiday for two weeks so I promise more chapters soon. Love you guys so much, the reviews are so kind. Leave me lots more so I can get writing again, hint hint! Lol, not subtle. Please review and I love you loads. Katie.)