He stepped back. The entrance to the mako cave glimmered and slowly began to seal itself up again. Cloud turned to his son, who was staring blankly at the crystal wall that was forming before them, Kali Evangelline holding on to his hand tightly.

"It's over," Cloud said weakly, clearing his throat before he continued. "We've put her to rest again. For good, this time."

"I'm sorry, dad," Caleb shook his head. "I'm sorry it happened this way. I'm sorry I couldn't change anything..."

"Are you kidding?" the older man said with a small smile. "You freed your mother from a fate worse than death. I bet she's really proud of you."

"I just wish I could have done something more," he sighed.

"You and Kali have done more than enough, for the both of us." Cloud reached out and pulled his son into his arms. Caleb relaxed in his father's embrace and closed his eyes, releasing Angel's hand to clasp against the older man's broad back. The young woman stood at a distance and smiled at them, turning her face away to give them a moment alone. She could only imagine how they felt at this moment.

Something beyond the fresh crystal wall glinted bright orange. Angel squinted and moved her face closer to the smoothed jagged surface, her hands coming up to press against the thick doorway. The mako crystal gleamed and suddenly shone and Angel yelped, making the two men behind her jump and turn around.

"Kali?"

"Angel!"

She slowly moved around to face them, her gaze distant and her eyes shinning a brilliant orange.

"Cloud..." she said, in a voice that was not her own. The older man blinked and his jaw fell, his sharp blue eyes growing comically large.
"Tifa...?" he gaped.

"Cloud, I'm so very sorry I put you through so many years of misery," Angel said again in that voice that was gentle and soft but not hers. "Please know that I love you, so very much. More than any person can love another. And I wish there was some way I could return to you..."

"I know you can't," Cloud Strife slowly shook his head, looking at Angel with clouded eyes. "You have to return to the planet now. But, I'll meet you there, right?"

"Yes," Angel/Tifa smiled. "I'll be waiting for you, Cloud. I love you."

"I love you, Tifa Lockheart."

Angel smiled and turned her hazy eyes to Caleb: "My son."

"Mother...?" he reached forward and touched her cheek. She smiled again, bringing a hand up to touch his.

"I'm so proud of you. You've grown up to be such a strong, handsome man, just like I knew you would."

"I'm sorry, mom," he whimpered. "I'm sorry for letting you die..."

"You didn't let me die, Cale," she said and his eyes widened. "I promised you that I would always protect you, with my very life. I'll always be with you and your father. Death is just a stepping stone; it can't stop me from being with you."

He smiled back, letting go of her hand and nodding. "Thank you, mother. I love you."

"I love you too, baby," she beamed, closing her eyes and embracing him. He held her, one hand upon her hair and the other wrapped tightly around her waist. The orange glow from within the cavern dimmed and faded to nothing, and Angel turned her face up to Caleb, opening her bright blue eyes.

"Cale?" her brow furrowed. "Where are we?"

"We're going home, Angel," he kissed the top of her forehead and took her hand, glancing back at his father. Cloud smiled and patted him firmly on the back, starting out of the cave. Their friends were waiting for them by the cave's exit, and they rose as the three emmerged from the mako-rich cave that housed the sacred tree.

"Les' go home," Barrett nodded to them.

"We'll make dinner," Vincent volunteered, slipping and arm around Yuffie's waist.

She playfully shoved him and grinned. "Don't burn the water this time, dear."

He made a face at her and she laughed, Nanaki's ears perking up at the sound.

"Maybe you should let Marlene and Kali cook," he teased.

"I'll make your favorite, Cale," Angel grinned up at him. He kissed her nose.

"I don't want you working too much," he touched her stomach. "You're carrying a delicate package there."

"What's it going to be?" Cid asked, sounding rather excited for a man of his age.

"A girl," Cloud informed them, winking at his son and his wife.

"What will you name her?" Marlene gasped, smiling happily.

Caleb glanced at Angel. Angel glaned at Caleb.

"Tifa," she said.

"Aeris," he said.

"Strife," Vincent nudged them, grinning.

"Tifa Aeris Strife?" Cait Sith repeated.

"I like it," Nanaki proclaimed.

"Soun's like she's gotta big name ta fil'," Barrett lifted an eyebrow.

"She can do it," Yuffie defended.

"She can do anything," Caleb beamed at Angel. She snugged against him and they started down the mountain path, toward home.