Hey there, it's me. A quick note: Remember Leon's invisible friend, the one he talks to on his cell, but we never get to see? Before, I named him Chip, but I recently changed it to Charlie. Just take note of that.

Oh, I edited ALOT of the story, not the plotline, but I figured some parts are better now. You should go back and re-read, I think you'll like the edited version more than the original. :)

Anyway, here's an update.

New Year's Eve was right around the corner. The New Year would certainly bring a lot of changes. It would be the gang's first stay at Hollow Bastion since the heartless came.

Of course, they were still around, but definitely not as many. Cid had begun developing a security system for the town, helping get rid of some of the heartless before they would attack. It was proven effective.

By now, Hollow Bastion was still in ruins, but Cid announced that they would do everything they could to restore it. He and the rest of the group, otherwise known as the Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee, devoted themselves to the process.

Leon came back regularly, clearing having no intention on missing out on the fun, even if it meant he had to work with Cloud and Aerith. Things were still tense with Aerith, but Cloud acted friendly towards him. He carefully avoided talking about anything to do with Aerith, and Leon appreciated that greatly.

He hung out with Yuffie a lot more, feeling that she was always there for him. She was like a sister after all.

He admitted; living in Burton wasn't the same, it just wasn't home. But staying in Hollow Bastion was harder. He didn't want to interfere into anything Aerith did, because he was scared to. His heart still broke whenever he saw her with Cloud, but he was happy for her. He loved to see her so happy. So he stayed.

On the night of New Year's Eve, they went to Merlin's house to celebrate. Yuffie dragged Leon along, making sure that he would enjoy it.

"Come on, Leon," she said, grinning. "It's our first New Year's back in Hollow Bastion. Lighten up." Leon went straight to the corner and leaned against the wall. He closed his eyes and crossed his arms. Yuffie grabbed a drink and went over to give it to him.

"You know," she began, leaning next to him. She stared at him. "You should get a haircut." Leon gave her a strange look for such a random thought. She just shrugged and went over to the food table where Cloud and Aerith were standing.

Leon stared sadly at the beautiful flower girl, but then snapped himself out of it.

"No," he told himself, shaking his head. "Let it go. Do you want to get her in trouble again?"

Leon exhaled deeply and drained his drink. He threw the paper cup into the dustbin and sat down on the bench at the other side of the room.

The hours passed, and it grew darker. Yuffie finally partied herself out, collapsing next to Leon on the bench. She was exhausted, yet still smiling widely.

"Oh…" she muttered weakly, closing her eyes and resting her head on Leon's shoulder. "I'm sooooo tired… "

"Why don't you just go to bed?" Leon suggested.

Yuffie shook her head stubbornly, not opening her eyes.

"No way! I'm staying up tonight! I wanna see Hollow Bastion at midnight, with all the fireworks… and… and there's nothing… there's nothing you can do to make me… to make me… "

Yuffie leaned further onto Leon's side, snuggling her head comfortably onto his shoulder as she couldn't stay awake much longer. Leon gently pushed her off him, but she hastily sat back up.

"No, I'm awake!" she said, alerted. "I'm gonna make it through New Year's this year, I swear it."

"Yuffie… you never make it to midnight. It's the same thing every year: you fall asleep before midnight." Yuffie glanced at her watch, and then grinned.

"Only 15 minutes left till midnight." She sighed and leaned back on Leon. "Not long now." She closed her eyes. "Tell me when the fireworks are on, okay?"

Leon smiled a little. He shifted over slightly, allowing Yuffie to lay her head on his lap. He brushed her fringe out of her face and carefully removed her headband. He smiled again. Still that kid.

Leon lifted his gaze back up, to Cloud and Aerith in the other end of the room. They were in deep conversation. Leon sighed. He had never seen Aerith so happy before, nor had he ever seen her so in love.

Leon shook off his thoughts and tried to focus his attention on something else.

Aerith took her camera from her shoulder bad and went over to Cloud. She threw her arm around him, taking him by surprise and pulled him into view of the camera.

"Smile!" she chirped as she put on a bright smile. Cloud was nowhere near ready.

Wha…?" A flash of light blinded him, making his head spin. Aerith let out a giggle as the photo popped out of the slot. She pulled it out and shook it lightly to clear the picture. A grin crept onto her face as it appeared. She tugged on Cloud's arm.

"Look at this!" she exclaimed. Cloud obeyed.

For some strange reason, the lighting in the picture was perfect. It brought out the green on Aerith's eyes and the blue in Cloud's. It was almost a perfect photograph, except the surprised look on Cloud's face. Aerith giggled again.

"You look so cute!" she said, holding it out at arm's length. She tilted her head to the side and smiled at it.

"You know what? I think I'm going to keep this." She smiled again and rushed to her shoulder bag on the wall. She replaced the camera and put the photograph in a very safe and deep pocket. Cloud couldn't help but smile as he watched her. He glanced down at his watch as he went over to her.

"Come on," Cloud said, taking Aerith's hand. "It's almost time." He led her to the door and opened it for her.

As soon as Aerith stepped out of the warm, heated room into the cold air of New Year's Eve, she felt the adrenalin rush through her.

Suddenly, her feet were swept off the ground as Cloud lifted her in his arms.

"Cloud, what are you doing?" He merely smiled his mysterious smile. As soon as Aerith wrapped her arms securely around his neck he jumped onto the roof with one giant leap. Once on top, Aerith finally realized why they were there.

The night sky was beautiful. The lights from Hollow Bastion's celebrations lit it up brightly, reflecting onto the inky blue sky with a haunting orange. She could even see the clouds, floating peacefully through the air. Aerith smiled.

"Isn't it lovely?" she asked Cloud, next to her. She looked at him. "Not even the darkness could take away Hollow Bastion's natural beauty." She stared back at the sky. She coughed a few times, subconsciously raising her hands to her arms and hugged herself, shivering slightly. Even though she was wearing a long-sleeved turtleneck and trousers, it was still very cold. Cloud noticed.

He removed his jacket and placed it over Aerith's shoulders. She glanced over at him and smiled.

"Thank you," she said softly. Cloud just nodded and wrapped an arm around her as they stared back up.

"It's so beautiful," Aerith said after a moment. "The beauty of dark and light colliding together to become one." She smiled. "The clouds and the air form together to create the celestial heavens." Cloud uttered a soft chuckle. Aerith looked over at him.

"What?"

"Nothing. It's just… Celeste." Aerith smiled and nodded.

"It's a beautiful name." Cloud agreed.

"Not only that," he said. "It represents us."

"Huh?" Aerith was confused. "What do you mean by that?" Cloud smiled peacefully and took her hand, staring deep into her eyes.

"The sky," he said. "The sky represents us and our future. Our future that includes both dark and light." He wrapped his arm around her from behind and placed his hand on her stomach, pressing onto it gently. He smiled at her confusion.

"Clouds." He pressed her hand onto his chest. "And air." He moved it onto hers. "Create the celestial heavens." A smile crept onto Aerith's lips as she finally understood. She looked back upwards.

"So the sky is our sanctuary," she muttered breathlessly. She hugged Cloud tightly, emitting a dreamy sigh.
"Whenever I stare up at the night sky, I'll remember that it represents us. It represents our future and our love. The celestial heavens. Celeste." Cloud held her closely, waiting a long moment.

"How about we name our daughter that?" he whispered softly into her ear.

Aerith ripped her gaze from the sky and blinked, his words taking her by surprise. She released herself from Cloud's warm grip to face him.

"What?" she blurted mindlessly. "W-what did you just say?" Cloud blushed a little as he took a step closer to her, placing his hands on her hips. Aerith frowned at his strange behavior. "Cloud?"

He placed a finger on her lip to silence her. Cloud blushed again and looked away.

"You… you know how I feel about you, right?" Aerith nodded, still confused.

Cloud took a deep breath, flushing a darker shade of red, but he kept a straight face.

"I've been thinking a lot about this and I've decided that I've waited long enough." He paused, taking Aerith's hands tightly.

"My heart is consumed by the darkness, but not even that could stop me from loving you. One day… we will be ripped apart by the darkness again, but we'll find our way back to each other, just like we did before." Aerith smiled. "One day, but right now, we're together, and I want to make every moment count." Cloud stared deep into her eyes.

"Everything I'll ever want, everything I'll ever need, everything I'll ever fight for is you, Aerith." He smiled and cupped her cheek. "You're my everything, and this is how I want it to always be. Just you and me forever." Aerith smiled sadly, placing her hand on his.

"I want it to be like this too," she said softly. Cloud smiled.

"Then marry me."

Aerith wanted to jump for joy, but something held her back from releasing her emotions.

She placed her hand on Cloud's chest and circled her finger around his heart, not meeting his gaze. She smiled gently.

"When you go away to fight your battle alone…" She lifted her eyes to him. "… will you promise you'll come back to me?" Cloud smiled and nodded.

"I promise."

Aerith beamed.

"Then I'll wait for you." She wrapped her arms around him. "I'll wait for my husband to come home." Cloud awkwardly raised his hands up to her and placed them on her back.

"Does this mean--"

"Yes," Aerith said firmly, holding him tight. She smiled again. "I'll marry you, Cloud Strife."

She pulled away slightly, just enough to see his eyes. They weren't dark and shadowy, but clear and blue. They twinkled as he leaned in closer. She could feel his warm breath as he slowly brought his lips onto hers.

The kiss was interrupted by the startling explosions of the fireworks, lighting the sky with magnificent colours. Aerith and Cloud watched the show with awe, still in each other's arms.

All of a sudden, Aerith felt something cold fall into her hair. She glanced straight up and gasped.

"Oh my god, it's snowing!" Surely enough, a moment later delicate snowflakes fell down from the sky. Cloud was also stunned at this.

"It hasn't snowed in Hollow Bastion for over 9 years!" Aerith beamed.

"I guess this year's extra special then," she suggested. Cloud wrapped his arms around her again warmly as they watched. The lights of the fireworks seemed to make the snow and the clouds glitter with colour.

It was beautiful.

Cloud was right. The sky represented their fate and destiny together, though eternally combined with both dark and light, it was still beautiful.

Aerith rested her head on Cloud's chest and smiled, the fireworks reflecting in her emerald eyes.

"Yeah," she muttered softly, hugging him. "Her name will be Celeste."