Vincent finally opened his ruby eyes that seemed to shine with new life, but it wasn't the life of goodness. Vincent looked and saw Rufus by his bedside.

"Finally—you're awake," he said with a smile.

"What . . . what happened?" asked Vincent.

"We won the battle," said Rufus plainly.

"What of Gilmore?" asked Vincent lifting his head up.

"Why don't you see for yourself," said Rufus as he motioned his hand towards outside the glass wall where all smiled and waved at him glad to see him awake.

Vincent smiled seeing Gilmore standing beside his mother. Gilmore smiled slightly at Vincent. Vincent saw his arm and shoulder bandaged and his wing healing back as well. He also noticed Marlene was there in a wheelchair—Zack the one pushing her.

"She woke up a day before you did," said Rufus knowing his eyes were on the awake Marlene.

"How long have I been out?" asked Vincent turning to the Shin-Ra president.

"Does it matter?" asked Rufus.

"No—I guess not," said Vincent turning his head away.

"A week," said Rufus.

Vincent then noticed his strands of black hair. He grabbed the locks and saw no sign of grey. He then touched his face to see he had retained his smooth youthful skin again. His eyes then scanned his thoughts as his hand slid off his face.

"You were hit by a blast Hojo made meant to inject Chaos into young Gilmore," said Rufus his mood darkening. "I regret to inform you Chaos was returned to you."

"I know," said Vincent closing his eyes and wishing all his nightmares would just disappear, but no—they had returned to him in full again.

"Well then—what do you plan to do?" asked Rufus. "As I recall that protomateria used to control the beast was lost once it vanished from you."

"I'll just have to find another way," said Vincent turning back to them and then glancing at his wife and son. "For their sakes."

"So—what do you wish to talk about?" asked Reeve sitting down on a bench beside a shady tree.

"About Shelke," said Vincent joining him.

"Oh—what about?" asked Reeve folding his hands.

"Well," sighed Vincent. "This whole ordeal with Gilmore and Hojo has shed some new light of us. On our relationship. She's forgiven me—we've forgiven each other. I realize now that I want her back in my life—and Gilmore as well."

"And why are you talking to me about this?" asked Reeve tilting his head a bit.

"To ask your permission to have them," said Vincent folding his hands and looking at Reeve.

Reeve smiled and then folded his arms. He bowed his head and sighed shaking it. Once he looked up at Vincent who patiently waited for his answer Reeve just said—

"They were never mine."

"But . . . you and Shelke are engaged to be married," said Vincent.

"Hhh, from the start I knew she'd never give her whole heart to me, and I understand that," said Reeve looking at Vincent. "I only meant to hold them for you—until you returned to claim them again . . . for some strange reason I knew you were coming back. You always seem to do."

Vincent just smiled looking at his old friend Reeve. Reeve inhaled and then exhaled as he stood up and placed a hand on Vincent's shoulder saying—

"Take your family Vincent—and keep them safe."

"Thank-you," said Vincent with a nod.

At that Reeve walked off and Vincent went to tell Shelke. All seemed to be perfect even though on the inside Vincent was far from perfect, but he tried to see the good thing of this. Now Shelke doesn't have to worry about him dying so soon before her. But then again—how long could he live with the monster until it decided it wanted to take control? That he didn't know but he didn't want to think of that right now.

"Shelke," he said coming up to her.

Shelke turned and for a split second Vincent could have swore he starred right at Lucrecia. Shelke noticed his pause and so asked—

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing it's just—sometimes you look just like her," he said.

Shelke couldn't help but smile. She then clasp her hands behind her back asking—

"So what did you talk to Reeve about? You two didn't get into any fights did you?"

"Friends shouldn't be fighting among themselves," said Vincent coming closer to her. "I just asked him for permission."

"Permission for what?" asked Shelke with a smile as Vincent wrapped his arms around her waist.

"To have you back," said Vincent with a smile.

"What'd he say?" asked Shelke her heart skipping a beat.

"He said that you were never his," said Vincent in an almost whisper.

At that Shelke looked away so he couldn't see her blush. Her eyes cast down she took a few breaths before she looked into Vincent's eyes saying—

"He was right you know."

Shelke then leaned her head up and gave Vincent a tender kiss. She placed her hands on his arms and just stayed that way for as long as she could. She stopped once she heard a familiar voice say—

"Mom."

Both turned their head to see Gilmore standing next to Zack who just seemed to smile so brightly like he sparkled with radiance.

"Oh—hi Gilmore," she said with a blush.

"You don't mind if I stay at Zack's tonight do you?" he asked pointing to Zack.

"Well I—uh," said Shelke looking at Vincent not knowing if he had any plans or not for them.

"Yes, you may," said Vincent with a nod. "But I want you to come to the cottage for dinner."

"Why?" asked Gilmore. "What's the occasion?"

"That we are joined together once again as a family," said Vincent with a smile.

"You mean . . . mom you're not engaged anymore?" he asked looking at her with an agape mouth.

"He let me go," said Shelke with a flutter of her eyes and then glance at Vincent. "Knowing where my heart truly belonged."

"That's great!" smiled Gilmore his ruby eyes sparkling with overflowing joy like a childish dream of his had just come true. "So are we gonna move back to the cottage any time soon?"

"One step at a time Gilmore," said Vincent with a small chuckle.

"Alright," said Gilmore with a smile.

Hot Shot's girl: YEA!!! They're back togetha :) Alls well right? . . . well with me--maybe. You'll see what I mean later. Till next chp bye.