Disclaimer: I do not now or before and most likely not in the future, own Final Fantasy, Square Enix or any of the characters.

A/N: The first part of this chapter has a theme song of sorts, "Your Guardian Angel" by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. The italicized beginning is not a flashback, it's what is happening in the life stream or later as Cloud is talking. There is also a flashback later in the chapter with Tifa.

I want to dedicate this to my friends SubZeroChimera, Queen of Jokers, Yukio87, Ryma and Enchanted Cross. These wonderful women have stood by me for so long and kept me going at times that I didn't think I could. I also want to dedicate this to a fantastic writer and super busy woman, JaydeeGrey. Her generosity and boldly ambitious stories got me motivated enough to start writing after years and years of wanting to write but not able to for various reasons. Thank you so much ladies! Also, I can't forget those of you who have read, reviewed, put this in your favorites lists and/or subscribed to it, thank you all!

Reviews, critiques and flames are welcome. I absolutely love all reviews about the story as it gives me motivation, I use good constructive criticism to help my writing improve and I feed the flames to the fires of my imagination.

Thanks to my before posting beta Queen of Jokers and my after posting beta SubZeroChimera!

"Life is an echo, what you send out comes back." –Unknown

Chapter 82

~Epilogue~

Soft light surrounded him, warmth and a kind face greeted him with blond hair flowing over the woman's shoulders, her bright blue eyes smiled as her gentle arms embraced him.

"My baby, oh how I've missed you."

Closing his eyes, leaning down, his face fit perfectly in the crook between her neck and shoulder. Exhaling slowly, he felt her hand stroke the back of his head as his arms finished the embrace. All he could whisper was a sigh of relief, "Mom."

"You turned out as such a wonderful man. After everything that you've been through, I knew you were strong," Lifting his face up so she could look into his eyes, she cupped one of his cheeks with her hand, "I am so proud of you."

Leaning into her hand, a single tear fell, "I wanted so badly to save you, but I just couldn't. I was too weak."

"None of that matters now. What matters now is that you're not finished yet," Her hand left his face and she took both of his hands in hers.

Furrowing his eyebrows, he asked, "What do you mean?"

With a large smile, she looked over his shoulder, "Well, look at your friends, honey. Don't you see something, feel something?"

Turning in the direction she indicated, he could see a faded picture of his friends and Tifa, floating on the light breeze that circled the mother and son. Just as she'd said, he could see that they were in so much pain, something terrible was happening to them. If he didn't intervene, something even worse would happen, a significant energy needed help. Meeting her eyes again, he asked, "Can I help them before it's too late?"

Nodding her head she nudged him forward, "Yes, of course you can! Do what you feel is necessary."

Not letting go of her hand until he was a few steps away he muttered in a distracted fashion, "I'll be right back, Mom."

Holding her hands in front of her, she watched until she couldn't see him anymore. When she closed her eyes, she spoke to the last living ancient.

Cloud stood in the middle of a wonderful and softly lit room. The walls had a gentle curve to them and each wall held a window with a view of his friends. He studied each one in turn, trying to decide what he needed to do, what was necessary for their spiritual and physical survival.

Sephiroth would be okay, he had Aerith to take care of him and keep him sane. The silver gentleman had always been the wise one and would take charge and be Zack's council in his time of need. The fact that he died at his hand; it just wasn't an issue anymore. Cloud held no ill feelings towards him. He was his friend and always would be. Just knowing that he had been one of the people who brought Sephiroth out from behind the fortress that he'd built up was enough. Now he would be able to have the life that he so desperately wanted, with Aerith.

Looking to Tifa's image, his thoughts went to her and how much he loved her and always had. There was nothing, absolutely nothing that he wouldn't do for her. However, knowing what was at stake, he made his mind up. He would need to bring her back from the darkness that was consuming her. Letting her suffer, watching as her heart withered to nothing, he couldn't allow that to happen… not to her. This was the same woman who saw the good in everything, found fun when there was none. Now, because of him, she'd lost her way.

Then there was Zack, his best friend. If he had a brother, he would want him to be just like Zack. The former Soldier had always been there for him, and if he asked, he knew within the deepest part of his heart, that the brunette would do as he asked or die trying. Zack had died trying before, and nothing would have been the same without him. Without his spunky dark-haired friend, Cloud would be a monster, or worse.

The blond man, who started out a small town kid with big dreams, knew exactly where he needed to start. So with his mind made up and thoughts of both Tifa and Zack, he closed his eyes and readied himself.

When Zack finally landed, he looked around and tears fell with his heart, this was where he'd died while fighting for their freedom. Unconsciously, he'd come here and remembered that this was where he promised Cloud that he would live on. It all happened a lifetime ago. Now though, it meant nothing, it was just a wasteland, sucked dry of its former beauty by the Shinra Corporation, no more dreams, just broken promises.

The view of Midgar was where the very same corporation that allowed them to be experimented on, turning them into the monsters that they were now. Strange, the feelings that came with that thought and word, monster. Angeal and Genesis said the same thing when they'd changed.

Remembering that he told his mentor that he actually looked like an angel, he'd seen him as an angel with a wing and soul, and a hero in the truest sense of the word. Now he understood what Angeal had said and now, he was the monster. Would fighting it be enough to get through, or would it stay and persist like the parasite that Jenova was? Accepting that he was a monster was the first step in his downfall, but he'd always been stronger than that.

Dropping to his knees, he covered his face with his hands, his tears dripped to the hard dirt, making tiny puddles of mud beneath him. The cold wind blew his black hair in all different directions. Feeling his wings, shifting from the wind, he flapped them and they lay flat at his sides, not folding them to his back, unwilling to accept them, just wanting them as far from him as possible. They were just reminders of so much pain and loss… And now, the boy that he took a liking to and protected at the cost of his own life was gone…

Letting his sobs out, his anguish and painful memories and how Cloud had saved him by paying the greatest price. But hadn't he done the same thing, so long ago on this very cliff for Cloud?

"Why did you come here?"

Freezing in place, his sobs fell silent, then he slowly looked up; he didn't see anything but the fading view of Midgar and took notice that the cold wind had stopped.

"You know, you shouldn't beat yourself up."

Sitting up on his heels, his breath hitched as the name stuck in his throat, "Cloud?"

A cheery voice spoke from behind him, "The one and only."

Quickly turning, he saw nothing as he fell to his rear end. Wiping at his eyes, he thought that he was losing it, hallucinating that his friend was talking to him.

"No, this isn't a hallucination."

Standing up, he turned back to where the view of Midgar had been; now there was nothing but soft, soothing light, "Am I dead?"

Cloud's audible sigh sounded pleasant, Zack could picture the one-sided grin on his face, "No, but that's not what you really want to ask, is it?"

There was so much he wanted to say, so much that he wanted to ask. Taking a deep breath, he centered his thoughts, trying not to scream out at him, "Why Cloud? Why'd you give up?"

His best friend's voice sounded directly behind him, "It isn't a matter that I gave up."

More tears surged and slid down his ruddy cheeks, he was angry, "Then what was it?"

In a softer tone, his volume lowered, "Zack, that day in the hospital with all of you there with me; I wouldn't have wanted to go any other way. I didn't want to go, but I had no choice," Pausing, Zack could hear Cloud take a deep breath, "The green-eyed me wanted to live, wanted a chance at life. I couldn't deny him that chance, after he helped us. My body is unable to return to the life stream because of Hojo's experiments so… he took over. After all, I was… gone…" Rustling his hand through Zack's black hair, he added, "If you go look for him, he really isn't that bad of a guy any more, I took the fight right out of him, ya know." Following up, Cloud chuckled quietly to himself.

Closing his eyes, he shut out the sight of white surrounding him, wanted to shut out the world, "Why- why did you step in front of me when Sephiroth attacked me?"

Zack heard a giggle from the blond before he asked, "Were you born this stupid or is this a learned behavior?" Looking down at his feet, Zack couldn't help but smile through his tears. Cloud paused with a comfortable silence, "You should know that by now." Cloud chuckled again, "To give you a chance at life of course," There was a slight rustling behind him.

A soft warm breeze wrapped Zack in gentle heat, "What about you? Don't you want to stay here with Tifa?"

Scoffing, Cloud said, "Of course I do, but that isn't how it worked out now is it?" A quiet moment and another warm breeze wrapped him again in a blanket of comfort. When he felt a warm hand enter his, he couldn't help that he choked on another sob, as if heartbreak were a pliable material, it lodged in his chest. With a sigh, Cloud's voice changed to one of seriousness, "I don't have much time, talking to you like this takes a lot out of me, so listen. Zack, there is something that I need for you to do for me."

Opening his eyes, he took in the beautiful and warm light that washed away his heartache, "Anything."

"I want you to take care of Tifa," Cloud squeezed Zack's hand, "The love is there," Feeling a warm hand on his chest, right above his heart, Zack inhaled at the rush of feelings, of love, "Its inside you now. You're just gonna have to allow it to grow."

"She doesn't want me. She wants you," At Zack's statement, Cloud removed his hand from his chest.

"Listen," The warm hand in Zack's hand tightened its grip, "Out in the shed behind the bar, on the top shelf all the way to the back, there is something for you to give to her," Squeezing again, he finished, "It is from you now."

"She doesn't love me that way," Zack wiped his face with his other hand, "She will never accept me in your place."

Another warm embrace of a gentle breeze, "It won't take as long as you think… You'll know when it's time," Cloud's hand slipped out of Zack's and his voice began to fade. Quickly turning, he noticed a light dimming and hearing a smile in his friend's voice, he continued, "Oh, and Zack, if you concentrate hard enough, your wings will disappear until you need them again. Now go, be the hero you always wanted to be and save the girl."

With the warm wrap of friendly heat gone, he snapped back to the real world. Breathing hard, he wanted so badly to trade places with him. How could he take care of Tifa the way he would have? Just as he had done, Cloud had asked him for a favor. The blond wanted him to take care of the woman that he loved since childhood, but why now? He said to 'save the girl.' Was Tifa in some sort of danger?

Taking flight, he went as fast as he could and when he saw the bar, he went straight behind the building. There stood the shed, treading lightly he opened the door to the dark room. Pulling the chain to turn on the light, he looked around the shed. On one side, there was the couch that they had moved out there, and right above it was a shelf. Standing on the couch, he peered over the edge, dust and cobwebs covered everything except one thing. It had smudges of dirt and mud, but otherwise was out-of-place on the shelf.

Wrapping his fingers around the small black box, he opened it tentatively. A small flash of light had Zack wincing at the intrusion to his eyes. When it dimmed, a diamond encrusted silver ring seemed to sing, much like a far off song. As though the ring itself said it, the voice chimed, "It belonged to my grandmother."

Expressing his apprehension in his mind, he didn't feel those kinds of feelings toward Tifa. Loving her and being in love with her were two different things.

Shutting the box, a noise startled him, "Zack? What are you doing in here?"

Sephiroth puzzled over him as the brunette held the box in his trembling hands. Blankly staring at his long-haired friend, he closed his eyes and concentrated on his heart, his love for his friend and with a soft flapping sound, his wings disappeared.

"Zack! How did you do that?!"

Opening his watery eyes, he choked out as sobs rocked his body, "Cloud told me."

"What?!"

The fantastic story sounded even more astounding as he repeated what happened, "Then he told me to give this ring to Tifa… from me. It belonged to his grandmother. Evidently he buried it like treasure when he was a kid so the bullies wouldn't take it. When we got back Nibelheim, he went and dug it up and kept it to give to Tifa one day."

Silently listening, Sephiroth sat next to Zack on the cold concrete steps that led to the kitchen, "How did it get here? We didn't come back here before we went to the crater."

Rubbing the back of his neck, Zack shrugged, "How is he talking to me?"

"True," Sephiroth sighed and leaned forward on his elbow, "So when are you supposed to do this?"

"He said that I would know when the time was right. I just don't understand how I'm supposed to develop feelings for her overnight?" Zack stood and straightened his pant legs.

Light blue eyes found the violet ones of his friend, "I say that you just trust what he said and when it happens, don't fight it."

Tilting his head, he rubbed at the back of his neck, with a sigh, "…Okay, I'll try, but I'm not promising anything." Trying to change the subject, he diverted to his wings, "Why don't you try making your wings go poof?"

Within just a few seconds, Sephiroth's velvet-black wings disappeared, "Sure wish I knew we could do that a long time ago." Sephiroth stood suddenly and asked pointedly as he narrowed his eyes in thought, "Didn't you say that Cloud touched you?! And then you felt something?"

Nodding, Zack's eyes went wide when a realization hit him, "Hey… You don't think that he… he sent me his feelings for her do you?"

"I wish Harding were here, maybe he could answer, but in my opinion, yes, it seems plausible," Sephiroth crossed his arms, "I mean look at what the three of us have already shared, thoughts, memories and feelings. Why should this be any different?"

Running his fingers through his hair, Zack exasperated, "Damn it Cloud, you son-of-a-bitch. I swear if you were here now, I would kick your ass." Turning quickly back to Sephiroth, "What am I supposed to do Seph?"

"You're just going to have to trust him. What I think is that you had feelings of love and friendship for her already," Sephiroth raised his hand to Zack's shoulder urging him to look him in the eye, "That is the love that he is building on, sending his feelings and adding to what you already have. So just let it happen as it plays out."

Wiping the tracks of tears from his face, Zack swallowed audibly, "I guess you're right." Following Sephiroth back in to the kitchen, Zack mumbled, "Short, stubborn, spiky-headed, son of a bitch, walking around looking like a chocobo's ass, mother-"

Rolling his eyes, Sephiroth turned back to the other man, "Zack!"

Raising his eyes to meet the man in front of him, he questioned innocently, "What?"

Sephiroth scolded, "How about a sense of decorum?"

Rubbing the back of his neck in nervousness, Zack shrugged his shoulders, "Well? Don't tell me you don't feel the same." Sarcastically, he mumbled under his breath, "But oh, nnooo, he couldn't just let you kill me." Seeing the instant hurt fill Sephiroth's face, Zack immediately reached out, "Oh, Gaia Seph, I'm sorry!"

The fight to keep up his composure began to become a losing battle. Swallowing hard, Sephiroth then inhaled deeply, straightened his shoulders and blinked away the threatening tears, "All of this is still a raw open and bleeding wound. So let's just drop it."

Sadly he replied, "Okay, sorry." Entering the kitchen where Aerith was waiting, Zack poured himself a cup of coffee.

Putting her cup down, she solemnly said, "I don't know why I didn't feel him there before. However, the planet, or someone, was speaking to me and when I woke up that's when I tried calling," When she noticed the difference in them both, she curiously asked, "Where are your wings?"

Zack looked at Sephiroth and got a nod telling him that he should tell Aerith what had happened. After recounting the story again, Zack grew weary about talking to Tifa.

Aerith reached across the table and took Zack's hand and with a reassuring smile she conveyed, "I have a feeling that she will be more receptive than you think. Just give it a little time okay. You will know when she is ready to accept it, and at that time, you will be more accepting also."

A week went by and Aerith stayed close, keeping Tifa comforted, but she didn't seem like she was doing any better. Trying to take care of her, Zack began feeling that he was having very little effect in helping her, in fact, he just felt like he was in the way. Tifa just ignored him and stayed in her darkened room, in bed.

Standing in the kitchen with Zack, Aerith was getting something for Tifa to eat. Of course the man who was well-known for being the life of the party was downtrodden. Placing her hand on his arm, Aerith's smile was reassuring, "Zack, everything will be okay, just give it a little more time. Trust me."

A nervous smile crossed his face and he turned to take the trash out.

Since everything had changed, the move got postponed for a while. During that same week, Sephiroth went off to try to find the other Cloud, just as their Cloud had said to and once they found him, they helped him to start over outside of a small town, and far away from Tifa. After the hectic week of Sephiroth being gone, Zack was washing up the last of the dishes from the dinner rush; Zack busied his thoughts so that he didn't think about Cloud so much.

"You know, you are starting to brood."

Turning toward the voice, surprised that she was out of her room and talking to him, he muttered, "Sorry, I just… I don't know what to say to you."

When she took steps toward him, he unconsciously stepped to her, "I'm sorry for the last few weeks, I just have a lot on my mind."

Zack took her in to his arms and hugged her tightly, "I know you do."

"Zack, I have something that I need to tell you, but I don't want you to think that I'm crazy," She paused and looked up at him when he released her from the hug, "I could hear Cloud's voice and he told me something."

Waking to a gentle breeze of warm air, Tifa didn't seem as though she was in her darkened room any more. The inviting glow of white surrounded her and she started to panic until she heard a voice, "Tifa."

The pain in her chest filled and spilled over. The dam of pain at his loss flooded her until she couldn't stand. Falling to the floor she whispered, "Cloud?"

"...Yes."

Clutching at her heart, she couldn't take the pain, she couldn't stop wanting to scream out. She began to think that this was worse than any torture that could be inflicted upon her body. The pain in the heart, pain of the soul, was too much and she finally cried out and flailed a wild fist to the floor. Tears flowed freely as she dropped her head and rested her forehead on the floor. Unable to control her emotions, she asked weakly, "How could you do this? Why would you let this happen?"

"Tifa," Warmth wrapped around her back and shoulders, "It was just something that happened. The sooner you accept that, the faster you can heal. Here, this should help a little," Suddenly the warmth that was just around her shoulders flowed through her body, cleansing it of the worst of the pain, "That is only temporary, I can't fix it permanently, that's something you have to work on," Cleaning the blackness that had crept in, the gentle softness reached her heart and she filled with new feelings, fresh emotions.

Raising her head, she looked around but saw nothing but the cover of comforting and calming light, "What happened? Why can't I see you?" Able to speak in coherent sentences now, she inquired to him, implored him, "Please, just let me see you one more time. I want… I want to see your face again, just once more."

"You and I both know that's a bad idea. That isn't why I'm here."

Wiping her cheeks, she asked, "Why are you here then?"

"You said that you loved me and would die for me, but if you don't move on, I'm afraid that you might die because of me. You're sinking Tifa and if you continue down the path you've chosen, you will die."

"I don't care! I want to be with you, forever. Remember, we promised each other."

"Tifa please don't do this to yourself. I want you to do something, but it is going to take a lot of trust on your part. Will you do as I ask?"

Hesitantly nodding, Tifa bit her lip, "Okay."

"I want you to let Zack take care of you."

Tifa's quiet and pain filled voice uttered, "But I-"

"I know you want me, but you two need each other. I can't take care of you anymore and I know that you can take care of one another. You are going to need him now more than ever with everything that will be happening in the coming months. I love you both too much to let you destroy yourselves." Her crying muffled as she covered her face. "This is all I have left to give you Tifa, please take it and don't fight it," From behind her, a warm hand touched her heart and more of the soft feelings of friendship, companionship and love filled what was once just an empty abyss.

Cloud's voice had a smile embedded in it as it faded, "If you focus on what's left behind, you'll never be able to see what lies ahead."

"There was something else that I thought about after he stopped talking to me. It was something I told him after we found you outside of Nibelheim. He was upset about you being in such bad shape and not getting to you before Jenova did," Tifa closed her eyes and said quietly, "I said to make you a promise. I made him promise to be your hero this time. When the time came for him to make a decision, it was already made and I think that's why he saved you."

Dropping his gaze, Zack shook his head, "Leave it to him to never forget anything that happened so long ago," Turning his attentions back to Tifa, he made eye contact with her, "After everything, all of this… I don't think you're crazy Tifa, Cloud came to me too," Both of them stared at each other, unsure of how to proceed, until Zack quietly said, "That night, when the other, the green-eyed… you know… when he flew away, that's when Cloud talked to me too. All of this, what Cloud asked of me, I never thought that I would be here, like this, with you." Zack's blue violet eyes shimmered in her gaze.

Straightening the front of his shirt, she rested her hands, palms pressed to his chest, she sadly smiled and said, "There is something else and I don't know how to say this."

Zack covered her hands that still rested over his chest, "I'm listening."

Bright beautiful eyes of the purest and untouched dark mahogany looked up in his eyes, when they watered, wet with tears, he let a tear of his own fall, "…I'm pregnant."

"…Tifa…"

Pulling his hands into hers she pulled his gaze back to her, "He wants you to help me raise his child."

"How long have you known?"

"I found out a couple of weeks after we returned to Midgar. I didn't want to say anything because I wanted to wait to tell Cloud first, but…"

Stealing a few moments, they stared at each other again, still not sure of what to do. If this is what Cloud had wanted, somehow he knew that the time was right. Without even thinking, not sure of what seemed to take over his movements, he dropped to one knee and pulled out the small black box from under the sink where he'd hidden it.

"I know that I am not Cloud, and I know that I am not the father of the baby, but I want to take care of you… both of you, just like he wanted, just like I want. I do love you Tifa, more now than ever before," Nervously, he wiped his palms on his pants and smiled, "This is so weird, I didn't know I felt this way, until right in this moment."

Shaking her head, she inquisitively said, "Me too, I love you also, but this is definitely going to take some getting used to. I need to go slow. We've both got a lot to process, okay? I sure hope Cloud knows what he's doing."

Pulling her to another hug, he held her as she cried. This time though, the tears were different and he wasn't going to ask her about it, he just wanted her to let it out. He felt differently now, so he just enjoyed the moment holding on to her.

Just a couple of days later after Sephiroth got back from Rocket Town, there was a get together that Aerith planned at her house. Yuffie had come to visit and brought Vincent with her. Barret showed up along with Kunsel, Red and Reno. Tifa stood in front of everyone and she looked to Sephiroth with a small smile when he put his arm around Aerith's shoulders.

Zack sat in a chair next to Vincent and Reno and smiled at her with warmth in his heart.

Standing up in front of everyone, Tifa got strength from Zack's gaze, "I have an announcement to make. Now I don't want you to think that we are nuts, but we… got a message from Cloud. Even though he is in the life stream, he still found a way to talk to us," Oddly enough, no one made a sound, they waited patiently, "Well there is no easy way to say this, so I'll just say it… I'm pregnant."

Aerith clapped her hands together and giggled and Sephiroth dropped his jaw but then looked at Zack. He already knew about the marriage, but this was new. Zack held his hands up and said aloud with a grin, "Don't look at me."

Murmurs rounded through the friends in attendance in the room and Tifa raised her voice, "Listen, there is something else," Once everyone's attention got back to her, she continued, "Zack is going to help me raise the baby."

Zack stood and took her hand and he quickly added before the talking got much louder, "This is what he asked of us, so we are going to do this the right way." Lifting his arm, he wrapped it around her shoulders, "We are going to get married."

…Silence fell among the room…

Vincent was the first to ask, "Are you sure about this?"

With a smile, Zack kissed the back of her hand and looked in her eyes, "No… but, he wanted us to do this together."

Reno approached and punched Zack in the arm, "I guess congrats is in order then."

Zack pulled him into a hug and whispered to the red-head, "Thanks for everything Reno."

"Ah, shucks, you would've done the same," Reno patted his back and whispered with a little humor laced in his voice, "Okay you can let go of me now before I get a boner."

Quickly pushing him back to arm's length, Zack couldn't help but laugh.

Deciding to move to Skiba after the baby was born and after they made it official, they went through the pregnancy together. Not once had Cloud come back to them, telling them anything.

As the weeks turned to months, Zack was there for her in any way that she needed.

Hearing a knock on his bedroom door one night, he rolled over and looked at the clock over Sephiroth's shoulder. Mumbling the time aloud, "2:23" He heard the knock again and jerked, "Tifa?!" Opening the door, she stood there in her nightgown; her growing belly was noticeable in her sixth month, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just want some ice cream."

"We have some downstairs."

"Yeah I know, but I want the chocolate chunky fudge brownie ice cream."

His mind arrowed in on one memory as he remembered that was Cloud's favorite flavor, "But… nothing is open now."

"That store over in sector 4, its open 24/7, I already called," Rubbing at her belly, she looked down and looked back up at him from under her eyebrows and shyly smiled, "Pleeeaase?"

With a little chuckle, Zack answered her request, "Okay, now how can I say no to that?" pausing and then looking down at himself, he laughed, "I don't think that they would appreciate me going in my blue and yellow Pac-Man boxers. Let me get some clothes on and I'll go," Wrapping his hand around the back of her head, he pulled her to a kiss on her forehead and turned to get dressed.

When he returned an hour later, she was in the kitchen eating a peanut butter, strawberry jelly, bananas and pickle sandwich. Somewhat shocked and hurt he asked, "Tifa? What are you doing?"

Taking a bite of her sandwich she shyly smiled and shrugged, "Sorry, I was hungry." Seeing the brown paper bag that had melted ice cream dripping from the corner down to the floor and down one of his pants leg, she started crying, "Oh, I'm so sorry!"

Putting the bag on the counter, Zack pulled her to his chest. He thought it strange that the feelings that he never really had for her just grew as the weeks went by. The feel of her next to him and the way she smiled, laughed, walked and even cried sent him to a place that he had only felt for one other person so long ago.

A few more months went by and he was at his part-time job, stocking shelves at the grocery store, he seemed overjoyed every day, thinking about her and the growing life inside of her, the little piece of Cloud that she carried under her heart.

When the phone rang, Bradley, the manager, answered it. Calling Zack to the office the former Soldier bounced in to the room with his customary smile, "Yeah, what's up boss?"

Without looking away from his computer monitor, he pointed at the phone and said, "Telephone."

Answering with a smile, he almost shouted, "Zack here."

Sephiroth's voice very nearly deafened him, "Zack, get your ass to the hospital, Tifa's in labor!"

Fumbling the phone receiver until it finally dropped to the desk, he yelled, "On my way!" Forgetting the box of chips that he was stocking on the shelves, he ran out the door as he yelled, "We're having a baby!"

When he got there, Sephiroth was sitting out in the hallway, nervously jiggling his leg, he stood quickly when Zack came running through the doors, "Zack! She's close. Get in there!"

With a slap on the back, he gave Zack the momentum to burst through the door, Tifa lay in bed, breathing in a rhythm that Aerith kept up as she talked her through the contraction. Sweat dampened the martial artist's skin and her dark hair stuck to her forehead and neck.

When the contraction started calming down, Tifa grunted, "Get. It. Out!"

Zack rushed to her side, "Tifa!"

Her hardened face softened when she saw him, she grabbed his hand, "Zack, I'm glad you made it."

When the next contraction hit her, Aerith continued to talk her through it and she squeezed Zack's hand. The big tough, battle hardened man's mouth dropped open and his silent scream drew his widened eyes to the white knuckles on her fist, "…Oww… That hurts a little Tifa, let up would ya-?"

A deathly glare from her got him quiet very quickly and she growled, "Don't tell me what hurts!"

Realizing his stupidity, he tried back peddling to redeem himself and still try to keep up his manliness, "Okay- sorry… I know… I'm an asshole… the biggest asshole- oww -in the world… just breath, okay- Ahh, Oww… Yeah just listen to Aerith." The Cetra smiled at him as she talked her through it. Not too long after that, the doctor came in, they had her begin to push and he just thought that the hand squeeze before hurt. He dutifully held her up to more of a sitting position so that she could push easier.

With just a few pushes, the cry of a newborn filled the room as Tifa collapsed back on the bed, panting in exhaustion. Zack looked to the doctor when he handed the scissors to the exuberant former Soldier, "You want to cut the cord?"

Bouncing from excitement, he reached over and cut the life-giving umbilical cord. Going back to the woman in the bed, with his grin from ear to ear, he informed her, "Tifa, you have a healthy baby boy."

Tired bright eyes found his and she began to cry, "Really?" Furrowing her eyebrows, she pulled at his hand, determined to make eye contact with him, she quietly said, "We have a healthy baby boy."

Nodding, Zack smiled like his light began to shine again after being hidden for so long. The brightness of his eyes illuminated Tifa's wide eyes. Chuckling, he informed her, "He has his father's blond, unruly hair."

Kissing the new mother effortlessly on the lips, Zack closed his eyes as the feelings of love grew in his heart, tenfold. At one time, while they were on the run, his wish was to have children with Aerith, but now, kissing the woman who somehow wound her way through his heart, he filled with joyful peace. Tifa replaced all the thoughts and feelings he had ever had for Aerith and he comfortably let it.

His thoughts not far from the newborn, he remembered when he was thinking about wanting a little girl of his own, but a son was just as special. Without realizing it, his best friend gave him the opportunity to take care of the beautiful life that was waiting to blossom. He was going to take this chance that Cloud had given him and he was going to spoil, protect, hug, fight for and love that little boy, just as his father would have.

Aerith smiled at the brand new start. Out of the three of them, she was the only one that noticed the passionate kiss between the two of them, but she didn't say anything. She knew exactly what Cloud was doing and she didn't want to intrude in his wishes. Afraid that if she said anything, they both would over analyze everything and end the spontaneity that they needed to move forward.

Confused, the doctor looked at the baby and his blond hair, and then at the man who was kissing the new mother. Sensing questions, Aerith touched the doctor's arm, "It is a long story, but everything is alright."

Leaving the couple, Aerith went out to Sephiroth's beaming and curious posture, "Well?!"

A coy smile from her lips, Aerith radiantly detailed, "It's a boy, and he looks just like Cloud."

After capturing her lips in a kiss, he asked, "When can we have one of our own?" His smile widened as he grabbed her in a tight hug.

Pulling her fingers through his hair, she winked, "We can start trying as soon as we get home good Sir!" Sephiroth laughed as he swung her around.

After Aerith, the doctor and the nurse left them in the room alone together, Tifa held her son. Looking into his deep blue eyes, they filled with an eternity of knowledge just waiting for discovery.

Zack scooted into the bed next to his new soon-to-be-family and rested his arm under Tifa's head that then rested on Zack's shoulder. Making his cheek at home close to her forehead, all he could do was gaze at the beautiful child that was part of Cloud. Leaning down, he placed a kiss on the top of the head of the newest addition, "What are you going to name him?"

Letting her finger get wrapped in the newborn's tiny fist, Tifa's lips curled to a smile, "I would like to name him after his father," Suddenly filled with self-doubt, hoping that it didn't hurt Zack's feelings, she questioned, "Is that okay?"

"Why wouldn't it be okay?" Zack gently hugged on Tifa, "I like it!" Zack caressed the pure white, flawless and innocent cheek of the newborn, "Well Junior, welcome to the family."

Aerith was absolutely thrilled when it fell to her to plan the wedding. Having it at the old church, in front of the large bed of flowers was what Zack and Tifa wanted. Aerith insisted that all the girls stay at her house the day and night before the wedding, while the guys stayed at the bar.

It was kind of like one last slumber party with Tifa, Yuffie, Shera and Jessie, sometimes Aerith liked the silly side like that. They didn't mind because there was no telling what the guys were up to. After all, they had no adult supervision.

That night before the wedding, Tifa sat in front of the mirror in Aerith's bedroom, brushing her hair when Aerith came in holding Junior. Aerith could see anxiousness wearing her down, "What's the matter Tifa?"

Startling, Tifa blushed all over her face and even down her neck, "It's embarrassing and I don't know if you're okay talking about it."

Waving her free hand, she said with confidence, "You can talk to me about anything."

Looking away, Tifa laid the brush on the table in front of her. Taking a deep breath she lowered her eyes to the floor, "Well… I haven't been with anyone other than Cloud. I guess I am nervous, you know, almost like I'm cheating on him or something. That's why Zack and I haven't… you know."

Happiness showed up in Aerith's eyes before her lips followed in a reassuring smile, "It's okay for you to be nervous, but just remember, Cloud wanted you two together for a reason," Kneeling down, Aerith tilted the three-month old so that Tifa could see him. A tiny smile lit up her son's brightly glowing blue eyes when Tifa poked him gently on his tiny nose. Aerith kissed him on the temple, "He wanted this for him too."

"I suppose you're right, but why do I feel this way about Zack so… suddenly? I mean we never felt this way- It's just kind of weird, that's all."

Aerith rose with a grin and gave her the baby, standing behind Tifa and pulling the brush through her hair, she sighed happily, "The love was always there, within you. Cloud just cultivated the seeds until it grew into the beautiful and strong feelings that you have for each other now."

After sun set, the night before the up-coming nuptials, Zack was greeted by Sephiroth, Reno, Rude, Cid, Nanaki, Vincent, Barret, Biggs, Wedge, Kunsel and Tseng. The groom sat at a table in the middle of the dining room. Everyone shared battle stories, funny stories, past sexual conquests and stories that would gross out even Hojo. The evening wore on, the alcohol flowed easier and everyone loosened up to have a good time.

Sephiroth, having had enough after his hangover once before, he cut himself off after he fell out of his chair laughing at Reno's drunken impression of Rufus. Nanaki had to hold Tseng and Biggs upright and Rude became the official referee on the arm wrestling match between Cid and Barret.

"Listen you old airship flyin bastard, I got this in the bag," Barret was able to get out just before he lost the match when he hit the floor.

Cid being proud of his win, jumped up and shouted as he pointed to Barret, "Yeah! Who's my bitch now?!"

Vincent was able to get a hold of Barret and divert him to the bar for another drink. When the music started up, it came as no surprise when the drunken groom bounced to his feet. The song just so happened was one of Zack's favorites when he got drunk, "Sexy and I Know It."

"I love this song!" Jumping on the bar, he started gyrating and then pulled Kunsel and Reno up on the bar too.

Completely amused, those who were down on the floor just watched as Reno, Kunsel and Zack danced a kind of routine that they had obviously done before. Side by side, matching step by step, they dipped down, spun around, just as the song indicated. As they turned slowly, they repeated the same step until they were facing out again.

Vincent and Nanaki just watched in amusement and silently thanked Gaia that they hadn't stripped down to their underwear like in the music video.

Cid sidled up to the bar, Kunsel dancing right above him, he said to the intoxicated former General after he downed a shot, "You know, your woman ain't gonna appreciate you spending your money on such sad and terrible entertainment." Deftly, he dodged a leg swing as Kunsel twisted and kicked out to the beat of the song.

When the song was over, Zack jumped/fell from the bar and hugged everyone in attendance.

Just when Zack started dancing to the next song, a man walked out of the kitchen wearing an obvious costume, "Did someone call for a plumber?"

Everyone froze, shocked, except for Zack. Being off in his own little dancing world, he failed to notice the man standing right behind him. When he turned during his twirl, he came face to face with the very muscular but slightly shorter man. Taking a few minutes to process that it was in fact a male stripper, he then looked around and slurred out as he laughed, "Reno! You sick twisted bastard!"

A giggle from the back called the attention to Reno, "Oh come on! That's some funny shit!" Pausing, Reno then hollered, "Let's get this party started!"

At noon time the next day, Tifa blushed when she got a good look at the guys. Cid had a black eye, Reno was wearing a home-made sling as he leaned on his girlfriend, Kunsel had sunglasses on, Biggs and Wedge both hunched down holding their heads and Sephiroth had his hair braided in a way to try to hide the knot tied tightly in the long locks. Even Tseng was looking especially ragged with bloodshot eyes. Looking at Barret's bruised fist and split lip, she giggled, "Did ya'll have fun last night?"

With a hidden grin, Barret winked at her, "Well, let me just put it this way, if Zack can't support you as a stock boy, he could always make a living as a stripper." Shocked, she couldn't hide her smile. Before she could say anything, Barret kissed Tifa on her cheek and just before he escorted her down the aisle, he told her, "You're beautiful, you know that?"

Taking his arm when he offered it, she blushed, "Thank you Barret."

Standing next to Zack in front of the flower bed, Sephiroth nudged Zack with his elbow. When Zack looked at his friends in the pews, his mother and father sat proudly and watched the bride walk toward him. Having been afraid to contact his parents, Sephiroth and Aerith contacted them and paid for their way, as a wedding gift. Getting to Midgar a week before the wedding, he was able to get a great visit with them. Telling them only about a few of the things, most definitely leaving out most of it, he got re-acquainted with them.

The groom's eyes went wide at the sight of his bride. The plain long sleeve and cream-colored silk dress hung with ease over her curves down to the floor. It finished off with sheer lace that covered her back, but the most gorgeous thing about her was her smile that lit up her eyes. Her long dark chestnut hair was held up and adorned with a small crown of smaller flowers that matched the white and yellow flowers of her bouquet and the flower bed.

Serious eyes of the clergy looked at both Tifa and Barret, "Who gives this woman in marriage?"

"…"

Tifa nudged Barret, shaking him from his daze, "Oh! I do…" Before he let go of Tifa's hand, Barret said, "I would just like to say that the princess better take good care of Tifa and that baby boy," Narrowing his eyes and with a complete absence of a smile, he pointed at Zack, "I know where you live."

Snapping to attention, Zack saluted, "Of course Sir!"

When the amused laughter died down, the maid of honor, Yuffie, took the bouquet so that the couple could face each other.

Clearing his throat, the minister started, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of friends and family to unite these two in matrimony."

Not able to take their eyes from one another the entire time, they barely heard their cues. Sephiroth had to nudge Zack twice to break him from the spell so that he could give him Tifa's ring.

Only to be fair, Yuffie had to do the same, only Zack's ring got stuck on her bouquet, "Well I didn't want to drop it so I put it on here… Sorry," Blushing in mortification, she finally got the ring to Tifa.

"Zackary, you prepared your own vows?"

"Yes sir," Clearing his throat, he squeezed her hands in his. His aqua eyes glowed with his rising emotions, "From the beginning, when this notion of you and me being together was presented to me, I have to say that I was a bit skeptical. With everything that we have all been through, it was a tall order to take care of my best friend's girl," Looking down at the floor, his breath hitched as tears welled in his eyes, "And it's because of my best friend that we are here now. Somehow, throughout the ashes of heartbreak and all the craziness of the last several months, I fell in love with you. Whether it has always been there, or it's brand new, I don't know. But the fact is that it is here, in my heart, only for you," A tear fell from her eye and with a soft and gentle touch, he wiped it away, "I promise that my heart, my soul and my love will be yours from now, until the end of forever."

"Tifa, you also have prepared your own vows?"

With a coy smile, she kept her eyes on the man in front of her, "Yes, I have." A quick glance at their friends, she moved her eyes back to Zack, "The last several months have been very difficult… for all of us. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to get through any of it. We've had the support of our friends in this crazy and insane turn of events," Squeezing his hands she shed another tear, "Who would have thought that it would be us standing here, but here we are. I too, have fallen in love with you and with the help of Cloud, we have found the love that was there within our hearts. I promise that I will not focus on what is behind me because I want to see what is in front of me and... that is you Zack."

When the minister announced, "I know present to you Mr. and Mrs. Zackary Fair. You may kiss your bride." Zack leaned over and kissed her and the world fell away and it was just the two of them. With their heads spinning in utter bliss, they just enjoyed the touch of the other.

When their hearts came back down, they finally heard the applause from all of their friends. Zack laughed when he heard the baby squeal from Aerith's arms.

Looking out at everyone, they both smiled at the joy that they read in the faces and hugs that rounded the room. Aerith and Sephiroth were living together again and were planning a wedding of their own soon. Happily, both of them had been able to move on and rekindle their passion for each other.

Reno finally settled down into a serious relationship with the meek and timid lab assistant from the science department, Lilly. Somehow, she calmed him when no one else could.

Yuffie had nothing but smiles for Vincent since he moved to Wutai so he could be near her while she ruled as queen after her father's death. Vincent, acting as her adviser, they were soon to announce their plans to change the ancient council decree, so that they could be together in the eyes of the laws of Wutai.

Even Cid with his wife, Shera was there. Naming the newly acquired airship after his wife, told everyone that he actually did have a compassionate side. They all had actually become good friends with them. Everyone learned that as gruff as he was, he was also a good person deep down.

Together, hand in hand, they froze in surprise as time stopped. Everyone in the church disappeared and they were alone in the large room. Noticing a figure leaning in the doorway of the church, his signature blond spikes stuck up just as they always had and his arms crossed over his chest. Zack squeezed her hand as she asked the blond, "This is what you wanted, right?"

A bright smile covered his face and as he stood to leave, they both heard him say, "Absolutely."

~End~

A/N 2: I know that this story has not been the most popular or the best written piece I've done, but it meant a lot to me. It was what got me through some rough times and I want to thank those of you who supported me thought out this journey. As I stated in the summary, there is a sequel in the works. When I published this story before, there were a lot of angry people who did not like my ending, but I wanted something different, something that wasn't like every other story out there. It was partly what spurred me starting a sequel. If you didn't like the ending of this story, I'm very sorry. Maybe you'll like the sequel.

I will post another chapter of this story (it will be chapter 83) so that I can let those of you who are subscribed to this story know when I post the first chapter of the sequel, if you are interested in reading it. Also included in chapter 83 will be the original ending.

As always, if you would like to, please leave your comments, reviews or constructive criticism in the box below. Thanks!