EPILOGUE

To Hear You Say You Love Me

The fireworks looked spectacular against the night sky. Everywhere she looked, Lightning could see bursts of color that panned out into almost floral designs. The surrounding crowd could hardly contain their own excitement as they watched. From where she was standing, Lightning caught a glimpse of Snow and Serah flying through the colorful lights on their anti-gravity bike; they were so far up that they looked like tiny ants.

Lightning hadn't been one for making wishes since her parents died, but tonight she would make an exception. As she stared up at the fireworks, she mentally wished that when Cloud called the next day, she would be one step closer to making her future even brighter than the lights above.

"You look dreamy, Farron."

Lightning gasped. She hadn't even noticed Lieutenant Amodar approach her from behind.

"Wishing on fireworks, were you?" He asked as he looked up at the sky. Then he laughed at her. "And you call yourself a soldier."

Lightning chuckled before giving him a solute. "Sorry, Lieutenant. But I really don't think guard duty is my calling, sir."

"Well, lucky for you, your shift just ended."

"But-sir. I thought my shift didn't end for another hour."

"Change of plans," he replied, not looking away from the fireworks. "You taking tomorrow off?"

"Sir, for my birthday, sir. My sister, she insisted on it."

"Twenty-one, huh?" he asked. "Maybe it's a good time to start your officer training." He placed his hand on her shoulder as he said this, looking like a proud father as he smiled at her.

Lightning could hardly believe what she was hearing. "Lieutenant…"

"You're past due for a promotion, Farron. Think of your future." He returned his attention to the fireworks. "Someone's already here to help you get started with your training."

"This soon?" Lightning asked, surprised.

"You're new supervisor's waiting at the dock," the Lieutenant replied. "Now, get going. You don't wanna keep this guy waiting-Believe me."

oOo

Lightning marched toward the dock with her shoulders squared, keeping one hand anxiously gripped on the handle of her Gunblade. As she stepped onto the wooden planks, she saw the figure of a man at far end. But she was unable to make out what he looked at first because it was so dark.

Then a white firework exploded, and his face was instantly illuminated.

Lightning froze in place, suddenly in such a state of shock that she couldn't make another move. He must've realized this, because he approached her instead, stopping directly in front of her to place a hand on her cheek.

Even his touch felt real. She wasn't hallucinating.

That's when her tears started falling.

"Don't cry, Claire," Cloud whispered, putting extra emphasis on her real name. "You should be happy. You're about to be promoted to an even higher rank… Once I'm done training you, that is."

"Cloud," she wept, unable to fight the tears. "why didn't you tell me you were in Bodhum when we were on the phone earlier!"

He leaned in closer and whispered into the shell of her ear. "Because I wanted to surprise you." It had been a long time since he'd been this close to her, and he didn't want the moment to end anytime soon. He also couldn't remember the last time he'd smiled this much.

Without thinking, Lightning pressed her mouth against his, closing her eyes. She proceeded to leave a series of loving kisses on his lips, well aware that other soldiers from her faction were probably watching, but she didn't care. "We've got a lot to catch up on," she pointed out to him. "How long has it been? Almost a year?"

"Eight months," Cloud replied. "But before we get to the catching up part…" He reached into his pocket and took out a small white box. "This is for you."

Lightning wiped her face clean of tears before taking the gift from him. "Cloud, you didn't have to-" But when she removed the lid, she was left speechless. Inside was a lime-green keychain that looked similar to his-the one that held the key to his bike… Only, this was a different key entirely.

Her expression was completely aghast. "You didn't."

"I did."

And, for the first time in her life, Lightning deliberately allowed herself to go completely out of character: She began by squealing so loudly that her voice echoed through the night air, then threw her arms around Cloud's neck so forcefully he had to stumble back, making him laugh.

She rested her hands on his chest. Cloud kept his arms wrapped around her waist. He wasn't about to let her go.

"You actually bought me a bike?" she asked.

"Well, I'd already given you a ring. So I had to propose with something else."

With a blink, Lightning's expression became unreadable. "What?"

Cloud unlinked his arms from around her and gently took her left hand-the one that was wearing his wolf ring-and rubbed his thumb along her knuckles. "When you left eight months ago on that train," he began. "even though you didn't know it, you took a piece of my heart with you… And I've been missing it-Missing you. You're a part of me, Lighting… And I wanna stand by you, no matter what happens. I'm yours forever. Claire Farron… My one. My only. Will you-"

She cut him off by planted another kiss on his lips.

Cloud was so nervous that he wasn't sure what to make of this gesture. She was staring at him wordlessly, but still smiling, so at least something good must be going through her mind.

"I love you, Cloud Strife," she whispered.

Cloud was relieved-and happy. Not only was she saying yes, but this was the first time she'd ever told him she loved him. "I love you, too," he replied.

…

I will reach out to the ocean

With my arms wide open

And send to you my heart,

My soul,

My true devotion.

Know there's nothing I won't give.

Do you know that I live

For the chance to hear you say you love me…

"You did a good job, Aerith," Zack commented as they both watched from afar, unseen. "Actually, I'm surprised at how well this turned out."

"Well, I had to do something, Zack. You saw the way Cloud was moping around." She smiled proudly. "And I knew the minute I saw Lightning that she was perfect for him."

Zack pulled one side of his mouth up into a half-grin. "Hey, I saw her first."

Aerith suddenly glared at him. "What was that?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at him suspiciously. "Could you repeat that please?"

Zack immediately held up both hands in defense. "You know I didn't mean it like that," he pointed out nervously.

"Well then, what did you mean?" she probed.

He gulped. "I-I meant that I saw her and… she seemed like Cloud's type, and-and then I told you, and-"

At last, Aerith smiled again. "I'm just kidding, Zack," she giggled. "We've been together long enough; you should know me better than that!" She returned her attention to the happy couple. "They really do look good together, don't they?"

Zack smiled at the scene. "Yes, they do." Then he wordlessly put his arm around Aerith's shoulder. "I love you," he whispered.

She leaned her head against him and put her arm around his waist. "I love you, too."

…

For the chance to hear you say you love me.

oOo

THE END

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who's watched/faved/reviewed this story. I loved writing it as much as I hope you enjoyed reading it! Review wise, you have made this my best fanfic to date, and I really appreciate it!

Thanks so much, everyone! Bye for now!