Phase One: Family

((Author's Note: This fic is the 'break in the action' following my AU tale Irony of Fate. The team takes a three day break following the events that take place in that story, and this is what happens during that period. Battlegrounds is the next step ahead in the plotline once the group gets back together, and the actual sequel that advances the plotline. Enjoy! ~ JenesisX ))

Aeris was beaming as she descended the ladder from the Highwind and dropped to the ground near Elmyra's home, thrilled to have returned to the house she had lived in until recently and elated at having the chance to see her mother again after so long. Even though she was so excited she practically bounced with each step, she turned and forced herself to wait for her two companions as they, too, reached the ground.

Barret was grinning, too, eager to see his daughter, who had been left in Elmyra's care for the last few months. He hurried down the flower-lined path and toward the house a moment later, looking as excited as Aeris felt. She still did not run forward as she wished to announce her surprise arrival, however, instead watching as Sephiroth gracefully reached the ground and turned to face her, looking far less than thrilled. Aeris frowned, the nervousness that colored her feelings about returning home instantly rising up within her at his expression. Not only was she returning home after running off with a rebel faction for the previous three months... but she had also come to introduce her mother to her new husband.

Aeris bit her lip, hundreds of different scenarios running through her head. She knew Elmyra would be shocked, and probably quite upset, but dearly hoped her mother could accept how she felt about Sephiroth. But knowing how her mother felt about Shin-ra and SOLDIERs in general, and realizing Sephiroth's reputation would have definitely preceded him, she had a sinking feeling it wasn't going to be that easy. She missed her mother terribly, however, and wanted nothing more than for her to meet her husband and grow to love him for who he was just as she had. They had always been very close, and Aeris desperately wanted Elmyra to be a part of her new life. To that end, she was more than willing to struggle and sacrifice.

"Well... this is it," she said a bit breathlessly, looking up and offering Sephiroth a nervous smile. "Are you ready?"

"I... suppose so, if I must be," he said, sounding very tense and on his guard, as if he knew something unpleasant was about to happen. "Perhaps I... ought to wait out here. Allow you to talk to her first..."

Aeris frowned with worry, noting that Sephiroth actually seemed afraid. That was not the way she had hoped things would happen... but maybe, it made a lot more sense not to hit Elmyra with so much at once, and would give her a chance to explain things. It had been hard enough to convince him to even come with her instead of remaining on the Highwind by himself, but neither had been able to bear the thought of separation in the end. Even so, she did not want to push her luck or make him any more uncomfortable than he so obviously already was.

"If that's what you want to do, Seph," she said after a moment's thought, looking longingly at the house just ahead. "There's a bench just outside the house if you want to sit and wait. Maybe you're right... maybe it would be easier on her if I spoke to her alone first. You two are the most important people in the world to me... All I want is for you to get along."

Sephiroth nodded stiffly, and together, they walked down the path after Barret, the excited cries of a child reaching their ears a moment later.

"Daddy!"

A dark haired girl in yellow overalls rushed out the front door and leaped into Barret's arms, giggling as he effortlessly held her overhead before lowering her so he could kiss her forehead.

"Marlene!" he exclaimed with delight and a father's pride, hugging the child tight against him. "How are ya, baby? Have you been a good girl?"

"Yes!" she said, wrapping her thin arms around his neck. "Ms. Elmyra is a nice lady! She taught me how to sew, and make pancakes, and pot flowers!"

"That's wonderful, honey," Barret said, putting her down and fondly ruffling her hair. "Go and get your things now, Marlene. Daddy has a few days off, and we're gonna go on a trip!"

"REALLY?!" she squealed with delight, instantly taking off for the house. "Awesome!" She could be heard thudding up the stairs before long, yelling to Elmyra that her Daddy was home. The older woman soon appeared at the door, smiling warmly at Barret, not yet noticing her daughter and the man at her side in the distance.

"Barret! How are you? Marlene has missed you so much!"

"I'm good, thanks! An' you? She give you any trouble?"

Elmyra shook her head, still smiling. "Oh no, none at all. She's a doll."

Barret grinned proudly. "Good ta hear! Thanks so much for watchin' her. I don' know how ta repay you for dis..." He looked down awkwardly, the big, fearless man who took on an entire corporation and its army humbled by the generosity of one middle aged woman.

"Oh, don't be silly," Elmyra said with a chuckle. "Don't worry about it, Barret! It was nice to have the company."

"Mom!" Aeris couldn't hold back any longer, breaking into a run until she reached her mother, whose eyes were now wide with surprise as she looked from Barret to her daughter.

"Aeris!"

"Mom!" She threw her arms around Elmyra in a tight hug. "I'm home!"

"So I see! Thank the gods you're okay..."

Aeris released her a moment later, quickly looking her over. Elmyra was neatly dressed, as always, in a blouse and long skirt, as if she had been out to a fancy restaurant instead of home baby-sitting and gardening. Her hair was pulled neatly into a bun, not a strand out of place, and she was filled with an energy and vigor that made her seem much younger than her fifty-three years. Nothing had changed in the last few months as she had feared, and she grinned with delight.

"I'm so glad to be home... I'll explain everything as soon as we go inside. I have so much to tell you!" Aeris couldn't help but glance over her shoulder then, spotting Sephiroth still a ways up the path, arms folded, staring out into the distance and taking his time coming any closer. Elmyra noticed and followed her gaze, frowning in confusion when she noticed the dark figure.

"Who's that?" she asked, as if she thought she ought to know but could not recall, frowning as she struggled to place him.

"Oh... that's..." Aeris hesitated, swallowing nervously. "That's Sephiroth."

"Sephir- the Sephiroth? As in General Sephiroth of SOLDIER?" Elmyra gasped, studying him with wide eyes. Even if the name had not been so uncommon, he was such an impressive figure that he was unmistakable.

"Yeah..." Aeris answered, watching her mother's reaction warily. "He's been working with Avalanche."

"I thought he was dead. The papers and the news said so... that he died in a reactor explosion, what has it been now, four or five years ago?"

"Five. But that was a mistake. He was just missing for a while, because he... didn't want to be in SOLDIER any more after... what happened in that town," Aeris stumbled to explain, knowing she could not cover the details forever and not wanting to lie to her mother, but also that she needed more stable ground from which to start. Telling Elmyra that Sephiroth had gone insane and burned down the town, killing nearly everyone in it before falling into the Lifestream and floating North to serve an alien who spoke in his head was not a good idea just then.

"Oh. I see..." Elmyra said uncertainly, still watching as Sephiroth remained in the distance, as if he did not plan to come any closer. Marlene rushed out of the house with a small suitcase then, instantly leaping back into her father's arms and interrupting the awkward conversation.

"Where are we going, Daddy?" she asked excitedly, dimples visible in her cheeks.

"Uncle Cid is gonna drop us off at da Gold Saucer before he goes home for a couple days," Barret said, looking proud of his planning. "So me and you can have some fun before Daddy has ta go back ta work."

"Yay!" Marlene exclaimed, thinking only of their upcoming trip and not his impending departure again.

"Umm... Elmyra... I," Barret began, clearing his throat. "Do you think... I could maybe... after dis trip..."

"Of course you can bring her back," Elmyra replied instantly, finally tearing her eyes away from the distant General, beaming at the child she had come to love as a granddaughter as she held on to her father.

"Oh... wow... Thanks so much! I'll repay you someday," Barret said, clearly grateful and a bit flustered. "She'll be back in three days, den!" With a last wave, he turned and headed to where the Highwind still hovered, climbing up the ladder with his daughter riding piggyback.

As soon as they were safely on board, the vessel rose gracefully into the air and then moved forward, until it had completely disappeared from sight, heading West. Aeris watched it go, trying not to think of its departure as their last escape from impending doom. She briefly noticed that Sephiroth was watching too, probably thinking the same thing.

"You must be so tired, dear," Elmyra said, studying her daughter with worry. "You look good, though! Look at those muscles on you!"

Aeris giggled. "Being on a rebel team isn't as easy and glamorous as I thought it would be. But I'm so glad I did this, Mom. We were able to accomplish so much, and I met so many wonderful people!"

"Well, come on inside and rest. I'll make you a nice cup of tea, and you can tell me all about it!"

"All right," Aeris said with a smile, glad that, so far, her mother did not seem mad at her, and was being her usual warm self. As she turned to follow her inside, Aeris paused and glanced back over her shoulder a bit longingly, wishing Sephiroth would join them and already missing having him close to her. Elmyra stopped and turned back to her, frowning again in confusion.

"Umm... doesn't your friend want to come in?" she asked, though she didn't sound thrilled with the prospect.

"He... Maybe later, Mom," Aeris said, unable to keep the worry out of her voice. "He's... very shy. And sort of afraid of you," she added with a little laugh, though she did not feel very humorous in the tense situation.

"Afraid of me?" Elmyra said, looking stunned. "Why? He looks like a very tall, powerful man... with a big sword, too..." She frowned, looking a bit afraid herself. How Aeris wished she had been able to convince Sephiroth to leave his weapon behind, but to no avail.

"I told him you don't like SOLDIERs very much..." Aeris said, convincing herself that this was still not really a lie. "Even though he hasn't been one in over five years, he still thinks you might hold it against him. He knows he has a reputation from then, too."

"Oh. All right..." Elmyra said, shrugging but still looking a bit unconvinced. "Well, if he changes his mind, he can certainly come in." Even though it was difficult for her, she was still trying to be a good hostess, just as she had been when Aeris brought Cloud home after he'd rescued her from Reno in the church. She probably would have invited him in for tea, too, Aeris thought to herself with some amusement, recalling the many times she'd done just such a thing when Tseng came knocking.

"Thanks, Mom... Let me go and tell him that, and I'll be right in!"

Elmyra watched her for a moment longer as she turned and jogged back up the path to where Sephiroth was standing. She studied them as Aeris reached his side, gazing up at him with a grin and explaining the situation. Sephiroth nodded to her wordlessly, though there was an odd expression on his face she could not quite read, before Aeris turned and made her way back into the house, leaving him alone again to stare into the distance. Elmyra quickly made them each a cup of tea and carried it on a tray into the living room, setting it on the coffee table before sitting down on the couch. Aeris took a seat in her favorite armchair, curling her legs up beneath her before taking her cup and sipping from it gratefully.

"That's perfect... I missed your tea," she said, grinning, before suddenly becoming very serious. "And you, Mom. I'm so sorry I ran out like that without explaining what was going on a little better. I'm sorry I made you worry about me."

Elmyra smiled softly, though she had been a bit angry and very upset. "That's all right, dear. You have a good heart, and you always seem to be able to decide what's right, no matter what." If only she would see her marriage to Sephiroth that way, Aeris thought desperately, holding her cup tightly in her lap.

"Thanks, Mom. I wouldn't have done that if it wasn't important. The Planet is safe for now... I don't feel the fear or the pain coming from it like I did before. It's at peace now, which means I can have some peace, too."

"That's wonderful," Elmyra said, clearly not understanding entirely, but genuinely relieved nonetheless. She had always done her best to understand her daughter's unusual abilities, no matter how strange they sometimes sounded to her.

"Now we still have to deal with Shin-ra and the way they're treating the environment and so many people all over the Planet. I have a feeling that's going to be an even longer, harder fight..."

"But one you're determined to play a part in," Elmyra said knowingly.

Aeris smiled. "Yeah... I just can't turn back now, now that I've seen that a small group of people really can make a different for the entire Planet."

"I'm scared to death for you and so worried... But I'm also very proud," Elmyra said, tears visible in her eyes before she blinked them away. She was a strong woman and did not cry often, and her support meant the world to Aeris.

"Thanks, Mom... You're the best!"

"So what kind of things happened on your trip?" Elmyra asked, taking another sip of her tea.

"Oh... I won't bore you with stories about different battles and monsters and things," Aeris said with a smile, tactfully omitting all of the many events in which she had been in danger, such as when she'd woken up in Hojo's lab in Junon Harbor, or when Zack had kidnapped her. "But I made so many new friends, and got to see so much of the Planet and so many different towns! I got to ride in an airship, on a chocobo, in a plane, on a ship..."

"How exciting!" Elmyra said, feeling a bit envious of her daughter's youth and energy but very happy for her. "That sounds like an amazing adventure."

"It was," Aeris beamed, nodding her head in agreement. "I feel like... I know my place now. You know how, all my life, I always felt so different from everyone? How I could hear and feel things no one else could, and how I never thought anyone would understand or accept that about me?" she asked quietly, voice choked with emotion over those painful memories.

"Of course, dear... I know it was always hard for you to have the gifts you do. I can only imagine..."

"Well... now, after all this, I feel like I know where I belong, who I am, why I have these abilities. I have a purpose now, Mom. I was always happy with you, but... something was just missing from my life. And now I've found it." Before she could stop herself, Aeris began to cry, wiping at her eyes and sniffling in annoyance with herself.

"Aeris... honey... what's wrong?" Elmyra asked, peering at her in concern, reaching across the distance to supportively take her hand.

Aeris took a moment to get a hold of herself, staring down into her lap before taking a deep breath. "Mom... So much happened on this trip, and I learned so much about the world and about myself. And I... I... met someone..." she nearly whispered, daring to look up into her mothers questioning eyes.

"Met someone?" she repeated, sounding concerned. "A man...?"

Aeris nodded weakly.

"That Cloud boy…?"

"No!" Aeris exclaimed, shaking her head. "No, not him... Cloud and I are just friends. He's like the brother I never had, and he's engaged to my friend Tifa now. No, this is someone you haven't met yet. At first, we... might seem like a very odd couple, but... we just have so much in common no one else can see. And I love him, Mom, I really do. This isn't just a silly crush... He's my soul mate."

Elmyra could only gape at her before exhaling, not having even realized she was holding her breath. "You're an adult now, Aeris... You're allowed to fall in love and make choices for yourself. If you're happy, then I'm very happy for you! I can't wait to meet him! He must be a wonderful man to have won your heart." Elmyra smiled at her, still obviously nervous and worried about her little girl, but also genuinely happy that her daughter, so long a loner and often worried that she would spend her life alone, had found someone to love.

"Oh, he is," Aeris said, wiping at her eyes and smiling with obvious affection. "He's so strong and brave, so protective of me... He looks at me like I'm some kind of angel, and takes such good care of me. To other people, he seems cold and frightening sometimes... but I know him in a way no one else does. He looks tough, but he's really very gentle and sweet. He just... takes some getting used to," Aeris said nervously, subconsciously glancing out the window behind her mother, where she could see Sephiroth now seated on the bench, facing a sea of endless of flowers, his posture as rigid as stone.

"Is he another SOLDIER?" Elmyra asked, frowning, reading into her daughter's words in that way she always managed, something that had annoyed Aeris when she was younger. A SOLDIER had broken her own heart when he had died in combat, and one had already hurt her daughter by breaking up with her suddenly when she was in her teens. Elmyra did not wish to go through that again... And besides, SOLDIERs were injected with Mako, and made unnatural, taught to kill and do horrible things in the name of Shin-ra. Her husband had been a good man, but many in the army were not, and she could not bear the thought of such a man with her sweet, innocent daughter.

"Not any more!" Aeris quickly assured her, her hands now shaking around the cup she still held tightly in her lap. "He was once... but he's changed. He's... he's been helping us against Shin-ra now, making up for his past. He regrets the things he's done, Mom, and he knows they were wrong, but at the time he didn't know any other way besides Shin-ra's. Now he only wants to do the right thing. And he loves me, Mom, no matter what anyone thinks of him..."

Elmyra shifted her weight on the couch, becoming more nervous and concerned by the minute. "I see..." she said, unsure of how else to react.

"He... He really wants you to like him," Aeris said quietly, still wiping at her eyes every few moments. "He's very nervous about all of this... He actually never had a girlfriend before! It's hard to believe, because, well... he's a little older... and he's so handsome. But he's telling the truth. He's nervous enough just about our relationship, and it's been hard on him to think about how others, especially you, would react to him being with me..."

"Aeris, you know I only want what's best for you, and for you to be happy," Elmyra said, reaching out again to squeeze her knee. "If you love him and he loves you, I'm willing to meet him and give him a fair chance. You don't need to be afraid to come to me with anything, ever..."

"Thanks, Mom..." Aeris said, sniffling. "Then I might as well just tell you the rest. I... We..."

Elmyra's eyes widened. "Aeris! You're not- Are you?!"

"No! I'm not pregnant!" Aeris exclaimed with a laugh, her mother's horrified expression a welcome relief of the tension in the room. "We haven't exactly had time for that!"

"Of course, of course, I'm sorry dear..." Elmyra said, finally grinning with relief and amusement. "What is it, then?"

Aeris smiled, forcing herself to be brave and go through with it. "While we were away, we... got married. Please don't be mad! I would have loved for you to be there, but it was kind of sudden. It was a private ceremony, just the two of us. If... if it makes you feel better, his father didn't get to go, either."

"You... Aeris... you got married?!" Elmyra squeaked, staring at her in shock. Aeris nodded weakly, lifting the chain and ring out from under her blouse to show her.

"We love each other and want to spend the rest of our loves together... So we figured, why wait? At one point, we weren't sure we'd get the chance later on. Please don't be angry, and please don't worry! Everything is fine, I know what I'm doing... and we're happy. We haven't gotten a spare minute to ourselves yet," she added with a nervous laugh, "But neither of us has any regrets. I just know this will work, Mom, I know this is right..."

Elmyra lifted a trembling hand to her mouth, shaking her head in disbelief. "I can't believe this..." she whispered, tears in her eyes once again. "My little girl..."

"Mom!" Aeris said, blushing. "I'm twenty-two... I'm an adult."

"And... how old is he again?"

"Umm…" she cleared her throat. "Thirty."

"Thirty?! Aeris... that's... that's..."

"Only eight years, and I've always been mature for my age," Aeris said quickly, realizing how moot a point the age difference would seem to her mother once she met her son-in-law.

Elmyra sighed. "I'm sorry, dear, I'm just so shocked... When can I meet him? It feels so strange... You've been gone for only a few months, I had no idea where you were, and when you come back, it's like you're suddenly all grown up... a married woman! Gods, Aeris, even your eyes look older, wiser..."

"I've... seen a lot out there, Mom," Aeris said softly. "Some of it good, a lot of it bad... But all of it was an incredible experience. Maybe I did have to grow up very fast in order to deal with it, but I don't have any regrets. I'm happier than I've ever been. You and he are the most important people in the world to me... All I want, more than anything, is for the two of you to get along. You already have me in common," she added with a smile. "How hard can it be?"

Elmyra grinned, too, taking a deep breath and nodding her head, slowly digesting the information. Aeris had always been free-spirited and full of surprises, after all. Somehow, after the announcement had a few minutes to sink in, it didn't seem like so much of a surprise after all. "Well, when can I meet him?" Elmyra asked, trying to look more happy and excited than nervous and worried.

"Well... Now, if you want..."

"What? He's here?" she asked, still not making the connection.

Aeris nodded. "Yeah... I'll be right back!" She stood quickly, rushing out of the house and up the little path, leaving her mother to sit on the couch, stunned, unable to see what was going on outside.

Aeris hurried to where Sephiroth was seated on the bench, reaching his side breathlessly and taking a hold of his hand. "Come on, Seph... Mom wants to meet you!"

She tugged on his arm eagerly, but he did not budge, raising his haunting green Mako eyes up to study her face. She felt her heart melt under that gaze and wanted more than anything to sit right down in his lap and kiss him, but was so nervous and focused on introducing her mother and husband that she quickly pushed the urge away.

"What? She... she does? You told her...?" he asked with worry, not making a move to rise from his seat.

"Sort of..." Aeris said, keeping her hold on his hand but no longer pulling. "I... told her I met someone and fell in love, that he was an ex-SOLDIER who was now with Avalanche and trying to make up for his past, that he was thirty and handsome and never had a girlfriend before... and that we got married."

"Did you have to include the part about never having a girlfriend before?" he grumbled, frowning darkly, blushing a bit in embarrassment. Aeris giggled, squeezing his hand.

"That may be the best thing you have going for you in her eyes," she said. "It helped you score points with me, after all!"

"Hmph."

"Now come on, she's waiting!"

"But... but... Aeris..." he protested, allowing her to get him on his feet and begin leading him toward her home anyway, sighing heavily and gathering his nerve. "I am sure this will be... quite interesting," he said dryly.

"Interesting indeed," she said, pausing at the doorway and taking a deep breath. "Well... here goes nothing. Ready?"

Sephiroth nodded, looking as if he was about to walk into a firefight. "If you are, my love."

Aeris beamed, took another breath, and then opened the door and walked inside, her hand still in Sephiroth's. Elmyra looked up, staring at them blankly as she struggled to comprehend the situation.

"Mom... this is Sephiroth... My husband. Seph, this is Elmyra, my mother."

Sephiroth stood tall and rigid as Elmyra's eyes widened, her mouth dropping open in alarm.

"Wh-what?" she sputtered, looking him over from head to toe, then turning to gape at her daughter. "Aeris... this is... You mean you... you married him?"

Aeris nodded, holding her head high, keeping her hold on Sephiroth's hand. "Yes, Mom. This is the man I fell in love with."

Sephiroth nervously cleared his throat. "Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Gainsborough."

Elmyra, however, looked less than pleased. "I... I can't believe this... Aeris! He's... he's General Sephiroth! He was always in the news, for conquering towns and killing people." Elmyra turned an accusing eye on him, and Sephiroth visibly shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "How... why? Aeris, dear, are you sure he even is who he says?"

"Of course he is!" Aeris exclaimed, frustrated. She didn't want to mention that he had the tattoo to prove it, since it was already such a delicate subject with her new husband. "Don't be silly, Mother..."

Sephiroth said nothing, watching the exchange warily, as if expecting a blow to fall at any moment.

"Silly?! Aeris! What am I supposed to say? You come home after three months of running around with a rebel group, and you bring one of the most dangerous men who ever lived with you as your husband?"

"I... I know it's hard to understand, but... please, Mom. Sephiroth doesn't mean me any harm. He's changed... And we love each other." She smiled up at him then, and Sephiroth nodded firmly, though his expression was still one of worry. Aeris met his eyes and returned the nod encouragingly, willing him to speak up and explain himself. Sephiroth sighed and nervously lifted his free hand to briefly rub one temple, then turned to Elmyra.

"I... realize how this must seem, and that I have something of a reputation." He paused, clearing his throat awkwardly. If she only knew the half of it... "But Aeris has spoken the truth. I love her. I would never hurt her. I am... not the man I used to be... thanks mostly to her, for giving me a second chance."

He quickly looked down again, clearly uncomfortable, and Aeris squeezed his hand tightly in hers. He had spoken perfectly, more openly than she could have hoped for, and she was filled with a deep sense of pride. Now it was up to her mother to accept it or cast him out.

There was silence for nearly a minute, before Elmyra finally sighed, shook her head, and looked at Aeris again. "If this is what you want... and you're sure... You're an adult now, and you have the right to love whomever you choose. I can't say I like it or that I'll ever get used to it... but I will accept it. If you're happy with him, well, then... I'm happy for you, dear."

With tears in her eyes, Elmyra stepped forward and embraced her only child tightly, sniffling with barely contained tears. Aeris dropped Sephiroth's hand to hug her back, and he could only stand stiffly and watch, feeling very awkward and out of place. But as soon as mother and daughter had released each other, each wiping at their eyes, Aeris instantly reclaimed her hold on his hand, grinning up at him brightly.

"You see that... You were afraid for nothing."

Sephiroth snorted, his cheeks coloring a bit. "I was not afraid of an o- an oral disagreement," he quickly covered himself, blushing even more intensely. Luckily, Elmyra didn't seem to notice, and Aeris was able to smother a horrified gasp in time. Oh my goodness, if he had called her an old woman... Aeris cringed, then quickly turned back to her mother, smiling warmly.

"How about I make you dinner, Mom, since you've been taking care of yourself and my friend's little girl for so long? You can just sit down, relax... and get to know Sephiroth while I'm working!"

"What?" Sephiroth whispered, horrified, staring at Aeris in disbelief.

"Umm... sure, dear," Elmyra said hesitantly, taking another nervous glance at the towering man in black standing before her. "That... sounds nice."

Aeris glanced pointedly toward the sword sheathed at his side then and he sighed, reluctantly setting it down against one wall and feeling even more vulnerable than before. She beamed, then pulled Sephiroth by the hand over to her favorite chair, 'helping' him to sit with a slight push backwards. He grunted and briefly glared at her, to which she simply giggled and winked out of her mother's view. Elmyra awkwardly sat opposite him on the couch, folding her hands in her lap, looking as if she was about to be left alone with a dangerous criminal, one who himself appeared as if he was about to be interrogated and tortured.

"Well... you two have a nice chat! I'll try not to take too long," Aeris said, quickly heading into the kitchen. She threw Sephiroth and her mother each a final gaze, one that read as 'Be nice' to each of them, and then disappeared.

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Silence hung over the room like a smothering veil for the next five minutes, neither able to look at the other, each shifting their sitting position now and then, nervously clearing their throats for lack of anything better to do in the tense situation. Finally, Elmyra sighed, turning to look her son-in-law over as he gazed out the window behind her, looking anywhere but at her face.

He really was a rather good looking young man, she thought to herself, studying his delicate features closely. He was quite striking, in fact, with such pretty green eyes despite their unnatural Mako glow. Even though she usually preferred a clean cut man, the long silver hair somehow looked good on him, neatly framing his flawless face with soft bangs and trailing down his back and shoulders, not a strand out of place. Everything about him was neat, in fact, from the perfect way he had laced up his polished boots to the way his black trench coat fell gracefully around him. Even wearing all black, up close he was somehow not as frightening and intimidating as she had always pictured him, even though he was indeed very tall and quite well built. His posture, too, was perfect, probably due to his military training. She looked to see if his fingernails were neat and trimmed out of habit, but found that his hands were covered with gloves. That was odd... but then, so was the trench coat and large silver belt buckle he wore, and just about everything else about him.

She admitted that he was indeed a handsome man, one with a proper sense of hygiene at that. Finally. The last two men Aeris had brought home from SOLDIER did not even appear as if they ever washed or brushed their hair, and this was a welcome improvement. Elmyra herself was a very tidy person regarding both her home and her person, and was always pleased to find that trait in others.

"Well..." she finally said, reminding herself not to stare at him even though there was something about him that simply made one want to. He had to be the prettiest person she had ever laid eyes on, so perfect and without any visible flaws, that he was almost unreal.

He could have easily been a model instead of a SOLDIER... In fact, aside from the obvious muscles of his arms, shoulders, and neck, he simply looked too fair and delicate to be the deadly swordsman he was once hailed as, his long, graceful fingers more suited for art or music than killing.

"So where are you from, Sephiroth?" she asked uncertainly, still made very nervous by his foreboding presence and his sudden relationship with her precious daughter.

"Midgar," he said in his quiet, yet deep voice, a voice that made people take notice and listen. It was a commander's voice, one that most people would fall in line and obey without question. Yet there was an odd softness to it, as if perhaps he, too, was nervous and uncomfortable, as unsure of what to expect from her as she was from him.

"Ah, I see... What part?"

"The plate."

"Oh. I've never been up there."

He nodded, still looking out the window. Elmyra sighed inwardly. He wasn't much of a conversationalist, apparently, but she was determined to learn more about this man who had married her daughter.

"Aeris mentioned your father earlier. Is he from Midgar, too?"

"No."

"Where is he from?" she asked, trying not to let her frustration show. This was like pulling teeth.

"Wutai."

"Oh, I hear that's a lovely country," Elmyra said, unable to help looking him over again. That explained his delicate, attractive features, at least, and the slight, dramatic slant of his eyes. "So your parents are Wutain."

He shook his head. "Only my father."

"Well... then, where is your mother from?" she asked, forcing a smile, trying not to let the frustration seep into her voice.

"Midgar."

Elmyra wanted to smack her forehead. The conversation, if it could be called that, had quickly come full circle. "I see... What do your parents do? For a living, I mean." Elmyra knew she was being nosey, but could not help it. She wanted to know all she could about him, so she could make sure her daughter was safe.

"My father was... a Shin-ra employee... but he is now with Avalanche," Sephiroth said, shifting uncomfortably, finally turning to look at her, his eyes somewhere over her left shoulder.

"And your mother?" she asked, trying not to cringe at his father's occupation.

"She is... deceased," he said quietly, looking down, and for a moment, Elmyra thought she saw a glimmer of emotion on those stoic features.

"Oh..." Elmyra said, blushing and looking down guiltily. "I'm so sorry... I didn't know. Recently?" she couldn't help but ask.

"No. When I was born."

"Oh my goodness... Aeris' birth mother died when she was a very little girl, she probably told you..."

Sephiroth nodded, frowning as if he knew more than that but was not willing to say.

"She doesn't remember her very much... And she never knew her father, either."

"I... only recently met mine."

"Oh... I see," Elmyra said, wondering just what kind of family life this man had had growing up. His mother had died, and his father had only recently come to meet him? Perhaps he had been adopted, too, like Aeris. "Do you have any siblings?" she asked him, still determined to learn all she could. "Any other relatives you're close to?"

"No," he said, his voice taking on a harsh tone she did not understand.

"Who raised you, then?" she pressed, unable to help herself.

"..."

Elmyra tilted her head, studying him closely. What was he hiding behind those glowing eyes? She watched as he clenched his jaw and began to wring his hands in his lap, clearly uncomfortable, eyes darting about as if looking for an escape.

"I was raised by... various family acquaintances..." he finally said, his voice as tense as his posture.

"Oh... that must have been hard."

A shrug.

Elmyra frowned, quietly shaking her head. This was a burdened man, one with many issues just below the surface, she could see that clearly after just minutes… Issues that could be brought to life just by asking a few simple questions. She didn't know exactly what was going on inside his head or what his life had been like, but she could already sense the tension, the pain, and knew it couldn't have been pleasant, and that he was still dealing with whatever had happened. What had Aeris gotten herself into? This was just like her, always bringing home wild birds with broken wings and begging to be allowed to keep them…

"How did you and Aeris meet?" she asked a moment later, hoping to lighten the subject, feeling guilty for upsetting this man she was still so leery of.

"On Avalanche," he said, retreating to his one and two word answers, his voice once again monotone, as if he was too tired to muster up any further effort.

"Well, I figured that much," Elmyra said, forcing a nervous chuckle.

"She... got me out of some... trouble... I was in," Sephiroth elaborated a moment later, feeling her eyes drilling holes into his skull, trying to reach his thoughts. "I became her bodyguard as repayment."

"Well, I'm... glad you protected her out there," Elmyra said, surprised to find she genuinely meant it. "Aeris has always been such a free spirit, but I'm afraid she isn't much of a fighter."

To her surprise, a small smile tugged at one corner of his mouth. "No... she is not," he agreed, a rare sparkle in his eyes. "But she is learning."

"You've been teaching her how to fight?" Elmyra asked, both grateful and horrified by the thought.

Sephiroth nodded. "She has improved a great deal."

"Well... that's good," Elmyra said, thoughts of her daughter rushing into a dangerous, bloody battle sending chills up her spine. He made a sound of agreement, then said no more, his haunting gaze again out the window behind her. Elmyra was relieved when Aeris appeared in the doorway to the kitchen about ten minutes later, having been about to go insane from the silence and awkwardness of the situation, a bright grin on her face at finding them both still unharmed and acting civilly.

"Dinner's ready!" she announced, holding the kitchen door open. "Come on, so I can find out what you two were saying about me," she said with a giggle, though she looked quite nervous at the thought. Elmyra practically jumped from her seat and ran into the kitchen, Sephiroth heaving a sigh a moment later and slowly getting to his feet, trudging after her as if heading into a massacre.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

After dinner, during which Aeris tried and failed to start several conversations between the three of them, she and Elmyra were in the kitchen washing the dishes, leaving Sephiroth to sit by himself in the living room. Aeris watched her mother closely as they worked, noting her tension, and decided to find out how she was reacting so far.

"So... what do you think of him?" she asked nervously, the answer a very important one.

Elmyra looked up from the sink in surprise, frowning in thought, taking her time before responding and carefully choosing her words.

"He's... quiet," she said, as if assuming that would be a safe reply. "And very neat."

"Yeah... he is," Aeris said, smiling fondly. "He relaxes and opens up a little once you get to know him, but he's actually pretty shy and not very comfortable in social situations."

"I can see that."

"He was... kept pretty sheltered growing up, so he isn't always sure how to deal with people. But he really wants you to like him, Mom..."

"I would love to like him, too, dear... because he's your husband. And you obviously love him very much and see something special in him. But I... he makes me uncomfortable. I'm sorry, but... there's just something strange about him..."

Aeris frowned, looking down at the glass she was drying and blinking away the tears her mother's rejection of Sephiroth brought to her eyes. "He hasn't had the best life, Mom," she whispered, setting the glass on the counter. "But somehow, he survived, and he struggles every day to move past it all."

"It sounds like you took on an awful lot of responsibility marrying a man who seems so troubled," Elmyra said, picking up the glass and stretching to replace it in the top cabinet above the sink. "Is that what you want? To spend your life trying to repair the damage other people have done?"

"Yes," Aeris said without hesitation. "Because I've seen the real person under all of that hurt... And I love what I saw. No one should ever be given up on, Mom... What if you had given up on me the first time I told you I heard the Planet talking in my head? What if you thought I was crazy and pushed me away instead of holding me and telling me it was all right, that you still loved me and didn't think I was insane?"

Her voice was choked with emotion at those raw, painful memories, the feelings of loneliness she had felt then despite her mother's love almost overwhelming even after so many years. Elmyra put a hand on her arm, smiling warmly, lifting her other hand to brush the hair out of her daughter's face.

"You know I never would have done that, Aeris. I always tried to understand, and I never thought you were crazy. I love you, and nothing will change that."

"Then you do understand," Aeris said, smiling faintly, watching her mother frown as she realized she had talked herself into a corner. "I feel the same way about Sephiroth."

Elmyra sighed. "I just want to know you're sure about this, that you're happy, you're safe, and you know what you're doing. He's older than you, obviously has some emotional problems, has been in a war..."

"I am more sure, and happier, than I ever thought I could be. I love him, and wanted to marry him more than anything in the world. We've talked a lot of things through, and I'm comfortable with his past now. I know how to help him. He needs me, Mom... and I need him. I've never felt so connected to anyone before... We have so much in common that people can't see, so many things that bond us together. There's just always been something there between us, something so strong and beautiful. I know he isn't perfect, but I love him exactly the way he is. I just... hope, maybe someday, you can love him, too."

"For you, I'll try," Elmyra said quietly, meaning every word. She embraced Aeris then, getting soap suds on her daughter's blouse and causing them to laugh just like old times, all of the tension gone for the moment.

"So it's really okay then if he stays here with us for a few days?" Aeris asked as they finished up and put the last of the glasses away, hope slipping into her voice and making her feel like a young girl asking if her friend could sleep over.

Elmyra nodded after only a brief pause. "He's... he's my son-in-law. Of course he can stay. I'll clear out Marlene's room for him and-"

"Mother!" Aeris interrupted with a giggle, her cheeks instantly flushing. "We're married!"

"Oh... oh!" Elmyra stumbled, blushing herself and lifting a nervous hand to her chin at the thought of it. "Of course, dear! How... silly of me..."

"That's okay..." Aeris said, smiling and hugging her again. "Well, come on. Everything is done in here, and Sephiroth is probably wondering what happened to us by now!"

Elmyra nodded, unable to muster her daughter's enthusiasm, but followed her out into the living room again, taking a deep breath and reaffirming her resolve to try her best to accept her daughter's new husband.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

For the next few hours, Aeris and Sephiroth sat side-by-side on the couch, Elmyra now in the reclining chair across from them, mother and daughter talking about the past and some of Aeris' adventures with Avalanche while Sephiroth sat largely in silence. Aeris had tried to bring him into the discussion more than once, but he would only nod or offer a word or two, then retreat back into himself, content to sit at her side and hold her hand without drawing any more attention to himself. He could tell it frustrated Aeris and made her mother nervous, but could not help it. He simply did not feel comfortable talking to her yet and wanted nothing more than to escape her curious, wary gaze. But he stayed for Aeris, knowing how important this was to her, determined to make her happy any way he could.

He was relieved when Elmyra began to yawn, the clock striking eleven in the background and echoing throughout the house. He was still very much awake, so tense and nervous that he could not relax enough to be tired, and Aeris still seemed full of energy at his side as well. She glanced up at him and smiled then, squeezing his hand, and he could not help but smile back awkwardly, briefly losing himself in her eyes before she looked away again, back at her mother.

"Why don't you go to bed, Mom?" Aeris asked upon seeing Elmyra yawn yet again. "Don't let us keep you up. We still have the next two days to talk and catch up."

Elmyra glanced at the clock and smiled slightly, nodding to her daughter regretfully. "I'm sorry, dear... but the little angel is always up at the crack of dawn!" She laughed lightly, shaking her head. "That child is so full of life and energy, so much like you were at her age. She keeps me on my toes!"

Elmyra rose from her chair then, stretching a bit and yawning once more, then nervously glanced down at her daughter. "Are you sure you don't mind?" she asked, as if she thought Aeris might not want to be left alone with Sephiroth... or perhaps she didn't want her to be. But he was her husband, she seemed to remind herself, blushing a little.

"Of course you don't, that was silly of me. You've been telling me how you've been so busy and so smothered by everyone that you haven't gotten much time alone. I'll go on to bed and get out of your hair, kids."

Aeris grinned gratefully, rising to hug her mother and kiss her cheek. "Good night, Mom," she said, then lowered her voice to a whisper. "And don't worry..." Elmyra nodded to her, looking a bit misty eyed again, but quickly got a hold of herself.

"Good night, dear... Umm, good night, Sephiroth..."

"Good night, Mrs. Gainsborough," he said stiffly, shifting under the suspicious, mildly distrustful way she still looked at him. Elmyra hesitated only a moment longer, then turned and made her way across the room and down a long hallway to her bedroom.

When a door was heard closing a moment later, Aeris instantly heaved a sigh of relief, grinning and sitting down next to Sephiroth on the couch again, this time much closer. She leaned in against him and rested her head on his shoulder, placing one hand on his broad chest. "I didn't think she was ever going to leave us alone!" she giggled. Sephiroth arched an eyebrow in surprise, but instantly lifted his arm and wrapped it around her, holding her close to him.

"I thought you were enjoying your conversation."

"I was! I missed her so much. But... I can see how uncomfortable you two make each other." She sighed wistfully. "I hope that will change..."

"I am trying," Sephiroth said a bit defensively. "She is not exactly making it easy for me..."

"I know, I know. You have to understand, she's very protective of me..."

"Yes... but so am I."

Aeris smiled, lifting her hand to gently touch his cheek. "I know... You are such a sweetheart to do this for me. I'm really proud of you, and I'm so happy. And now we finally have some time to ourselves!" She leaned up and kissed him softly, and Sephiroth hesitated only a moment before kissing her back, lifting his free hand to rest against her neck. Aeris pulled away breathlessly a moment later, looking up at his surprised expression and giggling.

"I feel like a teenager sneaking her boyfriend in once her parents are in bed... Not that I ever did that!"

Sephiroth looked momentarily startled, then smirked a bit mischievously and effortlessly pulled her over into his lap. His eyes were sparkling as she laughed and curled up against him, arms around his neck, absently running one hand through his hair. He did his best not to betray the nervousness he felt at holding her so close, not to give in to the fear that he might hurt her and the belief that he did not deserve her, trying so hard to believe that she would never leave him alone. He stared at her intently for long moments without realizing it, his stubborn mind battling against his heart and his body, blinking in surprise when she lifted a hand to touch his cheek.

"Are you all right?" she asked him, lightly tracing his jaw line with her fingers. "If you're uncomfortable, we can just-"

"No, no," he quickly interrupted her, not wanting her to think he did not wish to be close to her. "It is not that. I am just... a bit nervous. I... am afraid I do not really know what I am doing." He felt himself blush, looking away from her in embarrassment. Aeris softly turned his chin so that he was looking into her eyes again, smiling reassuringly before stretching up to kiss him again.

"That's all right... I'm a little nervous too. And I'm not sure what I'm doing, either!" She giggled, a nervous habit she could not shake. "I bet we can figure it out together, though..." she added with a little smirk.

Since they had gotten married, the two had not gotten to spend any real time alone together aside from the night Cloud attacked Sephiroth and Vincent stood sentry outside the door while she slept at his side as he recovered from his injuries. Aeris wanted nothing more than to spend this night with him now that the biggest danger to the Planet was over and they were away from all of the others and no longer had to fear an attack. Despite the nervous uncertainty she felt in the pit of her stomach and the anxious fluttering of her heart, to be with him as his wife was something she had dreamed of since the first time she realized she loved him, and as patient as she tried to be, she didn't want to wait any longer. Though she had no previous experience to call on, she wanted to make everything perfect, doing her best to relax him and make him comfortable with her, to let him know she loved him no matter what and would never leave him.

"I think it's very normal to be nervous... " she went on, still lazily tracing her fingers along his jaw and neck as he gradually began to relax under her gentle touch. "I mean, we've been married less than a week, and we haven't... had any time to ourselves to get used to it. I just... I want to be with you so badly. But only if it's something you want and feel ready for, too."

"I... would not have asked you to marry me if I did not want to," he said quietly, and Aeris noticed the way he kept nervously eyeing the hallway, as if he was afraid Elmyra would reappear at any moment to take her away from him. With a warm smile, Aeris carefully climbed out of his lap and got to her feet, then held out her hand to him.

"Come on," she said, cheeks flushing, trying very hard to appear relaxed even though her outstretched hand was shaking ever so slightly. "Let's go upstairs."

Sephiroth hesitated only a moment, then nodded to her and offered her his gloved hand, letting her help him up and then lead him to the stairway. They silently made their way up to the second floor, each certain the other and all of Midgar could hear their hearts pounding. Aeris passed the first door and stopped in front of the second, pushing it open and leading him in after her as she flicked on the light before softly closing and locking the door behind her with trembling hands.

"Well... here we are. This is my room," Aeris said a bit self consciously, looking around the familiar room fondly. She had missed her bedroom so much, the one place where she always felt safe, where she could be herself without worrying about what others thought, where she could think in solitude. She was grateful then that Elmyra's room was downstairs and on the opposite side of the house, something that had made her fearful at times when she was a child, but was now a blessing.

She watched as Sephiroth stood stiffly just inside the door, looking around with a curious expression. He took in the pink flowered wall paper and the light pink spread that covered the small, single bed against one wall, a large stuffed bear resting upon it. There was vase of fresh flowers on the dresser, and a colorful painting of a rainbow over a waterfall on one wall.

Sephiroth suddenly felt very out of place in his long, black trench coat and dark clothing, a soldier invading the privacy of an angel. The room was so soft, so innocent and angelic, just like her, that he felt as if he did not have the right to be there, as if he was fouling a sacred place with his darkness. Part of him cursed himself, telling him to leave before they did something she might regret… but a far larger part longed to stay with her and find the peace that being in her arms seemed to promise.

"I... I know it's childish," Aeris was saying, quickly swiping the bear off of her bed and stashing it in the closet. "I'm sorry. You... you can sleep in the guest room if you want..."

Her cheeks turned very pink, and Sephiroth struggled not to think of how young she looked. He cleared his throat nervously, taking one last look around the room, then managed to meet her timid, sheepish gaze, offering her a partial smirk.

"It is... you," he said simply, eyes sparkling as he realized this was exactly the way he would have pictured her bedroom. "I... would be honored to share this night here with you."

Aeris felt weak in the knees when he said those words, looking at her with such open love and adoration, as if she was a saint that had been sent to him from the heavens. She smiled and crossed the room to stand before him, reaching up to drape her arms around his neck, trying to push aside any lingering worries as she offered herself to him.

"Are you sure?" she asked him, still doubting herself a little and not wanting to move too fast for him. His needs came first, even ahead of her own desires, and he still had so many scars to overcome. If this level of intimacy was not something he was capable of yet, she would surely wait for him, even if it meant waiting the rest of her life.

Sephiroth nodded instantly, however, winding one arm around her waist and lifting his other hand to the back of her neck, holding her gently as he leaned down and kissed her with an openness and passion she had never felt from him before. When she breathlessly looked up into his eyes a moment later, her heart raced at what she saw. It was as if suddenly, the emotional walls he had built between himself and everyone else were simply gone. In his eyes, his love and desire for her was now plain to see, and Aeris felt tears burn her eyes. For the first time, perhaps in his entire life, his expression was relaxed and full of trust, as if in that moment, he had somehow found peace, the darkness in his mind quieted by his love for her. The change in his demeanor was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

"I love you, Seph... so much..." she whispered, leaning into him as if she could never hope to get close enough, searching for a way to make him a part of herself so that she would never have to be without him again. She could hear his heart racing as quickly as her own, softly rubbing his back with one hand and clinging to him with the other, never wanting to let go.

"I love you, too, Aeris," he said, a new confidence in his deep voice as he lifted her chin to kiss her again, even more urgently than before, forgetting to be nervous and awkward in the intensity of the moment. For once, he seemed to be taking the lead, something Aeris was grateful for. "I only want to make you happy. Please... Show me how..."

He held her so tightly against him then that she almost had to fight to breathe, but the closeness felt so good, so right, that she didn't care.

"You already have," she whispered to him before stepping out of his embrace and shyly leading him over to her bed. She paused for long enough to let him take off his boots and trench coat, then reached out and gently removed both of his gloves. This time, he let her without hesitation, his mind definitely elsewhere. Taking a hold of both of his hands, Aeris laid down on the bed, tugging him after her and melting when she gazed up into his eyes, the connection between them so intense at that moment she could barely speak her final words before giving in completely.

"I'm already the happiest woman alive."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Some time later, Sephiroth and Aeris were still awake, lying on their sides facing each other and tightly wrapped in each other's arms. The bed was so small that it was difficult to lay together any other way, but neither of them minded at the moment. Aeris sighed contentedly and snuggled up against him, her forehead nestled against his bare chest, his chin resting softly atop her head.

"I never want to forget this night," Aeris said quietly, running one hand along his bare back, smiling at the expression of pleasure it brought to his face.

"Neither do I. But do not worry... I will not let you," he said, lifting her chin to kiss her lips. Aeris giggled, her hand at his cheek, staring into those Mako eyes that were even more beautiful in the dark and feeling as if she could happily lose herself.

"You don't tire easily, do you?" she teased him, watching as he blushed and studied her with surprise, blinking a few times rapidly as if he didn't realize she was joking.

"I... I... did not mean to... I..." he stumbled, clearly embarrassed, not having thought about how his unusual abilities might have affected even such an intimate night shared between two newlyweds. Aeris laughed harder at his expression, drawing him down for another kiss and interrupting his stammered apology.

"I was kidding," she whispered a moment later, watching him frown in annoyance, then take on a look of relief, pulling her closer to him again. "You were perfect."

"Only because of you," he said instantly, nearly crushing her against him, voice filled with tender emotion.

"I never thought I could feel this way," Aeris went on quietly, resting against his chest once more. "I never thought I would meet anyone like you, or ever love this way..."

"Do not be silly... A woman as perfect as you would have had no difficulty," he said, his insecurities and feelings of unworthiness briefly rising up and causing him to go tense in her arms.

"I'm hardly perfect, Seph..." She sighed wistfully, not wanting to ruin the moment, but feeling as if she had to share what was on her mind with him. "When I was younger, none of the other kids liked me. They all... said I was crazy, because I could hear the Planet."

"I do not care what anyone else thinks," he said, caressing her upper arm with one hand. "To me, you are."

Aeris had to blink away tears at hearing him say that, scolding herself for getting so emotional. She was supposed to be taking care of him, after all, not the other way around. "Thank you... I just... being here reminds me of all those nights I laid in this bed alone, staring at the ceiling, wondering if anyone would ever love me, if anyone would ever understand..." A tear fell from her eye despite her efforts to blink them away, trickling down her cheek before falling onto his chest. "I never dreamed I would find anyone... I thought I would always be alone, crying myself to sleep." She sniffled as he lifted a hand to softly brush away the tears that now fell, kissing the top of her head and keeping her close to him, pulling the blankets more tightly around them as if trying to shield her from the pain.

"So long as you can tolerate me, you will never be alone again," he said, still battling to convince himself that he had really found love while also trying to reassure her.

Easing her fears somehow made him less nervous and aware of his own, and all he wanted to do was lay there and hold her that way for eternity.

"Thanks, Seph..." she whispered, managing to smile up at him and blinking away the last of the tears. "I'm sorry... I'm just so happy and emotional right now. I guess all new brides go through this," she said with a smile, leaning up to softly kiss him again. "But not all of them are as lucky as I am."

"Hmph," he said, a sparkle in his eyes and a smirk on his lips. A moment later, he had propped himself up on one elbow to lean over her, claiming her mouth in a passionate kiss. "We'll see if you still say that in a few days..."

Aeris laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck, holding him close as he moved to kiss her neck, shivering with delight. "You're on, mister," she said, and then the words became lost as they held each other close, all of their troubles suddenly seeming very far away.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Elmyra was shocked to find it was after ten in the morning when she rolled over in bed to check her clock, bolting into a sitting position in alarm. What a bad hostess she was being, to sleep in so late when she had planned to make a big breakfast for Aeris... and her husband. The thought was still so strange to her that she cringed, the idea of the tall, dark soldier married to her daughter frightening. She sighed heavily as she pulled back the covers and climbed out of bed, stepping into her slippers before reaching over to draw back the curtains, allowing the morning sun to filter into the room.

When she peered outside to see what the weather was like, she immediately froze at what she saw. There, just up the path and standing together among the many winding rows of flowers she had planted over the years, was Aeris, bending over to smell one of the tall rose bushes... and Sephiroth. He stood just behind her, and though he looked tense and rigid, he was watching her with an obvious attentive fascination, his eyes never leaving her form as she grinned and skipped to a different part of the garden, joyfully bending over to smell the flowers there as well. Sephiroth loyally trailed after her, taking in her every move, a softness in his eyes Elmyra was shocked to see. And though it was hard to admit, as she watched them, she realized she had never seen Aeris look so happy, so alive, before.

She continued to watch from the window as her daughter turned, gazing at Sephiroth with an obvious love written all over her beautiful face, then giggled and reached up to wrap her arms around his neck. Though Elmyra felt guilty, she could not take her eyes away from the scene as Aeris stretched up to kiss him, his arms snaking around her and pulling her close. She was briefly alarmed to see Sephiroth literally pluck Aeris up off her feet as if she weighed nothing, but exhaled in relief when she heard her daughter's musical laughter and saw the look of delight on her face as he briefly spun her around before setting her gently back down again. As the two of them stood there in each other's arms, the expressions they wore could be described as nothing short of pure and utter love and adoration. Elmyra was completely astounded as she watched the man who had seemed so cold, so rigid and unfeeling the day before, look at her daughter as if she were a goddess, his manner now warm and tender as if he was not the same man who had sat in her living room and grunted one word answers at her.

As Sephiroth bent down to kiss Aeris again, Elmyra finally looked away, stepping back from the window and taking her robe from the chair at her bed side. She slipped it on over her nightgown and quietly crossed the room, heading down the hallway to start a late breakfast for the three of them. Perhaps Sephiroth was not the man she would have ever chosen for her daughter, she thought, but as hard as it was for her to admit, Aeris seemed completely content and very happy to be married to him if what she had just witnessed was any indication. Through the window in the morning sun, she had seen the other side of which Aeris had spoken, the one she said Sephiroth would reveal only for her.

Maybe Aeris was right about him, Elmyra admitted as she stepped into the kitchen, catching a glimpse of the couple as they to walked up the path that led back to the house, hand in hand. Maybe this wouldn't be the easiest thing to get used to, and maybe Sephiroth was far from perfect, but then, maybe that wasn't what mattered. What mattered was that her daughter, who had spent so many nights crying to her that she would never be loved or accepted, had finally found someone who made her happy, who made her feel whole. And if Aeris was as happy as she looked that morning, then Elmyra was happy, too. She would simply have to get used to her daughter's sudden marriage, and maybe even learn to accept her new husband.