Epilogue

Deliria's POV

"Ria, it's late... You have to get some sleep if you're returning to Junon tomorrow."

That is Tifa's voice. Still, I'm unwilling to leave my position from the window. I really couldn't help staring up at the glittering stars in the sky—that large expanse of blue that had borne witness to the tragic events of yesterday. He's...up there somewhere—floating in the Lifestream. I wonder if he knows I'm thinking about him.

A hand alighted gently on my shoulder and I turned to see my old friend, staring at me with concern. I sigh. I know she knows what I'm thinking about, or accurately, who I'm thinking of.

"He's really gone now..." I unknowingly whisper aloud.

"It will take time, but...you'll eventually accept it." Tifa spoke in a low voice, and I can't help thinking she's right, but haven't I already done that when I let him go?

"I think I already have... I just...miss him. He used to stay by my side at night, and...lull me to sleep with the sound of his heart beating. I don't think...I'll ever get used to being without him." I say, but I'm not convincing myself. It's true though, I can never sleep well back at the lab.

"I'm sorry to hear that. But you have to know that things in this world will always be that way. No one can change that." Tifa wraps an arm around me. "But there's always hope that when you join the Lifestream someday, you'll meet him there."

"Thanks, Tifa."

"Now get some sleep. You have a long day tomorrow."

This time, I don't even want to argue or even resist. I reluctantly make my way to the bed, and lie down, hoping with all my might that I wouldn't have a nightmare. Because this time, there'll be no silver angel by my side to kiss all those fears away. Tifa was right. I wish I could get over him...someday.

vVvVv

"Alexandria! Take a break, dear. It's time for dinner..."

I can hear Mom calling, but I'm so close to finishing this up. I have to because the damn deadline's tomorrow, and I really don't appreciate the idea of embarrassing my father at the board meeting in his office tomorrow morning. The presentation has to go smoothly.

You know, you're putting a lot of pressure on yourself lately.

You'd better shut up, conscience... I'm not done with my job yet.

There is plenty of time after dinner.

Don't give me that! It's another temptation.

Ugh...my stomach's growling. It's at this moment that the door to my new room opens with a bang, and Alex—my seventeen-year old little sister—is at my door with her arms folded across her chest, giving me another—no doubt—stern look.

She looks mad.

Hey! I have the right as her older sister.

"You know sis, you've been pretty absorbed with that presentation lately, and I think you're forgetting that Mom's vocal chords are about to get ripped." She sounds kind of haughty.

"Gim'me five minutes..." I continue my typing.

"You'd better get downstairs or I'm getting the last pop tart."

"You're not serious!" I exclaim loudly, looking up from my job.

"Fine with me. Keep your ass glued to that chair, and I'm getting the last pop tart." She regards me with a very smug grin, and charges down the upstairs hall.

Pop tart!

"Oh no you don't!" I jump up from my chair, ignoring that I left my phone on the desk as I slam the door to my room and race downstairs. That pop tart is mine!

I find myself in the dining room in a blur. And my mischievous little sis is already rummaging through the refrigerator. My eyes get big, and I quickly dash to her side and we start wrestling over the pop tart box. I'm having the upper hand.

"Girls! You are young ladies, and you're acting like five-year old boys wrestling for a treat," Mom exclaimed, positively scandalized.

"It's worth it, Mom!" Alex screams in my ear as I manage to turn her face to the side with my outstretched palm.

"Good evening, Mrs. Clarion. Where's-?"

At the sound of that voice, my younger sister straightens almost instantly, and I could laugh as she smoothed out her blonde hair and rights her clothes that are now rumpled from our childish fight.

"Mom!" Alex wailed as I try very hard not to giggle. "You didn't tell me he'd be here!"

"It was a surprise, honey." Mom smiles and winks at me.

I smirk. "That should teach you to be poised all the time. You'll never know when your boy friend decides to pay you a visit on short notice." I chuckle, and Alex pouts quite cutely.

I glance over at the teenage boy grinning like he just caught a juicy secret. That's how he used to smile at me when he caught me doing something peculiar.

It's been four years since that chaotic ending. Four years since so many people I cared about had been lost, but so many beautiful things had been taught to me as a very valuable lesson. It was for me to love freely.

After his untimely death, I returned to Junon and am now living with my family. My Dad was happy to know that Shin-Ra was no more. It all remains a memory to me now. And I still can't forget him. In a short time that I even knew his name and the way he managed to work his way into my heart, I never forgot him since. He remained my only love, and even now as I enjoy a spectacular dinner with my family, I'm still thinking of him.

I know I'll never forget the feel of that silver hair beneath my fingertips, the beautiful blue-green color of his cat's eyes—how otherworldly they were, his pale complexion and smooth skin that, the invigorating touch of his hand, the feel of strong fingers filling the spaces between mine, the warmth he always emitted whenever he embraced me, the soft whispers he left in my ear, the way his breath sent beautiful shivers down my spine, the way he made me melt whenever he kissed me, and the soft and sincere expression in his eyes when he told me he loved me.

He might have been cruel and selfish, and even psychotic, and he wasn't even my dream guy. He wasn't the type I'd felt brave enough to bring home, just like Alex does with her boy friend, and he might have been a certified bad boy, but I know I'll never ever exchange it for any treasure in the world to make me forget. He is imprinted in my memory and he will never fade. He loved me and I loved him. It's all that matters.

I found what I needed. I fulfilled my self-set purpose. I found my family, uncovered my true identity, and I couldn't have done that without his big help. For now, I'd live up the remaining years of my life and just know deep down that somewhere in the Lifestream, he's waiting for me to come to him someday.

"I'll always...be with you."

END

A/N: There... It's done. I'm working on a new story that will hopefully get some reviews too... :) Thanks again. I really appreciate it. :D