A Drabble Story - 6

Disclaimer: I do not own anything Final Fantasy or any of the characters in the game or movie. I do not make any money of this or anything else Final Fantasy that I may write.  





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Just as I had promised Marlene, Cloud returned. Appearing at the flower girl’s church three days after the incident.

The child wrapped herself around my leg as silvery tears of joy slid down her face, tiny sobs raking her small frame like days before. She had a smile on her face this time and that’s all the mattered.

“He came back, just like you promised! He came back!”

I place my hand her head and watched as my teammates fussed of our leader. The orphans of Edge played in the water that had flooded what use to be a garden of assorted lilies, laughter and chatter filling the air.

Captain Highwind stood behind Red XIII, idly smoking one of his crooked cigarettes, laughing when Cloud was pushed over into the water by a team of three children.

“Highwind, must you smoke in a church?” I said, trying to draw the man’s attention without disrupting the laughter and joy around me. I literally saw the pilot’s ear twitch before he turned and walked over, boot clunking on the old wooden floor boards.

Cid scoffed. “Hasn’t stopped me before, Aeris never seemed to mind.”

Marlene looked up from her place at my leg, a soft scowl on her face.

“Smoking is bad for you, I hope you know!” You tell him Marlene.

“That is because she did not want you to start cussing at her. Not that I blame her.” It was true. Cid had a horrible temper when it came to someone telling him to either cut back on the cigarettes or to drop them all together. It was a dangerous move to make.

Cid crossed his arms over his chest, looking down at the girl beside me. “Ya think I should quit brat?”

Marlene stepped away, mimicking Cid’s posture with a frown.

“Yes. I want you to quit. Beside you have to live long enough to fix the Tiny Bronco so you can take me for a plane ride like you promised!”

I let the two stared eachother down while I looked around at the crowd again.

'I’m glad, Vincent. Everything turned out fine in the end. And Cloud…Cloud looks happy again.'

My eyes widened at the soft, petal light voice, turning my head lightly to the doors of the church where two kids were playing. Crouched down, where her ever present pink dress was a face I never thought I’d see again.

Aeris smiled my way softly, waving her hand lightly. I nodded, still stunned at the sight of our long lost friend and teammate as she stood and walk away.

I heard her voice again as Cloud stood stock still, staring at the flower girl from his place amongst the children. Marlene grabbed my hand and pointed toward the flower girl with a cheery grin on her cherub face.

'You see? Everything’s…alright.'