He was dirty, sweaty and smelled of smoke and ash when he got home. Despite all that, she thought he was the most wonderful thing she had seen in days when he walked up the stairs.

"Cid? Is everything all right with Cloud and Tifa?"

"Yeah, babe. Everything's fine. We found a cure for the stigma finally."

Shera looked down at the black stain on her hand and then back up at the man she has promised to spend her life with. She is hesitantly hopeful at his words.

"Its real, Shera. I saw it work on Cloud and the kids." He paused before adding. "Its from Aeris."

Aeris. She remembers the flower girl, remembers wishing that she could have gotten to know her better before Sephiroth killed her. "Okay."

"You'll be feeling better in no time," Cid promised.

She reached up and placed her hands on his cheeks. "I feel better already, just knowing you're home." She pulled his face down to hers and kissed him firmly on the lips.