A FINAL FANTASY 7 CHRISTMAS
by Vermilion

At the 7th Heaven bar in Midgar, Tifa Lockhart was preparing a drink
for one of her two companions, Cloud Strife.

"Catch."  Tifa slid the drink down the table that Cloud caught almost
effortlessly.  She turned to face her other companion.  "Vincent, do you
care for a drink?"

Vincent, who was standing against a wall in the corner, shook his head.
He, like Cloud and Tifa, had no family to go home to for Christmas so 
they decided to celebrate at the bar.  It wasn't much, but it was all they
had.  The others had gone to visit their loved ones for the holiday.

When Cloud downed his drink, he asked Tifa, "Hey Tifa, isn't today the
day the others return?"

Tifa thought about this for a moment.  "Yeah, that's right.  Today
is Christmas Day.  Everyone said they would return.....well, almost."

"Almost?"

"Cait Sith said he wouldn't be able to join us.  Something about a big 
parade at Shinra HQ."

"Oh."  Cloud stared down at his empty glass, but didn't so for long
as someone walked in.

"Hey guys, Merry Christmas."  The very sound of Cid's entrance
startled Cloud.  

"Hi Cid," Tifa greeted him.  The busty proprietor then asked, "How
did you and Shera celebrate Christmas?"

"Tifa, we had a hell of a good time.  We started off by having some
hot tea by candlelight.  Then, we went to the launch pad for the 
Rocket Town Christmas celebration where we exchanged gifts.  Let
me tell you guys, Shera went crazy for that coat I gave her."

"What did she give you," Cloud asked.

"Glad you asked.  First, she gave me a silver spear which I have back
on the Highwind.  Second, she gave me this."  Cid reached into his
pocket and pulled out a small box wrapped up in shiny red paper
and tied with a purple bow.

"What is it?" Vincent asked.

"It's a secret.  A secret you'll know about soon."

Tifa, Cloud, and Vincent reacted by looking at Cid funny.  He rebutted
by saying, "Trust me, I know what I'm saying.  Now Tifa, give me
something hard."

Cid took a stool and Tifa complied with a hard drink that Cid
gladly accepted.  Then, the four chewed the fat for just over an
hour when Barret walked in with a smile on his face.  He was
immediately greeted with a slew of hi's, hello's, and the like.

"Barret," Cloud said, "you look happy.  I assume you had a good
time with your daughter."

"You bet your spiky head I did!  Oh man, to finally spend a 
Christmas with Marlene is my wish come true.  Guys, you should have 
seen her eyes light up when I gave her that baby chocobo.  It was
priceless.  I just wished I didn't have to leave.  That reminds me,
why ARE we here?"

"Good question," Tifa wondered.  "Cid, do you know why?"

"I guess I can answer that.  You see, Cloud and I want all of 
us to get together so we can celebrate Christmas somewhere
special."

"Special?  Cloud, do you know what he's talking about?"

"Yes.  However, I can't tell you yet.  Not until Red and Yuffie
show up." 

"Wait," Barret asked.  "What about Cait?"

"He can't show up.  He has to be at  Shinra."

"Oh.  Well, we don't need him, anyway."

As the five did many activities ranging from a arm wrestling
match between Barret and Cloud to Cid using every maneuver 
to get Vincent to drink, even offering to pay, about an hour and a 
half passed before another party member arrived.

"Hey everyone.....huh?"

No one was paying attention to the newcomer.  This required
drastic matters.  On top of a table behind the group, a loud howl
was emitted.  A howl so loud that startled everyone and even causing 
Tifa a drop and shatter a glass.  The gang turned to see that Red XIII
had successfully gained their attention.  No speaking was said until
the party of five had slowed down their heartbeats.

Cloud was the first to regain the ability to speak.  "Oh Red, you
sure scared the living hell out of us.  So, how did you celebrate
Christmas?"

"It was a basic get together, nothing like your parties.  It was just me
and Bugenhagen by the campfire.  He told me everything he knew about
my father Seto."

"Oh," was all Cid could say, "that's cool.  Everyone has a different
way to celebrate Christmas, I guess."

"I agree," Vincent added.

A new voice decided to add to the conversation with, "Maybe,
but celebrating Christmas that way sucks."

As the party focused their attention towards Yuffie, Red slitted
his eyes towards her in anger.  Cloud noticed this.  

"Okay, Red," he said, "this is not the time.  You know how Yuffie
is."

Red complied and jumped down from the table.  He only option now,
in his mind, would be to talk to Yuffie and see what she been up to.
However, the ninja spoke before anyone even got a syllable in.

"Man, beside my dad, I don't think anyone in Wutai has even heard 
of Christmas.  Anyhow, me and dad celebrated by just swapping 
presents.  Here, take a looksie at what I got."  Yuffie showed
everyone her shiny new yellow materia.

"What did you give your father?"  Tifa asked.

Yuffie paused for a second.  "Ummm....you know, I knew I forgot
something.  But it was strange, my dad didn't mind at all.  He said
that he was happy just being with me.  Strange family I come from,
huh?"

Everyone there just either smiled, or let out a brief chuckle before
returning to their own agenda.  "Hey," Yuffie asked, "what's so
funny?"

Time passed, words were spoken, drinks were consumed, and a good
time was had by all until Cid stood on the top of a table and whistled
loudly to grab everyone's attention.  "Hey everyone, it's time to go.  
Let's get on the Highwind and move out."  He jumped off the table
and, with Cloud, walked out the door with the others following a few
minutes later.  As they followed Cid and Cloud to the Highwind, many
questions were asked with all of them pretty much asking the same thing.

"Hey, what's the deal?"  Yuffie asked.

Tifa answered with, "I'm not sure.  Cloud and Cid want to take us
somewhere, but aren't saying where.  I guess we'll find out eventually."

And thus, it would end up that Cloud and Cid would keep everyone in 
suspense until the airship landed near a strange looking place.  It 
wasn't until the group had exited the Highwind that it became familiar.

"The forgotten city?"  Barret wondered.  "What are we doing here?"

Suddenly, Tifa figured it out.  She knew what Cid meant by "somewhere
special."  She answered Barret with, "I know now.  We're going to
where we should really celebrating Christmas.  Someplace......special."

Barret gave Tifa a funny look, then proceeded with the others into the
city until they got to a seashell shaped house with a small pond in
front.

"Hey," Barret said, "this is where....oh, I understand now."

Cid walked up to the edge of the pond where Cloud was also standing
and pulled out the small box.  "Now I'll tell you what's in this box.
This box contains a diamond ring which Shera and I bought for
Aeris.  You see, Aeris once told us how much she liked diamonds, so
we decided to get one for her.  When I left Rocket Town, I was going 
to come here, but I figured I'd better give you guys a call.  Fill 'em 
in on the rest, Cloud."

"Cid called me and told me what he wanted to do.  He also said to keep
it a secret from all of you.  'It would ruin the surprise,' he said.  
He told me to get in touch with everyone and say that we should meet
in Midgar.  The rest is, well, history."

Cid added, "I'm sorry for not telling you earlier."

"Don't worry about it, " Vincent replied with a smile rare to his face.

"Huh?"  Cid and Cloud were a bit confused now.

Tifa responded with, "I agree with Vincent.  It appears that you two
were the only ones that remembered Aeris.  All of us forgot about her
and if it wasn't for you guys, we wouldn't be standing here.  Thanks."

"Fellas," Red said, "how about giving Aeris her gift?"

"Right," Cid replied.  He handed the box over to Cloud.  "Cloud,
would you do the honors?"

Cloud took the box and threw it into the pond with very little splash.
"Merry Christmas, Aeris....and thanks for everything," he whispered.

Cloud and the others started to walk away when a sudden but familiar
voice was heard.

"Oh!  It's beautiful!"

Everyone turned around to see something none of them had expected to
see.  It was Aeris, equipped with the most beautiful set of angel 
wings one could possibly hope to imagine.  She was hovering over the 
pond admiring the ring on her finger.  "Thank you, everyone.  I knew
you would come to see me, I just knew it."

Everyone just stared at what they couldn't believe was facing them.
Aeris was an angel when she was alive and now she was even more so.
Could this be happening?  If it's real, they hoped, it should never end.

"So," Aeris asked, "who got this?"

Cid raised his hand while still staring at the unbelievable sight
in front of him.  "I did...and Shera, too."

Aeris walked over to Cid and gave him a small peck on the cheek.
"Thank you, it's very nice."

In response, Cid smiled and said, "The best 400 gil I ever spent."
As a reflex action, he grabbed Aeris' shoulders and received the 
biggest surprise of his life.  He expected to go right through her,
but to his surprise, his hands stopped on her shoulders.  "Whoa!"
Cid let go and stepped back.

Aeris let out a smile.  "Don't be surprised.  You should have been
able to figure that out when I was admiring this ring."

Cid let out a chuckle in response.

"Thank Shera for me, would you?"

Cid nodded.  "You bet I'll tell her."

At that moment, everyone started to crowd around Aeris...that is,
everyone except for one person.  Aeris could see this out of the 
corner of her eye.  "Please, excuse me."  She exited the small mob
and walked over to the lone figure.  "Yuffie....Yuffie, what's wrong?"

Yuffie looked at the spiritual friend with teary eyes.  "Aeris...." 
Suddenly, she hugged Aeris letting loose all of her past grief in
her crying.  Aeris was taken aback momentarily, but regained her
composure to return the hug.

"Oh Yuffie," she whispered.  "Why are you crying?  It's Christmas;
it's a time for joy and happiness, not for sorrow and tears.  There
will another time for that.  So, c'mon, how about giving me a smile,
okay?"

Yuffie let go of Aeris and showed her the smile that was asked, albeit
a fairly weak one.  What came next would take everyone by surprise.
Yuffie reached into her bag and pulled out her new materia.  "Here, 
it's for you.  Merry Christmas."  She held it out in front of Aeris.

Aeris, as well as everyone else, was shocked at what appeared to 
be Yuffie's only unselfish act.  "Oh, I'm honored, but are you sure you
won't miss it?"

"No, please take it."

"Thank you so much."  Aeris took the materia and gave Yuffie a hug
in thanks.  Yuffie, tears running down her face, smiled and walked
away, but Tifa made sure she didn't get very far.

"Yuffie, that was very thoughtful of you.  I always thought you 
were selfish, but what I just saw disproved that.  I'm very
proud of you."  

"Thanks, Tifa."

"Now won't you stick around?   At least, for Aeris?" 

Wiping the last tears from her eyes, Yuffie responded, "All right."

Meanwhile, Barret offered Aeris a flower.  "Here, it's from Marlene."

"Thanks, "Aeris said as she accepted the flower.  She just knew her
friends would come through, but she didn't expect these gifts.  

"I'm sorry Aeris, " Vincent said, "for not getting you anything."

"That's okay," she replied.  "Just having you guys here is the best
gift I've gotten so far.  Really, I mean it."

*Ahem*  Red had walked up behind Aeris and wanted to say something.
"I know now is not the time, but I want to apologize for how we first
met.  I wish we could have done so in a better environment."

Aeris knelt down and replied, "Apology accepted."  She then pet
Red as a way of saying thanks.

Cloud, who just stood and watched all of the events transpire 
before him, wanted to talk to Aeris alone, but he needed a way
to do so.  "Aeris, could talk to you alone, please?"

"Huh?"  Aeris stood up and faced Cloud.  "Sure, I guess we can."

Tifa immediately got the idea and announced, "We should be getting
out of here.  Let's spend the rest of Christmas with our families, all
right?"  

Cid got the idea, "Yeah, I agree.  Let's get back on the Highwind."

Not knowing what's going on, the party, except Cloud, walked away.
However, Tifa stopped for a moment and shouted, "Merry Christmas,
Aeris."  

Aeris shouted back, "Merry Christmas to all of you."  Within seconds
after that, the party was gone leaving Cloud and Aeris alone.

"So Cloud, what do you want to tell me?"

"Well, I just want to apologize for what I did to you.  I never
intended to harm you.  That's all, I guess."

"Well, like I told Yuffie, this isn't a time for grief, it's a time
for happiness.  Please don't worry about it, okay?"

"Well, all right, I won't."

"And don't worry about me.  I'm just fine.  Now, why don't
you go back to Midgar?  I'm sure a certain someone will
be waiting for you under that mistletoe."

Cloud smiled at that thought.  "Okay."

Aeris hovered back over the pond and said, "Cloud, one
more thing."

"What's that?"

"Be strong."  Aeris then disappeared as suddenly as she appeared.
Cloud let out a sigh and headed for the Highwind.  About halfway
there, he stopped and looked into the sky.

"Thank you again, Aeris.....and may god bless you."