The group watched as Talcott's truck pulled in. The passenger door opened and out stepped Noctis with Umbra right behind him.

"Hey," the prince casually greeted.

Gladio was the first to reply, "Hey? That's all you have to say for yourself - after all this time?" He gave him a light shove.

"Noct, it's you!" Prompto cheerfully cried, giving him a pat on the arm. "It's really you!"

"Is it?" Noctis joked. "I hadn't realized."

"Well, well," Ignis said. "You kept us waiting."

"For a long time," Lorelai added, smiling.

Noctis walked over and gave Ignis a pat on the shoulder while flashing Lorelai a small smile. "Not like I wanted to. We've got catching up to do."

"Let's head inside," the blind man suggested.

Inside the diner, the group sat down together. Everyone explained a bit to Noctis about what they'd been up to while he was gone. Noctis directed his attention to the couple sitting together.

"From what I heard from Talcott, you two tied the knot."

Prompto grinned sheepishly, wrapping an arm around Lorelai. "Yeah. It was the best day ever."

"It was quite the festive event," Ignis added. "It gave us all a chance to spend time together."

Gladio nodded. "Iris, Cid, Cindy, Talcott - even Cor was there.

Lorelai smiled sadly. "We wish you could've been there."

Noctis hung his head down. "Me too." After a moment of silence, he stood. "Well? You guys ready to go?"

They all agreed and followed him out. "I'll cut a path through the daemons," Lorelai said. She flashed the king a reassuring smile. "My magic's gotten stronger since the last time we saw each other."

Leaving Hammerhead, Lorelai created a barrier of light around her companions. With her leading the way, they walked down the road toward Insomnia. They all agreed to rest at a haven before the final trek to the Crown City, wanting to spend time to talk more and rest up before the battle that awaited them. After setting up everything, they sat in silence briefly. With only four chairs, Lorelai sat across her husband's lap, resting her arms around his neck.

"The five of us around a campfire," Noctis said, starting a conversation. "How long's it been?"

"Hmm..." Ignis hummed. "An eternity."

"So, yeah," Noctis said, getting everyone's attention. "I, um..."

"Out with it," Gladio urged.

"I just..." Noctis trailed off. He sighed in frustration. "... Dammit. The hell is this so hard?" He paused. "So, I... I've made my piece. Still... Knowing this is it, and seeing you here now, it's..." A tear slid down his cheek. "More than I can take."

His words were making the others teary eyed as well. "Yeah," Prompto agreed. "You're damn right it is."

"You spit it out," Gladio commented.

"It's good to hear," Ignis added.

Lorelai was unable to speak, her lower lip trembling as tears poured from her eyes. Noctis stood, scanning over each of his friends.

"Well..." he began, "...what can I say?" More tears spilled from everyone's eyes. "You guys... are the best."

Lorelai continuously wiped the tears cascading down her cheeks while Prompto pressed his fingers over his eyes, trying to force back the recurring tears. Gladio rubbed his face free of tears while Ignis let a few slip from his eyes as well. Noctis let the excess moisture in his eyes fall freely before attempting to wipe it all away. But after several moments of silence, they all managed to regain their composure.

"You know," Ignis began, "in times like these, it always helps to have good news counteract the bad."

He turned his head toward Lorelai and she instantly knew what he was getting at. She bit her lower lip in thought. Maybe this is the right time. She was eager to tell her husband and her friends of the great news. This would be her only chance to tell them before the final battle and before Noctis leaves them for good.

"I have something I need to tell you all," she said. She looked at Prompto. "Especially you, sweetheart."

The blond looked a bit concerned, thinking something might be wrong. "What is it? You're not feeling sick again, are you?"

She smiled, shaking her head. "No, nothing like that. Actually, I... I'm pregnant."

Silence fell over them and the gunman stared at her wide eyed, processing what she had said. "I thought it sounded that way from what Prompto told me," Gladio said with a chuckle. "Congratulations!"

Noctis smiled and nodded. "Yeah. What a way to lighten the mood."

"Y-You mean..." the blond stuttered out. "I'm gonna be... a dad?"

Lorelai nodded, beaming with joy. "Yes."

A huge grin spread across his face and he hugged her. "This is great! You guys hear that, we're gonna have a baby!" He buried his face into her neck, holding her tightly while lightly running his hand over her stomach.

"I'm happy for you two," Noctis said. "And I promise I will bring back the light."

Ignis smiled slightly. "The little one will be able to grow up in a normal world free of darkness and daemons."

"Sounds like a dream come true," Gladio added.

Realization hit Prompto, causing him to pull back, frowning at his wife. "You know what this means, don't you? You need to go back to Hammerhead and wait for us."

She scoffed. "I'm not turning back."

"You have to," the gunman argued. "You're in no condition to travel and fight."

She couldn't help but giggle at his protective side. "Prompto, I'm still very early. I'm perfectly capable of still doing my usual things."

"But what if something happens to you?" he asked with concern.

She leaned forward, pressing her forehead against his. "I have you to watch my back. I'll be fine. If anything gets to be too much, I'll let you know."

He hummed in thought before finally giving in with a sigh. "Okay. Cause I don't know what I'd do if I lost you, now more than ever. I love you, Lorelai."

"Love you too, Prompto."

They shared a quick kiss before Gladio interrupted, "I feel kinda bad bringing a pregnant woman into battle."

"As do I," Ignis agreed. "But it's not like we can stop her. She could very well tail us the whole way."

"It's her decision," Noctis stated. "Besides, we'll all be there together."

Lorelai stood from Prompto's lap. "Right. So, who's hungry?"

Ignis stood from his seat with a light chuckle. "Let's get cooking then, shall we?"

Ignis and Lorelai began preparing supper. While they cooked, Prompto stared lovingly at his wife, a smile of content on his face. Noctis moved seats so that he could talk with his friend. Prompto hummed happily.

"I can hardly believe it... I'm gonna be a dad. I can still remember all those years ago when I thought I'd never have a girl who loved me, let alone a wife and a baby."

"You're a lucky man," Gladio told him. "You found your perfect woman."

"Now I just wanna fix this world, for all of you," Noctis told him. "I'll make things right. I'd hate to know that this is the kind of place your child will live in if I don't."

The group soon had supper before finally huddling up in their tent. Prompto instinctively wrapped an arm securely around Lorelai while nuzzling into the back of her neck. He couldn't stop thinking about it. He was so overcome with joy by the news that he forgot all about the battle waiting for them in Insomnia. For now, he would just enjoy the moment.