Epilogue

"Aren't you excited, guys?" Aeris squealed. "It's your big day."

Aeris, Tifa, and Tayeko were gathered in a "dressing room" in a huge church in Midgar. Today, Tifa and Tayeko were marrying Cloud in Sephiroth, in a double wedding.

Zack was Cloud's best man, and Barret and Cid were his groomsmen. Vincent was Sephiroth's best man, and Tseng and Reeve had volunteered to be his groomsmen. Tayeko and Tifa had fought over having Aeris as their maid of honor, but Tifa ended up letting Tayeko have her and choosing Yuffie as hers. Shera and Isabelle were her bridesmaids, and Tayeko had Kat and Elena as hers. Marlene was the flower girl, and Cait Sith took the title as ring bearer after Kat's younger brother Timothy was deemed too old for the job.

The guest list wasn't long, as neither couple had many friends to speak of. AVALANCHE and the Turks, even Rufus, were invited, as were Lucrecia, Dion, and Nekura. Elmyra of course was there, and Kat's brother Timothy came, minus their mother.

Tifa stared into the mirror. Her gown was long and full, with a tight lace bodice. Her hair was done up with long pieces and whisps falling down on her pale shoulders. The wore her same teardrop earrings, and a pearl necklace adorned her neck.

Despite her pregnacy, she still wasn't showing, at least not obvious and not in this dress. Her makeup highlighted her natural beauty, and her brown eyes glimmered at the reflection she saw.

Tayeko's gown was somewhat different. Also white, it hung to her curves and then fanned out at the bottom. The dress was made of a pure satin material, and the ruffle and lace design on the bodic was intricate. Her hair was swept up, with half of it down, and long tendrils hanging down around her face and she wore sparkling diamond earrings.

They had agreed to not choose just one color for the bridesmaids dresses, so naturally, Aeris chose a deep, rosy pink for her dress. The dress was cut slightly low, with an empire waist. Her hair was left down, with parts of it clipped back, her bangs still framing her smiling face.

"I'm nervous..." Tayeko said, staring in the mirror, contstantly checking and rechecking her appearance.

"Don't be!" Aeris reassured her. "This is going to be the best day of your life! Enjoy it!"

Tifa turned in the mirror. "I look so fat," she complained. "Look, you can see my belly."

"You are *not* fat!" Aeris scolded. "And of course, you're having a baby Tifa. I'm hoping you start showing more than that, otherwise I'd be getting worried!"

"You can't even tell," Tayeko reassured her.

"Aeris, you should be getting married with us," Tifa said.

"Yeah," Tayeko agreed. "What's the matter with Zack?"

Aeris shrugged and giggled. "We're not ready to tie the knot," she answered, her green eyes sparkling. "Give us some time! You'll be the bridesmaids at my wedding soon enough."

Isabelle pushed open the door and came in, wearing a pale yellow bridesmaid's gown, her wavy blonde hair down up in a french roll. "They're getting restless," she said. "How much longer?"

"Oh, god, I'm ready," Tayeko said. "Right?"

Tifa put her gloved hands to her face. "I think so..."

Yuffie stuck her head in the door. She wore a pale green dress.

"Come on, come on!" she cried. "We gotta start!"

Aeris pushed Tayeko and Tifa. "Let's go!"

Cloud and Sephiroth stood in the mirrors, adjusting their tuxedo's in complete silence. Cloud wore a white tux, and Sephiroth, of course, had chosen black.

Zack was pacing behind them. "God! Would one of you say something already?" he pleaded. "This silence is unbearable!"

"Calm down, Zack," Cloud said.

"Right," Sephiroth added. "I think you're more nervous than we are."

Zack stopped pacing and stared at them. "Are you quite done?" he asked. "It's hot in here!" he wiped sweat from his forehead.

Cid burst open the door. "Hey!" he yelled. "Shera's ass is telling me that the girls are ready to start. The damn bridesmaids have already lined up, would you believe that shit? Let's go!"

Zack nearly raced out of the room, and Cid shrugged, Sephiroth and Cloud following behind.

The pews of the church were moderately filled. The mid morning sun streamed in through the stain glassed windows, there was a peaceful tranquilty among the wedding's guests, many of whom were at one time or another were enemies.

Marlene came walking up the isle, throwing flower petals in the isle.

Sephiroth and Cloud stood side by side at the altar, their groomsmen next to them as they waited on their brides. When the organ player began to play the traditional theme, everyone looked to the back of the church where Tayeko and Tifa emerged, veils over their faces and boquets of flowers in their hands.

Neither of them having family to speak of, there were no father's to give them away. Instead, Barret did this for Tifa, and Cid for Tayeko. The two beautiful young women walked side by side up the isle, kissed Barret and Cid on the cheek, and each stood by their husbands to be.

Cloud's best man and groomsmen wore white tuxedos, while Sephiroth's dressed in black. Shera wore a pale silver colored gown, Kat a gold one, and Elena wore pale blue.

The priest, a friend of Elmyra's from Kalm, looked at the two couples.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to marry thess couples in holy matrimony... what a special day it is," he said smiling at them. "Not one, but two couples gathered in marriage, to join together as one."

Randy sobbed. "I can't believe it!" he cried. "They're finally getting married!"

Reno stared at him. "What the hell's the matter with you?" he asked.

"Be quiet," Rude scolded. "They're starting."

The priest looked back and forth between the two couple. "Now, I understand you want all want to read your own vows?"

They nodded.

"Very well... Cloud, you may begin your vows."

Cloud turned to Tifa and took her hands in his. "Tifa..." he began slowly, "Words can't express my love for you. Ever since I was young, you've always been there for me. When I left for SOLDIER, you cared for me. When I was at the train station in Midgar, you cared for me. When I fell into the lifestream... you cared for me. You've always loved me, Tifa, and I'll always love you. I can never thank you for how you've loved me. I promise for the rest of my life, I will love and protect you."

Tifa's eyes began to tear, and Cait Sith pranced down the isle, four wedding rings on white velvet pillow. Cloud took one and placed it on Tifa's hand.

Tifa looked up at Cloud. "Cloud.. I love you more than anything in this world. I've always loved you, even since I was a little girl. No matter what the others said or thought, you were always strong and brave to me. You've saved my life, and you kept that special promise you made to me seven years ago. It was so long ago, yet it seems like yesterday. I will always be here for you, Cloud. I love you." She took the matching ring and placed it on Cloud's finger.

The priest nodded and smiled at them, then turned to Tayeko and Sephiroth.

"Sephiroth, you may now proceed."

Sephiroth stood close to Tayeko and took her hands in his, staring deep into her purple colored eyes.

"Tayeko... I have been a stubborn, foolish man," he began. "Ever since we were children, you've always showed me nothing but kindness and love. Having you around when I was young took away some of the pain I felt during those years. I never realized how much I cared for you, but having you around now, I know I truly love you. I never want you to leave my side. I will do everything in my power to love you and keep you safe."

He took another ring and slipped it on her finger.

Tayeko wiped a tear away from her eyes and stared up into Sephiroth's glowing green ones.

"Sephiroth, I've loved you ever since I met you," she said. "There was always something mysterious about you that held my curiousity, that made me want to know more, that made me love you. When I was wasting away in the lifestream, I thought of nothing but you - and now that we are together again, I want you to know that I will forever love you the way I always have."

She took the final ring from Cait's pillow and placed it on his finger.

The minister looked up and turned to Cloud. "Now, Cloud, do you take Tifa Lockheart to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do," Cloud said.

"And Tifa, do you take Cloud Strife to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

She smiled. "I do," she answered.

"Sephiroth, do you take Tayeko Kisato to be your lawfully wedded wife?"p> Sephiroth nodded, smiling slightly. "I do," he answered.

"And Tayeko, do you take Sephiroth as your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do," Tayeko answered, her eyes forming more tears.

The minisher smiled gingerly and nodded. "Well, I pronounce you all man and wife. You may now kiss the brides!"

In almost perfect sync, Cloud and Sephiroth both pulled of Tifa and Tayeko's veils and kissed the women on the lips, each holding them by their faces. The guests broke out into cheering.

Cloud and Sephiroth broke the kisses, and nodding at each other, took Tifa and Tayeko by the arms and side by side led the procession down the isle to the doors that led outside the church. The bridesmaids and groomsmen walked behind them as well.

Outside the church, a white stretch limosuine was waiting for the newly wed couples. Everyone crowded outside to take pictures and congradulate the couples.

"This is wonderful!" Aeris exclaimed. "I can't wait until the reception. We're going to have a wonderful time!"

Tifa kissed Cloud on the cheek. "What a wonderful ceremony," she said.

"I can't beileve your married," Aeris said.

Cloud smiled as Zack came over and grabbed Aeris, hugging her from behind. "We're next," he said.

"I can't wait for that," Tifa laughed. "What I really want to see is Cid and Shera get married."

They turned to look at the pilot, who was smoking a cigarette, and hand one arm around Shera.

"We'll see," Cloud said.

"We've got to go," Tayeko said, taking Sephiroth's hand and walking towards the limo.

"That's right," Tifa said, pulling Cloud along behind them "We'll see you all at the reception."

"Okay!" Aeris cried. "Congradulations again!"

The reception was held in a huge, fancy dinner hall that Rufus had been generous enough to book. There were crystal chandeliers hanging overhead, glass tables with satin tableclothes for the guests, a buffet, and a dance floor. At the head table where the newly weds sat, a three teir cake, which Cloud and Sephiroth had cut earlier, was set up.

Tayeko and Sephiroth were alone on the dance floor, lost in their own world as they danced. Cloud and Tifa sat at the head table, and Aeris and Zack had come over to sit with them.

"I'm so happy you two are married," Aeris said sincerely.

"Yeah," Zack agreed, slapping Cloud on the back. "Congradulations."

Cloud kissed Tifa, then fed her a bite of cake. "Thanks," he said.

Tifa wiped her mouth. "This has been the happiest day of my life."

Red and Nekura sat besides the table where Barret, Dion, Elmyra, Cid, and Shera sat, Cid and Barret playing poker.

"Barret threw his arms up. "Haha! I win again!"

Cid tossed fifty gil on the table and lit a cigarette. "Goddamnit," he cursed. "Taking all my fucking money."

"That's only because you keep losing," Red said. Nekura laughed and rubbed against Red.

"Ah, who the hell asked you?" Cid spat, smoke trailing from his lips. "Why don't you goddamn creatures just stay the hell out-"

"Cid," Shera said, touching his arm. "Calm down, please?"

Cid shrugged and inhaled on his cigarette again.

The Turks and Randy sat at a table nearby. Tseng stood up and took Elena's hand.

"Do you want to dance?" he asked her.

Elena blushed and set her glass of wine down. "S,sure," she answered.

Elena stood and the two walked towards the dance floor, arm in arm.

Reno turned and watched as the two danced together, holding each other close.

"Would you look at that?" he said. "I still can't beilieve it."

"Reno, don't start." Rude warned, sipping his drink.

Reno shrugged, and Randy pulled out a cigarette and lit it. "This has been a pretty awesome day," he said.

"Yeah," Reno agreed. "I never really liked Cloud, but I guess I've had fun."

"It was nice of them to invite us," Rude said.

Rufus and Kat walked over, sitting down where Tseng and Elena had just been.

"How is it going?" Rufus asked.

Reno leaned back in his chair. "Peachy," he answered, sipping a drink.

"Reno, you're gonna fall," Rufus said.

"See what I'm talking about?" Randy started. "You're so damn anal retentive! Just get over it!"

Rufus balled up his fists. "Shut up! Those Turks work for me, and that slouchy behavior of his isn't acceptable!"

"Rufus," Kat said in a soft voice. "Just let it go."

"Yeah, listen to the lady," Randy said, leaning his chair back like Reno.

"Whatever," Rufus frowned.

Isabelle ran to the front of the room. "Hey, everyone! It's time for the brides to throw the boquets!"

In a flash, Elena, Yuffie, Kat, Dion, Shera, Lucrecia and Nekura ran to join Isabelle in the front.

Tayeko and Tifa came to the front and took their boquets, facing the opposite direction. Tseng left the dance floor and went to sit back down, and Rufus went back to his table.

"I bet you Elena's gonna catch it," Reno said.

"Please," Tseng said. "I'm not ready for marriage."

Tayeko and Tifa threw the boquets, and in a wild rampage, the women scrambled to catch them. Yuffie and Elena emerged winners.

"HA! I caught it!"

"So did I!" Elena exclaimed. "Look, Tseng!"

"What did I tell you?" Reno said, shoving Tseng playfully. "Now you gotta marry her."

Tseng shook his head.

Striker banged his head on the table.

"What's your problem?" Rufus asked. "It isn't like this means anything."

Striker shrugged. "I know I'll never hear the end of it..." He looked over at Randy, who was pointing at Striker and laughing so hard he had to hold his stomach and stomp his feet on the floor.

Yuffie adored the flowers. "So what does this mean? Do I get a prize?"

"No, Yuffie," Isabelle responded, shaking her head. "That means your the next to get married."

"Oooh, Yuffie and Striker are getting married!" Kat teased.

Yuffie looked at the boquet and threw them down as if they were hot to the touch. "Ew! Nevermind then! I don't want it!"

"Eh, you got off the hook, Striker!" Randy yelled to Striker.

The women scrambled to grab the boquet again, and this time Shera emerged victorious. She yelled the flowers high.

"Oh, I got it!" she said giddily. "I got the boquet!"

Cid smashed the butt of his cigarette into the ash tray. "Goddamnit!" he cursed. "She always fuckin' finds away to get me!"

"Oh, come on, Cid," Dion taunted. "You know you want to marry her."

"Yeah?" Cid said in a gruff voice. "Hell, then why don't you go marry Barret?"

Barret slammed the table with his gunarm. "Shaddup, Cid!" he yelled. "Didn't nobody ask you for yer two cents!"

Cid laughed. "What about you two?" he asked Red and Nekura. "You gonna get hitched?"

"Our customs our different," Nekura answered. "Nanaki and I won't have an actual wedding, instead, we mate and officialize our union with the elders of the Canyon."

"Right," Red answered. "Weddings are human traditions."

"Mate, eh?" Cid repeated. "So are there gonna be any little Red's running around soon?"

Red chuckled. "Probably not for awhile," he answered.

Lucrecia went to sit back down with Vincent.

"I tried, my love," she laughed, leaning against him.

"We don't need that to be together," he said.

Lucrecia smiled and looked at Sephiroth, who was dancing with Tayeko again.

"Never would I have thought that I would see my son's wedding," she said, sighing happily. "Things have worked out well for us, despite everything that's happened."

Vincent nodded. "I agree," he said.

Lucrecia laughed, looking at Vincent. "Vincent, has anyone ever told you how good you look in a tuxedo?"

Vincent blushed slightly. "I don't suppose anyone's seen me in a tuxedo before," he answered.

Lucrecia kissed Vincent on the cheek. "I love you," she said. "I've never been happier."

Reeve and Isabelle came to sit at the table with them.

"This has been alot of fun, hasn't it?" Reeve said. "It was funny watching all you women rush to get the boquet."

"Sure Reeve, you think it's funny," Isabelle said. "But for us, its a survival of the fittest situation."

"I think it's silly," Vincent said. "We all know no matter how hard she tries, Elena will not get Tseng to marry her anytime soon. In fact, I can almost guarentee Aeris and Zack will be the next to marry. And Cid... there's nothing to be said."

Reeve laughed. "Well, it's all in good fun. Man, I can't even picture Cid at the altar."

"So when are you two gonna tie the knot?" Lucrecia asked.

Isabelle laughed, and Reeve blushed.

"Oh, that's not up to me," Isabelle said. "Reeve, what do you think?"

Reeve looked down at the floor. "Eh... let's talk about this some other time..."

Lucrecia giggled. "It cracks me up how men get when you bring up the subject of marriage."

Zack pulled Aeris' arm. "Let's dance," he said. "We've just been sitting here eating cake this whole time. Let's leave Cloud and Teef alone and dance."

Aeris blushed, and Tifa gave her a little push.

"Oh, alright," she said. "Come on."

Zack pulled Aeris out onto the dance floor, where Tseng and Elena were dancing again and Sephiroth and Tayeko still held each other close. He put his arms around Aeris' waist and gently kissed her neck.

"I love you, Aeris," he said. "I love everything about you."

Aeris tangled her hands in Zack's hair. "And I you," she told him. "You're everything to me."

"The next wedding will be ours, right?" Zack said. "That's what you want, isn't it?"

Aeris giggled and nuzzled against Zack's chest. "Of course it is, Zack," she answered. "I can't wait."

Elmyra watched dissaprovingly from her seat.

"Aeris and those SOLDIERs," she critisized, shaking her head. "I don't know why she always falls for types like him."

"Ah, just leave her the hell alone, will ya?" Cid said, dealing a new hand of Spades for him and Barret. "The girl is gonna do what the hell she wants."

"Yeah," Barret agreed, picking up his cards. "Aeris always been like that."

Elmyra folded her arms. "Alot of nerve you have to tell me what to do with my daughter," Elmyra shot directly at Cid. "I'm certainly glad she didn't choose a type like you."

"What?" Cid barked. "You know, you get on my last goddamn nerve-"

"What's wrong with a type like Cid?" Shera asked, touching his arm.

"Yeah, tell her, Shera!" Cid prompted.

Shera sank back in her seat. "No, I wasn't trying to be rude..."

"It doesn't matter," Dion said, pushing a curl out of her face as she took a bite of cake. "Let's just have fun, alright. We can argue later."

"Yeah, listen to her," Barret said. "Dion's right, ain't she, Marlene?"

Marlene was picking the strawberries out her cake. "What, Daddy?"

"Don't do that, Marlene!" Barret scolded. "Fruits are good for you!"

Cid slapped his forehead. "It just gets worse..." he complained.

Yuffie and Kat sat back down.

"Did you see that, Striker?" Yuffie asked. "They expected me to get married to you next! Ha! What, are they crazy?"

"Yuffie, it isn't for real," Kat said. "Its just a tradition."

"No, no, its fine that she gave it up," Striker said. "Because I can see Randy was getting ready to tease me about it until I finally did get married."

"I hope that's a long way off," Yuffie said.

"Kat, would you marry Rufus?" Timothy asked. "Isn't he kinda old?"

"I wouldn't marry him now," Kat said, touching Rufus' arm, who stared at her thirteen year old brother in surprise. "Maybe when I'm older."

Rufus tried to hide his blush. "Maybe..."

"Haha," Randy laughed, pointing at Rufus's table. "Did you see that? They just put Rufus on the spot."

Reno turned quickly. "No, damnit, I missed it. Why is he blushing?"

"They were just asking when he was gonna marry Kat?"

"Marry Kat?" Tseng said, overhearing the conversation as he came to sit back down. Elena was at the front table getting herself of peice of cake. "Isn't he too old for her?"

"Ha!" Reno laughed, slamming his shot glass so hard on the table some of it splashed out. "You're one to talk, old man."

"Old man?" Tseng repeated. "I just turned thirty-six last month. That's not old!"

"Sure, but Elena's only twenty-three," Reno argued. "That's a big difference."

Tseng poured himself a drink. "Just lay off it," he said.

"Better listen to the boss," Rude advised.

Reno shrugged and leaned back in his chair, taking Randy's cigarette from him. "Ey, what do you say after this, we blow this joint and go look for chicks?"

Randy's face lit up. "Hell yeah!" he shouted. "I can't wait to change out of this suit."

"Yeah," Reno agreed, though he'd taken his tie off as soon as he got to the reception. "I hate dressing like this."

"We all know," Tseng said, sipping his drink. "I've never been able to get you to wear your work attire correctly."

"And you never will, boss," Reno said, laughing. "You never will."

Cloud kissed Tifa's hand. "This has been the happiest day of my life," he said.

Tifa giggled. "They all say that."

"Oh yeah?" Cloud questioned. "And just how many guys have you married?"

"No, no," Tifa said, laughing. "I mean, in movies and such. That's an overused line."

"Well, I'm sorry," Cloud said, gently massaging Tifa's hands with his fingertips as he held her hands in his. "But I mean it."

Tifa leaned forward and kissed Cloud gently. "I know you do," she said. "I love you."

Cloud returned the kiss. "I love you too."

Sephiroth ran his hands up and down Tayeko's back as they danced.

"I will remember this day forever," he whispered into her ear.

Tayeko ran her fingers through Sephiroth's long, silver hair. "So will I," she agreed. "I can't remember when I was this happy."

Sephiroth looked deeply into Tayeko's eyes. "No matter what happens to us, we will always be together," he said.

Tayeko nodded. "Always," she said.

Sephiroth cupped Tayeko's face in his hand as he kissed her.

Tayeko moaned. "I love you," she said.

Sephiroth tangled his fingers in her hair as he kissed her neck.

"I love you, too, Tayeko," he breathed.