CHAPTER 4: UNION
Weeks past, and Cloud grew stronger every day, his leg was the first to heal.
He woke up early one morning and went into Denzel and Marlene's room. He sat down gently on Marlene's bed and woke her up.
Marlene: Cloud? What's the matter?
Cloud: Nothing's the matter Marlene; I just need you help with something.
Marlene: What?
Cloud: It's a surprise for Tifa.
Marlene: Oh good!
Cloud: I need you to keep Tifa really busy today, I don't care what you do, just keep her out of the bar.
Marlene: Okay Cloud.
Cloud: Alright. Now I have some errands to run, I'll be back later.
Cloud left the house and went to the nearest jewelry store and went inside.
Jeweler: Can I help you with anything?
Cloud: Yes, I need an engagement ring.
Jeweler: Do you have anything in mind?
Cloud: Yeah, sort of. I need something simple, nothing too big or too fancy.
Jeweler: These over here should be just what you're looking for.
Cloud scanned the rings for a few moments, and then he saw it. It was small and quaint, with a gold band, with a medium size sapphire and two small diamonds on either side of it.
Cloud: That's it right there.
Jeweler: Wonderful choice. It's a very simple and yet elegant design, gold band, and almost a hundred years old, but not exactly cheap. Would you like it engraved?
Cloud: I don't know, I didn't think about engraving it. What do people usually say for that sort of thing?
Jeweler: Usually whatever is in their hearts.
Cloud thought about it for a few moments.
Cloud: I got it. I'd like it to say "To my redeemer"
Clerk: That's new; I've never heard that one before. It will only take a few minutes, I'll be right back.
Cloud: Thank-you.
After the Jeweler went into a back room he walked over to the far corner of the store and pulled out his cell phone. He dialed Yuffie's number and put the phone to his ear.
Yuffie: Hello?
Cloud: Yuffie, its Cloud I need a favor.
Yuffie: Sure. What do you need?
Cloud: I'm planning this thing for Tifa and I need to look good.
Yuffie: Alright. I'll see what I can do.
Cloud: Thanks Yuffie, you're the best.
Yuffie: You know it.
She hung up. He went back to the counter to wait, but something caught his eye. Two rings sat side by side in a worn, gold case. The rings themselves were sterling silver and each had a half a heart on it, it looked as though if the rings were put together, the heart became whole.
Jeweler: Here you go, all done. I think it looks marvelous.
Cloud: Thank-you. What are those in the gold box?
Jeweler: Those just came in; they're called "union" rings. Both the husband and the wife wear one, symbolizing that the other carries a half of the other's heart, but they can be joined to create one ring.
Cloud: How much for those?
Jeweler: $1000
Cloud: And how much for the other ring?
Jeweler: $500
Cloud: Too bad, I like both of them, but I can only afford the engagement ring.
Jeweler: I'll tell what, I can see you're really torn, and no one should have to pick between two perfect gifts for the one they love, I can give you all three rings for $700.
Cloud: That's not necessary…
Jeweler: Please take them; just consider them a wedding gift.
Cloud: Thank-you very much.
He left the shop. Cloud had decided that steak would be perfect for the evening. Only after everything was bought and prepared did he call Yuffie.
Cloud: Did you find something?
Yuffie: Yeah here it is, go put it on.
Cloud: Alright.
When Cloud came out Yuffie stared at him critically.
Yuffie: I am so good.
She had picked out a dark blue sweater and tan khakis for him to wear.
Yuffie: Push up the sleeves though, it looks better that way. Now I'll go get Tifa.
Cloud only had to wait a few minutes, soon he heard Tifa voice. He lit the candles.
Tifa: Yuffie, why are all the lights off?
She jumped suddenly.
Cloud: Oh, Cloud you scared me.
She scanned the room.
Tifa: What's all this?
Cloud: Our first date. Would you like to sit down?
Tifa: Sure.
He pulled her chair out for her.
Tifa: Oh Cloud, this is so beautiful. And you look amazing.
Yuffie: Thanks, that's what Yuffie said.
He started serving the food.
Tifa: Why are you doing this?
Cloud: Do you remember all those months ago when I asked you to marry me?
Tifa: Yes, what about it?
Cloud: Well you said that we hadn't dated, so I figured why not date now?
He said, leaning closer to her.
Tifa: You romantic son-of-a…
She didn't finish the sentence; she was too busy kissing him. The food went unnoticed. They kept going until we're gazing breathlessly into each other's eyes.
Tifa: Mr. Strife that was a wonderful first date.
Cloud: Well Miss Lockhart, it's not over yet.
He slid down from the chair and onto his knee, only wincing in pain once, and took the ring out of his pocket.
Cloud: I wanted to do this right. So Tifa Lockhart will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?
Tears came to Tifa's eyes as she beheld the ring.
Tifa: Yes Cloud, I will.
Cloud: Well now that that's settled; again, when do you want to get married?
Tifa: Let's do it tonight. In Aerith's church, I don't want to wait any longer.
Cloud: Tonight then.
Tifa: But we need a witness, I'll go get Yuffie and the kids.
Cloud: I'll call a pastor; meet me outside
The walk to the church seemed to take forever, Cloud couldn't stop smiling. Along the way they had stopped to get a dress and a suit. When they finally arrived the sun was setting. Cloud opened the doors and walked inside. The sight inside looked as if it was out of a fairytale. The alter was bathed in sunlight, the dust was dancing in it; it was one of the most amazing things he had seen in his life, it was beautiful. The pastor was already there, waiting for them on the alter.
Cloud: We just need a few moments to get ready.
Pastor: Love lasts forever, I can wait.
Cloud and Tifa went to the back of the church where the dressing rooms were. Cloud finished dressing first and was thinking about what he would say to Tifa for his vows. Finally, she and Yuffie came out of the dressing room. Tifa was stunning; there was no other word for it. She had picked out a white silk evening gown and her hair was pulled back into a simple but elegant braid, in her hands was a small bouquet of roses. Cloud was still marveling at her beauty.
Cloud: You're so beautiful.
He said breathlessly.
Tifa: Thanks.
She blushed as she took his hand and they walked down the aisle together.
Cloud: I think we're ready.
Pastor: We are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Cloud Strife and Tifa Lockhart. Is there anything you would like to say Mr. Strife?
Cloud looked deep into Tifa's eyes and took a deep, shuddering breath.
Cloud: Tifa, when I asked you to marry me a few months ago, I thought I had made mistake, I knew I loved you, but I didn't know if I was ready for marriage, in fact my intention that night was only to ask you out, not ask you to marry me. But when I was recovering in that hospital, my body torn and mangled, my thoughts weren't on the pain I was in. My every thought was of you, your hair, your eyes, and your smile. And when I heard my being away for so long was hurting you so badly, I wanted nothing more than to run to you, hold you in my arms again and make the pain stop. But I had a job to do, so I didn't go back, not realizing what I was turning my back on. The moment I finally realized the mistake I had made was when I woke up in the hospital.
When I saw you lying next to me in bed holding my hand, knowing that you hadn't left my side for two weeks that was when I knew I had made the right decision in asking you to marry me. So my vow to you is to never leave again, and to never put you in that much pain ever again.
Tifa had started crying.
Pastor: When ever you are ready Miss Lockhart.
Tifa: Cloud, since the day I met you, I wanted to be with you. When you asked me to marry you, I thought you had gone insane because that was not the Cloud Strife I knew, that I loved. But my heart told me it was real. When you came to me that same night and told me you had to leave I was heart-broken. And when you didn't hear from you for months, I thought you were dead, so I sent Vincent to look for you. And when he came back and told me you had been hurt I wondered why you hadn't called, why you wouldn't want me there with you. At that moment, I decided I would go and find you myself to tell you that I had changed my mind, that I didn't want to marry you anymore. But what you said to Sephiroth, about your love, made me realize that even though it would be hard, we could make a marriage work. So my vow to you is to stay with you no matter what.
Pastor: With that said, let's get down to business. Do you Cloud Strife; take Tifa Lockhart as your wife, to love and to cherish for all of eternity?
Cloud: I do.
Pastor: Do you Tifa Lockhart; take Cloud Strife as your husband, to love and to cherish for all of eternity?
Tifa: I do. But eternity isn't enough.
Pastor: Do you have the rings?
Cloud: Oh yeah…
Cloud dug into his pocket and pulled out the gold box. He opened it and slid in onto to Tifa's finger. He then handed his to her and she did the same to him.
Cloud: With this ring I swear my undying love for you, and only you.
Pastor: With being said, you may kiss the bride.
Cloud looked into Tifa's eyes the look she gave him made him feel invincible; like he could do anything. He kissed her.
Pastor: I now pronounce you husband and wife. May I present to you Mr. and Ms. Cloud Strife.
Yuffie: Congratulations.
Marlene was asleep in her arms.
Cloud: Thanks Yuffie. Could I talk to you alone?
Yuffie: Sure Cloud. Tifa, will you take Marlene?
Tifa: Yeah.
Cloud took Yuffie over to the other side of the hall.
Yuffie: So what's up?
Cloud: Do you think you and Leon could watch the kids for a few weeks? I want to take Tifa on our honeymoon.
Yuffie: I didn't know you planned one. Where are you taking her?
Cloud: An island just off the coast, it will be just her and me for two weeks.
Yuffie: Sure Cloud, we'll take the kids. Have a good time.
Cloud: Thanks Yuffie.
He walked over to where Tifa was standing.
Cloud: You ready to go?
Tifa: Go? Where?
Cloud: On our honeymoon.
Tifa: A honeymoon?! Cloud, I didn't know you planned one! But who's going to watch the kids?
Cloud: Yuffie and Leon are going to watch them, now come on the plane's waiting.
Tifa: Where are we going?
Cloud: It's a surprise.
They went home and packed some cloths then jumped on the Fenrir and headed for the coast, when they arrived there was a small, two-person plane waiting for them.
Tifa: Where's the pilot?
Cloud: You're looking at him.
Tifa: You can fly a plane? When did you learn to that?
Cloud: I took a course when I training to be a SOLDIER. Get in.
He was smiling.
Tifa: What's so funny?
Cloud: I just can't believe this is happening.
He helped Tifa in, started the plane up and took off without a problem.
