Disclaimer: Not mine.


There was a wide array of emotions inside the soul of Mr. Tuesti, a man who worked too damn hard to keep his rational and professional sides in control. Those traits told him to go back to Seventh Heaven and celebrate his engagement with food, drink, and the company of his friends. Tifa did prepare a party for him and Yuffie, and it was only polite to do something bizarre, like, attend. He could graciously accept the meal she cooked, along with the onslaught of marriage advice from his fellow men, and of course, Marlene's many questions about the flower tiara she'd wear. One simply could not forget about the flower tiara.

There were other sides to him, however, and what they desired was to take Yuffie back to his home so they could be alone together. It was his contemplative side that wanted to feel her snuggle against his chest with only a blanket to keep them warm. They could be old-fashioned and cuddle, complete with small-talk and gentle caresses. Afterwhich, Reeve would tear off her clothes and make hot, violent love to her on top of his computer desk while she screamed out an orgasm in her native language. That would be very pleasant indeed.

Reeve sighed. Every single time his contemplative side emerged, his underused hormonal side would shove it to the ground in a fit of neglected rage and beat it's chest like a predatory gorilla. Then he would growl at Frigid Contemplative for not already taking the lithe, flexible ninja against the nearest wall. Really, after Reeve graduated college, the hormonal, testerone side was completely forgotten about. Damn real life and it's stressful, sexless, and moral ways.

He looked down at Yuffie, who still leaned against his chest, and smoothly ran his fingers through her hair. "We really should go inside," he mentioned. Frigid Contemplative stood in victory and smugly saluted Hormonal, who proceeded to sob pathetically at the fact that once again, he wasn't getting laid. Sober, drunk, or otherwise. Reeve tried so hard to forget 'otherwise'.

"I don't wanna," she whined. "Can't we just sneak back to your place and fucking sleep?"

Hormonal stopped crying long enough to dwell on the word 'fuck', but pouted when he realized miss-flexible-ninja really did just want to sleep.

"Tifa probably made that chocolate cake you like," Reeve offered, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Then we can head home, okay?"

"You'll have to make room for all of my stuff."

"You mean all of your materia."

"And my cat."

He smiled. "We can't forget her, can we?"

Her eyes brightened significantly. "And you'll put a litter box in the bathroom? Just for her?"

"Of course."

"Yay!" She reached up and kissed his cheek. "Hey, does this mean I'll get special privalages at work now? Since I'll be 'sleeping with boss' in three months?"

"You already have full access to the company materia, so I'm not sure what else you'd like."

Her grin turned maniacal. "About cute, little Cait," she started.

"No, Yuffie." His scowl was immediate, but even innocent Marlene could see that it was a false one. "I refuse to rewire him so speaks in lolcat."

"But, but, he'd sound so cute!"

"No."

Pout. "You're no fun, Reeve!"

He grabbed her by the waist and closed the gab between them so she was pressed flush against his chest again. At her surprised gasp, he leaned down to whisper, "Wait three months and see if you can still say that, hm?"

xxx

Tifa sighed, frustrated. The dinner she had cooked was almost complete in the oven and the guests of honor were still outside, probably making googly-eyes at each other. At least, she hoped it was just googly-eyes they were making. Since Marlene's discovery on the importance of the human breathing capabilities, she wasn't quite sure what the engaged couple could be doing out there. Hopefully, it was something innocent; though, that kiss they shared earlier seemed more suited for the adult movies Cid secretly stashed in his airship.

Everyone in the bar glanced up when the door dinged! open and the pair walked inside; Yuffie a bit flustered and Reeve rather smug. He was holding the door open for her in a gentlemanly act taught by his father long ago and genuinely not expecting to be tackled in a little girl's glomp.

"You got her a ring! You got her a ring!" Marlene squeezed him at the waist and flashed him a wide smile. "I talked to Denzel and he said he'd be the ring-bearer!"

Denzel looked up from the couch and deadpanned, "She threatened me, Reeve."

"Aye!" Cait piped up from atop the bar. "Now I can just watch relax and watch the ceremony!"

At Reeve's gentle laugh, Cloud, having returned a short while ago from his delivery, looked up from his drink with a questioning gaze. "Is everything okay?"

Yuffie nodded and flashed her new ring. "Count the carots everybody!"

A smile graced the features of Tifa as she walked over to give both Reeve and Yuffie much deserving hugs and congratulations. She had a feeling that a certain question pertaining to Love would throw them for a loop, but they seemed to hop right through it without much difficulty. The beginnings of Love was there -- it had been for awhile -- and surely it would grow to something deep and eternal.

"We expect a playmate for the Highwind baby," she teased with a wink.

Yuffie rolled her eyes. "You sound like my old man. He's begging for grandkids."

Cid grunted and shook his head. "You're already spoiling her, Tuesti," he said with a toothy grin. "Your spine isn't going to last much longer if you keep that up."

He was rewarded with a whack to his chest by Shera. "Your spine liquified ages ago."

Vincent smirked and thanked the spirits he was still a bachelor.

"Marlene, would you help me with the food please?" Tifa asked.

The meal Tifa prepared (with Marlene and Denzel's help) was a traditional pot roast, complete with several sides. Naturally, dinner was topped off with her famous Devil's Food cake with fudge frosting. Reeve calmly sipped on his coffee while Yuffie eagerly accepted her second slice. "So, I was thinking," she mumbled between bites, "you guys have to be in the wedding party. It wouldn't make sense if you weren't." It wasn't right for Denzel and Marlene to have all the fun, afterall.

"I thought your father was handling the preparation," Shera mentioned while savoring the decaf tea in her cup.

"He is," Yuffie shrugged. "I'm deciding certain things, though, and I want all of you in the wedding party. Except Cait, of course."

"And myself," Nanaki said. "I doubt I could do much for your wedding besides offer a blessing afterwards."

"That'd be awesome!" She batted her eyelashes and leaned her head against Reeve's shoulder. "What do you think, honey?"

"I think ... you should stick to calling me Reevey."

"Please," Cloud pleaded, his expression one of uncertainty. "You using pet names is almost scary."

"You call me pet names," Tifa pointed out.

"Yeah, when we're --"

Barret gruffed and cleared his throat. Marlene and Denzel may be smart children, but that didn't mean they need to know about that yet. Both blinked innocently at the group of adults, but the smiles on their faces hinted that they weren't completely naiive. Denzel was well passed the whole, girls-have-cooties-stage, while Marlene already asked where babies come from. When her father tried to explain about the stork, she looked him square in the eye and explained that was physically impossible since, "the woman's belly gets huge because of the baby. The man obviously put the baby there. How did he put the baby in there, dad?"

Luckily for him, Tifa mentioned something about going down to the library and Marlene forgot all about an answer.

"What do you say, guys?" Yuffie asked again. "Would you be in the wedding party? Shera, you'll only be seven months along, right? You can still make the trip."

Shera nodded. "The pregnancy has been healthy. I'm sure the doctor will give me the okay."

"It would mean a lot to us." Reeve wrapped his hand around Yuffie's and brought it to his lips. "We have to keep the tradition going, don't we?"

Cid chuckled and shook his head. His and Shera's wedding was a down-home, country ceremony in one of the small churches in Rocket Town. AVALANCHE not only attended, they served as bridesmaids and groomsmen. It wasn't fancy or over-the-top, because that just wasn't Cid. He wanted something quick and to the point, and Shera didn't mind at all, because the romance was alive and fresh that day. "Yeah, yeah," Cid mumbled. "Just make sure the reception is one hell of a party."

"But, of course!" Yuffie smiled. "Complete with tossing the bouquet and garter and all that jazz! We'll make sure Vinnie catches them, too."

Vincent scowled. "I'd rather not."

They all continued to make small-talk until Reeve felt a small weight fall on his arm. It was Yuffie and she was fighting to keep her eyes open. A glance at the clock revealed that it was past ten o'clock at night. Tifa went and ushered the children upstairs while quiet goodbyes and final congrats were spoken. Once in his car, Yuffie tilted the seat back and threw an arm over her eyes. "Is it almost sleep time now?"

He patted her knee and nodded. "Almost."

"We have to get my cat," she mumbled. "My landlady has her."

"I'll send Cait over to pick her up."

She shifted enough to lay her head on his chest. "I still don't know what to feel, Reeve." Her tired mind didn't mean to speak that outloud, but the whole mind-to-mouth censorship was clearly on a break and her emotions were taking the opportunity to reveal themselves while they had the chance. "I'm happy, but kinda scared, too."

"So am I, Yuffie."

"Snuggle time now?"

"When we get home," he answered. "I promise."