Chapter Eleven

Wedding Preparations

Lulu took a tentative sip of her cocoa. For five straight minutes, no one had said anything. Words weren't exactly necessary. She could tell by the expression on both Wakka's and Chappu's faces that they were still in shock. Both sets of wide brown eyes stared at each other. Auron had fallen silent as well, as he gathered his thoughts. He picked at a small hole in the arm of the plaid recliner he sat in. Lulu thought that perhaps he was waiting for someone to ask a question. She knew that it would have to be her, since it seemed as though the boys had lost the use of their vocal cords. She sat the cup on the wooden coffee table and wiped her mouth gently with a napkin.

"So, how are Wakka and Chappu twins?" she asked Auron.

His head snapped up and he looked at her as though he suddenly realized he was about to tell them something important. He adjusted his dark glasses. They were prescription glasses, but most probably thought he wore them to look cool. As if he needed glasses for that.

He cleared his throat. "Well, Wakka and Chappu were born around the time of the war…"

"Between Bevelle and Zanarkand?" Lulu asked excitedly.

She was glad that she was well informed of her Spira history. She herself had been born around that era, too and had taken a great interest in it.

Auron nodded. "Yes. The last war between the cities. Actually, the last one, period. When your mother became pregnant, your father, Massac, had already joined the warrior monks of Bevelle."

"You're skippin' ahead. You're leaving out the fact that you were in love with our mother," Wakka said, somewhat irritably.

Why didn't Auron just go ahead and tell it all if he were going to tell it? Chappu and Lulu's brows rose with interest.

"I guess I didn't want to bring it up. I was hoping you didn't know. But, since you do, let's discuss it. I met your mother, Abilene, first. We met around the time we were fourteen. She had just moved to the island from Zanarkand. There was already news beginning to circulate about the impending war. Anyhow, she was the first girl that I fell in love with. I thought that we would be married. However, our parents got together and decided she should marry Massac. He was older and the way of the order of the village was that the oldest son should marry first. I couldn't exactly object. So, they were married."

"Did you still love her? Or did you marry someone else?" Chappu asked, mostly because he wanted to know as much as he could about his newfound uncle.

He was the only adult that was left in his life. It was all so confusing. If his parents were Massac and Abilene, how did he wind up in Kilika with Katie Jenkins?

Auron shifted uncomfortably. Did he still love her? That was the understatement of the century. He still DID. He could still see her beautiful young face, her long red hair flowing softly. And thus, this was the reason he had never married. What was the point if he couldn't marry the one he wanted? This hadn't set well with his parents. How could he explain it to them? They had only thought that he and Abilene had been good friends. It had been pure torture to know that his brother kissed her lips every night and made love to her.

"That was a long time ago. Massac had joined the army, and your mother was pregnant. He left for Bevelle. I stayed awhile…" he drifted off. He wasn't going to tell them everything, of course. He'd had his own reasons for remaining. With Massac gone, he and Abilene became good friends again. He wasn't about to give that up, and Massac had made him promise to look after her. He had.

"How'd I end up in Kilika?" Chappu asked.

He was getting impatient and Auron kept pausing for long moments, obviously deep in his thoughts about the past.

"Ya," Wakka agreed.

Auron sighed deeply. "Well, your mother's pregnancy progressed…and she seemed to be very happy about it. We didn't know what to expect. The night she went into labor, there was a very bad tropical storm. Our parents had left to visit Kilika that morning, so Abilene and I were alone. I found the midwife and brought her to the hut. It seemed to go on forever. Abilene seemed to be in unbearable pain. It was too much for me to watch. I waited outside. It was pouring rain, and yet I stood there. Sometime later, the midwife came out carrying something bundled. I knew immediately. It was too late. The baby had died. She handed it to me and I left quickly to give it a decent burial."

"What?" Wakka asked. Auron held up a hand to indicate silence.

"I made my way all the way down to the beach, wondering what this loss would do to your mother. I sat at the edge of the ocean, and said a small prayer. I was about to let the baby drift afloat, which as you know, is the way we bury on the island. Burial at sea. But, the baby made a sound. Imagine my surprise. I unwrapped the bundle and sure enough, he made another noise. I picked him up, overjoyed by the fact that he was alive, and hurriedly ran back to the hut to return him to his bereft mother."

"I still don't understand…" Chappu muttered.

"Was the baby me?" Wakka wondered.

What the hell was Auron trying to say and obviously struggling with it? He had never known the man to hesitate. Never.

Auron refilled his glass with scotch. He had never been a good liar. Sometimes he wondered if he'd been given a truth serum from birth. Lies didn't enter his mouth easily, and he was trying to now, but the words refused to come out. And anyway, why lie? To them of all people? The ones that would have been really affected by his actions were already waiting for him in the farplane.

"By the time I got to the hut, I could hear a lot of commotion coming from inside. Naturally, I was curious. I walked slowly over to the door to have a peek. Your father was back. And Abilene…she wasn't grieving at all. I placed the baby in a safe spot and went to have another look. She and Massac were staring down at…another baby. Twins. Who would have known? I felt paralyzed watching their happy reunion."

Not just paralyzed, but downright heartsick.

"What did you do?" Wakka asked slowly. He thought that he might have some idea already.

"You stole me," Chappu accused, his eyes narrowing to dangerous slits.

"I…had a plan to keep you with me. I left that night. Without a word, I just took off for Kilika."

"You stole your brother's baby and left? Without saying a damn thing? That's really fucked up, Auron," Wakka complained.

"You watch your damn mouth! I told you the situation. I thought you understood. I wanted to keep the baby with me to…keep a part of your mother with me. She thought you were dead, and I…did something very selfish, I know. I know that now. I had always had the intention of you and Chappu growing up together. Especially when you came to visit in Kilika. Unfortunately, other events kept this from happening."

Lulu sat quietly, perhaps the only person in the room that thought this tale to be romantic. Yes, Auron had stolen his brother's baby, but it was only because he knew that he would never have his wife. So, he needed a piece of her.

"Wakka, I think you should take it easy on Auron. He did do something…questionable…but it's not too late for you and Chappu to get to know each other. You're both still very young."

"If I were with you, how'd I end up with Katie Jenkins?" Chappu asked.

There was no way in the farplane he was going to let Auron off the hook. He had taken his opportunity to know his parents and his brother. Besides, he didn't really believe in love, anyway. It had been revenge Auron had been after.

"Like I said, events happened. When you were three, I got drafted into the army. I left you with Miss Jenkins, our neighbor, until my safe return."

"That war lasted five years," Lulu remembered.

"That's right. And I was wounded. It took me another year to recuperate. By the time I returned to Kilika, Chappu, you were nine years old. You didn't really know who I was, and you seemed terrified of the idea that I wanted to take you away from Miss Jenkins, whom you thought was your mother. She begged me to remain in Kilika with you. I couldn't. I had to get away from the island. I decided that it would be in your best interest to remain with her. I came to Zanarkand. I visited you. But, after awhile I discovered that you were happy in Kilika. Miss Jenkins and I concocted the story of your birth for when you were old enough to ask."

"Why didn't you just say that you were my father?" Chappu asked.

It would have been easier that way. He had vague memories of Auron's visits.

"I wanted you to know who you were. In case, one day…"

"Well, why didn't you tell me after my folks died?" Wakka demanded.

"I…don't know. You were already going through a rough period. It seemed too much to put on your young shoulders. I had every intent of telling you. It's in a letter in my will."

"I guess I spoiled that plan when I showed up," Chappu interrupted. "So, why do I think I'm eighteen when I'm really nineteen?"

Auron gave him a tight smile. "I had to cover my tracks and make sure there was no connection. When I returned to Miss Jenkins, I told her it was best if we took a year off your age in case anyone should try to bother her. I let her believe that you were in danger from terrorists and had to be protected."

The room fell silent again. Wakka and Chappu obviously seething, Lulu uncomfortable, and Auron finally relieving himself of the guilt he felt for so many years. The boys might hate him, but he could leave Spira in peace. He had done his part. Dr. Zeep had said that his cancer was in remission right now, but it could come back any day, any moment. It had been a long night, and he was drained. He stood up.

"You may hate me if that is your choice, or, you can use this time to get to know your brother," he advised Wakka. "I'm going to bed. It's been a long night. In the morning, Chappu, I expect you to tell me what you were doing in jail."

"As if I'll be here," Chappu said.

"Where are you staying?"

Tidus turned over on his back and sighed deeply. He couldn't sleep tonight. What was the problem? He just felt empty. Darcy's "present" for him had done very little to change this fact. Who wanted to unwrap something they've seen a million times? He smiled ruefully. He was certain that at some point he'd seen Yuna naked, but he probably hadn't gotten tired of it. He sat up and reached for a stray gray tank top that was sprawled on the floor. Then, he pulled on a pair of shorts and slowly walked out into the hallway. It was well after four in the morning. He didn't bother to turn on the hall light. Why alert Mr. Isaaru at this hour? He dragged his feet slowly down the polished wood floor to the bathroom. He needed a quick shower. After his shower, he headed to the kitchen. He needed something to eat. Since he were awake, perhaps he'd grab a snack and head into the living room and work on a term paper he had due in two weeks.

He laughed to himself. His life had definitely taken a dive if he was considering doing schoolwork early. Where were the parties? He'd thought that Zanarkand was the city that never slept. At least, that was the stories he'd been told in Luca. Wakka had told him that he had seen and been everywhere in the city. He stopped short in the kitchen doorway. Yuna was sitting at the counter with a pint of ice cream and a flashlight. She was reading some textbook. He stood observing her for a moment. Slightly messy ponytail, oversized red t-shirt, mini bags under the eyes. She looked up at him and gasped.

"You scared me. What are you doing up at this hour?" she asked, shining the light in his face.

It was dark in the house. One could never be too careful. He grimaced, and she lowered it a bit, feeling slightly giddy at the sight of his muscles. It had been a VERY long time since she'd last made love. Almost five months. And she would be lying if she said she didn't want to do it.

"I…couldn't sleep…apparently, neither could you," he said, making his way over to the boy's fridge. He grabbed a container of yogurt and dished around for a spoon.

"No. I have a lot of things on my mind."

"Like Teenan?" he couldn't help asking.

She shrugged slightly. "Among other things. Why are you up?"

"I can't sleep."

"Is something wrong? Usually people have trouble sleeping when things are bothering them."

"I have an appointment with Dr. Neamus this morning. He's going to tell me what he thinks about my progress since the accident."

She didn't say anything. She certainly hadn't thought much of his 'progress'. She was more than disappointed. She took another small spoonful of ice cream and wondered what to say next. The devilish, flirty side of her wanted to ask him to her bed just to see what he'd think of such a suggestion. She could use the exercise. However, it was likely he'd slept with Darcy last night. Who wanted seconds? Ha. She did.

"No one would find you in the kitchen at this hour if you were my girl. Especially on a cold night like this," he said, digging into the yogurt.

She was amused. "Why not?"

"Because we'd still be in bed. Wrapped snug in each other's arms."

"You're such a flirt."

"Everybody flirts."

"Well, would you say if I said let's go to my room and do that?" she asked boldly.

He almost choked. "What? Stop playing with me."

"I'm not. Come on," she said, grinning wickedly.

She put the ice cream back in the fridge. He swallowed the last drop of yogurt quickly and followed her. She led him by the hand to her bedroom. She didn't have a plan. She just missed him. The Thanksgiving break was coming up in a few weeks, and everyone would leave the house and go home. She felt homesick for the townhouse that most likely wouldn't be the place she'd wind up at. As she closed the door, Tidus hurriedly walked over to her bed and climbed in. She climbed in slowly after him.

He reached for the hem of her t-shirt.

"What are you doing?"

"Huh?"

"You said we'd be wrapped in each other's arms. And that's what I came in here to do."

She purposefully turned her back and placed his right arm around her waist.

"You're kidding."

"Nope."

He obeyed, settling his head next to hers on the pillow. She just wanted to cuddle. Wasn't that cute? Actually…it kinda was. He wracked his already delicate memory and tried to remember if he'd ever cuddled before. He couldn't remember as his lids slowly closed and he was on his way into sleep again. Suddenly, he felt her shift around until she was facing him. He felt incredibly soft lips kissing his. Naturally, he responded and quite enjoyed the flavorful combination they had going on. Her chocolate ice cream. His strawberry yogurt. But, he hoped she was smart enough to know this could lead to the loss of clothing.

He moved gradually until he was on top of her, his hands on her warm thighs. She helped him out of his tank top and he pulled her t-shirt up and over her head. She wore no bra. There was little light in the room, except for the dim streetlight beaming in. He was going to take her then and there but a vision suddenly filled his mind. He was with Yuna, in this room, in this bed. They were both naked, his lips trailing soft kisses along her body. Current Yuna's hands bringing him down to her interrupted the thought. But, one thing was for sure. He didn't just "take" Yuna. They made love.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked her.

"You're probably right. Just stay with me a little longer," she said, not realizing until this exact moment how desperate she was to be with him.

She craved his touch. But, cuddling would have to suffice for now.

Darcy awoke when the first rays of bright light that entered Tidus' room. She reached blindly for him, and felt nothing except cotton sheet. She sat up, alarmed. Where was he? It wasn't even six yet. Maybe he had gone out to the bathroom. Satisfied with that answer, she got out of the bed. Usually, she was never up this early, but she was starving. Making love made her ravenous. Tidus hadn't exactly been overcome with desire when she had shown him her gift. In fact, it had taken her twenty minutes just to get him "interested." What the hell was his problem? She got excited seeing herself in the buff. She strolled naked over to his floor length mirror.

She smiled with satisfaction. Not an ounce of fat. She slipped on her robe and headed out into the hall. She stared blankly at the bathrooms. Both doors were open. Tidus wouldn't go upstairs just to pee or whatever. She frowned slightly. Maybe he was in her room, snooping around. Trying to dig up some dirt on her. Imagine his surprise when he found none. She was completely faithful. There was no other guy for her. Never had been. It had been love at first sight. Well, at least on her part. She'd first seen him at a blitzball game. Imagine her surprise and delight when she realized he attended her school as well. She did everything in her power to become a part of his circle. Made friends with girls she couldn't stand, laughed at his friends' lame ass jokes, and even swiped a few tests from teacher's desks to show how cool she was. They let her in, but he still wasn't interested.

She found her room empty. She went back to the hall and peered out the front door. His car was here. Where was he? In the kitchen? In the living room?

"The early bird gets the worm, huh?" Mr. Isaaru stretched in the doorway of his office.

"Yeah. I've got a test first period," she said, which wasn't a lie. She knew there wasn't a good possibility of her acing it, either. She didn't really have any definite plans to finish college. She was just attending so that Tidus wouldn't think that she was after his money. She was. She hoped to marry him and have him take care of her the rest of her life. Basik had finally told her that she could come back to work at Yenke Burger.

"I've got to head out to the farm and help Paine."

"Will you live there when you're married?"

"I hope not. But, we'll see," he said vaguely, putting on his coat and heading out.

Darcy frowned as she inspected the living room and the kitchen. Still, no Tidus. She hadn't bothered to turn on any lights. Suddenly, she heard the sound of a door opening around the corner. She pressed herself in the nearest corner and held her breath. Sure enough, Tidus came around the corner and headed straight into the bathroom. When he closed the door, she released her breath. There was only one door around that particular corner. Yuna. What the hell was he doing in her room this early? How dare he? How dare she? Did they both think she would be made a fool out of? Yuna's door opened and she came around the corner and into the other bathroom.

Darcy smirked. Weren't they being cute now? Why not bathe together since you just got through fucking together! She heard a shower going, wondering what she should do. Should she pretend that she knew nothing? How long had this been going on? No wonder Yuna wouldn't give Teenan a fair chance. What kind of stupid girl wanted to mess around with a guy that didn't even remember her, anyway? She walked into Yuna's room and looked around. The crumbled bedding almost sent her into a fury. She looked at her desk and saw what seemed to be a finished term paper. It was lengthy, almost fifteen pages. It looked as though the girl had spent a lot of time with it. There were footnotes and everything. Darcy noticed the class. It was the one class she shared with Yuna. She hadn't even started on this paper and it was due tomorrow. She picked up Yuna's papers and left the room. In her room, she removed the heading page and ran it through her shredder. Sitting down at her electronic typewriter, she began making a new heading.

Sunlight, in the kitchen...

Rikku wondered what was going on this morning. She noticed that Tidus and Yuna had been giving each other subtle looks since they'd entered the kitchen. She definitely had to speak to Yuna about it later. Had something happened?

"Rik, what the heck is this supposed to be?" Gippal asked, frowning down the plate she had put before him.

It looked like scrambled eggs, with a ton of unmentionable things thrown in them and burnt to a crisp bacon with a side of charred toast.

Rikku shrugged sheepishly. It was her morning to fix breakfast. She was no cook and needed no one to remind of her of this. She'd been trying to remember an omelet Cid had made once. Tidus choked on his toast and grabbed a glass of juice immediately. Darcy entered the kitchen. She poured a glass of apple juice and leaned against the counter. Rikku stared at her wondering why she was so fresh faced this morning. She wasn't even wearing makeup. Her long dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail. What the hell was wrong with these people today?

"I can't eat this," Gippal said, heading over to the cupboard to grab a box of cereal.

"Hey, take it easy on Rikku. She tried," Yuna said, coming to her defense.

"Where's Wakka?" Tidus asked.

No one knew. It was just a known fact that he hadn't returned since last night. He wasn't really thinking about Wakka, but he had to keep things normal. He was silently replaying this morning in his mind. He had already made up his mind that he was going to break up with Darcy soon. Teenan entered the kitchen then.

"Morning," Yuna greeted him.

He smiled and leaned over to give her a kiss on the mouth. Tidus simply stared. Yuna seemed embarrassed, but she didn't chastise Teenan for that public display of affection. Was something more going on between them? And if so, why had she been so willing this morning? Well, almost willing.

"I've got tickets to go see Tromell and the Guado this weekend. Wanna go?" Teenan asked Yuna.

"Sure," she agreed, avoiding Tidus' eyes.

They had shared a wonderful morning with each other, but why pretend that things had changed? He hadn't exactly said that he was going to break things off with Darcy, and besides, she liked Teenan. He was turning out to be a nice distraction for her.

"I wonder if they still have tickets," Gippal wondered out loud. How the hell had he not known about this concert?

"I hope you're prepared to go to the mayor's home with me today and apologize for your behavior last night," Mr. Griffin said, his dark brown eyes narrowed at his only son.

What the devil had come over the boy? He was well aware that he drank, but he'd never expected him not to be able to hold his liquor when in the company of important people.

"I expect you to get to know these people, Baralai. After all, most of them are on the board at Griffin Enterprises. You'll be working with them soon. I've worked long and hard to become a respectable member of this city and I won't have you ruining it," Mr. Griffin continued.

"What an embarrassment. I'm sure I won't be invited to a single tea this month," Mrs. Griffin complained. "Do you think Shelby will want someone else to do the charity affair now?"

"Don't get carried away, dear. After Baralai and I leave the mayor's home, there should be no misunderstanding. Isn't that right? Is this clear?" Mr. Griffin demanded.

Baralai glanced up at his father. He was hardly sober. He hadn't even wanted to attend the dinner at the mayor's mansion the previous night. His father had insisted. He hadn't really meant to drink that much. He had been trying to rid his mind of his own problems. And scotch had helped. A lot. Who knew his stomach didn't particularly love scotch and beluga? He'd thrown up in the mayor's wife's lap.

"Whatever you say, Father," he muttered.

He wasn't really looking forward to turning twenty-one like most of the people he knew. The day after his birthday, his father expected him to begin working at the company. He was still reeling from Paine's rejection. He'd seen an article in The Zanarkand Times announcing her engagement. It wasn't like it was going to be the social event of the year. Probably nobody in attendance except for a couple of cows and chocobos. He was looking forward to the Thanksgiving break. He'd only intended to go to the Calm Lands and try to hire Coach Kingsley, but now he was going to spend the entire break there. It would be peaceful. After he'd given the mayor a proper apology, he'd had to sit by and idly listen to his father and the mayor talk business.

"I've got Braine in on this. He's very good for the city. He's done an excellent job in making sure that no debts go unpaid," Jyscal Guado said, as he lit a cigar.

"His methods are too violent for my liking."

"Honestly, Gerald, what do you expect? People aren't going to take falling behind on their debts seriously if he just gives them a pat on the head."

"I suppose so."

"It's ridiculous how some of these people let their gambling debts get sky high. There's a teacher on the list that owes a lot of money. Braine's giving him until the first of the year to pay up or he's going to get a nice pair of broken legs as a late Christmas present."

Baralai waited patiently. Why hadn't his father excused him? He did have afternoon classes to go to. He knew that his father wanted him to know everything, but he wasn't interested. He just wanted to get to the college and bury himself in his work. Finally, after discussing Braine and his big plans, they left the mansion.

"Braine's going to be a very wealthy man," Mr. Griffin said, as they walked down the stairs to meet his driver.

"Who's Braine?" Baralai asked absently.

"Wake up, boy. He's the owner of three of the biggest casinos here in Zanarkand. And a new member of our board."

"Right."

At Talynda's apartment...

"Do you think this is going to be too much? I mean, I don't want to look ridiculous," Paine asked as she held the pale yellow silk dress up against her slender body.

There weren't going to be many guests at the wedding, anyway. It was going to be a simple ceremony held at the temple. She certainly didn't have any family members to invite.

"I think it's perfect. Especially for you. I know you hate wearing dresses," Talynda smiled.

"Yeah, I don't know why we even have to have a ceremony. I would have been agreeable to having it done at the courthouse, you know."

"I thought you said Mr. Isaaru's mother was still alive. That's the reason for the ceremony. You know how old people are about that kind of stuff. Anyway, then I wouldn't be able to be your maid of honor."

"Oh, no. We're not having all of that junk."

"You have to. I'll round up a couple of the girls at the Mika house to be bridesmaids."

"Who's paying for all that?"

"Mr. Isaaru will. You only get married once."

Paine nodded. She supposed Talynda did have a point. She certainly never expected to get this far, let alone the actual ceremony. She carefully replaced her dress in its box. She wondered what Clive's mother was going to think when she saw that she wasn't wearing white. She'd wanted a black dress, but Clive reminded her that she was going to a wedding and not a funeral.

"Should I invite Baralai? His name's next on my list," Talynda said, pausing with a cream colored invitation in her hand.

Paine immediately scowled. "Hell no. I don't want him anywhere near my wedding. Asshole."

"Do I detect some hostility?"

"Drop it, Talynda. Don't even mention his name around me."

"Fine, fine."

She hadn't seen Baralai since he'd stormed out of the farm house two weeks ago. She refused to think about him. Because if she did…she would have to wonder about what ifs. What if she was making a huge mistake in marrying Clive? What if Baralai loved her? What kind of future would they have, anyway? They were always fighting.

"Are you going to stay here in the farmhouse?" Talynda asked.

"Yeah. I don't see why not. I don't want to live in the Mika house."

"I still can't believe you're getting married. The first one out of our graduating class."

"And probably voted last, too."

"Well, I've got tickets to see Tromell and the Guado this weekend. Wanna go?"

"Yeah. I love concerts."

End of Ch. 11. Thanks for reading.