Chapter Eleven

In My Arms

"You know, I did not expect you to choose me for your Man of Honor."

"Why not? We were tight when I would visit Midgar. Besides, there was no way in hell that I was making Cloud my Man of Honor." Zeke growled.

Reno tossed is head back with a laugh. "You really hate him, don't you?" Reno sighed before closing his eyes. "But I understand on why."

"Who does he hate?" Cid's voice joined in as he stepped up beside Reno.

"Cloud."

"Well, he's going to have to get over that," the elder man laughed.

"Get over what?"

Zeke bit his lip as Cloud moved up beside the three of them. "Nothing." He took a deep breath before look at Cid. "How in the hell did you put up with doing this?

I feel like I'm about to pass out."

"Don't get cold feet now, boy," Cid growled. "You've come this far. Don't even think about bailing out now."

"I wasn't," Zeke told him. "I could never do that to Tifa…"

"Damn straight." Barret growled. "Or I'd have to do something about it."

The five of them were at the patio, waiting. The Wedding had been set up just on the outskirts of town. Rufus had pulled quite an amazing thing together, seeming as how what Tifa and Zeke had planned had been destroyed by Loz and his friends. Everyone was there, too. People from the city and Zeke's aunt and uncle had arrived earlier that morning. Zeke had wanted a quiet, little thing but Tifa sent invitations out to everyone and even the ones from the city that didn't get one came to it. None of them really seemed to mind, though. Everything was going perfect so far.

Zeke's tuxedo was old-fashioned black with a red vest and tie, a matching flower in his pocket. Reno, Cloud, Barret, and Cid stood behind him, their tuxedos black and silver.

"So, are you ready?"

Zeke turned at the voice to find Jena standing there with Rufus. He gave a whistle. "Damn. Makes me wonder what your sister's gonna look like."

Jena gave him a look as she flushed. She had pulled her hair up into a graceful twirl and was wearing a one shoulder ombre gown with a one shoulder strap to the left with a sweetheart neckline with floral accents at the shoulder and waist. The floor-length skirt was layered ombre fabric and made of lilac colors and she wore jewels of crystals and pearls. Rufus was in his normal white tux but it looked well with the woman beside him.

"That's hardly what you should say on your wedding day," She scolded the groom with a smile. "But I am happy for you. I know that you've been waiting on this for the last two years."

"Have you seen her?" Zeke asked her.

"Of course. Don't worry, you'll see her soon enough." Jena gave Zeke a small hug and a kiss on the cheek before walking off to her seat.

"Congratulations," Rufus held out his hand.

Zeke looked at it for a moment before shaking it with a smile. "Thanks. Now, you better hurry up and tell me when we'll be doing this for you and her, all right?"

Rufus gave a small laugh and a wink. "Don't worry; it's sooner than you think."

Zeke gave his own laugh and glanced around the area, that large grin still on his face. His eyes landed on the Turks first. Tseng, Elena, Rude, and Liana sat beside where Rufus and Jena now were, Myra sitting beside them as well as they all talked and waited. The Tseng and Rude were in their regular suits but the women had taken this opportunity to dress like women.

Liana, her hair still kept in her strange cut of short on the right and combed over long on the left with the color of navy blue and golden streaks on the front, was dressed in a navy blue, one shoulder short Sequin dress with a sloping one shoulder neckline to the left and a long sleeve to the right. Her regular piercings were golden to go with her hair. Elena had dressed herself in a short, spaghetti strap dress of red with black lace that went amazing with her blonde hair.

Myra took the style of a ¾ sleeved V-neck Lace dress that reached her knees in the color of a beaded black and lace. And from the looks she kept shooting Reno, Zeke knew just why she had chosen to wear that; Reno couldn't stop fidgeting.

Cait Sith had decided to stay home today and Reeve Tuesti actually showed himself, sharing a conversation with Red Xlll in a black and red suit.

The last person that Zeke saw was Vincent standing off to the side of it all, ignoring everything and everyone around him. That was the only man who hadn't worn a suit, sticking to his normal outfit of black and red. Zeke shook his head with a smile. Seeing Vincent in a suit would just be too strange after seeing the way he moved. He looked good as he was.

Zeke jumped as Reno placed a hand on his shoulder. "All right, we're leaving. It's about to start. You going to be okay until we get back?"

"Of course, of course. Just go." Zeke shooed him away. It wasn't long after that that everything fell silent as the music began and Zeke's heart began to pound in his ears.

The first to walk out was the Man and Maid of Honor. Reno moved forward, Claire on his arms. The bridesmaid dress was a strapless Tulle dress with a caviar beading style, its colors black/champagne. Cloud and Jeanne followed them leaving the way for Barret and Yuffie and then finally Cid and Renee. All the women had down something with their hair and pulled on jewelry(Angeal's feather had been left behind in Jeanne's room this morning) and all of them looked extravagant; even Yuffie. Zeke's stomach turned to knots as Denzel walked out with the rings and then Marlene skipped out in a bright pink dress, tossing the flowers. It was hard for him to swallow as the final song started and everyone stood up and turned to watch Tifa step out.

Zeke's breath caught in his throat as the biggest smile spread across his lips.

Her gown was the fashionable white in a Charmeuse gown with a lace keyhole back. Her hair was pulled up beautifully in crystal net that held her veil in place as she held a bushel of red and white roses. Her cheeks were a deep red as she walked up the steps and handed Claire her bouquet.

"What…what do you think?" Tifa stuttered, blushing darker as she looked up at him.

"What do I think?" Zeke smiled at her. "There aren't words on this planet to tell you how beautiful I think you are."

The Wedding went grandly after that. Everyone one hooted and hollered, Red Xlll howled, when Zeke and Tifa kissed. The dinner was set up not too far off beside the dance floor that Rufus had set up with the band. The group that had gone through everything with ShinRa and Jenova and Sephiroth and Sienna and Hojo was finally at peace, forgetting everything as they laughed and ate and watched as Tifa and Zeke shoved the wedding cake into each other's faces; hell, even Vincent found himself laughing a bit and having a good time. Yes, everything seemed to be perfect and as the music for dancing began it got better. Zeke danced with his Aunt once as Barret took the place of Tifa's father for that dance. But the best dance of all, in everyone's opinion, was to this song.

~Don't look down, don't look back, I am beside you
Close your eyes, know I'm, here.
I know it's hard, to let go all that defines you
You feel like you'll never be whole again~

As Zeke twirled Tifa around the dance floor she rested her face on his chest. She had been waiting on this for nearly three years and now that it was here she wanted everything to start over from the beginning. She wouldn't change anything for the world but to watch it all happen again, it would be the best movie on the planet. Or a really, really good book. They had their honeymoon planned at Costa Del Sol for a few days and Cid and Renee were to drop them off there later that evening.

"Was this all that you wanted?"

Tifa lifted her head at Zeke's voice, a large smile still on her face. "Of course. I suppose that we have to thank Rufus for this afterwards. This was…amazing."

"Yes, but do you know what was more amazing?" He asked her.

She pulled a confused look. "What?"

Zeke paused in the middle of the dance floor and carefully grasped her face in his hands, pulling her up for a kiss as an answer. Tifa felt tears of joy flooding down her cheeks. To be married to a man she loved was the largest dream that she had ever had and now that she had it, Tifa felt like there was nothing else in this world that she needed.

~We will find a way to erase the past
Stay with me, stay here with me!~

"You know, you're a little minx, wearing that dress," Reno smirked down at the woman he was dancing with. "If I hadn't of been part of the group then the two of us would be out of here already."

Myra smirked herself, closing her eyes. "Yes, yes, I know. That's why I wore it. You are one of the easiest and funniest people to watch squirm."

"And is it delightful for you to know that you are the only one that can do that to me?"

Myra opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Extremely."

As they continued to dance, Reno's finger reached down and hooked the chain of the necklace Myra would always wear that slipped down the front of her dress and pulled it out with a smile. It was a small, plastic ring. He remembered giving that to her when they were children. For her to keep it after all these years…

"You know what we need," Reno decided to say.

"What?"

"We need a vacation. Just the two of us away from everyone and everything for a little while."

Myra stared at him for a moment before smiling again. "I'd like that," Her voice then grew dark. "As long as it's nowhere near snow."

Reno stared at her as that idea flew right out of his head. "Dammit."

~In my arms you'll be fine I never let go
All you've lost will come again
Just stay here with me
Never look back, never again, it's over
Everything ends here in my arms~

"Come on, big boy," Liana grabbed Rude's arms and pulled him out onto the dance floor with her. She giggled at the flustered look on the man's face as he tried to tell her he didn't want to dance. "No, I've been waiting on this dance for months now!"

"Then why don't you ask one of the others to dance with you?" Rude asked her as they stood on the floor.

"Because they're not my boyfriend, you are!" Liana stomped a foot and then tilted her head a bit. "Why don't you want to dance with me?"

Rude fumbled with his tie, looking off to the side for a moment. "I, uh…I don't dance."

"Oh, come on, no one's going to laugh at you," She reassured him.

He looked down at her; she could see the outline of his eyes behind his sunglasses. "No, that's not what I mean. I don't know how to dance."

Liana stared at him for a moment before grabbing his hands and squeezing them. "Well, then there goes that idea. I was expecting you to dance and lead me because I have no clue how to either." She leaned in closer to him. "This is just going to make it funner now."

"Funner?" Rude asked her, raising a brow.

"Yep!" She nodded with an evil look. "Now let's see how long it's going to take us to knock everyone off of the dance floor when we start moving."

Rude stared down at her for a moment, disbelief in his eyes. Disbelief on how this woman became and Turk. How she had become his partner. And how he had even earned to share his life with a woman like her.

"So," Liana grinned. "Wanna dance?"
His answer was a kiss before he gripped her hands and began to swing her around the floor.

~Don't give in, don't let your, memories break you
Let me take you away from here~

"If it's a boy I want to name him Cid, after meself," Her husband was going on as they slowly danced off to the side of the floor. "Or maybe-"

"Cloud?" Renee asked him. The look on his face made her laugh.

"Hell no! Why would I want to name him after that brat? He's going to be bad enough as it is!"

"Then how about Firion? Or maybe Zidane?" (LOL)

Cid raised a brow at her. "Where do you come up with these names? Next thing you know you'll want Golbez or, hell, naming them after Sephiroth."

"That's actually not too bad of an idea," Renee grinned. "But the only person that would name their children after their parents is Jeanne. And I doubt very seriously though that Cloud would allow that." Renee sighed and leaned her head back for a moment before straightening it up. "Selena isn't a bad idea if it's a girl. Aurora isn't either."

Cid smiled at her before giving his wife a kiss. "When it's born you can name it whatever you want."

"So Garland will work?"

"NO!"

(LOL, the names were a spur of the moment thing. I've been playing Dissadia for a while now and it was a cute idea. And if you don't know who the names belong then for shame on you)

~We will find a way to make this last
Stay with me, stay here with me!~

"Your sister was right, you know," Rufus spoke softly. "It may be over for now but it will come back; it always does."

"I know," Jena kept her eyes closed as she rested her head on his shoulder. "And you were right, too. We'll always be here to stop it. I'm sure that any children popping out of these romances are going to be strong and fighting as well so if their parents get too weak or pass on they'll be here to do exactly what we did."

Rufus nodded. "You have a point." He fell silent for a few moments. "I am not the President any longer. There is no ShinRa any longer. The Turks are no more. I can't-"

Jena lifted her head with a fierce look on her face. "Rufus, be quiet." She told him. "ShinRa Inc. may not be here anymore but that doesn't mean that the Turks are disbanded. If they were you wouldn't hear from Reno or any of the others for the last two years. Tseng and Elena wouldn't have risked getting caught by Kadaj and the others and nearly beaten to death if they didn't believe that the Turks were still here, understand?"

"What about you?" Rufus asked her. "Would you have left if they were?"

Jena glared at the man in front of her. "That is the dumbest thing you have ever asked me. How many more times do I have to prove to you that I wouldn't? I choose you over my sister for nearly 8 years and still I'm here with you. And if you even think about asking me that again I swear to god that I will-"

Rufus cut her off with a kiss before pulling back and laughing at her. "You're so cute when you're flustered." He told her.

Jena glared at him for a moment before falling back into a smile. "Yeah, and you're an ass."

"Yeah, but you like it." Rufus replied.

Jena flushed a bit. "Yeah, more ways than one."

~In my arms you'll be fine I never let go
All you've lost will come again
Just stay here with me
Never look back, never again, it's over
Everything ends here in my arms~

~Calm down, sweetie~ Claire told herself as she downed another glass of wine. ~You can do this. Just clam down and go up to him. You made a bet and you have to keep to it. If he doesn't want to go through with it then you don't have too~ She then hung her head. ~But I think that would just make it worse on your behalf~ Setting her class down and pulling the top of her dress up a little more, Claire turned and searched the crowd.

There Vincent was, like always. Standing off to the side like he had been the entire time. She had seen him and Jeanne speak for a little while before Cloud had dragged her onto the dance floor herself and the man in red still hadn't moved. She had been fighting with herself to go and confront Vincent about the bet she had made with him. She had been expecting to win to where she could harass Vincent for that kiss he owed her but he had won, instead. How was she going to get the prize, now?

Stepping up beside him she folded her hands behind her back to keep her hands from shaking. "So, you're not going to dance?"

"I don't dance." Came his cool answer. ~Well, there went that idea~ She sighed to herself. "Why aren't you dancing?" Vincent asked her. Claire turned to see that he was looking down at her. She smiled. "I don't really dance, either. It's not really my thing." ~That and the only one I want to dance with just told me he doesn't~ They both fell silent again. Taking a deep breath, Claire told herself that it was now or never. "So," She moved closer to Vincent as they continued to stand there, watching the others all dance. "You beat me here, remember? I owe you a kiss." Vincent looked down at her for a moment before a soft smile drifted across his lips. With a wave of relief flooding over her, Claire pulled a smile herself. "Oh, what's this? Is that a smile I see, Mr. Valentine?"

Vincent glanced back up at the dance floor but she could tell that his smile was still there. "I'm afraid that…I won't be able to give you one."

Claire raised a brow. "Why is that?" He refused to look at her and stayed silent. She felt her anger rise. "And it's me that's supposed to be giving it, remember?" Vincent stayed silent again, just staring off, ignoring her. ~Oh hell no! If I come over here to do this then I'm gonna do it, dammit!~ Claire placed herself firmly in front of him, her hands on her hips as she glared up at him. Vincent lowered his eyes to stare at her for a moment before opening his mouth to speak. The moment he did that though Claire reached forward and grabbed the man by the front of his red jacket and yanked his head down to where she shoved her lips against his.

Vincent's eyes went wide for a moment as he stayed still. He hadn't been expecting that. He had just planned on her giving up and staying silent beside him like normal, but this…

Claire pulled back and glanced away, her face extremely red as she stumbled over her words. Vincent stared down at her for a moment before losing control of himself. His arms shot out and grabbed the woman before him and holding her in place before kissing her again.

~I'll be here forever! (Everything ends)
Here in my arms!
I'll be here forever! (Everything ends in my arms!)
I'll be here forever! (Forever, forever)~

"So, they finally did it, huh?"

Cloud lifted his head at Jeanne's comment and followed his gaze. He pulled a face at the sight of his sister and Vincent kissing but then smiled. "It's about time," He commented. "I remember her talking about him almost every day after her first dream of him. I almost couldn't stand it after we freed him from that room."

"Tcch," Jeanne shook her head. "Try living in the same house with her now that she's older. I'm sorry, the dreams she would have of that man I didn't know if they were considered R-rated movies or porn."

Cloud gave a laugh. "To be honest, I'm surprised that Vincent likes her. With the way he acts you would think that he would want a silent woman, not one that talks like the world's about to end."

"You know what they say; opposites attract." She shrugged. "And then again you can't really talk, Cloud. You're just like your sister in every way."

Cloud frowned at her. "What makes you say that?"

"Do you really need to ask?" Jeanne asked him. "If so then it doesn't deserve an answer." She sighed and turned from the dance floor, heading off as the sun began to set. Tifa and Zeke would be leaving soon; as would Cid and Renee. Everyone else was going to stay in Kalm for a week until Cid brought the newlyweds back to them and took the others back to their cities and villages.

Cloud followed after her and hugged her from behind again. "Are you okay?"

"Okay as can be expected," She answered truthfully. "I suppose that you feel the same as I do."

"Not even close," Cloud shook his head. "You've gone through this longer and harder than I have."

"Yeah, well," Jeanne shrugged as she played with the ring on her finger, not knowing what to say after that. "Are you okay with Tifa marrying Zeke?"

Cloud raised a brow. "Why wouldn't I be? It's not my choice. Besides, he'll take care of her."

"Yeah, I'm sure that he will and if he doesn't, we all know that she'll be able to kick his ass until he does." Jeanne smiled.

Cloud chuckled. "Yeah, I'm sure that's true." He fell silent for a bit longer. "What about you?"

"What do you mean?" She asked him.

Cloud let go of her and stepped forward a bit. "What are you going to do now? What are your plans?"

Jeanne bit her lower lip for a moment before smiling. "I'll most likely continue working at 7th Heaven with Tifa and Claire. The three of us run that thing like magic. What about you?"

Cloud gave a half-hearted smirk. "I'll probably still be a delivery boy; if you let me."

She looked over at him. "Is that you asking to be allowed back into the circle?"

"The Circle?" He asked her with a laugh. "Yeah, I suppose that it is."

Jeanne shook her head. "I guess I can give you another chance. You bail out on us again, though and I'll be forced to take strict measures."

"Oh? And just what kind of strict measures?" Cloud asked her.

Jeanne gave a playful smile and leaned in a bit closer to him. "One that will have to wait until your sister isn't home to take place." She then laughed as Cloud's face turned red and looked away from her in embarrassment. She reached out and grabbed his hand. "Come on, Cloud. There's no need to be so embarrassed. We're both adults, right?" She gave him a look. "Well, one of us is, anyway."

He glared at her before shaking his head. "Why do I put up with you?"

"Why do YOU put up with ME?" Jeanne growled at him. "Oh no, no, no, little man. I believe I should be asking YOU that question. Who was the one that acted like a little emo-punk during the events two years ago? Or how about the one who hid away in that damn church, huh? I've dealt with your ass for nearly ten years now, butt-munch!"

Cloud pulled a surprised look at her. "Butt-munch?" He asked before he exploded into laughter. This was the Jeanne that he remembered and liked so much. This was the Jeanne that he had met with Zack. This was the Jeanne that he had fallen in love with all those years ago before the events at Nibelheim. He knew that she was still there, somewhere and the way he acted, the way he treated her for the last years, he deserved to be called a lot more and a lot worse than just butt-munch. "I know that, and I'm sorry. I doubt that just words will be able to convince you so perhaps my actions will be able to."

Jeanne crossed her arms as she turned back to look at the wedding. "Maybe."

~In my arms you'll be fine I never let go
All you've lost will come again
Just stay here with me
Never look back, never again, it's over
Everything ends here in my arms~

The wedding was over and Cid and Renee were getting ready to leave with Zeke and Tifa. Everyone but their little group(including the Turks) had dispersed. Everyone was talking and saying their goodbyes for now until Claire began to cry.

"Wow, one would think that it would be the bride crying," Zeke decided to tease.

"Shut up, jerk!" Cloud's sister kicked him in the shin.

"What's wrong, Claire?" Tifa asked her friend.

"I just…I don't want to see everyone leave again," Claire rubbed her eyes dry but more tears just flew in. "Why…why can't we all just stay together? We could make a new town and live there. It's just…it's just not fair! I miss you all so much!"

"Claire," Renee gave a soft smile at the crying girl before glancing at Cid. The man rubbed the back of his head. "I know how you feel, believe me. It was strange going back to the usual things and not having you all there as well but that's part of growing up. No matter what age you are, you still do it; even Cid's still growing up, though it doesn't seem to be helping," She teased. Cid snorted as the others all chuckled. "Trust me, we might not get to see eachother everyday but that doesn't mean we're not friends anymore. You ever need any of us, just give us a call. We'll come running. And don't worry, we'll all come together again. In fact, I think birthdays and reunions are in order for our group, what do you think?"

Claire gave a laugh, smiling at the older woman. "I feel like an idiot, now."

"You shouldn't," Yuffie joined in with her aunt. "If you didn't say anything I'm sure that somebody else would have; I've been thinking about it myself, actually. You boneheads are in my head almost every day now."

"You know," Jeanne whispered to Vincent as the three girls continued to talk to eachother. "You might be a big cause behind that." Vincent glanced down at her but refused to respond, knowing what she was talking about.

"All right, all right," Reno waved his hands. "Let the lovebirds go on their little trip."

Myra gave her man an elbow to the side and he bent over, complaining as Rude rolled his eyes at his partner. "You guys have fun and we'll be here when you come back."

"You will be, huh?" Jeanne clenched her teeth. "Where are all of you staying?"

"At your place, of course!" Barret grinned. "Someone has to take care of Marlene while they're gone." Jeanne hung her head as the others all laughed.

"All right, all right, let's go." Cid growled, stepping onto his ship. Zeke followed suit.

"Oh, Tifa," Renee grinned. "You have to throw your bouquet!"

The bride grinned. "Oh, that's right!" She looked at the thing of flowers that she had tossed onto the ship with their bags and then turned to the women. "All right, ya'll get in a circle!"

Jeanne raised a brow as all the unmarried women, but herself and her sister, gathered into a circle with excited looks.

"Jeanne, Jena, come on!" Yuffie looked excited.

"Uh, no thanks." Jeanne shook her head.

"Hell no." Jena crossed her arms.

"Hell yes," Liana moved forward and grabbed her friend, pulling her into the circle. "Live a little, Jena. Try and tell me you won't want to hold those flowers over Rufus' head and tell him to hurry up and marry you!" Jena blushed, stuttering her reply as she was pushed into the circle of women.

"Same goes to you, Jeanne." Claire had shoved the younger sister into the group as well. "You and my brother need to stop pushing it back and just get over with it." Jeanne scowled but then a smile spread across her face. ~Why not?~

"All right, here we go." Tifa turned her back to the others and then tossed the bouquet over her head before whipping around to see who caught the flowers…