Epilogue.

Auron stared into the mirror in front of him. He was freshly shaven, and his hair brushed back. His eyes carried an excited gleam. His hands pressed down his white and red monk robe, and made sure it was free of wrinkles or folds. It was hand made, and elegant, just for the day. "What are you doing?"

Behind him he heard Braska's voice. Auron shifted his attention on the spot of the mirror where he could see Braska clearly. He could see his old friend smiling at him. He too wore a very elegant robe. "I have to make sure everything is perfect." Auron said.

"The fact that this is happening is perfect, you do realize this, my old friend." Braska said as he stepped into the room. They were in a temple room; just outside of the door the sounds of soft music could be heard playing. Auron found himself swaying along with it, "It is." He said.

"Is he ready yet?" Auron heard Jecht's voice approach the door, and right when it opened, they smiled at each other. "I guess he is ready." Jecht said.

"I am..." Auron nodded.

Rikku stood on top of her father's airship. For a moment she stared at her reflection in the decorated steel; her hair was loose around her shoulders, and brushed in waves. She wore make up that gave her skin a glittery glow. In her hands she held flowers. In her reflection she could see the ends of her long white gown sway in the wind. For the first time in her life, she honestly thought as she looked in her reflection, that she was indeed beautiful. "Today is the day..." she whispered to herself.

She was nervous. She was happy. Around her she could hear the beautiful music, played specifically for her. Rikku turned around and saw the smiling faces of her friends and family, and the many faces of the people of yevon. Her father, Cid, stood at the end of the ship, dressed in yevon robes. He had placed his ship to lightly hover over the temple of Bevelle, and attached to it was a decorated ladder, intertwined with white flowers. At the bottom of the ladder, if Rikku looked down, she could see both Yuna and Tidus; they too were dressed elegantly.

Rikku sucked in a breath as she looked back at her father. "Are you alright?" he said to her quietly.

Rikku nodded her head and brought the flowers closer to her chest. She took in their scent to ease herself. "I am." she said happily.

"Are you ready?" Cid asked, and smiled at her.

She nodded her head. She was ready, more than ready. She closed her eyes and thought back to the night in Besaid month's before. She and Auron had stayed far away from the dinner party for hours. She lost herself in his kisses, and his embrace. He promised her all of Spira that night; I will protect you forever, Rikku, he told her, and I will love you for as long as you'll have me.

It took her months before she really replied to him. He had taken her to the moonflow at night, and sat her near the edge of the river. As the sunset, and the pyreflies came to life she had felt a sudden flutter in her heart. She felt out of place, lost... but not lost, in a way. She had looked out into the water, and saw herself. Her other self smiled at her, and nodded her head but didn't say a word. She was dressed the same as the woman from the dreams she had as a child. Tell him you love him, a voice said in her head, tell him, because you do... and he loves you.

She remembered looking back at the image of herself in the water, and tilted her head to think back a response, I know he loves me... but I'm, I'm so confused.

And the voice replied, You're not confused, you're afraid of emotions you never felt... this is fate. He's waited so long... This is your last chance...

She had turned her head back to look at Auron, who had his attention on the pyreflies out above the water. She pressed her lips together as she looked at him, his face. She stared at the stubble on his face that trailed down to his neck. He looked at his hair; every time they spent time together he had brushed his hair back, almost to appear more young for her. But she didn't mind his age; she loved everything about him. There wasn't one thing she hated about him, as she thought about it. Everytime she looked at him, her emotions only grew.

It was that night that she moved her hand over to his, and asked to him to look in her eyes. I love you... she told him that night... And I'll have you forever...

"Rikku?"

Rikku opened her eyes to see her father nodded his head at her, for her to turn around. She took in a breath. As she turned, she saw Auron climbing up the ladder to stand on top of the airship with her. He was smiling bright; the sun around him made his robe glow beautifully. To her surprise, he was shaven clean and brushed ever so neatly. "Oh this is new." she giggled quietly.

Auron heard her, nonetheless. As he approached her, he reached for her hand and brought it to his lips where he kissed it gently, "If this is something you like, I'll do this more often." he said.

Rikku flushed pink and looked down at her shoes, "I like very much," she said, "But I do like your scruffiness."

Auron grinned at his love, and looked up at Cid, who had been beaming at them. "Where do we stand?" Auron asked.

Cid nodded his head to a place right in front of him, "You both could stand here."

Auron led Rikku to stand in front of her father before he turned and faced her. He folded his hands in front of him, and she held her flowers low in front of her chest. Around them, the music continued but grew silent. The chatter from the people around Bevelle temple ceased as they looked up at the airship. Cid had begun to recite a scripture from Al Bhed, a profession of love and trust. Unity. Both he and Rikku could hear below as Braska translated the scripture in normal tongue, for those who did not understand the language. "E muja oui." Rikku whispered quietly.

"I love you, too." Auron whispered in reply.

It was then that Cid looked at both his daughter and now son-in-law, and smiled, "Auron, do you promise to honor and love Rikku forever, for as long as you both shall live?"

Auron nodded his head, never taking his eyes off of Rikku, "I do." he said.

"And you, Rikku, promise to love and honor Auron forever, for as long as you both shall live?"

Rikku nodded her head, with her face flushed pink, "I do." she said.

Cid raised his arms so everyone below the airship could see. "I now pronounce these two man and wife!" he looked back at Auron and said quietly, with a smile on his face, "Now take care of my daughter."

"I promise." Auron said with a smile on his face, and turned to look at Rikku. She was waiting, anxiously, for her kiss. He drew it out; he pulled her in close by her waist, and pressed his other hand gently against her cheek. "I love you..." he whispered again before he kissed her.

She lost herself in his kiss, and sighed happily. She looked deep into his eyes, and saw her entire life. She saw her future. "I love you too..." she whispered back.

I love you always...