Once again, it was another beautiful day in New Bodum. The sun was bright, the waters were calm and… Vanille was on another Bridezilla spree.
"Why can't I have pink Orchids for my bouquet?! Is that just too complicated of a task?!"
Serah jumped in shock while Fang and Lightning sighed. Fang put a hand on her shoulder,
"Will you relax? It's just flowers. I've never seen you get like this."
Vanille whined,
"But Fang! I'll only have one wedding in my whole life! I want it to be memorable! And it will be so memorable if I have pink orchids!"
Yeul walked over and changed the color of the flowers by magic,
"Is that better Vanille?"
"Oh, it is! Thank you, my precious flower girl!"
She hugged the former seeress. It was almost a year now since they met the young girl and her guardian Noel. It's also been almost a year since Yeul died and came back to life and the heroes fought the fearsome Gorgamog. It's almost a year since Hope proposed to the young girl from Gran Pulse. She smiled and looked at Fang,
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to seem rude or ungrateful."
"It's all right. You have a point, you only have one wedding. It might as well be memorable. Are you ready for today?"
Vanille stood up to reveal her wedding gown. Her arms were covered by a flower patterned lace, the bodice was a corset that gave Vanille curves that she didn't even know existed. The end of her dress was styled to resembled a mermaids tail that continued to flow on the ground. Her veil was just as long as the train of her dress. For once in her life, Vanille let her hair down in soft curls, very different from her typical pig tails. She left her bangles on her wrists, they were made by her grandmother in the days of the old Oerba. Fang, Lightning and Yeul gasped. Vanille had transformed into a young woman right before their eyes. Yeul hugged her,
"Vanille, you look wonderful! I'm so happy for you."
Yeul let her go as Lightning walked by to put a hand on her shoulder,
"You really look stunning, I'm so glad to be a part of this day."
Light stepped back to let Fang grab her,
"Vanille, I never thought this day would come. A day where the world was at peace and you could get married to a great guy. Thank goodness…"
Fang hugged her tighter. Vanille tried to hold back the tears; redoing her makeup would be a chore. However, she couldn't hold back the dam anymore and cried onto Fang's shoulder. She was right, ever since the War of Transgression all those centuries ago they have lived in constant turmoil. From becoming l'cie, to waking up on Cocoon, to fighting Barthandelus and becoming Cocoon's pillar and even to last year fighting Gorgamog, they have always been in the middle of a fight. For once, they were living in peaceful times and actually could get married or start families. Vanille peeled herself away from her and smiled,
"You're right. Our lives now belong to us."
Fang smirked,
"You mean your life now belongs to Hope."
"Hey, I haven't said I Do yet you know."
They both started to smile. Vanille looked in the mirror and wailed,
"Oh no! All this emotion ruined my face! Fang! I need your help."
Fang laughed silently and sat her down in the chair and grabbed a tissue to wipe off the runny mascara created due to the tears. Light shook her head and quietly left the room.
Across the house, Hope was in Serah and Snow's bedroom. He was dressed to the nines in his tuxedo. He wore a pink bow, much to his dismay. But when his future wife asks him to, he's really not allowed to say no. Snow, Noel and Sazh were in the room with him, dressed in tuxedos as well but no pink bows. Sazh chuckled,
"Man, you must really love her if you are willing to wear a pink bow for her. My wife tried to make me wear one but I had to take a stand. I mean, our entire wedding was pink enough already."
Hope sighed,
"Yeah, well everything is pink plus my bowtie. But I just couldn't say no to her. I would have felt bad."
Snow laughed,
"Yeah man, it's best not to deny your woman anything. If you do you get denied-"
"You get denied what, Snow?"
Serah and Light were standing in the doorway to the bedroom and Serah had a mean look on her face. Snow gulped and thought on his feet,
"You get denied the privilege to be in the presence of your wonderful wife who you love oh so much and have to go sleep on the couch. That's what we get denied babe, honest!"
Hope, Sazh and Noel laughed as Snow walked over to Serah. He opened his mouth to say something to cover up his stupid comment but Serah cut him off,
"I came up here to ask for your help downstairs moving some tables. Just remember if you say no, I could deny you my 'presence'."
Snow shook his head, "Yes dear, I'll come help."
Serah looked over his shoulder, "Noel, Sazh can you come help too? I would really appreciate it."
Sazh and Noel followed behind them, but not before Noel winked at Light. She flushed a light pink. They had started dating not that long ago. They didn't want to rush into a relationship, well Light didn't want to. She took the time to actually get to know him and really like him, just not be attracted to him. Light was now alone in the room with Hope, who was fumbling with fixing his bowtie. She shook her head and walked over to help him,
"Are you nervous?"
"Sort of. I think I'm more anxious then anything. I don't want to mess up any of my lines."
Light had to undo the bowtie. Seriously, men can never do it right. That's why clip-ons were invented.
"This isn't a play you know. If you forget anything, just ad-lib. Say what comes from the heart."
Hope smiled,
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
Light quickly finished the bowtie and smoothed it out,
"There, all finished. You look so grownup right now."
"Well I am almost twenty years old, you know."
Light shuddered, "Don't remind me. You make me feel old."
Hope laughed and looked at Light with a serious face,
"I know I've said it before but I want to say it again. Thank you Light. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."
Light fought back tears. She knew he truly meant it. He hugged her and continued,
"Really, you are the best person I know. You've stood by me through everything and supported my choices. I'm so glad to have you here at my wedding. Also, thank you for agreeing to be a part of Vanille's bridal party. I know wearing that dress is tough for you…"
Light scowled. She remembered when Vanille and Hope approached her about it.
Hope and Vanille walked into Light's room. Vanille was glowing with excitement, she had just picked her bridesmaid dresses from the local dress shop and fell in love with them. However, now they had to approach Light and ask her to be a part of the bridal party. It meant a lot to the both of them to have her involved somehow. Hope spoke up,
"Hey Light, there is something we want to ask you."
"Anything, what's up?"
"Well you see," Vanille continued, "I just got back from picking out bridesmaid dresses. And I would be so honored to have you as a member of my bridal party! Please Light, won't you join?"
Light grimaced. She knew how important it was to the both of them, however she never liked being in or near the spotlight. But she sighed, giving in. She wanted to give them what they wanted.
"Alright, I'll be in it. Thank you for including me."
"That's so great! Here, I thought you'd want to take a look at them!"
Vanille passed Light Hope's cellphone. When she looked down at the mobile phone, she almost hurled. Now, it wasn't an ugly dress per se,it was just very… pink. It has short lacy sleeves with a flowing body that touched the ground. The dress and sleeves were a bright pink that really stood out. There was a flower pinned over the right breast that was obnoxiously huge and a different shade of pink as to not mix with the other shade. Then there were flowers all over the bottom of the dress that were not quite as big as the flower on the chest but were large and in other shades of pink as well. Light shuddered, really how on Pulse was there THAT many shades of pink in the world? Light looked up at Vanille, who looked so proud of her choice. How could you take that away from her? She faked a smile,
"Oh wow, how… pretty."
Hope could obviously tell she was faking and bit his lip to try and stifle the laughs he was bottling inside.
"Yeah, it kind of is. But I'll do it for you guys." Light looked down at her ensemble and just laughed to herself. It shows just what kind of crazy things you'll do it keep your family happy.
Hope laughed,
"Hey, you aren't alone! Fang and Serah have the same dresses."
"I know. I just wish I was Yeul or Dia. They didn't get as… pink."
Hope smiled, "You'll be fine. If it really sucks, change at the reception. Let me go downstairs and see if they need help moving those tables. Sazh said his back was killing him."
Light nodded and smoothed out his bowtie one more time,
"Go ahead, I'll see you at your wedding."
Hope kissed her cheek, "Thanks, old lady." He proceeded to leave the room. Light just grinned to herself and started her return to Vanille's room. Maybe they put away the makeup by now…
The procession had just begun into the ceremony. It was a lovely setup. They were all on the beach of New Bodhum with pink flowers and satin ribbon as far as the eye could see. The dock had been taken down temporarily to allow a better view of the Pulse ocean. Everyone was there; Lebreau, Maqui , Yuj and the citizens of New Bodhum. Even some of Hope's friends from childhood trekked down to New Bodhum to see the nuptials. However, Hope did not invite his father. They had not spoken since the incident in Palumpolum six years ago. Hope was standing at the makeshift beach altar with Gadot as the minister. He actually got ordained just for this occasion. Hope wasn't exactly a big fan of the idea but when Gadot pouts, it's kind of pathetic. Serah walked in arm and arm with Noel first, followed by Sazh and Light. Then the maid of honor and best man, Snow and Fang walked in to round off the groomsmen and bridesmaids. They stood by their respective sides as Yeul, Dajh, Dia and Yun walked down the aisle. Yeul threw out the flowers for the bride's path,as Dajh stood by her while Dia and Yun smiled behind them and waved. Actually, Dia waved, Yun kept his head down in embarrassment. After they took their seats, there was a brief pause. This was the longest, brief pause of Hope's life. He knew what would come next. Vanille, his wife to be, would walk down that aisle to greet him at the altar where they would become man and wife.
Slowly and softly, the music began to play to cue Vanille's introduction.
The doors to NORA house opened wide to reveal Vanille and her glory. Hope nearly lost his balance. He had never seen her look so radiant. It was as if he had never understood true beauty until this moment in his life. Even through her veil, he could see her blushing. He smiled back at her, feeling his heart swell. She kept walking toward him slowly until she made a sudden stop. Hope panicked, was she going to run? No one knew what was going on. Then, from behind a spot of palm trees, Barthlomew Estheim walked over to greet Vanille. Hope stopped breathing as members of the audience gasped, including Light. Barthlomew kissed Vanille's cheek and linked arms with her as they continued to walk down the path. When they reached the end, Barthlomew lifted the veil over Vanille's face. Gadot boomed out,
"Who gives this woman to be married?"
"Her father is no longer with us, but Vanille has given me the honor to be here today. I give this woman to be married."
He kissed her cheek one final time,
"Please, take care of my son. Live a happy life together. I'm glad to call you my daughter."
He walked over to Hope and patted his shoulder,
"I'll talk to you later. Good luck."
Hope was still in shock. His father was actually here. Vanille mouthed the words 'I'm sorry' to him. She wasn't a hundred percent sure this would end up well. Hope just smiled at her, not wanting to ruin this moment. Gadot coughed,
"Welcome, friends and family to this most joyous union! We are here today to join Hope Estheim and Oerba Dia Vanille in the bonds of holy matrimony!"
Hope and Vanille winced, he was rather loud.
"Now, let us begin with the vows! Oerba Dia Vanille, you may proceed."
Vanille looked up at Hope,
"There is no way to truly measure my love for you. I never knew what love was before I met you, Hope. I know now that nothing can tear us apart. Not even time, distance or being trapped in crystal. You and I are now, and always will be together and forever in love. I will work hard to make sure that our love never dies. I have faith in us. I believe in us. Here and now. Forever and always."
A tear slid down Vanille's cheek. Hope brushed it away and started his vows, not even waiting for Gadot.
"Oerba Dia Vanille, there will never be enough time to spend with you. I am sure of one thing however, is that any time not spend with you would be wasted. You showed me how to accept people and how to love them. You were there for me at times I thought I was truly alone. Vanille, you have done so much for me that I swear to you that for the rest of our lives and beyond, I will be here for you. Just like you have been there for me."
Vanille smiled at her love, her heart overflowing with love for him. Gadot boomed once again,
"Well then, Hope Estheim, do yoy take Oerba Dia Vanille's hand in marriage? To love and care for her? In sickness and in health? Till death do you both part?"
Hope grinned, "I do."
"Oerba Dia Vanille, do you take Hope Estheim's hand in marriage? To love and care for him? In sickness and in health? Till death do you both part?"
Vanille flashed her teeth, "I do."
"Then by the powers vested in me by our governing body, the New Sanctum and the planet of Gran Pulse, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Well go ahead Hope, kiss your bride!"
Hope rolled his eyes. THAT'S why he wasn't a fan of Gadot being the minister. However, he chuckled and kissed Vanille with a sweetness that could never be matched. When they released each other, Gadot spoke once more,
"Ladies and gentleman, I now introduce to you for the first time ever, Mr. and Mrs. Hope Estheim! Cheers all around!"
The reception started after the ceremony. The layout was still the same as the ceremony, except now the food and drinks were out for all to enjoy. Serah and Lebreau catered the whole event, so you know you would eat and drink well. Yuj brought some marts out to the beach to improvise as a dance floor. Maqui ran right to his sound booth to get the music started. Light and Fang went to get changed, having more then enough of that dress. Yeul and Dajh stood off to the side to play with Yun and Dia, who were especially fascinated with her since she moved there. Especially Dajh. He wouldn't admit to it but he had a little crush on Yeul. Noel and Sazh hit the bar already, not even waiting for Hope and Vanille to make their entrance. Snow stood by the members of NORA and congratulated Gadot on a job well done. Suddenly, Maqui boomed over the loudspeakers,
"Hey, ladies and gents, I want you guys to greet our newlyweds, Hope and Vanille Estheim! Please clear the dance floor for the bride and grooms first dance."
Vanille and Hope walked out from NORA house to make an entrance and made their way to the dance area. Hope bowed like a gentleman to Vanille as she giggled and took her hand. The music began playing in the background. They had chosen a song to represent the five years they had spent apart and how they still loved each other no matter what.
I wake in the morning, tired of sleeping. Get in the shower, and make my bed alone.
I put on my makeup, talk into the mirror. Ready for a new day, without you.
And I walk steady on my feet. I talk, my voice obeys me.
I go out at night, sleep without the lights. And I do all of the things I have to,
Keepin' you off my mind. But when I think I'll be alright,
I am always wrong, cause,
My hands don't wanna start again. My hands, no they don't wanna understand.
My hands, they just shake and try to break whatever peace I may find.
My hands, they only agree to hold your hands. And they don't wanna be without your hands.
And they will not let me go, No they will not let me go.
I talk about you now, and do it without crying.
I go out with my friends now. I stay home all alone.
And I don't see you everywhere, and I can say your name easily.
I laugh abit louder, without you,
And I see different shades now, I'm almost -never- afraid now.
But when I think I'll be okay I am always wrong, cause...
My hands don't wanna start again. My hands, no they don't wanna understand.
My hands, they just shake and try to break whatever peace I may find.
My hands, they only agree to hold your hands. And they don't wanna be without your hands.
And they will not let me go, No they will not let me go.
Sometimes I'll wake, I see them reaching out for you.
Quietly break whatever shields I spent so long building up.
I cannot fake, 'cause when they cry I'm unspoken.
They miss holding my baby...
My hands, no they don't wanna understand.
They just shake and try to break whatever peace I may find.
My hands, your hands, they don't wanna be without your hands.
No they will not let me go.
No they will not let me go.
My hands, don't wanna start again.
My hands, no they don't wanna understand.
My hands, they just shake and try to break whatever peace I may find.
My hands, they only agree to hold your hands.
No they don't be without your hands.
And they will not let me go.
No they will not let me go.
No, no, no they will not let me go.
They had danced close together to this song. IT was a sweet moment for the both of them, staring into each other's eyes and stealing quick kisses. Fang and Light smiled at the couple. It really was impossible to not feel joy at this moment. Noel grabbed Light's hand and smiled at her. Sazh put an arm around Fang as a friendly gesture. Serah leaned onto Snow's big chest and he wrapped his arms around her. Dia smacked Yun, only cause he was pulling her hair and Yeul was glad she could be a part of the moment with them all, her new family. It truly was one of the happiest moments this family had experienced together. The song softly ended and the crowd applauded the happy couple. Regular music started playing and Vanille let go of Hope.
"I'm going to go get changed into a dress I can actually dance in. Please, go talk to your father, for me?"
Hope nodded, begrudgingly. He didn't want to, but she she asked so nicely…
She kissed his cheek and started to walk back to the big house to get dressed. Hope sighed and scoured the party for his father. He was sitting at a table, communicating with a few of the people from New Bodhum. He swallowed his pride and approached him. Barthlomew stood up,
"To be honest, I didn't think you'd come see me."
"My wife asked me to. Why are you here Dad?"
"Vanille called me and told me everything that has happened these past six years. About her being in the pillar, your voyage to that temple and how you were getting married. She asked me to give her away at the wedding since her family is no longer here. She also told me she wanted to keep it a surprise from you, since she didn't know how you'd react."
Hope sighed, he felt bad that he made Vanille have to keep a secret from him in fear of his reaction. Barthlomew continued,
"Look, I wanted to be here. You are my son and she is now my daughter. She is an amazing woman. The both of you will be very happy, I'm sure of that. But never forget that I am your father, and I will always want to be involved somehow in your life. Please, don't distance yourself from me ever again. I lost your mother, I don't want to lose you too."
Hope gasped quietly. He never really thought of it like that. He left his father all alone in Palumpolum. He lowered his head, ashamed of his actions,
"You're right Dad. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. I won't do that ever again. In fact, you should move down here to Pulse so we can be together more often."
Barthlomew laughed, "I think I may take you up on that offer. I want to be around my grandchildren in the future!"
The Estheim men laughed and looked at each other. Then, at the same time, they both pulled in for a hug. It was a embrace that was long overdue, six years overdue. When they let go, Vanille had suddenly appeared to see them.
"Oh I'm so happy you both made up!" She grabbed them both and laughed,
"Now come on, it's a party! Time to celebreate!"
Hope looked at his wife, who was now wearing a complete lace dress with a sheer material under it that was all white. In her own style, she pulled her hair back to her curly pig tails. He actually missed them, although he loved her hair down as well. She skipped away from them over to Fang and Light, who now had on short black dresses. Barthlomew laughed,
"She's just a never ending ball of energy huh?"
Hope smiled, "You have no idea."
The party continued on into the night. Everyone was having a genuinely good time. Light stayed by Noel most of the night, even slow dancing a few times. Sazh hung out with Fang as they had drinking contests. Yeul stayed with Dia and Yun to play and dance with them. Snow fluxed between spending time with Serah and the NORA gang. Hope never left Vanille's side, even as she went to spend time with his father. At one point the entire gang was back together, sitting at a large table. Sazh looked over at the newlyweds,
"So, you guys doing a honeymoon or something?"
Vanille smiled, "Actually, we're going to visit Oerba and plant some flowers for my relatives. I haven't been back there in six years, I want to see if anything has changed."
Fang looked at her,
"Are you sure you want to go there? That place doesn't exactly hold good memories for us anymore. IT could taint the happy atmosphere."
Hope answered,
"It's what she wants to do. Besides, we get to traverse around Pulse again to get there. It will be fun."
Snow elbowed him, "So, in a tent, huh Hope? Get my drift?"
He wiggled his eyebrows. Hope turned red and punched him,
"Oh shut up you big oaf."
Everyone at the table laughed, except for Fang and Light. They just wanted to smack him at this moment. Married or not, Vanille and Hope were still their little kids to them. Talking about them having sex was just wrong. Vanille spoke up,
"I also want to go there to assess the damages time has done. I want to rebuild Oerba. I want it back to its former glory. It will take time, but it's what I want to do with my life, I'm sure of it."
Everyone looked around and nodded. It was a good way to spend her time that was for sure. Sazh got an idea,
"Well hey, we can all pitch in and help. I can fly in supplies!"
"When it's ready for civilians, I can train a unit to guard it." Light could always be counted on for protection.
"I can kill behemoths in one strike." Noel was proud of his hunting skills.
"I can build whatever you need. These fists are great!" Snow was a little too proud of his handiness.
"You know I'll do whatever, I have to rebuild my old home too!" Fang wanted Oerba back just as much as Vanille.
"I'll make the food for you all to eat. I can also teach children there!" Serah was a great teacher.
"I'll tell the Academy to send in any resources we may need." Hope had close ties to leaders of the Academy.
Vanille was so touched by all of their comments. They were willing to once again, drop their lives to help her. It made her smile and realize she has the best family there ever was. Tears started to roll down her face. Yeul walked over with the other kids,
"Your future looks very bright, Mrs. Vanille Estheim."
Vanille hugged Yeul and the tears started to flow. Hope rubbed her back, trying to console her. She let the young seeress go and looked at her family.
"Thank you. Thank you all so much. I mean it."
Sazh chuckled,
"Hey now, I was being serious here. I say we do it! When the kiddies return from their honeymoon and tell us how Oerba is, we all go back and start to work! We can get that place up and running in no time!"
It would be a big task for the heroes to take on. But they all knew that if they stuck together, they could do it. After all, they did destroy a tyrant Fal'cie and despicable beast together. What's rebuilding an ancient Pulse town? Child's play. Snow put his hand in the middle of the table,
"I'm in, baby! Who's with me?"
Sazh threw in his hand, "You know this old man's still got it."
Fang put her hand in the small pile, "It's my homeland. Gotta do what I can!"
Serah placed her hand on top, "Sure, I'm game!"
Yeul put her hand in as well, "Of course!"
Dajh quickly scrambled to put his hand in, "If Yeul's going, I am too!"
Noel threw his hand down, "Yeah, let's do this!"
Dia shouted, "Yun and I can't reach, but we wanna come to!"
Light placed her hand over his, "Yes, let's work together."
Hope joined his hand in the pile, "I'll do this for my wife. Forever and always." He looked at his bride, "Well?"
Vanille giggled, "Alright then! Looks like we're going on another adventure!"
Her hand was the last in the large pile. Then snow shouted,
"On three, ready? One… Two… Three!"
The gang lifted up their hands together, symbolizing their unity and starting their next voyage.
YAY! Finally after an eon, there is an EPILOGUE! (sorry I didn't have to post it yesterday. internet died x.x)
YES, I have kind of figured how I want the sequel to go. Rebuilding Oerba with some adventure and romance mixed in! Ugh, I look forward to it!
To everyone who has stuck by to see the ending of this story, I have to thank you. You guys are so totally kickass and I love and appreciate you all!
Stick around for the sequel, "A New Home" coming soon to a fanfiction site near you!
I love you all~ :D
-Myrna