Tifa's birthday was getting closer, two more days and Cloud would be ready, he thought, as he drove to the jewellery store. There he looked at rings, which were expensive, ranging from diamonds to emeralds, to rubies. Cloud wandered through them, wondering which would suit Tifa's finger. Near the end, he found one that was cheaper, but beautiful.
It was a silver-studded ring, with the band sealing a red garnet, wherein, Cloud saw Tifa's beautiful eyes. Cloud stood still, muttering Tifa's name. Soon he was extracted from his dreaming when one of the store clerks spoke to him.
"Sir, do you need any help?" she asked.
"Oh, not really," Cloud said, "I just wanted to buy this ring. I'm… My partner… I want to get married!"
"I see," the clerk said, "That's very romantic. How long have you two known each other?"
"All our lives," Cloud told her "Though we weren't super close as kids, I did make a promise to her before I left for Midgar, that if she were ever in trouble, I'd save her. That was ten years ago. I Rescued her a few days ago."
"That's very sweet," the store clerk said. Cloud paid for the ring and left, putting the ring in his pocket covered by his black cloth. Cloud continued his work, travelling Gaia, and earned money to compensate for Tifa's ring. When he came home, his hugs and kisses for Tifa were more loving as Marlene and Denzel watched on.
Two days later, Cloud woke up before Tifa and went downstairs. Marlene and Denzel were already up, and in the living room, they placed their presents on the table. In the kitchen, Cloud made some pancakes under Marlene's supervision as she directed him as he went along. Afterwards, he quickly returned to his room where Tifa still slept but searched for Cloud beside her.
Cloud came over and grabbed her hand, telling her, "Tifa, here I am…" and leaned in to lovingly kiss her on the lips.
"Happy birthday, love," he said, "breakfast awaits you downstairs."
"Oh, Cloud!" Tifa said, "You didn't have to... But thank you anyway." The two went down for breakfast with the kids as they conversed, and afterwards opened presents from the children. When asking Cloud why he didn't have anything, he told her, "It's a surprise," and offered a long ride on Fenrir.
"Cloud!" Tifa said, "A long ride? How long is a long ride? Where are we going?"
"You'll see, Tifa," Cloud said, "You'll see."
A knock came on the door and a moment later, it opened with the voice of Yuffie filling the room, "Happy birthday, Tifa!"
Yuffie gave Tifa a tight and affectionate squeeze and told her, "Twenty-four today, and no one's got work. Are you going anywhere?"
"Yuffie, what a surprise..." Tifa said, "Cloud's taking me on a long drive, but he hasn't told me why or where he's taking me. Must be part of the surprise. Will you supervise the kids?"
"Sure will," Yuffie said, "Have fun!"
After the couple dressed, Cloud sat on Fenrir with Tifa behind him. He drove at top speeds out of Edge, through the Midgar desert, and on the road to Junon, where he occasionally took his hand to pat Tifa's and ask how she was. Each time he asked, Tifa always answered 'I'm alright' and would start to talk to him, asking him questions regarding where they were going, which Cloud answered to be a place that was far away, on the Western continent, and was somewhere they'd been to before, during their journey.
Fenrir drove the bridge to the western continent, and on the road passed Cosmo Canyon, which lead to only one more place Tifa deemed possible. Cloud stopped by the entrance where they arrived at a monument of their past.
"Nibelheim!" Tifa said, "So this is where you wanted to take me... Cloud, could we look around?"
Cloud took Tifa's hand and nodded. They looked around and explored, the Shinra mock-up looking easily similar in most ways, except the path which was replaced by stone bricks, even their houses looked similar. Tifa looked in her own where it was abandoned, but there were no cobwebs. Instead, Tifa found, when she went into her room, that the only residents in the house were on her bed, and they were not human.
On Tifa's bed, she found a white cat snuggling up with her four kittens, all of the same, white colour. The kittens all appeared to be around eight weeks and approached Tifa, as she came to sit beside them and pat them.
"What a coincidence," Cloud said, "I wasn't expecting guests."
"Why are there cats here?" Tifa wondered, "Do you suppose that there's a hole somewhere?"
"Maybe," Cloud said, "That's not the surprise by the way."
"Then what is the surprise?" Tifa asked.
"Come with and I'll show you," Cloud said. The couple left the cats on the bed, as one left its mother and followed Tifa. This the two did not notice, as they continued down the stairs and outside where they approached the water tower, a monument that had a special place in the couple's heart. There they climbed and sat beside each other, as they watched the outside of the plains beyond the village.
Cloud, after making sure Tifa was distracted, moved his cloth to one side and excavated the ring box from his pocket. He looked back at her on his, the wind blowing away her hair to reveal her silver-drop earrings, then looked to her right hand, where on her ring finger was Fenrir.
You've got this, Cloud, he told himself. His right hand travelled across the vast plains of the wood, towards Tifa's left hand, embracing it like a man reuniting with his lost love. His love hugged back, as though to tell him she would never leave his side, a feeling mutually cherished.
Cloud looked at Tifa's spare ring finger and with his heightened courage, leaned in to kiss it. This ultimately prompted Tifa to look at Cloud's handsome face, as he stared back into her garnet eyes. They silently smiled, as Cloud gently stroked Tifa's hand with his thumb, down to her ring finger.
"We made our promise here ten years ago," Tifa said, "and here of all times of the year, we're back. Was there a reason you took me here?"
"Well, it's a very special place to both of us," Cloud said, "and there was something serious I wanted to ask you… Tifa, we've known each other all our lives, and we're all we have left of our childhoods, and because of that, I'd like to be with you, forever. Even if you ever sustain a bad injury or develop a serious illness, I'll be there for you, until one of us dies… I promise…"
Tifa watched. Cloud's hand never parted from hers, as he switched to kneeling on his left knee and revealed a black box to her, opening it, revealing a garnet ring. He then continued, asking, "Tifa Lockhart, my love, will you marry me?"
Tifa shuddered for a moment at Cloud's sudden question, but as she looked into her eyes, she saw his honesty, and solemnly, she answered, "Yes!"
Almost immediately, Cloud leapt to take Tifa in his arms and kissed her roughly, still holding her hand. As he pulled away, he took out the garnet ring from the box and guided her finger into it. Cloud never let go of Tifa's hand, even as he put the ring on, and kissed her once again.
"Tifa, we're engaged now!" Cloud said, "Once we're back at the bar, I'll make a loud enough ruckus that everyone in Edge will know."
"Oh, Cloud," Tifa said, "Let's go back, now. I want Marlene and Denzel to be the first to know."
Cloud nodded, as he lifted her knees with his free arm, his occupied one twirling over Tifa's head to secure her, as he jumped off the water tower, landing on his feet. Looking down, he saw Tifa was alright and stared, before putting her down. A meow was heard behind the newly engaged couple, and as they turned around, they saw a white kitten, who continuously meowed in a very high-pitched squeak.
From the path to the Shinra Mansion came an old man running towards them. He stopped in front of Cloud and Tifa, as he caught his breath, and approached the kitten whom he picked up.
"I'm sorry to bother you," he said, "She's a cheeky one. I'm raisin' her mother and siblin's in that house over there."
"Oh no, that's alright," Tifa said, "I'm actually very fond of cats. I used to own one when I was young. And that house you're raising them in, I used to live there. That was nearly nine years ago,"
"I see," the old man said, "So this place means a lot to you then."
"Yes," Tifa said, "Especially since my fiancé lived here too, though we weren't the closest, we were good friends,"
"So, you're her fiancé?" The old-timer asked, "You're lucky tae have yourself a bonnie bride."
"Thank you," Cloud said, "And I believe I've seen you before during my travels."
"Aye, that ye have," the elder said, "You've given me some cat food a few times as well, Mr Strife."
"Ah, yes," Cloud said, "well I'll be going now, I don't want to keep the children waiting now. I'll see you on my travels again, sir."
"Take care, Mr Strife," the old man said, "And I wish you a happy marriage."
"Thank you, sir," Tifa said.
However, as Cloud and Tifa turned to leave, the kitten struggled and leapt out the old man's arms, running to Tifa. This prompted the couple to look down as the kitten meowed, and the man came running up to the two.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," the elder said, "But she does seem rather fond of you. You may keep her, Lass. Name her whatever you like."
"Sir, are you sure?" Tifa asked.
"I've been meaning tae give away the kittens," the old man said, "It won't be easy tae take care of all of them ye know."
Tifa turned to Cloud and asked, "What do you think Cloud. Owning a kitten."
"The kids would be happy," Cloud said, "They'd have someone to play with. Besides, you said yourself that you're fond of cats."
"Well, I suppose there's room for just one more," Tifa said, then turned to the old man "Sir, we'll take her, and give her a nice home,"
"Splendid!" the old man said, "I know you'll be great owners,"
"That's another birthday present, Tifa," Cloud said.
"It's your birthday, is it?" The old man asked.
Tifa nodded and told him, "I'm twenty-four today,"
"We'll happy birthday tae you, lass," The elder said, "and good luck on your weddin'."
"Thank you, sir," Tifa said.
The two waved to the old man, as they lifted the kitten together. She rested on Tifa's shoulder and purred, and as Cloud took them to the motorcycle, they stood silently for several moments before Cloud sat in front of Fenrir and told Tifa, "I'm sorry, dearest, but we'll have to let go now. I need to drive,"
As Tifa sat behind Cloud, she finally let go, but not for long, as after securing the kitten, Tifa held Cloud's chest, as he drove his way back to Edge. The trip back took almost the same amount of time as the trip there, only slightly longer due to a roadblock by monsters, quickly disposed of by Cloud. Whilst fighting, his protective nature towards Tifa came out more, as he continued his way home. Tifa occasionally checked on the kitten, unbothered by Cloud, as the trip dragged on until they parked at the front of the bar.
"Tifa, you're back!" Marlene said as she ran to Tifa. She along with Denzel hugged her, lovingly. When she showed them their new resident, they squealed in excitement. Cloud closed the door and sat on the couch with everyone, the kitten smouldered with pats.
"We've got some exciting news for you," Tifa said. But the children were too busy patting to listen, thus waiting until they listened to tell.
"Marlene, Denzel, Tifa and I… we're engaged!" Cloud said.
From the stairs came Yuffie screaming, as she ran down to Cloud and Tifa, then held them together tightly.
"I can't believe you actually did it!" Yuffie said, "When are you getting married?"
Cloud and Tifa laughed and said, "We don't know yet, but I think we know where. In Aerith's church. We've made other plans as well, such as every one of AVALANCHE attending, and we think Marlene and Denzel should partake as well. We'll talk about that to them."
Yuffie tugged them harder and told them, "Congratulations."
"Cloud, you proposed!" Denzel shouted, "I knew you could do it!"
The children hugged Cloud and Tifa tighter, as the kitten escaped and made her way around the bar. All of AVALANCHE came over for Tifa's birthday, meeting the kitten, whom Tifa named Angel for her colour and friendliness. On that day, Cloud had made a living space for Angel, including a food and water bowl, a scratching post, and a small tower, where she could sleep.
The team took turns patting Angel, with Reeve being the fondest. The kitten was curious about Nanaki, as she sniffed him and bunted his leg through to his stomach. Cloud picked Angel up and gave her back to Tifa, who let the kitten bunt her face. Throughout the day, Angel became fond of the children as well, and Cloud told the children of how he once found Tifa's childhood cat, Mal and being too shy to bring her back to Tifa, he left his mother to give her back.
The days went by, as the children helped Cloud and Tifa plan their wedding. It would take place in September within Aerith's church. In that time, Cloud and Tifa worked and the children went to school, but still thought about the wedding. It was with their help that they raised Angel, whom Tifa would occasionally leave the bar for, to give her food and comfort, and play with. The children, after coming home would go into the living room to play with Angel, with the toys Cloud and Tifa bought for her providing more fun for the trio.
Unbeknownst to everyone in AVALANCHE at the same time, however, the living Dugald too made his own plans, as he travelled around Gaia for his monstrous mount. And his mount of choice was a behemoth, found on the northern continent, with his purple fur and frightening appearance, like a monster that ate children. Dugald immediately took a liking to this vicious beast, and took him home to tame, and geared him up.
Back in Edge, on weekends after the bar was closed, Cloud and Tifa practised dancing, with Marlene and Denzel sometimes practising with them, but with difficulty due to their new resident disrupting them.
Yuffie offered to be Tifa's bridesmaid for the occasion, and Vincent would be the one to walk her down the aisle. When Vincent was considered, Tifa pondered. With his dark hair and crimson eyes, along with his chronological age, he seemed very much like he could be her father. Perhaps they were closely related, Tifa thought.
It was Shera who was Tifa's maid of honour and helped her pick out her dress. Barret offered to be Cloud's best man, with Cid as the courier's groomsman. The engagement was a bliss for Marlene, who started to see her father more often, every weekend it felt. Each visit brought much affection for the little girl, as Barret told her of his own wedding, for which Marlene was sworn as Tifa's flower girl, and Denzel the ring-bearer.
"My Marlene," Barret said, "growing up so fast."
Cid found a celebrant for the couple, the man who married him and Shera in Rocket Town, he told them.
Whilst Tifa had her wedding dress chosen, Cloud gave some surprising news that he would not wear a tuxedo. Instead, he would wear his cloudy wolf outfit, after deeming the material of all the suits he tried on too uncomfortable. Tifa laughed and told Cloud, she didn't mind and complimented him that he looked very handsome that way.
Denzel, in the meantime, had his training as ring-bearer, where during home hours, he practised by approaching Cloud and Tifa and offering them the rings. Soon enough, he and Marlene had mastered their roles, and in their spare time played with Angel who adored the children and often sat on their laps, but not as much as Tifa.
September came, and with Cloud gone, Yuffie came to the bar with a heavily pregnant Shera. Yuffie dressed Tifa, as Shera frequently took toilet breaks, therefore leaving her only a few instances to help the bride. Tifa was finished after Shera gave her a bouquet of red roses, as Vincent came to drive Tifa to the church, along with Yuffie and Shera. However, there was one uninvited guest who would refuse to stay home. It was none other than the kitten, who persistently begged Tifa to bring her along. Tifa, who initially turned down her request eventually accepted that Angel would never leave her alone and let her sit on her lap in the car.
At the church, Cloud stood at the altar, dressed in his cloudy wolf attire, with Barret at his side, dressed in his tuxedo, waiting for Marlene to arrive. Cid too was dressed in a tuxedo, and with Denzel around, he was encouraged to refrain from smoking. Cloud looked on, as his hand rested on the pommel of the buster sword, with the strap of the fusion sword visible.
Cloud heard roaring in the distance, but his thought was diluted, when the grand sound of the doors turned his attention to the most beautiful woman Cloud ever knew. It was the wonderful Tifa Lockhart, the girl Cloud knew from Nibelheim walking down the aisle, with her train carried by Nanaki and Cait Sith, controlled by Reeve on the side of the groom.
Cloud stood and stared at his bride. Her white dress had two satin straps, with her cleavage fully secured by the bra piece of the dress. The dress wasn't very puffy, by full of laces, as her feet sometimes revealed themselves, showing her silver sandals. Her veil was frilly, secured by a silver tiara engraved with garnets. Her hair was braided at the sides, as they let into a ponytail, with two additional braids at the sides, revealing her silver-drop earrings. Her mouth was covered with red lip-gloss, and her cheeks were coloured by blush, making her look beautiful. She was being walked down by Vincent Valentine as she held a bouquet. Vincent looked very well like he was Tifa's real father, but what caught Cloud's attention most was not Marlene, her flower girl throwing flowers, but behind Tifa's bouquet was another guest.
"Angel?" Cloud wondered. The sight of the kitten made Cloud giggle, as Marlene scattered her flowers all around the church, into the healing water, and eventually went to Barret's side for him to pick her up. She took out a flower from her basket and put it in Barret's hair, kissing him on the cheek.
"I love you, Daddy," Marlene said lovingly. Barret nuzzled his head on hers and returned her words. Cloud watched on as Yuffie occasionally lagged behind, but caught up, lifting her dress slightly, and tried to reach in to pat Angel. This process continued as the sound of the organ filled the room, before Vincent went over the pool of holy water, and at the altar, his hand left Tifa go as she went up to Cloud. He pulled Tifa's veil over her head, as the organ song ended, and the celebrant cleared his throat, as he watched on from the spectators, and when everyone was in silence, he began his speech.
"Citizens," he said, "Today we are gathered to bear witness of two souls to be bound in matrimony. It is a sacred promise that binds one another, and in their hearts, their love for each other. If there is any reason that these two shall not be wed, speak now or forever remain silent."
For several moments, there was silence before Cloud heard another roar and from the crumbled gap of the church, he saw a behemoth, with a man mounted atop of it. The drummer within Cloud's chest hit harder and faster, as the man atop the behemoth was one he'd nearly forgotten about.
The man chuckled evilly before he said, "Hello, Cloud, Tifa, did you miss me?"
"Dugald? You're supposed to be dead!" Cloud said, "Me, Tifa, Yuffie, we saw you die! I killed you!"
"Yes, you did!" Dugald said, "I even met Zack Fair and Aerith Gainsborough. But Sephiroth revived me, and in return, I'm bringing him back. Right after I break you, Cloud Strife!"
"Never!" Cloud said angrily, as he held Tifa, close to him, "You'll never take Tifa away from me, ever again!"
It was at that moment when the organist began to play an epic tune, as though in anticipation. The entire crowd were distracted for a mere moment, before focussing their attention back on Dugald who approached Cloud and Tifa on his behemoth. As he dismounted, he quickly got out his gun blade, and let the bullet bite Cloud's exposed skin, as he covered Tifa. Cloud suddenly felt nauseous and dizzy, as he saw the materia within Dugald's gun blade. They were the same colours as last time, but something was different.
"Poison!" Cloud said, "Does someone have an antidote?"
"Don't worry, Cloud!" Yuffie said, "I'll get you something." With that, Yuffie ran out of the church as Tifa looked at Cloud's wound. He leaned himself on the buster sword as he attempted to unhook the fusion sword. Dugald approached Tifa who gave Angel to Cloud and went behind his back.
"Hmm, might as well marry first, Tifa," Dugald said, as took Tifa by the wrist, with Cloud unable to save her due to the toll of the poison. Tifa tried to fight back and force Dugald's hand off of him, but his grip was too tight.
"Hey priest, I'd like you to marry us!" Dugald said to the celebrant.
"Absolutely not!" the celebrant said, "I am strictly forbidden from performing a forced marriage. Tifa shall marry whomever she chooses."
"Well then, so much for that," Dugald said, "Maybe I'll feed her to my behemoth then. It took me four months to train."
"Leave her alone!" Marlene said, approaching Dugald. At that moment, Angel sprang out from Cloud's arms and hissed at Dugald. Marlene picked her up and continued, "You're a bad man!"
"Why if it isn't Cloud and Tifa's little tot," Dugald said, "I must say, you always were a lovely little girl, I might as well feed you to the behemoth too."
"Don't you touch her!" Denzel barked, covering Marlene, "I want to see Cloud and Tifa get married, and with Marlene,"
Just as Dugald reached to grab Marlene's wrist, Barret ran up and gave an uppercut to Dugald's chin with his metallic arm. "Don't you touch my daughter!" he protested. Then and there, the doors sprung open once again, as Yuffie entered, waving her hand in the air, and holding an item.
"Hey Cloud, I've got the antidote!" Yuffie said. Quickly she jumped over the healing water and threw the antidote to Cloud as he trickled it down his throat like a waterfall. Soon Cloud picked himself up and assembled the fusion sword.
"Thank you, Yuffie," Cloud said, "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Cura!" Yuffie said, healing Cloud's arm. Yuffie stepped aside as Cloud readied his sword to Dugald, who was forced to let go of Tifa's wrist, causing her to fall into Cloud's arms. Cloud heroically faced Dugald, as the villain ordered his behemoth to go after Tifa, but not without Cloud blocking its path.
With all his willpower, Cloud protected his bride, as Tifa had a flashback of him doing the very same at Nibelheim. Cloud swung his sword at the behemoth but missed, as it jumped back. Tifa was secured by Cid who comforted her, assuring her that Cloud would be alright.
Cloud soon enough got the upper hand and hit the behemoth with each strike. The behemoth became more exhausted each time Cloud's steel met his skin, and eventually, Cloud performed a cross slash on the beast, with the pattern of his slashes visible, and glowing colourfully. The behemoth dropped to the ground as Dugald groaned, aiming his gun at Tifa.
"Say goodbye to your love, hero!" Dugald said as he shot his gun. Although the bullet was headed into Tifa's direction at great speeds, Cloud instantly covered her, the bullet grazing the fusion sword. Tifa saw The purple glow in his sword, cover materia.
"Enough!" Cloud said, "This is my wedding, and you're not invited!"
Cloud jumped in mid-air towards Dugald and in one blow, killed him instantly. Tifa gave a sigh of relief as the organist stopped playing, announcing, "I've always wanted to be a film composer!"
Cloud laughed as he picked up the behemoth carcass and threw it out of the ruined part of the church. Dugald's was next, as Cloud spun it around before throwing it far away. Cloud disassembled the fusion sword as he came back to his designated area, on the blunt side of the buster sword, and disassembled the fusion sword.
"I'm sorry about that," Cloud said, "now, where we're we?"
Marlene gave Angel back to Tifa, as Denzel went back to his position as ring bearer. The audience was calm again as the celebrant continued the service.
"We are sincerely sorry for the delays," he said, "Now, Cloud, speak your vows."
"Tifa, as the man who promised to protect you, I'll never leave you, nor the kids again, and let suffer through your sorrows alone," Cloud said, "in addition, I vow that I will always be there if you are in emotional distress, I grant you a shoulder to cry on."
Tifa's eyes sparkled as she told him "Cloud... if you are ever feeling any guilt over anything that happened in the past, I'll be with you through it all, and love you, no matter what happens to you."
With their vows exchanged, the celebrant asked, "Do you, Cloud, take this woman to be thy lawfully wedded wife. To love and to honour, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?"
Cloud's focus was aimed back at Tifa as he silently looked into her eyes for several moments. Her beautiful, garnet eyes radiated with the light within her heart, as Cloud told her, "I do," as he picked up a ring from Denzel's red cushion and put it on Tifa's left ring finger, where her engagement ring also was.
Cloud smiled into Tifa's eyes as the celebrant continued, "And do you, Tifa, take this man to be thy lawfully wedded wife. To love and to honour, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?"
Tifa took a long look through Cloud's cerulean blue eyes, infused with mako energy, eyes that had seen happiness and tragedy unfold before them, as she said, "I do." And took the other ring from Denzel, putting it on Cloud's ungloved left ring finger.
"Then by the power invested within me," the celebrant announced, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss."
With Cloud's kiss, Tifa's heart was now unlocked, as she kissed back, the crowds cheering, and crying tears of joy. With her heart unlocked, Tifa knew there were so many words to tell Cloud, but focussed solely on the kiss that comforted her lips so tenderly. Angel escaped from Tifa's arm and came up to her shoulder, purring.
Eventually, the kiss ended as Cloud took Tifa's hand, walking her to the pool that had given Denzel a life. From it, Cloud scooped out some water and poured it down Tifa's throat, as Angel watched. Tifa passed the kitten to Cloud, as she too took some of the water and poured it down his mouth.
Looking behind, Cloud could see the ghosts of Zack and Aerith kissing at the altar, as Marlene stared at the buster sword. 'congratulations' Cloud thought he heard Aerith say, as he then returned his attention to Tifa whom he kissed once again.
Tifa took Angel back into her arms, as Cloud put his arm around his new wife's back, and swept her up. He walked through the pool, as the crowds watched on, and watched, the groom emerging from his brief swim, and still carrying his bride even out of the church. It was there that Aurum was, as Choco Bill followed them towards the golden chocobo, holding his reins.
"Here you are, lovebirds," Choco Bill said, "He's all yours, so you can ride him to your reception."
"Thank you, Choco Bill," Tifa said.
Aurum bent down as Cloud mounted him. Marlene and Denzel came out of the church, approaching their foster parents. Angel meowed, as Tifa tried to pass the kitten to Marlene, who couldn't quite reach her.
"Here you go, Marlene," Denzel said, lifting his sister. At this height, Marlene grabbed the kitten in her arms, as Cloud and Tifa waved her off, promising to meet at the reception.
The reception was held in Kalm, where the people of the wedding danced, drank, and ate cake, the flavour being white chocolate. The bride and groom were the stars of the show that night before it was stolen by Marlene and Denzel who danced opposite the newlyweds.
Cid sat beside Shera, stroking the nest in which their child incubated, as they looked on to the dancing couples.
"Our wedding was just as happy," Shera said, "I'm so glad that Cloud and Tifa have finally found happiness."
"Me too," Cid said, as he kissed Shera lovingly, "I love you, Shera,"
"I love you too, Cid," Shera said. Soon after relaxing, Shera felt something within her rupture and turned to Cid, excitedly, "Cid, I think it's coming. We're going to be parents!"
"Shera, wait right there!" Cid yelled, "I'll go tell the newlyweds." Cid got up and quickly ran to Cloud and Tifa's side.
"Cid, what's wrong?" Tifa asked.
"Cloud, Tifa," Cid addressed, "Thank you for the reception, but we really have to go. I'm going to be a father any hour now!"
"I understand," Cloud said, "Good luck, Cid!"
With that, Cid ran out of the bar with Shera, as Cloud and Tifa continued their dance. During their waltz, Cloud whispered the most loving words to Tifa, the only woman he'd ever opened his heart to, his wife, Tifa Strife. He'd whispered that for her, he would lay himself down and die, and how her face was the fairest the sun ever shone his rays upon, a statement he knew Zack would have disagreed with.
When the time came, Tifa turned around and threw the bouquet to all unmarried women. It was caught in the hands of Yuffie, who laughed and showed it to everyone. The reception soon ended, as Marlene and Denzel ate the last of the cake, and exited with Cloud and Tifa, and Angel too, who made their way to their honeymoon home in Costa Del Sol, via Aurum who carried their suitcases. There the children witnessed Tifa being carried over the threshold by Cloud, who took her into the bridal suite, where Marlene left the suitcases as they made their way to their bedroom.
That night, the children, who slept with Angel could hear giggling, but because they were so tired, they didn't ponder on what it was, assuming Cloud told Tifa a funny joke or tickled her. The children slept with contentment, knowing their guardians were happy. Their time at Costa Del Sol was fun that week, as Cloud and Tifa walked the shoreline, kissing, and Marlene and Denzel took turns patting Angel. At the shoreline, Cloud cradled Tifa in his arms and spun around, his kiss telling her how much he loved him. And he would love her forever, he told her.