Well, guys... here it is... the final missing chapter...
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XXXIV: Happily Ever After...
Wakka's fingertips traced the soft curves of Lulu's body. A thin sliver of morning sunlight fell through a crack in the door and onto her ivory skin. She snuggled close to his face; the brush of his beard tickled her neck. "We should get dressed, we're going to be late." Lulu said as she began to climb out of bed.
Wakka caught her hand before she could get very far, and pulled her back to him. He sat on the edge of his bed; his hands held her waist as she stood before him. His fingertips traced the slight bulge of her belly; he leaned forward and kissed it, his child growing inside of her. She ran her fingers through his hair as he caressed her stomach. Taking hold of her arms, he pulled her back into bed with him. "Wakka..." She objected halfheartedly, wishing they could lay in bed together all day, but knowing that wasn't an option.
Reluctantly, and after a few harmless kisses, she got up to dress. Lulu pulled a pastel blue sundress out of their closet and Wakka helped her tie the back. She turned in front of the mirror, noticing how snugly the material fit around her waist. "Soon, I won't be able to wear this anymore." She said with a heavy sigh as she examined her rounding stomach in the mirror.
"Hey, I think you're beautiful." Wakka said, wrapping his arms around her.
No one noticed anything yet, but soon she would begin to show. They would tell everyone about the baby once the wedding hysteria had settled down. Tidus and Yuna were getting married and they didn't want to steal their spotlight. However, they hoped to have their own wedding soon. It would be very simple... only friends... maybe on the beach under one of Besaid's legendary sunsets.
Two airships waited for them; everyone else had already boarded. They kissed and then boarded separate ships, the girls in one, and the guys in the other. The Al Bhed had begun mass production of airships now that they knew what made them fly. There were dozens of them flying around Spira.
~
~
~
Yuna looked out of the small window in her dressing room as the airship landed in Luca. There were masses of people gathered around the immense stadium. There wasn't enough room for everyone to fit inside so they poured out onto the docks and the streets, desperate to catch a glimpse of the bride and groom. Everyone cheered as they landed.
Yuna's door creaked open and Lulu stepped in. "Oh, Yuna! You look so beautiful." Lulu said as Yuna drew herself away from the window. Her tawny locks were pinned away from her face, and curled into ringlets that hung by her temples. The bright mid-day sun poured through the window behind her, her silhouette surrounded by a halo of sunlight... in her white satin gown, she looked like an angel.
"Lulu, you look very pretty too." Yuna said, noticing how different Lulu looked in her long scarlet gown. Her hair was taken out of her braids and hung loosely, long ebony waves reaching down past her waist. Yuna loved seeing Lulu in colors other than black. Being with Wakka made her so happy. She was the same Lulu… still reserved and calm… still got moody sometimes… but she was genuinely happy now.
Lulu blushed; she never took compliments very well. "Thanks... Are you ready? They're assembling the procession."
Wakka and Zalitz each gave Tidus a pat on the back as he smoothed the non-existent wrinkles out of his perfect tuxedo. "Hey, man. You look fine. Just get out there, ya?" Wakka said; noticing how tense Tidus was.
As Tidus climbed out of the airship, the crowd exploded in applause and cheers. Tidus climbed onto the first carriage pulled by four chocobos and waited for the procession to begin.
Next Zalitz and Rikku stepped out of the airships and onto their carriage. Zalitz smiled seeing Rikku in her long satin gown, dozens of thin spaghetti straps crossing the low-cut back. He held her hand as she climbed up.
Wakka and Lulu were signaled to board their carriage next. Lulu looped her arm through his, this man she could hardly believe was Wakka. He wore a black tuxedo with a red vest underneath. His normally unruly red hair was tied back into a sleek ponytail. She smiled, "You clean up nicely."
As the procession was being assembled, some children came up to the carriages. There were many guards standing nearby to make sure things didn't get out of hand. Tidus signed some autographs, and waved to some friends in the crowd. He noticed heads turning, and people began to cheer again. He turned to see Yuna stepping out of the girls' airship. She was much too far away to see, but he knew she looked beautiful.
Yuna waved to the crowd that surrounded the area. She stopped along the way to hug people she knew. A strange woman stood nearby, her young daughter shouted from her arms, "Mommy, she looks like a princess." Of course she was much too young to understand. It had been a thousand years since Spira had a king or queen. When Yevon was born, Spira did away with their monarchies. Children thought kings and queens only existed in fairytales. Yuna smiled, and kissed the small child on the forehead; the mother bowed her head.
Cid waited for Yuna by the carriage, he would give her away. He took her hand as she climbed inside. The procession began.
They rode around the stadium, waving to all the people who spilled out into the streets. The people cheered and threw red rose petals into the air as they passed. Yuna could see Tidus up ahead in the first carriage. He waved to all the people as he passed. He looked very handsome, even from far away, but she couldn't wait to see him up close... where she could look into his sapphire blue eyes, and see the sun glinting from platinum blonde hair... where she could hold his hands... and kiss his lips.
The procession made one lap around the stadium and then stopped to let them out where they would walk inside. Tidus was the first to walk down the long red velvet carpet into the stadium. They had built a special platform that rose into the center of the stadium floor. At the top, Father Zuke was waiting to marry them. Tidus walked up the staircase, and stood at the top, waiting for his bride to join him.
Zalitz and Rikku made their way through the archway next. They walked hand in hand as they climbed the long red staircase. The stands rose high above the platform, people at the top threw more red rose petals into the air. The petals fluttered down through the air like butterflies dancing on the wind. Zalitz stopped when it was time for them to take their separate sides of the platform; he bowed slightly and kissed Rikku's hand. She blushed, curtsying in response to his bow; she really did feel like a princess. She stood to the right side where Yuna would be soon.
Next, Wakka and Lulu made their way through the arches. Her arm was linked through his as they climbed the staircase together. An orchestra played grandly on the ground around the platform, filling the stadium with music. Wakka couldn't keep his eyes off of the beautiful woman at his side, the mother of his child. Her cascading black locks swayed in the gentle breeze.
Everyone had taken their places; the men standing beside Tidus in their black tuxedos, the ladies were on the right side in their red satin gowns. Father Zuke stood in the center and signaled the orchestra. Trumpets began to sound and everyone rose to their feet cheering as Yuna appeared in the archway.
Tidus watched his bride climb the staircase. He couldn't keep from smiling. She was absolutely stunning. A long satin train followed her dress; a chiffon veil covered her face. Tidus could see her smiling through the silky fabric. Cid kissed Yuna's cheek as he gave her away. Yuna looked into Tidus's eyes through the transparent veil, they were perfectly sapphire blue, just as she'd hoped they would be. His hair was radiant platinum blonde, glinting in the bright sunlight just as she knew it would. He took her hands in his.
The crowd quieted so the ceremony could begin. Tidus and Yuna stood facing each other, their hands grasping tenderly. She looked into his eyes as Father Zuke began the ceremony.
"We gather today to celebrate the love of Tidus and Yuna..."
Yuna heard Father Zuke speaking words of promises that would last forever. Tidus's love for her was powerful... it radiated from his smile; it seeped into her body through his touch. Those eyes... deep as the vast ocean... they captivated her. Much like they did every day, but considerably more right now. He smiled shyly as she gazed into his eyes. Yuna laughed inside her head, she thought it very charming. 'You've never been shy before.'
The ceremony was nearly over before she knew it. The words just fell into place without even thinking. Tidus was speaking his vows to her. "Yuna, I promise to love you forever, not only until the day we die, but always..." Yuna had a tear forming in the corner of her eye; she loved the sound of 'always.'
Yuna repeated their promise to him, and then a small boy came climbing the stairs with two golden bands on a small pillow. He was one of Rikku's nephews, his bright green eyes twinkled, and he smiled widely, missing a single tooth in the front. They each took a ring, and Yuna patted the little boy's head as he went to sit down next to his grandpa Cid. Tidus slid the wedding band onto Yuna's delicate finger as Father Zuke spoke. "Let these rings be a symbol of your bond of love..." Yuna then slipped Tidus's ring onto his finger.
"...Tidus, you may kiss your bride." The words he'd been waiting for since he saw her walk through the archway. He lifted the silky veil that covered her beautiful face. She was smiling. Their hands were still locked between them; he pulled her closer. He lowered his face to meet hers... she closed her eyes... their lips embraced each other, softly at first. Tidus remembered the first time he ever kissed her, underneath the twinkling moonlight in Lake Macalania... and it still felt the same way. Touching her, kissing her, it sent electricity through his body.
The crowd erupted in cheers. Thousands upon thousands of people filled the stands, and even more crowding the streets outside, watching the ceremony from the projection screens. The crowd threw more flower petals into the air in celebration.
Father Zuke calmed the crowd so they could begin the coronation. Their friends took the seats on the sides of the platform, and Tidus and Yuna kneeled before him. "Do you both promise to protect this land, to protect this people, to be fair and just, until the day you die."
"I promise." They spoke in chorus.
A man and a woman began to climb the long staircase; in the man's hands was a crown, made of red velvet and gold. In the woman's hands was a diamond tiara. Tidus and Yuna bowed their heads as the crowns were placed on them. "Please rise." Father Zuke said. "Ladies and Gentlemen of Spira..." He turned around to the crowd, "I give you your King and Queen."
Once again the crowd erupted in cheers. He turned around to look at all of them. It was too much to take in all at once, almost frightening. '...So many people.' He thought. 'More people than even at a blitzball game back in Zanarkand.' He felt Yuna beside him, her delicate palm slipped into his. Her touch was enough to soothe any fear in his heart. 'So, this is my story...' he thought as his eyes scanned the stadium. Yuna stood beside him. Her hand in his as he smiled down into her sweet eyes. 'My story with you...' he looked at his beautiful wife beside him, his queen. Her blue and green eyes sparkled with joy. "The beginning of forever..." He whispered as he took his bride in his arms, his strong hands enveloping her waist, her face rose to meet his. The crowd erupted into cheers as their lips meet in a tender kiss.
Yuna felt his kiss on her lips as the crowd roared around them. The moment was perfectly idyllic. She'd never felt so happy, so complete. She never really found out what brought Tidus back to her... what ripped him from the farplane over six months ago. Maybe it was all those piercing whistles into the quiet night air... or the tears she cried on her pillow at night... maybe her longing for him wished him into reality... A dream is a wish your heart makes. Yuna had her wish. Her dream was warm and safe in her arms right now... real as the summer sun above them... real as the rose petals that fell at their feet... real as the whispering breeze that beckoned from the ocean... dreams really do come true.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The~End~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Thank you so much for reading,
God bless you all...
Darcee Michelle :)
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XXXIV: Happily Ever After...
Wakka's fingertips traced the soft curves of Lulu's body. A thin sliver of morning sunlight fell through a crack in the door and onto her ivory skin. She snuggled close to his face; the brush of his beard tickled her neck. "We should get dressed, we're going to be late." Lulu said as she began to climb out of bed.
Wakka caught her hand before she could get very far, and pulled her back to him. He sat on the edge of his bed; his hands held her waist as she stood before him. His fingertips traced the slight bulge of her belly; he leaned forward and kissed it, his child growing inside of her. She ran her fingers through his hair as he caressed her stomach. Taking hold of her arms, he pulled her back into bed with him. "Wakka..." She objected halfheartedly, wishing they could lay in bed together all day, but knowing that wasn't an option.
Reluctantly, and after a few harmless kisses, she got up to dress. Lulu pulled a pastel blue sundress out of their closet and Wakka helped her tie the back. She turned in front of the mirror, noticing how snugly the material fit around her waist. "Soon, I won't be able to wear this anymore." She said with a heavy sigh as she examined her rounding stomach in the mirror.
"Hey, I think you're beautiful." Wakka said, wrapping his arms around her.
No one noticed anything yet, but soon she would begin to show. They would tell everyone about the baby once the wedding hysteria had settled down. Tidus and Yuna were getting married and they didn't want to steal their spotlight. However, they hoped to have their own wedding soon. It would be very simple... only friends... maybe on the beach under one of Besaid's legendary sunsets.
Two airships waited for them; everyone else had already boarded. They kissed and then boarded separate ships, the girls in one, and the guys in the other. The Al Bhed had begun mass production of airships now that they knew what made them fly. There were dozens of them flying around Spira.
~
~
~
Yuna looked out of the small window in her dressing room as the airship landed in Luca. There were masses of people gathered around the immense stadium. There wasn't enough room for everyone to fit inside so they poured out onto the docks and the streets, desperate to catch a glimpse of the bride and groom. Everyone cheered as they landed.
Yuna's door creaked open and Lulu stepped in. "Oh, Yuna! You look so beautiful." Lulu said as Yuna drew herself away from the window. Her tawny locks were pinned away from her face, and curled into ringlets that hung by her temples. The bright mid-day sun poured through the window behind her, her silhouette surrounded by a halo of sunlight... in her white satin gown, she looked like an angel.
"Lulu, you look very pretty too." Yuna said, noticing how different Lulu looked in her long scarlet gown. Her hair was taken out of her braids and hung loosely, long ebony waves reaching down past her waist. Yuna loved seeing Lulu in colors other than black. Being with Wakka made her so happy. She was the same Lulu… still reserved and calm… still got moody sometimes… but she was genuinely happy now.
Lulu blushed; she never took compliments very well. "Thanks... Are you ready? They're assembling the procession."
Wakka and Zalitz each gave Tidus a pat on the back as he smoothed the non-existent wrinkles out of his perfect tuxedo. "Hey, man. You look fine. Just get out there, ya?" Wakka said; noticing how tense Tidus was.
As Tidus climbed out of the airship, the crowd exploded in applause and cheers. Tidus climbed onto the first carriage pulled by four chocobos and waited for the procession to begin.
Next Zalitz and Rikku stepped out of the airships and onto their carriage. Zalitz smiled seeing Rikku in her long satin gown, dozens of thin spaghetti straps crossing the low-cut back. He held her hand as she climbed up.
Wakka and Lulu were signaled to board their carriage next. Lulu looped her arm through his, this man she could hardly believe was Wakka. He wore a black tuxedo with a red vest underneath. His normally unruly red hair was tied back into a sleek ponytail. She smiled, "You clean up nicely."
As the procession was being assembled, some children came up to the carriages. There were many guards standing nearby to make sure things didn't get out of hand. Tidus signed some autographs, and waved to some friends in the crowd. He noticed heads turning, and people began to cheer again. He turned to see Yuna stepping out of the girls' airship. She was much too far away to see, but he knew she looked beautiful.
Yuna waved to the crowd that surrounded the area. She stopped along the way to hug people she knew. A strange woman stood nearby, her young daughter shouted from her arms, "Mommy, she looks like a princess." Of course she was much too young to understand. It had been a thousand years since Spira had a king or queen. When Yevon was born, Spira did away with their monarchies. Children thought kings and queens only existed in fairytales. Yuna smiled, and kissed the small child on the forehead; the mother bowed her head.
Cid waited for Yuna by the carriage, he would give her away. He took her hand as she climbed inside. The procession began.
They rode around the stadium, waving to all the people who spilled out into the streets. The people cheered and threw red rose petals into the air as they passed. Yuna could see Tidus up ahead in the first carriage. He waved to all the people as he passed. He looked very handsome, even from far away, but she couldn't wait to see him up close... where she could look into his sapphire blue eyes, and see the sun glinting from platinum blonde hair... where she could hold his hands... and kiss his lips.
The procession made one lap around the stadium and then stopped to let them out where they would walk inside. Tidus was the first to walk down the long red velvet carpet into the stadium. They had built a special platform that rose into the center of the stadium floor. At the top, Father Zuke was waiting to marry them. Tidus walked up the staircase, and stood at the top, waiting for his bride to join him.
Zalitz and Rikku made their way through the archway next. They walked hand in hand as they climbed the long red staircase. The stands rose high above the platform, people at the top threw more red rose petals into the air. The petals fluttered down through the air like butterflies dancing on the wind. Zalitz stopped when it was time for them to take their separate sides of the platform; he bowed slightly and kissed Rikku's hand. She blushed, curtsying in response to his bow; she really did feel like a princess. She stood to the right side where Yuna would be soon.
Next, Wakka and Lulu made their way through the arches. Her arm was linked through his as they climbed the staircase together. An orchestra played grandly on the ground around the platform, filling the stadium with music. Wakka couldn't keep his eyes off of the beautiful woman at his side, the mother of his child. Her cascading black locks swayed in the gentle breeze.
Everyone had taken their places; the men standing beside Tidus in their black tuxedos, the ladies were on the right side in their red satin gowns. Father Zuke stood in the center and signaled the orchestra. Trumpets began to sound and everyone rose to their feet cheering as Yuna appeared in the archway.
Tidus watched his bride climb the staircase. He couldn't keep from smiling. She was absolutely stunning. A long satin train followed her dress; a chiffon veil covered her face. Tidus could see her smiling through the silky fabric. Cid kissed Yuna's cheek as he gave her away. Yuna looked into Tidus's eyes through the transparent veil, they were perfectly sapphire blue, just as she'd hoped they would be. His hair was radiant platinum blonde, glinting in the bright sunlight just as she knew it would. He took her hands in his.
The crowd quieted so the ceremony could begin. Tidus and Yuna stood facing each other, their hands grasping tenderly. She looked into his eyes as Father Zuke began the ceremony.
"We gather today to celebrate the love of Tidus and Yuna..."
Yuna heard Father Zuke speaking words of promises that would last forever. Tidus's love for her was powerful... it radiated from his smile; it seeped into her body through his touch. Those eyes... deep as the vast ocean... they captivated her. Much like they did every day, but considerably more right now. He smiled shyly as she gazed into his eyes. Yuna laughed inside her head, she thought it very charming. 'You've never been shy before.'
The ceremony was nearly over before she knew it. The words just fell into place without even thinking. Tidus was speaking his vows to her. "Yuna, I promise to love you forever, not only until the day we die, but always..." Yuna had a tear forming in the corner of her eye; she loved the sound of 'always.'
Yuna repeated their promise to him, and then a small boy came climbing the stairs with two golden bands on a small pillow. He was one of Rikku's nephews, his bright green eyes twinkled, and he smiled widely, missing a single tooth in the front. They each took a ring, and Yuna patted the little boy's head as he went to sit down next to his grandpa Cid. Tidus slid the wedding band onto Yuna's delicate finger as Father Zuke spoke. "Let these rings be a symbol of your bond of love..." Yuna then slipped Tidus's ring onto his finger.
"...Tidus, you may kiss your bride." The words he'd been waiting for since he saw her walk through the archway. He lifted the silky veil that covered her beautiful face. She was smiling. Their hands were still locked between them; he pulled her closer. He lowered his face to meet hers... she closed her eyes... their lips embraced each other, softly at first. Tidus remembered the first time he ever kissed her, underneath the twinkling moonlight in Lake Macalania... and it still felt the same way. Touching her, kissing her, it sent electricity through his body.
The crowd erupted in cheers. Thousands upon thousands of people filled the stands, and even more crowding the streets outside, watching the ceremony from the projection screens. The crowd threw more flower petals into the air in celebration.
Father Zuke calmed the crowd so they could begin the coronation. Their friends took the seats on the sides of the platform, and Tidus and Yuna kneeled before him. "Do you both promise to protect this land, to protect this people, to be fair and just, until the day you die."
"I promise." They spoke in chorus.
A man and a woman began to climb the long staircase; in the man's hands was a crown, made of red velvet and gold. In the woman's hands was a diamond tiara. Tidus and Yuna bowed their heads as the crowns were placed on them. "Please rise." Father Zuke said. "Ladies and Gentlemen of Spira..." He turned around to the crowd, "I give you your King and Queen."
Once again the crowd erupted in cheers. He turned around to look at all of them. It was too much to take in all at once, almost frightening. '...So many people.' He thought. 'More people than even at a blitzball game back in Zanarkand.' He felt Yuna beside him, her delicate palm slipped into his. Her touch was enough to soothe any fear in his heart. 'So, this is my story...' he thought as his eyes scanned the stadium. Yuna stood beside him. Her hand in his as he smiled down into her sweet eyes. 'My story with you...' he looked at his beautiful wife beside him, his queen. Her blue and green eyes sparkled with joy. "The beginning of forever..." He whispered as he took his bride in his arms, his strong hands enveloping her waist, her face rose to meet his. The crowd erupted into cheers as their lips meet in a tender kiss.
Yuna felt his kiss on her lips as the crowd roared around them. The moment was perfectly idyllic. She'd never felt so happy, so complete. She never really found out what brought Tidus back to her... what ripped him from the farplane over six months ago. Maybe it was all those piercing whistles into the quiet night air... or the tears she cried on her pillow at night... maybe her longing for him wished him into reality... A dream is a wish your heart makes. Yuna had her wish. Her dream was warm and safe in her arms right now... real as the summer sun above them... real as the rose petals that fell at their feet... real as the whispering breeze that beckoned from the ocean... dreams really do come true.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The~End~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you so much for reading,
God bless you all...
Darcee Michelle :)