Chapter 62: All I Ask Of You

No more talk of darkness

Forget these wild-eyed fears

I'm here

Nothing can harm you

My words will warm and calm you

Let me be your freedom

Let daylight dry your tears

I'm here with you, beside you

To guard you and to guide you

Say you'll love me every waking moment

Turn my head with talk of summertime

Say you'll need me with you now and always

Promise me that all you say is true

That's all I ask of you

All I Ask Of You – The Phantom of the Opera

In books and stories, things always turn out exactly as you want them. In real life, however, things happen that you have no control over. Things that you'd really rather didn't happen. One of these things happened after Aeris and Vincent had been staying in the cottage for a week.

Aeris had been in the town doing some food shopping. When she got back to the cottage, she found Vincent hanging up the telephone with a worried look. She frowned, putting the bags on the table.

"What's happened?"

"The display… some of the work has gotten mixed up and the people running the show don't know which piece of art is supposed to be where. They want me to go to Midgar for a couple of days and help them sort everything up."

"You're kidding?" Aeris said in disappointment. Then she sighed.

"Well, I'll come with you."

"No, Aeris, there's no need. I'd only be gone for two days. Besides, you're supposed to be relaxing and getting ready for recording."

"But-"

"I insist. You stay here, write some music and relax. I'll go to Midgar, sort it out and then come back." he said in a firm voice.

Aeris smiled.

"OK. But you'd better call me."

"Whenever I can." He promised, kissing her.

So, an hour later, Aeris waved goodbye to Vincent as he drove away. With a sigh, she turned back to the cottage. Sitting in the back garden with her guitar, she idly began to write down ideas for lyrics.

Thoughts wandered through her brain, as they do when you're not occupied. Thoughts for songs, thoughts of her friends, thoughts of what it would be like to live here with Vincent once they were married, what the wedding would be like…

Aeris couldn't help smiling as she glanced down at the engagement ring again. It shone brightly up at her, reassuringly. Aeris noted down a line on her note pad.

It is you I have loved all along

She spent the rest of the day in the garden, strumming at her guitar and soon had an outline for a new song. However, as it began to grow dark she went inside to fix herself something to eat. As she was stirring the sauce in the pan, the phone rang.

"Hello, Aeris speaking."

"It's me."

"Vincent! Is everything OK? Did they fix everything up?"

"Not quite. A group of my paintings have ended up in Junon and we've got people trying to track them down. I'm so sorry about having to leave you like this." He sounded guilty and Aeris smiled.

"Don't be silly, these things just happen. When can you get back?"

"The day after tomorrow, assuming we get these paintings back by tomorrow. Are you sure you're OK?"

"I'm fine. Just making dinner and I've been writing some new songs."

"OK. Well, I've got to go. I love you."

"I love you. I'll see you soon." Aeris said, a grin spreading across her face as she hung up.

Aeris walked to the pub down the road after she had eaten. She and Vincent went every night after dinner, and had made a few friends. So she didn't see the harm in going for a little while. The bartender, Tom, smiled at her.

"What'll it be?"

"Just a coke, thanks."

"Your boyfriend not joining us?"

"No, he's had to go back to Midgar for a couple of days." Aeris replied, handing him some money for the drink. Tom pulled a face.

"That sucks."

"Yeah. But I'm sure we can manage three days apart." Aeris laughed. She sipped the drink and looked around. The bar was relatively empty that night. It usually got busy at about ten and it was only nine now.

Tom whistled cheerfully as he wiped a glass and placed it on a shelf. Then he paused and turned up the volume on the television. Aeris glanced up and smiled. Elena and Reno waved to the cameras, hand-in-hand.

"It emerged this morning that Reno and Elena of the Turks have started a relationship. And according to fellow band members, Tseng and Rude, it's about time!"

The camera closed in on Reno and Elena. El was laughing and said,

"It's all Aeris' Gainsborough's fault! We didn't even think about going out until she stirred everything up!"

"Yeah, we're totally blaming her for this one." Reno winked.

The image changed to a picture of Aeris and the Turks in a recording studio, a clip from the documentary. Aeris and Reno were messing around with the mixing board, and grinning at the camera.

"Aeris is currently unavailable to comment on her matchmaking achievements, but will attending the premiere of 'Secret Life' at the end of August with the Turks and her new fiancé Vincent Valentine."

A picture of Aeris and Vincent walking through Midgar Park came up. Aeris didn't remember it being taken but then, she rarely noticed the press. They were very good at staying hidden.

"Oh my god…" Tom said, staring at her. She smiled and asked in a very casual voice.

"Something wrong, Tom?"

"Are you…? Are you Aeris Gainsborough?"

"Yup. Can I get some peanuts?" she asked, pointing to a packet of nuts. Tom laughed.

"What on earth are you doing in Fort Condor of all places? I thought you looked familiar but… wow…" he handed her the nuts and she smiled.

"Vincent and I wanted to get away from Midgar for a while."

"OK, that's it. You're going on the wall." Tom said. Aeris eyed him warily.

"I'm going where?"

"When anyone interesting comes in, we get a picture and they go on the wall." He pointed to the wall behind the bar. It was covered with pictures. Aeris smiled.

"I get to go on the wall? Really?"

"Sure. But first of all, you've gotta meet the boss."

He went into the office and spoke to someone. A tall man with red hair came out and smiled when he saw her.

"My god! Aeris Gainsborough… it's an honour. Love the song."

"Thanks…?"

"John Williams. Owner and manager."

"What do you reckon, John? One for the wall?" Tom asked. Jon nodded.

"Absolutely. Get the camera."

Within five minutes Tom had sent one of the workers running out to the camera shop to the print developed and framed. Aeris smiled as John returned from the office, carrying a copy of I'll Be There For You.

"I don't suppose you'd sign this? We could use it as a prize in the next pub quiz, and we'd definitely get a lot of people coming in if they knew we had this to offer!"

"Of course I will." Aeris said, signing the box. It was starting to get busy and Tom went back to work. John sat down with a drink, talking to Aeris.

"I thought you lived in Midgar?"

"I do. My fiancé and I own a cottage here and we wanted to get away for a while. But he's had to go back to Midgar on business."

"That's a pity… still, you're welcome here whenever. It's pretty exciting. We don't often get a celebrity around here!"

Aeris grinned at being called a celebrity. It felt so ridiculous to be called that, but she didn't mention the fact.

"Oh, I love it here. It's such a lovely town. I'm originally from Kalm, so I'm used to small towns. It's nice to be in one again."

"Bet it's a big change from Midgar." Tom said, refilling her drink. She nodded.

"Oh yeah. But I've got a nice group of friends in Midgar. They're in Wutai at the moment. And, of course, there are the Turks. They're great."

"What are they like in person?" Tom asked. Aeris laughed.

"Loud! Kidding, they're lovely. They argue all the time, but they never mean it."

Someone tapped her shoulder and she turned around. A group of girls her own age were looking excited.

"Oh my god, it's really you! Can I have your autograph?" one squealed. Aeris smiled.

"Sure, why not?"

After signing a lot of books, t-shirts, CD's and photographs, it had gotten quite late. Aeris got to her feet.

"I'd better be heading back. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Sure! Thanks again, Aeris." John said. Aeris waved goodbye to some girls and stepped out into the cold night air.

She walked along the main street of the town, wrapping her coat around her. It was definitely a lot colder there than it was in Midgar. Aeris shivered and started towards the street that led to the cottage. But as she did so she stopped. Someone had just crossed the road at the other end of the main street. It looked a lot like… Tifa?

Aeris hurried down the street but when she turned the corner there was no one in sight.

"This confirms it. You're going crazy." She told herself sternly, making her way back to the cottage.

She was woken by the telephone the next morning. She picked it up, still wiping the sleep from her eyes.

"Hello?"

"It's me."

"Vincent… its 6:30 in morning…"

"I know. I've got a big problem." He sounded worried. Aeris began to pay attention.

"What's happened?"

"You know the church where we wanted to get married?"

"Yeah…"

"Well, I was supposed to be meeting with the priest tomorrow afternoon, at 3. But I won't be able to get back until Friday. The priest is an old friend and he really wanted to meet you. So would you-"

"Go and see him tomorrow? No problem. But you couldn't have called me at a reasonable time?" Aeris laughed. Vincent laughed, albeit rather apologetically.

"I just woke up and remembered."

"Did they find the paintings?" Aeris said, moving to put the kettle on.

"Some of them. The rest are being sent tomorrow. I wish I could come back sooner."

"Don't worry about it." Aeris assured him and then told him what had happened the previous night. He laughed at her and then she said,

"And then, as I was walking home, I thought I saw Tifa."

"Tifa's in Wutai."

"I know, I know… just insanity settling in."

"The fame has gone to your head." He teased gently. She laughed and said,

"That must be it. Anyway, I'll see you on Friday."

"OK. Love you."

"Love you more." Aeris laughed and then she remembered, "Oh, Vincent, can you remember where I put my blue dress? The dark blue one. I thought I packed it but I can't find it."

"No, I don't know."

"Ok, never mind. See you soon."

Aeris made herself coffee and toast before going to run a bath. After a relaxing half hour she dressed and went into the garden to write some more songs.

The next day, at 2:45 Aeris set off for the church. She knew where it was, Vincent had shown her. The priest lived next door, in a small bungalow. Aeris knocked on the door, feeling a little nervous. She wished Vincent was with her.

The door opened and a man in his late fifties looked out. He saw her and smiled.

"Aeris Gainsborough? Vincent Valentine's fiancée?"

"Yes. I'm sorry, Vincent isn't here. He got called away."

"No, no, it's quite alright. Come in! I've been wanting to meet you!"

He sat her down with tea and biscuits and sat opposite her.

"I've known Vincent for some time. I married his parents, you know."

"I didn't know! Did you really?" Aeris smiled. The priest, Father Colin, nodded.

"Oh yes, Lucrecia and Richard. Lovely people, they really were. And when Vincent told me that he wanted to get married at the same church… well, I was so happy."

"It's a lovely church. I'm looking forward to getting married." Aeris smiled. Father Colin asked,

"Have you talked about a date?"

"No… we planned for a long term engagement, but to be honest we really haven't discussed it." Aeris told him.

They chatted for some time. When the clock struck four, Father Colin said with a smile,

"Would you like to see inside the church?"

"Can I?"

"I wouldn't have offered if you couldn't." The priest laughed, getting to his feet.

The two of them left the bungalow and walked to the pretty church. Father Colin smiled back at her and then pushed the doors open.

(A/N: OK, another chapter out. I know I said this last tie, but I really do promise that something interesting will happen next time! Lol, doubt you believe my by this time but there you go. Anyway, please review.)