Memories of Darkness
Prodigious Techie
Disclaimer: Okay everyone what's usually on a DISCLAIMER? I think you know by now.
It's almost end of summer by now and guess what, I opened a fanfic webpage where I will be storing my fanfics now. I'm going to have to hurry this story up for the next week and a half, that's three chapters (this, 10, and Epilogue). I already have a sequel planned for it but it's a crossover with Kingdom Hearts basically. The rest of this story is dedicated to my friends who actually bothered to review, also who it contains cough AshiraMitsune and DWLChica cough, and those who like AerisxSeph stories. Oh yeah that's another thing, this is no longer an OCxSeph story it's AERISEPH! Yaaay! Some of the wedding planning ideas are from Jennifer Lopez's movie The Wedding Planner (gosh I wanna rent that..) and also some of my own thoughts. Oh yes and I also want a Vera Wang dress for my own wedding.
Oh yes and as for some events that seem a little off if you've been reading, well excuse me, this is the first time I've actually attempted to bring some closure to a fic. Due to the changes in this fic and the fact that it's AU it's going to be quite difficult to have the ending that I originally planned.
Chapter 9: The Beginning of the End, and all that goes with it.
The wedding was to take place within two weeks. Know why? Sephiroth is a rich man (he and his father own a large-known company), but we know I'm not marrying him for THAT reason. He has a lot of friends and family that I never knew about till RECENTLY when he dropped the invitation list of HIS SIDE in front of my desk. Three pages worth of people on the list. Sephiroth was paying for our wedding. "Aeris, dear, aren't you going to invite more of your friends and family? I'm pretty sure you know people beyond Ashley and Rachel." I hesitated. "My...family?" I hadn't seen them for years, haven't contacted my parents since I moved to Midgar. Friends? I had very few that I stayed close to. But since I'd moved to Midgar, again, we all had gone our separate ways and I haven't contacted them, but I did have their phone numbers and addresses. I looked up at Sephiroth and smiled. "Of course I'm going to invite them, Sephy. It's just that my head hurts a little (which was a lie) and I'm supposed to meet with Ashley and Rachel to see the wedding planner. Aren't you going to call up Squall and Tidus and go shop for your tuxes? You're supposed to meet us for lunch later with our wedding planner." He believed me. I had to call everyone I knew though. That was going to be a strain since they'll be like OH MY GOSH WHY HAVEN'T YOU CONTACTED US SINCE YOU MOVED! HOW ARE YOU DOING AND WHAT'S GOING ON WITH YOUR LIFE NOW, blah blah blah.
Sephiroth left the room. I was about to as well, but I decided to scan his list for a while. "Cloud...Strife? I know him." They were friends? Cloud's one of my friends too. I doubt he'd remember me though. I looked at the clock. "11:45? I'm gonna be late!" I put down the list and rushed out of the house. Ashley, Rachel, and I were supposed to meet our wedding planner at the Four Seasons Hotel, where it will be taking place.
"A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Berry." I said to our hired wedding planner. "Oh please, call me Odette." the brunette-haired woman said. "Odette, then" I corrected. Ashley and Rachel introduced themselves beforehand because, well, they got to the garden earlier. "So Aerith, is it all right if I call you Aerith?" Odette asked. I nodded. She continued on, as we were taken upstairs into a large ballroom. The Four Seasons' Crown Room. "I'm visualizing that this is the area your wedding reception will be held." said the wedding planner. "And over here, if you three will follow me," she gestured to another area, facing a window as we all looked out. "is where the actual wedding ceremony will be held." We were looking at a clearly wedding-staged area with white iron-wrought seats and white satin brocade cushioning, a wide aisle, and a white arch at the very end, the outdoor Aphrodite Lawn. I thought it was too much, but considering my soon-to-be-husband's guest list, I stayed silent. Rach and Ashchan approved. "It's perfect!" they both squealed. "Not just yet," I said. "Let's see what Sephiroth thinks."
And thank God I said that because well, guess who showed up at that time? Sephiroth, Tidus, and Squall. I instantly saw the dislike in both Squall and Rachel's eyes (remember, they broke up some time ago). Sephiroth paced faster towards us and put an arm around me, kissing my hair. "Hello there, lovely." I blushed. "Hi Sephy. Darling, this is our wedding planner, Odette Berry." Sephiroth was smiling at me, distracted, and abruptly pulled his head away to meet our wedding planner. "Oh hey, pleasure to meet you. I'm Sephiroth Valentine." The two shook hands.
"Listen, whatever my Aerith wants, you just order it for us ok? No expenses spared, money is NO object." he insisted. Oh yes, he was definetely paying for this wedding, all right. I raised my eyebrows but quickly shut my eyes softly and latched onto his arm. "But honey, I wanted you to help with this, it's your wedding too after all." I cooed softly. Ashley stifled a giggle and Tidus used her as an elbow rest, smirking at the silliness of this. "Oh all right." Sephiroth gave in. "Men aren't really meant to plan weddings." Rachel mumbled. "I agree," admitted Odette, "Never send a man to do a woman's job." She clapped her hands twice. "All right, Mr. Valentine, I was thinking that this area would be where the ceremony would take place, and over there, as I've showed the girls," she pointed towards the not-so-far away large patio, "is where the reception would be held." She made motions with her hands to express her thoughts on the design. "I'm thinking light beige canopy, night, with gold ornamental stars. Lots and lots of flowers, lilacs, roses, table centerpieces of white camellia arrangements with one or two red roses standing out at the top." We looked at her and nodded, visualizing her thoughts. "It would be some sort of big outlined square, and the center of the patio would be the dance floor. Our group had begun walking back towards the patio as we followed Odette around the courtyard. She led us towards a different place, another side of the patio. "Photoshooting will be done in this area." "Oh how cuuuuuute, there's a little koi fish pond!" squealed Ashley who walked over to it for a bit. Well yes it was a built-in pond, with a stream leading to it and a little waterfall, as we were in a raised area. There was a bridge so you could cross over the stream. I had to agree it was cute. "I like it," I mentioned. "Great!" exclaimed Odette. "It's nice," Rachel nodded her seal of approval. "There's another area for photoshooting, if you want, we can use them all." offered our wedding planner. "Could you show us around some more?" asked Squall. "Of course, gladly!" Still, I couldn't help that he felt annoyed being in the presence of his ex-girlfriend. Rachel seemed a bit distraught, she wanted to get away from Squall as quick as possible.
Odette led us towards the real aspect of the garden, the three hundred red roses (they were famous for it). Of course there were other-colored roses elsewhere in the hotel but not so many as the red ones. There was a mini staged set, it was obvious it was for a wedding. "The three hundred red rose garden, highlight of this place, as well as their wine." Odette proudly stated. "Where do they sell the champagne, Ms. Berry?" all three men said. "Inside the building," pointed Odette, and the three headed inside while us women stayed to look around.
The group was just about to leave the hotel an hour later.
"Are you sure you don't want to join us for lunch, Odette? It's been long and you must be famished. My treat." I offered.
"Oh, no Aerith, I'm fine, I've got three more clients to work with pretty soon. I can always pick up something later."
"All right, if you insist, but you're coming to lunch with us next time, no excuses." I insisted.
"Then next time it is. Do take care, dear." Odette complied.
"We will, and we'll be in contact with you soon. Thanks for today." Rachel, Ashley, and I hugged Odette. She smiled, and we went our separate ways.
"'Ris, honey, where are we going?" asked Sephiroth.
"Nuh-uh honey, it's a surprise." I shushed him with my index finger on his lips. He smiled and kissed it.
"We're going to have lunch at the Four Seasons hotel. Already placed reservations for all of us and that's where you're spending your honeymoon. So there." Rachel inferred.
"Aww thanks Rachy," I said, giving one of my best friends a hug. "You're the best!" I squealed as well.
So we had lunch when we arrived at the Four Seasons. Tea and champagne, congratulations for the upcoming wedding. We ordered soup and salads for appetizers, along with some chips and spinach dip, then grilled chicken sandwiches, steak, portobello mushrooms, and slices of black forest cakes for each of us. Eventually Tidus asked to see the ring and Sephiroth paled.
"I--I never bought one for her...yet." he pulled at his collar, knowing that this was one of the deadly things you do NOT do during an engagement! I could tell Ashley, Rachel, and even Squall felt like slapping him. Truth is, I didn't really care if I had a ring or not. I didn't even notice I didn't have one. "That's all right, we can shop for one later and then we can all see it." I suggested. Sephiroth nodded his head and kissed my cheek, pulling me closer to him, whispering a "thank you," inaudible though to the rest of the group. I laughed. We ate our food when it arrived, and the dessert for later. We ordered extra drinks as well when our tea ran out, though the champagne kept on coming, this being the boys wanted to be drunk...Ashley just ordered a cosmopolitan, Rachel, a margarita with tequila, and a strawberry daiquiri for myself. "How can we let this keep going on? Obviously they're too drunk and stupid and...geez." Ashchan sighed. "Can we put them in a hotel room for the rest of the day till they sober up? Seriously, I think it's about time we went shopping for your bridal gown, Aerith." Rachel asked. "I think you both are right. Check please!" I called, and paid for our lunch. We each took our corresponding significant other...well...except for Rachel and Squall, she was unwilling to pull him up so she just walked ahead of us while Ashchan and I had to pile him with Sephiroth and Tidus. "Sorry girls you know I would but considering this complete jerk is my ex boyfriend and we're just gonna stuff them in a room, I don't think you'll have to wait too long."
"N-no problem Rachel, we can handle it. Damn...if Sephy, Squall, and Tidus didn't have so much muscle mass..." Ashchan and I grunted. Rachel placed in our information to the registrar and held our keys, leading us upstairs. We went via elevator, and the rooms were close once we got to the floor our rooms were in. Rachel unlocked one of the doors and Ashchan and I pushed the three in. "Um...there's two beds." I observed. "Yeah, so?" asked Rachel. "Nothing, nothing." I replied. Rachel's usually not one to be messed with, when it deals with boys. We lay Squall on the couch, while Sephiroth and Tidus took the beds. "Hmm...it's not too bad but..." Ashley pulled Squall over onto the same bed as Tidus. "Squall shouldn't really be uncomfortable...they're drunk, and half asleep." "All right." I raised an eyebrow, and Rachel, Ashley, and I left the room to go to ours next door, resting up for a bit before we headed out (the guys are still sleeping). There were three beds in our room.
"So you ready to shop?" asked the haughty Squall-hater after an hour or so. "Just about. Shouldn't we wake up the boys?" I asked, pointing to the wall that leads to the room next door. "We're not shopping for your ring, Aeris-dear, we're going to look at wedding dresses and our bridesmaids dresses." stated Ashley. "Groom's not allowed to see the bride's dress" smirked Rachel, balling a fist and resting her chin on it. "Oh all RIGHT then, let's just go," I said, exasperatedly. "Aer--Aerith wait!" they called, but I was already out the door, laughing.
We were walking around a mall, looking at all the shops. I guess Rachel, Ashley, and I were bored because we weren't specifically looking for any bridal store. We passed one and finally decided to walk in. Vera Wang. Yes we've seen her gowns before, but only on those celebrities. I knew the prices. I couldn't pay for it. "I couldn't pay for it," I accidentally whispered, voicing my thoughts.
"What was that, 'Rith?" asked Ashchan, not really paying attention to what I was saying.
"You know...it's good to look at, but well...I couldn't exactly picture myself in one of these gorgeous, custom-made wedding dresses." I whispered.
"Shut up," Ashchan laughed. "Sephiroth's paying for your wedding! Doesn't that make it all right?"
"Uh, I guess so..." I said. "I have his credit card too," I mumbled, inaudibly. No I'd rather not use it. I'd rather pay for my own wedding dress, honestly. We didn't spend too much time in the shop, but we left anyway.
Much later in the guys room:
"OH WHAT THE FUCK? I'M SLEEPING NEXT TO TIDUS/SQUALL!" yelled those two guys. Sephiroth threw a pillow at them telling them to shut up so he could sleep, but realizing that those two were in the same bed he laughed. "What the hell happened after lunch?"
"And so where have you been, lovely?" Sephiroth inquired as he wrapped his arms around me.
"Just out with the girls. You know we were looking at bridal dresses and I figured that--" I started, but Sephy interrupted me.
"Oh I forgot to tell you, I hired a designer for your gown, Vera Wang." he pointed out.
"Huh?"
"I...ah...have a few connections."
"Well is that so?" Ashchan came into the room, arms folded. "Theeeeeeeen I don't think it'll be a problem for you to choose your wedding dress now, right Aeris?" Rachel was with her.
"Exactly. Don't forget darling, no expenses spared. I want you to have the best of everything." Sephiroth held my shoulders and smiled, encouraging me to go through with this.
"Hey Sephiroth," Tidus leaned himself on the doorway, arm resting on it. "You still gotta buy her a ring, man."
"So I guess we're all going out right now? Come on, let's head out." Sephiroth pulled my waist to his and we all left the room to check out of our hotel, though keeping our reservations for the honeymoon in two weeks. We'll be using the full extent of the resort by then.
"He's right. Everything's gotta be settled in two weeks, why'd you plan your wedding to be so damn early?" Squall laughed, a rare trait.
"So nice to meet you, Mr. Valentine. And Ms. Gainsborough, welcome! Don't worry I'll take good care of you here." We met Vera Wang at her shop, the one Ashley, Rachel, and I were at earlier. "I understand you're having your wedding in two weeks?" the designer asked, having a secretary pour everyone a cup of coffee. "Yes, actually. Would that be a problem, Ms. Wang?" "Oh call me Vera, darling, no it won't be a problem." We all sat in plush leather seats, Vera gently placing a reassuring hand on my near-shaking one. "So, as Vera and I talked on the phone," Sephy said casually, "we agreed that due to tradition, I wouldn't be seeing your dress until the wedding day. However, I'm a bit jealous because Squall and Tidus here are allowed to oversee the progress." His tone was so formal. Vera nodded her head. "Though of course we haven't started on anything yet. We can start off with a visualization right now." she spoke. "Well, then I'll be off now. Squall, Tidus, take care of them. By the way, Vera, don't forget the other dress" he said with a nod. "Oh no, Seph, you're not leaving without us!" The two other men got up to leave. "Excuse us, Ms. Wang." Tidus said. "No problem at all."
The other girls knew what they were going to do, and chuckled softly. I didn't notice.
"So what did you have planned for your wedding?" asked the designer.
"I don't know...something big I suppose. I saw Sephiroth's invitation list and it's quite long. Then again I have to write mine out as well."
"Hm, you better do it soon" suggested Vera.
"Our wedding planner suggested a theme. Night-ish, I think. Gold stars and white flowers with red roses."
Vera started sketching out a few things, she was already ready with a pen and fresh sheet of white paper in hand. She kept asking me things I like, what I don't like, do I like big things or little things, do I like this color or that color, and pearls or diamonds?
We ended up with a design of a white strapless corset-style dress (as we all know, corsets are my favorite for EVERYTHING), with diamond-gold-and-pearl beadwork on the bodice--the bust and waistline, a dress that speads out, like most big dresses, white casa/bridal satin, with a few layers of tulle over it. On the tulle, she decided there would be the pearls sewn around the dress, the diamonds encased in their gold counterparts, a few lacey and teardrop designs, probably resembling small strands of flowers and leaves. I loved it. So we all agreed, that was to be the dress I'd be wearing in two weeks. However, I was worried, this was a big dress to make in such a small time. But Vera assured me she and her crew could handle it. I hope so. As for the headpiece, it was a diamond tiara. Sephiroth had brought it in probably when he made arrangements for Vera Wang to be my designer. The veil was going to be long, since my hair was long, and even if my hair were to be styled up, it would still be a long veil. We decided to sew pearls, diamonds, and white lace on it. To complement the two, my wedding bouquet was to be of red roses and a white camellia (flipped arrangement of the flowers that would be the decorations). Rachel and Ashley as my bridesmaids would have freesia, sweetpeas and white daisies with a single red rose in a freeform bouquet.
So we'd finished with Vera faster than we'd finished with Odette, and we were heading back to our respective houses. "I'll be in the shower, honey, care to join me?" Sephiroth asked with a wink. I smiled. "Not right now darling, I've got to start those invitations." "All right then, suit yourself. You don't know what you're missing." "I know I'll miss you." We parted with a laugh.
My invitation list...comprised of Ashley, Rachel, my parents...I called them up while I was writing this and they were arguing over why hadn't I called sooner or visited Home. I couldn't make up a good excuse but they said they'll attend the wedding. I still had yet to do the invitations! Loretta Davenport (my cousin), Pantao Lia, Kyrstin Lane, Angelica Degrassi, those four had been my close friends while growing up, along with Rachel and Ashley. I'd also invited other friends...it turns out my list was only 1/3 the length of Sephiroth's list. I reread his list, looking up for his parents. Vincent and Lucrecia Valentine...I wondered if they'd accept me.
Using MicrosoftWord, I used a little ability on it to copy invitations with individual names so all I had to do was plan with Sephy on how the invitation would look and print the invitations out with cream-colored paper we bought some time ago and go from there. Sephiroth got out of the shower about half an hour later, dried off and dressed. We came up with this for the invitation:
Two lives, two hearts
joined together in friendship
and united forever in love,
Aerith Gainsborough
and
Sephiroth Valentine
invite you to share
in a celebration of love
as we exchange our marriage vows
on Saturday, the sixteenth of September
two thousand and six
at eleven o'clock in the morning
held at the
Four Seasons Hotel
Luxury Resort and Gardens
We didn't know what else to say so we included the address to the Garden and added the RSVP number.
Next day:
We worked with Odette and went to a European bakery for the wedding cake. Everything looked so beautiful, we ordered out half the shop! A chocolate cake with chocolate mousse, chocolate ganache, and raspberry fillings, iced with marzipan and decorated with hand-rolled marzipan fruits and leaves. For the main cake, we went with a seven-tiered Parisian Charlotte cake, with edible pulled sugar wire, with an almond biscuit base, raspberry mousse surrounded by ladyfinger biscuits, and a topping of fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Another chocolate cake, this was chocolate ganache, three tiered, orange ganache filling, chocolate glaze and chocolate fondant leaves, wrapped in dark chocolate with an oak leaf design accented with gilded almonds. Last cake we ordered was a fondant cake, four tiered, and the fondant was thin. No wonder I was bad at baking...I could never roll out fondant right. That cake was a toasted walnut genoise with layers of cinnamon-cappuccino cream and dark-chocolate ganache, iced with rolled fondant and decorated with sugar tulips. We ordered truffle favors as well, to place on each table at the reception as well as fruit tarts, variations of desserts.
We announced our engagement, flew our parents down to Midgar where we lived so we would all meet (Sephy gets his good looks from his dad! Parents got along too), sent out invitations since the night before we had calligraphied every person's name and corresponding address till we collapsed! We bought wedding favors and thank you gifts as well, going up to the county clerk's office for a marriage license, ordered cream-colored tuxedos for Sephiroth, Squall, and Tidus. We discussed with our caterer as well, it was going to be a buffet reception. Works for us.
At dinner, we took out everyone that was involved in the wedding party. My parents, Sephiroth's parents, Tidus, Ashley, Rachel, Squall, pretty big table. "So Aeris, how long have you known Sephiroth?" Vincent asked. "About a year now, sir," I answered. "How did you meet?" my father, Jared Gast asked next. "Hm," I started, trying to remember. Ohh...that scene. "I broke my ankle and well Sephy helped me get home." I smiled at Sephiroth and he gave me a kiss on the cheek.
"So why two weeks?" asked my mom (Ifalna Gainsborough-Gast). "Well, ma'am, since we're living together it's appropriate, don't you think?" Sephiroth answered my mom. My parents completely adored Sephiroth and I hoped his parents liked me too. Tidus and Squall seemed to be pushing Sephiroth about something but I didn't know what. "Later, later." I heard him say to them. Wonder what that's about, I thought. Ashley and Rachel were talking about something else and basically all it was were questions directed to myself and Sephiroth by our parents.
Dessert was served after dinner, and well Sephiroth wouldn't let me order. I pouted slightly (I wanted a cherry cheesecake!) though when the waiter handed my plate to me (I was served last), instead of a cake that should've been there, there were THREE JEWELRY BOXES set atop each other like a pyramid. The first, the smallest box on top. I reached for it and Rachel discreetly held my arm back. Obviously everyone knew something was going on that I didn't know about. Sephiroth took that small box, smiling at me the whole while, and opened it with the inside of the box facing me. In it was a set 6 carat diamond ring on a platinum band. I gasped. By this point, the restaurant's lights were dimmed and there was a spotlight shone on us. Everyone in the restaurant was facing our table. Sephiroth took my hand and motioned for me to stand up. The two of us walked to the center of the room (there was a dance floor kind of thing there, and it was cleared). All eyes were on just the two of us.
"Aerith Gainsborough, I've known you for almost a year now. I've loved you since the first moment I laid eyes on you and when we first met I never wanted to let you go. We both know we've been through rough times, but our love has come over those obstacles and made everything better. I went shopping with the guys today while you were thinking about your wedding dress. I looked at the display of engagement rings. They asked me what was my price range. I said it didn't matter. I told them I just wanted a ring that would never make you leave me. They showed me a few and I found one that was perfect for you, so I bought it. So I'm going to ask you one more time. Aerith Gainsborough, will you marry me?" Sephiroth took the ring from the case and slipped it onto my finger. I didn't need to look at it twice. "Yes, I will!" I accepted. He took me into his arms and kissed me and the whole room applauded. We went back to our seats as the room went back to its normal lighting. "See Seph, we told you it wasn't a bad idea to go all-out on this." Squall smirked. "Hey, I'm not done yet!" Sephiroth laughed. He turned to me and told me to open the other two boxes. In the second small one, there was a gold 10-chained Draperie de decollete bracelet with diamonds set in random places in the rows. "I told them at the store that just a ring wasn't enough. You deserve the best of everything, Aeris. Now open that last one." It was a Draperie de decollete necklace, matching the bracelet. I wanted to cry, and say that I didn't need all this, but Sephiroth assured me that I should keep it. I thanked him and kissed him on the lips and well...I still didn't get any dessert!
But why is everything going so fast? How will I know that this isn't a dream and if it were, when will I pinch myself to wake up?
Aerith Gainsborough, flowergirl, never a bride...until now. Sephiroth Valentine, head of a company (ShinRa, who woulda thought?), an ex-General to SOLDIER, my future husband.
Special Information:
http/ second dress (the one suggested by Sephiroth)
http/ bridesmaids
I'll admit, while writing this chapter, I remembered about my copy of Modern Bride my mom bought some time ago for me (don't ask) and I flipped through it for ideas as well. That's how I got like a LOT of the ideas. :)
I also looked at BenBridge for the engagement ring.
My "four childhood friends'" last names are not real and are kept private for obvious reasons. No I don't know how Vera Wang acts with her customers, no I've never met her and I've never been in one of her shops, and yes my secondary job might be a wedding planner if fashion design doesn't work out. Yes there's really going to be a sequel to this (probably shorter), and this story is nearing its unexpected end as I'd like to be writing a lot more but there's one more chapter, and an epilogue after that.
Till next time,
Prodigious Techie.