After meeting up with two friends that I haven't seen in 10 years over the weekend, finding out my boyfriend will be gone 2-3 weeks more than expected (he was supposed to return home a week from today but he and his family have more work to do on their summer house they just had built), I'm feeling rather inspired to write the next part. Yay:) I know how painful of a wait it has been, not knowing what I'm plotting to do with our favorite Al Bhed couple next ; but rest assured, you won't be disappointed! Also, there will be two factors in here for you to consider:

-Gippal, Rikku, and Cid will be out of character a bit at some point in here

-They celebrate Christmas and Valentine's Day. Sorry to any of you who don't, but I'm going by what I celebrate :)

Once again, thanks for all the reviews and positive feedback : If you wanna know a bit about me, I have my bio page updated...It's long and probably boring, if not a bit disorganized, but will help you get to know me better if you read :

Alright, alright, I've gabbed enough xD Here ya go!

Part X: Reception

Ages: Rikku- 17, Gippal- 18, Yuna-19, Paine-18

The waves crashed against the shore peacefully, the sun setting in the distance. It had been a beautiful wedding, one that would surely be remembered in history for many generations to come. Rikku sighed as she watched the two couples from afar, both brides glowing with happiness.

"Whatcha thinkin' about, Princess?" He murmured, brushing his lips gently against her ear. She shivered lightly, however she was far from cold.

"Ah, nothing really...Just how much they deserve each other, you know?" She locked her fingers with his, he kissed her neck and watched with her. Yuna and Paine, both in dresses of the purest white, smiled gently up at their husbands as they danced, oblivious to everything but each other. It was a truly perfect setting for such a great day.

"Just think...Someday, that'll be you 'n me, holding each other as we dance our first dance as a couple." Rikku nodded in agreement, fingering the engagement ring on her finger with a small smile. They'd decided to have their wedding separate, though they'd been invited to have a triple wedding, for the simple reason that there was a bit more to their union than just a wedding ceremony.

"And then...we'll be side by side as we're crowned the rulers of the Al Bhed," Rikku replied, facing him with a gentle smile. They kissed just as the sun set completely, the first stars of the night beginning to appear, and a single pyrefly watched...From a distance, as usual.

Part XI: News

Ages: Rikku-18, Gippal-19, Yuna-20, Tidus-21

"Rikku! Are you alright?" Rikku wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, only to use the same hand to, once again, grip the edge of the toilet as she vomited. Gippal crouched on the floor next to her, having been woken up to the sound of her current actions. He gently stroked her back with one hand, holding her hair back from her face with the other, his face tired and worried. She dry heaved a couple of times before sitting up, wiping her mouth with a wet cloth she had put on the floor next to her.

"Yeah I'm fine, just...Feeling a bit woozy is all," she replied with a small laugh. In actuality, she'd been feeling this way for about two weeks now. Her stomach would suddenly turn on her at the most inconvenient times, though this was the first time she actually vomited. Gippal pressed his hand to her forehead gently, raising a brow when he detected no hint of a fever. Thinking back to the first aid class he'd been told to take during the Crimson Squad days (the healers wanted them to learn in case they ran out of potions), he tried to remember something that might be of help. That was when he realized that the entire class, he'd done nothing but doodle small pictures of himself and Rikku when they were kids, going on their adventures. He mentally slapped his forehead and gently told her to stay where she was so he could find the healer. Rikku nodded and sat on the cool tiled floor, smiling gently to herself.

'I'll just wait to see his reaction when the healer tells him,' she thought.

Gippal ran through the living quarters in the Djose Temple, looking for the healer's room. Rikku had come to the Machine Faction to stay with him for a few days, though after a while, it was apparent that she had no intentions of leaving anytime soon, so Gippal had bought a bigger bed. Arrangements were made on the workforce as well, so that Rikku was in charge of the airships that flew supplies and completed machina to the currently under-construction Home. After all, the best way to win over Cid's heart was to be sure that he could see his daughter at least sometimes. Snapping out of his thoughts, Gippal knocked on the healer's door and wasn't surprised when she answered the door in her robe, her hair a mess.

"So Lady Rikku...how long have you been feeling nauseous?" Rikku sat on the king-size bed with Gippal at her side, an arm around her waist. The healer sat across from them on a sofa, note tablet in hand.

"About a two weeks now, but this is the first time I've actually vomited from it." The healer nodded and wrote something down. Gippal's eyebrows were clenched in nervousness and Rikku could only hold back a smile. She'd been to see Lulu in Besaid the week before when it started, figuring that it was a good idea since she was in the neighborhood dropping off her wedding present for Yuna and Tidus. Lulu had told her with a smile that she was with child and though Rikku was thrilled, she made Lulu promise to keep it silent from everyone. She was the kind of girl who could appreciate the shock-and-awe effect.

"I see. Have you been having dizzy spells? Unusual fatigue? Cravings of any sort?" Gippal looked at the healer with a raised eyebrow and went to speak but Rikku spoke before he could.

"Slight dizziness, more tired than usual, and I've been craving cheesecake a LOT!" Gippal chuckled in affirmation, as he'd been the one to run out at three in the morning for cheesecake all this week. The healer continued to write notes.

"Last menstrual period?" Rikku couldn't help but smirk, even if it was just the corner of her mouth tilting ever-so-slightly.

"June 16th." She looked at Gippal out of the corner of her eye as he worked it out in his head. It was currently July 29th...His eye widened as he realized just how overdue she was...and what this could mean. The healer nodded as she wrote this final note down, smiling up at the couple.

"Well in that case...Sir Gippal and Lady Rikku...congratulations. You're going to be parents."

Gippal fainted.

"Pregnant?! Rikku, that's great!" Yuna squealed in delight through the commsphere, dancing with an oblivious Tidus who'd just walked into the tent. He stood there dazed for a second.

"Who's pregnant?" He asked, tilting his head to the side, earning a laugh from Rikku. Some things would never change.

"Hey Gippal's Girl! Ready to go out shoppin' for kid stuff?" Gippal asked, walking into his office where Rikku sat. Tidus looked at the commsphere and blinked.

"...Rikku is the one who's pregnant?!" he exclaimed, his eyes bugging out of their sockets. He looked to Yuna who simply nodded, a simply overjoyed smile on her face. Gippal put a hand on Rikku's shoulder and she smiled up at him.

Tidus fainted, a lone pyrefly watching the whole exchange from outside Rikku and Gippal's window.

Part XII: Rushes

Ages: Same

Rikku looked through the flower selections, humming to herself. Once Cid had found out that Rikku was pregnant with Gippal's child, he'd demanded that they come to Home as soon as possible and quickly work out wedding and coronation ceremonial preparations before Rikku started to show too much. He'd known about the engagement before it'd even happened, having been the one to give Gippal the courage to propose and all.

"Have sex with her one more time without a ring bein 'on her finger 'n I'll make sure yeh can't have no kids." That, in Gippal's eyes, was enough motivation for any guy.

"Alright, Rikku! I picked up your robes from the store, let's try them on you!" Yuna called, two large bundles of cloth in her arms. Rikku jumped out of her seat with joy, clapping her hands and jumping around. Gippal entered the tent behind Yuna, who was currently in the process of hiding the ceremonial robes from Gippal in a flustered mess, and ran over to Rikku's side.

"Rikku, you heard the healer! No strenuous physical activity 'cause you could hurt the baby...or yourself," Gippal said, holding her close to himself. Rikku smiled and kissed him gently.

"I know, I know, I've heard it a bazillion million times! Don't worry so much," she replied softly, tracing his jawline with her fingertips. He smiled and kissed her fingertips before walking back out of the tent, the flap falling back into place behind him. Yuna grinned, holding out the wedding dress.

"You two are just so perfect for each other," she exclaimed. Rikku could only smile.

"You have no idea."

This was it, the day they'd all been waiting for. A tall, rose and ivy-covered arch stood just in front of the oasis, millions of people seated in folding chairs on either side of the red carpet that had been rolled out. Cid stood behind the arch, scroll in his hands. He wore red and gold robes, his face a solemn mask of seriousness. Gippal stood on the left side of the carpet in his formal Al Bhed marriage robes, the white cotton a stark contrast to his tanned skin. Though he'd been dreaming about the day he and Rikku would get married since he was a kid, dreams were, by far, different from the real thing. He looked out at all the people, a small smile on his face. Here, in front of the oasis where he'd saved Rikku that one day when they were children, in front of all these people...Rikku and himself were going to confess their love for each other. It was, quite simply, a dream come true. He smiled even wider when he spotted the familiar pyrefly off in the distance, hiding amongst the palm trees.

Looked like Queen Yhkam would get to see her little princess married off, after all.

"Rikku, are you ready?! It's go time, ya?!" Wakka called from outside the tent. Rikku sighed and turned to smile at Lulu, who simply nudged her out of the tent with an encouraging smile. Rikku looped her arm through Wakka's, who would be taking Cid's place as the bride's escort to the altar. Just in front of them were Yuna and Paine, Rikku's bridesmaids, Paine being slightly...well, rounder, as she carried the child of herself and Baralai.

'Paine makes a cute pregnant lady...But I shouldn't say that out loud, she'll kill me,' Rikku thought, giggling quietly. Just then, they reached the red carpet, and the wedding march, played courtousey of Tobli and the Wandering Musicians (A.N. not sure what their real names are, sorry!) began to play, announcing the bride's arrival. Gippal looked up and gasped.

"I must be looking at an angel," he whispered to himself. She wore her white mage outfit, which actually turned out to be, much to Gippal's surprise, Al Bhed formal wedding robes. However, they were slightly altered so that her stomach would have a bit more room, and the bottom was flared to look more like a dress. She had the glow of a bride about her, as well as the glow of a mother. She looked absolutely stunning, and Gippal wasn't about to deny it. He took her hand once shook out of his trance and smiled at her lovingly, earning a similar smile in return. He didn't hear a thing until Cid announced that they would begin their vows.

"Do you, Gippal, leader of the Machine Faction, take Rikku, Princess of the Al Bhed, to be your wife, through sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, 'till death do you part?" Gippal smiled and murmured an "I do." Cid went through the same vow with Rikku, earning an "I Do" from her as well. Vidina came stumbling up the carpet, a pillow in his pudgy little hands with the rings on the pillow.

"With this ring, I thee wed..." Gippal hardly heard a word he was saying, simply moved his mouth in repetition to what Cid told him to recite, placing the white gold band around Rikku's slender finger. It came time for her, and she did the same, looking Gippal in the eye. They shared a loving, happy smile and Cid looked down at them in happiness.

"I, Cid, King of the Al Bhed and ultimate ruler over our people, now pronounce you man and wife..." he smiled kindly at the couple, a tear forming in his eye.

'She looks just like you did, that beautiful day, my precious Yhkam...' "...You may kiss the bride." Gippal hardly waited for those words to leave his mouth before he ever so gently tilted Rikku's face to his, their lips meeting for the first time under their titles. Flower petals rained down on the couple as they walked down the carpet, smiling at every face they passed.

Life for the couple was perfect.

"We would be happy if you'd join us in the Throne Room for the coronation ceremony, starting in two hours!" Cid called, earning cheers from the crowd. Everyone got up and headed into the building that Gippal and Rikku had hurried off to in order to change into their coronation robes, chattering about how perfect the wedding ceremony had been and how great of leaders Gippal and Rikku would be. Cid heard the talk and smiled.

"They'll make us proud, Yhkam."

The pyrefly landed softly on his head and he stroked it lovingly with a finger before heading off to the hall. He smiled. It was time to crown his princess as queen.

Rikku grinned as she examined herself in the mirror. Her coronation robes followed the same style as her wedding robes, only they were hunter green in color with gold stitching. She placed a hand on her abdomen, absentmindedly wondering if it was a boy or a girl, but then shook her head, thinking that it didn't matter.

"Well, it's time to get out there," she said, doing a final check-over. She walked out the door of the changing room, meeting Gippal in front of the main entrance. He kissed her passionately, then smiled gently as he took her arm in his and opened the doors. The same crowd of people as before sat in the audience, eager to watch the newlyweds become king and queen. Rikku could feel her stomach turning on her already but Gippal's presence helped her to remained strong. She couldn't wait to get this over with so she could sit by the toilet's side for a while afterward. Before she knew it, she and Gippal were sitting in their respective throne chairs, capes having been draped around them. Gippal gave her a reassuring smile.

"People of Spira, we welcome you to the coronation ceremony of the Al Bhed's soon-to-be king and queen!" The audience cheered. "Unfortunately, as you know...Queen Yhkam couldn't be here to witness this event with us. She's always with us in spirit, ya know, so let's give her a warm welcome!" The audience cheered even louder, tears brimming in some of their eyes at the memory of their queen. They pyrefly flew around the room, though no one noticed. Rikku had noticed though, and she smiled.

'Thank you, mother, for showing up,' she thought, looking up when she realized Cid had the crowns in hand. Gippal knelt on the floor, bringing his right hand to his heart in a fist.

"In the name of Spira, I, Gippal, solemnly swear to fulfill my duties as the King of the Al Bhed, to protect our people in times of struggle, to forgive those who committed us transgressions in the past, and to help our people to move forward." The crowd cheered as Cid placed the crown on his head, telling Gippal to stand. He hugged Gippal before grabbing the second crown.

"Rikku, Princess of the Al Bhed, please kneel before your former King." Rikku stood up, walked over to Cid, and knelt on the floor in front of him as Gippal had done only seconds before. "Announce to the people of Spira your loyalty to the Al Bhed people and speak your intentions." Rikku spoke loud enough so that everyone could hear, despite the fact that her stomach threatened to empty any second now.

"In the name of Spira, I, Rikku, solemnly swear to stand by my husband's side, never faltering in my stance to aid him in protection of the Al Bhed people. Together we will help the people remain united, ensuring that we continue to live a prosperous and safe life." The crowd cheered once again as Cid placed the silver crown on her head. She stood and he hugged her tightly, kissing her cheek and whispering, "Your mother would be proud of ya, kid." She smiled at him before standing next to Gippal, facing the audience.

"I, Cid, former King of the Al Bhed, hereby announce Rikku and Gippal your new King and Queen of the Al Bhed!" The crowd roared but Rikku barely heard them, as she bade her stomach to last just a couple more minutes. Cid noticed and announced that the crowd could move on to the dining hall where food and entertainment would be provided in celebration of the ceremony. Gippal picked Rikku up and ran to the oasis where she was finally able to relieve herself.

"Well, Gippal's Girl, think of it this way. This'll be your first vomiting session as queen." Gippal could only laugh when she punched his shoulder in response after rinsing her face with the clear waters of the oasis. She then rinsed her mouth with the same water, turning to face him once she'd finished. However before she could speak, Gippal kissed her passionately. She pulled away.

"I just got done puking and you're gonna kiss me?" He smiled and shrugged, leaning down to kiss her again.

"When you're in love, puke breath doesn't matter as much, you know?"

Rikku couldn't argue with that.

Part XIII: Christmas

Ages: Same

It was Christmas morning and though she was nine months along now, Rikku still couldn't help but dance around, even if it did resemble that of a penguin's wobbling. She giggled with excitement, walking over to Gippal's side of the bed where he slept. She giggled louder before placing her face next to his.

"IT'S CHRISTMAS, WAKE UP!!!" Gippal winced and placed a pillow over his head, looking at a clock.

"Rikku, come on...it's five in the morning...I'm tirrdddddddddddd.." he fell back to sleep, snoring once again. Rikku pouted but then quickly smiled again.

"I'll just make him some breakfast...He always likes it when I do that."

Rikku, Tidus, Gippal, Yuna, and Brother all sat around the tree, everyone but Rikku, Brother, and Cid half asleep. Yuna had her head resting on Tidus' chest, her eyes half closed, yawning every now and then, Tidus in similar shape. Gippal was currently on the floor, snoring quite loudly. Brother winced and looked at Rikku.

"Oilg, yht oui cmaab haqd du res? Ruf tu oui cmaab yd hekrd? E cruimt bihecr res vun rindehk dra pypo!!" He exclaimed. Rikku pushed on his head, forcing him to sit back down.

"E cmaab zicd veha! Gippal syo chuna, pid dryd tuach'd rind dra pypo yd ymm, cu ed'c ymnekrd, Brother! Kaawa, tuh'd rind res ujan y ped uv chunehk, oayr?" Brother mumbled something incoherent before waiting.

"Alright, let's open some presents!" Cid exclaimed as loud as humanly possible, handing out boxes. Gippal woke with a start, looking around in confusion.

"Here ya go, Gippal!" Rikku exclaimed, handing him a box that clearly had been wrapped by her, as it was done in a sort of messy way. He smiled, kissed her cheek, and began to open it. Maybe Christmas by Rikku's side was one of the best things to happen, after all.

"Uh, guys?" Everyone looked up at Rikku who's pajama pants had a big wet patch on them. She grinned sheepishly.

"I think now may be a good time to call the healer, 'cause...umm...My water broke."

Gippal fainted.

Part XIV: Valentine

Ages: Same, except Gippal- 20

Gippal smiled as he gently rinsed the suds from Pnyjano's hair, grabbing a towel to wrap around him. Rikku walked into the bathroom, Rubah in her arms. She handed Gippal a blue blanket and blue pajamas before wrapping Rubah in a pink blanket, kissing Gippal gently on the forehead. Rubah and Pnyjano had been their Christmas presents to each other and as far as they were concerned, you couldn't have gotten better presents anywhere.

"I'll just go and get ready, 'kay? Their bags are on the table." She kissed Gippal once more on the lips, smiling as she walked out of the bathroom and placed Rubah on the bed. Gippal had promised to take her out for Valentine's Day, just the two of of them for the night. As much as she loved Rubah and Pnyjano, it was always nice to have time for just the two of them, especially because of how much Yuna loved to babysit them. She thought back to the conversation they'd had on the commsphere.

Flashback

"Yunie! Would you want to watch Rubah and Pnyjano? Gippal's wanting to take me out for Valentine's Day." Yuna's eyes lit up instantly.

"Sure, Rikku! Just know that if there's ever a time when you and Gippal want to be alone, Tidus and I will be glad to watch them," she replied, a smile on her face. Rikku giggled.

"Alright, but don't tell Gippal that...You know he'll take advantage." They both laughed at that.

"Wow, Rikku...Queen of the Al Bhed...Married...Twins...Ever see yourself here back when we were fighting Sin?" Yuna asked after they'd stopped laughing. Rikku let a small smile grace her lips.

"To be honest, no. I didn't even know if we'd survive the whole ordeal. I remember thinking that someday, if I were to survive, anyway...Someday I was gonna work as a mechanic for machina...You know, contributing to Spira in more than one way. And as you know...I did just that for a while before I ended up...well, you know." Rikku grinned sheepishly and Yuna laughed.

End Flashback

'I've come so much farther than I ever imagined...I'm queen, I have the cutest kids in the world.." she paused long enough to tickle Ruba's sides gently, earning a giggle. "...and I'm married to the love of my life." She smiled, walking over to her closet.

The red dress sounded proper for tonight.

"Rikku, ready to go?" Gippal called, attempting to open the door. He frowned when he realized it was locked, meaning she wasn't, but he didn't mind. She always did impress him, no matter how long she took.

"I'm ready!" She exclaimed, and Gippal turned to look at her. His eyes widened. She wore a simple knee-length red dress, rhinestones around the hem. It was spaghetti strap and low-cut with a v-shaped neckline, clinging to her in all the right places. Pregnancy hadn't been harsh on her body at all, as she'd been able to regain her figure without much complication. Put quite simply...

"You look...beautiful."

They walked arm in arm down the walkway, Gippal unable to keep his eyes off of her. They'd eaten dinner and then decided to go on a walk throughout Luca. Many couples were walking about, arm in arm, totally absorbed in each other, whispering sweet nothings into each other's ears. Gippal and Rikku stopped at a bench and sat there, holding each other close. Gippal started fiddling with something in his pocket and he pulled out a small box. Rikku looked at him with a puzzled look and he smiled, opening the box to reveal a beautiful emerald ring. Rikku smiled and he put it on her finger.

"Rikku, I love you so much...and I just want to thank you." She looked up at him in confusion. He smiled, took her hand, and kissed the back of it. "I want to thank you...for saving me that day when we were kids...for waiting for me even though I ran off to the Crimson Squad...for loving me, marrying me, and having children with me. You really are the most important part of my life now, you know? You always have been, since we were in diapers." She giggled at that, holding his hands in hers. She leaned over and kissed him.

"You're welcome, Gippal...My love."

The pyrefly flew by, stopped for a second, and kept going.

Part XV: Sickness

Ages: Rikku- 20, Gippal-21, Rubah and Pnyjano- 2

Gippal ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. He just couldn't figure out what the problem was. No matter what he or Rikku did, Rubah and Pnyjano just would not stop wailing like a couple of trapped chocobos! They had fevers that wouldn't go down, but other than that, they had no way of knowing what else could be wrong. Rikku ran into the room with the healer in tow, attempting to comfort Pnyjano as he squalled. The healer took one look at the both of them and smiled.

"Why your highness, they're simply teething! Nothing serious, just give them these toys to chew on and they should be fine within a few days." Rikku nodded, accepting the toys from her hands as she walked out of the apartment. Gippal took one and handed it to Rubah as she did the same for Pnyjano.

"Well, now that they're taken care of, what do you say you and I have some...alone time?" Gippal purred. The twins were fast asleep at this time in their cribs, leaving him and Rikku to themselves. Rikku turned to him with a giggle and suddenly got up off the couch.

"Last one to the bed makes breakfast in the morning!" She called. He ran after her, smiling to himself.

He wouldn't have things any other way.

The pyrefly was...nowhere to be found.

Hope you all liked that! I decided it would be wise to catch up to where I should be by now, and I appologize for the last one being so short, but I'm REALLY tired, and I've made you all wait long enough :P See you in the next installment!
Al Bhed translations:

Yuck, and you sleep next to him? How do you sleep at night? I should punish him for hurting the baby!!

I sleep just fine! Gippal may snore, but that doesn't hurt the baby at all, so it's alright, Brother! Geeze, don't hurt him over a bit of snoring, yeah?

His name, when translated: Bravery

Her name, when translated: Hope