A/N: well it's good to know people are still reading this. Yet I am sad to say we are coming to the ending of this story. There are only about 5 chapters left of this tale. Well on a lighter note here is chapter 17. I am so sorry for the delay. Most of it's due to laziness, but a good chunk of it is due to the fact that my computer finally completely crashed. It would not start up at all. So for about a month I did not have it, then my graphics card went so that took another three weeks to get fixed so, that's my reason for not updating. Sorry. WARNING: THERE IS A SLIGHT LEMON IN THIS CHAPTER. THIS CHAPTER IS GOING TO BE RATED M. I MIGHT CHANGE THE OVERALL RATING OF THE STORY BUT I'M NOT SIRE YET.
Chapter17
The Next day was a little hectic, and went by in a sort of blur. Yuna and Tidus were the first to arrive, coming at around noon. We showed them to their room, which was to the left of ours. Yuna and Tidus spent some time with Cid, catching up. Paine and Baralai arrived next at around four and Baralai stayed with Gippal who was giving him a tour of Home, and getting him acquainted with some of the people to make him feel a little less awkward. Their room was to the right of ours and for the rest of the day Yuna, Paine and I hung around doing nothing really while waiting for everyone else to arrive. Yuna of course was chatting my ear off about the baby and how she's so happy for Gippal and I, and then to Paine about random stuff. Nooj and Leblanc arrived at around six and since Leblanc went wherever Nooj was she stayed with Gippal and the guys, and let me tell you I felt so bad for Gippal having to spend most of the day with her, though I'm sure he had fun with all of the pet names Leblanc has for Nooj. Hmmm Maybe I should be worried if Gippal tries to make fun of Nooj in front of her not only would he face the wrath of Nooj, but also Leblanc, who could be quite annoying when she's mad. Lulu, Wakka, and Vidina were the last to arrive, their boat docking at around seven. They too were shown their room, which was right next to Yuna's. After they were shown their room, we all went down to the Dinning hall for dinner, and shortly after we retired to bed.
The next day after breakfast we all met at the harbor and left for Luca. We arrived at ten in the morning.
I turned to Gippal. "Alright well, I'm going to go take the girls to go dress shopping."
"I thought you already had one, the one your mother gave wore?"
"I do, but they need dresses." I said indicating Yuna and Paine.
"Right, I forgot. How long do you think you'll be?"
"Oh I don't know three maybe four hours. If you finish early you can go back to Home and we'll meet up with you later. Oh and Leblanc if you want after we get the dresses you can go back with Nooj." I said as I saw her open her mouth to say something.
She nodded her head, shocked that I knew what she was going to ask.
"Hey Lulu can I hold Vidina for a while? I figure I should practice before I have mine."
"You and Gippal are planning to have kids right after you're married?"
"Well yeah about six months after."
"Wow, you tow have really thought that out haven't you?"
I saw Yuna and Paine exchange knowing glances.
"Well not really. The baby's due in about six months."
"The baby?! Rikku you're pregnant?" She asked wide eyed. "How far along are you?"
"Yes I'm pregnant and a little over two months."
"W. . . When? How?" She stammered.
I smirked; looking over at Vidina. "Well Lulu I don't really think I need to explain the how now do I? But the baby was conceived the night we got engaged."
"Well of course you don't have to explain the how." She said blushing furiously. "But was it planned?"
"Does it matter? We want this child more than anything. Planned or not."
"No it doesn't matter. I was just wondering I mean you're so young. Not many you age plan on getting pregnant yet." She handing me Vidina to hold.
"Yeah well, I'm not all that normal now am I?"
"No, I guess you're not."
We came to a cute little dress boutique. Leblanc wasn't in my bridal party so while she shopped for a dress of her own Yunie, Paine, Lulu and I looked for bridesmaids dresses.
It took a few minutes but we finally found the perfect dress for everyone. It was an emerald green off the shoulder dress with elastic in the top hem so it had a scrunched effect. The dress had a pale spring green kind of color sash that tied around the waist with little leaves stitched into it, with slit on the right side of the dress form the hemline to the thigh.
"Wow. That was easier than I thought." I said as we all left the store.
Leblanc had found a little pink number that had a V neck down to the waist line and flared nicely to her feet.
As we were walking back to the harbor we meet up with the guys. Leblanc automatically attached herself to Nooj's hip as the rest of us meet up with our respective others.
"So Rikku, when's the wedding?" Paine asked
"Well we were going for tomorrow. Right now as we speak my father has all of Home setting up and getting everything ready, and Baralai if you want when we get back you can meet up with my father and straighten everything you need to out."
"Sounds good. I like to make sure I know the jist of the traditional wedding ceremony of whatever culture or people I'm presiding over."
We boarded our ship and settled down for the relatively short trip. Half an hour later we arrived at the Bikanel docks and rented a hover to take us back to Home.
Baralai decided to meet my father and brush up on the Al Bhed wedding culture, not that there is much difference. The men and LeBlanc followed Baralai to see if they could help in any way. The girls and I went back to my room to catch up on the time we missed.
"So Rikku, are you excited?" Yuna asked me.
"I don't think it's really sunk in yet."
"Can we see the dress?" Paine asked.
"Uh-Hu." I said as I stood up from the bed and walked to the closet. I decide to put the dress on to see how I looked in it. I closed myself in my closet and changed. I was amazed and how perfectly it fit me. I stepped out and did a little twirl.
"Oh Rikku it's gorgeous." Lulu said.
I stood in front of the full length mirror and looked at my reflection.
The dress itself was white, flowing nicely and settling at my ankles. It had spaghetti straps and was off the shoulder. Both the spaghetti straps and the off the shoulder straps were studded with Al Bhed emeralds which were the greenest of all the emeralds. The top of the dress was also studded with the emeralds as well as the waist line with strings of them sewn on from the waist to the hem.
It wasn't a traditional wedding dress but I didn't care. It was my mothers and that was all that mattered.
I started tearing up thinking of my mother. I missed her so much. I closed my eyes trying to will the tears away when I heard a gasp and felt the familiar comfort of my arms wrap around my shoulders.
In a heartbeat my eyes snapped open to look at my reflection, and there she was, my mother.
"Sudran?" I asked (Mother)
She smiled at me. "Remmo Rikku." (Hello Rikku)
I turned around, the dress twirling slightly, and tightly hugged my mother, my tears now flowing freely. "But how? . . I thought you. . ."
"Died? Yes sweetheart I am dead. The fayth let me come back for your wedding, as thanks for all you have done for Spira, and all you are forced with now, with all of the bombings and such."
"You know what is going on? Do you know who it is?"
"Just because I am dead does not mean I do not know what is going on; many of us walk among the pyreflies, yes they replay the memories of those who walk among them, but they are also a portal of such. The dead walk among us unseen everyday, and no I don't know who is doing this, no one does. But I know if anyone can figure it out you and Gippal can. I'm so proud of you sweetheart. I always knew you two would end up together."
I blushed slightly as my sudran held me at arms length. "My little girls all grown up, saved the world twice already, getting married and expecting a baby, I couldn't be happier. Oh and Yuna come and give your Yihd (Aunt) a hug. My how much you have grown."
"Oh aunt Chloe, I've missed you so much"
"And I've missed you too Yuna. I'm so proud of you too, as is your mother, she could not be happier."
I could se tears forming in Yuna's eyes.
I turned to my friends. "Lulu, Paine, this is my mother Chloe."
"I want to thank you both for looking after my little girl."
"Mooooom" I groaned.
"What?" she asked innocently. "Now where is that lucky fiancé of yours? I haven't seen him since he was a child."
"He's at the Oasis with Vydran and their respective others."
"Well don't you think it's about time I made my appearance?" My Sudran said with a mischievous smile, a smile, I've been told, I inherited, as she smoothed out the invisible wrinkles in her modest emerald green, a little shorter than knee length, halter dress.
We were lucky; no one seemed to be in the hallways, as we made out approach to the Oasis. When we arrived we stopped just before the Oasis, which was already on its way to becoming the perfect place to wed Gippal.
"Sudran, why don't you wait here for now and I'll go and get Vydran and Brother."
She just nodded, wringing her hands in anticipation.
I walked over to the nearest person. "Aqlice sa, tu oui ghuf frana tu Vydran yht Brother yna?" (Excuse me, do you know where my Father and brother are?)
"Ujan drane Bnehlacc Rikku." (Over there Princess Rikku.)
"Dryg Oui." (Thank you.)
"Oh hey Princess." My father said as he noticed my approach. "Well what do you think?"
"It's wonderful Vydran. But I have something to show you and Brother. Can you go and get him?"
"Um sure." He responded, confused.
I felt someone place their over my eyes. "Guess Who." This someone breathed huskily into my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
I decided to play games as a smirk crossed my face.
"Keisa?" I asked as I started rambling off names of completely random people.
"Oh come on Rikku, it should not be that hard."
'He actually fell for it.' I thought. I turned around and kissed him. "Of course I knew it was you Gippal. I was just joking."
He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me again. "Gee Rikku, you really know how to scare a guy."
"Well I did not expect you to fall for it. Sorry."
Vydran and Brother walked up not to long after.
"So where's this thing you have to show us." Vydran asked with his arms crossed.
Gippal looked at me confused
"I'll show you, but you're 'gonna have to keep your eyes closed for now."
I could tell Vydran was going to object but thought better of it. "All right lead the way."
"You too Gippal." I said taking his hand. Vydran held onto Brother who held onto my other shoulder.
I walked the short distance to my Sudran and let go of everyone's hands. 'Alright, you can open your eye now." I said as Yuna and Paine stepped aside.
My Vydran stood there speechless, just staring at his supposedly dead wife.
"S. . . Sudran? Is that really you?" Brother stammered.
"Yes, Brother it is. I've missed you so much." Sudran replied with her arms wide open.
Brother ran to our mother and flung his arms around her and hugged her tightly. "I've missed you so much too."
She hugged him back just as tightly. Brother now towered over our mothers' small frame so that she had to reach up on her tippy toes just to kiss his forehead. Sudran pulled away form Brother with a smile and looked tentatively at Vydran. She smiled lightly at him, at his shell shocked face.
"Cid?" She asked with apprehension.
"C. . . Chloe?" He asked taking a step towards her.
She nodded.
"Oh Chloe." My father breathed, rushing to take her up in his arms.
"Cid." She breathed, collapsing into his embrace.
"Chloe, I've missed you so much." Vydran said with tears in his eyes. The only other time I think I ever saw my father cry was when she died, and when Home was destroyed.
For a few minutes they just held each other and cried. Finally they pulled back, with my Sudran wiping her eyes with her hands.
"Well let me have a look at you. My look how you've all grown. Oh Gippal I'm so glad to see that you've grown into a responsible young man I always knew you two would end up together. Call it mother's intuition." My Sudran said giving Gippal a hug
"Sudran!" I said, blushing as Gippal smirked and kissed me on the cheek. He kept his arm firmly placed around my waist.
"There's just the matter of getting my little girl pregnant out of wedlock." She said teasingly. "Honestly Cid, I'm surprised he's still alive."
"Sudran." I said drawing out the word in a whiny voice as I burred my face in Gippal's chest to hide my embarrassment.
My parents and Gippal both laughed at my embarrassment.
"Seyhea" (Meanie) I whined trying to wiggle out of Gippal's grasp. But he would not let me go. I figured there was only one way out.
"Gippal, let me go." I said feigning sickness as I quickly placed a hand over my mouth and the other over my stomach.
"Rikku. Are you alright?" He asked concerned as he let like I hoped he would.
I took a stumbling step forward just to give an added effect, though I had a sneaky feeling my mother knew exactly what I was doing. I turned around and gave Gippal a mischievous smile, then took off running back to Home. I heard my mother, Yuna, and Paine start laughing as Gippal shouted my name and chased after me.
I speed past the door to Home just as it was closing; nearly knocking over the Al Bhed making his way to the Oasis. I knew the door would prolong my capture. I sprinted to my room, locked to door, and hid in my closet. I took a couple of seconds to calm my breathing so as not to give my position away.
A few minutes alter I heard the door slowly creak open as Gippal crept in silently. I let the door to the closet open ever so slightly so I could see where he was. I was no longer in my dress. I had long since changed out of it into my normal garb.
His back was to me, giving me a perfect opportunity. I slowly opened the door and jumped onto his back. One problem, he turned around and caught me, mission failed. The momentum of my jump sent us backwards towards the floor. Gippal kept a tight hold on me minimizing the jar of the impact.
We landed in. . . well a compromising position on the floor. I was on top of him and our legs were tangled together. My hands were on either side of his head, and his hands were warm and wrapped tightly around my waist. Our lips were mere inches away and our breathing was labored.
I leaned my head towards him, closing the distance between our lips. Suddenly he flipped out positions and deepened the kiss. I arched my back and moaned as one of his hands slipped beneath my shirt and rested it on my breast his thumb lightly caressing my nipple.
We were kissing hard and fast with our hands exploring each others bodies. He broke the kiss and started nipping at the skin at the base of my neck. Sands it felt so good. His one hand was at my thigh as the other fondled my breast and by that point my hands were at his belt hastily trying to undo it in my lust filled haze.
We parted for a millisecond to remove my shirt and then we crashed back together. His pants were undone and he wiggled out of them within seconds. It all happened so fast. Next thing I knew we were only in our underwear and even then my bra was almost off.
"I think the bed would be more comfortable, don't you?" He whispered huskily in my ear.
I was so far gone in my lust filled haze that all I could manage was a nod.
The Blinding sun streaming through my window woke me the next morning. I rolled over to wrap my arm around Gippal. My eyes shot open when my arms found nothing but air. For a quick second I panicked, and then I saw the note left on his pillow.
"E Muja oui." (I love you) was all it read, but it was enough to warm my heart. I stretched lazily then shout upright. Today was my wedding day. I jumped out of bed and ran into the shower. I had just finished hastily putting on my P.J.'s when I felt a wave of nausea wash over me.
"Rikku?" I heard as my bedroom door slowly opened. I regretted opening my mouth, as soon as I did everything that was not in my stomach came back up, as I leaned my head over the toilet.
My Sudran walked into the bathroom. "Oh sweetie are you alright?"
"Yea, just a little nauseous." I said standing up. I had to hold onto the wall for support when a wave of dizziness washed over me.
"Rikku, when was the last time you ate?"
"Ummm Yesterday at lunch." I admitted sheepishly.
"Rikku, you should know better than to skip a meal, especially now that you are pregnant.
"Sorry, Gippal and I were, Uh, well we, uh, He-he, were a bit distracted, I wasn't really thinking about food."
My mother smirked. "As please as I am that your sex isn't lacking, it is no excuse to not eat. Come, brush your teeth and let's go get breakfast."
"In my pajamas?"
"It's your wedding day, you're allowed to look however you like."
After breakfast we met up with Yunie, Lulu and Paine.
Yunie squealed. "Oh Rikku, are you excited, it's your big day." She said taking my hands and jumping up and down.
"Kind of. I'm nervous bit it just feels sp right, so I know there is nothing to be afraid of."
They all smiled at me. "Well Rikku, let's go get you ready." Sudran said.
Walking back to my room, I started to get nervous. I knew that I loved him and always wanted to be with him but for some reason I was undeniably scared. That's when my friend, nausea, decided to make an appearance. We got to my room and I ran straight for the bathroom. I sat in the bathroom as the breakfast I just ate came back in a not so pleasant way, with my sudran holding my hair back.
"Jeeze what's wrong with me? Is the just nerves or is the morning sickness coming back, man I hope it's not the morning sickness," I thought to my self.
"Are you okay Rikku?" Yuine asked, with a pale look to her face.
"I'm fine. It's probably just my hormones and nerves. Are you okay Yunie, you look kind of pale."
"I'm fine, I'm just worried about you. I mean it's you wedding day, I don't want you to be sick."
"Yunie, it's just a bout of morning sickness. It's what you'll have to face when you have children."
"Well morning sickness, is morning sickness, nothing we can do to stop it. Now let's get you girls ready, the ceremony starts in an hour." Sudran said.
Getting ready took longer than expected. By the time we were ready we had ten minutes to get to the Oasis.
My hair was done up in a complicated bun and I had a light dusting of green eye shadow on along with some mascara, along with a clear gloss on my lips.
Yuna, Paine, Lulu, and my mother, in a simple yellow-green gown, had a simple dusting of yellowish-gold eye shadow atop their eyes.
When we got to the Oasis we had no time to loose. We took out places at the entrance and waited.
My mother was at the head of the line as is custom for the matriarch to consent to the match, then any female relatives, Yunie, then Lulu, Paine and me at the end of the procession.
When the music started we started our slow march to the alter. My father stood in front of Gippal waiting to join our hands. I've never seen my father look so proud. The people around me were lost to me as I stared at Gippal, my soon to be ricphy. (husband) I barley even listened to the music. I was aware, however, of how unbelievably handsome he looked in his black suit with a dark green tie. I even noticed with a chuckle that he donned a new dark green eye patch for the ceremony.
I joined Gippal at the alter after my sudran approved the match and welcomed Gippal to the family, and my Vydran joined our hands together.
I didn't even really listen to Baralai's beautiful ceremony; I was only coherent enough to say I do. So entranced as I was by Gippal's eyes and the fear I saw reflected there matched my own. This was it; the beginning of the rest of our lives.
"You may now kiss the pneta(Bride)." Baralai said, pronouncing 'bride' in perfect Al Bhed.
I actually giggled when he said that and for the first time I truly noted the surroundings.
We were standing under a beautiful flowered arch way and the sun was just setting, casting a ethereal orange glow about the place while the soothing sounds of the waves lapping against the shore played in the background. I looked back at Gippal and smiled. He smiled back and brought his head closer to mine. I closed the distance as I felt him squeeze my hand lightly. I parted my lips as I felt his tongue lazily against mine. We kissed for only a few seconds as all of Home cheered.
We broke the kiss and ran back down the aisle hand in hand to the awaiting hover that would take us back to Home.
Back in our room I hugged Gippal, laying my head on his chest. I just stayed there enjoying the smell and feel of him, my husband. I giggled at the thought, now turned reality.
He kissed the top of my head. "We did it." He whispered. "You have no idea how long it have waited till the day I could call you my wife, and now I can."
"Only in my dreams did I think I could ever call you my husband, and now I can, and now our child is growing inside of me. Three years ago, with the threat of Sin, I had almost given up on my dream of getting married and starting a family of my own and now both of those dreams are coming true. Thank you so much Gippal. I said with tears in my eyes as I leaned my head to give him a kiss.
He brought his head to mine and closed the distance, lightly brushing his lips against mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck as I was hyper aware of his arms around my waist, warm and gentle as he deepened the kiss. After a few minutes we broke apart smiling at each other.
"We don't have to hide the baby anymore." I said placing a hand on my still flat stomach.
"Hmmm you're right." He murmured as he placed his hand over mine, as he gave me a chaste kiss.
"Well shall we go to our reception?" I asked taking both his hands into mine.
"Lead the way."
I touched up my makeup and walked to the cafeteria turned reception hall. The cafeteria was completely transformed. There were streamers and white fabric every where. They had temporarily gotten ride of those ugly tables and brought in real fancy ones. It was gorgeous. Oh and did I mention the ice sculpture? How they managed to create it in a place located in a desert was beyond me. It was a giant chocobo.
"Congratulations!!!!" Everyone shouted as we walked through the doors.
Yunie ran up to me and gave me a huge hug. "Oh Rikku I'm so happy. You look so pretty."
"Thank you Yunie. Hopefully soon It'll be yours we're attending."
Yuna giggled and blushed as she glanced towards Tidus. "Hopefully." She agreed.
My parents came up to us hand in hand. My mother and father both hugged me, and my father shook my hand as my mother enveloped him in a hug.
"Famlusa du dra vysemo Gippal." (Welcome to the family Gippal.") Sudran said
"Dryhg oui." (Thank you) Gippal said as I caught a few tears in his eyes.
It had been a long time since Gippal had anyone to cal family, blood related at least. He was orphaned at a very young age and now he had a father-in-law, and a mother-in-law, albeit a dead one, but one who for now could at least treat him like a son, me his wife, and a baby on the way. A child that was his to call his own, a part of him, son or daughter he can watch grow up, a child he can hold, and take care of; a family to call his own.
I smiled, glad I could provide him with his greatest desire.
"What?" He asked seeing my smiling face.
"Nothing," I answered sweetly.
"Oh really?"
"Really"
We forgot the people around us as we leaned in for a kiss that started out light but slowly became deeper until my parents coughed, breaking the spell.
We blushed furiously.
"Save it for the honeymoon." Paine shouted
I blushed deeper but stuck my tongue out at her anyway.
Everyone laughed. Someone turned on the music; a slow song.
Gippal took my hand and lead me to the makeshift dance floor. He placed his arms around my waist, bringing me closer to him. We stood there, not really dancing so much as we were swaying, lost in each others eyes. We hardly even noticed the pother couples joining us on the dance floor.
I don't know how long we danced but it was eventually time to eat. After which time my father decided it was time to give a speech.
"First of all I would like to say congratulations to my daughter and son-in-law, I'm so proud of you both. Gippal, first of all I would like to say sorry. I know I was not the nicest person to you, it was nothing personal, I was just overprotective of my baby girl. I felt that no one was good enough for her. But you proved me wrong. You are exactly the person my daughter needs. You are the best choice for her and I know you will always take her best interest at heart, and will always be there for her no matter what. You are a well established Al Bhed with a bright future ahead of you with the Machine Faction. I know you both will get it up and running in no time and in better shape then it was before. You will be a wonderful husband to my daughter and a wonderful father to that child she's carrying. Welcome to the family Gippal."
Well there goes keeping the baby a secret for at least a little while longer. But it's ok, Vydran did it perfectly and I'm sure no one will really notice.
"And to you Rikku, my Bnchlacc (Princess), I could not be any prouder of you than I already am. My baby girls not so little anymore; already saved the world twice. I realize now that you do not need me to hold your hand anymore. You can stand on your won two feet. And to you I would also like to say sorry. I know at times you thought I was being unfair, what with all the lectures I gave you, and the restrictions that you never followed, but I was never trying to be unfair, I was just trying to protect you. I know now that you don't need protectin'; at least not form me. I know Gippal will do a good job of protecting the both of you, when you nee help. Again congratulations to you both."
I had tears in my eyes, as I stood up and gave my father a huge hug. He was crying too.
"Oh Vydran, I will always need you, maybe not as much," I joked "But I will always be you little girl, the one who looks up to and respects her Vydran. I love you tytto (daddy)"
"I love you too sweetheart."
A/N: well there's chapter 17, and like I said before. I'm taking a break from updating only because I think it's unfair of me to make all you wonderful and loyal reviewers wait like 4 months for the next chapter. I'm going to finish writing it and then I'm gonna finish posting it. I'm hoping it won't take too long. I already have chapter 18 almost finished, I wrote parts of 19 and 20 and I finished the epilogue. So I don't have that long to go. But please stick with me. Tanks so much, and as always please read and review.