Falling In Love With You

I twitch…there's something highly uncomfortable about…well…feeling the cool breeze between my legs. Damn Nanaki…doesn't have to wear a freaking kilt or dance. Bastard.

God I hate my life.

"…do you, Shera Willow take Cid Highwind to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

Shera grins, "I do," she says softly.

The wedding party looks funny, complete with a rather large, bulky one armed man, a sulking, morbid clown wannabe, and a rather unpreturbed three time ballroom champion cat novelty collector in man skirts.

Oh we're completely ignoring me. No way am I actually standing up here in this plaid skirt.

Life sucks.

"And do you, Cid Highwind, take Shera Willow to be your lawfully wedded bride?"

Cid's about as red as a tomato…oh entertainment.

"I do," he mutters.

My eyes lift, roaming towards where I can see Cecil, Grant, the twins, and other assorted Shera and Cid relatives all watching with these reactions: tears, anger…happiness, sorrow…

I'd say it's a pretty mixed reaction, this wedding.

Still desptie the fact that I am currently wearing…I can't even think it…anyways, despite my sorrow currently occuring, I give a tiny smile.

Cid married…scary.

My eyes travel away from Cid and Shera.

"Then I now pronounce you…"

Tifa's grinning, she's practically glowing, standing there with Yuffie, Carla, and Wendy. Her hair's been pulled back, and there are flowers in it. All four of them are wearing burgundy dresses that match our...dammit…our s-kilts.

Tifa's grin gets bigger, eyes on the happy couple

"… husband and wife…"

Tifa's eyes move as these words are said, connecting with mine for the umpteenth time this ceremony, but I think there's something different about this.

I think somethings going through both of our heads…how this will be us one day, and Cid and Shera will be in our places.

"You may kiss the bride."

There's a moment of silence, and then a loud applause. I know why everyone's clapping, and I know I should be clapping, or at least watching, but I can't, cause Tifa's still watching me. This is their big day, and all I can think about is Tifa.

She doesn't take her eyes off of me until the preist begins to speak, then she blushes, and breaks the contact, looking towards the newlyweds.

Oh damn Cid's married. I repeat: scary thought.

"I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Cid Highwind!"

There's another round of applause, and Grant struggles to stand on his cane. There will be a lot of talking now…and a lot of shaking hands and taking pictures. Then there will be more talking and more taking pictures and more shaking hands at the reception. At least there will be food.

But I'll have to dance. Damn. Actually, damn for Tifa because she has to dance with me. I know last time I didn't mess up, but who's to say this time won't be a complete disaster?

Which it may very well be.

I move to walk back down the aisle, Tifa looping her arm through mine, her other hand clutching her tiny bouquet.

"I almost fainted," she whispers out of the corner of her mouth yet somehow mangaing to still smile.

"I told you not to lock your knees."

"I didn't," she hisses, "It was so hot!"

"It wasn't that hot."

"Hey, my dress is longer than yours," she mutters.

I have a half second falter in my step before recovering. She giggles, squeezing my arm.

"Excuse me…your kilt is shorter than my dress."

I glower at her, but she just grins innocently back up. It will take many hours of bikini Tifa to make up for that one.

Somehow I manage to survive it through photos, and shaking hands in the chapel, and the wedding party finally makes its way to the reception area. I can see now why they chose the Dolphin Tail Resort simply for the area of the reception. Grant has got to be loaded to afford all this.

The ballroom that's been rented out has vaulted ceilings, and is done in stone work. There's a dance floor, and a long table set out for the wedding party, and an assortment of other tables. Large candelabras are all along the wall, and it makes a nice affect as sunset is approaching outside. There's large open archways with french doors that lead out to a balcony that wraps around the ballroom. It overlooks an expansive garden, and the ocean.

There's lots of people in the ballroom when we arrive, and the first thing they're going to make us do is dance.

Damn them.

Cid and Shera get out on the floor by themselves, the guests gathering round to watch the two dance for the first time as an official married couple.

I don't see what the big deal is…course, I guess it's different if you're the one getting married.

Cid doesn't step on Shera's toes once. I'm jealous.

Shera's dress is pretty simple, still…it's a bit unnerving to see Cid's hairy man legs beside her pretty white dress.

…which shouldn't technically be white.

Oh burn!

Tifa squeezes my arm. What? What's going on?

Oh crap she's taking me out on the dance floor! No! No! I don't want to dance.

Dammit.

She puts her hand on my shoulder, and grabs my other hand, and we sway back and forth to the music.

Everyone's watching us…well, not just me and Tifa, but us as a group. I hear Yuffie in the background snickering to Vincent about how I'm going to mess up, and I grit my teeth.

Tifa shakes her head, "Just ignore her."

Yeah, like that's possible.

She squeezes my hand, "Don't worry…the guests will be joining us soon, and not watching."

How soon?

She gives me a reassuring smile, "Here they come."

And she's right. People are starting to poor out onto the dance floor. I let out a sigh of relief, the dance going by a lot faster than I remember.

…maybe it's just because I didn't step on her toes. Once. I am the man, the dancing man.

In a kilt. Man, it just hits me at the oddest times. It's kind of easy to block out, then bam! You're in a kilt!

Grr…

"May I cut in?"

I glance, looking up at Barret.

"No."

"Move your ass, Spike before you step on tha poor girl's toes!"

Bastard.

I relent my hold on Tifa, who's laughing, and I move away from them.

But peace is above my reach right now it seems.

"You got burned," Marlene pops up from nowhere.

"What?"

"You got owned. Papa just owned you," she grins.

Does she even know what that means?

"Marlene…?"

"Will you dance with me?"

I blink, "What?"

She huffs, putting her hands on her hips, "I said, will you dance with me? Denzel's off dancing with that stupid flower girl, and daddy's dancing with Tifa, so will you dance with me?"

I scratch the back of my head.

"Uh…I might…kill your toes."

She grins, "Don't worry, I know how too. You won't be able to step on my feet."

She grabs my hand before I can protest and drags me back onto the dance floor. I watch as she lifts up her dress a little bit to see her feet, then she steps forward to balance on top of my toes.

Huh…this is easy.

She grabs my hands, and I start moving my feet.

Heck yeah! She was right…I can't kill her toes.

Yuffie and one of Shera's brothers sways past me. I can hear her cackling laughter.

Marlene grins up at me, raising an eyebrow, and with a swift move of my foot we both step on Yuffie's toes.

…which isn't that hard to do since Yuffie has giant feet.

Yuffie's face turns red, and she shoots us a look, but Marlene sends her an innocent smile.

More people are laughing at us now, but I don't mind…because the first one was Yuffie and Yuffie's…well…Yuffie laughs because she's mean.

The other people laugh cause they think it's cute.

"I'm stealing your partner...Rainbow fluff is dancing with Tifa."

Dammit Barret! Make up your mind!

He doesn't even give me time to protest, just picks Marlene up off of my feet and puts her on his.

He glares at me, before swaying around into the crowd.

Dammit.

Ah well, who wants to dance anyways?

I join Vincent on the wall watching the swaying crowd.

"Dancing not really your thing?"

"No," he replies, not even looking at me.

I nod my head…it's kind of more awkward than it would be if we were wearing pants. Instead we're wearing kilts.

Dammit, the kilt brain is back.

The dancing ends after the next song, and apparently there's fun games to be played, and cake to be eaten.

Yay cake.

Of course as it is with any wedding, the bride shoves cake up the groom's nose for being a man, and the groom can't shove cake all over the bride's face because she gives him that look that says 'if you get icing on this dress I'm going to slaughter you, husband or not' or something of that affect.

So, after cake and food, Cid gets the honor shooting Shera's garter to all the bachelors.

I stand aside, knowing that I'm getting married regardless. Wow, that's a weird feeling.

Yuffie pushes Barret, Nanaki, Reeve, and Vincent out onto the floor. Barret lets out a few curse words, and Yuffie threatens to lift up all of their kilts if they don't stand there.

Cid stretches the garter back, and it goes flying into the crowd.

Annnndddd…

Hits Nanaki in the eye…his good eye.

Ouch.

There's a loud snarl and Nanaki charges after Cid. Yuffie tackles Nanaki, and Cid hides behind Shera.

Shera decides it's time to throw the bouquet.

Good call, Shera.

So, for retribution Nanaki forces Yuffie to stand out there on the floor.

Shera tosses it, and Nanaki shoves Yuffie into the path of the bouquet. Yuffie catches it, and there is a moment of silence.

"Damn you Nanaki! I'm not getting freaking married! Ever!" she screeches, tossing the bouquet towards Tifa.

Tifa laughs at her, and Nanaki shrugs, moving on. I think Yuffie may have just blown her chances with Shera's brothers who coincidentally are now Cid's brothers.

Scary.

And now it is time to mingle…weddings…mingling…what's the point? Really.

So I escape.

I move outside through one of the many doors finding the balcony surprisingly deserted. I sigh, leaning forward onto the railing of the balcony watching the sunset over the ocean and garden.

Inside I can hear Barret's voice pouring from the doors delivering his duty as best man.

"…So, the first time I met Cid…well, you guys won't believe the story…but anyways, we were in a lot of trouble with a certain company. Anyways, so, Cid…he always makes quite the first impression on people I have to say. I'm sure all of you know that. He's got a mouth, he demands tea, he likes to smoke—

"I'm quitting bastard!"

Barret chuckles, "See what I mean? And you aren't going to quit, face it. But Cid…he's a good man even if he doesn't want to be one. I mean, look at him. He had to of done something right for Shera to be stickin around. Not every man gets as lucky as him to marry a great gal. Keep her, close, Cid. It's your job to take care of her, now."

I frown, the first thoughts of Barret's wife entering my mind. This must be rough on him…I really wonder what was the last wedding he's been to…if the last wedding he was at was his own.

"Are you hiding?" Tifa asks from behind me.

I glance over my shoulder, and she smiles, joining me at the railing.

"You are…"

"Mingling isn't really me…" I say, and she loops her arm through mine.

"Ya know…you need to dance with me again."

I frown, "Why?"

She scoffs, "Why? Because, Barret stole me, and you went off and danced with another woman."

"…I danced…with Marlene. You danced with Cecil."

"That's not the point."

"Are you really going to make me…?"

"Don't doubt me, Cloud. I will force you to dance with me."

I shrug, "Fine…but when I step on your toes…don't blame me."

She laughs again, pulling me away from the balcony.

"There isn't any music."

"Hasn't stopped us before," she grins, wrapping her arms around my neck.

Cid's voice is coming in through the doors now, "I have an announcement to make for a few close friends…dammit, where are they? Anyways, I'm sure most of you know my good friends Cloud Strife, and Tifa Lockhart."

There's a chorus of yeahs, and a whoop from Yuffie.

"Well, I thought I'd have the honor of letting you know that sometime soon Tifa Lockhart will be becoming Tifa Strife."

"Ehmahgawd!" Yuffie squeals.

There's a loud cheer and a yell, and I hear people calling our names.

Cid's still talking though, "So to those two love birds…where ever the hell they are, this one's for you. Don't waste it, Spike and don't crush her toes."

'Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can't help
Falling in love with you.'

Tifa laughs, her head falling against my shoulder.

"We still have a lot to figure out before I become Mrs. Strife."

I grunt in response.

'Shall I stay
Would it be a sin
If I can't help
Falling in love with you.'

"You know, when we were up there…I couldn't help but think that one day…that'll be us…"

I nod my head.

'As a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things were meant to be.'

The sun is setting over the ocean now, the world orange and red around us.

She smiles up at me, "I didn't think life could turn out this good."

"What do you mean?"

She shrugs, looking towards the sunset, "After everything that's happened to us…it's hard to believe we're all moving on and living our lives. It's hard to believe that finally after everything that's happened, we're happy."

I kiss her forehead, surprising even myself, "I've been happy…for a long time."

Her head falls up against my shoulder, and I feel her sigh, "When?"

"Soon, I promise."

"Small…remember?"

"Big family, I remember that."

"You just want the means to getting there," she giggles against my chest.

I want it all…

"What do you think…" I say slowly, "About…moving out here? Not now…just…one day…"

I feel her nod against my chest, "When we start our family."

"Okay."

'For I can't help
Falling in love with you.'

A/N: I LOVE that song. Only Elvis can sing it and make it right. Before you say, well Horky, Elvis isn't in Gaia...Elvis is freaking everywhere. He went to their world after he was abducted by aliens. Heh, but really now, I know I didn't use all the lyrics, but still...I lovvvvveeee this song. And I love you guys! Thanks for the reviews! You're all so nice! I love you!