Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Vow
Sephiroth was quiet on the way to the chapel, his mind clearly elsewhere. Zack had to jostle him once or twice so he could keep his eye on the road. He'd never seen the General so distracted; usually he was dead focused on the task at hand.
But he'd never had a task like this before.
True to their wishes, the chapel was small, barely suited to seat fifty. The road to it hadn't been paved, and was surrounded by lush greenery. When they stopped beside the building, Sephiroth pulled the key from the engine and sighed deeply, laying his head on the wheel and not moving. For several moments, all that could be heard was the slight breeze in the trees.
"Are you ready for this?"
Sephiroth raised his head, smiling, and Zack knew that he was.
Aralyn stood behind the doors, twisting a white handkerchief in her hands. They were sweating, and it was beginning to show on the cloth. Discarding it with a frustrated sigh, she turned to pacing in little circles, but had to stop when she tripped on the hem of her dress. Silently, but still fidgeting, she stood behind the doors and waited.
She wasn't entirely sure what she was waiting for. Music? A knock? She began to worry that she'd enter early, and then she began to panic as the thought crossed her mind that she'd be late. She pushed the door open, only to come face to face with Zack.
She jumped back, but he caught her hand before she could fall any further. "On edge?" he asked, smiling kindly. "Don't worry, he is too."
"Am I late?" she asked, horrified.
"No, no." He straightened her lacy veil that had been jostled during her fall. "We were talking on the way here, though. Typically, the bride's father walks her down the aisle, you know."
"Yeah," she said skeptically. "What of it? I'm not normal in any other way, why should my wedding be any different?"
"He gave me permission," Zack said, "to accompany you, only if you'd like. If not, which is totally all right," he handed her a large bouquet of red and white roses and clapped her softly on the shoulder. "He's ready for you."
Aralyn threaded her arm through Zack's, then stepped forward as he threw the doors open.
Sephiroth turned as he heard the doors open, feeling his breath catch in his throat. Aralyn stood at the end of the room, past the empty rows of seats, dressed in white, the red roses held against her heart standing out even at this distance. The crimson ribbon, which hung from the bouquet, dangled all the way down to her feet and swayed gently as she moved steadily forward.
Zack brought her to the steps and then let her walk up to Sephiroth. Zack smiled at his commander, gave a two-fingered salute and turned to take his place in the seat closest to the couple. Sephiroth nodded in gratitude, but turned his gaze to his bride.
He put his hands on her silk covered forearms and slid his fingers down her arms until they intertwined with hers. He leaned closer, whispering softly in her ear. "Do you want this, Aralyn?"
She looked up at him, her eyes sparking through the veil. His heart stopped as he saw the tears flow from her eyes. "I…Aralyn if you don't…" He stammered.
"No," she breathed. "No…I've never been so happy in my life." He knew that she couldn't be lying, not when her eyes were shining like that.
"Dearly beloved…" the small, elderly priest began.
Sephiroth and Aralyn did not look away from each other throughout the entire ceremony, and lost track of time. When Sephiroth's vow was called for, he did not respond, still spellbound. Taking this as a bad omen, the priest began to shut the book from which he read and Zack stood up abruptly, shock written clearly on his features.
"No!" Sephiroth called, suddenly understanding. "No, Aralyn, I do…with everything I am…I do." He clenched her hands and closed her eyes, ashamed, and pleading for her to understand.
"Then Aralyn, do you take Sephiroth to be your wedded husband to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love, comfort, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him so long as you both shall live?"
"No," she said, more to Sephiroth than to the preacher. "For much, much longer than that…I do." She smiled at him as he opened his eyes in relief.
"Then, by the powers vested in me I pronounce you man and wife. General Sephiroth, you may kiss the bride."
Sephiroth pulled her close to him and embraced her tightly. "My angel," he whispered as he lifted her veil, before he let his lips touch hers once again.